gwsster

I don't see where there is a Balcony Room for less than $999. There are Insides for as low as $499.00 on the Sun. I don't know when your cruise is, but I would do a dummy booking to see if there is that much of a difference. Is $1800 your total price or per person? You need to do a dummy booking and compare with your documents. If you are after final payment, there isn't much that can be done as far as a refund. You might get an upgrade to a mini suite or what I call a deluxe balcony. This is what is on NCL's cruise line for the SUN when I looked just now. This is without port fees or taxes.

I am still waiting for a pending charge to come off of a Citibank card (Costco) at 20 days now. I called NCL and the Woman in billing stated before I could tell her which card said "you put the deposit on a Citibank card" I said right! She advised me that Citibank takes 30 to 35 days for the pending charges to fall off. She advised to use any other card if you want pending charges to fall off in 5 to 10 business days. The other advice she said is NEVER use a Visa or Mastercard Debit card for any cruise deposits on board. This is a Credit card problem, not an NCL problem.

ATM cards, even those with a Visa/MC logo used for pending charges in your account could make accessing $$$ impossible if you carry low balances. Pending charges put a lock on funds in your bank account attached to the ATM card.

A credit card hold on your Visa or Mastercard (not a debit Visa or M/C) will put a hold on your credit limit. Make sure you have enough available credit or funds in your bank account if you use a Debit Card before setting out on vacation, could save you a headache.

Sad to say, some people innocently don't know how different cards work and find out the hard way.

We were on a Pacific Coastal the first week in May. We were in a Balcony room.

Ship condition: Showed some wear and tear but overall thought it was in pretty good shape.

The room was good, but the flooring in need of repair. The balcony cork was gone and you stuck to the balcony. This was a forward port side room.

Room: Lovely room, very comfortable bed, and PLENTY of storage. View was amazing and saw a Humpack breach about 7 times from our balcony after leaving Endicott Arm.

We saw many whales out of Long Beach, and San Francisco. Sea Otters in Victoria.

Food: Buffet was not so good and only ate dinner there once and breakfast once. Loved Cagney's. Moderno was ok. O'Sheehan's is a nice go to for breakfast lunch or dinner.

We didn't do the Buffets, went to O'Sheehans often and the main Dining rooms, Teppanyaki, Cagney's and Le Bistro. We did "try" a pool side breakfast, poor cook dropped the spatula x3 and the "Omelet" was a burned scramble.

Bar Service: Amazing. Had the UBP and never had to wait for service. They didn't skimp on the booze!

Agree, we did not have the UBP but the drinks were good and no skimping on the booze. The service was quick.

Entertainment: Keep in mind I'm in my early 40's and the crowd for this trip probably averaged a bit higher in age. Personally, I think the entertainment was sub-par. The lounge singers were painful to listen to. I did enjoy the magician/comedian, the Perfect Couple show, and the Liars Club show. Deal or No Deal was a complete bust. Don't waste your money. I noticed that at times there was nothing going on that I was interested in and then there were times were I had to choose between 3 events I wanted to go to.

This is the same opinion my DH and I had and we are in our very early 60's LOL! The lounge singers except for the house band Soul Singer (I think that was their name) and Alambre were OK. The Comedians were GREAT. The production shows (Band on the Run) were cheesy and we didn't stay. Really, if you are going to poor $$ into a show, why not something with a little sophistication?

This was my 3rd cruise with NCL. I have been to the Greek Isles as well as Europe on previous cruises. This by far is a more relaxed cruise. The dress is very relaxed and the vibe is very relaxed.

I have been on 4 or 5 NCL cruises, have been on Princess and Disney too, trying Celebrity in the fall. I cruise for the itinerary and love cruising. I love the relaxed atmosphere on NCL and one reason I choose to sail with them, DH does NOT like formal nights on other cruise lines. The staff were very good and attentive, even though we don't ask for much. This ship (the Jewel) is scheduled for refurb in the fall of 2018, I think some rooms won't be able to wait that long.

Overall we had a very nice cruise.

We did too, and found that your findings were very similar to what we experienced on the Jewel.

YEP! Rented from Costco Budget, picked up at our tiny airport location as it was the closest to our home. Dropped it off in Torrance CA near the Port of Los Angeles. There is NO requirement to pick up or drop off at an airport. Did the same think in Hawaii on the POA cruise and no airport requirement. Go to Costco and they will give you many choices of rental car agencies and locations. Locations are easy to find via the map provided.

Booking through Costco...incorrect...we've rented many times using them for various pickup/drop off combinations. As recently as last month (Budget) picking up at FLL and returning to 17th Street location.

