heatherc73

Following this.  We are in the same "boat" 😄

Hi all,

I've put in bids to upgrade from an inside to a balcony and/or mini suite (no OV on Epic)

I've been keeping track of sales over the last six weeks.  Just wondering if anyone can tell me what's considered a "fast selling" cruise or "slow selling"

I've only been tracking it on NCL website so I know my results aren't completely accurate as a category never shows more than 15 available cabins, but as of today (seven weeks out) there are 97 cabins available. There's 4 categories showing 15 cabins so it can't be too far off.  When I first started tracking six weeks ago there was more like 250 cabins (guessing since there was 9 categories showing 15).

Is this considered a large amount of cabins left to sell?  Or is it more considered "whoa, selling fast!"?

Thanks for any insight!

Lovely video! Thank you for sharing.

Quick question; was the Rebel Yell excursion through NCL?

I'm on the Epic this coming March (1-8)

At first I found some of the reviews a little disconcerting.  Then I decided to look at the reviews for the last NCL cruise I went on on the Getaway.  We had a FANTASTIC time.  Was it perfect? No.  But my takeaway was nothing but great memories.

The reviews would have you believe otherwise though.  Tepid food....rude staff....pillows not fluffy enough...you get my drift.

There were a few comments that I may have agreed with e.g. DH and I had this vibe from the Ocean Blue staff that we should feel honoured to be dining at their establishment....we just found it kinda funny though.  

Maybe too many people are expecting the red carpet and expecting staff to make their vacation great for them.  

For me, I've already decided that this cruise is going to be EPIC......see what I did there?

I've also read on other threads that people have had amazing vacations on the Epic; and recently as well!  

Despite delays at the port, bathroom setup, lack of waterfront...like the above posters here, they just decided it wasn't going to ruin their vacation.  I get the feeling you have the same philosophy if you've never had a one star experience.  Have an amazing time and do report back!

5 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

What is the date of your itinerary, if I may ask?  And where are you getting your info about tendering?  We have an Escape cruise booked for February and our cruise docs don't mention any tender ports up front...it's like you have to find out on the back end somehow...  It would be nice to know up front for planning purposes. 

 

If I had access to priority tendering via my Latitudes status then I'd probably go with that and hope for the best over paying more money for Priority Access....unless Priority Access also means you don't have to wait for a boat to fill up. On our last cruise we were in the Haven and we had priority tendering.  That was nice except we still had to wait for the boat to fill up before we actually left.  So in our experience priority tendering meant getting on first, but not necessarily a time saver.  This was on Breakaway.  

I’ve found that info on my cruise confirmation document (when you first booked your cruise) 

the PDF document contains passenger names etc and at the bottom is the itinerary.  One of the columns says dock or tender.

On 12/6/2019 at 2:36 PM, havanadaydreaming said:

Here are some things I think/feel/believe that run against conventional wisdom, feel free to add your own!

 

*hate buffets on land but I enjoy ncl's, especially on bigger shifts. 

 

*Epic bathroom setup didn't faze me at all. 

 

*not sure if take a free upgrade to Haven from balcony. 1)don't wanna get spoiled 2)a butler? Seems awkward to me 3)this based only on speculation 

 

*I'm generally pro art auction, find the purchases fascinating. But was recently on 4 nt cruise that advertised $99 fares and the art auctioneer was offering some art at $6k, $12k, etc. Tough gig!

 

*I haven't consumed a soda onboard for years, so I don't care which brand is served. 

 

*paper straws suuuuuuuuuck. I loved a metal set, of 3,  I bought from margaritaville for $15.  I never woulda thunk I'd ever buy a metal straw, highly recommended. 

 

*I wish the ship announcements would play in room. I always forget which channel broadcasts them. 

 

*I actually like nassau

 

 

 

I love this list!!!

I've only been on one cruise and it was with NCL.  We had an absolute blast and we're going on another one in March.

It's on the Epic so I laughed out loud when I saw your comment on the bathroom set up as I've read so many divisive comments on this topic!  Just my DH and I so don't think it will be an issue lol.

*I also think the ship buffet is better than land.....way better.  

*I was served a couple items in the MDR that were pretty bad.....I just found it amusing as it was not the norm for the trip or the rest of our meals

*I had some really good desserts on board! And one was in the MDR!

*yes paper straws suck! But I actually agree with them getting rid of plastic straws......I actually hope they  replace other single use plastics with other alternatives (harder plastic cups that can be washed....?) 

