Minimama

On 11/2/2023 at 5:07 AM, Cruzn Bills Fan said:

I'm going to try to reserve the BTS tour today using the Pre-Cruise Concierge for our January Breakaway cruise. It's worth a shot.

Were you able to do it w/concierge?

Be very flexible when it comes to the air....we had a nightmare of a deal trying to work with NCL and their "air" department (nonexistent). You can make requests but you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. You could have up to two or three transfers, you could be transferring in the same city but different airports. I was with a group where the grandmother was not traveling with the rest of the family. NCL basically said too bad so sad.  Always remember, you get what you pay for!!

6 minutes ago, hallux said:

Why?  NCL controls what flights are booked - airline, airport (if there are multiple options within a certain distance) and times.  There's nothing you can do to get anything different when you book with the BOGO air.  You can't request a specific time, it's all based on the flight costs for the route you need to fly.

Here's the issue - you requested a deviation already, right?  Typical maximum deviation is 2 days, but it sounds like you were allowed 3 because you also booked a hotel, right?  You were already at the limit, you couldn't have requested a longer deviation.  NCL booked what you asked and paid for, even if it wasn't what you were really expecting or hoping.  The deviations on the BOGO deal are primarily to ensure you can get to the port on time for embarkation, getting to tour the embarkation city is a bonus.

 

I won't argue that you had problems, it sounds like you did, but no refunded money less than 20 days before the cruise falls within the cancellation policy.  Is it a bad look to not book flights in a timely manner and then not refund the passenger when they decide to take matters in their own hands?  Sure is.  But if they fudge the policy for you, why shouldn't they for someone else?

You are absolutely correct!! Have a great day!!  

NCL air was a total nightmare!!! It is true, you save money but you get what you get. At 28 days out we still did not have the air info....at 21 days out they were still working on it..at 14 days out they told us to be patient. We bought our own air and then the TA said if we don't use NCL air they will cancel the entire cruise on us since it was a package deal.  After many phone calls, crying and pleading, we were able to get them to remove the air portion (NO MONEY REFUNDED) and they said they would not cancel the cabin. A total nightmare.......my advice, spend the extra money and do your own air!!!!!!

43 minutes ago, julig22 said:

When my flights have been cancelled or needed to be rebooked at the last minute, there was absolutely no pushback.  Have always gotten exactly the same treatment as the person next to me, even though they booked on their own and my booking was done through NCL. 

Well, I guess you are one of the lucky ones. There is a reason for the threads complaining about NCL air. I don't see any threads raving about them!

On 4/16/2023 at 3:04 PM, mjkacmom said:

To be fair, if the OP’s son had booked that flight themselves would find himself in the same situation. The only reason to book flights through NCL is to save $, it doesn’t make it safer if flights are delayed or canceled. 

Not actually true....if booked through a third party (like NCL) the airline then has the opportunity to push the problem back onto the TA (NCL). If the ticket is bought directly through the airline, they will do their best to accommodate either with their airline or with an airline they have agreements with and can put you on another airline to get you where you are going. I am quite familiar with the process, as I worked for one of the major airlines and it was done ALL the time!!

I had seen for a family suite that it lists the mini bar as a perk. Has anyone had experience with that? Is there a charge for the sodas/alcohol used in the mini bar? Do they keep it well stocked? I'm trying to figure out if I need the drink package or not. Thanks!!

15 minutes ago, kjdj said:

We are having issues as well on our flights from Columbus to Rome - in one month. My parents have a 7 hour layover and they have all of us flying home to LaGuardia and then JFK to Columbus. After multiple calls from our TA for the past 3 weeks, they say they will fix it but we don't know when. By that time we won't be able to sit together. There are 8 of us in 3 cabins and on 3 separate flights going over. Never again.

OH MY, that is awful!! I find the most frustrating thing is there is nobody over at NCL to talk to. They ONLY allow you to leave a message and say "We will fix it" but do not let you speak to the person/people who are working on the issue. Basically, you leave a message and it goes into a pile with ALL the other problems and when they get to you, then they will take a look at it. Extremely infuriating and frustrating!!! Good luck to you!!! I am about to suck it up and just buy new tickets.

I am currently dealing with NCL air. It has been a nightmare. We are 24 days out and I still don't have flights. My TA called for weeks now and they keep saying our issue has been elevated to the next level, but still not flights.  She has stated she has never has such poor service before when it comes to booking air. There is no contact to the six employees that work on these issues.  I personally have called, spoke with a supervisor and their response is to be patient and they will get to it. Not sure at what point, I just purchase additional tickets to make sure I get to my cruise. NCL customer service (in regards to air) is basically non existent. Good luck!!

On 10/7/2021 at 9:23 PM, BirdTravels said:

This Cub Balcony fill-a-bag offer is a 1 day service (dropped off the next night). The standard paid fill-a-bag is 2 day service (dropped off the second night). 

 

 

 

Would this be one bag per person or one bag per stateroom?

2 hours ago, julig22 said:

Just curious, what would be the cost of a sailaway inside cabin have been for the new person, other person becomes a no show at check-in in?

