fandangocruiser

On 10/3/2023 at 4:44 AM, eileeshb said:

Basically if you ring them to reprice when the price drops you would lose the spa pass. Same idea as when the FAS terms change after your initial booking, when you re-price you get switched to the new FAS terms. It effectively means that unless the fare drops far more than the cost of a spa pass you better not call for a re-price.

Has anybody noticed approximately how much the prices changed when the "complimentary spa" was eliminated?

Did anyone notice any price changes for the former spa rooms, especially the Haven Spa rooms, that are now listed as Haven penthouses?

On 10/2/2023 at 1:41 AM, ready2cruzagain said:

 

I remember those days! Back in the late 90s and early 2000's I remember they would wheel out several large round kettle charcoal grills by the pool area and have a big party. It was fun to watch and delicious. I think the last time I seen it was in 2005 on the Dream.

We started cruising with NCL in 2010, and have seen a couple of cookouts with salmon and chicken by the pool.  It was fun.

On 10/1/2023 at 3:47 PM, UKstages said:

the NCL cutbacks are more severe than i had thought. i’m glad i saw the show with a full cast. this makes me a little leery of my upcoming voyage on the joy. i guess i will just have to be prepared for only one “element.” i pity the fools on the bliss and breakaway who are being forced to watch “one” instead of “six.” going on the encore or the escape? better get used to “solo of man.”

What about the million dollar quartet?  Or the Jersey Boy...

Starting Jan. 1, "spa" will not be included with any rooms.  All thermal passes will have to be purchased separately.

What affect will this have on you?  How many people get the spa rooms because of spa access?  Has anyone noticed a price change of the former "spa" rooms changed?  We had Haven spa room given to us last summer and thoroughly enjoyed the room, but never used the spa.  

On 4/6/2023 at 1:22 PM, Gibberish1 said:

Does anyone know if the ship's water is RO (reverse osmosis)? I saw a comment that someone took a behind the scenes tour and they have RO. If so, no need to buy the "flow" water offered.

 

I'm not sure how it's done, but I had a friend who is a doctor go on a behind the scenes tour, and came back saying no more buying water in bottles -- what comes out of the faucet is better.

On 4/5/2023 at 3:12 PM, Gibberish1 said:

Hi! Can you please give advice on whether or not buying the unlimited internet package (not premium) is worth the $110 per person charge?

 

We like it because: 

1.  I'm a news junkie and spend a lot of time surfing. 

 2. Service is usually very slow, and I hate to watch the arrow circling around, knowing that the meter is running.  

3.  I use my tablet before going to bed, and sometimes forget to log out, but that's not a problem if you have unlimited wifi.

4.  Bonus points:  After the first day, the upcharge usually drops about $10-20.  After the second day, they'll tell you the offer is no longer available.  Plan accordingly.

On 3/23/2023 at 11:06 AM, VUCruiser said:

On the Bliss the week before-we’ll get the ship warmed up for you! 😊

So are we!

On 9/26/2022 at 7:12 AM, meanone111 said:

I was on the Prima recently. We tried Cagney's, Palomar, Nama Sushi, Hudson's, The Local, Indulge Food Hall and many times at the Surfside buffet. The food at Hudson's is quite good, but I wasn't too excited for the fixed dinning menu, as it got kind of boring to see the same items again each day. Local was ok, nothing too memorable with the typical bar type food and Indulge was ok too, but felt the portions was kind of small and tasted just average. I think NCL should consider changing menus for Hudson's and The Commodore Room because it seems kind of disappointing to be on this nice ship only for non-haven guests to see the same menu every day in the main dinning room. 

My wife and I got in the habit of going by the MDR during the day to decide if we wanted to go there or Locals, Asian, of buffet.  With the fixed menu, we'll already know the choices and not need to check each day.

On 9/26/2022 at 7:12 AM, meanone111 said:

I was on the Prima recently. We tried Cagney's, Palomar, Nama Sushi, Hudson's, The Local, Indulge Food Hall and many times at the Surfside buffet. The food at Hudson's is quite good, but I wasn't too excited for the fixed dinning menu, as it got kind of boring to see the same items again each day. Local was ok, nothing too memorable with the typical bar type food and Indulge was ok too, but felt the portions was kind of small and tasted just average. I think NCL should consider changing menus for Hudson's and The Commodore Room because it seems kind of disappointing to be on this nice ship only for non-haven guests to see the same menu every day in the main dinning room. 

11 hours ago, Always Cruising said:

Specifically, I'm asking about the Prima, and it would be at Port Canaveral.  I know they haven't started Prima's trips from that Port yet, but wondered how it worked at previous ports.  Thanks in advance for any info....

Good question.  We are in Prima suite at the end of January, and were wondering the same thing.   When do you go?

Look at DoubleTree by Hilton at Orlando Airport.  

12 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

I think the lesson is:  make your own flight arrangements.  It may cost a bit more but it's the best way to avoid these kinds of disappointments.  BTW, go to any cruise line forum on CC and you will find the same experiences using cruise line flights.  This is isn't unique to NCL.

A friend told me that on Celebrity, you pick your own flights, book thru them, and get a discount of about 10%.

Even my NCL rep told me he's never let a customer book the BOGO air offer.  

12 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

I think the lesson is:  make your own flight arrangements.  It may cost a bit more but it's the best way to avoid these kinds of disappointments.  BTW, go to any cruise line forum on CC and you will find the same experiences using cruise line flights.  This is isn't unique to NCL.

