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Thanks Everyone and sorry for the late response! Work getting in the way of travel discussion...rrrrrr

On 4/22/2024 at 12:07 PM, FFTB said:

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Direct_Guest_Reservation_Transfer_Form.pdf

or google: NCL Direct Guest Reservation Transfer

 

"Bookings may be transferred to a Travel Agent up to 14 days from creation, if the request is made outside of Final Payment period. For new reservations booked within final payment period, that are paid in full, transfer requests can be processed if the request is received within 7 or less days of final payment application."

(I submitted the transfer say day as the booking, took 8 days to go through)

Thanks for all the information, @FFTB!  As for the Amex cruise benefits, I assume that's for platinum only?  I am gold.  I guess I could apply my 100 travel credit at Amex travel as well. 

1 hour ago, dbrown84 said:

the limit for OBC is $1000.  You can get any leftovers back in cash on the last morning if you don't spend it all.  Also, looking into FAS+ and do the numbers.  I say this because it does include Starbucks as well as water.  It will give you extra meals, Internet for the trip and extra excursion credit.  Only you know your habits, but look into it and see the costs and decide which is best for you.

Thanks I will!

Has anyone received the credit after booking over the phone with an NCL agent?

Thanks everyone for your very helpful replies.  Such a friendly community.  

I guess it'll be free at sea AND Starbucks (damn caffeine addiction).   I will buy as much OBC as I think I'll need ahead of time and pre pay the service charges.  Hopefully I can add OBC to my booking.

1 hour ago, luckybecky said:

So we always book with just putting the deposit down. We don't pay the rest until just a couple of days before final payment is due. In the meantime, we keep checking the price periodically. If it goes down, we give them a call and they will adjust our booking to reflect the lower price. We have not been required to cancel and re-book. 

Great, thank you.  Sounds like call centre is easy to deal with.

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Do you pay in cash on board the ship? if so what currency?  If I buy OBC, can it be applied to everything on the ship including food and drink? Can I tip the staff with USD?

The ship is cashless. You charge everything to your room account. Most people settle their room account to a credit card. You can settle your account in cash on the last night of the cruise. Note: The currency of the ship is USD and there will be an unfavorable exchange if you use Canadian dollars to settle your account. 

SUPER helpful Bird!

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Let's say the average bar drink costs $11 + 20% gratuity = $13.20. If  you have 2 drinks a day, you will exceed the $21.80 cost of the drinks package. 

Thank you! Thanks for posting the menu too super helpful!

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Every drink has 20% added to it as a "gratuity/service charge". A $10 drink will cost you $12.

Thank You!

59 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

If you're getting drinks "a couple of times a day", it might be better to take the package. Taking the package adds $21.80 per person per day. If your daily consumption is more than that without a package, you'll be better off with the package. When you don't have a package, 20% is added to the cost of each individual drink that you order. 

 

I'm sorry I'm confused - do they add this 20% at the point of sale? or the final payment on the ship ?  Is this a gratuity charge?  

Good to know about the Onboard credit.  I will add as much as possible because CAD is so low right now.

1 hour ago, mjkacmom said:

Can’t switch out packages, the gratuity on FAS is about $21 a day, so if you drink more than 2 drinks a day on average, it’s worth it. If the price goes down before Vinson payment, you can rebook with the current offer. You can tip in USD, I believe that’s the only thing you need cash for onboard.

Thank you so much! What is the Vinson Payment? And by rebook do you mean I have to cancel and then rebook?

Hi there, I'm pondering a first time cruise and want to get some things clear in my mind before I book, so apologies for the amount of questions...

If I don't get a free at sea alcoholic drink package, can I sub in the Starbucks one with free at sea?  Or is it only an add-on?

I don't drink that much and the 300 tip charge seems a lot to me for 10 days if I'm only getting bar drinks a couple of times a day.  This cruise would be the Mediterranean so I won't be on the ship a whole lot, we have one at sea day and I'll be off the ship as much as possible. 

Do you pay in cash on board the ship? if so what currency?  If I buy OBC, can it be applied to everything on the ship including food and drink? Can I tip the staff with USD?

If the price drops after booking, will they give us credit or refund?

And finally if I wanted to upgrade, how would I do that? Phone it in or online?  

I know I can phone in the questions but I want to book online because I have the Amex 250 credit deal and it specifies using the ncl.com.   I don't want to sit through upselling (do the CSRs do that?)and I don't find the website that detailed.   Thank you in advance for any insights!