kylenyc

Thank you for this thread because I booked my first US port intensive cruise and now fuming at the extra taxes that will most certainly add up to a lot. 30+ cruises. I'm in the dope club too. This makes the value of beverage package much less on a port intensive US cruise. Wasn't there a thread where someone got heavily taxed for having an expensive glass of sailaway champagne? Totally wrong if NCL is among the few that does this. Anyone wanting to book a cruise has to Go to ncl.com and get wowed by all the freebies. No mention of extra taxes. Click "Learn more". Is there any mention of the word tax, gratuity or service charge on this page? No. Click the little "terms and conditions" linke Oh finally on the third page in, in the last line about "Unlimited Open Bar" does it mention taxes. "Guest's check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries." This statement doesn't convey the real costs extra costs on a port intensive cruise. It's psyops and lawyerisms.

I'm middle of the road between NCL fanboy and nickle and dimer but this definitely pushes me to the latter if true. Just read one of the RCL CC threads that corroborates this. IMO NCL should not be charging port taxes on drinks from people who have pre-paid UBPs but they do. 😡

Nice thread. Thanks for nuggets to chew on. About # 3, the US dollar and inflation I'd also widen choices geographically. Where you will get the most out of the (temporarily?) strong US dollar. What kind of luxury experience can you buy with the equivalent amount in US dollars in europe or asia (land or sea vacation)? Early this year, I booked way more cruises than I ever have to simply lock in the price expecting inflation to continue to erode the value of the US dollar domestically while strengthening it compared to foreign currencies. (Sorry for what other countries are going through). I plan to cancel half. The price on many of them have since gone up about 10-20% ... NCL indexed to inflation? I've seen anecdotes of many American taking air to land vacations in Europe to take advantage of the strong US dollar while it lasts. News reports of flights full and european hotels packed. I'm considering further canceling even more than half of my cruise reservations in order to do a European land vacation.

Then there's this. Refer to my previous comment on the risk posed by flushable wipes vs the much greater risk of children and irresponsible or oblivious adults flushing something clearly not intended to be flushed (non-flushable wipes, condoms, tampons, sanitary napkins, toys, etc.) https://www.nonwovens-industry.com/issues/2021-09/view_features/flushability-report/ "Nonwoven Industry" "flushable wipes advisory committee" who would have thunk it. "Analyses of several U.S. and U.K. sewer systems have shown that wipes engineered to be flushed make up a negligible percentage of sewer clogs, as low as 1-2%. Instead blockages tend to be caused by products not intended to be flushed like baby and cleaning wipes, paper towels and feminine hygiene items..."

30+ cruises never had a problem or clogged line using wipes specially designed for flushing (Cottonelle). I posit that the risk of a flushable (keyword) wipe (not a baby wipe or another other kind of wipe) that breaks down in minutes has less risk of clogging the line than a child, an irresponsible adult, or the vast majority of passengers who are not on CC who are oblivious, throwing unacceptable objects down the toilet such as tissue paper, tampons, sanitary napkins, condoms, toys, gum, food, etc. It's the responsibility of the flusher to understand the difference between a flushable wipe and a non-flushable baby wipe, facial tissue, disinfecting lysol wipe, etc. Btw. Nickels and dimes and gratuities are not flushable. 🤣 ...hands @chengkp75 a wet noodle to slap me around with. I'm guessing he'll agree don't flush anything down the toilet except the transparent 1 micron thick NCL supplied toilet paper.

I've never had problems with cottonelle flushable wipes after 30 cruises but I'm careful and only use/flush one at a time. But I can a situation where things could go wrong 🙃 Cottonelle flushable wipes "break down immediately" and are "100% biodegradeable, plastic free, sewer safe" and "breakdown like toilet paper" Disclaimer - Manufacturer's claims not mine. ... waits for cheng to chastize me

Non-Residue Tape (good painters tape) Duct tape can leave residue. I use a good non-residue painters tape aka masking tape good for posting notes for the steward and sealing up the fragile laundry bag. If you need anything so heavy duty as duct tape you should probably ask the steward or ships engineer for help. i think i read somewhere that it's prohibited to tape decorative items on the cabin door now for whatever reason (safety or damage/residue on the door). Inside the cabin the steward probably won't say anything unless the tape leaves a residue. Empty Zip loc freezer bags (large and small) For travel documents - Keeps them hand, in one place and dry in case you it rains or you want to mix up with wet clothing or swimwear. For just enough disinfecting wipes to wipe down heavy-touch surfaces - For just enough flushable 100% biodegradeable sewer safe bathroom wipes such as Cottonelle. For a one or two tide pods or a little powdered detergent for spot cleaning or washing small items. Extra charging phone cable and adapter Very difficult to get if you lose one. Gift shop does not sell every type charging cable. On two cruises I saw the gift shop only had one for iphones. Anything you can't live without (medication) divided between check in and carry on luggage. Your significant other.

Did something similar. Used one UDP and then ordered two more dishes for a party of three for dinner. It was plenty especially after a heavier meal the night before at Cagney's.

Anecdotally yes and they also know when you've visited ncl.com a shop for a cruise even if you don't reserved one. If you don't want to be bothered, use privacy mode on your browser and don't be logged into your ncl account. PCCs have called me and left voicemails stating "hey i see you're looking for a cruise. i'm your pcc blah blah blah" soon after visiting ncl.com

You can apply two cruisenexts 1) to a balcony category and above reservation made at least six months in advance 2) on any cabin category on any Prima sailing but the offer expires this month. https://www.ncl.com/cruisenext As others said for example, if you buy two cruisenexts for $500 total and don't spend another penny on the cruise, you will be charged $250 total for the two cruisenexts. Otherwise the $250 "OBC" will be applied to your onboard spending. You don't think you'll take two cruises in the next four years?

