galveston gal

Even the restaurant and bar, lounges were in the same area with exclusive access with a key card.  

On 1/13/2024 at 1:44 PM, ChiefMateJRK said:

My last two cruises, I just walked up to the desk, told them how many I wanted to buy and signed a sheet of paper.  I didn't fill out anything.  It took about 60 seconds.

20 hours ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

I think a big difference there is that MSC's Yacht Club, unlike all the other lines (including NCL's Haven), have all of their YC rooms in a true ship-in-a-ship, exclusive space, so they can't just change the designation of a room and call it a "suite".

 

Princess is simply changing the designation of their staterooms. 

 

The YC also has less than 5% of the guests onboard sharing the exclusive YC spaces.

 

On the Sun Princess, it's going to be over 10% of rooms sharing the space, so it's seems reasonable to assume they will be more crowded. 

 

With that said, we booked our Vista Suite last week knowing about these changes and still paid the premium anyways (as I'm sure many others will). Whether we pay that premium a second time is to be determined. 

On the Prima and Viva, NCL's newest ships, all of the Haven cabins are in one area with controlled access and even private elevators.  Check out the set up.  We were on the Prima and loved it.

We did the Haven in January.  We really enjoyed it!

I was wondering if these ever go on sale.  The sailing in question is 18 months away so I have time to watch for it.  Otherwise maybe I should just purchase now to protect from price increases.

Thanks in advance!

8 minutes ago, capriccio said:

Look at the old numbers of cabins that made up the Signature Collection:

 

The Signature Collection Suites breakdown (total = 80)
SO - Signature Sky Suite - 4
S2 - Signature Owner's Suite - 10

S4 - Signature Penthouse Suite - 36

S9 - Signature Suite - 30 (which have a mini-suite layout)

 

and the new numbers making up the new and improved Sanctuary Collection (total = 219) : 

 

"The new Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess includes three levels of stateroom types – Signature Collection Suites (80), Mini Suites (123), and Premium Deluxe Balconies (16)"

 

Some reserve minis were "promoted".

We got a mail but didn't see mention of Sanctuary only the private dining that was only referred to as private dining.  We are on the Cabana deck so maybe that's our version of the Sanctuary?

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

I believe there were 90+ or even 100+ Reserve Mini-suites under the old system, so at least those number of cabins will now have access to the Sanctuary.

 

LOL

I have not seen anywhere that the Reserve mini-suites under the old system are allowed access to the Sanctuary.  I think that would be wonderful if it was true.  Hoping someone has this information.

We are on October 19th so the fiasco should be in full swing as they are implementing the changes.

59 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

I will make no determination about this new ship-within-a-ship....   Many will abhor it, and many will be excited.

What I will pass judgement on is how Princess has handled this.

It not only shows complete incompetence, but a lack of respect for all guests who have been booking.  Not to mention a complete lack of transparancy.

 

This seems to be another example of how the roll-out on this new ship exposes huge problems and incompetence and shortcomings all the way up to Corporate.   

 

NOTE:  Those who had booked Signature suites are not benefitting...  Those whose cabin has been reassigned just got a 'gift'.   I don't understand why those with Suites might not be happy, as they have lost nothing at all.

 

I can't believe I didn't see all of this coming, when watching this roll-out and seeing the confusion about those D0 premium balcony cabins.   I am usually pretty perceptive.

it seems clear that 'RESERVE' will disappear.   Princess could either have two choices of SANCTUARY (signature) restaurants...   which might be necessary with all of these new SANCTUARY cabins...  Or the Reserve Dining Room will be changed over to a different, revenue producing, restaurant/venue.

I think they will have to just combine the Reserve and Signature restaurants.  I am assuming the number of cabins eligible has stayed the same or increased?

5 hours ago, reiddg said:

Exactly.  I was wondering though, was the private restaurant originally for both Signature and Reserve or were they separate?

