Preds

Did anyone who came off the Pearl recently happen to talk to Tim and ask how long he would be on board? Hoping he'll be on throughout the Alaska season, particularly when we sail the Pearl 8/30. Haven't seen him since the Sky many years ago. Great guy and fun act.

@MMOMOM - The open NextCruise you purchased in 2012 IS your booking number once you assign it to a sailing. An online TA, or any TA for that matter cannot nook you today at whatever rate and then apply your NextCruise certificate to the booking they created. The record has to be rebuilt as new at whatever the prevailing rate is AFTER the transfer has processed to the Agent. And, it should only take 48 hours to transfer. That Deal you think you got with an online TA may not be such a deal in the end. Buyer beware.

Thanks, Preds, for the informative update. Very helpful. It sounds like once the kinks are ironed out, and once they incorporate some of the suggestions made from the survey's feedback, that the app will be very useful.

Actually I wish I could have talked with the developers later in the week instead of only on embarkation day. I found the survey to be insufficient to detail the issues we experienced and don't feel they'll gleam much useful information from them.

That said, the developers are combing the web for reviews and input. I know this as a fact since one of them asked if I was Preds from CC having read my earlier posts here in this thread. That's a real positive IMO.

I think they are making a sincere effort to make it a truly beneficial app, hopefully they'll see my comments here, and I encourage them to email/call me if they want more detailed feedback!

I used the iConcierge App extensively while on the Epic last week. They're still in beta testing, thus we were fortunate to have full access to all the available features within the app for no cost (including ship to shore VOIP calls).

Overall I think the app has a ton of potential, however, there are many kinks that need to be worked out. Once they iron things out it will be a great tool for cruisers.

The app runs on it's own WIFI network, independent of the ships internet WIFI network. For the most part this was fine, however, we found on days where we had local carrier coverage (i.e. St. Thomas, and in/out of Miami) we had to disconnect from the WIFI network and therefore discontinue use of the app in order to retrieve emails and whatnot through our carrier. This was a bit of a PITA as I found myself jumping back and forth with turning WIFI on and off and reconnecting to the network inside the app.

The app also seems to have issues staying connected to the WIFI network on its own. On many, many, occasions, the app just disconnected from the network randomly and had to be reconnected. Once it drops off you have to relaunch the app and reconnect. It's pretty easy to do, however, when you don't realize you've been disconnected, or the person you contact doesn't realize they're disconnected, it makes the app less functional. MUCH less functional. It would be nice if they had some type of audible and onscreen alert to warn you that you've been disconnected.

We had mostly stellar success with the Ship-to-Shore calls using VOIP through the App. We made calls to our son back home daily. Noticed a slight bit of lag (maybe a half second), but it was very usable and for the most part very clear. We did have a call drop on a couple occasions but were able to reconnect quickly. According to conversations I had with the developers and the survey we took, they appear to be considering charging $0.79 per minute for for ship-shore VOIP calls. That's better than $2.49 per minute using the ship's cell tower, though I think $0.49 would be more attractive, particularly since they're looking to charge $7.95 per cruise to use the App in the first place.

We also had mostly good luck using the app to make calls throughout the ship to other devices running the app or even directly to cabins, reservations, etc. The downside again was trying to call someone onboard who was inadvertently disconnected from the app. This happened so often that it was 50/50 at best in terms of reliable use onboard to others running the app.

Messaging using the app was worse. Numerous messages disappeared into lala land. We had 3 iPhones and one Android phone in our group. The iPhones worked decently as long as the app stayed connected, but I couldn't receive a message from the Android phone the entire week. Even standing next to each other with both apps connected.

Other tools within the app were mostly informational, and limited at that. The restaurant menus were nice for the specialty restaurants, but only gave you the always available menus for the main dining rooms. I would like to see the main dining rooms show you each days menu so you can plan around them. Further, it would be much more useful if you could schedule dining reservations from within the app.

Only a limited sample of daily activities were listed inside the app. They updated daily, but left a lot of activities listed in the Daily's out. I'd rather they list everything as published in page 3 of the Daily's.

It would be nice if you could add/or change ticketing for shows rather than just see whats playing.

The onboard shopping and ports & tours sections of the app were nearly useless. Very basic information at best.

I was surprised they didn't integrate deck plans into the app. That should be easy to do.

Finally, the account review was VERY nice and allowed us to keep an accurate tab on our spending. Next to the Ship-to-Shore calls, this was the most useful part of the app.

Overall I liked what we saw so far and look forward to using it again on our next cruise, hopefully with the kinks all resolved and maybe some added features like I mentioned above.

