Sthrngary

@RocketMan275 No, I have already booked and confirmed a Vibe Beach Club Cabana. I come early because I am a crazy human being. I traveled for 40 years, I was always the first online in airports. I can't help it. On one thing you are right. The moment I am on board, since I have my vibe pass, I will be in the Vibe immediately. It is a tradition. LOL. The issue with New Orleans is complete disorganization even in the Haven. I will take my ipad and start reading my book. The newest release of Mitch Rapp. I can't wait. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you for making this thread. Specialty Meals: Only can be used for the guest it is assigned for. Unlimited WiFi: For US guest, both devices is unlimited. I just upgraded to the Unlimited WiFi Streaming. It was $70.00 for the week. Regardless, wifi on a ship is awful. Allow me to provide the approach I have used for the third and forth person. Since all guest 21 and older in a cabin need to all purchase the Free At Sea Plus Program, your guest will have two meals on that program. Just buy a package with two additional meals. On the internet, two devices is enough if everyone in the cable can be a little flexable. However, the if you purchased the Free At Sea PLUS for the third person, they would have it anyway. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I do my online check-in the moment it is available which is 21 days in advance. The reason is I want the earliest boarding time possible. That is 09:00 AM. This puts you in group one or two when the ship is cleared. I then make a "B" line to the Vibe Beach Club. New Orleans is not a great and organized port. Unlike the new NCL Terminal in Miami. As indicated above, I get to the port at about 08:45 AM. Less traffic and makes the construction less of a issue. When I arrive, there is already a line. Not that long but there. My strategy is get in and avoid long lines even if I have to sit for an hour or so. Yes of course, first come, first served. I find a chair by the entry door for quick boarding when it happens. This is not consistent because it has so much to do with the last weeks guest following the rules. My best guess is Group One/Two board between 10:50 AM to 11:15 AM. I hope that helps. Cruise well and enjoy every moment. PS: I love NOLA so I always get up early and get coffee and Beignets. This is a highlight to my trip.

@PatandStu I love the way you think. Blending show times with dinner reservations. Here is an approach I have used for the last many cruises. Look for your ship dailies on CruiseCritic.com. Look for the show times which usually are the same from week to week. I just did it for a Breakaway Cruise in December 2022. My issue is the shows start at 09:30 PM and my dinner reservations are at 07:00 PM. We are going to cut it close. I tried to rebook the reservations for 06:00 to 06:30 PM. Nothing available so I will attempt onboard. This has happened to me before and as long as I had a reservation that was close, I never had a hard time changing. Hope that strategy helpls. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

You are going to have such a good time. MSC is a very nice cruise brand. When you compare NCL, Royal and MSC; there are more similarities than differences. It kind of reminds me about comparing Ford and Chevy trucks. Yet, brand loyalty is a thing. I have personally gone on lots of brands. My favorite thing is to figure out, what is really special about a brand, then on the next cruise it is part of my plan to leverage it again. Please tell us all how the trip goes. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you for clarifying your status as solo. I went on the NCL Joy, March of 2022 as a solo in a Club Balcony Suite. My fare before taxes was $825.00. It was a week cruise. I am going on a NCL cruise on the breakaway, December 4, 2022. My sister wanted to join. She would be a Solo. She had to pay double unless she did a "Solo" inside cabin. We simply did not book it. Solo cruising is unique from a pricing standpoint. Some times you can crush it, sometimes it is over priced. It depends on how filled the ship is. You will enjoy the MSC cruise for sure. The issue on the pricing is not an NCL issue. It is an availability issue. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The seafood Extravaganza was on the inaugural voyage for guest and trave agents. It was spectacular. Other than that, it is a seafood night and underwhelming. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

That is one of the best Hacks I have heard in a very long time. Thank you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

1942 has never been on the list which is what my post have been saying. To clarify my position, you never know what you can get or not get until you ask. That includes glasses of wine that are not on the list, hi and spirits that are not on the list. Yet, On my last four coaches 1942, not on the list, what is available if you just eggs and had a premium + beverage package.

I will report during that week how it goes. FYI, Vibe Cabana's were available. Finally, loved the idea of daily shots, brilliant. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

My Vibe Showed up on day one of the daily summery. Yet when you looked below, it was still showing as an option. My Free At Sea PLUS program was also purchased months ago when it was first available. Yet I could still purchase the Premium Plus Drink Program even though it was included in the program I purchased. It seems, NCL has just done a major update on their online website. Hope that makes sense. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@TOMTOMRN331 Happy to answer your questions. Cabana Investment: $539.00 for the Cabana, includes week pass for two people. Remember, some Vibes do not have cabana's that can be rented. Refund: I had a week pass first. I called and changed it to a Cabana after my wife saw the Cabana on YouTube video. So the answer is yes, no isse. Hope that answers both of your questions. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

