NoobCroozer

3 hours ago, NickCanadian said:

I purchased priority access and just off this past weekend and we were put ahead of Haven, Diamond and Platinum passengers for all services. The best perk was boarding to an empty ship and being first off to catch early flight. Well worth it IMHO

Where did you board? Think I’m going to go for it. BTW, that’s messed up to put P/A ahead of those that have been loyal to NCL.... I could see going after them, but before everyone else.... but I’ll take it!

15 minutes ago, dshefter said:

I have a Priority Access logo printed on my eDocs. I would assume you would board where the Platinum Plus and others go. If NCL is promoting this, they better have its act together or I will demand a refund. This worked well for us on Carnival (Faster to the Fun).

Thanks!

5 minutes ago, latebloomer56 said:

We have found the outside lines are long but once inside suite or plat. goes pretty quick. Curious how PA will work out with so very many others with suite or loyalty boarding ahead of them. We all wait together before entry to different lines. Now if we can skip the long wait outside (especially in Boston) that would be worth it for me :).

I know initially while it was being tested before going fleet wide (when the price was $99) I believe it was a ridiculously low number of passes for access like, 25 cabins (or 250 forget the #, but it was limited access), not sure what it is now.

1 minute ago, Smong said:

We were in a suite so our friend just checked in with us. Tampa was a disaster!! I’m not sure what would have happened if he tried to use it by himself. Sorry. Didn’t see any signs pertaining to priority access. 

Ugh.....priority embarking is all I'm really interested in in NYC, and combing around online been reading either NCL staff had no idea what priority access was in port, or no marked locations, lines, announcements, etc (although I did see a pic somewhere with a lounge equipped solely for priority access, not sure where it was but def wasn't NYC, which is what I am concerned about). Hope you had a good trip! And thank you!

On 11/22/2019 at 8:17 AM, Smong said:

our friend traveling alone just purchased this for our cruise leaving this sunday.  we are in a suite so he is hoping to be able to board with us. i will let everyone know how it goes!

Any update on Priority Access Smong?

With all the variables that can arise in NYC, that may be cutting it close, I probably wouldn't. If ships late, customs issues, traffic, JFK (in general ugh). 

On a perfect day a Sunday drive from the terminal to JFK is about 50 min that time of the morning, so I suppose it is possible if all the stars are in alignment.

Best of luck!

You can also get a 6’ hamster ball to roll about in. 

21 hours ago, FLAHAM said:

In my opinion, that's a decent itinerary for a Caribbean cruise.

I agree......and I LOVE the rock beach at Tortola.

40 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said:

So, even considering the loyal royals, this would still work well for you. 

Not sure I've ever waited over 2 hours to board, sounds agonizingly boring.

Enjoy. 

Was probably an out of the ordinary experience, everywhere else I've encountered 30 min like yourself.

But I would cough up $179 to slice off 2 hours if that is the norm in NYC.

And thank you!

13 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said:

I'm not saying the offer won't be honored, however, priority boarding already exists for: Suite/Haven guests, Physically Challenged,  Platinum/Plat. Plus/ Ambassador, also Casino at sea pax too, I think.

 

So, where do they put those who have purchased Priority Access promotion? Probably after the loyalty groups. Not sure since there's been no feedback yet. I've rarely had to wait more than 30 mins to board but, I've never sailed out of NYC. 

 

I hope the PA meets your expectations. Have a great cruise. 

 

I understand there are a plethora of NCL Royalty which get first dibs (facetious hat off >.<), from what Ive heard, the priority access is given sparingly to a limited number of folks. As mentioned in another post, my one other NYC embark was about 2.5 hours.

31 minutes ago, Peachypooh said:

Have you embarked in NYC before? We did twice.

Yes, once with Carnival......was pretty long wait......think at least 2.5 hours. Maybe that was just a bad out-of-ordinary day....was 10 years ago so maybe there were multiple ships in port etc.

11 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

 Reading the Terms & Conditions... it's unlikely. 

All-ready, could you fill me in on what the T/C is please? I was going to purchase this today for the sole purpose of embarking in NYC....if that isn't going to be honored (priority boarding), forget it.

Been in a few mini suites on older ships, always seemed like a major upgrade over a standard balcony. I remember on my first cruise on Carnival Miracle, we were upgraded from balcony to the MS. My friends on board were wow'd by the size (seemed double in size to the standard balcony room we originally had). We'd all party in our MS at the end of the night. Really let down that MS equates to only a couple square feet in the bathroom on the Encore. But, was the same cost as the balcony, so no biggie. Just irritating that the word "suite" is even in the title on the Encore. Not even close.

14 minutes ago, maryivo said:

Any roundabout idea of a price range for passes?

