phillygwm

On 5/3/2024 at 12:37 AM, time391 said:

At the moment, the other 3 members of the cruise's names are already logged into NCL website and our passport documentation is fine, can we still board the ship without the Casino at Sea family member, who had originally received the free cruise certificate?

 

I am wondering if anyone else has ever encountered something like this, since it's an odd situation. We paid for the cruise ourselves, but we took advantage of our family member's Casino benefit to receive the free Balcony room. We know that there will be losses now from Hotel and airline tickets for the one member who cannot travel to Europe, but we do not want to cancel the entire trip on account of one person's documentation issues. We do not mind losing some money from a lack of refund, but we're hoping not to lose the entire $10K with excursions.

 

So to clarify, you were staying in the CAS guest's cabin?  

I've had others travel with me, but on their own reservations.  My cruise was "free".  Because my friends booked through my CAS rep, they got a 10% discount.  But if they were in my cabin theirs would have been free as well (plus admin fee, taxes/fees, gratuities, etc.)

I don't know what kind of discount OP got for you -- they may have gotten a better or worse deal than I did based on their play -- but it's best to call CAS ASAP to see what your options are.  If nothing else, they can quote what your incremental cost would be and what your options are.

7 hours ago, 9tee2Sea said:

i did not purchase NCLH to make money, I just purchased it for the OBC.  I dont care what the stock is worth once Im dead.

Exactly.  NCLH comprises a tiny portion of my portfolio.  It's still highly speculative because of debt levels but I'm not super concerned if it goes up or down by a couple bucks here or there.  I'll hold for the long term...and take the OBC in the meantime.

The thing I most dislike about the Joy's OL is the lack of a sit down bar.  I understand the need for additional revenue and if they have to cannibalize part of OL to do it, it's going to happen.  But I'll be disappointed if they change the bar area.

13 minutes ago, mavie said:

Yes, I realize that and I have also been to Berlin on a land trip and loved it but my travel companions haven’t so I don’t mind going again. There are several train options to do on your own that are a fraction of the cost and then one can arrange a tour there. Still debating whether it’s worth the hassle, lol

I usually book my excursions via NCL because, as Sapphire, I get a decent discount so it isn't much more than an independent company tour.  On my upcoming Alaska cruise, I've booked both but the independent provider guarantees transport to the next port were you to miss the ship.  Plus, the same provider contracts for that NCL tour. 

When I don't have a tour booked, I tend not to stray too far afield and, even then, only if I have contingency plans on getting back to the ship if something goes wrong.  I'd be too panicked if I were travelling that distance on my own but that's just my personality: I stress when I'm merely "on time" for something 🤣. 

2 hours ago, mavie said:

Can anyone suggest the best and easiest way to make the most of a stop in Warnemund Germany  to get to Berlin( 3 hours away) . Ships tours are exorbitant and advertised ones not much better! 

The longer the ride to the destination, the more the excursion will generally cost.  You can perhaps mitigate that a bit by taking a non-NCL tour but being on a bus/train for 6 hours, it's still going to be pricey. 

While I've been to Berlin on a land-based trip, I'd never do it on a cruise.  Not just Berlin, but on several of those ports you're going to spend many hours travelling between the port and the site.  If you're stopping at Le Havre, for instance, that's a similar ride to Paris, as is Zeebrugge to Brussels.  Maybe there are other, closer stops that would make those ports worthwhile but if you have your heart set on the capital cities, you're going to spend a lot of your holiday on a bus. 

On 4/18/2024 at 2:46 AM, Sand and Seas said:

My certificates also say you can use two if it meets criteria for DoubleUp, and three if it meets criteria during a TripleUp promo.  It specifically says you can't use with CruiseNext.  Again, it would be great if T&Cs are changing for CASNext, but I wasn't told anything different.

 

I understand if I were doubling up 2 CNs that I shouldn't be able to add CASNext to that.  But it would be really nice if I could double up between the two (i.e. using one of each) 😞

Usually, they're bringing out a large slab of meat and there are parts that are rarer/more well done than others.  As for fattiness, that's largely dependent on cut.  

It's been a long time since I've been in Moderno because my recent cruises have been on Breakaway Plus ships.  I must say, it's the one thing I most miss.  I will advise you to try the grilled pineapple.  I'm a big time carnivore but it was my favorite part of the meal.  They don't seem to offer it in most land-based Brazilian restaurants I've been to.

I've sailed out of MCT 4-5 times but we've always docked early in the morning.  I'm usually off no later than 8:00.  In my experience, the posted disembark time has been a bit conservative so you MAY be off sooner than 10.  I'd try to find others who did the itinerary recently and ask them.

