KeithJenner

I wouldn’t say that it’s important to get onboard before anyone else, but if you have the choice of getting onboard, sorting out any reservations, finding somewhere more comfortable to sit, getting a drink or sitting down for lunch before places get busy, or continuing to sit on a fairly uncomfortable seat in the port building for another hour, it would be an odd person who picked the latter option,

Exactly my experience too.

There is a common confusion between priority check in an priority boarding. Priority check in is not a great perk (although once you reach higher levels the queues can be quite short). Priority boarding is different, and although it is done differently by port, it can be very useful. Often latitudes levels are called just after Haven, or you are given an early boarding group, regardless of when you arrive. We are almost always very early onto the ship, even though lots of people have arrived and checked in before us.

The numbers posted are per person. The couple are paying $49 each per day ($98 total). The solo is paying $42 per day. The amount that the solo is paying is 42.9% of what the couple pay. As they don’t get one of the benefits it is right that they pay less than 50%, and it looks quite fair to me.

I don’t think that anyone is arguing against the fact that solo cruisers generally get charged more (usually significantly). The point is that in the particular case that we are talking about here, solo cruisers get a reasonably fair deal, with their price reduced to take into account that they don’t benefit from one of the perks. A solo pays 42% of what a couple does. Sounds fair to me.

Yes, or 1 day if you are in a room without a balcony (although these things can vary depending on offers).

Where was this offer from? If it was NCL then it will only be for a few meals, not all 7. If it was from a travel agent then I would guess that it hasn’t been applied to your account yet.

These days they are basically applying the same rules regardless of the type of voucher used. I have seen some people report slightly different experiences, but that can happen even when people are just using one type.

Here is my, very simple view on this. I have absolutely zero interest in clothes. Right now I am dressed as I usually do, in jeans and t shirt. That is what I wear almost all the time outside work. All I have to go by when I go out anywhere is the dress code stated by the venue. For example, a few weeks ago I went somewhere where the dress code was black tie, and I followed that code. As long as I am following the stated dress code then my job is done. If someone looks at me and decides that it isn't enough then that is their problem, not mine. It isn't that I am dressed inappropriately, they are in the wrong venue for what they want.

They actually seem to be suggesting not changing things.

Yes, of course, and over time it is likely to even itself up, but the uncertainty on any individual cruise isn’t necessarily what people want. I prefer to just know what the final cost will be, which is one of the reasons why I don’t book this way.

No, I didn't say that our final payment date may be due that far out. I said that CHOOSING to pay it early would avoid the risk of the exchange rate making that payment more expensive in our local currency.

You are missing the point. The question I was asked was how current fluctuations affect Europeans booking via the US. The price in dollars is guaranteed, but how many pounds (or Euros for those in the EU) I will need to pay that bill could change significantly in that time (especially when governments keep doing crazy things). If I book in the UK then I don't need to worry about that, so the cost to me is more predictable. It its a factor that people should take into account if booking via different offices.

Yeah, so if you book fairly close to sail date then you will be making the payment soon after booking so there is less risk on exchange differences. I tend to book a year or two in advance, so would need to make payment very early in order to guarantee the final cost.

These are all things to consider. Foreign exchange fees are fairly easy to avoid, but exchange rate movements can be a big issue. They are one of the reasons why I don’t book via the US, as final payment will usually be more than a year away so the exchange rate can significantly affect the cost. For people who book closer to sail date it is less of an issue and can be avoided totally by just making final payment.

Generally, not really. The fee for free at sea in Europe is generally fairly similar to the gratuities paid in the US. It is something to take into account when deciding where to book (as part of the total cost), but it’s unlikely to be the thing that makes the difference and if so then it would be very marginal. The biggest difference would be if you want the free at sea benefits except for the beverage package, as the US has the option to refuse the beverage package and avoid its cost. The other factor is that there are occasional offers where free at sea is cheaper, usually half price. This could mean that it makes more of a difference. Basically, just price it in when comparing costs.

This isn’t guaranteed. They often check bags when actually boarding the ship as well (about 50% of the time in my experience). Not that it matters as much these days now not many people are charged.

I think the OP is talking about them removing the package for both of them, which you certainly can do. You can’t remove it for just one person (other than for the reasons you mention).

I have had many departures at later times (late departures are fairly common in Europe) and the time that boarding starts has always been the same at around midday. Perhaps with earlier departure times they may rush things a little and start boarding slightly earlier, but I'm only talking about, say, 30 minutes.

I can't think of any reason why this would have changed.

The train to the port in Athens is ok, but the station is quite a distance from the port itself (nd the port is large so the ship could be a long way away). We have walked it when on a port of call and it was not bad but I wouldn’t want to do it with bags. I’m not sure how easy it is to get taxis from the station. As for the platinum meal, yes it is any restaurant (the terms are basically the same as for the dining package). You let them know when you arrive at the restaurant that you are using this by giving them the voucher at you will receive in your room. Yes you can book in advance, in the same way as usual. You aren’t limited in the number of meals you can reserve. The only thing to watch for is that if you book any fixed price places (just the Tepoanyaki replacement on Viva I think) then they charge you when booking unless you have dining credits to cover it. You get round this by booking those places first so they re covered by your dining plan. The link in my signature is a bit out of date, but the part covering this bit is still fairly accurate.

Yes they do

Ok then. American football is a great game. Football (soccer) is rubbish. That ok? 🙂

Anyway, I seem to be arguing something that I don’t really care much about now, so I’ll quietly withdraw from this bit of the discussion. We pay a fee, some people pay the gratuity. I can’t say I really care much about it. I only really entered this discussion in reaction to the post that seemed to be disputing the terms in the UK with reference to those in the US.

Ok, I thought you could still decline individual items, but it seems not (online at least). Its a bit of a moot point anyway because as we pay the fee rather than gratuities on the individual item there I no saving in declining anything. The only issue would be someone who would get value from the other three items (fairly unlikely in itself) and specifically doesn’t want the beverage package. I wonder whether you can get it removed if you call?