littlelulu01

Is Bliss H8 the same as Escape H8? (Deluxe Haven Spa Suite)

 

No. it's a forward Haven suite but not in Haven. I'm looking at deck plans and see that it's a window facing front of ship and small side balcony. I think I want to switch. I'm thinking that an aft penthouse will give much better deck space. So very hard to make these decisions without anything to compare. Never been on a mega ship.

Wow pricey

 

 

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Yes. I'm now curious about what balconies and inside rooms are going for. Alaska sailings very pricey especially considering the September is last Alaska sailing so probably the least expensive for the season. The 14 and 15 nights sailing very comparable to Europe prices. Oh there's no 24 hour hold available. They're only doing full deposits. Pcc said it's only been open for about an hour and first Panama Canal sailing only had 6 Haven spa suites left. He said the room videos they showed them are really incredible. Some rooms with fireplace, said spa suites look much better than other ship's spa suites. I know spa passes will be a fortune on the longer sailing but I went with the H8 for Panama Canal. Have no idea if this was the best choice but figured price can only go up.

14 night panama canel 11/3/18 is $10,288 for Haven spa suite, $11,688 for H8. May 10th Miami to LA 15 night $10,219 for Haven spa. 9/30/18 Vancouver to LA $3903 Haven spa and $4403 for H8. All prices are all in for 2. The 9/22/18 Alaska sailing is $10,270 for Haven spa.

My pcc just called and I booked! There's a new category H8 front corner of ship. No idea what exactly it is but it sleeps 4.

That is $50 more than they are obligated to give you.

 

op- depending on the country you booked, this may be a false statement. Also NCL will sometimes pay an airline change fee even for USA site booked passengers. Sorry about your situation and good luck.

Is the entire ship chartered as in NCL has told you that they no longer want you on the ship or is it an itinerary change with a different embarkation port? If they still have you booked on the sailing but are telling you that they have changed embarkation countries then they may be willing to pay for the airlines change fees. Rome -Barcelona flights are fairly inexpensive. Good luck and I'm sorry about the changes. A land vacation may be worth looking into.

 

You may want to look into the regional airlines. Ryanair, easy jet... and see about just getting to Rome via a short flight after cruise. Probably not much more than you would pay for transportation from Rome cruise port to city.

It is still is not listed on the website. I checked with my TA and he thinks it might be sold out. I can't believe two cruises are sold out like that. We too have our airfare and there are 11 of us on the cruise. It is departing from Barcelona and into Rome so there are no other cruises with that itinerary at all. I am concerned though.

 

It's not just these cruises showing sold out. The Jade 14 night Europe, 2017 sailings all went to sold out status a couple weeks ago. It is concerning to see these sailings go from so much available to sold out so far in advance. Yes, they are desirable itineraries, but NCL doesn't sell out on this many ships 9 + months in advance.

 

I have been told that my sailing is oversold and as people cancel it should open back up for sale. This may be the case but I do wonder if the impending opening of sales for the Bliss on 1/18/17 may be accompanied by a massive redeployment like what happened August, 2015. Best case scenario is that they are in fact sold out cruises and NCL has the worlds best itineraries and sales team. If it was simply a website glitch and NCL actually does have rooms available, one would think that calling to book would be feasible.

 

At this point about the only thing that we can do is hope for the best come 1/18. I think if they're announcing another mass redeployment it would be then. After being caught up in the last redeployment I've learned to have a backup plan in place. Since you're locked in with airfare you might want to look at alternative sailings or possibly a land vacation. It's pure speculation to think our sailings are chartered, potentially canceled or redeployed and the only reason I even suspect it is because of the mass redeployment in 2015. Certainly doesn't hurt to have some potential alternatives in mind.

