NCL's final payment date at 120

[tallnthensome]

Just wondering for those of you booked for early 2021, is the 120 day out final payment date for a cash refund seriously weighing on your decision to go on that particular cruise? I have a cruise on the Encore booked for early April out of Florida and final payment is due in December. With all that is going on, what will be going on then , and the issues with refunds I am very hesitant to make a final payment in mid December. Any others thinking about this as an upcoming personal issue? I could deal with a 30 or even 60 day final payment but 120 days seems ridiculous to make a commitment of thousands of dollars to an ever changing virus/cruise environment. If cruises start this winter then it may make me feel better but if they want $4K in December and not a single cruise has sailed or sailed safely by then I will probably cancel. Thoughts? Will they change the deadlines?  

Edited July 6, 2020 by tallnthensome

[msmayor]

Final payment for my family's holiday cruise on Escape is due August 28th (departure Dec 26th)...and I am cancelling this week.

 

This would have been our first NCL cruise, and first long-anticipated holiday vacation together.  I booked three Club Suite staterooms (before they were called Club Suites)...so for a holiday sailing not a small amount of money.  I simply cannot consider sending NCL a five-figure final payment before a single cruise ship starts to sail again.  I'm not willing to gamble this special family trip on what I 'think' or 'hope' cruising will be like.

 

I don't even think a 60 day final payment would change my mind.  

 

Thankfully we booked during a $50pp deposit special, all fully-refundable.  I only have $300 tied up in the reservation so perfectly content to wait 90-120 days (or more) to get it back.

[tallnthensome]

16 minutes ago, msmayor said:

 

 

I don't even think a 60 day final payment would change my mind.  

 

Thankfully we booked during a $50pp deposit special, all fully-refundable.  I only have $300 tied up in the reservation so perfectly content to wait 90-120 days (or more) to get it back.

Yea, I agree. Luckily I only have a few hundred bucks tied up in my April cruise as well, not $5K like this years cruise ......I can see this far out final payment date really affect bookings . I see few people who will throw lots of cash at NCL 4 months out at this point when those final payment due dates arrive. Many including me have plans to cruise this winter or early next year but will more than likely chicken out when NCL holds that hand out wanting their money when the times comes. Florida is a disaster and nobody even wants to travel to that state let alone get on a ship in that state .....NCL better adjust that payment schedule if they really expect 

people to keep their bookings. In my opinion, all the lines are in deep trouble with the massive outbreaks getting worse .....

[bluesea777]

If it were us, we'd cancel the cruise just before the final payment , and then do not book any cruises until the ships are back in service.

 

We did book a couple of cruises in 2022 but we booked them so to use the FCCs and FCDs.

 

Otherwise we'd cancel before final payment.

 

 

Edited July 6, 2020 by bluesea777

[All-ready2cruise]

It definitely is impacting my decision regarding final payments. 

 

I have 2 longish cruises booked for next April (total 26 days). I'm with you, as far being uncomfortable making final payment 120 days from sail date.  It may seem like a long way off, however, looking at this pandemic and cruise line / CDC expectations, it doesn't allow much margin for error.  

 

Hopefully things will improve shortly.  

 

 

[tallnthensome]

1 minute ago, All-ready2cruise said:

It definitely is impacting my decision regarding final payments. 

 

I have 2 longish cruises booked for next April (total 26 days). I'm with you, as far being uncomfortable making final payment 120 days from sail date.  It may seem like a long way off, however, looking at this pandemic and cruise line / CDC expectations, it doesn't allow much margin for error.  

 

Hopefully things will improve shortly.  

 

 

I agree 100% ....... If NCL was really confident they'd be sailing then they'd lower that payment date to get or keep bookings ..... They won't .....

[poohdreaming]

You only have a few choices. But if it was me, I would not pay the final deposit until NCL sail. I would also not rebook any cruises until they sail or know what they are doing. Right now, some of 2021 cruises are already cancelled for redeployment. I know a lot of people like to book last minutes. But with Covid-19 still going on, they might have to cut down some cruisers. Right now in some casinos - it is only 25% capacity. Some are up to 50%.

[julig22]

I have a  cruise booked for late January.  Booked with FCC, so amount of actual cash due in late Sept is minimal and I'll probably pay it unless it's fairly obvious that the trip won't be happening.  I've booked a couple of later cruises using CN, so no additional money out of pocket at this point.  Good chance that I'll cancel those rather than tie up any additional funds if cruising hasn't resumed by then - payment not due until mid-December and later for those.

I agree that NCL would be wise to adjust the final payment due-date, at least until they actually start cruising again.  They need to offer some sort of incentive to get people to speculate.

