Starry Eyes

I have not been back on NCL since the restart, but the corkage fee is still on their FAQ’s. I was not aware if they were waiving the fee per roll calls now. Previously if X-ray security screening showed wine, they’d direct the person to a table to pay corkage. Of course, screeners are mostly there looking for dangerous items and some screeners may not much care if you pay corkage. Or a screener might miss it or forget to convey the message. Not everyone on NCL has the drinks package. One can book a sail away fare that does not include perks, for example. Or a party who drink very little might decline the drink package because the gratuities on the package would be more than their bar bill (for example, if our only drink is one glass of wine at dinner each day, we are better off bringing our favorite wines or buying wine on board).

No FYI, NCL charges a corkages fee on every bottle of wine a passenger brings on board ($15 for 750 ml bottle). There is no limit to the number of bottles a guest may bring, but no “freebie” bottle

They have long had the wine allowance. Perhaps many people probably ask to bring a very special bottle or two for the very special occasion ( often a bottle the cruiseline could not source). Having developed this such policies, it is hard to withdraw them and probably just not worth it. Soda/water were allowed, then banned (banning liquids became pretty common). And now you see the current policy above. Again, I think consumer demand. People want their favorite beverage on board and some are very picky. The ship cannot stock them all. This way people can bring a stash of an important one.

Second question first. Many people drive to port, sometimes a substantial distance rather than fly. For those who drive, bringing soda and wine is easy. Most people who fly probably prefer to purchase the items after the flight. It is advisable fly to the port area a day (or more) before the cruise if at all possible (to help mitigate delays/cancellations), so many people have some time in the area. Why bring wine or soda? Many people bring favorite or special wine or soda that is not available on board. For some without a drink package, it could be a cost saving measure; they can then spend the money on something else. Some people find it convenient to have those drinks in their cabin rather than going to a venue to get a beverage every time.

I like BW a bit better for the people watching and Aquatheater. DH likes CP a bit better for the tranquility and evening music. Since we cruise fairly often, we try to vary our locations cruise to cruise (OV balcony one cruise, BW on another, maybe a suite, CP on the next, back to a OV balcony).

They started much earlier that day than you thought. We were also on the 6/26 sailing. Our check in time was 10:30 and we arrived at 9:40 The zig zag line was already 1/3 the length of the parking garage. People lined up steadily behind us. They opened the doors to the terminal by 10:15 and the line moved pretty quickly. We were checked in by 10:30 and on the ship by 11:00.

Same grape but completely different treatment by the winery gives a totally different result. People who enjoy a good red zin likely find the pink one (white zin) too sweet.

The Op said in the first post they’d like the bags “delivered on the first day/night ofthe cruise” They were all working so very hard that I did not even meet my own cabin steward until noon on day two on this cruise. I saw many other workers in the hall, but not my steward. No problem, as he had done an excellent (though invisible to me) job on the cabin. Certainly I’m glad I did not have to find three different stewards to give them each an extra assignment. I’d just present the goodie bags at a gathering; it seems easier and more personal.

I do not think it is due to staff shortages, (though some may use that as an excuse right now). I say that because I know some ships were using the re-vamped MTD system Before the shutdown, before covid, thus before these staff shortages. If enough guests will sign up for early traditional dining to fill all the seats, the ship maximizes use of the seats in the main dining room starting right from the opening of the MDR (rather than trickling in at desired time for MTD).

I’m a fairly light drinker, even on vacation. Unless I take cans of soft drinks back to the cabin, I rarely use all 5 of my D+ vouchers. I never anticipate buying the package

Yes, I think can confuse people that the 2 BR Aqua squires are Star class while the 1 BR are Sky class. The 1 BR Aqua suite can work for some families as it has bedroom door and a dual entry bathroom. Many kids would like the view. It is a long walk to everything, including the suite lounge though; no one location gives you everything on the big ships. The 2BR Aqua will cost mist and give more perks. They are among the options a family looking at a CL might consider.

For completeness, your list of suites should AquaTheater Suites (both 1 and 2 bedroom), which have real bedroom doors for those who want privacy.

Different people have lack different configurations. The CL’s are very nice but do not suit everyone. If you want a suite, perhaps ask your TA for a suite with a real door on the bedroom; plenty of parents want that. Other families simply get two cabins, perhaps connecting, perhaps just next door or perhaps directly across the hall. Crown Lofts are nice for the right people, just not for you.

