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jmele999

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Posts posted by jmele999

    Changing a Yacht club cruise

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Hello all,

     

    We are currently booked on a Caribbean cruise in the Yacht club for February 2025, but thinking about changing to a Middle East cruise for the same week. If we change the reservation, do we keep the same perks or do we get the perks currently being offered?

     

    Thanks.

    "I will NEVER Cruise NCL AGAIN!!"

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    7 hours ago, phillygwm said:

     

     

    I will say that NCL has mis-stepped by reducing premium services.  For example, Premium Plus/FAS+ should be a high margin upgrade.  Why would NCL dissuade travelers from opting into it?  I can understand moving certain drinks from basic to Plus level (though that will certainly upset folks,) as it may incent more people to upgrade.  However, taking drinks off the Plus menu is counterproductive because people will stay at basic.  Go ahead, raise the price within reason; most will still opt in.  

    Totally agree with this.  If people are paying extra for a product, why does NCL feel that they can decrease the quality of the service.  The more they cut, the less likely people will be to pay extra for the Premium plus package.  

    • Like 5

    NCL-sponsored city tours after panama canal cruise

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    23 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:


    I don’t think you will find too many folks yet who’ve ended an NCL cruise in Panama. Tomorrow, the Gem is leaving out of NY for its first cruise ending in Panama City. (I’ll be aboard. 😊) I know that a number of folks on our Roll Call who are flying home from there would love to see an excursion that ends at the airport, but so far nothing. I think it’s really a new thing for NCL. 
     

    Good luck!

    Thanks.  The Jewel is doing a series of Panama Canal cruises which start and end in Panama.  The reason for my question is that most flights from Panama to the US are in the afternoon.   

    $500 CruiseNext Haven Deposits

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Can anyone share their experience with the $500 CruiseNext Haven Deposits.   I know that you can use them as a full deposit for a Haven suite, but I am wondering if you get a second $500 certificate (also know as onboard credit) when you pay for a $500 Haven cruise deposit.  Or is it that the $500 Haven deposit is worth $1000?

     

    Gratuities/Daily Service Charges increasing!!

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    4 hours ago, graphicguy said:
    4 hours ago, graphicguy said:

    Just did a quick faux booking on a random date in April 23.  New(er) ship (Encore), in typical Caribbean itinerary.  7 nites.

     

    Sail Away (no perks) in a Balcony was about $1,400 and change.  Port fees, taxes, trash disposal fees, etc was about 17%.

     

    FAS adds about $300 to the cost.  Fees, taxes etc stays the same but their percentage of total cost drops to 14%

     

    But, to me $300 for a week’s worth of unlimited drinks, a couple of Specialty Dinners (I’d get another 2 because of Latitudes for a total of 4), some internet and some excursion credits is a good deal.

     

    Percentages for taxes is about in line.  While I’ve certainly spent less per day for a cruise, $200-$240/nite all in is certainly in line with what you’d spend on a nice land based hotel (without drinks or food).  And, the fees and taxes are about what they’d be vs a land based hotel, too.

     

    This topic has churned ad infinitum.  I have my own issues with NCL….mostly around customer service.  But, taxes and fees fall in line with luxury hotels/resorts.  

     

    I don’t care what the crew make.  The crew I’ve met were all on multiple contracts and would come back for a new one if offered.  If they’re happy, I’m happy.

     

    I look at total out of pocket.  How that total is divided up really doesn’t matter to me.  They can slice and dice my dollar any way they want.  It doesn’t matter to me.  If they aren’t paying well enough, crew will leave.  Simple as that.  I don’t believe that’s the case, though.

     

    Last month, I was on a New England Cruise on Breakaway.  Excursions were great.  Ship was top notch.  Drinks were good, food was even better, entertainment was great.   Enjoyed myself immensely (hanging with other CCers as a resulting in having a good time).

     

    Without using some FCC and throwing OBC into the mix, the total out of pocket, tips, fees, taxes, DSC….EVERYTHING, I was less than $100/nite.  That’s the cost of a hotel in a not so nice part of town in a fair Motel 6 type hotel, and no food, drink or entertainment.  To me, that’s a good deal.  Everything else discussed here is superfluous.

     

     

     

    Quick question.  How do you get 2 specialty dinners on a 7-day cruise? I thought that NCL was only offering one dinner on 7-days cruises.

    New Latitudes Member Discount on Beverage Packages Question

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    1 hour ago, PATRLR said:

    First thing that jumped to my mind is this is a step on the path towards open bar no longer being a FAS offering that most everyone gets for "free".

    Now if I am correct, then this might be a latitudes benefit with actual value.

    This is exactly what I was thinking regarding the discount.  However, it would be hard to have to pay for the drink package after so many years of having it for "free".  If that is the case, I wonder if cruise prices are going to decrease.

