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Pictures over on another website for cabin 12254 seem to indicate yes.  The "lounge chairs" are actually reclining chairs with ottomans.

Does anyone have any experience with possible pitfalls of booking with a refundable deposit, cancelling prior to final payment, and rebooking with a non-fundable deposit once a passenger's plans become more solid? In addition of course to having to accept new pricing and different promotions. e.g. does the savings afforded by the non-refundable deposit tend to diminish as the final payment date gets closer?

Agree it's even nicer. Adds a snow room and a sanarium to the mix of thermal rooms and pools you enjoyed on the BA.

There is no question about it. The floor seating is absolutely the way to go.. IMHO, if you go with banquet you'd be wasting your money because its nit worth going.

 

Here's my question.... last year we got there 30 minutes ahead and were in the 2nd row on the floor. What time do you need to get there to get in the 1st row. An hour?

Tough to answer, but keep in mind that Haven guests will be seated before the doors open so "front row" seats may be limited.

Last year on NCL Getaway we visited Honduras and went to Little French Key based on @mitsugirly’s reviews. It was the best day ever outside of Cataway Cay.

 

My friend and I just booked Crown Princess for January with a stop in Honduras. I really want to go to LFK again' date=' but it lists as Coxen Hole as the port. Is LFK still in option?

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Looks like you will be berthed at Mahogany Bay, which is actually closer to LFK http://www.mahoganybaycc.com/Port-Schedule.aspx

Cool beans. It’s so weird seeing so many available staterooms. From inside all the way up to minisuite. Haven is sold out. I guess on a good note, our sailing won’t be as crowded [emoji23]

All things said, still it doesn't hurt to visit guest services as soon as you board to ask if upgrades are available. Odds may be slim, but you never know until you ask.

Just booked last night for Dec 17, 2017 cruise. Shows were every night but Tuesday (but that could have been just because they were sold out).. Times were : 5:30 & 8:45

We sail in 4 days and I see several available balconies. I’m in a balcony which I won via upgrade bid. Can I ask to be moved to another stateroom closer to an elevator at embarkation? There’s so many family balconies (which is a higher balcony category than mine) available. When I asked my TA last week for an upgrade, she said I’d have to pay the difference which I understand. But if the staterooms are still available at embarkation, can I snag it?

Generally speaking, cabins are rarely available on embarkation day. By that time, they have assigned folks who booked Sail-away (guarantee) cabins and your desired cabins most likely won't be available. The cruiselines employ a number methods to ensure all cabins are sold prior to sailing.

I was wondering if anyone was successful calling their PCC and being able to 'negotiate' for the upgrades. Any tips on timing or how to approach that conversation?

"Negotiate," probably not. But keep watching prices and if they drop to a point you're willing to pay, then by all means call (don't write) your PCC and ask to upsell into the higher category. We were able to do this with no hassle.

Ha I tried that and the lovely PCC didn't bother to respond to my inquiry. I'm already in a haven and am regretting this cruise after reading quite a few negatives about NCL in general. I thought I had a good idea how it all worked, but didn't put the time into research I should have. My fault.

We were in a Haven Spa Suite on the BA this last August and had a delightful time. The Haven Restaurant and Bar staff are wonderful. The old adage, "you find what you are looking for," applies to cruises as well. Go expecting a good time and have a wonderful cruise!

Always hard to predict what others would like, but here's my 2 cents. The Getaway (and other "mega-ships") are best for those who like a lot of entertainment choices, the thermal suite, and a lot of specialty dining choices. For a more relaxing cruise I would suggest a smaller ship. Once you take away the water park lines, the pool on the Getaway is about the same size as the smaller ships, but for a lot more passengers.

Has anyone heard anything about upgrades being processed for the Dec. 23 cruise out of NO on the Pearl? I bid on a balacony and keep thinking I bid too low.

It is unlikely they would process requests this early. NCL's priority is to try to sell the balconies first until the point it is determined that they will not likely sell at full price.

If I recall, the cabin card will be pre-printed with your package, so no need to track down a sticker.

I signed my husband and I both up for the Unlimited Drink package, he can no longer drink because of health issue. Do both people in the room have to have the package or can I switch his?

We were in the same situation - my other half can't have alcohol. However, we still felt we got a good value just paying the gratuity charge on the UBP. Plus we were able to order virgin versions of the mixed drinks as well as unlimited soda.