They were separate 

3 hours ago, reiddg said:

I’m wondering the same thing.  What exactly is the “private” restaurant for the Sanctuary Collection?

I bet they are one and the same.  

6 hours ago, FLAlaska said:

I posted this in another thread, but my C1, previously named Reserve Cabana Suite isn't listed as Sanctuary or Reserve. Trying to find out if they removed the Reserve dining room component.

We got an email indicating the private dining is still included.  Our agent confirmed he saw a note on our booking noting it as grandfathered.

5 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

My last two cruises, I just walked up to the desk, told them how many I wanted to buy and signed a sheet of paper.  I didn't fill out anything.  It took about 60 seconds.

It all sounds great, but I want to travel Haven so i just can't convince myself this is a good deal.  I guess if I book as another category, it might be beneficial.  I spoke to my TA and he recommended the CruiseNext.

You guys go for it and enjoy all the perks!  

On 1/10/2024 at 12:32 AM, mistertomatoe said:

The website is accessible: https://www.goodwillcruisecredit.com/

You'll be forgiven if you think it's a fake website. LOL.

 

As for that $500 CruiseFirst I ordered on Saturday. It's still not in my account even though I got the confirmation webpage. I think it's lost. My credit card hasn't been charged so I might just let it go.

Did yours ever post?  Just curious.

2 hours ago, julig22 said:

You can get a single Haven deposit which does take care of the deposit but you only save $100 by only buying 1. I don't believe you can use 2 Haven certificates unless it's during a double-up promo. And using 2 regular CNs during a doubleUp may not always satisfy the deposit requirement, terms vary.

 

You could wait for a $500 CF offer, although I don't believe it would necessarily satisfy the Haven deposit.

 

You might be able to find a single Haven Deposit for sale online for $250?

 

You have been very helpful.  And what is the cost of the CruiseNext Haven?

I promise it’s my last question. 😉

All of these promos sound like a gambler’s dream!

3 minutes ago, julig22 said:

You are entering uncharted waters to some degree as new terms apply soon, with the change to "credits" from "certificates."

Yes, if you cancel it appears the credits will still go back to your account.

You could get 2 regular CNs - pay $250, valued at $500, or 2 Haven CNs -pay $750, valued at $1000. Basically, you can save $250 with CN if you book during a double-up promo. 

CruiseFirst has 2 options - $300 and $500, you pay half the face value. So no need to wait for a double up if you catch the $500 option - but it's not always offered. You do have to buy the certificates for a future date.

Where the change appears to be, other than some administrative stuff, is that the previous loophole that allowed people to add a CN to an existing reservation when there is a double-up promo, may be closing.  Which means paying attention to what is offered when you book. CF already had that "loophole" covered.

Do 2 regular $250 CN that are worth $500 satisfy the Haven deposit?

If so it makes no sense to spend $750 for 2 CN Haven for $1000 credit.  Can’t I get 1 CN Haven to cover the deposit?  How much is 1 CN Haven?

Assume all I want is to satisfy my deposit.

Here is my situation.  We are cruising in 2 weeks.  What should I buy?

Will be booking Haven for 2025.  We already know the sailing date.

If we cancel for any reason prior to final payment are CN and CF saved on my account for future use?

 I’m not interested in a huge cash outlay, maybe $1000 at most.

Thanks to all you bargain gurus for your input.  I think it is better for me to know what to get ahead of time than get overwhelmed by the sales pitch process.

On 1/1/2024 at 2:52 PM, ChiefMateJRK said:

Well, maybe?  If they have a double up offer, you should be able to use those two CNs.  Otherwise, just cash up to $500 and wait until the next double up offer (likely next week).  The math is compelling here.

I thought I was a fairly astute person but this math is very confusing.

5 minutes ago, mistertomatoe said:

Try this one and click the button:

https://www.ncl.com/cruisefirst-program

 

I'm still waiting for it to show up in my account. Hopefully the $500 is actually available.

That works.