     

    • Haha 1

    NCL Introduces new "Free At Sea Plus" Packages

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    1 hour ago, kdawg954 said:

     

    Gonna redo the math here a bit.

     

    So on a 5 night cruise, the total package upgrade is $490 ($49 a day p/p) + $58 for Premium Beverage gratuities + $22.60 for 2-Meal Specialty Dining Gratuities for a final total of $570.60

     

    Separately:

     

    Premium Plus is $348 (gratuity included) for 5 nights and 2 people

    Specialty Dining Upgrade is $141.60 (gratuity included) for the 2 meal upgrade for 2 people

    Plus the $100 extra for the 2 excursions taken without this new promo (only first person got $50)

     

    So that cost would be $589.60

     

    So in your case you saved $19 with the package upgrade. . . but this does not factor in the unlimited internet for two devices or potential for additional excursions $50 savings.

     

    With the internet value added in at $179.90 for two devices . . . The paid separate cost would be up to $769.50 vs. the $570.60 you would pay if you purchase the FAS Plus upgrade.

     

    If you had more excursions booked through the cruise line, your savings would increase more.

     

    So honestly, this package upgrade makes the most sense if you were going to upgrade your Beverage Plan (definitely) and your internet plan.  If the Beverage upgrade isn't an option, skip this entirely.  If the Beverage Plan was an option but internet upgrade wasn't, then you need to see if you can offset value between the dining package and the shore excursions.

     

    Solid deal for those who were going to take advantage of all that is provided.

    I was under the impression that the gratuities for the drink package and the extra 2 meals were already included in the $49 p/p day.  How do they calculate the gratuity for the drink package?

    NCL Upgrade Advantage upgrade- how long does it take NCL to respond? And what amount likely gets accepted?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Because those sailings have a lot of empty rooms (60% capacity), I would think that NCL will be accepting offers fairly quickly.  In the past, some people have removed their offers because they were taken too long to be approved or denied.  NCL will want to secure the extra  money as soon as possible. 
     

    We received some offers to upgrade to a suite on our August 8 sailings out of Athens, but the minimum offer was high (50% of the current value of the suite) 

    • Like 1

    What to expect for international airfare when booking thru NCL

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    57 minutes ago, vtredhd2014 said:

    I appreciate all the information shared regarding NCL’s air program.  I am learning a great deal.  My husband and I are looking at a cruise in 2023, flying from OKC to London to cruise the British Isles.  I still have a couple questions which maybe someone on here can answer.  When booking the cruise to include the airfare/2nd free, they are charging $1150, plus other fees, so nearly $1500.  Will this amount ever change with the current airline market or is it fixed? If I find better pricing prior to the cruise may I opt out of NCL’s airfare program?  I do realize it would be necessary to do it so many days or months out from cruise date or final payment.  I do tend to like the option of doing airfare myself so we can add days to our itinerary before or after cruise for additional sightseeing, etc.  what is your overall views of NCL’s flight programs?

    The price that NCL quoted you for flights will stay the same unless you make a chance to your reservation.  The additional fees are probably transfer cost. You can decline the NCL's airfare program up to final payment. 

    Appears as though the Jade August sailings are about to get the Gem/Joy treatment.

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I am feeling a little bit more optimistic about the sailings from Athens for several reasons.

     

    1) If they were going to cancel these cruises, they would have done it already.  

     

    2) The messages that we are getting on NCL do not indicate that the cruises will be cancelled.  Previously, the screen said "cruise on hold"  

     

    3) They have a charter scheduled for August 15th.  It is more difficult to cancel a charter as they probably signed a contract.

     

    4) Two sailings have already made final payment.  We are getting ready to make final payment early next week.

     

    Fingers and toes crossed.

    • Like 2

    Encore to replace the Bliss for 2021 Alaska Cruises?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, lux4me said:

    The Aug 7 sailing that was on the bliss is now showing not available.  

    I called NCL and they advised the bookings are frozen.   they have no other info

    Not related to the Bliss/Encore, but we are in a similar situation with the Jade out of Athens - all of the sailings are currently frozen, and supposedly it is because they are going to replace the Jade with another ship of the same class.   NCL has a big problem with communication.  A single statement on social media would help to prevent all of this confusion. 

    • Like 2

    NCL Mastercard FAQ

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    On 5/15/2021 at 2:14 PM, mscdivina2016 said:

    The upgrade is within the same category.  They have made more categories so its almost impossible. Just like Aft balcony is now its own category.

    So inside up to a higher inside, same with ocean view and balcony. That's it. No higher than a standard balcony.

    STeve

    Does that mean that you can't upgrade from a balcony or mini suite to an aft cabin?  We were planning on using 10,000 points to upgrade to an aft cabin on a panama canal cruise. 

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