julig22

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.

Not guaranteed as in even if you pay or not guaranteed as if we only have 5 seats available and if you are #6 to respond, too bad?

NCL buys in bulk, no way to know how many direct flights were available for them to purchase, if any. They never guarantee a direct flight, even if they are available. No way to know if NCL is paying extra for those direct tickets (probably not) - but how they would be distributed, prior to this new twist to the program, is anybody's guess. So to your scenario, they would have booked 5 direct (assuming they were cheaper), sorry indirect for the others. NCL terms are a maximum of 1 layover for domestic, 2 layovers for international. So they've added an upgrade aspect to the program, not sure how that's an issue. Based on what was posted, it's most likely a way to guarantee you get one of those direct flights, if you respond in time.

Banks in foreign countries do not always recognize $2 bills as legal currency. When I was in Buenos Aires I was approached by the bartender who asked it the $2 bill he'd gotten was fake - his bank would not take it. I think he was happier about the fact that I was willing to trade him for REAL money (in his eyes) than he was when he originally got the tip. Hopefully they can exchange them on the ship after the novelty wears off.

Time of day may not be nearly as important as ship location. And it's often possible to find free wifi in port, depending on your itinerary.

I would assume that the offer is based on the current request, as a specific flight is apparently listed. Maybe the OP can let us know if it's a same-day flight or they requested a deviation.

Please update us when you do get your flights assigned.

After seeing the offer, I have to agree that I don't see it as misleading. Some people would gladly pay an additional amount for a guaranteed direct flight - not sure where the idea that it's not 100% guaranteed comes from, assuming your request is accepted. Because of where I fly from, I never get a direct flight anyway...

New one to me anyway! I just got back from a cruise and got my BOGO flight info for that trip shortly after final payment. Didn't have to pay anything extra.

Think you're gonna have to be a little more specific. Are you past final payment? The BOGO offer was available through day 110 the last I'd heard. There have been a few posts where people were contacted by premium air with upgrade offers. Maybe post a copy of what you got?

At one point, I've wondered if perhaps the DSC should be less for additional passengers, since it wouldn't normally take 4x the effort as far as room upkeep (I'm solo also). But then I realize that if there are 4, they are probably using towels, eating in the buffet or MDR, etc - and the DSC isn't just for the steward, it's also for the behind the scenes crew.

Somehow I managed to get taken off of the email list, so never get those marketing materials. But I do check the past cruiser discount page every month - and it clearly says Select Cruises. Only 32 listed for January. And it definitely changes, since I was booked on a double-point cruise and it's no longer on the list. I also lost my double points today because I just repriced my cruise - I'm already diamond, prefer the discount over points! Note, I've never had to rebook a cruise in order to get points added. I had gotten extra points added a few months ago, but I think it may have been a reprice as well, not sure if they will do anything if there isn't a price change, since that's what appears to trigger promo changes..

Taxes are assessed on both sides - employers also pay taxes on employees. While US laws are probably not applicable, there may be other employer savings, similar to the FICA tip credit in the US, by separating actual wages from tips.

Just to clarify, the suggestion to use tap water was to warm a bottle, not to mix with powdered formula.

There is 1 very distinct difference between CN and CF if you are booking a Haven cabin, over and above any cost savings. A Haven CN is valued at $500 (you pay $400 if you buy 1, $375 if you buy 2). But that $500 certificate will suffice as your deposit. Any other option only goes toward the 10% Haven deposit requirement. In the long run, you pay the same, no matter how you pay your deposit. But if you use the Haven certificate, your initial cash outlay is only the cost of the certificate.

I've seen a couple of theories as to why the DSC is a separate charge - and not just included in the staff salaries and overall cruise price. First would be taxes - assuming there is a tax break for NCL and/or crew by doing it this way. Second would be commissions to recruiters. I don't know if it's true or not, but I've read that crew may be hired through a 3rd party that gets paid a % of the crew salary. So a payment outside that contract wouldn't be commissioned. Just because someone says they never see it doesn't mean it's true. But only NCL knows how the DSC is actually used. Crew may be getting cash in their paycheck or they may be getting compensated in other ways. Considering how hard some crew members push for the "Vacation Hero" cards there must be something to that program. I once saw what was supposed to be a paystub from a server - and they did indeed get "tips" according to the time they were working - although those would be gratuities, not DSC.

Just curious, how do you know you are getting 3x points if you don't have a statement with the code? Inquiring minds want to know how you're getting extra points if you just booked - as in where are you seeing a double extra points offer?

Not necessarily. You can get additional points depending on your cabin, so 3x points in a suite or haven could still be LATTITUDE. 1 regular point, 1 past-cruiser point, 1 suite/haven point.

I've been on ships where the tap water itself can be extremely hot (like scalding hot), although that might depend on the ship.