Believe they are $209 pp pw

On 11/14/2019 at 6:26 AM, Aldeya said:

OP, I feel the same about our recent NCL experiences on Dawn and Escape. The level of service is way down from what it used to be. Those little touches that made cruising with NCL special are dissapearing, little by little. We are also reconsidering our booked cruises with NCL.

We were on the Dawn in April, prior to boarding everyone was raving how great the staff was. For the most part, they were, most knew our names and bent over backwards, but about a quarter of them were downright miserable. Seems the other 3/4’s rotated out since.

Hopefully the good ones are rotating to the Encore :))

Ugh....glad you were ok....I take it they never found the woman?

Nevermind......googled it.

How many spots do they have at the pier, I've only parked there once 10 years ago and don't remember. 500 per pier?

Out of curiosity, what month did you travel with the 50 ft bumps?

I was on the Dawn April of this year Miami-Bahamas (haven't gotten around to review it yet). We had an outstanding time! I was apprehensive about it as she is an older ship, but we found it to be very clean and everything was well appointed and in working order. We didn't go to any shows, but the band at the pool rocked. Service was great. I found the food to be pretty good, with exception of the French restaurant, as my meal was cold (good enough though that I didn't send it back, was starving). I would sail aboard her again, and would give 4 stars out of 5 for my experience. Go for it.

18 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

I think you gotta do both. Not a week pass. But book a couple of times on the go karts. And spend some time in the pavilion. The Joy is the only other ship with a Pavillon. The pavilion will be busy at first, but the crowds will die down later in the cruise. 

Thanks

On 10/31/2019 at 11:46 AM, April42749 said:

Oh...so what you are saying is that if I cancel, let's say 2 days before the cruise....the cruisenext certificates are lost.  Is that correct?

My credit card has cancellation insurance....and this trip would be covered if I needed to cancel.

The last time this happened I booked a cruise 2 weeks out...got the flu the next week....and dh got the flu a day or two after that.  The credit card reimbursed me, less the cruisenext certificates.  NCL put the certificates back in "my bank".

So...now this would no longer happen? (That's the question...)

I always get medical insurance while on the trip.  Last Feb I "got ill" and ran up a $3500 bill....thankfully all reimbursed.

I don't know if you are allowed to endorse an insurance company on the boards (there are many, many posts on the boards pertaining to travel insurance). My significant other and I are in the neighborhood of 50 years old and got coverage superior to NCL coverage for $420 (total), with cancel for any reason. Company name starts with T and ends in X.

3 hours ago, tomservo said:

 

I never claimed to dine there. I intended this to be the Onda version of the "Everything... Norwegian ENCORE!" thread. I credited Doug for his pictures, the rest are from social media. I will provide credit next time I post more pictures. If this thread is against CC rules then let it be locked. I just wanted to create a thread for discussion and pictures of the new NCL restaurant for those (like me) who are excited by it.

You were acting in good faith,  and gave credit as best you could, I appreciate it. I couldn't find anything on Onda, and here was a plethora of examples.

Question for those who have been on a Breakaway Class and experienced both Pavillion AND Race Track......

Love cars, racing, video games......

Wanted to experience the Race Track on the Encore, have heard it was great and was going to get the week long pass, until I heard of the ungodly lines and access.

Then I noticed that the Pavillion has multiple CXC Motion Pro's with Occulus Rift Racing Sims, which, depending the setup, are off the hook.......

Anyone who has done BOTH Carts and the Racing Sim in the Pavillion, what would you invest in for most bang for the buck/fun factor for a week long pass? I realize its apples and oranges, but if the Sim is as good as it is in some places and the wait time was minimal, I would forgo the Carts altogether.

Many thanks,

Bill

My best photo?

 

This set was funny. As I was walking off the ship, guy trys to sell me a $4.00 underwater camera (He says it takes GREAT photos)...I buy it and think to myself "Yeah right". Keep in mind I had been shooting all week with my $500 digital camera that makes it impossible to take a bad picture (I'm all thumbs)

 

My wife jumped in the water off of the float at Cozumel Chankanaab park... I closed my eyes and snapped the camera knowing that I probably got nothing in my shot...all I could see was bubbles.

 

Not only did we get great vivid colors under the water, but the sunlight, and mirror refection of the water's surface in the 3rd photo, was fantastic for this cheap camera (sorry this is a scan of the original photos, and the copy loses some of its sharpness and color)

 

PS... my 40+ year old wife liked the way her body looks more toned in the water (no gravity). As a hack photographer, I have to admit that was another aspect that made these photos so much fun :D;)

Noice :D

Cozumel...

 

This is outstanding....my only advice would be to warm the tone of the sand/skin. What camera/lens did you use?