Jana60

On 2/20/2023 at 11:31 AM, chillyw said:

What is the strategy for Norwegian on entertainment going forward? Entertainment was a compromise differentiator for the brand, and with the cuts, it feels like it's undergoing a transition period at the moment.

Norwegian Cruise Line is shooting itself in the foot! If you think about it the repeat customers are not coming back because they want to visit Cozumel for the 40th time! We come back because we enjoy the experience of the entertainment and the whole package but now they’ve taken away that package.   At one time, Carnival Cruise Line became less interested with repeat customers, then with new customers, so they cut a lot of their entertainment, and still had the discos effectively getting rid of most of their established business.   That was the last time I cruised with Carnival Cruise Line. Prior to that I had cruised 23 cruises with Carnival Cruise Line!    If Norwegian Cruise line does the same thing, then they will also lose my business. If all of the cruise lines do this, then I guess I will have to change to land-based trips.   I’m pretty sure that I am not alone in this feeling! If you don’t want my business, I will go elsewhere!

On 2/15/2023 at 2:22 PM, CCAubs said:

One of the biggest cruise industry events, Seatrade Cruise Global, is quickly approaching. At the event, cruise line CEOs sit side by side to discuss all things cruising. This year’s panel of esteemed CEOs includes Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ President & CEO, Frank Del Rio.

 

And he wants to hear from Cruise Critic members. 

 

Do you have a question that you’d love to ask Mr. Del Rio? Are you wondering what’s ahead for onboard dining and entertainment? Have thoughts on how NCLH can leverage technology to improve the cruise experience? Do you have questions about the cruise line’s sustainability efforts? We want to hear from you.

 

Share your questions below, and your question might be one asked of Mr. Del Rio at this year’s event.

I just returned from my 41st cruise. I am platinum on multiple cruise lines. I’m an NCL stockholder.   But I was very disappointed with my latest cruise. The decrease in room cleaning doesn’t bother me because I never did have them come twice per day. The main thing that upset my sister and I was the lack of entertainment. They had only one big musical show in the main theater. Otherwise they had only acts that you could already watch in the comedy club. Like some other people I was also disturbed by the surcharges on multiple items in the specialty restaurants. It has pretty much become that you cannot eat dinner without a surcharge. That didn’t bother me too much because food is less important to me than entertainment. In fact I lost 3 pounds on the cruise.   Bottom line, if Norwegian cruise line does not bring back the entertainment I won’t be cruising with them again!

On 10/27/2021 at 1:32 PM, Jana60 said:

having enough points for a mirror or Double Meta upgrade does not necessarily guarantee that they will have rooms available in that category qualifying for upgrade. If I were you I would call the Cruise Line and ask to be connected to the department that does these so that you can book a room category in which there are meta Upgrade‘s possible.  I always thought that if I booked the highest category in an inner room and had 60,000 points to spend that I could upgrade to a balcony but I found that this is not the case because they have to have the highest category of balcony available to use the points. This is why it’s important to call.  For a long time I have been saving points hoping to use them for a Double Meta Upgrade but I have become handicapped and require a wheelchair accessible room. It is almost impossible to book a wheelchair accessible room and use a Double Meta upgrade. I haven’t really found a cruise that I want to use the points for so I will investigate this further with the Cruise Line when I see a cruise that I want to go on that would be good use of the points. The points by themselves are worth $600 as a balance adjustment on my credit card so I don’t want to use 60,000 points to book a cruise in which the balcony cabin only cost $400 more than the inner cabin.

Because I require a handicapped accessible cabin I finally called the World Points department and had them Tell me which category I would have to book to get to the desired handicapped accessible balcony.   They also have much more up-to-date listings of what handicapped accessible balconies are still available. I found that the website was constantly telling me no accessible balconies were available when indeed there were many!

3 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

While that is what their website says, that is not what there computer system goes by.  Multiple apps and desserts are not charged by the computer no matter how much the waiter tells you different.  

That would be great! My sister and I were wondering how we were going to choose between the French onion soup and the escargot in LeBistro!    

2 hours ago, hallux said:

As is said in all the other threads on this topic (there are MANY) - the only restriction is one entree, the rest is "open season" so to speak.

