keep on cruisin

I was able to upgrade in cruise planner today for the Summit.  The pricec was $10.80 per day with the gratuity.  Within the planner there was a banner for "upgrade your beverage package" in addition to the normal prided section for drink packages.

I drink Disaronno which is not part of the classic, and we like Pellegrino at dinner, also not part of classic. 

if enough items are an issue for my wife we can upgrade her when on board.

Thank you.

We have not been on RCCL since 208 so not sure of the current set up.

I was wondering how far in advance can we do dinner reservations for My Time Dining on the Oasis.  I don't see anything in the planner yet.  We aren't sailing until August 2020.

We will have at least 21 people.  I realize we will likely not be able to all sit together, but if we all have the same reservation time we should be able to work it out that we can be near each other.  We did this on Celebrity Summit 2 years ago with 15.  We spoke to the MaitreD upon boarding.

Thank you in advance.

15 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Actually, all the Celebrity suites except sky suites have a private bedroom.

I saw that too, and it was the Sky Suites that they wanted $1500 minimum bid.  The Celebrity suite is $2000 minimum bid.  Cant justify that much.

Only you can decide if it is worth.  Compare the actual price of a direct upgrade vs. the bidding option.  Also your budget.

I always book a room we will be happy with, and than look for a reasonable upgrade bid.  Our current booking they want over $1500 combined minimum bid to move to a suite.  Not worth it to me.  We like the pampering in the suites(never with Celebrity but several with NCL), but i am more interested in more space and privacy when traveling with our teanage son.  With Celebrity suites not havung private bedrooms it isnt worth it.

We did bid on a family balcony which while not completely  private it does give us seperate space.

Enjoy whatever you decide

I have been looking at current cruises to get an idea of times and days of events.  Many are pretty much the same every week.  You can do this by choosing the "Get more details on ships we support"

Obviously it wont be exactly the same, but no different than looking for recent dailies that have bern generously posted by others here.

We are 41 days out so it is nice to see it.

We have been on Summit 3 times, all with select dining.   We made our reservations early,  for between 6 and 7. We have never waited more than 5 minutes.  And that is just waiting for our turn with the hostess. 

One of the sailings we had 15 of us at 3 tables with 6 pm reservations.  So that was a little different.   They just arranged that we had the same 3 tables nightly.  That was easier for them than trying to figure it out each night.  There was another large family at a near by table nightly as well.  I think 12.  

I can't speak to not having reservations.

I don' think that scenario would work out.  You would pay the cancelation fee for the cancelled party, and they would charge your son for the increase.  You would be better off having the 2nd be a no show.

 I am sure you are right that some will flame you for your idea.  But i agree that tgge single supplement should not be at full fare as you will not be using twice the included amenities.  Should be somewhere in the middle.  

Because if those cabins become available due to cancellation or someone in those categories bidding up they already have a plan for the available room.

9 hours ago, VikingRob said:

Normally while in port the casino is not open. Is it open in Bermuda? Only asking because somebody mentioned it being open late. Thanks!

The rules were changed several years ago.   Many of the lines threatened to pull out if they didnt allow it at night.  

We have been to Bermuda several times on both Celebrity and NCL, and they typically open around 9 and will stay open past midnight.  How late varied, i think based on how busy.

11 hours ago, Radio said:

 

The Outlets are on the lamp base on one side of the bed. I have 2 premium devices and the USB charging ports work very well.

 

Radio

 

 

.

Thank you.  At least i know i will not have to worry about power for the CPAPs.

Radio,

Thank you for the review and great photos.  We sail on Summit in August.

You mentioned the outlets on the table lamp base, are there outlets on both sides of the bed or just the one side.  And are the USB adaptors strong enough for the new devices.  We were just on the Jade and the lamp USB's could not rapid charge a phone or tablet.

Looking forward to the rest of your excellent live review.

Was disappointed last week that Norwegian ferry was not available on the day we arrived(Thursday) and was only available on sailaway day until 1pm final return ferry.  Pointless on Friday as we were sailing at 5pm.   Saw the ferry pull in on Thursday as we docked, but was told it was only available to the Escape passengers for Thursday and open to both on Friday.