While I do generally walk off with my luggage, when I've needed to tag it (also priority) it's always been there by the time I get off the ship, regardless of port.  Sometimes it's been easier to locate my bag than others but the priority pile tends to be smaller so it shouldn't be quite as challenging.  Obviously, YMMV.

Just now, phillygwm said:

On the Joy, I had Starbucks relatively early on embarkation day.  I don't remember the exact time but no later than early afternoon.  I couldn't access the ship's wifi and the Internet cafe was next door (and had a loooong line.)  Turns out, the problem resolved itself; I guess they just hadn't activated the new packages yet.  The Starbucks in the Observation Lounge had shorter hours but I don't recall those specifics.

3 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

If I buy the Starbucks ☕ package can I use it on embarkation day and immediately upon boarding? Will the Java Café & Bar be open?

 

On the Joy, I had Starbucks relatively early on embarkation day.  I couldn't access the ship's wifi and the Internet cafe was next door (and had a loooong line.)  Turns out, the problem resolved itself; I guess they just hadn't activated the new packages yet.  The Starbucks in the Observation Lounge had shorter hours but I don't recall those specifics.

1 hour ago, Asawi said:

As far as I know the Haven/500 certificates have the same dollar discount, costing 375 each. So not half price. But should you have any you can use them for other rooms as well. So not just Haven.

1 hour ago, KeithJenner said:

Two cruisenext vouchers worth $500 in total cost $250 but two cruisenext haven vouchers worth $1,000 cost $750, so the discount is the same.

 

Ahhh, that explains it!  Thank you!

I was just reviewing the rules pertaining to CN.  Specifically, I was wondering whether you could redeem more than 1 (or 2) if you were sailing on a longer cruise.  It doesn't appear that you can, so that answered the question, however, I saw reference to CruiseNext Haven credits.

I've ordered many CN certs over the years but don't recall seeing the option for CN Haven (maybe I just overlooked it because I thought it was for Haven only.)  Looks like these are sold in $500, rather than $250, increments.  The way I read it, it was not limited to Haven cabins.  So a few questions:

• Was I reading it correctly that I could use two of these toward a cruise?  That is, would I be able to spend $500 for 2 CNH certs and use the $1000 toward a single (say balcony) cabin?
• Is there a limit as to the number I can purchase?  I know it's 4 for the traditional certs.
• Any other catches/limitations aside from those on the "regular" CN program?

On 4/8/2024 at 7:28 PM, shof515 said:

i wonder where these mega monsters ships can go. They will be too big for ports that need to under a bridge like NYC and some ports is starting to come out with passenger caps like Bar Harbor, Juneau and other European ports

 

Unfortunately it seems like Norwegian wants to complete with Royal Icon class ships 

There's a place for both.  Obviously, RCCL has found the large ships to be popular.  I enjoy the Breakaway Plus ships myself (I've not been on Prima class yet.)  But they do preclude you from certain destinations, so I'd opt for a smaller ship if I wanted to hit more obscure ports.

I haven't gotten tags in the mail in many years.  I'm Sapphire and NOT Haven.  I do benefit from priority boarding but my bags show up in due course.  There are tags for priority DISembarkation.

I just bring a small carry-on with my meds, change of clothes, and anything else I might need until my checked bag shows up.

On 3/13/2024 at 12:04 PM, Distinctive-Destinations said:

CBS seems like a decent value for the price. Just our opinion.

I agree.  I've never stayed in Haven, because I'm a solo traveler.  You think the differential is bad per person, try it with a single supplement!  Plus, I've always travelled with friends who wouldn't spring for Haven, so there was no point.

I've stayed in Studio, Inside, Balcony, and Club Balcony.  Club is worth a small premium over the cost of a balcony...maybe $100-200.  I do like the bathroom, and the goodies/laundry are nice as well.  If the premium between the cabins is large, I'll go with a balcony and try to bid on an upgrade.

17 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Hahahaha have you ever worked as a server? My husband did just a couple years ago. He, and his co-workers, expected nothing from any table. It was a crapshoot whether he'd get $0.20, $20, or 20%. So yea, I cannot possibly imagine servers expecting anything other than nothing. 

Every server I've known expects a tip.  If they didn't, there's no way they could survive in a job that pays a couple bucks/hour.  Now, to your point, are they shocked when they don't get one or when it's less than expected?  No, most are too jaded at that point.

On 2/25/2024 at 9:04 PM, PartyPlannerLady said:

No tip should be 'expected' by anyone.  Ther is no suggested, normal, customary, or usual amunt to tip.  Each person should simply tip whatevr they wanto to at any time and realize that what otehrs do is completely irrelevant.