This is not true! NCL has clearly printed on their website that you are allowed one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert.   The main question I have is how many sides you are allowed to have.    I have observed that most of the waiters in the specialty restaurants will allow you to have as many sides as you want because they are hoping for a big tip. But I have had some waiters tell me I was only allowed to have two sides.   I’m also not sure whether a salad or soup counts as the appetizer.

Is it still possible to use points on my Norwegian Cruise Line world rewards credit card to purchase a double meta-upgrade? Also how many points are required?   And What is the process?

On 10/3/2018 at 12:40 PM, DCLCrazy said:

Does anyone know if I can use a cruise next certificate to help pay down a cruise I’ve already booked or does it have to go on a new reservation?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I don’t know what the rules are now but they used to require it to be a new booking to use a future cruise certificate.   I discovered this because I booked a cruise through Travelocity years ago and wanted to use my future cruise certificate but the person at Travelocity told me I would have to speak to Norwegian Cruise Line themselves. When I called the representative told me I couldn’t use my future cruise certificate because the cruise had already been booked. I raised hell and they allowed me to use the future cruise certificate. It’s certainly worth a try but don’t get your heart set on it.

On 10/2/2018 at 1:38 PM, omarchs said:

Highest daily cost, but still no water included. At least they could have finally included water like the other lines.

I also miss the days when I could find really fantastic deals on cruises but the cruise lines have all taken extreme losses during the past two years since the pandemic started.   I would rather pay a little bit more and have the cruise lines stay open and available for future cruising.    If you think the prices are high at the Cruise Line‘s, you might want to compare that to how much you would have to pay for a flight plus all inclusive seven day stay on an island.

Does anyone know if the NCL joy has karaoke and if so where does it take place?

On 8/11/2021 at 6:09 PM, nhtravels said:

This board has been so helpful!  I have two last questions... (Famous last words!)

Can the initial cruise be booked with any travel agent and then upgraded by World Points or should it be booked direct through NCL?  And would an upgraded cruise be eligible for the Upgrade Advantage Program (provided the travel agent participates) or does using the World points upgrade take away the bid option?

 

We have friends who are planning to book an inside stateroom on our Panama Canal cruise and then we'll use our points to upgrade them to a balcony. I think it's a savings of roughly $3,000 - better than the $600 in OBC, if it works right!

 

Thanks again!!

having enough points for a mirror or Double Meta upgrade does not necessarily guarantee that they will have rooms available in that category qualifying for upgrade. If I were you I would call the Cruise Line and ask to be connected to the department that does these so that you can book a room category in which there are meta Upgrade‘s possible.  I always thought that if I booked the highest category in an inner room and had 60,000 points to spend that I could upgrade to a balcony but I found that this is not the case because they have to have the highest category of balcony available to use the points. This is why it’s important to call.  For a long time I have been saving points hoping to use them for a Double Meta Upgrade but I have become handicapped and require a wheelchair accessible room. It is almost impossible to book a wheelchair accessible room and use a Double Meta upgrade. I haven’t really found a cruise that I want to use the points for so I will investigate this further with the Cruise Line when I see a cruise that I want to go on that would be good use of the points. The points by themselves are worth $600 as a balance adjustment on my credit card so I don’t want to use 60,000 points to book a cruise in which the balcony cabin only cost $400 more than the inner cabin.

The CDC‘s response is totally ridiculous. They and Fauci both seem to want to keep everybody in a mask forever. The facts are that any virus can mutate so if we are going to wait until there is zero chance of COVID-19 virus mutating we will be waiting forever! All of the evidence shows that the current vaccines approved for use are effective against all the current strains of COVID-19.  So in my opinion cruise ships should be leaving port immediately with fully vaccinated patrons on board!   Masks offer negligible protection and actually harm some people who have lung disease so they should not continue to require their use.

On 8/11/2019 at 3:24 AM, CruisingViv said:

Hello!

 This is my first cruise.  

What are the internal cabins like? Do you miss a port hole? 

I’m travelling from Southampton to Rome.  Anyone here going on a trip around Rome before going to the airport? My flight back to London on the 10th Nov is 1610.  

Thank you. Viv 

The thing I dislike most about an inner room is the lack of any natural sunlight. I like being able to tell Whether it is day or night and also whether the ship is moving or not. You may not be able to see everything through a porthole but you can tell whether the distant landmarks are moving or not and you can definitely tell when the sun comes up.Whether it is day or night and also whether the ship is moving or not. You may not be able to see everything through a porthole but you can tell whether the distant landmarks are moving or not and you can definitely tell when the sun comes up.

