uCruiser

10 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

If Celebrity isn't offering a great deal more than $50 OBC per person, I wouldn't think twice about cancelling. The change in itinerary is one thing, but there is no excuse for not providing prorated compensation for the shortened cruise.

Exactly! I'm on that cruise as well and there's no way I'm going to book and pay for a 5 day cruise and then get a 4 day cruise without a refund for the lost day. It doesn't sound right and I hope it isn't.

2 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

 

You should be able to see some of the island. 

Thanks. It doesn't look like there will be much of an island view.

post edited: Aft facing...

We'll be on Divina in a center aft facing cabin. Since we will be staying at Ocean Cay for two days, I'm thinking it might have been the wrong cruise to test out an aft facing cabin if we aren't able to see the island. Any input on that?

7 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

Good morning. Last nights dinner in the club class section was wonderful. We both had the special dish of the night- mahi mahi with pesto pasta. Went back to the room and got pictures of the sunset. Took the first one from the balcony and darned near got blown off it was so windy. So the rest are from the bedroom window including the last one taken this morning. The clouds are coming in. 
 

We enjoyed Carlos Oscar and spent a little time in the casino. It was crowded and smoky so we were back in the room early. Had the best night sleep in a while. I forgot how wonderful it is being rocked to sleep. 

Is that one of the lido deck forward cabins?

Does MSC reply to emails? I'm booked and want to upgrade my cabin. I tried to get through on the phone, but I was on hold forever and finally gave up. I remember pre covid, they would never bother replying to emails. 

How is the nightlife onboard? Any music, bands, dancing, karaoke etc...?

I saw someone mention that they will charge you for one of them, if you order two drinks.

So I can't go up to the bar and get a drink for me and my wife as well? We both have to go?

What is PBP?

I have no issues with temperature scanners. I would however like to know what happens if you do have a fever and are denied boarding.

Will you get a full refund for your entire party (booked together) or maybe future cruise credit?

Will you get a refund or FCC for the person denied boarding only?

Will it be up to you to buy travel insurance to cover this situation?

1. Is the OBC for each 100 shares? Meaning, if you own 200 shares you will get 2x OBC? I just saw that somewhere, but that's not how I understand it.

2. If you don't spend the OBC during the cruise, is it lost or will they credit it to your credit card?

3. Can you use the OBC towards a drink package?

That's it for now 🙂

Thanks

When do they start decorating?

32 minutes ago, Chelle621 said:

I have always wondered about the drinks!  But I guess I don't play enough to qualify for anything

I don't play much either. It was a special cruise offer listed within my Carnival account.

How is this enforced? ? Do you have to actually sit at a table or a machine and will only get drinks served to you while gambling, or can you go to the casino bar and get drinks?

1 hour ago, GrabMyWrist said:

Hurricane Dorian Update 8/29 12PM ET:
The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our top priority. Due to Hurricane Dorian in the Caribbean, we have cancelled calls to Great Stirrup Cay for Norwegian Sky on August 30, 2019 and Norwegian Sun on August 31, 2019. We are closely monitoring the storm and will communicate any additional itinerary modifications as they become available.

Where did you get that update?

I know it is current, because when I booked a few weeks ago, that page was one big mess, with contradicting statements. The have cleaned it up recently.

Also look at the difference for the free at sea on a open bar ship (your cruise) and a ship without open bar

36 minutes ago, rgtkkb said:

I am now even more confused after reading this thread. I thought for sure that my Sun cruise leaving Miami on April 6 to Cuba for 5 nights included the open bar. But it is not in the ad or banner. I can find nowhere in writing that this particular cruise includes the open bar, and my pre-paid gratuities are only $14.50/day (indicating that the open bar is NOT included). I need to know for sure so that I can choose the free at sea beverage package if the open bar is not included. I can call but I want something in writing for this particular cruise.

First sentence on this page https://www.ncl.com/terms/sun-beverages

""Effective for Norwegian Sun 3-5 Day sailings beginning May 2018, guests will receive complimentary beverages which include designated spirits, cocktails, bottled beer, draft beer, and wines by the glass and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay*.""

It will be hard for them to get around that! But I do agree with you and the gratuities have thrown several of us off..

