Bandit2301

On 5/21/2023 at 4:29 PM, shof515 said:

it is on the NCL website:

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents

 

scroll down to see the visa requirement

Yup, I almost got screwed by not looking at NCL's travel requirements. We have a stop in Vietnam for 2 days and a visa is required even if you DON'T get off the ship.  NCL is charging $99 pp!  I did mine online through the embassy for $25pp. Now to make sure NCL doesn't charge me for this might be fun...

BTW this is for a cruise to the Philippines which I thought would be popular and get higher the closer it was. I was wrong. My mistake! 

10 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

What difference does that make?  

If  you book direct,  you have to call the cruise line.

If  you book through a TA , you have to call the TA.

In both cases,  you have to call someone.  What's the difference?

BTW,  even if  you book through a TA, there are somethings you can call NCL and change, there are somethings you cannot.  

For example, if you've booked through a TA, you can still book shore excursions without going through the TA.  You can book your entertainment and dinning without going through the TA.  Essentially, the only time you must work through a TA is if the change affects the TA commission.  Not many things do.

It's an extra step instead of doing it myself. It takes out the middle man that could prolong the process. The TAs I have used before take a day or more to get back with me about changes I could do myself the same day. Just my thoughts as I prefer not to have a middle man most times.

11 hours ago, drpclarke said:

I THINK.........if you booked with a cruise agent, that agent is able to get the better price for you. I just saw something about it two days ago - I should have paid better attention. Ask your agent!

 

Sadly I stopped using a TA as everything I could do myself as last time I used a TA the cruise lines wouldn't allow anyone but the TA to call and make changes. Has that changed by chance cause it seems like a good idea to use a TA! 

45 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@Bandit2301 First you are new to CruiseCritic.com as of earlier this year, welcome.  Your post is similar to other post made on this and other boards.  Whether you never cruise with NCL or any other brand again, is a personal decision.  Why you choose to share this on a social media site for NCL is because you feel wronged.  All cruise brands including NCL get posts like this all the time.  Especially about when stateroom fair get reduced after final payment.  Common place.

 

You sound like you have cruised before but this is your first time on NCL.  I really can' tell.  Cruise brands are like hotels.  If the inventory is high and available, they reduce prices to fill them up.  Supply and Demand.  The majority of those reductions happen after the final payment and the penalty phase happens.  The reason why folks still to this day get upset is because they don't read the fine print.  I know, I made the same mistake and it does not feel good.

 

Yet it is NOT NCL or any other brands fault.  It is common knowledge and they make it clear in their contract with you.  That is why I ALWAY book WAY in advance and watch the prices and inventory right up to the last possible moment.  NCL did not do you wrong, other brands do the same thing.  You made a decision to get a stateroom because at the time you thought they might sell out.  You were wrong and now you want your cake and eat it too.  I feel for you and know this can make your vacation a little less enjoyable.  Just the way it is and no offence and this will NOT be a popular comment, you need to take some accountability also.  Play fair with comments on any brand.  The details are always in the Fine Print.  

I posted this to inform other cruisers of things that can happen and what they should be aware of. I have cruised many times and I understand policies. However other people might not know this. I usually cruise with Viking and with them you do book early as they sell out fast. 

I do apologize if you feel offended that I criticized NCL and you felt the need to reply back with this long post. 

Everybody has their opinion. That's why there is this forum.

This is the first time I am cruising with NCL and I don't think I will ever be booking again with them.

I booked my cruise about 8 months in advanced as sometimes cabins sell out. I just looked at the exact same cruise. There is a price drop of over $600 and since you're within the 110-day window you get nothing for this price drop. I spoke with customer service and that's the line they gave me is it is NCL's policy within 110 days they won't do anything for you.

Wondering if anybody's had this happened to them? 

I'm just a little frustrated that I get penalized because I wanted to book early. 

My husband and I book a cruise in Oct on the Jewel.  We haven't done an ocean cruise for many years and we always used Royal in the past.  What are some great tips we should know onboard, what places are free on the ship to eat, what should we avoid, any free things to do in the spa and so forth.  I'm very excited about our trip and hope everyone can give me some great tips for our trip onboard the Jewel! Thanks! 

2 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

How is that any different than if you booked your flights on your own?  

I know with Viking and Royal if you book air through them, you have a phone number to call if you have problems while traveling but that is with their travel insurance.  Not sure by itself what happens.

9 minutes ago, hallux said:

Because NCL can get them a little better rate?

I have never been able to get a better flight price that the cruise lines get.  I couldn't pass up NCL's BOGO.  We are paying around $1500 for round trip for two people to Asia.  Even though it's the cheap seats, the price was a great deal.  We'll see if we can do any upgrades when we get our flight detail.

I have always used the the cruise lines for air and never had a bad experience yet with other cruise lines.  I understand there are going to issues and some people won't be happy about it. Just crossing my fingers all goes well and I'm glad to hear about other's experiences.  

We booked our cruise with the buy one get one free airline ticket.  Has anyone booked their flight through NCL? Do they tell you the itinerary so many days before your departure? We leave Oct 30 and I was thinking that is probably too early to know our flight information.  Also has anyone been able to do an upgrade after using NCL for tickets?  Thanks for any insight to my questions.