Up-grade bidding process

[maryivo]

Any thoughts out there on whether or not NCL will be offering the bidding process once cruising gets closer?  On our original cruise we were in the Haven  and we were really looking forward to that. When I rebooked it was outragerously expensive even with my coupons and FCC it was going to cost me another 10K! So I went with Club Balcony Suite on the Breakaway.  I really hope I'll get the cance to bid on the Haven.   I know it's hard to predict but any guessers out there???

[oteixeira]

It makes them money.  If there are available rooms they will let people bid up (this is my guess).  The real question is if the ship is 50% capacity do they have to keep the Haven 50% or can it be 50% in any rooms?  That is where all of this gets real interesting....

[maryivo]

1 hour ago, oteixeira said:

It makes them money.  If there are available rooms they will let people bid up (this is my guess).  The real question is if the ship is 50% capacity do they have to keep the Haven 50% or can it be 50% in any rooms?  That is where all of this gets real interesting....

I agree, i was thinking that with the reduced capacity they aren't going to "motivated" or able to fill the ship and thats the whole purpose of the bidding system.  Who knows.  Guess we'll find out 🙂

[armwinder]

12 hours ago, maryivo said:

Any thoughts out there on whether or not NCL will be offering the bidding process once cruising gets closer?  On our original cruise we were in the Haven  and we were really looking forward to that. When I rebooked it was outragerously expensive even with my coupons and FCC it was going to cost me another 10K! So I went with Club Balcony Suite on the Breakaway.  I really hope I'll get the cance to bid on the Haven.   I know it's hard to predict but any guessers out there???

Book the cabin you really want. 

[SpainAlien]

18 hours ago, maryivo said:

Any thoughts out there on whether or not NCL will be offering the bidding process once cruising gets closer?  On our original cruise we were in the Haven  and we were really looking forward to that. When I rebooked it was outragerously expensive even with my coupons and FCC it was going to cost me another 10K! So I went with Club Balcony Suite on the Breakaway.  I really hope I'll get the cance to bid on the Haven.   I know it's hard to predict but any guessers out there???

My cruise from Dec 2020 gave me the opportunity to bid for an upgrade before it was finally cancelled so I am sure you will have that option when the time comes, whether or not you will be successful is another matter 

 

[maryivo]

9 hours ago, armwinder said:

Book the cabin you really want. 

I did book the cabin I will be satisfited with. We're in a club balcony suite. However, I'd like to be in Haven, I'm just not willing to shell out 10K for it.  Thanks thou.

[jetact]

5 hours ago, maryivo said:

I did book the cabin I will be satisfited with. We're in a club balcony suite. However, I'd like to be in Haven, I'm just not willing to shell out 10K for it.  Thanks thou.

I was able to upgrade on our previous cruise but with the lower capacity that it looks like all ships will have I decided to get the exact cabin I wanted and it was in Haven so I know I will be happy with what I have booked. 

[complawyer]

13 hours ago, maryivo said:

I did book the cabin I will be satisf with. We're in a club balcony suite. However, I'd like to be in Haven, I'm just not willing to shell out 10K for it.  Thanks thou.

i never attempt to tell anyone how to spend their money, but the difference between a haven cabin and anything else is like night and day. i always caution people to be careful when/if they book a haven, as they will never be satisfied with anything less.  check the haven spa suites, of the forward penthouse suite, you may be able to get a haven for less than the 10,000.

 

i think it's worth it to have your own bar, restaurant, pool area, butler and concierge.

 

while i rarely use the concierge service, at the end of the cruise, he can get you off the ship within 15 minutes, instead of waiting with 2000-4000 of your closest friends,

 

that to me alone is worth the price of admission, not to mention the 24 hour on call butler, which we always utilize.

 

regardless of whatever cabin you choose, BON VOYAGE  have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

 

just so you know, what are now called "balcony cabins" were formally called mini-suites. ncl added a couple of small perks to justify the name change and price increase.

[purpleally]

14 hours ago, complawyer said:

i never attempt to tell anyone how to spend their money, but the difference between a haven cabin and anything else is like night and day. i always caution people to be careful when/if they book a haven, as they will never be satisfied with anything less.  check the haven spa suites, of the forward penthouse suite, you may be able to get a haven for less than the 10,000.

 

i think it's worth it to have your own bar, restaurant, pool area, butler and concierge.

 

while i rarely use the concierge service, at the end of the cruise, he can get you off the ship within 15 minutes, instead of waiting with 2000-4000 of your closest friends,

 

that to me alone is worth the price of admission, not to mention the 24 hour on call butler, which we always utilize.

