julig22

Yes, was there in 2022 on the Star and it was a tender. Going again next month, also on the Star - docks are almost always a better option. Interesting that the lifeboats on the Prima can't be used as tenders - sounds like someone really missed the mark on that decision.

I would take any information regarding when you will fly with a grain of salt. They could also book you on an overnight flight, arriving in the morning. If it's important that you fly to QC, you should probably book your own. And know that flight schedules to QC aren't overly plentiful, so getting there on the date you want, at the time you want isn't always possible - which is why NCL uses Montreal.

Between the onboard service charge, plus the automatic 20% gratuity on the delivery charge, I kinda feel like no tip is needed. That said, I still usually give the delivery person a buck or 2.

As long as it's packaged, you should be good. They really don't check bags that carefully at the port stops. The bigger issue would be if it's OK to bring it into Canada. Packing tip - I fill up a reusable water bottle filled with ice from the buffet and put it in with anything perishable. I usually have an insulated bag anyway, since I often bring food to eat on a layover or at my hotel. And put everything in plastic bags, just in case something leaks.

Sounds like you used the Premium service - which is a lot different than the BOGO airfare offer, where you don't get to select your flights.

Technically, Canada to US would be international although I only had 1 stop returning from Canada last fall. Contrary to popular belief, price is not always the determinant. First of all, they buy tickets in bulk so they may be able to get a better discount on a more expensive flight. And there are limitations on which flights they will take - they don't do overnight layovers and, as much as possible, they will choose flights where layovers are less than 5-6 hours. Note - I don't find Kayak to be that great when looking for flights. Their pricing works but they tend to leave out a lot of options.

Go to one of the slots, tap your card and request cash on your account. Then move the cash you want to the machine. From there, you can play the machine or just cash out and take the slip to the cashier. I don't think you can just ask the cashier for cash, but I've never tried.

There is no reason you can't leave after you've checked in - but you will have to wait in line to go through security again.

Just drop your bags, check in when you are ready to board. Avoid the 9:30 check-in rush. No guarantees that there won't be crowds later but I don't see any advantage whatsoever in checking in if you aren't ready to board. Just because you chose a 9:30 check-in time doesn't mean you can't come later, at your convenience. Note - there isn't a place to drop any carry-on bags, you'll have to either check them or keep them with you until you board.

A little off topic but the NCL Antarctica cruises have traditionally had 2-3 naturalists onboard for the entire cruise. Lots of lectures and commentary along the way.

Probably because the previous 35% off promo is mathematically the same as 70% off the 2nd guest. It's marketing.

I've never booked interior, probably never will. I like to, at the very least, see outside when I'm in my room. And I'm a home-body, so I do spend time in my room. Balcony depends more on the itinerary, not the incremental cost. But I also use my NCL credit card points to upgrade to a balcony, from an OV - so my "cost" is only the $300 in statement credit, regardless of the length of the cruise.

I'm not sure how they handle walk-ups but I know they have taken them in the past. I suspect they take your cabin # and let NCL know and it gets charged to your onboard account. In fact, I've been told by NCL to just be a walk-up more than once, when I was wanting to book a transfer even though I was arriving the day before, planning to return to the airport. I said absolutely not, I wanted a guarantee they had room. But it might also depend on the port.

It just depends - they charter as many busses as they think they need, there is usually space for a few extras. So there is a good chance it will be OK - but be prepared to come up with a plan B if necessary.

Nope

Yes, a very annoying "feature" of the software. And I just recently found another "feature" LOL. If NCL happens to change the times of something you have booked, so that you now have overlapping excursions, you get an error message anytime you try to book anything else. But they don't bother to let you know that they've made any changes. But as to booking overlapping excursions, if they didn't limit it people would book everything, then decide later what they wanted to keep. So I understand not allowing it BUT they certainly could (and should) allow you to see everything that's offered - especially since they now have the bad habit of adding new excursions anytime along the way.

No tag, no getting on the bus LOL. Tags pretty much serve as your ticket. Yes, I know you can also board with your letter if you choose to self-carry but note the letter I posted also indicated the tag color. So you do so at your own risk. Just because there are several dozen busses waiting doesn't mean that those busses have space over and above the number of passengers that booked for that time. I love how people think that following instructions is just for the next guy. Just like showing up whenever you want to board - instead of the time you chose when you registered. Then all the complaints about long lines from the people who showed up on time. Or from the people who booked an early bus but had to wait because people not scheduled for the earlier busses took an early bus anyway.

Cruises less than 110 days out do not generally qualify for the BOGO airfare offer - which should more or less explain the different #s.

Um, the one for people with brown tags, as opposed to the one designated for green as opposed to orange as opposed to light blue. The bus (or busses) where there is a rep with a sign that says "Brown" - or some other identifying signage. I sure hope that you really aren't that clueless and do understand the meaning of "which bus". Have a nice day.

Good try LOL. Some ships yes, some ships, maybe not.

Current US deals are same as always, so BOGO airfare. If you can access VPN on your device, you can use that to bypass the default to "local" websites while onboard. Otherwise you have to depend on the CN folks for US pricing and promos.

They still have to have a tag and/or the letter confirming they have paid for the transfer. And that specifies which bus they should be on. Whether it's enforced is a different matter.

Not necessary if you have TSA pre-check. If you use spotsaver you don't get your pre-check benefits, so will have to remove shoes, electronics etc.

It's not a matter of whether or not someone agrees with a company policy - NCL or otherwise. They are following their written policy. If it's too much trouble to book prior to your cruise (when the discounts are automatically applied) - then you get what you get. It would be just as easy for NCL to decide that it's too much trouble to apply discounts on board - and only offer a discount if you pre-buy. Guess that would be tacky too.

Not necessarily true. They often load the busses by tag color. So first-come, first served IF you have the correct luggage tag for the busses that are loading. And I have definitely seen it enforced, to make sure that those with earlier flights are on the busses first. Last time I was in Seattle there were some issues with the port workers and they were only letting people into the various sections of the luggage area until the next color had been called.