We are a three phone and 1 tablet family (Android, iPhone(and iPad) and Windows Phone 7) and my results from this week for VOIP and Chat are as follows:

VoIP(Android, iPhone)

Chat(Android, iPhone)

Shore Excursion Purchase (All Devices)

Restaurant Menu Viewing (All Devices)

Account Folio Review (All Devices)

Shopping Info (All Devices)

Spa Info (All Devices)

Bar Info (All Devices)

Daily Program (All Devices)

 

This week they are all free. Including the VoIP calling on and off the ship. I doubt that will continue. But as long as it is reasonably priced it is so worth it.

 

- Geek

Awesome news. Thanks for the additional information.

It looks to me like they're adding features slowly each week like you mentioned to work out the kinks.

Hope VOIP remains free for our sailing on Saturday as out 19yo son is staying home and my wife would love to be able to talk with him without paying $2.99 a minute to AT&T!

I am sailing now and we are able to make calls off the ship and to each other. A waiter told me they are adding in restaurant reservation booking as well. Which we cannot do right now. So it must be a slow roll out of features.

 

Major thumbs up NCL!!!!

 

- Geek

That's great news! Especially since we sail on Saturday.

I am just back from the epic and used it often.

 

It has lots of useful things, but is still only in version 1.

You can not yet contact other passangers through it, or make your dinner or show reservations through it.

 

You could see the different shows avaiable along with the daily.

You could view the different menus also.

What version were you running onboard? They released version 1.2 a few days ago and it states the update enabled chat and voip (though looking at the app I don't see where).

Also, did you have to pay anything to use the app, and/or did they offer OBC for reviewing it like the did the previous sailing?

We sail this upcoming Saturday. Hoping they've added the chat function.

I've searched and searched and can't find a way to download this app for my Kindle? Has anyone found it? It would be great to have it there instead of just on my phone.

You won't find a Kindle app because there is no Kindle app for iConcierge.

Norwegian iConceirge has been released for iOS, Android, and Windows 7 smartphones/tablets only.

Version 1.2 of the Norwegian iConceirge is available in the iTunes App store.

Looks like they've added chat and voip.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/norwegian-iconcierge/id491934966?mt=8

What's New in Version 1.2

Added voip, and chat functionality.

I am interested in booking supershuttle from ARN to Frihamnen port. I emailed the company, but I haven't heard a reply. How long does it typically take for a email reply? I dont have the address for Frihamnen, so I can't book it directly on the website. Leaving in a couple of weeks. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated

I heard back from them over this past weekend in under 24 hours.

You might want to try emailing them again at info@supershuttle.se, or you could try calling them at 0771-10 10 60.

There website shows the following service hours:

Weekdays 07:00-19:00

Weekends 08:00-17:00

Good luck!

Thanks..it is VERY confusing as F650 is not shown on anything FROM Azamara!! The tickets say F638 and the other info says that for THIS departure it is from Vartahamnen!! We will go to Frihamnen 650 and at least be prepared if the Journey is not there where else she might be!!! I just hope all the other travelers get there too!!

Thanks for everyone's help!

Sherry

Stockholm's official port website also shows the Azamara Journey at 650. See the link below:

Here is the link to the listing on the Stockholm Port's website - just scroll down until you find your ship and date

 

http://www.stockholmshamnar.se/en/Karta/Vessel-calls/

On our Azamara Journey tix it shows that we dock at Frihamnen 638 however on one blog it shows we are at Vartahamnen! I need to know where we are for both 7/21 when we embark, and on 7/28 when we disembark..any help would be great! We have booked our Super Shuttle from ARN to Hotel Reisen..now to book the return if we can only find out where the ship docks..if we can find where to get on in the first place!! Thanks!!

Sherry

You are scheduled for Frihamnen on that date. See all the cruise ship arrivals here.

 

Al

Preds,

 

On the return trip- did you give them a time to be picked up or will they be checking the schedule? I may do the same thing- it is less than the cruise ships transfers and probably easier.

 

Yes, I will post our experience on my return.

 

Thanks!

I gave them the return time for my flight (13:00) and they slotted us as an 11:00 pickup. I thought that was a bit close, thus requested a change to 09:30 and they took care of it.

I could not figure out the price on the ARN to Gamla Stan fare..it was coming out to $3,640 USD!!!!!! I KNOW that can't be right! Thank you! We leave in a week for our trip..also we need it from Firmhaven back to airport also..