On 8/15/2019 at 10:34 PM, mom says said:

 OP, if you're that dismayed  then  by all means stop cruising and find another type of travel that you enjoy. Of course, that means not flying, too. Or using a non electric car. But I'm sure you can find something.

 It’s been my observation that the climate change warriors seem to be less interested in decreasing carbon footprint themselves than they are in forcing their will upon others.  I find it hilarious when some Hollywood starlet criticizes my once a year cruise as opposed to the private jet they fly every day!

On 1/16/2018 at 7:36 PM, AppyAmmer said:

As the title suggests, why should we pay extra? We dont mind paying the extra but when exactly are we paying the pre paid gratuities for. There seems to be quite a few posts on CC about tipping with all different figures and methods of paying for service but as I say,has that not been paid for already?

 

I feel slightly bad even asking this and feel really mean as well!

If you prepay your service charges you don’t need to tip further unless you feel that someone has gone above and beyond.  Some folks use tipping for its old time meaning...TIPS- To Insure Prompt Service.  They feel like if they bribe the cruiseship staff with a little extra cash they will receive better service.    I’m not sure if that’s true or not but I do go prepared to give a little extra to the cabin steward when I’m cruising solo because with only one person in the room they only get half the tips and I know they depend so much on those tips to live.  I also give a little extra to my favorite bartender to thank them for their service.  And of course if staying in a suite I tip the butler because the Butler’s do not share in the service charges.

12 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

It doesn't.  All the major lines(CCL, RCL, PCL, NCL) have optional items for a fee.  Disney is the only one that really does not but  you are paying double what you would pay on those other lines so I guess people don't consider it nickel & diming.  

I don’t even consider whether something is included with the price of the cruise or whether I must have it added later but rather I look at the overall cost. I’ve been cruising long enough that I pretty much know what I am going to require to feel like I’ve had a nice cruise vacation. If I’m lucky enough to get a good deal on those requirements I consider it a win win even if I had to call and add a given service. My next cruise is a prime example. I had to future cruise certificates on file at NCL.  Since they are half price the cost of that $500 was only $250. I found a great sale in which I was able to book two 5 day cruises for only $977 with adult beverage package and $50 in onboard credit included.  Are used my two future cruise certificates which lowered my expense to $477 but of course I had to spend $250 on those certificates so The total cost for this 10 day cruise was only $727.   Somehow I think I’m the one that is nickel and diming them rather than vice a versa!

9 hours ago, clo said:

We keep Euros.  I can't imagine not planning on ever returning to a EU nation.

I’m like you.  I have a pretty large amount of Euros from my past trip to Rome.  I view keeping it as motivation to visit Europe again some day.

Lord help you if you and your friends are not naturally neat and tidy!  But here are a few of my recommendations:

1) All of you should plan your wardrobe and shower schedule in advance.

2) Bring an over the door shoe bag to organize your toiletries.

3) Bring a power strip so that all of you can plug in your cell phones and such.

4) Plan the method you will use to communicate with each other whenever you become separated.

5) Bring ear plugs and eye cover in case you want to take a nap or in case any of you snore.

6) Come to some kind of consensus about what time you plan to wake up.  You may think it would be possible for each of you to wake up at the time you choose, but you will find that in such a small room it is impossible for one person to get up and move around without waking the other three.

I hope you and your Besties have a great cruise!

2 hours ago, clo said:

I see people asking regularly for this.  Is it because the port city isn't interesting?  If we continue to cruise some of the reason will be because the beginning and ending ports are going to be places that we want to explore.  Or continue to explore.

often the cruise port is also where there are a lot of entertainment options for the pre-cruise stay.  When that’s not the case, you won’t see very many people planning to stay near the port. A prime example of this is the port of Civitavecchia.  There are almost no hotels there because no one wants to stay there when they could stay in Rome instead!  

6 hours ago, Rsavtechcruise said:

Package perk covers only guest one and two when taken as a perk you are not required to buy for all in room but if they are soda drinkers and are going to drink more than like 2 sodas a day recommendation then would be to purchase the soda package for each of them

Depending upon the age of the kids it is also very convenient for them to be able to get their sodas without the parent going and purchasing them one at a time.Depending upon the age of the kids it is also very convenient for them to be able to get their sodas without the parent going and purchasing them one at a time.

