Shynook11

I'll call today. 1 was on a cruise two weeks ago. The only other one we have done is Panama and that was last March. I'll make sure to get it sorted before Bermuda in June! Thanks everyone, I am glad I asked the question.

OK...so can I call and have it retro added?

Just curious and totally late to this conversation, so it may have already been addressed...do they discount these fares heavily when they do a respositioning or enter dry dock "construction" zone cruise?

Just a moment to vent my first world irritation. I love NCL, they are my favorite line for traveling with the family. I am curious as to why minors are not able to join the Latitudes frequent cruiser programs. My kids have been sailing since they were 4 and 7....now 12 and 15. We are required to pay full DSC for them since they were young and usually pay their fare unless 3/4 deal is on , but no rewards program to accumulate sailing points. Carnival allows the kids to enroll in their rewards ( or at least they did, havent been with them for a bit). Why is this? Is this the status quo within the industry? Just curious.

Hi! I never cruised before (first time will be in 2019!) but I went in Europe numerous times from Canada, often for short periods of time (for work). Flights are at night so the first days are pretty rough with jet lag and the lack of sleep. I would strongly suggest you arrive few days before your cruise, especially with a port-intensive itinerary. You would be able to adjust and rest a bit while enjoying Barcelona or Rome! Those cities have so much to offer!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

How many days? We are 6 hours behind in time here in FL. Not too terrible. My husband can only get 1 week at a time off of work, so we can usually piggy back a couple of days off before and after to allow for travel/time adjustment. I just want to be sure it's feasible. We've done 11 days to Panama, but ship left and returned to FL so to fly time.

Has anyone done this cruise? We are booked on the 7 day for next summer and I am slightly concerned with so many port days and total days my husband needs off work to travel/time change ( We live in FL). Is it amazing? We were also debating the Venice departure to Greece/Croatia but no 3rd / 4th free promos for summer sailings and we have teens. Any opinions and advice is appreciated.

I've stayed in the haven 3 times, balcony twice and minisuite once. All on the breakaway. The haven is very, very quiet. It was great for me when I needed rest and cruised solo. I took my adult kids once and they hated the haven. Too boring, too quiet, no music and went to the main pool every day. They only came back to the haven to sleep! Early embarkation is ok, but I'm a platinum tier so I get on after the haven guests anyway. Same with disembarkation. I learned that if you get one of the bag handlers to help with your bags you bypass all the lines and exit with the haven guests! My dining and show reservations are always made prior to the cruise so I never used concierge. I had just as much fun staying in the balcony and minisuite.

Thanks. I was thinking we may like the extra space, but I was thinking we wouldn't be benefiting too much otherwise. I bid low...no expectations. :)

We live in Orlando. I am sure you know this already but if you do go....buy your ticket ahead and reserve your fast passes. That way you can at least get a couple of rides in in a limited time There's 1 in every park that is impossible....but that will at least give you a couple of rides. Depending on time of year of course, you can get many more. We <3 Disney

Are they near the Haven pool and restaurants or away?

Are the forward and aft penthouses less for a reason? Are they not near the rest of the Haven amenities? If that is correct, are they still worth it?

Maybe no upgrade this trip but we have the Epic booked in 2019 for Europe....so all info is appreciated.

For four people the only two categories available now are H6 (7) and H7 (1). So without knowing how the bid system works there are 8 rooms in the Haven that you could win. From some of the discussion on bids, the high range is often more than just paying for a straight upgrade and you'd get all the perks so you'll have to watch that if you are bidding.

 

You may want to also bid on mini-suites. While not much bigger than a balcony you might be able to win one of those for a small price and get a bit bigger room and larger bathroom.

 

ETA: Sorry - see you mention mini-suite and bidding on all cats above except highest two.

How do you see what's currently available? H6 7 ad H7 1?