 

regardless of whatever cabin you choose, BON VOYAGE  have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

 

just so you know, what are now called "balcony cabins" were formally called mini-suites. ncl added a couple of small perks to justify the name change and price increase.

For 10k, sail on Seabourn!!!!

[rodndonna]

46 minutes ago, purpleally said:

For 10k, sail on Seabourn!!!!

 

My thoughts exactly - when I make it to that price point (I can dream) I am not looking at NCL.

[complawyer]

3 hours ago, rodndonna said:

 

My thoughts exactly - when I make it to that price point (I can dream) I am not looking at NCL.

well, i may be in the minority, but i have always been satisfied with the price, the itinerary, the haven cabins, and the degree of service that comes with being in a haven.

 

while i dont know what seabourn has to offer for the same price, we're platinum plus on ncl, and it doesnt seem to be in our best interest to change now. although, im aware that i will never in tis lifetime reach ambassador status.

 

dont sell ncl short on price point

[Treasure Hunter]

The Haven has great food and great service and access to the big casino, big entertainment, comedy club and special acts like choir of man . Seaborne is a totally different experience. I gamble and NCL gives me a discount that makes the upcharge to the Haven less painful.

[oteixeira]

5 hours ago, purpleally said:

For 10k, sail on Seabourn!!!!

Seabourn is a small ship experience, and while great is not what some of us are looking for.  I want a casual dress fun ship with a ton to do, AND I want a private area I can retreat to and enjoy down time in a similar way to what the small luxury lines offer.

[Sailing12Away]

We've debated taking a try on one of the luxury lines, trying to justify it as 'somewhat' similar in price to NCL Haven. The thing that always holds us back is the overall vibe and dress code rules of those luxury lines. When we're on vacation we want to be in t-shirts and shorts and comfy. We'll throw on something a tad nicer if we're going to a specialty restaurant, but still not in wedding guest attire.

 

I've even peeked at some of the boards here on CC for those fancier lines, and the way some of the folks talk in there confirms that it's not the right fit for us at this time (someone was aghast that a fellow passenger showed up for dinner in what they considered "gardening attire").

 

The only caveat I'll throw out is that all Haven experiences are not created equal. Not all ships have a separate bar or lounge or restaurant. And not all butlers are created equal. Our first experience was a complete let down, the second try was amazing. Subsequent bookings have been cancelled, so I'm waiting for an opportunity to have that tie breaker cruise to finally decide. 

[complawyer]

48 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

We've debated taking a try on one of the luxury lines, trying to justify it as 'somewhat' similar in price to NCL Haven. The thing that always holds us back is the overall vibe and dress code rules of those luxury lines. When we're on vacation we want to be in t-shirts and shorts and comfy. We'll throw on something a tad nicer if we're going to a specialty restaurant, but still not in wedding guest attire.

 

I've even peeked at some of the boards here on CC for those fancier lines, and the way some of the folks talk in there confirms that it's not the right fit for us at this time (someone was aghast that a fellow passenger showed up for dinner in what they considered "gardening attire").

 

The only caveat I'll throw out is that all Haven experiences are not created equal. Not all ships have a separate bar or lounge or restaurant. And not all butlers are created equal. Our first experience was a complete let down, the second try was amazing. Subsequent bookings have been cancelled, so I'm waiting for an opportunity to have that tie breaker cruise to finally decide. 

im with you bro! our very 1st cruise, many years ago, we were in mid-30's and didnt know any better. i brought along 6 suites and a tux for formal night.... never again.

 

no matter long long my ncl cruise is, it's always jeans, t shirts, and just like you, maybe a long sleeve collared shirt . I believe that the only specialty restaurant that requires a collared shirt is le bistro, and since its not one of my favorites, what im wearing becomes a non-issue.  

 

even though some ncl ships dont have an actual "haven"  they do have similar suites. we still get to eat breakfast and lunch at cagney's or moderno, still getthe butler and concierge.

 

i guess my wife and i have been really lucky, the last 5 cruises we've taken with ncl our butlers have been amazing.

 

like they say, sometimes youre the pidgeon, and sometimes youre the statue

 

in any event, stay safe and have a great trip whenever you cruise again
 

[jetact]

On 4/22/2021 at 6:43 PM, complawyer said:

i never attempt to tell anyone how to spend their money, but the difference between a haven cabin and anything else is like night and day. i always caution people to be careful when/if they book a haven, as they will never be satisfied with anything less.  check the haven spa suites, of the forward penthouse suite, you may be able to get a haven for less than the 10,000.

 

i think it's worth it to have your own bar, restaurant, pool area, butler and concierge.

