Smitheroo

If you read the reviews for the different ships for recent months there are a lot of people who are no longer happy with NCL.

The reason I asked this question in this forum was because I wondered if people here paid the baggage fees I saw quoted when I searched. And the answer seems to be yes they do. Maybe I should stick with US Ports. I dont have an airline travel card anymore but do have an NCL card

The prices I saw werent more expensive

Yes, I fly out of Boston most of the time. We have an international airport in Maine in Bangor and Portland but that involves changing planes (depends on where you are going of course) and is more expensive (not a factor for some) I will say I'm not going to pay 544 (lbs or dollars) for a one way flight from Europe to the East Coast. I often fly Jet Blue (had the travel card at one time) and I did fly through Iceland at one time (1999) on Icelandair back and forth to Scotland. I'd like to see Iceland again. I think I will seriously consider TAP and downsize to a carry on. Easier to handle too.

please identify the airline. Maybe they make it up with the fares? What do you mean by flying cheap?

Which airline? Do you have a credit card for that airline? You of the comments up above also state $100 for one checked bag.

January 2024 is more than 120 days away

international?

I'm not even considering a 2nd bag lol. I'm traveling solo and I think I will downsize to a carry on. I feel sorry for families who are not very well off.

Thank you. I have no problem with paying luggage fees for one checked bag on domestic flights but it is a different story when they want $100 per bag. I might have to figure out how to get by with a carry on. Might not be too hard for a solo TA. Just a few years ago, but before Covid, international airlines were still allowing one checked bag free of charge. I was planning a land trip but cancelled because of Covid.

Unless you have a branded credit card there is no way to avoid luggage charges. Its not a choice, you need clothes for a cruise. I didnt look at the actual charges, just the range i.e. $0-100 and panicked. I sometimes pay for one checked bag on a domestic flight. It is usually about $35 which isnt a problem. I'll take another look. If you choose NCL Air promo they pick the airline so you dont know what the charges will be until you know the asssigned airline. No wonder I often read warnings about accepting NCL Air promo. Too much out of your control.

Ok, thanks for clearing up the deposit questions. I'm still learning the ins and outs of cruising and didnt realize the deposit is for 2 people I guess that's what they mean by 2-1 deposits. But as far as the other point I asked about I think that's kind of sneaky not to mention the very important "120 days rule"

You are correct, so many changes due to Covid that only post Covid reviews are relevant for most points

Last time I was on an international flight was in 2013. One way from Manchester, UK was affordable and you were allowed at least 1 regular suitcase as well as a carry on. I've been looking at flights from London after reconsidering the Joy voyage Jan 11th 2024. All of the flights with reasonable prices only allow a personal item and the charges for checked bags are ridiculous. TAP seems to allow a carry on. How does this work coming from ship? Do people here who arrange their own international flights pay these luggage charges? Also, when arranged through NCL does the Air Fare promo include allowed luggage ? I'm thinking probably not.

I posted this question on the Roll Call forum for this voyage. The person who answered said he doubted that NCL leaves construction materials lying around in public areas. I would think that would be true due to possibly passenger injury. He said he thought areas might be roped off where they are working. There are a few on the Roll Call and sound like they are looking forward to this voyage. I might reconsider. I really love multiple sea days in a row (I know not every one does) There is a lot of commotion as the ship prepares for docking and taking off. I would think on a daily basis, or close to daily, that would detract.

I've been reading the reviews (most of which, as recently as Spring 2023, are poor) which mention that passengers are only allowed off ship while on an NCL excursion. I am hoping this was just during Covid?

There has to be an answer. Even the government isnt that ridiculous.

My Medicare supplement will cover anywhere, with a lifetime maximum of 50,000 which is ridiculous. But what you said about casinos- I read that when the ship passes through the Inside Passage it is not in International Waters. So does that mean that the casino is not open during the Inside Passage part?

Thanks. But that just raises more questions lol. " Medicare will cover you if the cruise ship you are on is within 6 hrs of a US Port or possession" Ok, the ship is on its way to Ketchikan (I'm assuming that is US) At some point it is going to be within 6 hrs of the port. So do you wait until that point before being treated, when you are within 6 hrs of the port? How ridiculous is that? I think I will just get trip insurance.

Everytime I do mock bookings to get an idea of fares I get an email from Dee Weaver, cruise consultant for NCL Looks at what is written about CruiseFirst certificates. Doesnt that make it look like you can buy the certificates with this offer to save money on THIS cruise. Doesnt say that the cruise has to be 120 days from the date of purchase of the certificate. Also, how does 1 CruiseFirst Certificate equal 2 deposits if one is purchasing the certificate worth $300. Hello Christine, I hope this email finds you well. Come set sail with these UNPRECEDENTED SAVINGS! For a very limited time, take advantage of 70% Off 2nd Guest + Norwegian’s Free at Sea. There is no better time than NOW to plan your dream vacation. Plus, you can enjoy the following: FREE AIRFARE^: Purchase an air ticket and 2nd guest flies free. CruiseFirst Offer: Get an additional $150 FREE with your purchase of a CruiseFirst Certificate 1 CruiseFirst Certificate = 2 Deposits.

I wouldnt exactly call it a "few extra dollars"

I shouldnt have included the questions about Medicare. What I was really interested in was to know if a ship on an Alaskan cruise is ever more than 6 hrs from a US Port. Do you know ?

t it is true that I asked about evacuation. That I still have to ask Medicare about. But yes, my medicare coverage that I have would definitely cover normal medical care on a Ship within 6 hrs of a US Port. That is why I asked if a ship on an Alaskan cruise is ever more than 6 hours from a US Port.

I read that medicare coverage is accepted on a cruise ship when the ship is within 6 hrs of a US Port or Possession, like Guam. But this wasnt really an insurance question, the question was if the ship on an Alaskan cruise is ever more than 6 hrs from a US Port. I think I confused people by mentioning Medicare.

I thought since many people on this forum are probably on Medicare someone might know. But Even if they dont know about Medicare they might know if the ship on an Alaskan cruise is over more than 6 hours from a US Port. That was my real question. I added the Medicare stuff to explain the reason why I was thinking about how far the ship was from a US Port. Not something one would normally think about.