Sherry

FYI I heard back from Super Shuttle for our return to ARN from the Cruise Terminal. I received the same 240 SEK quote for the 4 of us as we paid for the inbound from ARN to the Sheraton Stockholm. Note the 4 for 1 special is only through 15 August, 2011. It is a great deal if you have will be traveling to/from Stockholm between now and then!

To reserve a pickup from any of the cruise terminals, email info@supershuttle.se requesting a pickup request from whichever terminal you will be at (Frihamnen 638 in our case) for the return to ARN. Be sure to specify the berth your ship will be in.

Good luck!

I could not figure out the price on the ARN to Gamla Stan fare..it was coming out to $3,640 USD!!!!!! I KNOW that can't be right! Thank you! We leave in a week for our trip..also we need it from Firmhaven back to airport also..

Sherry

I haven't heard back on the email I sent regarding returning to ARN from the Frihamnen cruise terminal yet.

Preds

 

I went ahead and booked and also pre-paid the Super Shuttle to our hotel. I figure if for some reason it doesn't work I can contest it on the credit card and it' really isn't all that much $$.

 

When are you traveling? We will be arriving in Stockholm on the 12th of July, returning home on the 22nd. If you are traveling after that I'll be happy to share my (hopefully positive) experience.

We arrive in Stockhom 04 August for 2 days pre-cruise, and return 10 August.

I booked an 04 August ARN to City Centre SuperShuttle reservation for the 4 of us, The price (240 SEK) is just too good to not give it a shot.

I emailed them about a return booking for 10 August since they're booking form won't recognize the cruise ship terminal address I enter for the pickup (Frihamnen Berth 638). I think it needs a street address and I can't find one. Hopefully I'll hear back from them in the next day or so.

Please do share your experience as we can cancel all the way up until 4 hours prior to arrival if needed. Hopefully that won't be necessary and you'll have a great experience. Please report back. Thanks!

Another question about transportation from Stockholm Airport (ARN). I saw on the web that a Super Shuttle service now exists. Has anyone tried this?

 

I did a "search" in this thread but no results.......anyone out there have input? The cost is about 1/2 of that of a cab. We won't be in a hurry as it will be too early to check into our hotel anway.

 

Thanking you in advance.

I am looking at Super Shuttle as an option from ARN to City Centre as well. They're running a 4 for 1 promotion through 15 August that is hard to beat.

We're staying at the Sheraton and the quote on http://www.supershuttle.se/en/ comes to 240 SEK for our family of 4, which is about half the price of a taxi.

Has anyone used them before? I know they're new to Stockholm (since February).

Similar situation. $500 deposit. $2200 cruise fair. $2k worth of certificates. No credit back to credit card. NCL acknowledges the $2500 total payment. I hope I get $300 in OBC for tips. TA won't request the refund.

Has anyone that's spoken to BOA since writing their letters specifically asked about being credited for points earned from their December closing date until December 31st?

Someone should post a draft letter than we can all use and just fill in our information on it and at least all our letters would be the same.

That's kinda what I've been hoping for. Why reinvent the wheel if someone has already written a letter well enough to get the positive response we're all seeking.

Hi everyone,

 

BOA received both of my letters (one Friday morning & one this morning) and I just received an e-mail from BOA:

 

"Dear Ms. XXXXX,

 

While transitioning from NCL Compass Rewards to NCL WorldPoints, a system error caused a miscalculation in final Compass Reward balance for a population of cardholders. The file has been reprocessed indicating your final Compass Reward point balance is 1,005. You will be receiving additional Compass Reward certificates in the next 7-10 business days.

 

We appreciate your business and apologize for any inconvenience this error has caused."

 

Looks like they are taking care of this problem ASAP. Just to recap, I sent my information to the Reward Resolution address below on Wednesday, February 4th via certified mail.

NCL Compass Reward Resolution

NC1-022-17-01

210 N Tyron St

Charlotte, NC 28255

Would you mind sharing the text of the letter you sent to BOA? It'd probably make many of our lives easier!

Great to see that BOA is owning up to the errors at least!

I posted this in the "Compas Rewards Program Ends" thread, but think many will find it useful here as well.

BOA screwed me as well. I've only received three 100 point certificates on one of my accounts, stating I only had 250 points in my account. I should have received one $500 certificate because I should have earned an additional 250 points from the time of my closing statement until December 31st.

 

While I know BOA is trying to take the stance that you couldn't earn points past your December statement date, that is a violation of their own terms and conditions for the card (and even NCL seems to be supporting that you were eligible to earn points through December 31st).