3 hours ago, wrecklezz316 said:

 

 

Crystal clear, and yes I remember reading all those terms and being like "huh?"  Problem is, why are the prepaid gratuities for April 1-6 still 14.50?   Shouldn't it be $20 based on new all inclusive gratuities terms?  Sigh, makes no sense. 

Good question... I have no idea, but would love to get an answer as well.

4 hours ago, JustAPilot said:

Are these cruises basically booze fests or can one who isn't looking to have a hangover every day enjoy themselves on the ship? I just picture a bunch of wasted people partying all day. 

I've been on two open bar NCL cruises and one MSC open bar cruise. None of them were like that. I didn't see any difference in peoples behavior from any other cruise I've been on.

1 hour ago, wrecklezz316 said:

It really is confusing.  Sure, the banner says open bar but there is no other indication it is an open bar cruise.  The prepaid gratuities (according to their terms) should be $20.00 when its really only $14.50 as of today.  Nowhere else on the confirmation nor in the description does it say open bar.  

 

The only thing to indicate it is open bar for Norwegian Sun April 1-6 is the added "Beverage Package" which has less grauities than a true beverage package.  This indicates that the "Beverage Package" add on is really only a premium beverage package (Water bottles, premium liquor, etc)

 

It's really not that straight forward.  Their website/terms need to be updated.  

Maybe Cruisingnole should use a travel agent so he/she can get the gratuities right 😉

I totally agree wrecklezz. The $14.50 threw me off as well as the open bar wasn't mentioned during the online checkout. 

They know there was a problem since they very recently updated this info page https://www.ncl.com/terms/sun-beverages.

Now it's crystal clear. However, when I booked the text on the top of the page said that open bar was on 3-4 days cruises from Port Canaveral. Further down the same page it stated that it was 3,4 and 5 days. So who would know what to believe! (except for Cruisingnole of course) 🙂

Anyway, they cleared their mess up and everything is good.

. 

9 hours ago, neptuno said:

I was told today by a Norwegian rep than Sun daily gratuities would increase to $15 effective 01/Apr/19 ??????

Our prepaid service charges was $14.50 for our 4/1 - 4/6 Sun cruise.

On 1/20/2019 at 4:30 PM, wrecklezz316 said:

I am trying to book Norwegian Sun April 1, 2019 western carribbean 5 nights.  However, I can not seem to get a clear answer on wether this a a all inclusive cruise like the sky.

 

When "upgrading" from sail away rate to a standard inside rate and choosing "Unlimited Open Bar", the prepaid gratuities are at the rate of a premium open bar ($5.80 per day), significatnly less than the gratuties for unlimited open bar (19.80 per day).  This hinted to me that maybe the ship is now open bar, even for the 5 day caribbean sailings.  When calling norwegian, they give mixed answers and agents seemed confused themselves.  

 

Does anyone know something I dont?  The sail away rate for this is great for a 5 night, and would be amazing if it included open bar.

 

I had the same issue today when looking online. It wasn't clear if open bar also was for sailaway cabins. So instead of booking online, I called them. At first the agent said no, no open bar for sailaway prices, but she checked with someone else and came back and told me it IS included. 

Nothing to see about it in my online booking, but this is from my confirmation email

CONFIRMATION GUEST COPY

SHIP: NORWEGIAN SUN SAILING: 1-Apr-2019 to 6-Apr-2019

CATEGORY / STATEROOM: IX / GTY

ITINERARY: 5- DAY WESTERN CARIBBEAN FROM MIAMI: FREE OPEN BAR

EMBARKATION: MIAMI

DISEMBARKATION: MIAMI

So I guess everything is ok...

Either through your TA or directly with MSC. If you upgrade before embarkation you avoid the 15% service charge which is added to the cost of the upgrade if you do it onboard.

Do you know if you can upgrade any day right up to sail away date or do they have a deadline?

I don't think martinis are included in Drinks on Us, but are they if we upgrade to the Classic drink package?

Everyone is different. Me? I like being one of the first on. Exploring, lunch, people watching. Getting settled. I am chilling as I watch others schlepping on.

 

My friend is opposite. She arrives a day early but arrives to port after the rush, lunching elsewhere. She says it is much easier that way.

 

I feel my vacation starts as soon as I board the ship, so the earlier the better!

MSC Seaside - It's incredible. Ask me anything!