I agree, The Symphony of the Seas would be too "busy" with an estimated 6,360 passengers on board. This is too many humans for me, even though the ship is HUGE. I would prefer not to be in a port that has several Mega Ships disgorging on the same day, too crowded and not fun.

Definitely agree. Vacationing on a floating city doesn't really appeal to us at all.

Walkie Talkies are worthless on a ship. I take a tiny 2x2 pad of post it notes and stick a note of what time I will be back and where I think I am going....(this is always subject to change:D) I am never gone more than an hour or so without checking in. I get up early and like to get out of the room, DH likes to sleep so I leave him alone.

What is the best walkie talkies to take on a cruise

 

 

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I will be taking my first Celebrity Cruise in September. I hope that the loud music is a bad rumor. I don't know why restaurants and ships and other public venues think that LOUD music is an asset. Screaming to have a conversation at dinner is not fun and with crowed tables next to each other; dinner ends up being a shout fest. Cruises are supposed to be relaxing not agitating.

Chelsea was our Butler on the Pride of America. She was responsive and met our needs and wants very well. The room Steward was amazing too!

Isn't there a sofa in each suite that coverts to a bed?

The beds in those staterooms do not separate.

From the NCL Website, In FAQ section under Alcohol and Beverages. I put in bold the area of Alcohol not being allowed to be consumed if brought back on board from a port visit. That being said, I am sure there have been "exceptions" to the rule, but the written NCL policy is below.

Can I bring alcohol on board?

All guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships. Please note that with the exception of Wine and Champagne, all guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships. If you purchase any alcohol at one of our ports-of-call or in our onboard shops, we will safely store your purchase(s) and either on the final night of the cruise or the morning of debarkation it will be available for pick up in a designated area.

Wine & Champagne Policy

Guests may bring bottles of wine and champagne on board. When bottles are brought on board and served or consumed in any restaurant, public room area or in their stateroom, a corkage fee will be charged according to bottle sizes noted below.

750 ml Bottle: $15.00 USD

1,500 ml Magnum: $30.00 USD

Wine or champagne sent directly to the ship by travel agents, friends, family, etc. or from another retail source, are subject to the same fees. Box wines are not allowed on board.

Have you been able to bring on bottles of wine at a port, pay the corkage and then drink it? I thought only DCL allowed you to do that (among the America-based cruise lines I have sailed, anyway).

Clarification....The corkage fee only applies to wine brought on board. You cannot bring wine on in ports to drink while on the cruise (even with paying a corkage fee). It is in their terms and conditions.You can buy wine, but they will store it for you until you leave the ship. I had to check as we were wanting to bring some for consumption during the cruise. A nice CC member alerted me to the T&C's that only Wine and Champagne can be consumed onboard only when brought on board at embarkation. The OBC can be used for all kinds of cocktails though and wine by the glass or if you want to burn it on a bottle you can do that too.

Thank you! That's what we'll use it for then, and indulge in some cheap good red wines from Rome. :D

Thanks! I have the ANSWER. I called Citibank Visa "SHAWN" who told me that it was up to NCL to cancel the hold and that they can release the hold after 30 days. THEN I called NCL, There is a recorded message that states that pending charges to your card will fall off 3 to 5 business days after the cruise ends. I stayed on the line and "ABBY" an NCL Customer Service Rep came on the line. I stated my concern of the pending charges and she stated that "You have Citibank" Voila! That is the ticket. She advised me that all other bank charges fall off between 3 to 5 business days EXCEPT Citibank who releases the charges between 30 to 35 days. ABBY also told me she advises cruisers never to use a debit card and a credit card other than Citibank for cruise deposits. Citibank "SHAWN" states that we wouldn't be billed for the pending charges. Thanks SHOF515 for the advice to make the calls.

that's a problem with your credit card company. complain to them, not NCL. Most credit card company's release the holds after a few days, some take weeks. Maybe you should call up your credit card company and ask them.

We were on the Epic a couple of years ago and I saw where a baby spit up and a quarter size drop of formula landed on the floor. The Hazmat team came in and cleaned it up.

On my cruise on the Jewel many years ago my family and I saw someone throw up on the floor. In a matter of minutes people with hazmat outfits on came to clean up the floor. I had no idea that it was serious business if someone looses their lunch.

Yes you can. We used our OBC for the corkage fee and it was taken off the $100.00 credit given to us by NCL. There is a table that you go to in the terminal and they sticker your bottles of wine. We actually left $$ on our account.

