littlelulu01

They’ll probably offer it once a week. This said, if planning on packing light I’ve found that we do better bringing about 1/2 the underwear and socks necessary and send them off in bag special. For pants and shirts the turnaround time on the bag special means you are without those items 2-3 days. It’s not that much to send out a pair of pants or shirt and get them back same day or following day. Really helps cut down on what you need to bring. Other option is to bring stuff you can throw away. this gives room for souvenirs. Last year we were in Europe for three weeks with carry on luggage only. I messed up with bag special and left husband with only shorts one cold day and that is about the time I switched to same day return on his pants. I think there’s pretty decent latitudes discount on single items.

There are 18 PH Courtyard on Deck 17. 15 are not sold. On Deck 18 I counted 9 and only 6 were sold. Apparently no one is rushing to get them with a price drop of $1350 pp in two weeks.

 

 

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Yeah, when I saw the initial pricing on first offer for Haven Alaska I thought they would have a tough time selling. The Haven suite I just booked for med two week pricing is less than the one week on the Bliss. It’s all about demand and Alaska/new ship can command higher pricing - obviously just not as high as Ncl thought. There’s a limit on how much one can charge for a couple hundred square feet. In the end it’s still a mainstream mega ship- not an apartment in San Francisco.

Difference I think is the ship and destination. It’s in the new Bliss going to Alaska.

 

 

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When Bliss sailings initially available the 5 night pacific coastal Haven spa was $1799 pp. that included dsc, the ubp and sdp (back prior to adding the gratuity), some obc and Internet 250 mins. Same room, same sailing today is $3699. That sailing was priced right for those willing to book way out. I think insides were $499? By the time the Pearl PC was canceled for a charter the pricing on the Bliss had more than doubled. Bliss pc initially wasn’t much more than Pearl’s pacific coast. Sometimes NCL will offer price protection on a valid alternative. Sometimes it’s just sorry see ya later.

The Alaska sailings were initially very high priced on their suites. Sounds like they’re now coming down on some. Really the key is booking way out, keep fingers crossed they don’t cancel and Watch for price drops. Ncl wants the pricing to go up/not down as time passes. When it goes down prior to final payment they either missed the mark initially or some type of disaster. They get it right more often than not so the high priced suites we see are mostly because they sold enough at lower prices to early birds and can demand top $ for remaining staterooms.

The Jade is a jewel class ship. Has been newly refurbished. Midsize ship, typically port intensive sailings ideal for Europe. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the mega ships but also doesn’t have twice the passengers of the mega ships. Weather that time of year should be excellent for the med, a little hot but nothing like the summer. Jade is casual. Much like a land based vacation but the ship gets you from place to place without the hassle of baggage, trains planes... a very enjoyable, easy vacation. Great mix of passengers from all over. Have fun.

Having been on a sailing that was over half mainland Chinese chartered, I Understand why the Joy isn’t offered to western customers. About 300 passengers on our sailing were from Hong Kong and they didn’t get on well with the mainland China groups either. Much different to be in a ship with some mainland Chinese passengers than to be the only one from western culture. The Joy and other purpose built Chinese market ships do a great job with the market they have. They can cater to their passengers language wise, ship design, foods, activities.

The Jade spring 2019 TA has also not yet been published.

NCL has said the Spirit is planning on the Southampton 2019 sailings however no published sailings yet, which is a bit strange and late. (The other lines are actively marketing Southampton 2019 sailings). I think for the uk bookings they have big travel shows and deposits are non refundable so NCL may have some kinks they’re working on with their 2019 schedules to be missing out on this pretty big booking window.

My guess is they’ll be posting soon for Southampton 2019 season (presumably as reported, on the Spirit) and Jade ta’s. I’ll feel much better about our sailing once the Spirit 2019 and Jade schedule for November 7 is published.

My pcc said he would contact me as soon as Jade November 7 is open. Said he has several customers waiting on it.

The Encore is scheduled to do the ta end of October 2019.

You got great pricing. I just checked on ten night cruise in med on Jade and it was around $4500 for PH in Haven

Surprisingly they haven’t raised the prices on the sf, se and sc suites for the 10/24/19 sailing yet. Four sf’s left. Better grab one. I think you did the Jade similar sailing previously in an sf. This one only has one sea day and an overnight in Venice. This particular Jade sailing has the distinctive perk plus some obc and free at sea. $100/port excursion credit for potentially 12 ports.

