Mikiejag

Just saw a post appear about 4 below this one.  Got my answers

Well dang, just posted almost a similar question.

Good to see its possible, just need to call.

Has any one received an extension to their cruise next certificates?

 I had 6, all of them are expiring June 2021, I am able to use two of them for a Feb 2021 cruise, and possible book another with another 2.

Still leaves 2, is there any talk of getting another year on the expiration dates?

I am not too worried right now, but would love a near empty ship and maybe a sweet upgrade to any newly emptied suites or Havens....LOL

But on another note, I charged the cruise for 8, collected cash and then paid the card off.  I was just thinking what a mess I would be in to have all the credit go back to the card and try to get them to cut me a check or personally have to come up with 8k to pay people back...

16 hours ago, babydaryl24 said:

This policy is really disappointing for those who sail Mid-May 😞

Or for those of us, *me*, that sails on 31 May...LOL

Wouldn't cancel because I managed to get the Free air, but would be a nice chip to play for maybe an upgrade or something.  I have noticed the prices have been falling for balcony's on the cruise, not enough to make up for 7 peoples airfare, but dropping, which probably mean lots of vacancy's.

The best "sales" if you want to call them that, is when they have the tax free (e.g. no port or govt taxes) that can easily knock off $1k to a cruise.  The other sale that I am finding is actually a really good deal is the free reduced air. 

This one is 7 people, numbers 3 & 4, and 3  in the other room were $199, and the cheapest I have found so far is $300 each.

The real savings is numbers 1 & 2, in both rooms were free.  So that was like $1200 assuming I waited until last minute to buy flights.

Not until May 31st.  Looking at all flights out of Chicago to Miami, there are only three that would get us there on time.  So I don't know if this is of concern, but there are 7 of us, so I could just see 4 direct and 3 routed to New York or something.

Did you happen to know if Philly flies direct to Orlando? Although, Philly to NY or something would still have made more sense then Chicago.

We just went into double digits.  Someone had posted their free air took them from Chicago to New York then down to Ft Lauderdale.

Looking at the sheet I didn't see any flight this bad.  Any one have any truth to this?

On 2/7/2020 at 6:50 AM, sparks1093 said:

When I was in the Navy we considered Air Force bases to be the equivalent of a cruise ship. I would probably choose that for the same reason as stated- it's closer to home.

Don't be jealous...LOL (Air Force myself 21 years)

This was on another board similar to this question and like you mentioned, would have to be balcony or higher...

The question asked on NCL board was what would you regret if stuck on cruise ship.  My answer was the option to purchase the Haven category. (largest room with large balcony)

Well, I just threw down $50, for both rooms.  Figure a total of $100, doesn't hurt and best case get a mini suite...

And my room tossed down the $200, but knowing there is only one 4 person room, guess that makes it a looser...LOL

Minimum's cause I am happy with the current selection, but still trying, cause why not?  :)

Just received mine for the Breakaway, and started going through all 183 pages, most pages are off topic and re-affirm no one wants to say what they bid to stop someone else from bidding more.

I am hoping to get some answers.  To answer yours, they could have had a cancellation, maybe a DOS when up or who really knows.  Wow, and I think I just summed up the 183 pages...LOL

So I usually book through my TA which is why I never have received one of these offers before, but this one coming up actually booked on the last cruise then carried it over.

They are both balcony's, near the rear.  Nothing great, 10th floor, so on. One room has 3 the other 4.  I know what the NCL site says, I am looking for that practical, I did it and here's what happened type of help.

The Mini-suite balcony upgrade starts at $25pp

The Spa balcony upgrade starts at $75pp.

The Spa Mini-suite balcony starts at $100pp.

The Haven Forward facing penthouse at $500.

Ok, no doubt, would jump on the Haven, with just me and the wife, but I hear like a balcony, once you go Haven, you never go less....LOL...So thats basically out for 4 people or 3 people. This cruise is the final family vacation before graduations, life's and such, so makes is a little complicated.  I figure the Mini-suit at another $75-100 is a no brainier.

However, I seem to have lost any previous posts talking about this stuff...lol...So...

What are the odds of winning at the lowest bid?

If one room wins and the other doesn't, do I have to take the upgrade?  (I remember this one is yes, I think)

Is the Spa balcony that much better than the mini-suite balcony?

I am of course going to give it a go, no harm no fowl, only because of the number of people involved, the price goes up and the kids have already paid their portion, so the cost would be a gift from me, and for me...:)

Thanks for any help, I need to go search again for those threads...I seem to think there was a FAQ on it somewhere. 

