rochelle_s

There is also fresh orange juice and mimosas included, also available for room service.

Rochelle

On 9/2/2023 at 6:42 PM, Haljo1935 said:

I feel like I'm in good company with some fellow "schleppers." 🤭

Hoping to pick up a few bottles during our upcoming fall cruises to Rome.

We have a little ritual on our first night in Europe (especially Italy). We like to visit a local grocery store and pick up some meat, cheese, fresh bread and a sampling of wines. Then back to our accommodation for our very relaxed picnic dinner. The next day we can go back to the store and pick up a few of our favourites for consumption in our cabin. A great way to relax after a long overseas flight and we have a better appreciation for the wine we might like to bring along for the cruise. 
 

Like you I am a schlepper and a buyer. 😉
 

Rochelle

I was on the Koningsdam the first two weeks of June. Each week the SEAFOOD BOIL was offered one evening in the LIDO. The cost was $35 per person and it was not only delicious but plentiful. We started with a seafood chowder, followed by the main course pot loaded with crab, salmon, mussels, shrimp, potatoes and corn in a lovely cream sauce, ending with a fruit crisp with a yummy vanilla ice cream. I would highly recommend this dinner, we thoroughly enjoyed it.

I live in Canada and bank with TD Canada Trust. 
 

 I use their website to purchase my travel insurance. The insurance company is Allianz. I have an American dollar bank account with TD which gets me a 10% discount.

Rochelle

Hello lissie and anyone else who might benefit from this information…

 I saw your post in another thread about your preference for taking HAL’s longer and unique itineraries but that the cost of medical insurance can almost make these cruises prohibitive. I am posting a responses  here as I did not want to go off topic.

I personally opt for purchasing a yearly plan for my travel insurance, which I tend to find quite reasonable. I usually purchase a plan that includes unlimited trips of either two or three weeks. When I take a longer trip the insurance company allows me to purchase a top up for the extra days, which I also find reasonable.

I have an upcoming trip with a friend from Scotland who has some pre existing health concerns, which meant she was quoted an extravagant sum for her upcoming holiday. I suggested she look into the yearly option. Surprisingly, although still pricey, she was able to purchase a yearly plan for just over one third of the price if she had just insured this one holiday. If she takes another holiday within the next year she will be covered at no additional cost.

This is perhaps something that might be worthwhile looking into.

Rochelle

23 minutes ago, gregma60 said:

Quick question.  Since you deduct the $11 from the drink, does that mean it then counts towards the maximum 15 per day?

 

-gregma

If you upgrade to the elite drinks package your limit increases to $15 drinks. Also the 15 drinks per day now becomes 15 alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic beverages are not included in this limit. 
 

It is easy to upgrade a package once onboard and before any drinks are purchased. 
 

Certainly worthwhile if someone is interested in high end beverages.

Rochelle

I will be on the Koningsdam the first two weeks of June with my friend from Scotland. She will be wearing a fancy frock every evening and on gala nights she will up the fan ones  a not h or two.

I say go ahead and wear your fanciest frock. Be the star of the evening and shine for your birthday! 
 

wishing you all the best for your birthday and your cruise!!!

Rochelle

3 hours ago, Eaglecw said:

Yes I think it's money well spent. Be forewarned, sometimes you can't get to Nugget Falls, the bears and there cubs have the right away. 3 years ago the park service closed the Nugget Falls trail due to bear activity, same with the trails across the street from the visitor center, they were closed last year when we were there. We cruise to Alaska every summer, living in the Seattle area makes it a little to handy

Can you tell me which month was it that the trail was closed. I am going the first two weeks in June, wonder if that is baby bear season.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Rochelle

Deleted

Rochelle

On 1/13/2023 at 3:54 PM, Oceansaway17 said:

if I see an offer for something for free, I stop and think hmmmmm, what is the catch.

I do not think I would ever reply to one of these offers so as to not get caught up in a room or situation that was not to my liking.

If you want to partake in a free cruise offer but are warty because of the possibility of a less desirable cabin, just add Club Orange and you have the choice to pick the best available cabin that category.

Rochelle

5 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

There is a 28 day Alaska cruise that was released recently for June 2024 and many have booked it already due to being so unique.  So I would say the poster is on one single cruise.

Wow an in depth look at Alaska sounds interesting!
 

Still a possibility if they don’t have serious plans for a port.

Think I will have to check out that itinerary.

Rochelle

On 1/10/2023 at 9:35 PM, VermeulT said:

Can anyone give me a rough guess on laundry prices for a 28 day cruise (I'll be doing Alaska Jun 2024)?

 

And if you have the info also - Thermo Suite pass?

 

 

Trying to get an idea on overall trip cost and my budget.

With 28 days in Alaska I am assuming you are doing  b2b’s.  If that is the case there is not her option to consider. If you are doing repeats of certain ports you can also plan for a laundry day. For example in Juneau there is at least one coin laundry less than a 20 minute walk away from where the ships usually dock ( I used the Public Library as a starting point).  You can get a couple of loads done relatively quickly  and still have time to do your own thing. A rolling carry on or fold up back back will come in very handy.

Just a thought that can save you some money.

Rochelle

I was on the Eurodam just over a year ago, in the Observation Lounge if you entered on the left hand side there was a group of free standing bookshelves. Two of these seemed to be dedicated to books, the others had board games and puzzles. The ship was at about 50% capacity and there appeared to be a decent selection. I would image that 100% there would be more books rotating about.