There’s already a hole in Jade’s 2019 med schedule. I assume that the charter for Europe will plug into it once finalized. Fingers crossed NCL is planning in advance so as to keep all the customers wanting to give them $ happy. The late charters are so frustrating for those booked and canceled. Especially now that it’s fairly necessary to book way out to get a decent deal. When chartered even a year in advance the alternate sailings have often risen to a much higher cost. Sometimes they offer price and perk protection to switch to an alternative. Sometimes it’s a whopping $25/$50. My 2019 med cruise on the Jade is already over half sold out of suites and is seeing price increases already. I’ll rest easier once Jade 2019 TA’s, Spirit 2019 sailings posted and the Sixthman 2019 Europe charter is confirmed.

Haven’t sailed with both these perks but it’s been explained to me by pcc that the $100 will be credited to stateroom after each excursion is completed.

 

 

The problem we are all having is that the $50 + $50 is very recent and so no one really know what the situation will be especially if there are two people with independent folios in the same cabin.

 

 

There is also some confusion as to whether the refund for those who prepaid will be refundable or non-refundable OBC. The T&Cs have it that way (non) but some people have been told the other.

 

 

It would be very useful if people who prepaid will come on here and advise.

I think the independent folio might have a little harder time. I’m sure folks have separate folios but not as often.

Although this isn’t first hand experience, I do know someone who was able to get the $100/port plus latitude discount. Some excursions they took only cost a couple $ after all the discounts applied. (One folio for the stateroom though)

I know folks are reporting that they are going to get refundable obc for payment in advance but that’s a little risky just because t&c’s clearly contradicts this. Will be interesting to see if they are successful. I’d be more inclined to purchase refundable obc if I didn’t want a big bill at the end of vacation.

The t&c’s Also say combinability with other offers is subject to change at any time so in theory all could possibly be something very different by sailing date. The cruiselines contracts and t&c are the standard comical anything and everything can change at anytime. But I think NCL has been pretty good honoring perks as they were when booked vs what they were changed to by sail dates. There was a while when perk t&c were changing all the time but every time we’ve sailed we’ve had the t&c’s at booking honored in our favor.

When I look at my Ncl both the distinctive and free at sea are attached to passenger one. However if reading the terms and conditions of the perks, they clearly outline the credits as per stateroom.

Haven’t sailed with both these perks but it’s been explained to me by pcc that the $100 will be credited to stateroom after each excursion is completed.

If paid in full in advance then credits are non refundable obc. T&C’s also clearly state they have no cash value. If booking onboard or by calling the shore excursion number, then the amount is charged to stateroom after each excursion and then the $100 deduction. On a port intensive sailing with $100 credit, best to pay onboard to avoid any mass of non refundable obc.

If both people took a $50 excursion in each port then there should be zero bill.

My understanding is also that the list price is discounted with latitudes discount and then the credits applied. Sounds like the latitudes discount is a little more seamless if booking made after a certain date sometime last year.

I would prearrange a taxi to be waiting to pick you up at the ship. Have sailed the Jade a few times out of Venice and this is the easiest/fastest way to go. There’s competition for taxis at the taxi stand even if off first. Your flight plan looks good to me but... I’d arrive two days prior. If something happens with flight over then you could be arriving day of if lucky and perhaps even miss the ship. Have a wonderful time. Great itinerary.

I think the key anymore is to either book way out or if you can chance a sail last minute potentially without perks, wait till then. They still have some deals for USA bookings. I got a two week med 10/24/19 on the Jade, pretty loaded with perks ie distinctive voyage, plus free at sea and free extra guests and $300 obc for $5949 pp for a Haven penthouse. The sf suites (full suite same perks just no Haven) are around $4500. Got my adult kids ocean view for $1899 pp. this far off and over half the suites are already gone. Once they sell to a certain point then pricing goes way up and at that point an upsell bid is best you can hope for. The 2018 sailings have probably sold to a point that the pricing has gone way up. For uk bookings it looks like the ai packages bumped up the pricing.

Thanks so much for the great review.