I know there's no additional free at sea. We also bid on the mini suite. We had 4 categories we bid on. I am fine if we get none...I was just curious. Honestly already booked our dining, and and for Bermuda priority port disembarkation is irrelevant. I wasn't thrilled with bidding 1K pp for a Haven room....now...maybe a SPA suite, but they weren't available. I think I bid on penthouse (rear and aft) and 2bd family suite and mini suite. I wanted to try and upgrade earlier but we had the free at see extra guests and that promo ended on this sailing so I couldn't. We'll see how the ball bounces. We are just fine in a balcony room if that is where we stay.

We were on the Pearl to the Panama Canal and they had things like Connect Four and Scrabble. Can't vouch for missing pieces....I am sure there were some. Cards were always taken.

lol I can buy an entire large bottle of cheap Vodka for 12.99 at the liquor store and any restaurant will charge me at least $6 or more for 1 Vodka tonic not top shelf It's just they way it is when eating out or cruising. That is how they make their money. I do wish you could still bring 1 wine pp for the cabin free onboard....but oh well.

Are you on the June 10 sailing?

Yes we are! We are in a balcony room now...so I bid on everything except the 2 most expensive Haven categories.

Looks like per person...but my email said they only charge the first two guests if the bid is accepted.

Thanks everyone. We'll see. I am fine where we are on the ship...at least I know there is a tiny chance we could move on up :)

I'm gonna get flamed but, you don't have to pay the increase, you can decline all the service charge or you can pay what you feel is deserved.

Can you remove tips on the ship? I thought it had to be done after and a lengthy process with customer service. Just asking....I don't plan to. Carnival used to allow it onboard.

I would rather see a higher cruise fare and this tipping nonsense to go away. I miss the days when you could remove them onboard without issue and pay cash to the servers who you actually interact with on a regular basis. By definition gratuities. : something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service.

They should change the name of this to service charge since it's obligatory and not voluntary. I also think it's extremely unfair that kids under 18 cannot get Latitudes frequent cruiser points, as we sail with them often, but we are required to tip for them the full amount.

Gratuity | Define Gratuity at D

Hello....we are on the Escape in June and just received our Upgrade Advantage email. I submitted offers for 3 Haven categories and 1 Mini Suite. I am curious....is there really an advantage to the Haven categories (none included the Thermal Suite pass). I know we won't get the additional at sea promos. Just not sure if extra room in the cabin and is worth the additional cost of the bid and tips, which easily will be 2K. We already have our dining/entertainment booked, so there's no benefit for us there. I think our kids will probably be at the slides and other ship activities most of the time. What else I am getting with the additional price? We have 2 kids 14 and 11. Trying to determine if the upgrade is worth it. We are currently in a Balcony on deck 11, and I know the mini suite offers only a larger bathroom, so I am fine with paying addition for that perk. Haven lovers, please let me know your thoughts. We aren't free spending people...so I am wondering if my money would be better spent elsewhere. Thank you.

I'm confused. It was my understanding you cannot adjust the tips once onboard. If you have a complaint, you must contact NCL after return. On Carnival they would let us remove the tips so we could pay cash to the people we felt serviced us best. I would personally rather tip in cash to the specific servers, stewards and employees who were most worth it to us. I understand completely why they stopped this...as many would never tip at all. I would much prefer the mandatory tips just be added into the fare than play this game. I also am slightly irked that kids 3-18 do not qualify for Latitudes, but we have to tip as an adult for them on each cruise. They should get the same Latitudes credits for the sailings.

Has anyone ever gotten their bid accepted if they are within the poor/fair range? I am pretty certain we won't....but just wondering;) if it's even possible. My guess is on a huge ship, in summer, not likely.:) Thank you!

Thanks for the pix! My 14 year old is on the ship right now with her 28 year old sister. First trip without parents for the 14 year old.

Anyone know how close to sailing an upgrade bid offer email may arrive? I know it's not an exact science....but general idea.

So,,, you're going to Bermuda. The Escape is taking the place of the Breakaway who normally does the NYC to Bermuda itinerary. My link provides Freestyle Dailies and menus from the Breakaway from last season. Things will be different on the Escape, but the link give you an idea on the kinds of things NCL does on this cruise. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2504449

Thank you!