So when you dine out, your waiter isn't expecting something along the lines of a 20% tip?

1 hour ago, cheersforbeers said:

What someone else gives shouldn’t influence what you do or don’t do. 

Yes and no.  Every year, around the holidays, there are articles around how much to tip your whoever because people don't know what is expected.  NCL states (paraphrasing because I'm lazy) that anything tipped above DSC is appreciated but not expected.  So there's the short answer.  For me, that means if service is above expectations, I'll tip...but since it isn't expected, anything >=$0 is fine.  

Just don't ask me how much to tip the housecleaner.  I'm still trying to figure that out. 🙂

15 hours ago, PATRLR said:

So hire extra staff to pick up plates and such.  But they didn't do that, they chose to cut the food out entirely.  Why?  Cost savings.  Don't kid yourself, this is just one more example of NCL nickel and diming (this one being on the cost side of the ledger).

Look, I'm all for NCL making a profit.  They built up a LOT of debt over the course of the pandemic.  I also agree with others:  This is why we can't have nice things 🙂  When I've eaten in OL before, if a crew member didn't come offer to take my plate, I dropped it in an appropriate area but when people leave crap all around, it gets disgusting.  OL is not really designed as a dining area to be bussed.  That's what the Garden Cafe is for.

On 2/17/2024 at 6:30 PM, kirtihk said:

Yep, similar to 24-month car lease, $299* per month ONLY, with $3,999 down payment (* not included tax, registration fees, dealer fees, $650 acquisition fee, and $350 disposition fee, 10K per year allowance, $0.15 per mile over).

Sure.  Good analogy.  When I was in my early 20's looking for my first new car, I naively went into the dealer thinking I could lease a car for $299/month (or whatever it was back then.)  When I learned the other fees, I felt duped but the information was all there, in fine print, or when I replayed the commercial in slow motion.  Now I know better.

Similarly, most first timers learn about DSC, gratuities, etc. when they're well into the booking process.  Not false advertising -- the information is all there -- just in a smaller type than FREE AT SEA!!

All of this is not to say that it isn't a good deal, but it could be more transparent if they baked everything into the base fare (and perhaps "discounted" if people wanted to remove some of the FAS components.)

15 minutes ago, LloydJr said:

When/where was this??  I haven't sailed since November, but every card in my stack has latitudes level indicated?   Do you have a photo?

This was out of Miami in November, Western Caribbean.   It struck me as odd.  It didn't have an incorrect status, it had none at all.  My niece and her bf, who were first timers, even had the Welcome to Norwegian cards.  But I was never questioned by crew.  They knew who I was and I was tipping them well 🙂

Of all the NCL offerings, the FAS drink package is one of the better values especially if, like me, you tend to indulge more onboard than you might on land.  As others have noted, $21/day beats most other lines.  It doesn't include bottled water or Starbucks but if that's important to you, you can upgrade and it's still much cheaper than RCCL. 

I'll concede that "Free At Sea" isn't literally free and I've always thought NCL should advertise the "all in" cost, maybe marketing it as a discount if someone chooses to decline the booze.  But I can understand their position:  They want to lead with a low number and hope you're hooked by the time you realize there's DSC, gratuities, etc.

I switched to T-Mobile last year but had AT&T before that.  Before I started upgrading to FAS+ I considered it.  I don't recall the 1 GB package at the time but the 100 MB didn't seem as good a deal as what NCL offered.  

It's funny, on my last cruise my status wasn't listed on my keycard.  I'm Sapphire and it WAS listed on my boarding docs.  I lined up for priority boarding and promptly got called out by someone (not port staff or crew, just Karen) who noticed my card and assumed I was a newbie 🤣

3 hours ago, JasonMochilero said:

Mind you, if you didn't book one of their excursions, you were lucky to get ashore by 11.30am and you had to be back by 2.30.

This brings me to a broader point, and I say this NOT to slam NCL.  I'm Sapphire Latitudes and have exclusively sailed NCL for the last 15 years or so.  I enjoy the NCL onboard experience, especially as a solo traveler; it's a good experience and value.  I've done multiple Caribbean, Canada, Mexican Riviera, Mediterranean, Greek Isles, etc.  But I've always felt as though I could get back to, say, Barcelona, someday if I really wanted to see more of a city.

However, if I were doing a once in a lifetime trip, like Antarctica, I probably wouldn't choose NCL, even before knowing this thread or the recent media stories.  I can say with reasonable certainty that I won't get there more than once, so I'd choose a provider which specializes in Antarctica/more personal experiences.  Yep, it's a lot more money but sometimes, you get what you pay for.