ChiefMateJRK

That explains it! 🤣 Enjoy your cruise. We'll be on the same Sun itinerary soon.😎

You might be surprised. The world has changed....a LOT! Does Disney even have a drink package? Cost neutral doesn't sound right.

Let's poke at that. I'm retired (so time is plentiful) and looking at some Summer 2024 Encore sailings (seven days in AK). I've fully priced them through mock bookings (IOW these are out the door prices). An inside for a 14 day B2B is $6900 bucks. An aft balcony for a single seven-day itinerary is an even $7K. Which would bring me more enjoyment for the $$$$$$$ spent? Well, that's obviously a personal call. If it were me in an aft balcony on day six receiving that "it's time to leave us now" fake daily, I would be really pi$$ed at that guy in the mirror who just had to have his sweet nap on a lounger on an aft balcony. 😎 But, to each their own.

Certainly worth the extra steps. Not sure they're worth the extra $$$$$$$.

You may not need reservations. I've had consistent success in just showing up at a specialty restaurant and asking if we could get a seat. There's never a line, because everybody thinks they need reservations. Sometimes it works, sometimes they tell me to come back in an hour, or wait 15 minutes. I've waited longer for an MDR than some specialty restaurants without reservations.

I think NCL knows exactly what they're doing, and it is not necessarily in the interest of making specialty dining reservations available to the late bookers. More likely in selling more specialty dining packages.

NCL has told a lot of people this, but @BirdTravelsis correct. My last cruise was a B2B. I never got off the ship and was the only one waiting at Teppanyaki when they started accepting dinner reservations. The touch screens were not taking reservations before this (I tried several times between 10 and 11). I had to change an Ocean Blue reservation. They only had one or two nights when they could give me an early reservation. All others were totally booked or down to the 8 pm or later leftovers. This is similar to other times when I've tried to book a reservation shortly after boarding. It is a disservice to other cruisers for posters to continue to spread the false rumor that "you don't need to worry, they only reserve a small number in advance, just book when you get on the ship."

What does this mean?

I usually book inside but have sailed in both standard and aft balconies. IMHO, there is absolutely no comparison. The standard balcony is a novelty to me. Sure, I can step out in my boxers before breakfast and see how the weather is, or where we're at. I can probably get the same info on my TV. The two standard chairs are among the worst on the ship. An aft balcony with a pair of loungers? Totally different story. I can and have taken my afternoon nap out there.

Are you sure about this?

We have discussed linking of two reservations on the same sailing in the past (i.e. two rooms, two reservation numbers, traveling together). I've had NCL Agents do this but several, when asked, acknowledged that it really accomplishes nothing. That's not what I'm asking about now. In March, I had to call to complete a B2B booking (I think the NCL website was having one of its bad days) and the agent asked if I would like her to link them as B2B. I said sure, and mentioned that I had several other B2B reservations booked. She spent a bit of time going through the others with me and told me she had them all linked. A month later, I sailed my first ever B2B (one that had been linked) and I think it had some benefits. Primaily, the on board account remained open and I was able to roll a small amount of unused, not-refundable OBC over to the next week (when I did in fact use it). Also, I received a letter in my cabin acknowledging that I was on a back to back with specific useful instructions. I may have received this regardless, but I really don't know. Today, I spoke with an NCL agent and she was unable to complete a similar linking on several new B2B bookings. She said I would have to change rooms as part of the linking process, which of course could present some risks. Since an agent did this to several existing bookings in March, I'm hoping that the March agent new some trick/process that today's didn't know. Anybody else have experience with this? Thanks.

Does NCL sell gift cards?

It might help if you narrowed that date range down to less than two years.

Is there a Cliff's notes version of this? I have ADD.

If somebody else is sitting in it, how is it "your seat?"

No major differences, but some minor ones (bigger discounts on SHOREX, internet, etc.): NCL Latitudes Rewards | Cruise Loyalty Program

Do you know how the waitlist works? Is it automated or manual? If manual, I would hope that I could still accomplish a swap by going to the SHOREX desk regardless of a waitlist. What is an airlift?

Not in steerage. They wouldn't fit many of us steerage passengers anyways.

Thanks. I'll know more about this once I do it. I'm guessing that most passengers who really want a certain SHOREX just book them in advance, and the others just book whatever is still available.

Wise people don't change plans because of a single, unconfirmed internet report. I believe at last count we are still up to one report. To clarify, I find the information reported to be highly suspect. If/when we have more credible information (e.g. a press release from NCL or formal reports to shareholders) then I will be much more accepting of it as "fact."

Thanks. I'm curious because of the yet-unconfirmed reports that NCL may be shrinking the Joy OL.

I've heard some express concern that there may be a waitlist that grabs your cancelled reservation before you can rebook. I have absolutely no idea if this is true or not. The logistics of NCL trying to manage a prioritized waitlist would likely far exceed any benefits. a) Passenger A: add me to the waitlist for SHOREX whalewatch b) Passenger B: add me to the waitlist for SHOREX whalewatch c) Passenger C : add me to the waitlist for SHOREX whalewatch d) Passenger D : I need to cancel SHOREX whalewatch Scenario A: NCL system automatically sells SHOREX whalewatch to Passenger A. End of cruise, Passenger A is furious at guest services. Why was I charged for SHOREX whalewatch? I only asked to be added to the waitlist and we then had to make other plans. Scenario B: NCL has no automated system. Agent leaves phone message for Passenger A. "We have a spot for you on SHOREX whalewatch. 24 hours later, nothing. Agent calls Passenger B. "We have a spot for you on SHOREX whalewatch. Great - charge my room and send me my tickets." 12 hours later still. Passenger A is furious at the SHOREX desk. Why can't I now buy the ticket for SHOREX whalewatch? You told me I had a spot so I cancelled other plans." The idea of a waitlist seems silly to me but, again, I really don't know if it exists or not. When I sail this summer, I'll ask the SHOREX desk if there are still spots available on the excursions that I want to cancel/rebook. If so, I'll proceed without concern. If not, I'll ask some questions and hopefully get accurate answers. Always a risk.

How crowded was the observation lounge on sea days?

Then you aren't allowed to use the @dbrown84official system of time measurement. Unless, you sit with us and count our beers.

Pre-Covid, NCLH was close to $60 per share ($6000 for 100 shares). The shareholder benefit was $100 OBC. I bought in December for around $16 per share ($1600 for 100 shares). I receive $100 OBC each cruise. I'm pretty sure that the value of the benefit has increased considerably. 😎