 

The Compass Rewards Program Rules specifically state (in Section 13 on pages 6 and 7):

Changing the Terms of the Program - FIA Services, N.A. and/or NCL may from time to time change or limit any aspect of the Program; amend the Program Rules, restrictions, benefits or features, in whole or in part; discontinue or replace any Reward with another of lesser, equal or greater value; or modify, delete or terminate any or all of the Program, Rewards, benefits or special features. Changes may affect outstanding transactions and Points, and may include, but are not limited to, the number of Points required to receive Rewards, and the maximum number of Points which may be earned per month or year. In the case of termination of the Program, you may continue earning Points for ninety (90) days from the date notice of termination of the program is mailed. One hundred twenty (120) days from the date notice of termination of the Program is mailed, if your cumulative total of available Points is sufficient to qualify, and you meet all other eligibility requirements described in the Program Rules, then we will send you the appropriate number of Certificates. Each Certificate issued in connection with the termination of the Program will be honored by NCL, Orient, and/or Star for three hundred sixty-five (365) days from its date of issue.

We were all notified in letters dated October 1st. 90 days from October 1st is December 31st.

 

I think we need to make them stick to their own Program Rules. Use their own Rules against them in your letters and phone calls and DO NOT allow them to try to push through the inability to earn points after your December statement closing date.

ok so i have a major problem. i was under the impression that we would get a certificate for the amount of our rewards. my total rewards was 1438 so they sent me two $500 certs and 5 upgrade certs. now i booked a cruise a long time ago under the impression that we would have $1400 in certs to apply to the booking. now all i get is $1000 twards this cruise. also, you cannot use both the cash and the upgrade certs on the same booking. some b.s. if you ask me. so now i have to come out of pocket $438 more than what i expected for this cruise which is also b.s. i have an address for any of you how want to write b of a b/c ncl has no control over this issue. the address is

ncl compass rewards resolution

nc1-022-17-01

201 n tryon st

charlotte, nc

28355

 

let me know if anyone has any luck w/their communication w/b of a.

They had a series of upgrade certificates in 100 point denominations OR you could redeem 500 points for a $500 certificate off a cruise.

I will be SHOCKED if we get our certificates in the right amount at this point.

I was supposed to get 250 points in December (which puts me to another $500 certificate) which of course didn't show on the statement I just downloaded this morning. What a mess.

I'm willing to wager that the December points won't be corrected until AFTER they print the certificates, which will leave many of us, including myself with say a 200pt cabin upgrade certificate and 50 points lost instead of a $500 certificate. Then once they fix it I'd expect them to further mess things up with another 200pt certificate (and another 50 points lost), all in lieu of a $500 certificate that should have been issued originally had the points been awarded properly.

Is there an attorney on board? I'd have to think the words "Class Action" for breach of terms could have serious merit here if BOA doesn't make things right.

http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/cashbackcreditcards.html

 

Since I am not intersted in earning points for hotel stays or air travel, and would only be interested in cruises redeption or cash back, these cards are the most appealing for my needs:

 

Blue Cash® from American Express or TrueEarnings® Business Card from Costco and American Express (if you use Costco alot). Another one is Discover® More(SM) Card (which I already have) The major problem with all of these is that they may not be accepted some places, particularly when traveling.... I keep coming back to The Capital One® No Hassle MilesSM Ultra—For Professionals - while it does have a $39 fee, it is incredibly flexible with rewards (while is is called No Hassle Miles, the points are good for all types of travel as well as many other things), has good earning percentage, and since it is a Master Card, it is accepted more widely.

 

Reward Formula - Professionals with excellent credit can earn twice the miles on every purchase. Earn 2 miles for each dollar spent on all purchases. There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions. There are no expiration date on miles and no limit on the miles you can earn. There are 5 different reward redemption options : Travel, cash, merchandise, charitable donations or gift certificates.

 

Fees and Rates - This card has an annual fee of $39.

http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/capitalonenohasslemilesultra.html

Schwab has a no annual fee VISA that pays 2% on ALL personal purchases (can't use it for business purchases).

http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/banking_lending/credit_card?cmsid=P-990780&lvl1=banking_lending&lvl2=credit_card&

Aside from the 2% rebate, another very nice feature with this card is that there are NO foreign transaction fees on purchases. This can save you 2-3% on international purchases, which is particularly nice for cruisers.

The catch is that the rewards are deposited monthly into your brokerage account, however, you can then transfer that into a free Schwab HY Checking account.

http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/banking_lending/checking?cmsid=P-990750&lvl1=banking_lending&lvl2=checking&

With the checking account, you also get a VISA Debit card, that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees at ATM's around the world.

I just got this card a couple weeks ago and haven't yet decided how I'm going to rotate it into my spending habits, but I will be integrating it in.