You call it Mini-Haven, I call it "Haven Lite". Again, I will comment a little long winded which is my nature. When on the NCL Joy, end of November 2021; my family (four members) and I were in the Haven. After four cancellations due to Covid, postponing my 40 wedding anniversary to our 42, I like the Joy so much I went again, same itinerary in March 2022 as a "solo" doing "Haven Lite". I was in a Club Balcony Suite and it was very nice. I had a week pass at the Vibe Beach Club, five specialty dinners, and the Premium Plus Beverage Package. During that week, I became a huge fan of the Vibe Beach Club. As many know, I write about both the Premium Plus Beverage Package and the Secrets of the Haven VIP experience often. I adore the Haven, truly. Yet this solo cruise gave me the opportunity to experience this cruise, differently. I absolutely loved the Vibe. They treated me like a rock star in every way. The bar and personalized service was outstanding in the Vibe. But I have to say honestly, the bar did not cater to the premium brands much. it would not have really mattered which drink package one had. That treatment was received elsewhere mostly the "A List" bar called different things on different cruise. That was my actual and honest experience and it did not effect my experience at all. Everything was still quite lovely and I must say, at 1/3 the investment of the Haven. As I have said so many time, that does not mean other have gotten different treatment then I did. It just is an accurate outline of my time. Remember, the drinks were flowing but the highend brands and spirits were fond elsewhere. You asked me if I was going to be in the Vibe for the week of December 4, 2022 out of New Orleans; the answer is absolutely and I can't wait to share this experience with my wife. I have booked one of the Cabana's which thrilled my wife. On the Breakaway, the Haven is almost exactly like the Getaway. The Haven Sundeck does not have any hot tubs or a bar on their sundeck. Where the Vibe has two hot tubs and a rather large bar. In my opinion, and only my opinion the Vibe is the way to go on this size ship. I too have bid upgrades on every Haven Suite possible. As I have stated previously, you have to have a Haven Suite left, to provide to a an upgrade bid. The Haven has been sold out now for two weeks. The reason is this is a very special cruise. It is the finals for the Slot Tournament. It is $100,000.00 winner take all. It seems, the casino has offered their top gamblers the opportunity to join that event. That is most likely the reason the Haven Suites are sold out. I am lucky enough that my wife won the slot tournament on the Joy last year giving her an entry. That is the reason we booked this cruise almost a year ago. I hope my experience allow you to the information you need to make your decision. I hope you both cruise and join us in the Vibe. It will be a very exciting week. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Not the cabanas. They are still available.

@CrazyTrain2 First let me say how sorry I am about your situation. All you were trying to do was to be kind. This is an expensive lesson for sure. Allow me to address your situation: Essentials NCL Insurance: This is an inexpensive way to have accident and health insurance on a cruise. Obviously it does not have a clause "Cancel for any reason". I have had that clause on other third party insurance. The amount they would pay is not 100% that way also. But what I will say it that coverage I had was a lot more expensive then NCL coverage. Paid In Full: You are a very kind and thoughtful person. The issue here is really not NCL. Their coverages are in their documents. The issue is your Son-In-Laws work. I have has a similar situation where a family member was on my booking and not first passenger. Her work place paid the discrepancy because it was their emergency that caused the issue. My daughter asked and received time off months prior. Not sure that strategy will work for you but wanted to let you know. NCL Air: All and I do mean all Cruiseline Brand airfare is over the top awful. Like crazy bad because you and I lose complete control of the reservation. This second person flies free thing is not a great option but you know that now. That is one expensive lesson. I also hope he changes his mind. No one every did that kind of kindness for me. I am the one that is in your shoes all the time. All I can say is call NCL, write NCL send that not certified. Be nice and explain your situation. I get the best results with NCL, Celebrity, HAL, and all other brands with a certified letter. Long shot but worth the effort. I am fully aware I was NOT HELPFUL here. Nothing I can say in this situation that will make you feel better or makes things right. I will say, years ago when I had a serious issue on a cruise, I read the entire cruise contract. That day I learned the risks on cruising. It was eye opening. From that point forward, I always purchased third party insurance with a cancellation clause. Not cheap however it has paid off for me twice so far. So sorry, really. Last thought. I recently did a solo trip. My first one and I am 65. It was very nice. Different but nice. If that is what happens, focus on only YOU and enjoy the experience the best you can under a very difficult situation.