[zqvol]

3 hours ago, msmayor said:

Final payment for my family's holiday cruise on Escape is due August 28th (departure Dec 26th)...and I am cancelling this week.

 

This would have been our first NCL cruise, and first long-anticipated holiday vacation together.  I booked three Club Suite staterooms (before they were called Club Suites)...so for a holiday sailing not a small amount of money.  I simply cannot consider sending NCL a five-figure final payment before a single cruise ship starts to sail again.  I'm not willing to gamble this special family trip on what I 'think' or 'hope' cruising will be like.

 

I don't even think a 60 day final payment would change my mind.  

 

Thankfully we booked during a $50pp deposit special, all fully-refundable.  I only have $300 tied up in the reservation so perfectly content to wait 90-120 days (or more) to get it back.

 

 

IMO no one is sailing at Christmas this year, so that is probably a good decision. I don't think tying funds up with a cruise line right now is a wise investment.

[Lou33]

I wouldn't make the final payment.  There will be many, many people cancelling right before final payment.  And if for some reason the cruise is still a go, then you can probably re-book it at a reduced cost because they will want to fill those cabins.  Otherwise if you make the full final payment, your money may be tied up for a very long time.  

[All-ready2cruise]

42 minutes ago, Lou33 said:

I wouldn't make the final payment.  There will be many, many people cancelling right before final payment.  And if for some reason the cruise is still a go, then you can probably re-book it at a reduced cost because they will want to fill those cabins.  Otherwise if you make the full final payment, your money may be tied up for a very long time.  

Agreed. I think most of us are of that opinion.  No more free loans.  

[Samstress]

I will be disappointed if we have to cancel this particular cruise that we have booked for January, 2021.  It is a 15 day sailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Antartica.  But we have already accepted the fact that we will most likely do just that.  I'm holding on until September 1st when our final payment is due just in case there is a slim glimmer of hope; but I don't see any way that we can commit unless things change drastically.  Ah well, we are still on the green side of the grass....and that makes me happy:-)) Stay safe everyone!  Sandy

[julig22]

35 minutes ago, Samstress said:

I will be disappointed if we have to cancel this particular cruise that we have booked for January, 2021.  It is a 15 day sailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Antartica.  But we have already accepted the fact that we will most likely do just that.  I'm holding on until September 1st when our final payment is due just in case there is a slim glimmer of hope; but I don't see any way that we can commit unless things change drastically.  Ah well, we are still on the green side of the grass....and that makes me happy:-)) Stay safe everyone!  Sandy

Booked the same itinerary, end of January, final payment due Oct. 1.  Will have to decide then whether to invest a little more money or deal with re-booking with the fcc I have.  Booking price was a good deal (compared to current price), so I'm reluctant to cancel.  Fingers crossed that there will be better info available in a few months.

[EllieinNJ]

I have a cruise for Jan. 3rd booked back in October before all this happened.  Used a cruise next which expires 3/21.  Also used a new TA who wants payment 8/5 where NCL wants it 9/5.  Didn't read the fine print and now see they will automatically charge my cc.  Besides that, they will charge me a $100 cancellation charge. 😥

 

I'm just waiting to get my refund for my cancelled April Bliss cruise.  I am pretty sure I will cancel the above cruise before NCL cancels it but I'm hoping I can get that cruise next extended and also hope that TA will give me a voucher to book another cruise when I see all the ships are sailing.🥴

[Travelling2Some]

I agree that expecting final payment 120 days out will be a deal breaker for the foreseeable future.  I can only see us doing last minute bookings until things are much more certain.  We are still waiting for a refund and I will not give them thousands more to play games with.  We would have to know what to expect regarding masks, buffets and entertainment venues.  If it can't be a normal cruise experience we wouldn't want to go anyway.  In addition, I would have to feel reasonably assured that a cruise line will remain solvent.  Too much can happen in 120 days, especially lately.  Even before COVID I was uncomfortable with the change of final payment date from 90 to 120 days.

[tallnthensome]

My problem too is my Encore cruise for spring break 2021 for my family of four with four perks in a balcony was a great deal at $3895 when I booked it two years ago. Today it is over $6000. If I cancel Outside 120 even last minute pricing on a rebook would never drop as low as I have it locked in now ..... It was a pricing error for a day where they accidentally had balconies and 4 perks for $500 less and inside with one perk ....until they corrected it the next day.  I would hate to lose it .....

