FAGATRON

On 3/6/2019 at 6:51 PM, blcruising said:

I think this is a foolish suggestion. NCL customers are regularly hunting for bargains. People want the most for the least. It is human nature. So, to resolve your curiosity, I don't know anyone who would offer to pay a higher price today for something they bought yesterday for less money. 

 

It's like the price guarantees at the big box stores...if you buy something today, that price is guaranteed for 30, 60 , 90 days. If you find a lower price for the same item, they'll refund you the difference. 

 

I do agree it is nice of them to do anything after final payment. Many lines do nothing.

 

I know NCL regularly overstates their pricing early on, so I have solved this by booking last minute. I know this is not an option for many though. If I couldn't sail last minute, I would not sail NCL as their rates are not competitive far in advance.

I agree with you. My first cruise this past January wouldn't have happened on NCL if it weren't for the last minute discounted rate. The same with my next cruise this upcoming May, though this one was booked out at 52 days compared to 17 days, lol. 

3 hours ago, Corby114 said:

To my knowledge I don’t think there is a website like that available. All cruise companies are secretive in reference to that subject. Very rarely does a cruise ship sail with empty cabins. On many sailings if the ship isn’t selling for whatever reason the empty cabins are discounted so the ship sails full. Since the economy is doing fairly well there really isn’t any reason to deeply discount cabins. Personally I normally book at least a year out to get the best prices.

Interesting. My first ever cruise was on the NCL Gem this past January, a 19 day Panama Canal cruise from NYC-LA booked 17 days out at a deeply discounted rate, then 5 days later the balcony price dropped even further to which I paid  the difference and booked it.

Another interesting fact. I just booked a Transpacific on the Jewel for this upcoming May at 52 days out and the price was deeply discounted. So much so that those that booked a year out are complaining about NCL treating them like crap with no price difference on-board credit, etc.

For me, I would never book months, or even a year, or years out unless I needed a particular cabin. However, I thought this was an interesting topic and did a few dummy bookings for the Jewel. The cruise before mine is a Japanese (Golden Week Cruise) lowest price is 4K for an inside cabin. The Golden Week is the 2nd most important holiday in Japanese Culture, with New Year being the most important (Hence why I believe you would probably never see that type of cruise deeply discounted). However, the cruise after mine a 7 day Alaskan (Northbound) cruise is priced at $824. When I look at that same cruise a year out sail away is sold out and the next inside cabin is priced out at $1530. So an almost 700 discount between the two cruises, might prove that even if an economy is doing fairly well "there is" a reason to deeply discount cabins. 

So as a first-time cruiser, what I should take away from this review is to treat the Buffet like you would on land, particularly like a casino based Buffet? 

1 hour ago, HBCcruiser said:

One day to go!! 

I am super excited to follow your adventure. This posting is invaluable to me as a first-time cruiser who will be doing the Panama Canal cruise in just 13 days. Will you be doing any excursions since you have done this particular itinerary before?

15 days to go till Boarding the Gem for a Panama Canal Cruise.

1 minute ago, Relax@Sea said:

DD means Dear Daughter😊

I was thinking Darling Daughter. Thanks for clarifying that for me. Love reading your posts btw.

On 12/15/2018 at 11:03 AM, Relax@Sea said:

Those requests can be made directly with the Butler.

My DD likes popcorn so we have the Butler bring it every day.

Ask the Butler for all the restaurant menu's and they will leave the menu's in your cabin for the week. Some restuarants you may have to pay for.

You can make a request for something you have a taste for and if it can be done "POOF" it will be done.

You will be able to have breakfast, lunch and dinner served in your cabin at the times you request.

I know this questions has nothing to do with the thread but what does "DD" mean?

On 12/11/2018 at 2:32 PM, JamieLogical said:

For breakfast, it is hands down the CRISPY Bacon! I love soooo much that they have a specific tray labeled "Crispy Bacon". Why would anyone choose the non-crispy bacon? I love to put sausage gravy on my crispy bacon.

 

Otherwise, my go-to foods are the hot dogs with chili and whatever the Indian options are from the "Tastes of Asia" buffet.

CRISPY BACON FOR THE WIN. OMG, I CANT WAIT FOR MY CRUISE.

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

So,,,, again,,,DO NOT assume that you are going to the Tom Bradley Terminal or Terminal 5.

 

If you are flying AA, the flights from Chicago currently arrive in terminal 4 and the AA flight to Sydney currently departs from Terminal 4. Check your terminal assignments on day of departure. 

 

You are on a DOMESTIC flight from Chicago to LAX, so check in the DOMESTIC check-in counter. They will do the DOCS check at Chicago. 

I feel like a dodo bird. AA does have a flight on their own equipment to SYD and if that is the case you don't need to change terminals at all. Also, I should correct myself as I meant Terminal 4 which is AA and not terminal 5 which is Delta. 

However, I would still suggest doing the check-in at ORD at the International desk as during that time of day the lines are relatively short and most times my family just walk right up to check-in and you will be the nearest checkpoint to the right of the counter which will be quieter and shorter than the checkpoints to the left which are used for the domestic flight check-ins.

2 hours ago, Jagggg said:

American Airlines. Also thanks for directing me to the cruise air forum and replies.

4 hours ago, Jagggg said:

I may have this posted in the wrong location. We are flying from O'hare to Sydney with a flight change at LAX. Same airlines for both flights. My question is, when we get to O'hare do we check in at the international flight area or do we do this once we land at LAX.  Thank you.

Hi,

You should check-in at ORD at the American Airlines terminal either domestic or international desk. I would say International as you  will have less of a wait during that time of day. They will check your bags to SYD and give you boarding passes for your flight to LAX and SYD. When you arrive at LAX you will be in Terminal 5 at which point you will want to take the shuttle to Tom Bradley Terminal as Qantas normally departs from the International Terminal. Just check the monitor when you arrive or speak with the gate agent that meets the flight. Have a safe flight to SYD.