cruiser2015

19 hours ago, hallux said:

 

I believe the last show was on the cruise ending Feb. 24, on the Bliss.

 

I agree - I'm baffled that SIX didn't get the attendance that Jersey Boys did, SIX is arguably the better (though less-known) show or at least on par.  Even more amazing is that the 'swing' girls can do THREE PARTS!  I was talking with one, she was an American and had to do three parts with different accents!!

As you know, I saw it the week before you did.

I liked it, but not a lot. Some of the music is great; performers were talented. As a whole, it didn't jell for me.

My DW did not like it.

We saw quite a few passengers walk out during the performance.

A matter of taste.

8 hours ago, Ozzieru1e said:

Have anyone try to cancel NCL Travel Protection after final payment?  Upgrading after final payment is permitted especially since more money is received but is travel protection cancellation permitted.  Thanks for sharing.

Upgrading means paying more money for a product that is higher in price - welcome aboard!

Cancelling a service is the opposite.

Furthermore, once payment was made, that insurance protected you - meaning, you've already used that insurance coverage, in part (covering you against an unforseen cancellation.

Independent insurance companies will not refund in this situation - can't believe that NCL will ether.

On 3/5/2024 at 6:41 AM, dexddd said:

Glad it went well.

 

Do they still have the good wood fired pizza in buffet?

17 hours ago, TeresaJ said:

Yes, it's really good. One of the best we've had lately on a cruise.

Wait a minute...

Wood fired pizza?

A wood fire - on a cruise ship?

What's wrong with that picture?

😲

On last month's cruise there were a few few ovens right behind the buffet counter - no logs in sight.

46 minutes ago, hallux said:

Sounds like Siglo on the Bliss - FANTASTIC group!!

I saw a slightly different Beatles Experience group than you did (I think Ringo and one of the others swapped out between our cruises, which actually makes it all the more incredible) and I thought they were good

They announced Ringo's departure during their last performance.

There was a "farewell" from all - performers & audience.

No mention of anyone else leaving.

7 hours ago, p5woody said:

Anybody know if it is open on embarkation day, wonder if it might be less busy on the first day before people find out it is included. 

I suggest the main dining room.

11 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

it can if "paul" can't sing.

 

invariably, out of the four beatles onboard certain NCl ships, there are a couple who look really good, but can't sing and a couple who look like andy williams and paul williams and can sing.

 

by the way, as far as "the beatles" are concerned... for those who really think that NCL is going after "younger cruisers," that's a hell of a way to court them... with a tribute band of a group whose last concert was nearly 60 years ago! most younger cruisers don't know who the beatles are and are unfamiliar with most of their songs. if they really wanted to shift to catering to younger cruisers, they would produce a show called "swiftmania" (not taylor swift, but an incredible simulation).

Well, on the Bliss last month, they were a thoroughly enjoyable group of fellows from Argentina.

Saw them perform 3 or 4 times. Great fun.

Their Ringo was leaving them at end of cruise. Better or worse? Don't know.

8 hours ago, Lionkingrichard said:

Thanks. I'm still seeing this on my screen. 20 days till cruise.

 

Blazing Boots

Imagine yourself bellying up to the the best country bar at sea. You are all invited to Blazing Boots - a first class tribute to pop country showcasing songs f ...

• Complimentary

•  

Reservations are not offered.

It probably notes the venue in which this act is appearing. It does not sound like one that they would do in the main theater.

In any event, that last sentence means it will not be reservable - not a timing issue.

11 hours ago, CindyS9163 said:

You stated that you went to Pearl Harbor . Did NCL take you to the floating museum ? (i think that is what it is called). Did you book the 2 days prior with NCL ? Thanks for any information.

Cindy

The NCL tour does not include a visit to the Arizona Memorial.

I'm guessing that's what you mean by floating museum.

This is one of the reasons I do not recommend using them for this tour.

I also do not like their pre-cruise option. Its easy - no planning to do. But, it's over-priced and puts you in a hotel that is not in the most prime location. You can do much better on your own.

3 hours ago, jdc987 said:

Everything is separate including his own purchasing (key card) and activities.  Separate bills at the end

I do not recall if there is a way to call up charges on your account separately by user, but it sure is one combined bill on the account.

