EllieinNJ

Following.  Will be on her next February when she is here in NJ.

I think he means he paid the $200 for a fcc and then was put on a wait list for the cruise he wanted 

When we were on the Getaway last February they gave us $250 OBC because we never did get to Bermuda.  So we went to the American Diner and had two lobster rolls.  They were the worst lobster rolls we ever had.  The bread was hard and it looked like it was shrimp instead of lobster.  We did complain and they did give us back the credit for one but refused to on the other.

On 12/21/2023 at 4:24 PM, jmwg49 said:

Hello.  We just booked a week ago.  I’ve been busy looking at excursions and one in st Lucia needs more people if it will go.   It is with Joys Adventures.  We have done this before and it was amazing.   $120 pp from 8 am til 3.   Goes to the mud baths and various sites, then a lunch buffet at Joys home, then off to get on a boat to the pitons to snorkel and swim.   After this- we board a catamaran where we have an open bar while we sail down the coast back to the ship.  It is a fantastic day.   Check out the website at joysadventure.com

Welcome.  On the other social media group for this cruise they already have a group excursion planned for St. Lucia.  Maybe you can join them.

On 12/28/2023 at 9:50 PM, vwlmember said:

Ship: Odyssey of the Seas

Destination: Bahamas roundtrip from Bayonne

Dates: March 23, 2025

# of Nights: 7

Cabin Type: Obstructed Balcony (2E)

Total Price (inc. taxes & port charges, exc. gratuities): $1583.22 for 2 people

Average Price Per Night (per Person - USD): $113

Other Perks: $100 OBC

I booked this same cruise except date is February 16, 2025.  We have a 4D balcony for two and our price is $1769.22 through our TA.  She is giving us $100 OBC and Royal is giving us $50 OBC.  Her group rates are no longer available.

Ship:  Liberty of the Sea

Date:  September 7, 2024

5 days Bermuda

Total price $1740 for 2 in a 4D balcony

It was through a TA with OBC of $75 plus $50 from Royal. When I booked you could pick your room. Now it is a guarantee.

We will be at Puerto Plata on the Prima next year.  Is this the same as Taino Bay or a different port?

Have a great cruise.  Hope someone does a trip report.

Always love your reviews.

10 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

I don’t know if we’re pizza snobs or not (we probably are 🤪) but we’re from NY and it’s real hard for any other pizza to come close to it, including Sorrentos. It’s not that bad when it’s freshly out of the oven, but we compare it to frozen store brand pizza.  But it sure tastes good around 930 before we head up to our cabin at night

We just came off our first cruise on MSC Miraviglia and their pizza can compare to any from the NY/NJ area.

4 hours ago, dexddd said:

Definitely noticed they are going to Bermuda many more months than in the past.  My guess just a larger fleet than the past.  Only so many places to go.

 

Next year shows trips all months except Sept. and Dec.

We are about to book the Prima for next December.  Guess what the last stop is?

Last winter I wanted a cheap short cruise so we booked the Getaway to Bermuda in February.  People said the temp should be in the 70's so warm enough to walk around or take a bus somewhere.

Needless to say we didn't get to Bermuda.  Instead we had a five day cruise to nowhere (although it did stop in Nassau one night from 9:30pm to 2am.)  I'm sure not many got off.

NCL was pretty generous with reparations.  We got $250 OBC per cabin and then a 10% FCC which expires this coming February.  This was also a very young crowd and many first time cruisers.  On the last sea day I was talking to some 20 somethings and mentioned the OBC.  They all thought it would be money they were getting back by mail. 

I am booked on the 12 day Journey cruise on the Venezia for February, 2024 and am looking so forward to it.  Not having to worry about flying anywhere in the winter is so comforting, especially reading about delayed and cancelled flights at this time of year. 

Unfortunately we have such a limited variety of ships out of NY/NJ.  We have done most of them and would love it if different ships rotated here.  Our first Carnival ship was to be the Sunrise to Bermuda from NY back in 2020 but that was cancelled because of the pandemic and then she was never again scheduled for a NY sailing.  We did miss the Magic out of NY because of several other cruises already scheduled. 

Looking forward to more of your report.

I just noticed an offer on my Amazon Amex card for 25,000 points if I charge $1500, which expires 12/31/23.  Are these points converted into OBC and/or I can use them to pay for a future cruise?  Is there an expiration date?  In other words, if I pay my September, 2024 cruise with this offer, can I use the points toward another cruise I have in February, 2025?

Looking forward to your report.

19 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

🤦‍♂️, This all sounds too complicated! I just know my TA does not charge any fees. One time we had a not very expensive cruise, and he was going to send us a small check afterwards. After we had 2 price drops (and an upgrade), all of which of course cost him time and money, I told him don't send the check. You just can't be making enough on this booking to justify it.

Same with us except our TA said they couldn't honor any OBC because of the price drops and we also had some FCC added from a previous cruise.  I was po'd at first but after thinking about it I realized they had to make some money too.   I still use them because they do not charge any fees for changes or cancellations and usually their OBC is pretty good. I now always ask for cashback because I learned the hard way that some cruise lines consider TA's OBC non refundable and wound up having to buy gift cards for balances left at the end of the cruise.

I just received and used a new Carnival cc and now have the 20,000 fun points.  I have 2 cruises coming up and would like to convert them to $100 OBC on each.  Do I have to call Carnival or Barclay's or is it only for statement credit?

I usually wait until final payment, even with gift cards but now I have an Amex offer that has to be used by February for my November sailing so I will put in the $1000 (or $2000 if they accept both our offers).

Henry, we've been looking at videos of the Staterooms and my husband thinks there's not enough storage on shelves for clothing.  Did you find the storage adequate?

My TA doesn't reduce the price but gives me pretty good OBC or cashbacks if I want.  I deal with her to make new bookings but then usually deal with her customer service department to make changes, price reductions and payments.  I just recently made final payment on another cruise line and had several gift cards plus a credit card.  They patiently took all the info and made sure all the numbers matched.  I then get my final statement about 48 hours later with a paid in full notation.

I have an AMEX offer that has to be used before 12/29/23.  If I use this offer for a cruise for next December and have to cancel before final payment, will the money be returned to my credit card?  I know AMEX will re-add the discount taken off. 

Always enjoy your reports.

We are looking at the Aloft or Fairfield Inn in El Segundo because they have free shuttles from LAX and there seems to be plenty of fast food places nearby and also a Ralphs where we can pick up soda.  Is it safe to walk around this area?

I got one too but it's for a specific sailing on the Bliss.  Wish it was for any cruise in 2024.