Not to hijack the thread but I have a quick question about using OBC from a TA. Can it be used to cover the $15 corkage fee if we bring wine onboard? It's not a huge credit ($50) but it would cover 3 bottles so that's something! :D

We had a great time on our cruise. I left $26.00 in non refundable credit on my cruise that ended May 5th. Now if NCL will release the $300.00 credit card hold on my Visa card I would be so appreciative. We left the cruise owing nothing...Nada. How long does it take for NCL to remove the hold?

I did not have any problem using my OBC on my NCL cruise on the Getaway last January. I actually left the ship with only a$75 on my account! Best one yet! [emoji41]

 

 

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I never skip one of your replies on CC. The last line of this post is humorous as long as you are the observer and not a participant in the Noro roulette.

Bingo, Pam.

The best description of noro I've heard is "for 2-3 days, you won't die, but you'll wish you had", and seeing the results in the medical center waiting room, where folks just can't control both ends at the same time isn't real pretty either.

I found our cabin and that of our neighbors cabin were in need of new carpet and decking. Sticking to the balcony was odd. I love sitting out on the balcony but the cork decking had eroded and was stuck to the chair legs on the balcony.

I liked the entertainment more than DH, but the Band on the Run show was very Hokey and cartoonish, which was a shame as the cast were very talented. The food was good, dining service was very good in the main dining rooms. The crew were very nice and competent. Our room Steward Mary Ann was very nice and always left our room in great shape. I had a great time but hopefully NCL will do some cabin refurbs on the Jewel a little sooner than 18 months as anticipated. The CC members were very nice and you Coffee Goddess did a great job organizing the Meet and Greet and other CC activities.

Man that balcony deck was awful, and the entire deck 14 was just about the same. I don't know what was going on with that but that needs to get fixed soon.

 

I had the same issues with the grainy TV when I was watching the navigation channel and it took several tries for my safe to work. Quite frankly I was a little surprised at all this since it was dry docked in 2014 and there were none of these issues in March last year when my mom and I were on. That's too bad about the specialty meals, it's not good to get a meh meal in a free venue but when you pay extra for it that's a let down.

I asked the Hotel Director on this cruise and was told that the refurb wasn't until October of 2018. Our cabin was well appointed but the carpet and decking was in a very worn condition. I hope they start replacing the cabin carpets long before October of 2018.

How true! Will not experience this ship until October of this year, and it's disappointing to hear about the entertainment, but as we all know, entertainment and food are very subjective, and many things can change between now and October. NCL has the most options in places to dine, and IMO, in general, has by far the best entertainment, especially on the big ships. I would not let one cruise experience on a ship which will soon be getting a refurb put me off the line totally, but nothing wrong with testing the water elsewhere.

Holy smoke, I have been on many NCL cruises and I have never seen this vending machine. Kirsten, You are a great blogger and I can't believe the great detail you have provided along with photo's

Jan

If you need any emergency pain relief or prophylactic they have a vending machine right outside the port restrooms on 6 between the casino and the theatre.

 

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LOL! I can't believe you caught our wedding ring scavenger search. My rings were loose too, but I didn't loose mine. We found DH's ring under our neighbor cruisers table. I was so tickled that about 10 people joined in the search and the young lady that found the ring raised the ring in her hand above her head and shouted "I FOUND IT!"

Apple Pie ala mode and the great dropped wedding ring search at the table across from me came to a happy conclusion with ring found and applause all around.

 

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He was out of line...Doors were open, you had your name tags out and everything was set up. The only thing missing was the ships sign in sheet. If he had never showed up the meeting would have happened because of you Coffee Goddess. His failure to show up on time was not your responsibility.

So, Luis, the group coordinator; not impressed. I did get a letter confirming our time and date along with a call from him on the same. I do not remember his call asking me to call him back nor did the letter say to do that otherwise I woild have.

 

I get to Le Bistro at about 10:30 so that I can put out my pre-made name badges and also to help out with anything. The doors are open, there's no "private function" sign, and no one is around although the drinks and pastries are set up. I'm waiting there holding people from coming in since I know they'll have a sign in sheet and blank name badges but by 10 to there's still no one there except for the set up people so I just let everyone in.

 

A few minutes later he finally shows up and gets all pissy with me because people are in there and he has his sign in sheets. Some of the cruisers say the doors were wide open and he blames me for nothing be set up in front because I didn't call him back. Said that a couple of times too, and attitude was definitely noticed by the people there. He goes up front and closes the doors so he can have people sign in and the people inside go about signing in and making name tags.

