julig22

All NCL ships use the same process for handling luggage. Color tags are used for sorting bags, depending on when people are planning to leave and/or if they are using NCL transportation after the cruise. But luggage isn't necessarily the reason for long lines at disembarkation. Port Valet in Seattle is unique, it would be nice if it could be expanded to other ports. But it's run by the port, not the cruiselines.

Same thing happened in Seattle. On the Sun, ship tags were yellow, so people who didn't read the instructions thought they were supposed to leave when yellow was called - and were complaining that they didn't get to choose when they got to leave (yellow was latitudes priority, so early). It was probably 50/50 whether their luggage was with the yellow tags or with the unknown bags.

Depends on your interests. I love the Seward/Vancouver route. Longer times in ports, both Seward and Vancouver have additional excursions available if you are wanting additional whale watching or glacier viewing (Seward). And the train from Anchorage is always nice. The Bliss visits lots of ports - and the trade-off is very short times in port. I've been to Alaska on NCL 6 times, my least favorite itinerary.

There are various different land tours, some primarily by train, some by bus. So you'll need to be more specific as to which one you booked. Go to the NCL website for basic details on where your specific tour will be going.

So this is a cruise I've booked - I booked a regular OV because I wanted to use my points to upgrade - and currently there is a fairly big price difference there ($3098 deck 4 or 5 vs $2099, deck 4). Insides are the same price. And look how the balcony prices out. For an extra $1, you can get a solo balcony, decks 8 & 9, forward only. No choice of cabins in either case, "regular" priced cabins are guaranteed only at the moment. This is the Star, I don't think they have solo studios, so no added benefit to booking solo.

Might want to be a little more specific as to what excursion you are taking? I sincerely hope you aren't thinking you'll take a zodiac to land in Antarctica? In general, most excursion operators provide boots, dry suits, rain gear as needed.

I was just going to say that on my recent trip (Dawn), we also had what I'd call normal burger buns. I don't know if they bake their own or buy ready-made. So maybe a new supplier or a new recipe?

With the limited amount of flights that actually fly into Quebec, your chances aren't good. You can get an idea by checking what's actually available from your location for the date you want to arrive - they don't tend to have daily flights from everywhere.

As Far As I Know

Correct, AFAIK.

Yes. But if you cancel and then rebook the same cruise for some reason I think you lose the added value. Some people seem to have it in their head that they have to cancel/rebook to take advantage of a price drop.

It actually used to be illegal to charge a different amount when using credit but eventually most states created their own rules around CC fees, so it's now legal in most states. Same for debit cards. I don't blame the merchants, especially smaller businesses, for including their charges but I'd much prefer the old "cash for discount" way - I always like feeling like I got a discount when paying cash. But I'd probably also walk out if I was forced to pay the fee because they wouldn't accept cash.

Volcano just erupted again this morning... but it isn't near the port or airport. Only issue would be if the smoke/gasses interfered with air traffic, which has happened in the past. I was on a cruise leaving from Reykjavik in 2022, one of the more local volcanos erupted the day I got there - but it's one where the lava is contained, could only see the gasses above it as we drove by. Interesting welcome LOL

Read about the cashing-in any excess currency to settle the final bill on another post somewhere - I'm not that creative LOL! Definitely not my style. My motto, more or less, if I can't charge it, I probably don't need it. But I do usually get some local currency, primarily for small purchases and it makes a nice souvenir.

Unless they have sold out of a specific category and want to open it back up, it's highly unlikely to get upgraded more than a few weeks prior to the cruise.

Absolutely!!

Heck, I'm still waiting for excursions to show for some ports for an April cruise. First they said they'd be there by final payment date. Nope. Now it always end of next week... And if you are looking for post-cruise excursions, they are waiting until day 50 to post those for many of their cruises. I was told that's for their convenience, due to the number of people who cancel them after getting their NCL flights.

Your level might not update for a day or 2, so go to the CruiseNext desk to get it updated in the system, they should also give you a new card. Depends on what you mean by link. I personally wouldn't link the cruises (as in put them under a single reservation) - that could affect your plan to use the 50% off laundry, plus if for any reason you need to cancel 1 of the cruises you'd have a problem. Can't answer your vibe question - sorry! As to Verizon, probably works the same as most plans. On/off the ship doesn't make a difference. It's whether or not you are near a cell tower. So it would probably activate as you near shore, depending on location.

I suspect this has more to do with people trying to use foreign currency to pay their final bill, over just exchanging USD for local currencies - or vice versa. Not only do some cruises visit ports with various currencies, but the passengers also come from all over the world. Imagine trying to calculate the exchange rate for dozens of different currencies on the last day of the cruise.

No, some people put in for an upgrade to an available cabin, most people IMHO just pay for the cabin they want when they book. While NCL doesn't have a mechanism to specifically bid on a handicapped cabin, there is no indication that there are empty handicapped cabins available. If you read through the discussions on bidding, you will find quite a few recommendations for people to watch prices and if they drop, just pay for the upgrade - which in many cases is cheaper than bidding in the first place - and you are guaranteed the cabin you choose. Have you even looked to see what's available?

For whatever reason, the Local (or O'Sheehans) doesn't seem to allow you to take food back to your room - sometimes there are signs on the tables, I've also seen it mentioned in the Freestyle Daily. Will they tackle you if you try - hard to say - but they certainly won't box it up for you.

An extra $121 for an additional 3 days? That seems kinda steep! My 11-day upcoming cruise is listed as $229.89, 12 day (where I have additional FAS minutes) is $214.88. Onboard upgrade on my 7-day was $89 on day 2, so that is in line with $109. So now my question is -do they give you credit for your FAS package if you book precruise? Looks like maybe yes, maybe no? I've only actually upgraded on 1 cruise, I had extra OBC... So waiting until I board has as much to do with using OBC as it does with saving money by waiting for day 2.

How is this any different than "Information About Your Cruise + A Chance To Upgrade!" which is what they send out for upgrade bids. They offer a chance to upgrade without 100% certainty. At least with your offer it appears that they are actually offering you the flight for the amount listed, assuming availability at the time you make an offer to accept. The only uncertainty seems to be if they don't accept your offer.

Where does it say they will take your money and not follow through? It says they might not accept your offer, how does that translate to taking your money? No acceptance, no money taken.