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/index.html you may want to take a look at this link to get an idea of transportation and lodging options. If you have the time it's fun to take the people mover and then wander around eventually making it to St Marks Square. If pressed for time then water taxi will be the fastest but also the most expensive. I think we paid about 80 euro for water taxi from our hotel at St Marks to cruise port. It's the same price regardless of number of passengers though so may be worth considering for larger group. There's also an Aluguana (sp ?) ticket office at the port that sells tickets direct from port to St Marks Square for 8 euro pp. I think it takes about 20 minutes total and drop off is at St Marks via grand canel.

Not sure if it's already been posted but my pcc called today to tell me he's able to book starting 1/18.

Normally I would agree with you, but the problem is vehicle traffic and security at the airport. So many people getting off leads to a back up even getting onto the island,never mind getting off. The many buses are right there and leave very often.

A water taxi might be the fastest as it avoids the roads and there are many of them. With the world issues going on, I don't know if I would risk that short of a window. All it takes is one person not finding luggage and you missed your flights.

They are not going to let you go to the head of the line just because your flight is taking off.

 

In a perfect scenario of getting off,getting luggage and getting into a vehicle leaving right away, then sure no problem.

 

Should someone not be able to find luggage upon debarkation that is an issue in itself. One would have to decide either to stay in port looking for the luggage or make the flight. The type of transportation you are taking to airport is not going to make finding lost luggage any less or more likely.

 

Regarding water taxi. It is about a 25 minute ride to the airport BUT you have to get yourself and party and luggage from ship to the water taxi stand. This can be quite a hike depending on where the ship docks and there is no way to know for sure how far the ship is from the water taxi stand. Once at the water taxi stand you will wait in line. I think cost is around 110 euro for water taxi.

 

Pre arranged land taxi will be waiting AT your ship, as in- you step off the ship, pick up bags and the driver will be standing there with a sign and your party name. 45 euro total or $6.50 pp for direct to airport 20-25 mins.

 

Ship prearranged transfer will also load passengers AT the ship as in you step off the ship, gather bags and walk onto the bus that will take directly to airport and cost around $20 pp. The busses leave as they fill for the airport.

 

The people mover to Piazzale Roma is simply not an option I would take given the flight time. Walking from ship to people mover, walk time varies depending on where ship is docked at Marittima cruise terminal, stand in line to purchase people mover ticket, get to Piazzale Roma and then start process of procuring airport transfer? ATVO bus from Piazzale Roma to airport at 8 euro pp plus the 1.5 euro pp people mover fare is going to put you at higher cost overall than had you just arranged a taxi to pick your party up at the ship. AND the ATVO bus or land taxi is still going to take 25 mins from Piazzale Roma to airport so you have spent all that time walking, standing in 2 lines, waiting that you can add onto the total transfer time. I'm sure passengers do make it onto a 12:15 flight going this route but talk about a nail biter way to end your vacation. No thanks.

NCL Jade- wondering if there is a large group on the 14 night 9/11/17 sailing. Availability went from quite open to sold out overnight a couple weeks ago. Seems strange but PCC says it's just oversold so taken off website. All 2017 Norway, Iceland and UK 14 & 15 night sailings removed from NCL website about the same time. A couple of the sailings were limited availability prior to showing sold out but I know the 9/11 sailing was wide open.

You can also take a water taxi, or just grab a regular taxi when you cross over the metal glass bridge. You will also find regular scheduled buses lined up there as well and another option is the train.

 

You don't want to pay a fortune for 8 miles, with half of that over a fast causeway.

 

With 7 people splitting the fare for a prebooked land taxi at about 45 euro (6.5 euro pp) it's going to be the fastest and most economical way. Any other combination is going to add more travel time, cost your group more $ and lead to more stress. The Venice airport is a stressful place. I would strongly advise trying to be one of the first groups off the ship, getting off the ship as soon as possible and going straight to the airport. You should be off the ship with luggage collected to meet your driver at 8:30 and most likely to airport at 9am. This will give you 3 hours to get through the airport zoo which should be enough time for your flight. Taxis are scarce at the ship and there's a lot of passengers wanting one. They're not lined up waiting for you. A prebooked one is definitely the way to go.

