metrygal

We’re on a 2 week cruise with 7 port days (one being Mexico which would be free calls/texts to USA on Verizon, I need to check on internet) but my question is:

if I enable the Verizon $10.00 per day plan in foreign countries, will it be okay to log onto the internet from my balcony or other outdoor areas of the ship while in port… or do I actually have to be off the ship in the country?

I'm only interested in deleting the hundreds of useless emails as often as possible so my mailbox doesn’t explode before we get home!  I think I could divvy up the 300 free minutes over the 7 sea days as long as the Breakaway’s internet is working. Thanks very much!

I have heard mixed info on this. NCL states that they WILL charge you the extra, but many people have reported not having to pay the extra if they had already pre-paid. I think the truth is that NCL doesn't have a reliable mechanism in place for charging the extra once DSC has already been pre-paid. Whereas, if the DSC goes on your onboard account, they can just automatically charge the extra per day if you haven't pre-paid.

Thanks! I’ll let you know once we’re home on 11/11!

Did you and your parents both bid the same? If so, it seems like Latitude points are a likely tie breaker. I know that your Latitude points total is passed along in the data that goes to PlusGrade (the third-party that handles the bidding process), so they do have that information. From what I can see in the code, upcoming reservations are nor passed along, so I am not sure that would factor in.

Yes, the bids were exactly the same (I did them all). We’re not complaining, we’re happy to be upgraded... just adding info to help solve the puzzle of how bids are awarded.

JamieLogical, do you know if NCL will add another charge automatically for the difference in the gratuity we’ve already paid on a Balcony and the amount in the Haven? I think it’s about $2.00 or so more pp per day. I’ve already been charged for the upgrade and it’s reflected on “my NCL” vacation summary, but there’s no change in the pre-paid gratuity there.

Thanks

Query! I'm sailing on the Breakaway 10/27 and bid on a few different upgrades. I can no longer find a link to my upgrade offers so I went back to my email to find my confirmations. Some of them were moved to "expired." I didn't realize they could expire. Anyone else have this happen to them or know what it means?

We’re on the 10/27 Breakaway as well. We received the upgrade offer at 80 days out but didn’t get a chance to place our bids till 9/15. My in-laws had a connecting Family Balcony with us (one B2 and one B3). I bid on all Haven upgrades for each of our cabins. The amounts were in the fair to low strong range for each category but the bid was EXACTLY the same amount for my in-laws as it was for us for each Suite category. Thankfully, today I received emails from NCL that we were both upgraded

(29 days out)!!

The strange part is they were upgraded to Spa Suite and we were upgraded to a 2 bedroom family suite. I have nowhere near as much knowledge as JamieLogical or others on this thread, but I’m wondering if the fact that we had 73 Lattitudes points going into this cruise and they had 24 has any bearing on us being awarded the 2 bedroom family (although the bid was a bit higher for it than the Spa Suite - but again, their bids were identical) Also, we have a back-to-back in an Aft Haven Suite for 28 days scheduled in the future. Do you think they look at these things?

I looked back at my offers and all the rest showed “expired” except the awarded ones which showed “processing”. I also have emails from my credit card showing the purchase.

One question, we had prepaid the gratuities.....will NCL go back and adjust the gratuity amount since we’re now in a Haven which pays a higher rate?

Thanks!

My upgrade offer page has been changed this morning. It now has two new categories to bid on. One is a Spa Balcony and the other is a Haven Spa Suite with Balcony (H9). Maybe they’ve read all the CC suggestions and came up with a solution!

Our room on Day 3...

 

 

Kids’ room on Day 3...

 

 

 

We’re seriously considering sealing the connecting doors before it’s too late.

We’re booked in a B2and B3 connecting Family Balcony on the

NYC-NOLA repo. Will it finally be possible to open the partition between our balconies?

I was very disappointed to just learn I cannot use my NCL credit card worldpoints to upgrade my in-laws cabin, I wanted to move both cabins but was just told the worldpoints are only for me and my cabin😒

Oh well, guess I’ll just have more to use on another cruise!

We have the two B of A cards like you -- NCL and Alaska Airlines. We have healthy credit limits on both -- $18K and $14K. I always pay off the balance every month.

