andysgirl360

Completely agree about the San Juan change.  They had to have known in advance about the festival.  I try not to book cruises with very short or odd hour port times so to get short changed like this at the last minute for St. Thomas was very disappointing.  I understand stuff happens but this excuse we were given was flimsy at best.

We also had an odd bar charge - we have the drink package but had a 42.00 charge at Mixx for drinks we definitely did not order.  I think the bartender may have mixed up our cards with someone else's. Had to go to guest services to get it reversed but didn't have an issue, and they added two $20.00 credits for our trouble on top of the refund.

Overall, I wasn't as impressed this time as I have been in the past on Breakaway (2018) and Epic (2019).   The lack of Broadway shows is definitely showing, which is a real shame.  One of the main reasons I've been loyal to NCL was the entertainment.  Choir of Man was a great show but the only major one for the entire 10 day cruise.  Why not keep Burn the Floor as well?

2 minutes ago, rickcee said:

I called them on July 2nd for my Sept 22nd cruise. But I think if I where you I would do it ASAP. Just plan on having time to be on hold for a least 45 min. 

Thanks - appreciate the heads up.  Even with the $25 or $50 pp change fee, we are still coming out way ahead.  It's quoting me $133 CAD plus transfer of 48.20 CAD, for one way to Miami and one way back home from LA.  Would love to get to Miami a day or two earlier to relax and enjoy the beach.

2 hours ago, rickcee said:

Waited on hold with Premium air about a hour and a half yesterday afternoon before getting cut off at 5:30 closing time. Called 1st thing this morning. After a 20 min wait they did correct my flight to the day before sailing. And yes they did blame the reservation system. Stated that the 2 different systems where not communicating correctly.

But anyhow my edocs are now correct and I was able to pick my seats for the flight.

This is comforting to hear - just booked a cruise for Feb 2021 with free/reduced air, first time we've ever used it - a very good deal for us from Canada also considering it's not a simple return flight  (Panama Canal Miami to LA).   When during the process did you let them know you wanted your flights for the day before?   I would like to do this too, but assume it's way too early, but also don't want to miss out on any window of opportunity for changes etc.

Hi everyone - wanted to get input on this before I bid.   We are 3 people, and received a notice to bid (currently in large balcony).   It is offering for me to bid on an H5 cabin, the text says "sumptuous hideaway for three" but in the smaller text below says Sleeps 2.   As far as I know the H5s only sleep 2 but I checked the Epic deck plans and there is one H5 that does sleep 3 but it's a disabled cabin.   Any ideas why NCL would offer that as a bid - and if we won it....would they potentially be able to take it away from us at check in if someone else needed it?   I certainly don't want to take a disabled cabin if someone needed it, and I am wondering if this is some kind of glitch/mistake.

Last Feb on Breakaway - received notice for bid at 80 days, was accepted at 60 days out.  First time bidding and we went from BC to Haven spa cabin.   I bid in the Fair range, just high enough to put me out of Poor range.  For a 2 week cruise, it was absolutely worth it.

We did this in 2012 with Holland America (ship tour) - it was great!   We even met the lady who played Apollonia's mother.  She still lives in the town (Savoca) not far from Bar Vitelli and the church (wedding scene).   Apparently Francis Ford Coppola paid for the town to finally have their road paved, as a thank you for letting them film there.  We also stopped to visit a little limoncello/almond wine/biscotti store along the way to the church.   We had the best lemon granita right at Bar Vitelli and took some great photos.

We also visited Forza d'Agro (the other famous church facade in the Godfather) and stopped for pizza along the way.   If you are a Godfather fan it is really a cool excursion.  The views are excellent and the towns very charming and interesting, even if Godfather is not your thing.    We didn't get to see Taormina but I'm not sorry we did it as I am a huge Godfather fan.  Next time!

Yes - you might have to chase them for it if you need a receipt with a registered massage therapist or similar. I tried acupuncture while on a 14 day cruise. I asked for a receipt with the name/registration number of the person that treated me. Was told it was coming but had to ask a couple of times. Finally showed up on the second to last day in my cabin. It was detailed with all procedures, the name and number of the person that treated me. My insurance reimbursed me for most of it.

Yes you would get spa access if you bid and win a spa cabin. You keep your same perks with which you booked with, but don't get any new ones. But the spa access is tied to the room, not your booking if that makes sense. We bid from balcony to Haven Spa cabin (which isn't located in Haven but near the spa) and we had access granted by the spa front desk, they check your room number and put a sticker on your room key.

On Breakaway I remember they were outside Cucina and O'Sheehans. Hoping they have them on Epic too.

Don't know if this helps at all, but we disembarked in NYC in Feb, and weren't treated any differently. We did a quick customs stop (checked our passports and asked about our flight) at the terminal on our way out once we had picked up all our luggage. I don't know if it's the same in SJ.

Fantastic - thanks!

That being said - don't want to give the impression that the NCL Cirque show is less than - we saw the Breakaway's version last Feb and it was pretty good. I will be on the Epic next July so might actually go to that one too - will be interesting as Breakaway doesn't have the tiered seating like Epic.

Please be aware that this is NOT a Cirque du Soleil show. It‘s called Cirque Dreams on the EPIC and has nothing to do with the Canadian company. The only „official“ CdS-shows are on the newer MSC ships, just to align the expectation settings [emoji6]

Thanks for posting this. I always cringe a little bit when people call it Cirque du Soleil. It's similar, but not the real deal.