I think the OP was referring more to pre-pay vs paying at the end of the trip.  As far as that goes, I prefer to prepay for everything from Gratuities to the Excursions. I know what it costs, get it out of the way and then usually leave with a zero balance.

Helps in my planning for the trip, prepaying, for me is the only way to go. 

Thank you for that.  Wasn't even thinking it would go from the shuttle to the ship...Makes sense, not sure why I didn't think about that.

I will have the tags ready to go...Thank you again. 

Always like the Holiday inn.  Great pool, on the beach.  Plus usually get free breakfast.

For those that used the NCL provided flights, is there a sign or meeting area?

Last time flying into Miami I wasn't looking for anything other than baggage and the rental car...This time we have the NCL provided transport to the ship.

There will be 7 of us so I am assuming, nothing personal, but at least a sign that says "NCL Meeting area" or "NCL transport"

Thanks

They would never take a room if you didn't have a 21 or older in the room.  As said above all that needs to be done is *have* a 21 assigned to the room.

Once that's done, do what ever for cards and arrangements.

Its what I had to do for the three room coming up.  Me, the wife and oldest daughter, each as the grown up in the room...

Probably pretty dumb rule, but some box somewhere needs to be checked.

I will double down on the just book everything through NCL.  Once you get the lay of the land and get the ports and off/on the ship it is worth the peace of mind to have NCL and their contract to make sure you are where you need to be when you need to be.  🙂

You can always skip the free bonuses, the dinners and drink package are free but will add on gratuity.  Many people whine that these are not truly free, but most people get the cost and have no problem with it.  But to eliminate a few hundred on the cost, just get Free wifi (250 minutes) and $50 excursion credit.   If you don't think you will eat or drink the extras.

The buffet is always open, the drinks that are included is tea, some fruit drinks and water (non-bottled)  There are also some restaurants that are included, O' Sheehan's and just found out breakfast at Margaritaville.

Otherwise, try everything they have to offer to include the restaurants and drinks.  Didn't mention your daughters age, but assuming if over 18, she could drink and gamble as well.  Although passport is really recommended, just need a state ID and birth certificate to actually cruise.  If major injury you will have issues flying home from foreign airport, but an injury like that and that might be the least of your worries.  Some of these are cost savings, all are personal recommendations. 

I will say, once you get Balcony you will never go lower....LOL...

On 1/18/2020 at 10:47 AM, coloradocruiselover88 said:

So just for giggles, I priced out a 7 day all inclusive with airfare from Denver to St. Lucia at Sandals Resort (mid tier) for a party of two it came in at a little over $6600.00......May 2020

 

Not apples to apples, but close..........

Yep that is what I have seen, which is pretty fair for a couple vs my example, but even early booking a few discounts and you really start at $5k for an all inclusive.

I am one of those people that notice it is getting higher and higher, but the daily rate is still the driver for me.  7 days, balcony, some entertainment, different things to do, and all food, at $100ish for all of that I am hard pressed to find a hotel with all the amenities and stay under that price point. 

Just rough numbers for 4 people.  Most hotels (Wisconsin dells, for example) 200 per night. 7 Nights, 1400, maybe breakfast is included maybe not,  then lunch and dinner.($10,$15,$20=$1260) So before any activities and being rather modest with the food costs, you just rang in at $2700.

Maybe you go to one movie per day ($10*4)7)) now creeping up on $3k...And thats not even a zoo, or much else.

So until the cost of a cruise really starts to climb quite a bit higher, I will take my balcony room with 4 for $4k.  I know the OP is talking about just 2 people and the numbers would probably skew more towards the normal vacation, but the memories and experiences are what really make it worth it.  IMHO.

Margaritaville at Sea for breakfast.  Going to try this in May.  Never bothered to stop by there, but they were usually empty, just behind rails so never thought about it.

I got mine with free or reduced air and so far no sale can touch it.  Now give me the $1000 and free air and I would be ecstatic. 

Right now its about $1000 under what I paid, but no free air.  Time to break out the calculator....

Wow, just looked them up.  Nice.  For some reason they stuck in my mind as a Spirit Air kind of flight.

Now I wouldn't be hurt to fly them.

Following this thread with great interest.  Leaving Chicago to Miami and I had looked on the dates and only AA (yay, have good status with them) had flights that would get us there (party of 7) but looking at the spreadsheet, seems there was one AA, one Jetblue and one United...I get the AA and United, but isn't Jetblue considered discount?  I was thinking only major carriers would be used.

Thank you, was leaning toward the boat, found a few reviews here on that beach club with not too many actual recommendations.