graphicguy

Yeah...I think their bookings are strong based on what I've seen shopping for sailings over the next 6-8 months. Not scientific by any stretch but I'm seeing multiple categories of cabins sold out on multiple sailings and itineraries 90 days out. That's strong!

Agree about the foie gras! Despise liver ANYTHING! Can’t eat anything that has liver in it, on it, around it…..period!

I hear you! 7 day cruise? Nothing but a roll aboard that fits in the overhead and a back pack that fits under the seat. If I can't fit everything I need in those two pieces of luggage, I've packed too much and deletions must occur! Checked bags? Just more "stuff" I have to drag around to/from an airport, a cruise terminal, transport services. And, I think it's a 50-50 shot checked bags are "lost" by the airlines. My luggage is with me at all times.

NCL's WEB site has been funky the last several weeks. It's slow and glitchy. I don't know if they're revamping it (just a guess on my part), or they hired some kindergarten kids to support it. Either way, it has to cost them business if there isn't accurate cabin availability and revenue producing "upgrade" purchase opportunities. That said, I keep an eye on the cruise I booked for February on the Prima. We're ~80 days out and the Haven and Suite categories are showing sold out, which seems a bit early for those categories to be already unavailable. But, who knows? Bookings may very well be that strong.

Big 'Ole.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

I'll keep my eyes peeled on this one. I don't need a reason to cruise. And, I LOVE the Bliss. I've sailed Alaska as late as October and never had weather that would keep me from going on the excursions. Plus, Alaska has the best excursions as any other geographic locale for their beauty. I still have CN certs I can use, too. Depends on my mood this summer...when I'd probably book it. Probably see price movement between now and then, also.

WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!! Tempting!

Amen, my friend! Gave it a cursory look. Nothing that would make me dive in. But, I have a feeling that could change.

Sounds sold out. I don’t think bidding matters unless there are “no shows” at the last minute on embarkation day. Doesn’t hurt to keep your bids. No harm, no foul!

Got a similar coupon last year. Looks like Latitude coupon are staring back up. Just got this one in my account.... Your Exclusive 10% Off Coupon – Latitudes Cruise, Norwegian Bliss, September 28th, 2024 XXXXXXXXXXXX 10% Off Expires On9/25/2024 Sail by10/5/202

Just as an FYI, I sailed in a non-Haven Aft Suite on the Gem a few years ago. As others pointed out, the Haven area pool was quite small and there was no Haven Bar and Restaurant. But, my suite also had access to Cagney's for Breakfast and Lunch. Plus, I had access to the Concierge, also. She set up by the Cagney's bar area every day. I also had access to a Butler. So, moral of the story, if you don't need/want access to the Jewel Class pool area, you can save some money and just book a suite and get all the other amenities outlined above.

What's done is done. So, if you don't want to change the flights/hotel I'm not sure there's much you can do. I guess the questions I have are... -Where are you flying from? Will bad weather possibly be a factor to delay or cancel your flight(s)? -Is your flight direct? Or, are their connections which could make your risk of delay more likely? -Are there alternate flights that will get you to the port on time if any of your flight(s) are delayed or cancelled? The good news is the cruise port is less than 10 miles from the airport.

I concur. NCL's WEB site will many times not allow booking any cabin that it shows as available. I contact my TA and she says that means it's booked or unavailable because it's sold out, regardless of what the WEB site shows. So, best to call your PCC or TA and get more accurate availability.

I've actually been "hooked" on sailing solo since my girlfriend and I sent our separate ways. Agree with you that it's fun to share cruising adventures with someone. But, after 5 solo cruises, I've come to really enjoy it. Wouldn't dissuade me from cruising with someone else again. But, I have no hesitation at all in cruising solo. It has its own rewards.

OP….I like the Jewel class ships. You kind of got the best of both worlds….Alaska itinerary and a nice cabin to view it in. Enjoy your trip.

Will be last post on this topic as this is @mking8288 thread and review! I am going with my credit card’s travel perks and their insurance. (AMEX). Those extra cost policies just don’t provide me with enough RELIABLE coverage. I’m not decrepit by any stretch. But, I do go to a Doc for one thing or another more than 2-3 times per year! I have cardio stents which are successful, and regularly monitored by my heart Doc. All of this would disqualify me for coverage with 3rd party policies. Getting transport home, replacing lost luggage, etc is what my AMEX covers. Might be a different story if I was in perfect health, hadn’t been to a Doc in a long time, etc. But, odds of me needing insurance if I was in perfect health would be low to begin with! Sorry Henry…;)

Been in the Haven on both the Breakaway and the Getaway. Never had any issue with either. Smaller than the Epic's Haven, but never had any issue with not being able to dine in the Haven Restaurant or Drink in the Haven Bar any time I wanted. That said, I agree that I liked Epic's Haven better. It has recently been refurbished, also.

Had a friend who had a heart attack a week before cruising. He was OK, but had a couple of stents inserted. Doc recommended against cruising as he wanted to follow up with him the week of the cruise. His insurance wouldn’t cover the refund as my friend had seen the same Doc a month earlier. They considered it a pre-existing condition based solely on that visit. My sister tried to file on her cruise insurance when her flight to Europe was cancelled and couldn’t be rescheduled until the next day. Insurance said they wouldn’t cover it because it wasn’t their fault that the Middle East situation caused the flight cancelation. I don’t know how they came to that conclusion as there was no indication that it had anything to do with the break out of war in a country thousands of miles away from where she was embarking. They did offer to get her to the next possible port. But, that was 2 days later. A former work friend lost her job with my former company due to a “reduction in force”. She had coverage for her cruise to cover losing her job. Since it was an out and out firing for alleged performance issues (it was actually a personality conflict with her boss) or massive layoff (to my knowledge they just let her go), they wouldn’t pay out. Those scenarios have soured me on travel insurance….spending hundreds to be covered, finding out the insurance companies find ways to weasel out of paying for flimsy reasons.

Yay….looking forward to reading about your trip, too!

Henry…..looking forward to this review. Side note….beginning to change my mind about cruise insurance. I know 2 people who were denied medical coverage/payment due to their “pre-existing” conditions. Frankly, that’s the biggest part of having insurance..coverage for big medical bills if something that occured years ago occurs again while at sea or in a foreign port. The payout terms for missing a flight or losing luggage are so restrictive, it’s difficult to collect, according to yet another person who tried to get coverage recently!

Amen!!!!

Yeah. Have an Air B&B booked near the port as there’s a lot to do the night before. Got a good deal for $155. But, Lyft is $100 from IAH to the port area. NCL is ½ that amount of I stayed at the airport.

Did this one where I was fortunate to meet @ChiefMateJRK and his beautiful wife this past Spring. Hope you find it helpful.... https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2925605-live-alaska-ncl-bliss-04-22-2023-to-04-29-2023-review/

Just booked one way back to IAH from the cruise port. It was $39, but have to reconfirm that. Couldn't book it from IAH because I am coming in the day before.