The Jade spa did not undergo any changes with the recent dry dock. The co Ed area has the 6 thermal tile heated loungers facing the front of the ship. It also has a therapy pool. The, “pool” is an oversized hot tub with wooden body contour slats you lay on. It has bubbles but no jets.

The single sex areas each have a traditional hot tub with jets and bubbles, steam room, dry sauna, cold plunge pool and relaxation area with padded chairs/foot stools and television. There’s also a locker, shower, bathroom and dressing area.

OK, I see - it's buying a "reduced deposit". For me I don't know yet when I will sail next, and I'm willing to tie up an additional $850 for the additional $250 return, it's a nice ROI.

 

thanks for the explanation.

If planning on using a $250 cruise next deposit for a Haven suite you’re going to be tying up a lot more than $850.

You can’t take (4) $250 cruise next certificates and place them as a deposit on one Haven suite. You can take one $250 cruise next deposit and place it as a partial deposit on a future Haven sailing, 6+ nights, and then put an additional $1250 cash to secure the $1500 deposit. Sometimes, but not always you may be able to use (2) $250 cruise next deposits for one stateroom but even if that’s available you are still going to need to put 1k cash to make up the difference. Since you don’t know when next sailing is, don’t bank on ability to use 2 cruise next certificates on one stateroom. It’s not the roi that you are thinking it is. If you have 2 cruises planned in balcony staterooms over the next year or two then purchase of 2 cruise next deposits will save you $250. You’ll get 2 deposits each worth $250 for a cost of $250. Again, since you don’t have a date in mind, don’t bank on even being able to use (2) certificates on one stateroom even if it’s non Haven.

Tha Haven deposit will cost $400. It will be a $500 Haven deposit and can be used as the full deposit for a Haven suite. Savings upfront is $100. The bonus is if placing a deposit on a Haven suite on a sailing that is far off you’re only paying $400 for a $500 deposit instead of the $1500 Ncl typically requires for a Haven deposit. You only save $100 upfront but if sailing is in two years you get to keep your extra $1100 till final payment instead of giving it to Ncl a year or two in advance.

The $250 deposit is a better deal if you can use (2) for one stateroom. But if you’re planning a cruise say two years in advance, the Haven deposit only ties up $400 (1 Haven deposit) for a $500 required Haven deposit till final payment. With the (2)$250 deposits you will need to place a total of $1250 for a $1500 Haven deposit. That’s (2) $250 deposits that you purchased for $250 but are worth $500 plus an additional $1k for the total of $1500 deposit.

The maximum number of cruise next deposits allowed for 6+ night sailings is (2) per cabin but you run the risk of them only allowing you to apply (1) of the $250 credits. If you can only apply one $250 credit for a Haven deposit you will pay $1250 deposit and use the one $250 deposit you got at a discount for a total of $1500.

This is a port intensive sailing.

It’s also your first cruise and first trip to Europe. The ship itself is a vacation and so you’ll want to take advantage of the ship and all it has to offer.

Sometimes train stations can be a bit overwhelming. Add some jet lag, accidentally making your way to the wrong platform and then sprinting up and down stairs to get to the right one... and you could get pretty stressed trying to do too much in a day.

Florence is a fabulous city but can be overwhelming in itself on your own with a time constraint. Especially trying to make the connections public transportation, timing extras such as the Ufitzi... I’d prefer Lucca for a first visit/intro to Tuscany. It’s a wonderful walled charming city. I recently read about a government sponsored bus trip from Livorno to Pisa, see the leaning tower, then Lucca, have some lunch, see the sights then returns to port. Catered to cruise passengers. Florence is a long way from Livorno and basically a VERY full day.

You are probably paying quite dearly for the cruise. Perhaps talk to Mom and daughter and see if you guys want to take it easy, doing something that’s free or not 10 hour days in port and enjoying each other’s company with some pampering onboard an empty ship, or near empty.

If you guys decide on one splurge perhaps a group shared private tour. Or perhaps just a nice meal in a seaside town. Some companies have groups you can join. So someone has already reserved and committed but they are willing to share 3 more spots to make it less expensive.

The first time I visited Italy was with my dad and daughter. He was on a mission to see an immense amount and I melted down. On exhaustive trips all the history can start to become a blur. You know everything you’re seeing is incredible but at the same time it’s overload.