Here is my situation.  Sailing in 12 days and likely will take another NCL in 2025.  Is it better to book onboard with Cruise First or Cruise Next.  We already know which one we are booking.  It will likely be in Haven if that makes a difference.

I know the folks on board are busily trying to sell whatever they can but I am asking for your opinion.   I don’t want to try to interpret the sales pitch.

thank you so much!

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

Thank you for finding Goodwill Credit as a NCLH subsidiary.  I had tried to do research on the company and came up with a goose egg.  It makes me less nervous about purchasing either a CF or CN certificate, as I see this new company as more of a tactic for NCL to better manage these credits on their balance sheets. 

2 hours ago, mistertomatoe said:

 

In the price dropdown it shows $500 CERTIFICATE. The confirmation page says 10 minutes for the certificate to show up under my account but I haven't seen it yet. Maybe because it's late night on a weekend?

https://www.ncl.com/shorex/262549111/cruise-first

 

I'm not sure for CruiseNext so I'll defer to others. That one is confusing to me but depending on the promotion since you're going with the Haven it might be better. You can only get those while onboard a ship though.

 

As for the 3rd party being involved. It looks like based on the Privacy Policy page of the NCL Holdings page it's a subsidiary so it's another NCL company. I guess that's better but I'll have to wait for the changeover to see what it really means.

That link doesn’t work for me.  Let us know if you are successful on that $250 one.

i will contact NCL to find the link to purchase them.  How hard should it be?  

4 hours ago, mistertomatoe said:

 

They've removed references to the $500($250) one on the front page and CruiseFirst page but it's still in the drop down. I ordered one but haven't gotten any confirmation yet. I'm nervous about this Goodwill Credit company so I'm trying to get one more before the changeover.

Where on the website do I find the link to order?

Are they changing the company who administers the CruiseFirst?

You say the $500 one is still available on the website (showing as a drop down).  Do you usually get immediate confirmation?

Thanks!  I am new to NCL and hope to obtain one of these offers.

I was reading about CruiseNext and it seems the benefits are the onboard credit you receive on current cruise and it satisfies the deposit requirement for your next cruise.  Is this correct?   Is this really worth it?  We would be booking Haven so I think there is a special one for that.

On 12/29/2023 at 1:16 PM, Fredrik said:

FREE $250 WITH CRUISEFIRST 
Booking Window: December 28th, 2023 - January 4th, 2024 11:59 PM EST.
 

1. CruiseFirst certificates are valid for new reservations ONLY that book and sail within 3 years of original certificate purchase date. Voyage date must be more than 120 days from original purchase date. Not applicable towards canceled/rebooked reservations. If a guest with an existing reservation cancels and rebooks the same ship and sail date with a CruiseFirst certificate, the additional value of the CruiseFirst certificate will be removed.

 

https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions#insideroffertwopoints

Where do you purchase this?  I see there is one on now for $150.

On 12/29/2023 at 3:02 PM, prov2727 said:

So, if the price of your cruise drops and you rebook, instead of $500, you only get the $250 you purchased the certificate for?

Yes

26 minutes ago, ken987 said:

• Ship:  Reflection
• Length of Cruise: 8 nights
• Cruise Sail Date: November 25th 2023
• Date email offer received: I knew to just go to the website to bid from previous tries
• Captain’s Club Tier: Elite Plus
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA -  Expedia
• Current Cabin: Sky Suite
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes 

Bid Offers

• Celebrity Suite - 1050 - Weak
• Signature Suite - 1525 - Weak

 

• Notification Date: Nov 9
• Accepted / Rejected: Accepted - Signature Suite  woo hoo

That’s great!  Congratulations 

1 hour ago, LMHSRN said:

What happened to "NO QUESTIONS ON THIS THREAD"

We didn’t read the fine print.  Sorry 

9 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

If your TA is the big box store with the $1.50 hot dog special, they don't participate in MoveUp.

It’s United cruises.  Not sure of their status