 

We got the Alaska card primarily for the companion fare and are using it to fly to Seattle for an Alaska cruise on NCL next month. We also have family in Oregon and fly up there occasionally to visit them.

Can you tell me if the companion fare on Alaska Airlines is valid on First Class (buy one First Class ticket and receive a First Class companion ticket free)? Or is it like the Delta companion fares which strictly apply to main cabin. Many thanks🌞

Does anyone have any idea if (and when) the Free at Sea will change to include free gratuities again. I’d give up the $50.00 shore excursion credit for free gratuities before you can say pina colada!!!

Also.....

When did NCL begin charging the promo service charges for Suite categories? Other than it’s more money for them, what’s the explantation?

Thanks in advance

Thanks to each of you.... I’ve found a wonderful TA and will proceed from here after doing my research first!!

 

Vibe is a private area with a bar , loungers and cabanas . They come around with cool towels and fruit skewers . Hopefully the photo attached . It’s a nice place . Unfortunately, i didn’t get in and an resorted to stalking outside taking photos [

 

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Thanks for the visual!! And we’re really enjoying your posts, enjoy your trip!!

We used a local travel agency to book our first NCL cruise and I personally had to keep up with price drops, etc and felt like I did most of the work - so for the second NCL cruise I booked directly on the internet. We met someone on the cruise that gave me the name of a Travel Agent he uses long distance that usually beats the NCL rate and gives extra onboard credit. I used her for the third NCL cruise and she did in fact beat the published price and give us extra OBC, but it was rather impersonal. I’ve heard people talk about their NCL Personal Cruise Consultant and I’d like to hear from those of you that use them. Do they have better deals than online?

Do they keep up with price drops, incentives, perk changes, etc?

Do they have any extra perks?

What are your experiences with PCCs vs TAs?

We’ll be Platinum in seven nights (if that really makes a difference)

Thank you all🌞🌞🌞🌞

I’m looking into a TransAtlantic on the Getaway in 2019 so I’m enjoying your posts🌞🌞

Can you tell me what a “vibe pass” is?

Thankyou very much and keep enjoying your cruise!!

I'm looking for pros and cons of AFT vs FWD on the Journey deck 7 category VX. I realize the ship backs into some ports so AFT would get to see "some" places upon docking. I'm particularly curious about the overhang. Based on a comment in the cabin review section, I'm led to believe there's no overhang in the FWD cabins so if it's raining you'd have no cover and you'd basically have no shade. Can anyone elaborate on the overhangs in both FWD and AFT as well as any other pros or cons you've experienced.

Thank you!!

Thanks to all of you for the quick responses and excellent information!

Yes you are eligible. Submit the application! (yn)

Bonnie,

I booked a VX Aft cabin using the double upgrade promotion and I immediately completed the LCV upgrade form. If I change my cabin to

VX Forward, must I re-submit the LCV upgrade form?

Thank you very much!

Can anyone please tell he where to find the three different menus for the Chef's Tables dinners. We loved the California dinner on the Quest in 11/2016 but I can no longer seem to find the menus on the website. Thank you!!

Does it matter which day of your cruise you purchase the CruiseNext certificates? If I run up a bill to my room from day 1-5 then purchase the certificates on Day 6, is it going to be applied to my previous bill?

Also, is the OBC "use it or lose it" on the cruise you purchase it on?

I'm debating whether to book an NCL excursion prior to sailing or waiting to get onboard and book it, then buy a couple/few CruiseNexts to offset the price.

Any advice from the experts is greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks for the quick and informative responses. Y'all are the best experts around!!!

We have two suites with each of the four passengers receiving four specialty dinners on a 12 day cruise. Question is, can I buy one dining package for Eight dinners and use it for all four of us twice? It's cheaper to buy one 8 dinner package than one member of each couple buying a 4 dinner package.

Or Is there some rule about the package only being used by and for the purchasing guest??? Thanks a bunch!!

Everyone goes through security together...then the suites passengers have a VIP area at the far end of the counter. Once processed, you are escorted to the VIP lounge for boarding.