My experience was completely different. I use an outside company and never use the Cruiseline Brand. My was got Covid 8 days before cruising. My lost $5,000.00 due to cancellation. I had that money in my account in 15 business days. They even direct deposited it. On my next cruise, my adult son got short of breath on the Jolly Roger snorkeling trip. He went to the ship hospital. Two hours later, $800.00 was charged to my suite. This was paid by the insurance company in 16 business days. Like with all insurance, you can get some or all of the coverages. The more you pay, the more it provides. The key is to remember unless you book cruise insurance the day you book your cruise, many insurance companies will not cover pre-existing issue. I hope this helps everyone. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@grobma Now that is an interesting question. As you know, my answers are never short. The short answer is most bartenders have no clue. The ones that do know most of the time, KEY WORDS most of the time is if your ship has a Wine Specific Bar or a Whiskey Specific Bar. On my last cruise on the Joy as I said, I was not in the Haven. Yet, on day one, I walked in and said hello to the Haven Concierge. He welcomed me back. I told him point blank, I was not in the Haven but I would love to have one drink with a friend who was in the Haven at the Haven Bar. He said, "Mr. Gary, you can come in anytime you want." My response was, "I did not pay for it and therefore I do not deserve it. Just this one drink if it is ok." While at the bar, the bartenders also said hello. They asked me if I wanted 1942 tequila. I said yes. Then I asked them if there was any other bottles and which bars they were at. He said, "None that he knew of however, there was on bottle in storage." He offered to have that bottle delivered to the the "A" List Bar that evening. Sure enough, that night at 5, I went to the bar and said, "Hello, my name is Gary." Before I could finish, the bartender smiled and pulled out an unopened bottle of my favorite tequila. The next morning I went to the Observation deck for a Starbucks coffee and at the bar was yet another bottle of my tequila which looked lonely. That was by accident finding it. The bottle line is rare things are indeed a scavenger hunt. Remember, many of the things I drink are not even on the approved list for the Premium Plus Package. Some were a surcharge but that was only once for Louis. I had to try that. That was a long way to say, it is an inexact science. Sorry. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@mlwhite554 Try this instead and yes I know exactly what you are talking about. Go to Cruse (DOT) com and look at availability not the NCL site. With NCL, they hold the reservation for a time before the release it. The other site for me at least is much more accurate. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Niffernay Hello and it has been a while. Yes, a few months ago, NCL opened up the ability to purchase Vibe Beach Club Weekly passes and on the ships that have them, Vibe Beach Club Cabana's which comes with two week passes. You go to your entertainment on your online reservations, it is there. My cruise leaves in 60 days. It shows NO Vibe Club Weekly passes available but you still can purchase a Vibe Beach Club cabana on that sailing. So you are right, no more running to the location where the Vibe Beach Club table is located at. For me it means I can check in later and take it easy. Hope that answers your question. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I am one of those crazy cruisers that look at their online account daily. My wife and I wake up, make coffee and go on our computers. She goes to Reddit and I go to CruiseCritic. After CruiseCritic, I look at my two upcoming cruise ( NCL and Oceania) to see what has changed or is different. Is my Haven Upgrade Bid still a possibility? ; Is everything I pre-purchase on my account?: Are their any messages about my cruise?; Has the fares gone up or down? My list go on. This habit allows me to allow the time until the cruise to create anticipation. This morning with 60 days to the cruise, my account summary has finally changed. I can finally see my Free at Sea PLUS and Vibe Beach Club pass as a purchased option. Prior, it was not shown or you really had to look for it. I hate this because of how many times I have gotten onboard and something I took care to make happen was not noted. It was always fixed quickly but still not something I wanted to deal with on the first day of my vacation. I bring this to everyone attention assuming you all have been looking for the same clarifications on your online portfolio. Hope this helps everyone in some way. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Juncti I can answer this question personally. First, I am cruising on December 4, 2022 on the Breakaway out of New Orleans. This next comment has to do with your reference of a December 4, 2022 cruise if this is the ship. The Haven is sold out. The normal Spa Balcony Suites are sold out. It is 60 day prior to the cruise. That means, NCL has full retail prices for their Haven Suite and the likelihood of an upgrade is slim and none. I have five upgrade bid personally and know from experience, this is not the type of situation that could get me a Haven upgrade so I won't be disappointed. In 2021, I cruised on the Joy, In the Haven with my family. Three months later I cruised in the Joy as a solo in a Non-Haven Club Suite. Both times I had the Premium Plus Beverage Package. I drink French Champagne and very high end tequila. I found that the "A List Bar" called different names on different ships, which is usually in-between two specialty restaurants had the best selection of all high-end wines and spirits. It was also a classy place to have a drink. I also found one or two other bars that had great brands and the surprise was the bar in the Main Observation Lounge which was right by the Starbucks. This means, there are a few bars with everything you could imagine. The same thing will hold true with my Breakaway Sailing. It is a fun thing to find the bar that has the brands and wines you like best. It is like a hunt for your drinks. Once found, you have your bar of choice. Cruise well and enjoy every minute.

Yep, the smaller bottles were super hard to find. Mine it the huge bottle. Glad I bought it. Reminds me of my last few cruises. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

French Champagne is available at all restaurants. If in the main dining room give your servers a heads up of your drink plan. In the Specialty Restaurants especially the French restaurants it is always available. There is one bottle of French Champagne which is on the "Selected" P+BP and a better quality by the glass. Search Premium Plus program and see list. The list can change based on availability. We drink the better Champagne by the glass at dinner. At the end of dinner we have one glass of the bottle. We take the rest of the bottle back to the suite. We do the same thing with win. Hope that helps. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Wow, I really mean WOW. Never in Alabama. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I came back from my last cruise and bought a large bottle. I live in Alabama and it was no where to be found. So I ordered it from a online store. I shopped and finally got it. $350.00 for this bottle. I have had it for 5 months and it is 3/4 filled. It is for special occasions and no one touches it but me in my family. Really smooth stuff. BTW, it was $45.00 a shot on the cruise. LOL. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.