Still true. And we also had waiters tell us we can take the bottle with us back our cabin.

I've met a few agents in both direction who had a similar view disposition. 😁 Agent: "Do you have any food." Me: "Yes maple syrup." Agent: (Frown) "You know there is maple syrup in the United States right?" Me: (Uncomfortable pause) "Umm yes, but the price was good." (Q&A continues about other food items I'm bringing with a lot of frowns from the agent.) The OP asked "can you bring back items such as honey and maple syrup without any problems". The posters that referenced the US CBP rule to declare all food items are correct. Anyone stating "maybe you should" or just because in their extensive travel experience that they are free to selectively declare or not declare food items is wrong. If agents wave cruise passengers by without asking or they don't care what you're bringing from a tourist port-of-call because your no risk to US agriculture, that's in their broad discretion. Simply tell the agent what you have and they will decide. I suppose after 30 cruises and over 100 US Canada border crossings (where I absolutely needed to preserve my Nexus fast pass privilege) and carried thousands of dollars in food products factory sealed and not factory sealed and tens of thousands of dollars in items overall, I would have a bit more standing than most. Then again I'm just some anonymous dude on the interwebz. 🙄 US Customs and Border Protection "All travelers entering the United States are REQUIRED to DECLARE meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying. The declaration must cover all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle."

non sequitur since neither dandelpino or I are the OP and neither of us asked you any questions.

Then you would be wrong. Border agents have a great deal of discretion. Just because you met a friendly or inexperienced agent during a time when restrictions are relaxed doesn't mean it's true today. You don't want to be the one out of ten encountering an agent that's having a bad day or on a power trip, or a new agent trying to impress the boss. I was recently asked if I had noodles. I said no and asked why out of curiosity. I was told it's because the ramen seasoning packet may contain meat/bullion. Could the agent just want to confiscate a cheap lunch or are they trying to protect US agriculture from the swine flu. A long time ago, Miami agents made us ditch the NCL cookies i was taking off the ship for a snack (this was before NCL warned us not to bring food off the ship). It's better to declare everything rather than not. Doubtful an agent will confiscate your ramen or grandma's shepherds pie unless you're bringing it to a farm. However, they will probably give you a hard time if they suspect you're not declaring everything. US Customs and Border Protection "You must declare all food products. Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties." "Meat, milk, egg, poultry, and their products, including products made with these materials are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States." Yes a lot of food produced in Canada (not simply purchased in a store in Canada) including Canadian meat products are allowed in depending on how it's processed and packaged.

I much prefer the more civilized Fargo ooook eh yah.

I have a Canadian tax ITN number. I get to make that joke... just not with a Canadian in any position of authority like a border agent or waiter serving my food. 🤣

I've correct my previous post thanks. The exchange rate taped to the register is what you get if you pay in USD cash. You get far less than the prevailing rate like you'd see on Yahoo Finance. The exchange rate you get from a good credit card with no foreign transaction fee is better.

Stores that accept USD cash will have the exchange rate on a piece of paper taped it to the register. As other said, it's usually poor to account for daily currency fluctuations. If you can, bring a credit card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. Given the strong USD, use a credit card regardless. You'll get a better exchange rate. Not too long ago the exchange rate was $1.25 and now it's up around $1.35. Enjoy the fact you're getting more for your dollar in Canada. Even with a 3% credit card foreign transaction fee you're coming out ahead. If you're in some rare situation where you need cash, just take it out with your ATM card. Be sure to notify your bank before you travel just like you would notify your credit card company.

The honey and maple syrup, yes. The accent no... Eh?

Fortunately I haven't encountered this out of New York City even after 95% of passengers didn't wear masks on board. I can guess this experience differs depending on the embarkation city. Should I encounter it, I'll kindly ask them for their name and phone number so I can call them for their sage advice if my mom is hospitalized with infection for the third time. She has a bit of dementia and often panic dials people repeatedly.

Google search "virtual rapid antigen test". It costs around $20. You bring your own sealed at-home Covid rapid antigen test. You take the test while being supervised (watched) via telehealth (a video meeting like Zoom, Webex), you show them the results of the test and they email you the paperwork. Call them ahead of time to find out which one is open. Make sure the test results they send you meet NCL and Bermuda's requirement. If you're in the USA and haven't gotten your "free" at-home test kits. https://www.covid.gov/tests You can order up to three times. From the Bermuda Travel Authority 13. What is considered a Supervised Antigen test? A Supervised Antigen test is either administered at a pharmacy or clinic, or self-administered with observation via a telehealth service. The results must include everything we require on the molecular test results.

Keep stalking the prices every day and hope for a price drop. Good luck! Solo price for BD/BC/BB

@marktwothousand Escape Sept 2, 2022. I counted over 50 balcony cabins category BD/BC/BB all the same price. Oddly a few dollars cheaper than what you see on NCL Again, NCL does not show you every category and cabin that's available. I'm saying you should look up the info on another site THEN call your TA armed with the information.

If you are using a travel agency, just call them and ask them how much it costs to upgrade from your category BF to a BA and that you see it's only $50 per person difference now. They can tell you what cabins are available. At the same time, look at the NCL deck plan on NCL.com to see if the cabin is in a good location before agreeing to the upgrade (nothing noisy above, below, etc.). Usually BAs are in good locations. Sorry but CC doesn't allow us to give names of other TA websites. You can google search for online cruise booking sites. Try each of the top search results and do a mock booking. Eventually you'll find a site that lets you see all of the cabins that are available. They show the deck plan and a little dot on each available cabin.

The Category BA is $50/pp more than the BF. I can see the cabin selection. Seems worth the extra cost to me. Good luck!