I think the lesson is:  make your own flight arrangements.   And go at least a day early.  Then enjoy you Panama cruise.

Coming back from Alaska in July, we missed an SFO connection. United put us up for the night.  In October, we missed a connection in DFW.  American put us up for the night.  Others in line were frustrated and never going to fly this airline again.   I said, "I know how you feel, but they all do it, and you'll soon be out of options."

Has anybody had any experience yet in Prima's new casino?  How were the table options, machine payouts and crowds?

You guys are making me hungry.  We will be in an aft-facing suite, right above the Food Hall at the end of January. Biggest criticism seems to be seating.  With a suite nearby, will we be able to get any seating priority, or could we do to-go orders to go back to the room?   How about being able to order off the NCL ap?  Yes, I know, if I tell the butler what I want, he'll set it up, but I prefer to be independent.😄

On 6/10/2022 at 3:15 AM, Funky Fusion FoodsJ said:

I'm like you and prefer to do my own reservations.  However, I have found when I make a reservation if they don't have the reservation time I want I've called the concierge and they've been able to get us the time we wanted.

The first Haven we got was the result of a modest bid to upgrade.   I wasn't sure what to do with a butler/concierge either.  However, I was at guest service trying to make Cagney's reservations for the last night.  Nothing.  How about next to last night?  "9:00 PM only".  About that time the Butler/Concierge came walking by and asked me what I was doing.  I told him, and he said, "what time?"  When I said I preferred last night, about 6:00 PM, he punched a couple buttons on his laptop, and said, "All done."  

9 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

This is a good idea.  See the size of the suite before you book the party. 

 

This is the number one question for when folks book the Haven.  Search Butler in Cruise Critic and Google to see the answer to your question.

 

I just did a birthday party of sorts for my 31 year old daughter.  The did a little decoration and a sign that said Happy Birthday.  If you buy the package, it is nicer.  Mine was complementary from the Haven Butler.  

You will have to get permission from your the Haven restaurant for your guest and there is a fee.  Your butler can serve it in your suite however there is limit room.  You might want them to join you in the Haven restaurant. Again, you need permission and pay a fee. 

 

 

Anything is possible but this is an issue for the butler.  Consider simply for ease of service to do the same restaurant. 

 

I hope I was helpful.  

 

Cruise well.

Thank you... very helpful..

I'm planning to celebrate a major birthday on the Bliss.  In the past, we've bought room decorations for friends.  I just got notice of an upgrade from Balcony to Haven 2 bedroom suite.  Now, I'm thinking of throwing a small party ( 3 couples) in the room. What services will the butler provide?  Do I still need to buy a birthday package, or will my butler decorate as part of the service?  We all have a dining package, but one couple is in a minisuite. Can we all get into, or order from the Haven restaurant?  Can everyone order from their favorite restaurant, or does it all have to come from the same restaurant.  

On 11/24/2021 at 3:15 AM, david_sobe said:

They have not had cold soup for years

Breakaway buffet in November had a different chilled soup each day.  Loved it.

Jamie -- (Hope this catches you before you sail.)  Thanks for starting the thread.  Thanks to Caesars, we've been on nearly 20 NCL cruises over the past 11 years.  However, in fall of 2019, we got a certificate from the Eldorado for a cruise on Celebrity.  We booked one for March 2020, and were really looking forward to it.  Due to covid, it was cancelled.  We've rebooked a couple of times, but still haven't made it.  Hoping you'll give us all the details so we'll know what to expect when (and if) we get to go on X at the end of September.

12 minutes ago, Roger88 said:

Honestly, I dont understand how much more capacity they are going to limit.. especially on those big ships. 100 people ? 500? I doubt that there will be that many. One of the reasons to it is that the ship has to accomodate a certain number of people just to be prfitable for the company. Also, there is a margin and they wont just keep another 100-200 cabins empty

They may not be as profitable as in the past, but I'm betting that given a choice of reduce occupancy or no sailing, they'll choose reduced occupancy.  

3 minutes ago, drsel said:

52 minutes ago, fandangocruiser said:

 
That's kind of what I was expecting, but the first actual evidence I've seen.  --- Block off the lower price rooms, force people into the higher priced suites, thereby cutting occupancy, but still maintaining the high margin passengers.

Do you mean the days of bargain price cruising is over forever?

I hope not.. Forever is a long, long time.  However, as long as we are wearing masks and social distancing, cruise ships will have to control capacity, which most likely means sell the high margin rooms, and let the employees use some of the inside rooms.

33 minutes ago, bbornino said:

Last week we booked 3 cabins on the Apr 19 Celebrity Reflection.  There were no inside or Oceanview cabins available. I presume capacity was reduced by bloocking off the cheap cabins.

That's kind of what I was expecting, but the first actual evidence I've seen.  --- Block off the lower price rooms, force people into the higher priced suites, thereby cutting occupancy, but still maintaining the high margin passengers.

On 3/21/2020 at 8:40 AM, choover2576 said:

We are booked for May 24 on the Bliss.  I called NCL to request a refund on our pre-paid gratuities (as others have suggested in anticipation of a cancellation). 

 

 

Sorry, I'm booked on the NCL Joy for May 23.   I've been lurking but now have to speak up.  I figure it's all a day-to-day crapshoot, but PLEASE tell my the reason for requesting a refund on pre-paid gratuities.