Starry Eyes

I think that is what I am going to do :)

 

Question...can I redeem 10,000 for 2 slot play certificates??..

I do not think you can do two per cruise, but no harm in asking. Please come back and post if they allow it. I might consider doing that, too.

There is an awful lot of difference between the photos in post #2 and post #6. Are they really the same category?

 

Is there any way to see what type you might get without searching CC?

I believe those are both, indeed, category ok. The view and configuration of these cabins vary, and searching websites like this one seems like a good way to see the differences. I think NCL lists these cabins as 100% obstructed, so any view one gets is, in a sense, a bonus...I doubt NCL gives better info than you,d find here.

There was a program in Canada where you could get an Affinity card (basically branding for something you like), and the company and/or organization that you chose would receive a couple of cents per transation that you made.

 

It was primarily used by charities, or sports teams. Haven't heard about it lately, so not sure if it was discontinued.

that is a nice idea for a charity...if it were to do that, I would select a charity rather than NCL. I will make my "donations" to NCL via the casino instead.

...I really thought it said in the brochure at my Bank of America branch that you earn points....Anyone out there that has one of these debit cards? I am just frustrated with Bank of America and NCL right now for the lack of answers regarding this branding program.

If you can find a brochure offering points on the debit card, you may be more successful in getting relief. If not, it may just be a misunderstanding between the debit and credit card programs. If it does not offer benefits, I doubt many people have the NCL branded debit card...I do not (have credit card)...I suppose the picture on the card might make somebody happy, but advertising your interest in the company may be the only benefit. It is a pain to change card numbers and it is a shame if you did it for nothing.

I didn't even know the Dawn HAD a cat!

 

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Ha, ha...well, if they do have a cat, I am glad the cat is OK.

OP, some OK cabins have two elongated windows, as shown in the photo provided by Peg. Others have a single larger window. All are obstructed, but the amount of obstruction varies. If you are considering booking one, you may wish to jot down the available cabin numbers, then use the search function on this forum to look for info and photos about the cabin...When you do so, remember the mirror image cabin on the opposite side will have basically the same view, so you can search that cabin number, too. Also remember the Star is a sister ship, so the view from her cabins should be basically the same. Older pics may not show the latest TV or decor, but the structure and view probably did not change.

Maybe the sideways rooms have the shorter windows? I've been in the regular rooms and the ones I have seen had the tall windows.

Unfortunately, I don't think it is that simple...Based upon photos, I think some regular rooms have regular windows while others have elongated ones. I really think if somebody is considering one of these cabins and cares about the view, they should search this forum for the cabin number (or the corresponding one on the opposite side)...CC members give feedback and pics that can be very helpful.

The Jewel obstructed views on Deck 8 have the long windows & the lifeboats are level with Deck 8.

Hmm, I am rather sure that some have one large window...some have two smaller elongated windows.

It varies. some have a decent view. Others have a minimal view. some have a limited view through the windows of a lifeboat. The first few forward cabins have a small speedboat outside to below the window...these probably have the best view. Some cabins have two smaller elongated windows...other one larger window. I suggest you jot down available cabin numbers, then use the search function on cruise critic...often you will find posts and/or pics. Remember Jewel is sister ship to Gem and Pearl, so the cabins should have the same view on all of them.

I am not a big gambler, but each cruise a redeem 5000 points for $100 in slot play. I feel I get a lot of bang for my points that way as have a little fun on the slots and (so far) I have walked away from the casino further ahead than if I had taken $50 in OBC for my 5000 points.

HELP!

Ok, I think I was an idiot and didn't read properly when I signed up for this card two weeks ago for a $150 credit.

The moment I got the card, I purchased two shore excursions on it that came to $300. I ASSUMED, like other cards, I would see $150 credit put on my CREDIT CARD statement when I got it because I had used it to purchase from NCL.

My cruise is in a week, long before my first statement even closes and I get those 15,000 points credited to my account. How do I make this work?? Certainly I cant' ask for my $150 onboard credit next week before it's even credit to my account and my cruise will be over by the time it is.

Please don't tell me I have to take ANOTHER cruise to use those points for an onboard credit. I was counting on that $150 bonus... but it seems to not work like I thought.