So sorry to all affected on these cruises. Had someone asked me if I wanted a free cruise with that itinerary but had to take such long flights and pay for them I too would have passed- even for half off next cruise - well unless I had one of the top suites. I always have the carnival poop cruise in the back of my mind when picking a stateroom. Not to say sometimes I can't pass up the lowest price room on the ship especially for a port intensive sailings but situations like currently on the Star make me think twice about it.

 

I remember reading about some issues with the Jewel Alaska last year. I think initially the offer was pretty paltry- something like $50 obc for skipping some Alaska ports and returning to Seattle early so repairs could be made. I really had to wonder what some posters motives were who defended the offer. Some passengers felt that sitting in an industrial port while the ship was being repaired was not technically cruising and they let KIRO news know about the situation. NCL quickly changed the offer. By then they had some pretty angry customers though.

 

God luck to all affected and hoping your dream vacations can be somewhat salvaged.

I think I appreciated speciality dining more in Alaska than say the med, where you have some fabulous food in ports that won't compare to ship food. In Alaska we really enjoyed getting back on the ship after all day hiking or whatever and getting to have a nice meal and service. Certainly not necessary but nice to have a speciality dinner on a sea day.

It depends on the type of Haven suite. I've been sent a note card, regular mail thanking me for booking a suite and contact number, sometimes been sent nothing and asked once on board the ship. If one of the top suites like garden villa they've asked what type of alcohol and soda we want in the room and what time we will be at port so that onboard staff can meet us/have things ready. You can contact pre cruise concierge supposedly for things like a pillow request but in reality unless you have something that needs to be done prior to getting on the ship, your butler and ship concierge can get you what you need. Have fun.

The entire cruising industry is contradictory. During recessions where people vacation less and spend less money, the cruise lines had record years. Maybe if the economy continues to get better we will see better pricing ;)

 

Not so sure about that. They were serving lobster included with the fare, back then and letting people bring a Coke and a bottle of water on board. If anything I'd think the envelope will be pushed as far as possible and only when it does not work anymore will they cut prices. Kinda like the insane suite prices for Europe 2016 that were a total bust- they didn't make the same mistake this year.

I priced cruises for the first time in several months. The prices were too high so another year I wont be cruising. There are still some fair prices for inside cabins. In 2013 5 family members cruised a 2 bedroom suite on Epic for about $5,000. A 2 bedroom suite now is about $8400. Its has increased so much that when the family comes back we are renting a beach cottage in the keys.

I assume NCL is filling the cabins at these prices with the (paid for) promos because the prices have remained consistent for well over a year now.

 

I noticed that Europe 2017 suite prices were a lot less than 2106. The prices in 2016 were insane. 17k for a 2 bedroom non haven suite. 64k for a GV. There were tons of last minute upsells. 2017 season they priced them much lower and they are selling much better. Id much rather pay a little more upfront for a set room than play fire sale last minute upsell game. I agree that prices overall have seen an increase compared to a few years ago but the economy recovered and so the days of incredible deals are gone for the most part. In 2013 we sailed last minute 7 nt Pearl inside stateroom Alaska for less than our port fees thanks to the resident discount. I didn't see any resident discounts last couple seasons and certainly no cruise to Alaska for less than port fees on any lines.

The NCL site will show you what ships are still available for booking but not the ones that are, "sold out". Example my cruise and all 14 night Jade Europe 2017 were removed from the site last week. I was worried and called. Was told they all sold out thus taken off NCL website. Find it very strange and so did my PCC that my sailing went from considerable availability to sold out overnight and 8+ months in advance but it's evidently the case.

