julig22

DoubleUp for a balcony or above has been pretty consistent, at least since the restart. DoubleUp for any cabin has been fairly frequent lately but only runs for a couple of weeks at a time, then new terms are applied. So usually no wait, if booking balcony or above.

As a solo, you pay half of the price NCL would charge. How that relates to what you can find on your own would depend on your itinerary. Free refers to the fact that the 2nd person would fly free, first person pays full price. So no, as a solo, you won't find a free flight. Sometimes it's a good deal, sometimes not. International flights tend to have the better bargains, especially if flying to/from less popular locations.

Funny story about that - I called to ask if I could use points to upgrade from a solo OV - and was told sure, no problem. So I rebooked to solo OV, then did the online upgrade later on. A few days later, got a notice saying I couldn't do that, my points had been returned. So who knows what would have happened if I'd called and gotten the same rep. But yea, I'll always call from now on - although the results will only be as good as the person you speak to.

Yes, you can get wine, husband can get soda. I don't have the package, getting soda has never been an issue.

The option to redeem points is available on the BofA site - that's where your points are, they administer the program, not NCL.

I saw something on another site - but of course I can't find it now. But it was this month, coming soon, maybe 3/11?

It definitely depends on who you talk to. I knew the cabin I wanted was available but it happened to be one of the new solo balconies and I had booked a regular OV - so the WWP rep took care of everything necessary to adjust my existing reservation so the upgrade would be possible - saving me over $400 in the process.

Of course they would need permission, but it would be through the port, not NCL. No different than when they set up booths outside the local grocery store.

No to onboard but if someone is driving you to the port, maybe a booth outside the terminal? Especially for those who'll be sitting inside the terminal waiting to board.

OK-BF is what I've always gotten. You have to call MC or use the online request form. If you call, they might let you choose your cabin, they will pick your cabin if you use the online request form. If you have a specific cabin in mind, it never hurts to ask for it, no guarantees.

What is your tour itinerary for the last day? This was years ago but our cruise tour didn't arrive in Seward until about 5pm. We were coming from Valdez, took a ferry to Whittier, stopped at the wildlife conservation center on the way to Seward.

Yes, the shops after security do appear on occasion, I've only seen them in a few European ports. Definitely not in Alaska. The initial check-in will be by shore-based security in Seattle. They took my bottle of Pepsi (forgotten in my bag) a couple of years ago, so at that time they were paying attention LOL. But security at the ports will be done by ship personnel - and they did let me bring my Pepsi onboard. Now, what their tolerance would be for other stuff, I couldn't say.

Sorry, I guess the proper term is actually skimpflation. Defined as businesses 'skimping' on the quality of a product or service. As raw prices go up with inflation, businesses skimp by spending less on services or materials to stay profitable. I'm Diamond with NCL - but I sail for itinerary, so am somewhat oblivious to many of the issues being discussed here, simply because they aren't important to me. I usually cruise solo, don't drink, not a foodie. NCL has some of the best itineraries IMHO and solos do seem to get some better deals on NCL. Then there are some latitude perks I find valuable and I can use my credit card points for a meta upgrade. So while I'm definitely not NCL's main target (I don't spend much money onboard LOL), I'm still coming back, for now anyway. I just used by last 2 CruiseNext certificates, not sure if I will be buying more on my next cruise. Having said that, if they don't get their act together, with respect to communication and continually changing itineraries, I'm starting to look harder at other options. That's the service I need to have. Unfortunately, NCL isn't the only cruise line getting raked over the coals on social media.

Unless your CC rebates 3% on travel, then the service charge is a wash.

Well, new information for solo cruisers. You can now use your points to upgrade the solo categories - so solo OV to solo Balcony for example. Although I'd been told that before, only to get my points returned, the rep verified that it can be done now. And I have a confirmation from NCL, so pretty sure it's all good. Only found out because the balcony I wanted happened to be a solo balcony so couldn't upgrade from my booked OV. What a disappointment - I had to rebook my OV as a solo OV (a $400+ savings) to get the cabin I wanted!! Also confirmed that if you cancel a cruise, you get your points returned. If you change your mind and don't want to use your points for an upgrade, you are out of luck and points are forfeited.

Same here. I usually told my steward not to bother with nightly turndown - not necessary. A cold continental breakfast was never something I utilized, but then I'm not a coffee drinker. I have no issues paying to have an omelet delivered to my room in the morning if that's my choice. I'd much prefer to pay for those services I use, over an increase in cruise fare. As to MSC, well since they don't offer much in the way of itineraries that interest me, I won't be trying them soon.

Been to the grocery store lately? There it's called shrinkflation. Can't have it both ways - either raise prices or cut services to match inflation. Or do the best you can by doing a little of both.

I've done the dinner with officers 4 or 5 times and each time the setup was different. All in the MDR, usually at least 1 "NCL" officer, often a 2nd that might have also been an officer or a shop manager for example. Some dinners have been boring because the hosts didn't really didn't open up. Others have been fascinating when they speak about their life off of the ship, plans for the future, etc. Mine have all been in the MDR, a couple have taken pictures but only 1 actually gave us the picture. Some have been 4 couples, another 6 - making conversation with the host difficult. No special menus but service was spot on. But what I didn't appreciate was the night they included first-time passengers who were selected by lottery. So most of the conversation centered on bringing the newbies up to speed on inside cruise tips. A much different experience than dining with people who have lots of travel experiences to share.

If it's their policy to give FCC or allow upgrades, why not? They are the ones who offer those options.

Please don't. Good chance they'd lose their job. It's not allowed for fire safety reasons, especially while the ship is moving.

If you keep your reservation # (which you can do), it stays. If you cancel and rebook with a new reservation then you need to resubmit.

2 weeks seems to be their answer to everything LOL But from what I can tell, the excursion database is dynamic, meaning that it changes in real time. How could it be otherwise?? It has to be able to block anyone from booking when it's full. But since you do have to call to cancel, there could be a delay from the time someone cancels and the time that spot opens back up - but I highly doubt that it's anywhere near 2 weeks.

Either you got away with it or you will be getting a notice soon telling you it ain't gonna happen. I've only seen posts from people who had them removed, don't recall anyone saying NCL let it go through.

Maybe, maybe not. New terms for certificates purchased after 1/11/24, no current info if NCL will hold to their own terms - or let it slide. Terms have always said new reservations, but note the new wording "Credits may not be applied to existing reservations"

I was on the Sky last fall, Bar Harbor was on the original itinerary. Our Bar Harbor stop was changed to Portland (prior to final payment for once LOL). Seems like it happened about the same time the news about the proposed limits came out, speculation was that it was decision along the lines of - if you don't want us, we won't come, there are other places that do.