Tallyfins

So I just called MSC, which is what I should have done in the first place. They said a valid state-issued ID (Driver's license) and a valid birth certificate would be acceptable. 😝
 

So thanks for nothing alserrod. I hope you have a better day! You may want to look into some type of therapy. It helps...

Why even waste time being an A$$ when I have a valid question? If you're that unhappy, don't spend it surfing the board and being rude...

Can someone confirm for me that I read correctly on the MSC site. I have 3 of the 4 of my family that have valid passports, but one adult son whose passport has expired. I can use his state issued DL for passage on and off the MSC cruise correct? Do I also need to bring/present his birth certificate?

Thank you

It takes longer. The first night we ordered, and got our drinks when they were serving dessert. The 2nd night we ordered in the MDR and got them about 15 min later. I agree with the above. Bring your own, then order a 2nd. Wine was plentiful when we were in the MDR

ok that helps, unfortunately...the rooms are literally next door to each other and I would have thought I could have just paid another $100-$140 each person for the non-Aurea room to upgrade to the Aurea service we have in the whirlpool suite. But I get it on numbers of people with that package.

We plan to add a couple of nights of upgraded meals and then we can figure the other nights out as well on dinners. Because they dont have the same level as us in our cabin, I'm guessing they cant eat in the Aurea level dining room with us?

Anything else that they may be missing out on that's not obvious in the description of the Aurea stuff?

MSC sales rep. in the suite i booked the drink package/wifi. in the balcony room next door, no drink or wifi package. I dont really care about the solarium, i just want to make sure we can all eat dinner together in the aurea dining room(s)? However, its a 4 night cruise and we were thinking about adding on a 2-night dinner package anyway. TIA

And yes, I know the aurea doesnt come with a drink package any longer

I recently booked a whirlpool suite for me and my dw, which included the aurea experience. I booked the balcony room right next to it for my 2 adult children and the cruise consultant said I could only book the Fantastica experience for that room. I asked if I could upgrade the regular balcony room to Aurea (without changing rooms), and she said No. I find that very odd that I can't upgrade the "experience" for the room next door, when the 2 people in that cabin are in my same booking/party. I want to make sure all 4 of us have access to the same perks, dining rooms, etc. Any suggestions on how I go about doing that? Also, we have the drink package in the whirlpool suite and they do not in the regular balcony room. 

Can anyone tell me how BJ works? BJ payouts, continous shufflers, splitting, etc. I HATE continuous shuffler machines because that increases the house's huge edge even more. I'm hoping that's not the case on MSC (as it is now on most major cruise lines).

TIF,

Tallyfins

I too would like to confirm with someone that has 'boarded early' recently at Port Canaveral with MSC. We have a group going out of Port Canaveral on 1/18 that we booked 8 rooms through a travel agent. When I did the Web Check-In, it says my boarding time is 3pm. To the OP's point, I don't want to miss most of the afternoon on board by sitting around in my hotel room waiting for 3pm to arrive. 

So you guys are saying if I show up at say, Noon, and just get in line and play dumb, I should be able to get on within an hour or so after that?

TIF,

Tallyfins

ok thank you. You all have confirmed my suspicions lol! I will set my limit and cheer wildly when i get paid 6/5 for BJ! 🤣🤔

Can anyone who has sailed recently on NCL tell me what the table minimums are for BJ, how many decks/shoes, cut penetration, shuffle (continuous vs. automated) etc. I've never been on an NCL cruise before, but figure most are the same. But I would like to confirm before I get onboard.

Thanks, TF

Not my video, but YouTube is your friend 🙂

dangit. ok thanks. figured that 😞

It's been several years since I have cruised. Does Carnival still do the Continuous Shuffler Machines or do they hand shuffle or at least use an Automatic Shuffler Machine? Just curious as the CSMs are ridiculous and playing against those is complete luck of the draw, literally 🙂

TIA,

Tallyfins

I am looking to do a Christmas cruise with my family and wanted to take one of the newer ships with all the different dining options, onboard activities, etc. We have hit all of the itineraries in the Caribbean, so I would more like to enjoy the perks of one of the newer ships as opposed to a specific Caribbean location(s).  I am also interested in staying in the other rooms they offer (We have stayed in Inside, OV, Balcony, and Suites - see the ships we have previously sailed on below in my Signature). I am interested in the Suites, Havana, Family Harbor, etc. based on recommendations. We would want to leave from one of the FL ports (Port Canaveral, Miami, Tampa). I've looked at a couple of the ships but wanted to hit up the board for suggestions and recommendations.