Walt 724, did you happen to notice where you stop to pay corkage fees on wine you carry on? The Miami port was crazy trying to find the special line for suite guests---no one knew about it! But, they did have a table set up to pay corkage fees AFTER Security but BEFORE you checked in at the suite check-in lounge. Thanks a bunch!!

I was on the Dawn at the end of December and never noticed a menu difference between MDRs. Care to explain further? I preferred the setting and ambiance of the Venetian, but had dinner in both more than once: (Venetian 3-D, 1-L, 2-B; Aqua 2-D; Bamboo 1-D)

NOLA 26, do you remember what time the Dawn schedules it's shows? We're on the NOLA-Boston trip in April and I'd like to make reservations for some of the specialty restaurants before we board but NCL wouldn't confirm when the show usually begin. Is it 7:15 and 9:30?? Thanks a bunch!!

If it were me I would take the forward penthouse. Suite perks alone are worth it. We had the aft penthouse on Dawn which was a great cabin.

 

 

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We had the forward ph on the jewel thru the Panama Canal and it was WONDERFUL!! Private dining room for breakfast and lunch if you choose, priority embarkation, priority disembarkation for tenders, concierge if you'd like it....we handled all reservations ourselves, but he did escort us to the tender once. Your kids will probably love the treats delivered to your suite each afternoon!!

Steel City Cruiser, we're booked on the Dawn in aft ph 10726 in April (NOLA-Boston). It will be first time aft. What can you tell me about those suites? Did they replace the Lavazza coffee machines? It appears slightly smaller than the forward ph based on photos. Our relatives will be next door in 10726....will they be able to open the door between balconies so we can stretch out? Is one balcony large enough for four people? Also, are there enough electrical outlets to charge our cameras, phones, etc? Thanks a bunch!!!

To all previous Suite cruisers out there,

We're booked on a Dawn 12 night cruise in a category SF (aft penthouse suite) and would appreciate your input on tips. I believe the butler brings a snack tray each afternoon (please correct me if that's NOT true in SF) and he delivers any room service. He also takes care of the Lavazza machine (I hope it's still there)! Since he's not part of the pre-paid gratuities, what should we tip at the end of the cruise, and in addition, should we tip $5.00 each time he delivers room service (maybe 2 - 3 breakfasts total)? We don't request special services like help unpacking, packing, or drawing baths!!

On the same note, how about the concierge if he's only used to walk you down for priority tendering?

Thanks everyone,

Nancy

The Pearl is my favorite Norwegian ship. I am thrilled to hear it is coming to New Orleans for at least one season. I can't wait to find out what repositioning cruises it will have coming and leaving here.

I'm looking for the repositioning cruises also. I called NCL to see where it would be coming from as the website has all of October, 2017 blocked out for the Pearl. They had no answer. Could it be going into dry dock prior to arriving in NOLA?

This was my 26th cruise on NCL and just as great as the first 25. I live in south Florida but really wanted to go to Bermuda so I flew to Boston (6:30 a.m. flight, ugh) on the day of sailing. Arrived in Boston at 9:00 a.m.

Beware of cabbie scam: I approached the line of cabs outside the terminal and probably should have asked what the cab fare to the cruise terminal would be. I had done my research and saw it should have been around $20.00 (plus tip). I also assumed (incorrectly!) that the taxis in the official line would be legit. Perhaps I should have specifically said "take me to the Black Falcon Terminal" but instead said I was going to the NCL Dawn.

 

When we arrived, the fare on the counter said $21.20 so I handed the driver $26.00. He said "what is this?" and I said that's with your tip. He then hit the counter thingy a few times and said it was "broken" and it jumped to $31.20. He refused to take my luggage out of the trunk until I paid him which I did reluctantly. I was so shell-shocked that I failed to get his cab number/name. Lesson learned so beware. After the cruise, I got a return taxi to Logan and the fare was only $18.00!

 

Embarkation: Since I was at the terminal so early, check in was smooth and easy. I was in a suite and was brought to the suite waiting area which was pretty dismal compared to other cruise terminals. Limited seating and eventually very crowded. But our concierge Roel and all of the butlers were also there and we were able to make dinner reservations right there. Around 11:30 we were escorted on board according to our cabin placement.