OK, no expert here. But if you can't book another cruise with CAS, have you tried booking with an online agency to block out the cabin you want until December. Then cancel and rebook the same cabin under CAS. (Assuming you want a cruise outside the cancelation window.) If you can't book in your name, you could work with a friend to block out the cabin you want until you can book.

Recent cruisers....does NCL still have chilled soup on the menu? I hope so!!

I just checked the BA dinner menus recently posted, and unfortunately, no chilled soups (3 hot ones each night, go figure).

I will be on the Star next March and I'm wondering if a 12:05pm Flight on Southwest is too early. The ship arrives at 8:00am in San Pedro Thanks on a Saturday and we will do carry off and take a SuperShuttle to LAX. The next available flight is not until 4:45pm. Thanks for any input.

It would be tight. I always work these things out backwards. Flight boards 30 minutes prior to departure (11:35), hour to negotiate check-in/security (to be safe) 10:35. Hour minimum to get from Port of LA to LAX 9:35. So if ship arrives on time and clears customs in 30 minutes and you clear customs in 30 minutes you might not need to run to the gate.

Have you considered the 2:50 PM flight out of Orange County (mind you, I'm assuming you're flying to Sacramento)? It's only 7 miles further from the port and about 5-10 minutes more driving time. Plus it's a lot easier to get into. It might be worth it for the peace of mind.

YMMV - But my philosophy has always been, you go on some cruises for the ports and others for the ships. Falmouth port was pretty much developed to accommodate the Oasis class ships. Modern fenced in facilities, not much beyond the fence w/o travel time. Labadee has a lot of fun diversions, including a long zip-line and alpine coaster. Georgetown is pleasant and the submarine along the shelf was amazing. So I would say if ports are more important, NCL has the edge.

That being said, we were floored by the variety and quality of the entertainment on the Oasis. Cirque-type shows in the Aqua Theatre, the ice skating show, shows in the main theatre, etc. were just a cut above. I would also give an edge to it's various dining venues. I would definitely say it's a ship to be experienced and would give it the edge over the Epic.

That's only if two people go and both order. In which case you would either be getting two orders of nachos or one order of nachos and something else.

 

 

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I think the concern is if you sit in the restaurant section you may have to pay the cover charge if you eat anything, regardless of whether you order a separate item or just share a giant plate of Volcano Nachos. Hopefully that's not the case, but who knows? I'll try to find out onboard next week.

I think a half way mark may be fair. $8-10. Would draw a crowd but not large enough to cause the bottleneck of the complimentary version.

 

 

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Or find the right a la carte price break for items.

We had no problem with arriving early for the GA. We even told one of the "greeters" we were early and they said, "no problem."

If it becomes $5 like a previous poster mentioned than I think a lot of people would have an easier time justifying that instead of the $14.99. Maybe you wouldn't but I think many people would.

 

 

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I wonder if space_bar was referring to the nachos having a $5 ($5.99, actually) cover charge, not Margaritaville having a cover charge plus a la carte pricing? However, I agree with Moby, in that NCL needs to go back to the drawing board on the pricing. So far what hasn't worked is:

Complimentary - Too crowded people complain

A la Carte - Folks think prices are too high; restaurant empty

One charge covers all - see above

It is so interesting how you can be on the same ship and have totally different experiences. We sailed Breakaway the same week and had beyond a fabulous time.

 

I think a lot is timing on everything. We have found that after 15 cruises that it is best to go where the crowds aren't and sometimes that takes doing things in reverse of the pattern of most cruisers.

Thank you for this other view! We've found that each ship has its own set of "wrinkles." We approach each ship with a different set of expectations. When we choose a mega ship for the variety of entertainment, we know crowds and more planning come with the territory. When we choose a smaller ship we don't expect the variety that a smaller passenger count can't support. Larger pools generally mean less deck chairs and/or no water park (there's only so much space).

Sunny2runner's advice about breaking the general pattern is sound. If on port mornings you think it's a good idea to grab a quick breakfast before going ashore, just realize a lot of other folks think it's a good idea too, and go enjoy a quiet breakfast in the MDR.

What is I was looking to move up from a mini suite to a full suite? How much do you think I'd have to pay?

Looks like your search found you an outdated post. Folks have been posting to this newer one related to NCL's current method of bidding for upgrades. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2453189

It's not allowed but people sure smoked on the balconies on our cruise in April. It wasn't overwhelming, but we could smell it.

That's correct about balconies, but outside decks like the Waterfront, on the starboard side, just below their balcony may allow smoking.