New to NCL...help!

[Cpw221]

Hi everyone-

 

My family and I are new to NCL, but not cruising. Our first 6 cruises have been with Carnival, and now we're ready to try something new! We're looking at a Thanksgiving Cruise on the Breakway.

 

Questions: I've tried researching as much as I can on the boards, but I'm confused about booking with a third-party site. ( I know we're not suppose to name them here)

 

1.)If I were to book with a third party site, I will receive $400 OBC and two Free at Sea options. Through NCL, I'll get only $100 OBC, and two Free at Sea options. The deposit and final price of is virtually the same. Has anyone booked third party, and if so, have you had any problems? Can you still book dinner reservations through the NCL website?

 

2.)Will NCL honor price drops if there were to be any?

 

3.) Any problems with booking a balcony 8th or 9th deck on Breakaway? I'm a super light sleeper, and can't really tell from the deck plans what's in the center of each of those decks. Trying to decide between ocean view and balcony, thoughts?

 

Thanks so much for any help!! :D

[Shawnino]

1) Go third party. They're effectively splitting NCL's commission fee with you.

2) Up til final payment date

3) If you're a truly light sleeper the 'white noise' from an open balcony could help you.

[casofilia]

The only problem I see with going third party is that they own the booking you don't. Then if you approach NCL over something they may well tell you to go through your TA. If NCL send out any information about a change it will not go to you it will go to your TA.

[Cpw221]

The only problem I see with going third party is that they own the booking you don't. Then if you approach NCL over something they may well tell you to go through your TA. If NCL send out any information about a change it will not go to you it will go to your TA.

 

Thanks for your reply. I'm looking to book through a discount travel website, not a TA, so would this still apply?

[Cpw221]

1) Go third party. They're effectively splitting NCL's commission fee with you.

2) Up til final payment date

3) If you're a truly light sleeper the 'white noise' from an open balcony could help you.

 

Thanks! I've had one balcony prior, and slept like a baby!

[Cafedumonde]

Thanks for your reply. I'm looking to book through a discount travel website, not a TA, so would this still apply?

Yes, you will have to go through them for everything except excursions and scheduling things like dining.

[Cpw221]

Yes, you will have to go through them for everything except excursions and scheduling things like dining.

 

Thanks! Just to be clear, I can schedule my dining and excursions through NCL's website myself, right?

[Meanee]

Thanks! Just to be clear, I can schedule my dining and excursions through NCL's website myself, right?

 

I am a NCL newbie, but I believe you are correct. I booked through TA so I can't sneeze without TA's permissions. However, all onboard reservations are available through NCL's web site.

 

I do have that "$50 discount per port of call for Shore Excursion" benefit, and to use that I have to call NCL directly, not to book it through the website.

[RebelAthena]

(1) I was in this “boat” back in July 2017. I did book through a TA website in conjunction with a cash back website; as a result, I saved 10% on my cruise and will sail with triple the OBC that NCL awards.

 

HOWEVER, using a TA is not without risk; as others have commented, one cannot sneeze without the TA, and sometimes you really have to be proactive in making sure you are getting all the benefits to which you are entitled.

 

As an aside, you will likely get an upgrade bidding option directly from NCL, even if you use a TA.

 

If you are getting a balcony or above, I would encourage you to explore whether you can secure NCL future cruise credits (which are freely transferable).

 

(2) Yes, they will honor price. In fact, my TA called on our behalf just last week because the price dropped drastically, and NCL gave us additional OBC, even though they had no obligation to do so.

[xriva]

As an aside, you will likely get an upgrade bidding option directly from NCL, even if you use a TA.

 

.

 

 

This assumes the TA is in the upgrade program. Some of the big box store TAs are not. In that case, you will not get a chance to bid.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Cpw221]

This assumes the TA is in the upgrade program. Some of the big box store TAs are not. In that case, you will not get a chance to bid.

 

So, assuming I'm using one that starts with Travel and ends with City, I wouldn't be eligible for price drops? Sorry, on NCL do we "bid" to get price drops? On Carnival you just watch the website and call to get the difference in price. :confused:

[Oldgoat61]

cpw......once you have a cabin, call NCL (1-800-625-1167) and make a reservation for excursions. If you use the website, you will have to pay at that point. If you call, you don't have to pay until you are on the ship and have taken the excursion, and it will give you the opportunity to change, or cancel any reservation.