 

Cabin: I was in aft SF penthouse suite 8670 which was not ready upon our arrival so I said a quick hello to my steward George and went out to explore the newly refurbished ship. While my cabin was nice enough, it felt on the small side but the balcony was a good size and semi-wrapped around the side. The one major drawback to this cabin is that it is situated directly over the Bliss nightclub and I could hear the thumping of the bass well into the wee hours of the night.

 

Breakfast and lunch for suite passengers was in Moderno. Very good with great service. Many days I had breakfast in the Garden Cafe only because it was closer to my cabin. Food there was excellent.

 

The ship: Post-drydock refurbishments were just beautiful and I met with so many officers and crew who were clearly proud and happy to be on the Dawn.

 

Teppanyaki now has four tables and they seat all four at the same time so it did get a bit noisy but fun and delicious nevertheless. One small detail I noticed (after eating in Teppanyaki more than 30 times) is that the chefs no longer cook the chopped garlic first. They just used garlic butter in the rice and on the vegs. Not sure if this was a Dawn thing or is fleetwide.

 

Le Bistro: stunning new decor. Ate there twice (veal medallions one night and lamb the second) and the service and food was perfect.

 

Best kept secret: the new Los Lobos restaurant. Ate there three times and it was never crowded. This is a small venue with a beautiful bar with very high end tequilas as well as a great drink menu. Don't miss the tableside guacamole, chicken enchiladas with an authentic mole sauce, quesadillas and elotes (corn on the cob with lime and cheese, yummy!).

 

O'Sheehans was also very good (and popular!).

 

Spa: had one appointment for a pedicure. I arrived 15 minutes prior and after waiting 45 minutes, they asked if I could reschedule as they were crazy busy. Not that big of a deal but they weren't very apologetic and when I did go to my appointment the next day, I got a mediocre at best pedicure with a huge sales pitch for foot oil! On the sheet they give you to fill out before your service, I usually write "do not try and sell me anything" but forgot this time.

 

Casino: only one jackpot all week (around $2,000) and the casino was only really busy later in the evenings (casino opens in Bermuda at 9:00 p.m.)

 

Bermuda of course was just as lovely as ever. Weather was very, very hot and humid. We were able on our last day to enjoy a special (and apparently rare) parade dockside honoring the outgoing governor. He was going to sail to Boston with us and there was a marching band, bagpiper and marching regiments, speeches etc. Very fun and historic to be able to watch (although I was later told that he wasn't the most popular governor in Bermuda history).

 

With the America's Cup races being held in Bermuda next June, the excitement is already happening. Many shops selling AC-related items (although $82 for a sweatshirt was a bit ridiculous!).

 

Disembarking:We docked at 7:00 a.m. and were told we'd be disembarking around 8:30. I would venture to guess at least 60-70% of passengers did the walk-off with huge lines wrapping around the decks. Being in a suite, we had a meeting point and walked off around 8:15 which was great as I had an 11:00 a.m. flight (pretty sure if I wasn't in a suite I never would have made that flight). We did immigration right on the deck before actually leaving the ship which was convenient.

 

Living in south Florida, I'm very fortunate to live only one hour from Miami and it beats having to fly to a cruise. But I would sail the Dawn again in a heartbeat even if it means flying to Boston. The ship and crew were fantastic and having sailed only the Escape and Getaway recently, made me realize how much I miss the smaller class of ships.

 

I kept the dailies if anyone has specific questions.

 

Tracy

Thanks for the great review, Tracy-I really enjoyed it. We're booked on the 12 night NOLA-Boston Dawn cruise next April and I just upgraded us form a mini-suite to SF Aft Penthouses today-on deck 10 so hopefully there's no noise issues! May I ask you a few questions?

Is there a Lavazza coffee machine in the SF suites like the SE?

Did the butler bring an assortment of treats each afternoon (in SE there were things like finger Sandwiches, cookies, chocolate covered berries, etc. it varied daily)?

Is the bed Queen or King sized?

Is the room service fee waived for SF as in higher category suites?

If there is a butler, could you please give me a guideline as to what to tip him/her since I understand they are not covered in the other pre-paid gratuities, and also the concierge?

Thank you so very much,

Nancy