We've used this guy a couple times now. ekiprent@tiscali.it I think it's 45 euro total from the ship to the airport. Mercedes sprinter. He was standing outside with a sign with our name as we walked off the ship. Very important to have taxi prebooked for a noon flight. Avoids much stress. Our flight was 11:45 and we made it fine but checked in online prior to arrival at airport.

Where does she have the student visa from? I assume from a country in Europe. If so then not an issue since she has a stamp from Canada afterm her student visa. That shows that she left Europe. If your cruise is from the US doesn't matter anyway. If it is from Europe just request the passport get stamped when you fly into Europe if you have concerns.

 

Expired Student visa from Italy. I just called her and had her check passport. Canada never stamped it upon return. They pulled her out at customs and it took a while for her to get interviewed upon Canada entry so I assumed it was stamped. So she has a US valid passport that according to just the stamps shows the visa and no Italy exit. The passport is fine to enter countries and she's had no problem doing so since student visa expired. Cruise is out of Southampton.

You don't have to give a reason. Passports can be renewed at any time. They don't care. They won't ask. Don't claim it was lost. Send the old one in with the renewal. It is just an added expense. I am not saying you should do that. Only that it is the only sure way I can think of to not have the worry of the expired visa.

 

 

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Sorry. I didn't know you could renew a valid current passport. I guess it's worth the $ to get rid of the student visa. Does seem so strange that what is good enough for travel to other countries isn't good enough for ncl.

If you encounter rigid and ignorant NCL customer service employees it could be an issue. It's was a Catch 22 with the expired student visa for the other person. The only sure thing you could do would be get a new passport. That would get rid of the expired student visa in her passport book.

 

 

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I just looked at the rest of my families passports. I have one child's who according to passport stamps is currently in Mexico - has been there several years even though we were only there a week. Husband is currently in Venice and mine has zero stamps in it even though I've been to many countries along with family and went through same passport control lines they did. Only one child with the expired student visa though. What an expense to replace valid passports just to get on a ship. I mean what to you even state as reason for replacing? I don't think its a good idea to lie and say it was lost just to get rid of a student visa. everyone in our family has zero re entry USA stamps on our US passports. I know I've asked for a stamp in the past and been told no.

We are us citizens with us passports. Daughter has expired student visa in her passport. She's traveled back to Europe and several other continents since returning to the us from year of study abroad. Initially she returned to the us via Flight through Canada. Canada stamped her passport but us never did so I guess if someone was only looking at stamps in a passport you may conclude that she overstayed student visa. She's physically living here in the us but according to passport stamps it currently shows her as being in Europe from a recent trip. We are going on a very expensive two week cruise in 2017 and I'm now concerned about her ability to board the ship. I'm certain she's able to travel without problems back and forth from us to Europe with the expired student visa because she's done it several times since it expired. What does one do when the passport stamps don't reflect where you are and have been? OP - so sorry about your situation. I'd never have given this a second thought had I not read your post.

Thank you for the information! :)

 

Sure. I have been kind of keeping an eye on the prices and availability for the 14 night Jade sailings since October. I think your sailing was selling very well. I know the itinerary is fairly unique but didn't think that September would also be so popular. In fact a few weeks ago there was some pretty good price drops leading me to believe there was still considerable inventory for my sailing. I was able to rebook and get a Haven suite for 50% off second passenger. According to the fish site your sailing didn't really see the price drops so I think it sold much better but selling out several 14 night itineraries, some 8+ months in advance is not common in the cruise industry.

 

I still find it hard to believe that my sailing went from plenty of available staterooms including the GV and several non Haven suites to sold out overnight. Still seems strange but more plausible than a bunch of 14 night charters.

 

A lot of the private excursions are non refundable. I've purchased one so far but think I'll hold off on any more just in case.

Well I think some good news from my pcc. My cruise is not canceled just oversold. He said its possible some large groups booked available staterooms causing them all to disappear at the same time. Said it's currently only oversold by 6 and so at some point rooms will probably come back into they system and I can add kids. Said most likely after final payment.