If you are hopelessly over budget, you could cancel the shore excursions.

I dont know if is the only bargain cruiseline but $704pp for a balcony 7day cruise during Thanksgivng is cheaper than any other cruiseline

I am glad you grabbed that rate when you did. For departures Nov 16-18, I see balcony base prices Dawn $849, Jewel and Pearl $889, Star $899, Epic $979.

meanwhile Carnival includes Valor $654, Pride $649, Legend $699, Victory $689, Splendor $759, Liberty $769, Glory $794, Dream $839, Conquest $879, Magic $979 as lead prices for balconies.

royal caribbean's prices are a bit higher for balconies that week, I see $1019 and up. But Royal plays a bit of a pricing game with balconies, offering very nice balcony discounts to their mid to upper level loyalty members:D, so many people get a better rate on every balcony they book, shifting the supply and demand a bit for all.

I have at various times found fabulous prices on different lines, different weeks. Are those all now bargain lines? Maybe on some level all mainstream cruises are, indeed, bargain lines, as they offer a lot for the money, IMHO:D.

For over a decade NCL seems to have intentionally done things differently than other lines. Freestyle was developed to reach out to those who didn't want an assigned dining time, assigned table mates, assigned show time, etc. back when it started it was quite different than the other lines. NCL changed their dress code, not longer requiring formal wear certain nights. NCL added many extra restaurants choices back when other lines might have had one specialty restaurant. NCL adjusted the prices of those venues to spread people choices among venues and adjusted show times to help the flow through the venues. It is not perfect every night on every cruise, but I really think NCL has tried.

There is evidence that NCL's concepts have succeeded...nearly every line has added an open dining option. Most lines now have more specialty restaurants on their newer ships. Several lines have adjusted their dress codes over the years.

Not all cruisers like any of the above. There is a set of very traditional cruisers really dislike these concepts. NCL is not for them; some of them say NCL "cheapens" the cruise experience...whether the NCL's cost is more or less, they dislike it and it cheapens their experience. If people at other tables in the dining room are not dressed, the elegance of their evening is shattered. If other people are not assigned to dine and converse with them, the cruise experience is cheapened. Had NCL's freestyle concepts failed, some might have felt vindicated. Had NCL's concepts stayed confined to NCL ships, they could have written it off as a new cruisers line. But NCL's concepts have crept over onto other lines and even proven popular with many established cruisers, so imagine the frustration and vitriol of those who hate said changes in the industry. Well, you don't have to imaging, just come to cruise critic or have yourself seated at their dining table in traditional dining...you can get an earful. Or not, some very traditional cruisers are also Delightful, nonjudgemental and/or restrained. OK, perhaps my rant may also seem judgmental. I do not mind traditional dining. Depending upon table mates, I have had some lovely experiences and learned much from some cruise mates. But I also enjoy mixing in freestyle cruises. I try not to judge the dress of fellow cruisers and I do not they to guess their incomes.. I'd likely be wrong if I tried.

Interesting, isn't it?

Over the years, I have gotten terrific prices on various cruise lines and various itineraries. supply and demand accounted for the prices. some of those well priced cruises were fabulous trips...true bargains. Others trips were fine, not special.

When I sort by price per night into one of the cruise search engines, Carnival appears most frequently at the lower end of the price spectrum. NCL often makes appearances toward the lower end. Other cruise lines pop up at lower price per night, too. Generally older ships are lower per night than newer ones. some itineraries, like transatlantics, tend to cheaper per night than other itineraries. If a cruise has sold well, any or all of those lines may appear at the highest end of the cost per night spectrum.

For the person you likes NCL's style, they offer a good value. for those who do not like freestyle, NCL is a poor fit regardless of price. I dislike the assumption that people choose NCL because they are lower or middle income.

You will have one bed in each position, I believe...I think 11327 has bed by closet and 11329 has bed by balcony. you should have a nice view of the aqua theater and there is a public aft deck right at the end of the hall. I thin a narrow balcony divider can be opened. we were on deck 12 and loved it.