Edited July 6, 2020 by tallnthensome

[BonnieJeanne]

Just wondering for those of you booked for early 2021, is the 120 day out final payment date for a cash refund seriously weighing on your decision to go on that particular cruise? I have a cruise on the Encore booked for early April out of Florida and final payment is due in December. With all that is going on, what will be going on then , and the issues with refunds I am very hesitant to make a final payment in mid December. Any others thinking about this as an upcoming personal issue? I could deal with a 30 or even 60 day final payment but 120 days seems ridiculous to make a commitment of thousands of dollars to an ever changing virus/cruise environment. If cruises start this winter then it may make me feel better but if they want $4K in December and not a single cruise has sailed or sailed safely by then I will probably cancel. Thoughts? Will they change the deadlines?  

Final payment for me is 10/17 for 2/14 cruise. Will watch to see any ships moving. My husband wants to pay and take the 125% credit if it gets cancelled. . I’m leaning towards canceling just before final payment, if it doesn’t look a little more promising. We only have $700 into it right now.

 

 

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[Noworkforme23]

My final payment is due 8-14 for Dec 12, 2020 Encore cruise. I am I glad I have kept my $3,900 in the bank and have only paid the $100 deposit. 
If no promising news in next 6 weeks, I am going to call for an extension on my due date because I am not giving up that money that can be used elsewhere. 
I already put down a deposit for a Miami Beach vacation since my flight is already paid for and plan to use that money for my backup plan. 

[Stealthdog]

Just got an email from TA that final payment for my December cruise is coming up in a few weeks.  I’m going to cancel (no way I will make full payment at this point).  120 days out in this environment is a little absurd.

[tallnthensome]

4 minutes ago, Stealthdog said:

Just got an email from TA that final payment for my December cruise is coming up in a few weeks.  I’m going to cancel (no way I will make full payment at this point).  120 days out in this environment is a little absurd.

For sure! At this point if NCL isn’t more flexible on due dates with the current state of the pandemic they are toast in my opinion. The customers having more of a say and more options is in NCL’s best interest and for their survival. Telling us to pony up at 4 months out now is just stupid on their part. 

[Travelling2Some]

11 minutes ago, Noworkforme23 said:

My final payment is due 8-14 for Dec 12, 2020 Encore cruise. I am I glad I have kept my $3,900 in the bank and have only paid the $100 deposit. 

I've always wondered why anyone would choose to pay the whole balance up front when booking a cruise, especially one with a far off date.  Why fork over more than the deposit before final payment is due?  Maybe I'm missing something but I can't think of any advantage of doing that.  Why put yourself in the position of having to get your money back rather than just keep it in your own bank account as long as possible?  This post just reminded me of something I've long been curious about.

[luvcruzing]

I have a cruise booked in November, and the final payment date is Friday.  It’s a casino comped cruise using a CN and under $200 in cash. Haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do. NCL says I can cancel within 48 hours of the cruise, but that would mean getting more FCC (I had a March cruise cancelled). Flight is paid for.  I’m thinking/hoping that if I wait for NCL to cancel the cruise, maybe Delta will have pity on me and give me an eCredit for a future flight. I really feel, the way things are going in Florida, it would be safer to go on a cruise (with all the safety precautions NCL says they are making) than a week’s vacation in Miami.

[deliver42]

You don't want to vacation in Miami. Beaches are closed, no inside dining in restaurants, no having a drink in a bar, 10 PM curfew. Other than that, things are normal.

[Noworkforme23]

38 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

You don't want to vacation in Miami. Beaches are closed, no inside dining in restaurants, no having a drink in a bar, 10 PM curfew. Other than that, things are normal.

Our backup plan vacation is at Loews Miami Beach hotel. We have stayed here in the past. We just sit on the beach all day and have the hotel bring us food and drinks. It is heaven. 
We don’t rent a car, just get a balcony room and enjoy the beach the entire time.   Pure relaxation. 😉

Edited July 7, 2020 by Noworkforme23

[tallnthensome]

59 minutes ago, luvcruzing said:

I have a cruise booked in November, and the final payment date is Friday.  It’s a casino comped cruise using a CN and under $200 in cash. Haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do. NCL says I can cancel within 48 hours of the cruise, but that would mean getting more FCC (I had a March cruise cancelled). Flight is paid for.  I’m thinking/hoping that if I wait for NCL to cancel the cruise, maybe Delta will have pity on me and give me an eCredit for a future flight. I really feel, the way things are going in Florida, it would be safer to go on a cruise (with all the safety precautions NCL says they are making) than a week’s vacation in Miami.

Ha! I hear ya! My Alaska cruise for August was cancelled a while back. A couple months ago I booked a land resort and air from Detroit to Miami for a 9 day trip for next month .... Had to cancel that one too yesterday because Miami is so bad . Delta did give me a full future ecredit for the four in my family yesterday. Hope to use it for my April cruise .... maybe. There just isn’t anywhere to go to now that’s safe from the outbreak.