*Yep, the pool is small, but it's a ship with a finite amount of space and not the room of requirement so I enjoyed myself anyways

2 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Booking directly with the cruise line gives you direct access for changes for anything on board including price drops, etc.  Having a TA puts them as the middle man.  During the hurricane fiasco of Dorian and the cancelled cruises, those that booked directly with NCL had their flights automatically booked by NCL and the flight information was slipped under the door.  Those that booked with TA's were waiting for hours trying to find flights themselves or trying to contact their TA.  How many times have we seen complaints here with price drops after final payment and their TA says there is nothing you can get.

On the flip side, I do understand that TA's can usually get a better deal and a few other tiny perks.  I consider my NCL PCC almost like my TA.  I email her all the time about stuff.

I understand I am probably in the minority which is why I posted that in this "unconventional thread."  I get annoyed when people book with a TA yet want the perks of directly working with NCL or demanding they change things and get upset when NCL tells them to contact the company that booked their cruise.  You cant take the perks of booking with a TA yet also want the perks of booking directly with NCL.

You may be in the minority, but you make some very valid points! Sometimes the little perks we can get from a traditional TA may not be worth it when s&%$ hits the fan on your vacation!

How did you you get a PCC (personal cruise consultant I'm guessing?) with NCL?  Was it a relationship you established through a booking you made directly with the cruise line?

On 12/7/2019 at 7:18 AM, david_sobe said:

Love the design of Epic (with the exception of the waterfront and bathrooms, all later NCL ships followed most of the design)

Le Bistro is way overrated 

LaCucina should not be considered a specialty restaurant

Butler service is way overrated

Booking directly with NCL is better than a TA

Every menu change over the years from O'Sheehans, Cagneys, La Cucina, etc is less quality (IMHO not improved)

Haven restaurant food is great but very similar to MDR items (its more style than substance)

 

My last one would have been in effect until a few years ago (no longer true)
Drink prices are inexpensive and less than land based restaurants for the most part

 

 

Can I ask why you prefer booking with ncl as opposed to a TA?

I've booked a med cruise next November with my TA (she's actually going too :)) and find that when agencies book a block of rooms on a cruise you can get a couple perks. (we got an extra perk with our inside room and an obc)

Love this thread!! So glad to hear there are people that love the Epic as we are sailing on her in March!

On 8/4/2019 at 5:22 PM, GaTravelingMom said:

Thank you! Our cruise is not for a long time, but it was interesting to see what is projected. Like our day in Aruba looks like a 3 ship day! Sounds like it might be chaos - so I need to plan well in advance!

Can't remember where I found this one, but I like it better than the other ones I've visited:

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/oranjestad-port-452

Hope this helps....and you're not already back!

That's great! Thanks so much for the response.....I'll stop panicking now 😄

On 9/19/2019 at 1:51 PM, heatherc73 said:

Hello all,

We will be docking in Port Gruz in November at 2:00 and the Wall closes at 3!

I've emailed wallsofdubrovnik and they kindly responded telling me last admittance to the wall is 3 and then they start closing the gates after that.

She assured me if I get there by 3 I would have time to walk the walls.

I'm wondering since we are going in the off season, are we still going to have to be the first off the ship and rush to get there?

I've done some reading and it seems a taxi is the best bet, but not sure if I should pre-purchase tickets or not.  The ticket stand is right inside the Pile gate, but if I pre-purchase I have to take a voucher to some other agency to get our actual tickets.  Thoughts?

......then again, I could be overthinking this!

Thank you for your response Cavtatlady!

...so I have to get up the 87 entrance steps before 3? lol

Wish me luck!

Does anyone know if Cafe Buza is open year round? We will be there in November.

Hello all,

We will be docking in Port Gruz in November at 2:00 and the Wall closes at 3!

I've emailed wallsofdubrovnik and they kindly responded telling me last admittance to the wall is 3 and then they start closing the gates after that.

She assured me if I get there by 3 I would have time to walk the walls.

I'm wondering since we are going in the off season, are we still going to have to be the first off the ship and rush to get there?

I've done some reading and it seems a taxi is the best bet, but not sure if I should pre-purchase tickets or not.  The ticket stand is right inside the Pile gate, but if I pre-purchase I have to take a voucher to some other agency to get our actual tickets.  Thoughts?

......then again, I could be overthinking this!