I think timing is the crux of this issue. For people who tend to eat on the later side, I suspect MTD still works fine. And late traditional dinging works for others who like to eat later. The later diners are covered, and that is terrific. Happy as others are for the late diners, it does not solve the issue for the other people. For people who wish to dine early (personal preference, show schedules, young kiddos, whatever reason), the Royal’s altered MTD system just cannot work well (as MTD does not even open until 6:30-7:00). For example, if ideally we’d like to dine at 6pm, our pre cruise options on a certain ship might be (1) traditional dining at 5-5:15 or (2) MTD which opens at 7:00 (3) just plan to use other venues (Windjammer or UDP). My hubby “must” eat early, so we select early dining; MTD opens too late for him.

In all likelihood some of those MTD in line for 6:30 probably wanted their time to be 6:00. Or maybe 5 or 5:30, as they wanted to catch an early show. But as 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 were not options (MTD was not open then), they lined up along with the people who wanted to eat at 6:30. Oh, and perhaps some of the people who wanted to eat closer to 7:00 saw that long line forming, so they joined, too, wanting to be sure they’d get served at a reasonable time. So, it seems unlikely all those passengers really wanted 6:30; that rush of passengers was created by Royal’s MTD structure. They could structure MTD differently with different results.

I think kids would find the BW balconies more interesting than CP balconies. The kids might watch the Aqua show from your balcony, though they likely would much, much rather be down in seats in the Aqua Theater. They may watch people down on BW; more likely they will want to join in the fun. The kids may not spend that much time on the BW balcony as they may want to be out doing stuff. So, while I think the BW balconies would suit well, I also would consider the other ways you might spend that $2000. If that extra money would allow you to add a memorable experience to your vacation (a special excursion or an extra day pre or post cruise or whatever), changing to the more sedate CP balcony might be worth it.

Perfect! Let the bidder take the initiative. That way the bidder is in control and decide when to call it quits. If you don’t want you move after you unpack, cancel your pending bids by the time you unpack. If you don’t want to move after check in, cancel your pending bids in the terminal. If you want one (or two or three) days notice, then cancel your pending bids one (or two or three) days before the cruise. If you’d still jump up to do a happy dance in the unlikely event guest services called your cabin to say you won your bid (after you unpacked and settled in the first night), then leave your bids in hopes of the small chance of a late win. All those feelings are valid; each bidder should act accordingly. If all those who do not wish to win late in the process cancel their bids, then RoyalUp will only have bids from those still willing to win/move.

You can email your request to rcldining@rccl.com about 2-3 weeks before the cruise. No reason to do it much earlier than that, as they are working on seating for prior cruises.

That sounds like an IT problem. Perhaps try on a different device or switch to a different browser or at least clear your cache.

Have you tried contacting the executive office for assistance? I’m not sure they will help, but as you are still very frustrated it may be worth an email. There have been multiple reports of errors in the billing system. Mr. Bayley’s office needs to understand how these errors are impacting guests and their satisfaction with the company. Do, even if you do not personally gain any compensation, at least you will be helping to deliver a message that may help the next guest. I am sorry you lost your cabana and the deal on the drink package. I do hope you are able to enjoy your cruise. mbayley@rccl.com

So, evidently your own State’s website confused you. That is not a cruiseline’s fault. Maybe you should urge your State to clarify their website; we all expect government to be excellent at responding quickly to such concerns 🤣

Oh, try to be nice, Fred. There is nothing wrong with a politely calling and asking to swap cabins. If a desirable cabin is available, then one should do make the call quickly as availability can change. The desirability of a cabin is in the eye of a cruiser. What appeals to one might not appeal to another. For example, one person’s top priority might be a specific deck, another person wants a different deck, a third person does not want a connecting cabin, and so forth. Perhaps after some swaps more people will like their cabins.

If vegetarians might need to think of ideas without a menu, perhaps they should start a thread…vegetarian options that have worked well (or might work well) in ship dining rooms. With a list of inspirations on your phone it might be much easier to come up coming up with an idea when the head waiter is standing there.

While reading your anecdote everyone should remember the virus mutated during that year and a half. It had become more transmissible when you caught it. The risk of transmission/infection changed over time due to the nature of the virus even human behavior was unchanged.

When is your cruise? I don’t think they provide a phone number for PlusGrade. An email address can be found, though people have complained here they did not get responses. Still, you could dig up that addy, send an email and keep your expectations of a reply low. The only other suggestion is tincture of time (hopefully you have some time before your cruise). Just as it took a couple days for plusgrade to detect to erroneous upgrade, in 2-4 working days perhaps they will detect your corrected cabin category. Maybe. Hopefully. Then you can re-enter your old bids. If not, a free Boardwalk balcony on Symphony sounds like a grand time. I hope it works out, but have fun either way.