20 hours ago, Lionkingrichard said:

So we can't reserve shows anymore online? 

 

Only once onboard or not at all?

 

Thanks.

Only main theater MAJOR shows - typically 2 shows per cruise.

So, not a lone singer, comedian or magician.

On 3/3/2024 at 8:45 AM, hallux said:

I've always enjoyed the theater shows on cruises, and having 4 nights of them on a 7 night cruise (two for each show) has been nice.  However, on my 15-night cruise there were STILL only 4 nights of the main theater shows, leading to lots of 'filler' nights.  I still found plenty to do!  As disappointing as it is to have some of the shows go away, I feel like having to only fill an extra night (if I only went to one performance of each of the shows) isn't going to be a deal-breaker for me.

 

Side note - on the ships with SIX I feel like it could have actually been the superior show, yet there was ALWAYS extra seating for that show and the other show typically packed the house.  

True enough.

But when the "filler" is The Beatles Experience, it can't be (all) bad....yeah, yeah, yeah...

1 hour ago, Oceansaway17 said:

Boy and darn it, I waited about 3 weeks too long and now for my NCL Escape this year on June 6 and 7th BOTH excursions to Cinque Terre are no longer listed.  All 4 opportunities gone.

wow I did not see that coming since a lot of ports still have many things listed.

 

also once on board, have they tried to add more folks for a tour.

 

thanks in advance for any replies.   So mad at myself but at least I grabbed what I wanted for Rome and Monaco.  

Keep checking the page for your cruise. The offerings can change.

I could not get a particular shorex for my cruise last January in one port. It was gone whrn I decided, well before the cruise to book trips.

It reappeared a few weeks later.

6 hours ago, Stowaway LFC said:

Does anyone know a ballpark cost for a NCL transfer from port to airport for Southampton?  Just trying to see how much to budget for that.  Likely Heathrow airport I think?  Not sure which airport NCL sets up for cruises departing from Southampton.

Call NCL.

The agent should have that information.

7 hours ago, CJDepew said:

Did a search but could not find anything. We've already booked the Joy for a March, 2025 cruise. I did not realize until after booking that they offer a military discount, which is my bad. Does anyone know if it can be applied once booked, or if it's necessary to call and rebook? Cruising with multiple friends who have rooms in the same area, so keeping our current stateroom is important.

 

Thanks!

Absolutely.

As already suggested, use the link on NCL's website to set up your military discount authorization.

Then, call your travel agent (if used) or NCL and ask for them to apply the discount.

I do not believe that the booking will reprice automatically. Getting the discount should also be doable without them cancelling your booking and redoing it, which could affect your package if anything has changed.

2 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

I've been on Joy twice in the past 2 years and both times had CBS.

2 years ago I had a family CBS and that had a bathtub.

This past July I had a regular CBS and it had just the shower, which I prefer.

You need a family CBS if you want the tub. I assume it would be the same on the other ships, but I'm not sure.

True.

Bliss CBS's have only a walk in shower; not sure about the family ones though.

1 hour ago, Canbylancer said:

Today I am 21 days out, going on the Prima March 22nd.  I am not allowed to book Donna Summers or Price is Right yet.  I know I can't book anything else until I board the ship (mainly improv).  Does anyone know when they allow you to book shows?

If you still can't get the reservations, either call NCL or use their chat feature.

7 minutes ago, bluefish17 said:

On upcoming cruise, my wife and I have FAS. My wife would like to upgrade to the unlimited internet but I don't need that. On the NCL site it only allows for us to both upgrade. Is there a way to just upgrade her? Thanks

Wait until you board.

Then do it via the APP, or, go to the Cafe and they will do it for you.

3 hours ago, debbyfelse1963 said:

Well that makes sense to use your onboard credits.  I paid in advance as I booked almost 2 years ago and since then the daily gratuities have gone up and I was able to get the old price if I paid before we went plus it's one less thing for me to have to consider in my budget while on the cruise

That is the best reason to prepay - if you're booking that far ahead, Insurance against a price rise, which is likely every couple of years.

