Mikiejag

When I downloaded a Mint free esim, there are several setting that can be turned on that basically have verizon's Wifi calling to run over the esims data connection.

Test worked perfect, so doing that for Europe.  Thanks for all the advice.  🙂

24 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The OP's stated intent is to be uploading photos. Would that be much cheaper too?

Yeah quite a bit.  Not going via Airalo, but Simly, A data only for all of Europe is 50gb for $40, data only.  A little more for a european number.  Just going for GPS, upload the photos and the passes for the stops.  Verizon is $10 a day, but an 11 day cruise would go $110, the monthly is $100, and an esim is $30.  I was just hoping to keep cell while on the ship, but goes out far enough they will turn on the cell service on the ship.  Seems prices have gone up a little.  Airalo us usually around the same price.  Just need to find a promo code or something

26 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Just some general info.  Verizon used to sell a plan for Cell at Sea but it is long gone and now Ala carte.

 

POA does not have cell at sea if someone doing Hawaii.

They still do, but the cost is out of this world, and it costs $20 for the privilege. 

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

Won’t work when at sea.

 

We use Airalo and it works only when in ports.

 

 

That’s what I needed to know.  Thanks so much.

Priobably not using the right wording.  The Cruise ship usually has a cell service they provide, curious as to is that is on while there or if too close to the coast.  I am just picking up a Sim for data use only while on land, but would plan on using the data while on the ship, instead of the wifi package.

2 hours ago, d9704011 said:

You're unlikely to have a connection to a shore tower.  Sometimes, but not often.

So they do run the cell at sea service.  Dang, not that it matters but has some wifi, just looking to do some photos and a call or two.

Was going to get a Euro eSim, but any one ever been on a med cruise?  Does the Cell at sea ever come on or does the ship stay within coastal reach of the towers?  Within reason of course.

All of ours, three sets have been in economy, but not basic.  Could choose seats, upgrade whatever.

So the discount probably happens by bulk purchase of tickets, and I imagine, although rare, having non refundable tickets would bite them in the pants when there is a cancelation. 

Had NCL book an after cruise hotel in Venice, one was a 3 star in St Marks square, but I went with Crowne Plaza East Quarto D'altino.  For one I prefer outside of Venice proper, and also IHG member.

Its a 10 minute train ride in, and next to a train stop.

I seem to remember a bonus points offer for NCL using the BOA card.  Something like 4x or 5x points instead of 3x.  Maybe it was a black friday thing.

Anyone know anything about that?  Tried searching and nothing came back, I have a balance due in January for a Med cruise, and would love to double the 18k points on black friday.

Then again, could be crazy and the bonus is just in my head.

Booked it online.  Cashed in the voucher from the NCL card to go from Family window to Family balcony.  Now just need to wait 360 more days.

Will ask about it during our cruise next month and see if there is anything they could do, maybe bump to spa balcony or not.  Just didn't want to wait, and still have plenty of time to cancel or change.

36 minutes ago, complawyer said:

ncl doesnt differentiate your latitude status when booking a cabin. you book what you want at the price you wish to pay. you dont get automatically upgraded to any other category cabin regardless. you can upgrade one category at no extra cost if you are diamond

Thank you so much, I thought I remembered hearing booking on the ship saves money or free extra perks, but maybe that was years ago.

After our next cruise in a month we will be platinum.

Any benefit to booking as gold or just wait for platinum?

Any benefit to booking it on the ship? 

I have heard two different stories.  First one is you can book and pay lowest category and they move you to the highest level of that tier, and the other one is there is no benefit at all.  I plan to combine this with a BOA card benefit to go up one meta.  So I was looking to book Family Ocean view, then move to family balcony.

Good news is Europe is not until May 2024, so still some time, but I would like to book the cruise itself as soon as possible.  The excursions are not that big of a deal, I think I would get another 5% off being platinum over gold. So those can wait.

Thanks so much.

On 3/15/2023 at 4:58 PM, LloydJr said:

Why would you need "extra?"  I bought and hold 100 shares simply for the OBC.  I'm not looking to make money off of the stock and I'm not worried about the stock's daily price fluctuations.  It's just a means to reduce the final cost of every NCL cruise by $100.  When I get to old to cruise, I'll just dump it.