My wife is a light sleeper, so I make sure I have a cabin above us, and below us.

You won't be able to set up restaurant reservations until you are 90 days out, although that might change because NCL is going to change the final payment date from 90 to 120 days out.

[Cpw221]

cpw......once you have a cabin, call NCL (1-800-625-1167) and make a reservation for excursions. If you use the website, you will have to pay at that point. If you call, you don't have to pay until you are on the ship and have taken the excursion, and it will give you the opportunity to change, or cancel any reservation.

My wife is a light sleeper, so I make sure I have a cabin above us, and below us.

You won't be able to set up restaurant reservations until you are 90 days out, although that might change because NCL is going to change the final payment date from 90 to 120 days out.

 

Thanks, very helpful!

[emcelh]

This assumes the TA is in the upgrade program. Some of the big box store TAs are not. In that case, you will not get a chance to bid.

 

So, assuming I'm using one that starts with Travel and ends with City, I wouldn't be eligible for price drops? Sorry, on NCL do we "bid" to get price drops? On Carnival you just watch the website and call to get the difference in price. :confused:

The bidding previous posters are referring to is for upgrades. You would be eligible for Price drops but not all TAs participate in the upgrade program. Price drops prior to final payment due date are handled the same as on Carnival.

[RebelAthena]

This assumes the TA is in the upgrade program. Some of the big box store TAs are not. In that case, you will not get a chance to bid.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I used The William Shatner website, and the Upgrade Advantage email came straight to my inbox.

[sanger727]

This assumes the TA is in the upgrade program. Some of the big box store TAs are not. In that case, you will not get a chance to bid.

 

 

 

So, assuming I'm using one that starts with Travel and ends with City, I wouldn't be eligible for price drops? Sorry, on NCL do we "bid" to get price drops? On Carnival you just watch the website and call to get the difference in price. :confused:

 

 

 

Using a TA doesn’t change your eligibility for price drops. If you are eligible with NCL you can get them. The difference is that will have to get your TA to call to get a price drop. Some TAs are great about that, and some aren’t. Also be aware that some TAs charge cancellation penalties above and beyond what NCL charges. In your shoes I would use the TA.

 

Bidding is entirely different. If you are in the US, if the price of your cruise drops before final payment you can re-price. After final payment you are unable to do this. In the past after final payment, if the price of a high level room drops to a price you are willing to pay they would let you upgrade. There are mixed reports on if this is still allowed. What they are doing now is bidding. If you are eligible to bid, then someone before final payment and the sailing date you will get an email telling you what category cabins you can bid to upgrade to and it gives you a range for the bid. If you win the bid you upgrade to a guarantee in that category.

 

We don’t care to upgrade. We book the cabins we want at a price we want to pay so the bidding isn’t a big deal to us. I want to be able to take advantage of price drops up till final payment but that’s all I’m concerned about. All that is available through a TA. But some TAs opt out of the bidding process so if you use one that has, you won’t have the opportunity to bid.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Tatka]

Please don’t get upset by what I’ll say.

 

To OP , I like NCL and we cruised with them 7 times with one upcoming, but if cruising from NY area in colder season I’d look at Anthem if the Seas vs Breakaway which we also cruised on. Anthem has indoor pool and a Solarium, and other inclosed areas (Seaplex)

[Cpw221]

Please don’t get upset by what I’ll say.

 

To OP , I like NCL and we cruised with them 7 times with one upcoming, but if cruising from NY area in colder season I’d look at Anthem if the Seas vs Breakaway which we also cruised on. Anthem has indoor pool and a Solarium, and other inclosed areas (Seaplex)

 

Thanks, we're actually porting out of NOLA, so I'm hopeful for good weather!

[rascaldog]

I haven't been on the Breakaway but have been on its sister ship the Getaway, and absolutely loved the balcony locations on deck 8. It was centrally located right next the waterfront 1 floor above the Casino, in my mind it is a perfect location. I am booked for deck 8 Mini Suite on the Bliss this October.

[Tatka]

Thanks, we're actually porting out of NOLA, so I'm hopeful for good weather!

 

 

Then you should be ok. I forgot BA will be changing ports.

 

I am not quite sold on her pool deck space. Our sailing was a bit cold, but it looked crowded anyway.

 

Absolutely loved presence of real Promenade (rare thing nowdays) and Waterfront.