The daughter will probably meet new friends onboard. People that age tend to group together pretty quickly on a ship. I’d probably play it by ear if you can live with missing out a little here and there. There’s truly no way one can see it all. Good luck with planning, or potentially planning to not plan. Sounds like a wonderful vacation.

If it were me, I would cancel the excursions I currently had paid for. Ncl will refund the cc used to purchase in full fairly quickly. Then call the shore excursions number and rebook, pay onboard and ensure you get the credit. I’ve read accounts of the credit being issued as non refundable obc. If you already paid in advance then you have the non refundable credit that can’t be applied towards the excursions onboard because you already have them paid off. I would not want to deal with any hassle on vacation and I’ve read accounts of folks who do what you’re planning on and it didn’t work out to their satisfaction.

FYI- when looking at excursions available online- once you have booked something for a port, the other options typically disappear. Once canceled, all available excursions reappear.

We have sailed the Jade several times, most recently on the two week Norway, Iceland, Scotland... out of Southampton. Would definitely recommend. Great ship, service and itinerary. Have also sailed HAL Alaska on a similar size ship, the Zuderdam. Liked Hal but prefer NCL. Some aspects of Hal I enjoyed such as a covered pool area on zuderdam, not sure about the setup on their new ship, but overall the Jade service and experience far exceeded and post refurbishment, the Jade is a beautiful ship.

I purchased an extra meal plan for just husband last cruise. We had a two week sailing and I think 4 speciality meal perk. Used the fixed price venues for our free meals and then for extra meals i ordered off menu a la carte, had husband use meal credits with the additional meal plan. This works well if you have one bigger eater and one who is happy with just an entree and appetizer. If both are not dessert people or big eaters then it might work out better just to order a la carte for the extra meals and not add an additional dining plan.

I don’t think Ncl implemented a fuel surcharge last time oil was way up. I think a couple other lines did and it was wildly unpopular. It didn’t last very long. I would think the easiest way to make up the difference would be raised cruise fares for subsequent bookings. I don’t know how they purchase - if it’s hedged or what but looks like the maximum surcharge could be $10/pp pd. Here’s their excerpt: Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement without prior notice should the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Fuel increase above $65 per barrel on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index). In the event a fuel supplement is charged, Norwegian Cruise Line will have sole discretion to apply the supplementary charge to both existing and new bookings, regardless of whether such bookings have been paid in full. Such supplementary charges are not included in the cruise fare. The fuel supplement charge will not exceed $10.00 per passenger per day.

I’m in the USA and found by googling “Ncl premium all inclusive” Took me right to their page and pricing was in gbp.

When you look on a laptop at the ai description it’s fairly clear and easy to find that you should tip the butler and concierge separately. Sorry, I was looking at my phone earlier and I didn’t see the exclusion of butler and concierge. Laptop-Right on front page of the ai description it states what poster above mentions that if in a suite on the ai package you still should be tipping butler and concierge.

Btw, I went back and added up what ai vs free at sea U.K./USA pricing on my cruise. It’s not as big of a difference once you add in the benefits/costs. U.K. still comes in higher on my sailing, but if I lived in the U.K. I’d probably not bother with USA booking just to save a little.

Yes. Both prices checked same day, today. I didn’t add up all the inclusive benefits against the non inclusive costs. Just the total due. It was on a Haven suite Jade, October, 2019. Just happened to check out of curiosity when reading t&c of the ai package.

Pricing really fluctuates sailing date and how well something is sailing. I think on some sailings it’s really not much more to just take the AI. Also U.K. booking has more customer protections. Sometimes the NCL India site has incredible deals on Haven suites with 50% off 2nd passenger and zero perks. If all pricing fairly equal or a little more $ I’d just as soon book in my home country.

I guess it depends on which fine print you find. The one I read didn’t mention what above poster found. Just out of curiosity I priced out a cruise I have booked on the U.K. site while I was poking around. A full 6k more for the premium ai compared to the USA site that charges the $16.99/ pppd and the tips on the ubp and sdp. That’s a lot extra! I know pricing varies and sometimes it’s a better deal to book U.K. but that’s a lot extra for an ai package if it’s not ai!