Cause I had thought it bottomed out and if it went back up, could almost make my initial money back...LOL...never will loose everything and was only playing with money I could spare so no biggy.  It will go back I am sure.  Maybe...

2 hours ago, complawyer said:

we bought 100 shares at $7.00 just after covid hit, so im not really worried, but i hope it doesnt go down to 10

Dang it.  I missed that and bought in at $16, still hoping for $50 again, bought extra every time it dropped.  So I have extra and can still keep the OBC.

Just got off two weeks ago.  There are so many food places, but be prepared to adjust dining.  Seems everyone wanted to eat at 11 or 12.  If you go to lunch at 1130ish, 1230ish, its not really a problem.

Its a new ship so it was full.  Just a different way than NCL is used to being.  The hardest thing was getting the reservations, seems everyone booked everything as soon as they got on.

Get to know the APP and use the virtual queues.  Saw everything and was not a problem.

Don't listen to the negatives, just go with an open mind, and then decide.

I know it is a bit of time away but good to hear they will open more up.  About an average of two per stop...And several helicopter rides for $500 person.  Got enough helicopter time deployed...LOL

I do know in Saint Maarten it is going to be the Yoda Guy...That is like the number one hit when searching Saint Maarten.

What would count for a single meta upgrade if Oceanview cabins don't exist?  Looking at the Epic, it goes from Inside to balcony, to suites.

Technically it would be a single meta, but according the BOA site, it would be a double.

Any clues on this or is this a specific BOA question?

June 8th to the 18th, I prefer NCL excursions and there doesn't seem to be too many, maybe 2 or 3 at each stop.

Anyone been to these spots and can offer any advice?  Easy enough to just get off and walk?

Would have gone to the Ports forums but was looking at an overview first.

Thanks for any opinions.

Hope to see you there.  Will be on the same cruise and maybe same flight from Atlanta.

And appreciation or attention?

No real solutions being offered, nor any asks.  What exactly is he supposed to do with a complaint letter?

I have used this tactic several times when the problem warrants it.  It used to be called executive email carpet bomb and writing to people at this level will be handled by an executive staff, so you should have been clear, concise, and to the point.  Then offer some kind of solution or a very specific ask.  In all honestly, and like posted above, this is going to the delete or maybe get a response about taking your concerns very seriously.

The CEO is not going to meet with the crew and discuss their behavior, that is for the Capt, and supervisors locally.  And I have to ask, did you bring it up to anyone on the ship as it was happening?

Not even sure there is a legitimate complain in the entire letter.  A good example is I wrote the CEO of Chrysler about a minivan wearing out the breaks at 15k miles.  I mentioned the rear breaks were not a problem, I mentioned how long front breaks should typically last, and finally offered a solution of I would pay labor or parts, but would appreciate if the dealer took care of the all the rest.

The CEO ended up contacting the dealer and fixed it all.  It is a powerful tool, but its like real estate and location location location, a CEO letter should be clear, concise and offer a solution.

Thats what we picked as well.  Seems like a good deal and gets us off the boat quickly.

40 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Security and data storage. The check in has sensitive information, especially passports. The company limits liability when it comes to the storage of this data. Store it and then get rid of it. In most cases, it is less than 30 days on the servers. 

Now that is something to think about.  Makes more sense than just cause.  Although with as many breaches as I have been apart of passport is probably out there already...lol

46 minutes ago, phillygwm said:

I'm trying to remember the process pre-pandemic.  I recall you could enter information as soon as you were booked, but I don't believe you could print your docs until some time before.  That would be fine; make me read the disclaimer, scroll to the bottom, check a box, and allow me to print/PDF my docs.

I think it converted to being able to get in soon after the final payment.  Plus I think the room upgrades could process as soon as the final check in was done.

19 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Curious on why it bothers you....

More like an annoyance, than a true bother.  I just like to cross everything off as soon as possible, I enjoyed the E-docs being done.  Just the little things.  LOL...On a scale of 1-10, it is a 2...lol