 

while i rarely use the concierge service, at the end of the cruise, he can get you off the ship within 15 minutes, instead of waiting with 2000-4000 of your closest friends,

 

that to me alone is worth the price of admission, not to mention the 24 hour on call butler, which we always utilize.

 

regardless of whatever cabin you choose, BON VOYAGE  have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

 

just so you know, what are now called "balcony cabins" were formally called mini-suites. ncl added a couple of small perks to justify the name change and price increase.

I do agree, our last cruise we upgraded to a penthouse suite and had all of the amenities and loved it so yes we are addicted. It was like when we flew first class, we have never flown coach again. I guess we all make our choices on how we like to travel and what we hope to get out of travel. 

 

We splurge on vacations and that's our choice as we only go on a couple of vacations a year. I hope that everyone always enjoys their time away from home never regrets a vacation decision. 

[complawyer]

1 hour ago, jetact said:

I do agree, our last cruise we upgraded to a penthouse suite and had all of the amenities and loved it so yes we are addicted. It was like when we flew first class, we have never flown coach again. I guess we all make our choices on how we like to travel and what we hope to get out of travel. 

 

We splurge on vacations and that's our choice as we only go on a couple of vacations a year. I hope that everyone always enjoys their time away from home never regrets a vacation decision. 

amen brother! that's what i'm talking about. im 73, my wife is 72 and both my  kids are fully grown.

 

when we were younger, we economized. at my age now, i have no qualms about spoiling both my wife and myself.

 

we've has 6 cruises cancelled since march 2020 and havent sailed since july 2018.

 

im ready to go.  we're currently booked on the escape from copenhagen (haven aft penthouse with master bedroom)oct 2021    and the star from lisbon nov 2022, star has no "haven" but we have the deluxe owners suite with 2 balconies and the price was amazing.

 

by the nov sailing, i'll be almost 75. i am definitely going to spoil the s**t out  myself.

 

the 1st question my wife asks is "do we have a haven"  she wont even consider going on a cruise if we dont have a haven, suite or a butler.

 

 

[jetact]

2 minutes ago, complawyer said:

amen brother! that's what i'm talking about. im 73, my wife is 72 and both my  kids are fully grown.

 

when we were younger, we economized. at my age now, i have no qualms about spoiling both my wife and myself.

 

we've has 6 cruises cancelled since march 2020 and havent sailed since july 2018.

 

im ready to go.  we're currently booked on the escape from copenhagen (haven aft penthouse with master bedroom)oct 2021    and the star from lisbon nov 2022, star has no "haven" but we have the deluxe owners suite with 2 balconies and the price was amazing.

 

by the nov sailing, i'll be almost 75. i am definitely going to spoil the s**t out  myself.

 

the 1st question my wife asks is "do we have a haven"  she wont even consider going on a cruise if we dont have a haven, suite or a butler.

 

 

Thats the way to do it. 

 

We have talked about a Mediterranean cruise and either Alaska (canceled cruise )or the med is 2023 for us. Is it much different from a states or Caribbean cruise?

[complawyer]

3 hours ago, jetact said:

Thats the way to do it. 

 

We have talked about a Mediterranean cruise and either Alaska (canceled cruise )or the med is 2023 for us. Is it much different from a states or Caribbean cruise?

im  not sure what you mean by it being much different, but we've cruised out of rome, barcelona, venice , hong kong and hamburg.

 

our 1st ncl cruise was on the pearl to alaska. the scenery was pretty, and i thought it was an ok cruise. also this was in 2010 and we hadnt been ona cruise inabout 15 years, i hadnt even thought of cruising, but my wife is a diamond club member through cesar's entertainment and we were offered a free ncl cruise so i figured why not. 

 

they offer this about 3-4 times per year, so we've been to most carribbean ports (including cozumel and costa maya)  we live in los angeles, and have no interest in the mexican coast cruise.

 

that being said, whenever we leave from a foreign port, we make sure we spend a few days before/after the cruise in city.  if you book a cruise from barcelona, im sure you will absolutely love the city. hong kong and singapore were amazing, but due to the current political problems,i'd try and stay away from hong kong.  when we landed, the1st thought i had was "i cant believe i'm in china.

 

venice is also beautiful, but i understand they are cracking down on tourists, too many people.

 

if you leave from citiavecchia, remember its about an hour from rome itself, but you should try and spend a couple of days in rome if you can.  finally, one of these cruises usually docks in livorno.

 

make sure you see the leaning tower of pisa, although this too is about an hour away from the dock .

 

sorry to be so longwinded (im begining to sound like a travel agent), but if you get the chance to sail from any european or meditterranean port, i strongly suggest "go for it"

 

at my age, i now get to see all the places ive read or heard about.