Rochelle

I was able to get a cappuccino every morning in the main dining room using the beverage package. I never tried in the evening. This was last fall on the Eurodam.

Rochelle

On 11/7/2022 at 7:59 PM, New2cruise2022 said:

I’m traveling as a solo adult with teenagers but I am social and looking for opportunities to mingle and meet other solo adults. I didn’t know they would grant access to the solo lounge if you aren’t staying in studios. Any additional information would be great!

Keep your eye on the daily program as the solo get together are often listed there especially at the beginning of the cruise. At the get together there is often more things planned than are ever appear in the daily. If you do happen to miss the first ones just ask at guest services and they can put you in touch with whichever staff member is hosting the events. 
 

Have fun and enjoy your cruise!

On 11/7/2022 at 8:17 PM, phillygwm said:

I actually do understand that.  My point was simply that you probably don't know which way the currency markets are going to move.  And while I understand the desire of some to buy OBC to assist in budgeting etc., I'm a bit skeptical of those who are doing it with the intention of benefitting from movement in the exchange rate because that could just as easily bite one in the tail.  

Yes it could, but as MissRabbit just stated above she waits to see what the rate is right before the cruise. 
 

I have a cruise in two and a half weeks and the exchange rate is higher now than when I booked. I too will be purchasing OBC at the better rate. I had no intention of purchasing it back when I booked the cruise last December. As you have pointed out the rate of exchange could have not been in my favour at the time of cruising. If I had purchased at time of booking I could have easily lost money as well as given NCL an interest free loan for a year.

Rochelle

Also…as a solo you can often still access the lounge area as many times they have get together there. On a previous sailing when I was in a balcony there was a get together daily in the lounge. There was a host there every day who helped to facilitate different options for the singles\ solos, such as group tables in the dining room, specialty restaurants or seeing a show.

Rochelle

2 hours ago, phillygwm said:

OK, but were you intentionally trying to time the currency market?  If so, great, but it could have equally moved against you.

 

All this said, if it forces some people to save (think of the old Christmas Club accounts) that's fine.  Ultimately, "lending" NCL $1000 for a year isn't going to cost you a lot if it provides you with some level of comfort.  The best savings accounts today are 3%, so call it $30. 

 

 

I think you misunderstood how it works for Canadians booking and paying for their cruise in American funds.

The exchange rate on the day of booking carries through. Any payments or pre cruise purchases are charged the rate of exchange at time of booking. 
 

If the rate of exchange were to go lower then it would be best to wait to purchase or pay for things on board. If the rate of exchange goes up then it makes financial sense to pay for as much as possible in advance.

Rochelle

On 10/7/2022 at 12:43 PM, mscdivina2016 said:

So you must be in an inside.  You can only bid up 2 categories.

 

I am on Spirit right now and there is only 18 suites that are highly sought after. Only sold out category 

I think there might be other factors that play into this.

I have a Family Oceanview booked on the Sky for a 9 day sailing. I have bid on both forward and aft facing penthouses. There was also an option to book the Owner’s Suite but the minimum bid was quite steep, so I took a pass on that one.

Rochelle

On 9/20/2022 at 3:19 PM, phoenix1181 said:

I'm so confused!

 

I am Platinum, cruising solo, in a club balcony.  (cabin type added strictly to confirm we don't all cruise in insides).  Will I be able to dine with someone and use one of my Platinum Dinner coupons for both our meals?

My recommendation would be to stop by and speak with the maître ‘d at the particular restaurant before the night you plan to dine there. They should know exactly how they handle this. 
 

In the past I had no problem inviting someone to join me for dinner using the voucher, but you never know when and if things may change.

Rochelle

Curious about this also.  I have been trying to research various options for ‘just in case’ scenarios.

Rochelle

Maybe you could try asking on your roll call if there are any others who have booked through HAL for their flights and pre cruise hotel and then you might be able to co-ordinate the return of your rental car and shuttle pick up times.

Rochelle

44 minutes ago, airboss1998 said:

 

Could you elaborate on the 'no discount offered on the beverage card'?  I've never bought one, but considering it.  As a lowly 3-star Mariner, according to the Mariner Society webpage, it does say we get a 25% discount on the cards.

 

In my mind, while the drink wouldn't be discounted, I'd get $250 worth of drinks for $187.50.

 

Also, can someone explain the room charge for an $11 drink?  (I tried to look an old statement, but they don't come up on the Navigator app, and I had Have It All on the last two cruises).  Is it $11, plus some tax, plus 18% gratuity?  So an $11 drink is really $14-15?

 

Thanks.

I think perhaps you have misread their perks. It states that benerage cards are excluded from the discount. 
 

Mariner Society Benefits

Rochelle

5 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Ship Inventory Dept,  1.888.628.8107 or 206.626.7381, same as the number for Club Orange.  I called last week, which was 12 days before embarkation.  Agent said there was no email sent out, wait a moment and I check, and then gave me a great price 😁

I love the way that the call is answered and the message says 'have your credit card ready' 😉

Thank you and I am so glad you got a good upsell offer. Have a fabulous cruise!

Anyone care ton post the telephone number for the upsell department?

Rochelle