Great question!! I did look into that but as of now, it is still about $1500 for the cheapest cabin on the ship. We will live and learn, but knowing the industry the person you speak with has a lot more power to be an advocate. I am not opposed to either the $800 fee or the need to buy a new ticket. I just don't agree with having to do both. The fee should have covered the name change or I could have been offered to just buy a new plane ticket, but doing both really stings and isn't a great way to start a vacation. I am a believer in the saying, "It is easier to keep your customers, then to get new ones."

That is quite impressive!! I bet you would be the perfect fit for employment with the cruise lines!! Best of luck!!

10 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

You need to read the Cancellation section in the ticket contract and Terms and Conditions that you agreed to when booking the cruise and putting down the initial deposit.

 

Your air was part of the cruise/air package and you are paying the published cancellation fee for less than sixty days from the cruise.

 

The additional cost is for the new passenger at the current cruise rate.

 

The name change is also considered a cancellation and subject to applicable cancellation fees.

 

https://www.ncl.com/about/cancellation-fee-schedule

 

 

 

 

My TA specifically stated this was the fee for the airline NOT the cabin. Just curious, do you work for the cruise lines??

The tickets were not yet issued, but yes the original quote was for two tickets. I am not complaining about having to purchase the extra ticket for the new passenger. It does not cost anything to have a plane reservation split and one person dropped, let alone an $800 fee. I worked for the airlines, all that is needed is a simple key stroke to drop the passenger, and have the remaining passenger fly. If they charged me $800 to change the name for the new passenger, I can see that as justification for the $800, and would feel like I got off easy, but to pay it and still have to buy a new ticket is insane.

I am on another thread with a similar topic. We had to switch out a person who was not able to go 45 days out. NCL charged us $800 to drop the one person and the cost of the new ticket for the other person is on us, as well. I don't mind paying the new ticket....I definitely mind paying the additional $800 just for the original person not to go. They said we would lose the cabin since it was a package deal. Good luck!! If you get the right person on the phone anything is possible.

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

Airline tickets can’t be transferred, if you booked a flight you couldn’t transfer that ticket to another person. We book basic economy so we can’t even get a future voucher, NCL books the cheapest flights.

Yes, airline tickets cannot be transferred. However, the "Free Airfare" is rolled into the promo price. I suppose we were basically wanting to drop the one person off the reservation and buy the new person a plane ticket. I'm not sure where the $800 comes in. I see it as a money grab....So, fool me once shame on you....there will not be a fool me twice; at least not with NCL.

The booking included the airfare deal. The $800 was to remove the second person from the air ticket. If there was no airfare promo included in the reservation there would not have been any fee to change the name in the cabin. So we had to pay $800 just to remove the name on the air. Now we need to buy a full fare plane ticket to Europe for the new person. So basically it will cost roughly $2300 so we could have a new person in the cabin. We are 45 days out. I am beyond upset, but my hands are tied. Not much we can do except enjoy what we can salvage and select a different cruise line next time!  I used to work in the travel industry pre-covid. I am quite aware of what can and cannot be done.

We are due to leave in 45 days and one person had to drop out. We took the airfare package and were charged over $800 just to remove the one person in the cabin and replace it with the new person. Now they want another $1500 for the plane ticket. They said that the airfare promo is no longer valid. After we paid the $800, which we assumed was the penalty to swap out one person for another, they told us that we now need to buy our own plane ticket for this person too. So, a total of $2300 and they can't confirm that new person will be traveling on the same flights. I wish I could understand what $800 penalty was for.

On 2/10/2023 at 10:43 AM, kylenyc said:

Hypothetically yes you can. My PCC was able to get a "one time" courtesy cabin upgrade on my US-based reservation. After, he said any upgrade has to cost more than the cost of the current reservation. Whether your PCC or TA is willing or able to do it is another story. Good luck.

I usually upgrade if it's under $100 rather than try to fight for a courtesy upgrade.

 

I contacted my amazing TA and got the upgrade!! YAY!!

I see the prices went down on my cruise and the upgrade to a mini suite is $600 less than my balcony. Would I be able to upgrade and get the difference in onboard credit?

Can OBC be used at the end towards gratuities?

Sorry for all my ignorance, but are Suite passengers allowed to use it? I tried to ask Princess about it on an online chat and was told there was no lounge. I am new to Princess but have booked a suite and have not be able to get accurate information from their online chat service. Also wondering about the spa. I was told on Majestic suite customers do not have free access so we bought passes to the spa.

Does anyone know if there is a concierge lounge on the Majestic. I was under the impression that there was not one. If so, where is it located and what would it offer? Thanks!!!

I purchased a Thermal Suite 13-Day cruise pass for $209AUD.   I assume they mean the the Enclave. That is what I had intended it for. 

6 hours ago, korky1 said:

Go into your profile and select the correct cruise if you have more than one booked,  if not, go straight into Personal Information and Documents.   Scroll down and select Arrival and Departure Groups.  Select Early, Mid or Late arrival time.  If they all respond with Sorry.  There are no available times to choose from, rhis means choosing boarding times is not available yet.  Just check every day and eventually you will be successful. 

Oh thank you soooo much!!!! I would have never found that!. Appreciate your assistance!