 

The rest went well, the officers made their introductions and I had just enough goody bags since 10 of them were there.

 

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I don't know who the guy was, but his attitude and behaviors should have been checked at the door. I was taken aback at his manner to you in front of several CC members. Wow.

Meet and greet getting started with the pissiest group planner ever.

 

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Coffee Goddess, you were a GREAT coordinator and a pleasure to meet. I loved getting the cabin crawl reminder card on our door. I had a great time with the CC group. You did a fantastic job and I thank you VERY much.

Picked up some photo paper to make cabin crawl reminders while I was out and about. I was going to do post cards but this was on sale and I can send some pictures to my mom.

 

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Yes! $15.00 per bottle corkage fee for 750 ml bottle. There is a $30.00 for the Magnum size bottles. We just got back 3 hours ago from the Jewel. They put a sticker on the bottles and you take them to your restaurant on board. At the restaurant they can tag the bottle and store it and retrieve it for you at any restaurant. You can also carry it back to your room. There is no limit on the Wine/Champagne bottles that you can carry on. No hard liquors are allowed. Those that smuggle them risk being caught. We brought 2 bottles and left one 2/3 full on the ship. The drinks on board were good and we paid by the drink and didn't think it was too bad. 1 Bay Breeze, 1 Scotch rocks and 1 Gin and Tonic and a plain tonic water was $38.00 inc the 18% gratuity.

What about bringing wine onboard? I know they charge you a small corkage fee, but how does it work from there? Will they hold my wine for me (at correct temperature) and bring it to whatever restaurant I want it at? Or do I need to carry it around for the length of the cruise until I want it?

Confusing at best. I posted the FAQ's from the NCL site that I copied and pasted below that states that any alcohol bought at a port of call will be collected and saved until you are able to pick it up at the end of the cruise.

As suggested, I went to the FAQs and after some digging I found the answer. Yes you can restock at any port, just declare it and they will move you to another person who will charge your cabin.

 

 

Can I bring water or soda on board?

Effective for sailings July 15, 2016 and beyond, guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages -- including liquor, beer and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, soda and juices -- on board either as carry-on or checked luggage, with the exception of purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers for use in conjunction with medical devices or for the reconstitution of infant formula; and fully sealed and/or corked wine bottles for personal consumption onboard that is subject to screening and a corkage fee (for guests 21 years of age or older). Open beverages of any kind must be consumed or discarded at the security check-point, on embarkation day and at any port of call. This revised policy brings the company in line with other best practice travel security protocols and reduces the need for individual time consuming screening and package inspection of large volumes of beverages.

 

Why the change in policy?

The inspection of large volumes of beverages has an impact on the embarkation process and security resources. As one example, guests who attempt to smuggle alcoholic beverages onboard often try to do so in beverage containers. This means all beverages must be personally screened, taking both time and dedicated personnel.

This modified policy will now bring us in line with other travel industry procedures for transporting beverages and allow security personnel to focus on other screening efforts and not individually inspecting all beverages being brought onboard.

 

What if I purchase a beverage in a port of call?

Guests will not be permitted to bring any beverages onboard the ship in ports of call and any locally-purchased beverages will be disposed of prior to embarkation. No open containers of beverages, including water, will be allowed onboard during a port of call.

If you purchase any alcohol at one of our ports-of-call or in our onboard shops, we will safely store your purchase and either on the final night of the cruise or the morning of debarkation it will be available for pick up in a designated area.

 

What happens if I bring a case of water to the ship?

Guests who bring beverages to embarkation will be directed to return the items to their vehicle. If the guest does not have a vehicle onsite, the items will be disposed of.

 

If I need to bring water or milk onboard for a medical reason or infant, what’s the process?

Guests who have special needs, medical requirements, or families with infants who require water for formula or milk, should contact the access desk at accessdesk@ncl.com to verify if an exception can be made for their beverage and to obtain pre-approval to provide to security at embarkation.

 

Is the water onboard safe to drink?

All of our ships produce water in accordance with the guidelines and requirements as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Environmental Health.

 

Can I still bring wine on board?

Yes, guests may bring sealed bottles of wine on board for personal consumption. They will be checked prior to embarkation and a corkage fee applied at that time of $15.00 USD for a 750 ml Bottle or $30.00 USD for a 1,500 ml Magnum bottle. Box wines are not allowed on board. If guests do not wish to pay the corkage fee, the wine will be held onboard and returned to the guests at the end of the cruise.

 

Why can I bring wine but not other beverages?

As very few guests bring wine onboard, the team is able to easily and quickly screen these items.

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