I think it has been to long to effectively seek any compensation for a cancelled event eight years ago. I suppose if you stress yourself out trying, you might lose weight again...;)

I hope you have a great cruise.

I understand it just fine. My point (for those who do not understand it) is that an added service fee that is not advertised or discussed until after you book that is 24% of your fare is a bit much for some people. But since it is not listed as part of your fare, it sounds like "only $ 12.00 per day" if you paid only $50 per day for your fare, to some people that is a chunk of change. At the same % of the fare, the 24% rate against an $1800 fare would be the same as a gratuity of $432 per person for the week! If they hit you up for that you might really scream. But they are not doing that, so instead, the lower priced cabins are paying a much larger % of their fares as a "service fee" So, yes, for the lower fares, it does make a significant difference.

I would feel badly for a newbie on a tight budget who booked a nonrefundable cruise without knowing about the DSC. I am not sure how often that happens, since Travel agents or direct booking agents should tell them before they finalize the booking. OTOH, the cruise lines also post language constantly about the right to add fuel supplements at any time (as oil has been above the threshold for a long time)...so long as the cruise lines do not suddenly add that too, hard to feel too badly about daily charges.

Ok..so to make the "theory "correct", replace suites with "balcony outside cabin" and reduce the fare to $1,800 and you still have a HUGE disparity between what the lower priced fare pays as a percentage of the fare for the same level of services. It is still significant for the person paying a $300 fare for an inside cabin to be "asked" to pay a 24% gratuity fee that is not advertised. Just tell people that the lowest fare is actually 24% higher. Again...just like a flat tax, regardless of service level.

Not a "theory" ... Reality ...what a concept!

The person on an inside cabin gets the same clean towels, clean bathroom, bed made, sheets changed, dining room meals, etc as ther person in a balcony cabin. Since the same services are expected and received, why shouldn't both passengers pay the same service charge?

Let's take it further...Let's say I book a cruise early and am fortunate to get a great deal with a residency rate on my inside cabin:D. You happen to book the same cabin category later, and living elsewhere, cannot get such a great price...you end up paying twice as much for your fare:(...We are in the same cabin category,might even have the same waiters and stewards, should we pay the same gratuity? Or should you pay twice as much as I do to keep the % the same? I submit, it is about service, not %, but you can pay more than I do, if you insist:cool:

I like both lines. there are more similarities than differences, but I enjoy the different styles. Epic is different from other NCL ships. she has wonderful entertainment and a a fun crew. loads of dining options. the cabin design is, well different, but couples usually manage.

the Freedom class of RCCL ships are terrific...I didn't really love RCCL until I boarded Independence of the Seas. Great layout. You will find lots to do on LOS

It will be interesting to see which you like better. You may find you like many things about each ship. Will you like Flowrider better than the Epic's plunge? I dunno. Will you like the ice show better than the Cirque or the jazz club? beats me . Which menus will appeal more? hard to guess. I hope you love them both...I do.

On Epic recently, received a packet containing all the Platinum benefit info. The laundry coupon specified a free bag of laundry on Thursday...The laundry special for the ship was Wednesday, but the Platinum coupon said only Thursday was free. so we waited until Thursday morning to bag up our laundry. I was returned, clean and pressed, on Friday evening, just in time to pack for Saturday disembarkation...

I'd have rather had the free laundry sooner, but it was free...can't complain, can I?

They also sell tickets for the shuttle from the port to airport or the hotel for 10 dol p/p .

 

 

About 10:10 AM the Ace Tour guys started to call people that purchased the shuttle to the port

 

OK.. I was told by the desk clerk that the shuttle service to the port was also free. Is this not the case??? We are using this hotel for our pre cruise hotel. Just trying to get all my expenses figured out before we leave.

THanks!

As a couple or family, rather than pay $10 pp for a shuttle, I would call a taxi...less waiting, no lost luggage concerns, no stopping at multiple piers..maybe a few dollars more for a couple, probably cheaper for three or four.

Three cabins on the whole fleet.

Can you be sure they will be affordable? If demand is strong, those cabins might end up priced just a bit a cabin with a full single supplement.

Maybe you could look for cruises offering a inside cabins with a lower single supplement.