6 hours ago, copper004 said:

As NCL gets closer to a cruise departure date, do they reduce the price of cabins in the hope of filling the empty ones? If so, how far in advance should I check for the discounted prices? Thanks!

it depends on how many cabins are available still at various distances out from sailing. The really good sales occur someday after final payment is due and sometime before the cruise leaves sure but where in that range the best price falls can vary greatly.  Are usually check for any fantastic sales about once per week. If you wait too long you may find that The price has actually increased due to high demand for that cruise or if you don’t wait long enough you won’t get the best price.

3 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

Wow, one has to wonder what extra services you’ll get in the DOS for $53.14 ppd!

 

Just joking; it surely must be a mistake.  I hope you have plenty of time to get it sorted out.

Wow! Your butler better come out dressed or rather undressed like one of the Chippendale’s every time he’s called for that price!  😆

Its definitely an error!

7 hours ago, MikeNKim said:

Thank you all!!!

 

no actually it isn’t like the others.   I have cruised Disney, Carnival and RCCL and none of them have a daily service fee.   Tips yes but not a daily service fee.   

 

I just booked and did the prepay option.    Excursions will be pricey on this cruise so the more I can prepay the better

 

 

thanks again everyone.  

 

That’s not true. I have been on princess cruise line, Royal Caribbean cruise line, and carnival cruise line and all of them had daily service fees. They may have called them Tips But it was exactly the same system in that the cruise line deducts a given amount of money per cruise day for service/tips.  It has been a very long time since any cruise line gave customers the option of putting their tips in an envelope or not paying tips at all. I do think that Norwegian has been increasing their required gratuities very rapidly and also charges a much larger amount for their beverage packages. In fact I cannot imagine the average person actually purchasing a beverage package. Luckily most people receive the beverage package free other than the required gratuity.  The gratuity on the drinks package is 18% of the usual price of the drink package.  For my next cruise the gratuities on the drink package were $99 for the five day cruise. While that seems steep I’m confident that I can get my $99 worth of cocktails in during the five day cruise!

7 hours ago, stephenecs said:

Yes. Except Ncl cruises are much better at the nickle and dime game. It was a real turn off for us. 

it’s been a little while since I’ve been on a different Cruise Line so forgive me for asking but in what way does Norwegian nickel and dime more than other cruise lines?

25 minutes ago, jancl57 said:

Does everyone who books directly with NCL get an email inviting one to upgrade?  And when does it usually go out?

 

Thanks

i’m not sure what determines whether somebody gets an upgrade bid invite but it does not matter who you book with. I usually book with a travel agency and I almost always get an invitation to bid from Norwegian Cruise Line.  I can no longer use those invitations because I’m mobility impaired and there’s no guarantee that the room you would get is accessible. So if you are mobility impaired like I am and require an accessible room do not bid! If you do so you could conceivably lose your currently chosen accessible state room and end up assigned to a non-accessible cabin.  once approved and upgrade cannot be canceled.

On 10/27/2019 at 8:02 AM, doconner said:

I've seen the attached 'NCL Beverage List'  posted several times, and there are a few drinks on there that I'd like to try.   I'm wondering however if there have been situations where someone has tried to order off-menu at a bar before and the bartender not knowing or not being willing to make the drink?

 

The only time it's happen to me was when I attempted to order a mudslide on the rocks (basically all the ingredients of a mudslide but with cubed ice instead of blended ice) and the bartender wouldn't make it, though I'm not sure why.  However, I've never tried anything from the list that is a more esoteric like a Gunner G&T.

 

I don't really want to order something that I've never had before, and have the bartender ask me whats in it, but I would like to try some different drinks I've never had before.

 

Also, I don't see a simple 'chocolate martini' on this list, is that something that would readily be made if ordered?

NCL_Beverage_List.pdf 5.85 MB · 68 downloads

I have ordered off menue a couple of times.  I asked for an Apple pucker long island (which is a long island tea with apple pucker in place of the Coke) and they were able to make it until my last cruise when the bar said they were out of apple pucker.  I also ordered A sour cherry limetini (cherry vodka with lime juice and  grenadine shaken with ice and poured into a martini glass)  and they tried to make it but they never really were able to achieve the same taste as the drink has at home.