ggTexasGal

I'm looking forward to your review!

Where you live, and/or when you cancelled, seem likely to be the determining factors as to why NCL would dispute your deposit being returned. Unfortunately, your post isn't quite clear regarding the dates and whether you cancelled during a penalty period. (2022? 2023? Future cruise?)

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

I simply get hot cocoa packets from the buffet, to use in our room.

You can! However, the waiter/waitress might tell you that there will be an extra charge. This scenario has been discussed many times, with many different experiences, and often depends on the ship, the restaurant, and the server at the time! Yes, quite confusing, and can be frustrating.

If you packed your Keurig to use onboard, your luggage would be held. You'd be notified to report to (what has been termed) "the naughty room"!

I logged into my account. This is what I found by going to the Rewards Summary. This is a table of your WorldPoints® and the month they may expire. The table includes the next 24 expiration events. Be sure to redeem your WorldPoints® before they expire.

Below is the most recent Free at Sea Beverage Package list: Veuve is not included any longer! https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/790164-BEV_Package_Flyer_UOBP_PPBP Update_V7_no_crops.pdf

The article does state this, "VAT applies when the vessel is within 12 nautical miles (22km) of the Spanish coast."

Following your hypothetical scenario😀, I imagine this is doable. But... (just to clarify) cruisers need to understand that from now on, they will be paying for each glass or bottles, with the Premium Plus 40% off the price, plus 20% service charge added. Plenty of people will remember the way the Premium Plus "used to be," and may not realize that Veuve is no longer included without the Up-charge.

We stayed in 12310... a standard balcony size.

You are 100% correct. I seem to have posted incorrectly on post #11 (flipped Lagoon and Ocean). I now know to think of them in this way... Lagoon Villas are largest Villas! 😉 I apologize for the confusion I created!!!

The area within the red circle tends to get a steady flow of fresher water. Near the larger Villas area can get more stagnant sometimes (although, it was NOT when we were there last December). What is great about the larger villas area is being able to sit in plenty of shade when it is truly HOT. The restaurant is simple, but nice, with good food and services. The bathroom shower is great & handy if you want to change clothing. What I liked most about our day, was getting there on the first tender and truly enjoying most of the island. Then, returning to the villa later in the day to freshen-up, and we returned to the ship on one of the last tenders.

Renting a villa for the day is really more for someone who truly wants a lazy and pampered day! The condition of the water (either location) will be reflective of any recent storms (or lack of them). Ideally, it would have rained plenty the previous evening and then calmed overnight! Floating on a mat was good the day we were there. If we are wanting to be more active while at GSC, we skip renting any villa or cabana, and hang-out at the area near the cabanas (wood structures), or even the main beach (nearer the Snorkel Park), bringing our own gear with us. There, you can mix things up where the volleyball court is being used, music is blaring, food and drinks are available nearby, or wander off a little for a quieter spot.

We stopped booking Guaranteed categories years ago, due to multiple re-assignments! We'd had a room "X" booked that changed multiple times in the span of one month. Sometimes, "lucky" happens!

There are lots of variables to the answers to your question, depending on your wants. We actually enjoy walking all/most of GSC, so being in #1 (Lagoon location), made some of our walking outside of the lagoon area a little shorter for us. (We did, often, get asked if we wanted a ride!) So, if your preference is the having more peace and (relative) quiet of Silver Cove's Lagoon, you might prefer a more central location. We felt that the Ocean Villas would have been fine for us ...best of both.

Since you may order two drinks per card each time (while not always the solution), you could ask for your drink and a shot of (your choice) to "strengthen" your drink.

When you originally signed-up for the card, any bonus points available at that time should have been applied to your account. There are expiration dates for the use of all points. Perhaps you need to log into your card's account and verify any that you might have. Otherwise, if you want the new offer, you would need to apply for another card account.

It seems like you would be happier with the amenities of the Haven, rather than a standard Suite. Yes, there are places where (at select times of the day) you might find both shade and quiet. However, it might take some searching onboard each day. The Pearl does have a thalassotherapy pool. Look at Deck 12 Forward! https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/pearl/deck-plans

You would need to book a minimum of 5 rooms to receive extra assistances for your family. Perhaps the size of your family/group doesn't qualify for what NCL recognizes as a "group booking". Did you utilize the information on this link? https://www.ncl.com/group-cruises?cid=PS_DIG_NA_BRP_BIN_NA_NA_NA_NA_NA_NAM&&msclkid=4c091ea7c9c71451cdec7ba3ecdb98fa&gclsrc=ds&gclsrc=ds?cid=PS_DIG_NA_BRP_BIN_NA_NA_NA_NA_NA_NAM&&msclkid=4c091ea7c9c71451cdec7ba3ecdb98fa&gclsrc=ds&gclsrc=ds

Porters will have luggage tags available. Just verify that they have your (correct) room number!

The Ocean Explorer is an ‘Infinity-class’ expedition cruise ship owned by SunStone Ships and built in 2021 by Ulstein at its partner yard China Merchants Heavy Industries (CMHI).

You'll need to use this: (there are lots of sub-categories/places): https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/2-ports-of-call/

You are correct! Not all Club Balcony rooms are only Aft. Decks 9-13 have M2 and MB rooms!