We just got back from a 10 day Cruise on the Jade.  Port Canaveral, GSC, Nassau and 2 days in Bermuda.  April 18 to 28, 2019.

Originally we booked an ocean view room and won a bid for a mini-suite.  We ultimately decided to upgrade to the aft Penthouse because I thought my wife could use some extra pampering since we just lost her father in February.  

Overall we had a really nice relaxing time.  The seas were pretty rough the first day or so and the last day.  Heard of several guests being sick and yes the bags were out.  On the last night we heard of food falling of the buffet station.  We had plates fall on the floor in the stateroom.  The aft location certainly played a roll in the rocking we felt.  Closet doors kept swinging open. I had to use the rope from the laundry bag to tie the handles to prevent them opening.

The food in all the restaurants was good.  Nothing spectacular, but everything we had was good.  I would like more variety, but what they had was flavorful.  We had the dining package perk for 4 dinners and enjoyed all 4.   

Not a lot of activities during the day.   The activities staff was very pleasant.  In talking with others as well, I have never been on a cruise that I have seen less of the cruise director Claire around the ship.  Other than after the main theatre shows and standards like Not so Newlywed game I can honestly say I did not see her once in 10 days.

Shows were good, especially Elements, but the seating was very uncomfortable.  Not sure why all the NCL ships have seats that make you feel like you are falling forward.

Pedro, our butler was good.  We didn’t ask for anything special other than changing a couple of the afternoon snacks.  He also delivered breakfast several mornings.

Rai, our room steward was great no matter how late our son slept in.

Only time we saw Bruno the concierge was at checkin, and when being escorted off the ship.

We did have an issue with the toilet not flushing for a couple of days, someone was flushing unflushables.  Took a few days for us to not have the problem anymore.

We took this trip for relaxation so we didn’t do much off the ship.  Took a trip to Cocoa beach for some shopping in Port Orlando.  Stayed on the ship in GSC.  Nassau we picked up alcohol for a friend, and Bermuda we strolled through Kings wharf.  I was disappointed that they did not make the St. George ferry available to us on Thursday when we arrived, only for a couple hours on Friday.

Internet was adequate for basic browsing, but useless for video.  Only time it worked was in the theater while waiting for shows.

The casino took our deposit with pleasure.

The pool was nice but was very cold.  Would like for the to use the heaters during this time of year when the water is that cold.

The room was nice, plenty of space for the 3 of us.  Samsung TV was great for being able to cast videos.  Plenty of power outlets.  5 in the main room(1 at the desk, 1 by the table, 1 behind the end table, 1 for the coffee pot, 1 beside the sleeper chair) plus 2 at the make up desk.

Balcony was a good size, but not big enough to have breakfast.  2 chairs 1 lounger and a small table.  As mentioned earlier we had a couple of days with problems with the toilet flushing.  The shower was nice, but was tough to get into with the height of the tub.

Overall we had a great trip.

You cant upgrade until you get on the ship.  Some have reported that you will be offered the upgrade automatically the first time you sign in, other's say go to the internet manager to do it.  Value shouldbe $125 towards the upgrade.

Never thought to ask for buffet items.  We have had grapes, never-ending m&m's, pb&j sandwiches. Assorted fruit.  Cake for special occasions. 

On our last Breakaway cruise, it was virtually impossible to get a table in O'Sheehans later in the evening before heading to the cabin.  We would order room service from O'Sheehans and the evening butler would bring.

They will bring anything they can including items from the specialties.  Items from the specialties will be  a charge.

12 minutes ago, pbenjamin said:

Having received the concierge letter, I asked them to set up a small bon voyage party with snacks.  The response was

 

• Provide snacks for 8 people (will be arranged with Butler and charged onboard)

We're boarding relatively late but am wondering what the snacks might be as well as what the charge would be and why.