11 hours ago, debbyfelse1963 said:

no problem. i think some people claim that they didn't know, but how could you not know, especially if you have been on a cruise before.  That's nice your TA paid for them, I wish mine did (ha ha). I too feel like I don't like to pay thing in advance, but I always do with my gratuities especially how they have been increasing lately.  One thing I don't have to remember to have extra money for once I'm on the cruise.  Any way, I guess people have their own reasons how they do it.Just personal preference I guess. 

I have never prepaid the service charges. Another reason is, that in the past, I often used OBC's to cover them.

2 hours ago, Vertigo127 said:

I am assuming the 2x 50 is from ncl through our group planner. Others in the group have the same- followed by “non-refundable”

I will assume that it is also non-refundable. 
 

NCL will know the status of your OBC's.

Try calling them to verify. Hopefully you'll get the correct info.

2 hours ago, FoggyEthan said:

I was planning to bring trail mix (i.e. nuts, raisins, etc) aboard in a ziploc bag. NCL has a rule that says only sealed food can be brought aboard, and a chat agent clarified that this means sealed by the manufacturer, not a ziploc bag.

 

Does anyone have experience with this? Is this strictly enforced? I guess my solution is to bring the unopened plastic bags of nuts, raisins, etc, on board, along with the ziploc bag, and then make the mix after I'm onboard.

 

Thanks!

-- Ethan

Unless you're carrying a large load of stuff, I wouldn't think those sorts of snacks would be an issue (someone on this board recently asked about bringing meats & cheeses on - tricky one there).

Last month, I had a zip lock with probably 1/2 pound of M&M's in my carry on bag. They either didn't notice it or didn't care.

2 hours ago, gkeep said:

New to NCL, how many days prior to sailing are the online purchases like excursions, drink packages, prepaid gratuities, water cartons etc available to purchase? I have been on other lines that end 3 days before and some that end 2 weeks before. Thanks!

If you wait that long to purchase something (a week or less) just do it onboard.

Beverage items are always available.

Excursions - some will be sold out by that time; again, you can check onboard re what's still open; they might also reopen a sell-out if they can arrange additional groups.

13 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

Wow! That's awesome!

That's a lot for a TA to cover.

I was introduced to a friend of a friend, who's a TA, and she couldn't really do anything for me that I couldn't do myself so I do it myself. Lol!

Clearly, that is not the TA you want to be dealing with.

I've read on these boards about TA's that literally give you a cash rebate at several % of the cruise cost. Never had one of those.

But some agencies (I've used 2 or 3 over the years) have other giveaways.

Aside form the OSC being paid (a benefit that this agency puts on and off at different times) I received $300 credit on the card I used for the cruise payments based on spending at least that match onboard. Had to send in my cruise bill to verify and got the credit a few days later. They also offered an option instead of that - get a $250 gift card post cruise - no documentation needed.

Finally, there was a $250 post cruise gift card which I actually received by email today.

So, that's $1150 total givebacks on a total bill of about $7600.

Agencies that do these things are kicking back a portion of their commission.

52 minutes ago, debbyfelse1963 said:

not true we always prepay our gratuities prior to embarkation.  That way it's not a surprise to us at the end of our cruise.  If you go online to your booking there is an area for you to prepay your gratuities along with if you want to buy shore excursions and specialty dinning.  I know in some countries they include them in with the price of the cruise. Just makes it easier for us to pay before

Perhaps my wording confused you.

I was expressing my view, not trying to say it was yours.

Personally, I prefer not paying in advance for most things.

As you are fully aware of these fees, how would that be a surprise to you onboard.

Anyway, everyone has their approach to things.

I did not even need to make a choice on my last cruise (last month), as my TA paid it for us ($600).

On 2/27/2024 at 12:05 AM, EngrJones said:

How much more did you pay for this?

Costs will vary depending on the specific cruise, but the up charge will run from $100 per cabin for a 7 day at a minimum. I'd guess the average will be around $300-400 per week for 2 passengers. 

Just do a mock booking for a cruise that interests you. When you get to the cabin category selection page, you will see at a glance the pricing for a minimum balcony/CBS next to each other.