I had no idea CdS was actually going to start doing shows on ships - do you have any info on the MSC ships?

Best tour we ever did was papillon out of Livorno , we had 8 total from roll call , new Mercedes van , driver/ tour guide was amazing , we did Pisa for 90 mins , then Florence , they prebought our tickets for museum with David and skipped line. Then walked around shopped wife bought a leather jacket , had a great lunch , we then had option for more time in Florence or a wine tasting at a local vineyard , vineyard was organic and also made there own olive oil, then back to the ship, cost was a little under a hundred each, less if you did not want museum.

This sounds amazing...is it papillonservice dot com? They look like they have some great tours. Not going until next summer, but trying to get organized with some recommended private tours.

I will be on the Breakaway Thanksgiving 2018. We would like to see Burn the Floor and Rock of Ages. I have a haven suite should I book in advance or this something the concierge will do for us. We really want to see the shows so I would hate to miss them. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi - we were in Haven on Breakaway this past Feb. They save a large block of seats strictly for Haven guests. Your concierge will let you know what time to meet at their desk (in the Haven lounge) - and they escort you right into the theatre. We saw Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor twice each - we really enjoyed it. Have a great trip - we loved the BA and the Haven is fantastic :)

Just wanted to add - if you miss the Haven escort, they do give away any empty Haven seats to people who had been waiting on standby or latecomers to the show. So to ensure your spot, make sure you go with the concierge.

Just back from a 2 week sailing on the BA. My wife and had a Spa Balcony (not Haven) we also made the mad dash to get Vibe passes which we did. 30 plus Vibe passes went to people in the Haven. I heard it time and time again during the cruise, we are in the Haven but thank god we got Vibe passes. From what I heard their were a bunch of loud kids staying in the Haven. Keep in mind we only had 150 under 21. Makes me glad we did not get an upgrade offer LOL

Hi Laszlo - I was on the same cruise and did get an upgrade to Haven Spa cabin. The Haven was totally peaceful as far as I am concerned. We had a family with 4 very well behaved teens (2 of which barely spent any time in Haven) and two families with preschool kids - if there were any others they were invisible. Never did I have any issue with noise etc. We spent many peaceful sea days in the courtyard and Haven sun deck - in fact barely even got to see the rest of the ship as we spent so much time in Haven.

Just wanted to throw in my two cents as to not totally discourage people from Haven. I think our sailing was quiet because it was 14 days and not during a school break. Sailing after ours - concierge told me they expected 85 kids in Haven, but of course that was during President's Day week. I think length of cruise and time of year makes a HUGE difference.

It should be more - just got off the Breakaway 14 day cruise, it was offered at $400 CAD pp, which I think in USD was $349 pp.

There should be a jar of bath salts by the tub, we drew our own bath and added some of the bath salts and a touch of the bvlgari shampoo for some bubbles. We poured two glasses of sparkling wine and had a wonderful bath.

Sounds great!!

You can use your own products.

 

Post #47 on my thread shows the baths that you can have your butler draw for you. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2504449&page=3

Thank you!!! I think it was your thread I had seen- looks very familiar! :)

I read a thread months ago that had a photo of the Haven Spa cabin "bath menu". Apparently the butler can run you a special bath and there is also a drink menu to compliment it. Not free of course - but just interested to see what's available. I've been trying to search the forum but to no avail.

Also wondering - can we use our own bath products in the spa tub? I know there are plain bath salts provided, but if I wanted to bring something special from home (scented bath oil etc) - are we allowed to use it?

Congrats how many days until your cruise did you hear that you won??

I'm on the same sailing and also won a Haven Spa cabin bid. Offers came at 80 days and I found out at 60 days.

cruise next certificates can not be used as payment for a cruise. it can only be used as a deposit only

Does that still apply though if someone transferred it to you? Just did this last week - my Mom had a certificate she forgot about, expiring March 2018. My final payment is this week for a cruise in Feb 2018, and I was easily able to use it against my outstanding balance on this cruise that has been booked since last March.

Appreciate any information or details as to how these America's Cup boats fared or survived from the damages caused by Hurricane Irma. Very sad with this damage to people and these "things".

 

Hi Terry, Not sure if you heard - but I did see a post on Facebook on Monday night from the 12 Metre Challenge page - they said they did take a hit, but their plan is to be sailing again by Dec 1, with more information to come. I'm assuming perhaps as a precaution they sent the boats away out of the hurricane's reach, as I can't imagine they would have survived if left on the island. Just my thoughts though, they didn't have any info either way.

We're booked with them for Feb - so really hoping they are able to get back up and running - this excursion looks amazing!

Quick question - if you buy them onboard, they will be in USD, correct? I am in Canada, so when I come home to book my cruise, my costs online are shown to me in Canadian dollars. Will the cruise next certificates show up in my account in CAD, at whatever the current rate NCL is doing their currency conversion online (much like the cruise cost itself and some of the shore excursions)?

Oh that is too bad - I must have entered it at just the right time. The first time I tried a few days ago, i entered all my CC information and got a blank confirmation page, and nothing was added to my profile. Yesterday I was able to go through the booking and the confirmation page was different. As well I did get the confirmation email and the excursion is up on my NCL profile and on my revised invoice. I am sorry it's not working for you!

In case anyone is still trying - I had no luck with shore excursions a few days ago, but finally just went through now on the website with no trouble at all. Hopefully this means it's fixed!