TIA,

Tallyfins

It looks like the 3/12 sailing only has Interior and OV rooms left. The 3/17 sailing isn't showing up online so my guess is that one is full

Yes, that is correct. We are scheduled on the 2nd trip leaving out of Tampa on 3/17

We are sailing on the Paradise later this month and have suites 103 and 107 reserved. I know on previous sailings on newer ships I have requested that the balcony divider be removed to give us a longer balcony for our group. Does anyone know if this is possible on the Paradise? From the few videos I have been able to find, it looks like the dividers between these suites are solid. Obviously they need an easy way to clean these balconies periodically so I am hoping that is not the case!

TIA,

Tallyfins

13 minutes ago, shof515 said:

the problem is YOU cancel. if you would of waited for NCL to cancel for you then they would of been no problems. since you canceled before they did, you lose some benefits

Geez. Thanks for pointing out it was all my fault...:( God forbid I cancelled because a pandemic was fast approaching and I didn't want to endanger my family

So I was scheduled to go out on the Pearl on 3/15 and cancelled on 3/11 (with no penalty) 2 days before NCL officially cancelled on 3/13. (I may be wrong on my exact dates, but close enough). My point is I cancelled BEFORE NCL did it for me.

That next week, NCL published on their website (see pic) that all guests who were scheduled with embarkation dates of 3/13-3/17 would be issued a 150% credit. My wife and I discussed whether we should take the 100% refund or let NCL keep our money and have an even nicer cruise later on. We opted to take our chances and use the 150% credit for a future cruise instead of getting 100% of our money back. Conveniently enough, this page is no longer active on their website.

Now, NCL is reneging on that promise stating that in fact my credit is only 100%, not 150%. They said that they have sent out emails in the previous weeks clearly stating this policy, and oh by the way, yesterday was the last day I could have filed for a refund. Now the only option I have is a 100% credit 😞

Needless to say I am not very pleased with NCL and am seriously considering now filing a dispute with the credit card company. If I am only going to get a 100% credit, why would I NOT have taken the 100% refund initially, except that I was expecting a 150% credit for my "loyalty' to NCL.

Anyone have any suggestions on how I can get NCL to honor their original offer? Otherwise instead of making a new customer, they will have made an enemy...

I'm a lifelong Carnival cruiser and was truly looking forward to my first NCL cruise when it was cancelled. If this is how they treat their customers, there are plenty of other options out there...

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Thanks Tutontow. I may have to try that. It is definitely all about the rush! :) I also do not like the CSMs. An even greater advantage to the house :( With the 'Free at Sea', it won't be very hard to build up that liquid courage lol!

My older son just turned 18 and wants to play BJ. However, I've told him our luck ON the ship will most likely not be very good. It's all about luck with those @#$% CSMs! We are going to seek out some land-based casinos during our stops (Roatan, Harvest Cay, Costa Maya, and Cozumel). We did this itinerary about 10 years ago so we've already been to these places once. This trip is all about relaxing and seeking out new adventures and not getting caught up in shore excursions, etc. We leave on 3/15, so I'll report back how I do!

Again, thanks for the info. It's definitely appreciated. Like you said, now it looks like the total is up to TWO that play BJ on NCL! :)

Have a good day,

TF

This is an old thread, but the only one I could find on here :) Can anyone update me on the current status of blackjack aboard NCL? How many decks? CSM vs. ASM and/or hand shuffle. Min bets? BJ payout? 3/2, 6/5, etc. Thanks - any info will be helpful.

In reading the posts above, I understand the odds of winning are even lower. Just trying to figure out if I should host a game in my suite or play in the real casino! LOL

Thanks, 

TF

Thanks. That def helps. I'm def not a fan of the cont shuffling system but some of those limits are too high for me. Maybe I'll get a little liquid courage from their "Free at Sea"....falling right into their trap...lol

I searched the threads but was unable to find the answer to my question. How many decks does NCL use in a shoe? And more importantly do they shuffle a new shoe after those 6? decks, or do they use a continuous shuffling machine? This will be my first trip on NCL.

I know Carnival uses the CSMs, and they are horrible...benefit=house!

TIA,

Tallyfins

I went ahead and booked one of the forward facing cabins and the balcony is HUGE in comparison. We booked 9502 since it was 2 decks down from the bridge (instead of 10502 which is directly below the bridge windows). I think that will be nice - and certainly much quieter than the aft ones on 8 near Bliss...