Curious why you would not expect a charge?  Having been in haven suites 3 times nothing in the letters we recieved indicated anything about a Bon Voyage party being an option.  Are you in an Owners suite or Grand Villa or did your letter indicate it was available?  I would however try to find out what the cost, as well as what type of snacks they are providing.  Whatever the cost have a great time.

6 hours ago, TrumpyNor said:

Nope - no more mini-suites left now, only veeeeery expensive regular suite... But I appreciate your input anyway!

That's a shame.  Keep checking.  May get someone else upgrading to suite and opening up the minisuite.  Have a great trip.

46 minutes ago, TrumpyNor said:

This is my scenario... 😉 And I am a "she"... 😄

 

Sorry "she" 😁

Did you get your upgrade?

17 minutes ago, esm54687 said:

Your scenario: you pay 1,800 for OV and bid 600 for a MA minisuite for total of 2,400.  You then want to upgrade to SF aft penthouse which is 5,000.  You have already paid 2,400 so they apply that and your balance owed is 2,600 to go to the SF aft penthouse. 

 

My scenario: I pay 1,800 for OV and bid 600 for MA minisuite for a total of 2,400. I then want to upgrade to SF aft penthouse which is 5,000. Currently, the mini suite I'm assigned is a MA and mock booking shows this purchase price is 3,800. I pay the difference between the MA purchase price of 3,800 and the SF purchase price which is 5,000 meaning my balance owed is only 1,200...... 1,400 less than yours.

 

There have been questions on this board where people think their winning bid actually gives them the cash value of the new room (MA in this case)....... your scenario is exactly what happens but people think the scenario I outlined is what should happen.... then they come back and are upset. 

 

So...... my scenario differs greatly from yours 

Now i get your scenario, and yes that would not be how it would work.  I don't however believe that is what the OP was trying to do. I believe he was trying my scenario.  Happy sailing.  Can't wait as my scenario for me sails on Thursday.  

I just had the same issue. They gave me $50 total OBC for a $100 per person price drop for first 2 in the room.   They would not give anything for the 3rd which also dropped.

I didn't expect the whole thing, as was previously said, they didn't have to give me anything.  The rep told me the typical compensation if OBC is 25%.  I paid a price i was comfortable with and they were kind enough to accommodate me with a small OBC when it went down.  I kept the room i wanted in a better location than what i would have gotten waiting for the lower price.  I think they were fair with me.  

To the OP, enjoy your cruise, and except the $60 as found money.   I look at it as covering 1/2 of my sons soda package.

About 80 days or so before the sail date if you booked through a participating agent, NCL may give you an opportunity to bid on a cabin 2 categories above your original booking.  Inside to oceanview, oceaview to minimize, balcony and above to suite.   

You will see the option in you reservation in MyNCL.  They give you what they consider poor through good bid.  In theory the more you bid the better you chances.   Your bid can be accepted all the way up to 2 days before sailing, and once accepted it is final.  You maintain your original promos.  You will be responsible for additional insurance if and higher DSC if applicable.

We have had our bid accepted twice.  Once for minisuite and once for haven penthouse.

30 minutes ago, esm54687 said:

We are both right based on our two scenarios and interpretation of what he asked. 

Than i dont understand how your scenario differs?

14 minutes ago, esm54687 said:

Thanks for clarifying.  I think the OP's question was more: if a bid was accepted can they purchase a regular upgrade from the new location and ONLY pay the difference between the new and the regular upgrade...... and that answer is no. 

He stated the price difference for total paid for upgraded balcony to mini suite was minimal. So i believe he was asking if he could pay that difference between what he had paid and the current rate for the minisuite which the answer is yes.

It has been a while since i have done app communication but as i recall each device was assigned its own phone number. You can sign up your child using your folio number.   If you are in a suite, they also give you a cordless dec phone that works throughout the ship which can call to and from the ncl app devices.

The 250 minute minute will have a login/logout screen.  Each account can only be logged into one device at a time.  When you sign out the clock stops(be aware it rounds up to the next minute 1 minute 1 second counts as 2 minutes.  You do not disconnect your wifi.