Free at Sea PLUS and Vibe Beach Club Finally Show On My Upcoming Cruise

[Sthrngary]

I am one of those crazy cruisers that look at their online account daily.  My wife and I wake up, make coffee and go on our computers.  She goes to Reddit and I go to CruiseCritic.  After CruiseCritic, I look at my two upcoming cruise ( NCL and Oceania) to see what has changed or is different.  Is my Haven Upgrade Bid still a possibility? ; Is everything I pre-purchase on my account?: Are their any messages about my cruise?; Has the fares gone up or down?  My list go on.  This habit allows me to allow the time until the cruise to create anticipation. 

 

This morning with 60 days to the cruise, my account summary has finally changed.  I can finally see my Free at Sea PLUS and Vibe Beach Club pass as a purchased option.  Prior, it was not shown or you really had to look for it.  I hate this because of how many times I have gotten onboard and something I took care to make happen was not noted.  It was always fixed quickly but still not something I wanted to deal with on the first day of my vacation.  

 

I bring this to everyone attention assuming you all have been looking for the same clarifications on your online portfolio.  Hope this helps everyone in some way.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Niffernay]

34 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 I can finally see my Free at Sea PLUS and Vibe Beach Club pass as a purchased option.  

 

I'm out of the loop - you can buy Vibe Beach Club passes ahead of time now?! No more running to Guest Services?? 🤣

[Sthrngary]

31 minutes ago, Niffernay said:

 

I'm out of the loop - you can buy Vibe Beach Club passes ahead of time now?! No more running to Guest Services?? 🤣

@Niffernay Hello and it has been a while.  Yes, a few months ago, NCL opened up the ability to purchase Vibe Beach Club Weekly passes and on the ships that have them, Vibe Beach Club Cabana's which comes with two week passes.  You go to your entertainment on your online reservations, it is there. 

 

My cruise leaves in 60 days.  It shows NO Vibe Club Weekly passes available but you still can purchase a Vibe Beach Club cabana on that sailing.  

 

So you are right, no more running to the location where the Vibe Beach Club table is located at.  For me it means I can check in later and take it easy.  Hope that answers your question.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Niffernay]

14 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@Niffernay Hello and it has been a while.  Yes, a few months ago, NCL opened up the ability to purchase Vibe Beach Club Weekly passes and on the ships that have them, Vibe Beach Club Cabana's which comes with two week passes.  You go to your entertainment on your online reservations, it is there. 

 

My cruise leaves in 60 days.  It shows NO Vibe Club Weekly passes available but you still can purchase a Vibe Beach Club cabana on that sailing.  

 

So you are right, no more running to the location where the Vibe Beach Club table is located at.  For me it means I can check in later and take it easy.  Hope that answers your question.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Sure does. Thanks Gary! Have fun on your next/future cruises - Jen.😀

[Juncti]

5 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Niffernay Hello and it has been a while.  Yes, a few months ago, NCL opened up the ability to purchase Vibe Beach Club Weekly passes and on the ships that have them, Vibe Beach Club Cabana's which comes with two week passes.  You go to your entertainment on your online reservations, it is there. 

 

My cruise leaves in 60 days.  It shows NO Vibe Club Weekly passes available but you still can purchase a Vibe Beach Club cabana on that sailing.  

 

So you are right, no more running to the location where the Vibe Beach Club table is located at.  For me it means I can check in later and take it easy.  Hope that answers your question.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Damn, Vibe is already sold out for the Dec 4th sailing? 

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, Juncti said:

Damn, Vibe is already sold out for the Dec 4th sailing? 

Not the cabanas. They are still available. 

[bmlovell]

It’s been great pre-purchasing the vibe club before we sail . I about gave my self a full blown anxiety attack rushing to get one for our last sept sail thinking they would be gone . They were still available. This time it’s done , can’t pull off fakehaven without my vibe pass .now if we actually win our bid to haven I may not need them and can get reimbursed. So if you see them sold out online try to ask for them on ship . Sometimes folks cancel them .

 

[Juncti]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Not the cabanas. They are still available. 

So if we're doing the 4th I need to hurry and book a cabana lol

 

Mini haven might be a nice place to flex the upgraded beverage package. Those bartenders, next to Haven bartenders, go above and beyond. Did you book a vibe?

[bmlovell]

3 minutes ago, Juncti said:

So if we're doing the 4th I need to hurry and book a cabana lol

 

Mini haven might be a nice place to flex the upgraded beverage package. Those bartenders, next to Haven bartenders, go above and beyond. Did you book a vibe?

Vibe bartenders went all out for us on our last cruise .

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, Juncti said:

So if we're doing the 4th I need to hurry and book a cabana lol

 

Mini haven might be a nice place to flex the upgraded beverage package. Those bartenders, next to Haven bartenders, go above and beyond. Did you book a vibe?

You call it Mini-Haven, I call it "Haven Lite".  Again, I will comment a little long winded which is my nature.  When on the NCL Joy, end of November 2021; my family (four members) and I were in the Haven.  After four cancellations due to Covid, postponing my 40 wedding anniversary to our 42, I like the Joy so much I went again, same itinerary in March 2022 as a "solo" doing "Haven Lite". 

 

I was in a Club Balcony Suite and it was very nice.  I had a week pass at the Vibe Beach Club, five specialty dinners, and the Premium Plus Beverage Package.  During that week, I became a huge fan of the Vibe Beach Club.  As many know, I write about both the Premium Plus Beverage Package and the Secrets of the Haven VIP experience often.  I adore the Haven, truly.  Yet this solo cruise gave me the opportunity to experience this cruise, differently.

 

I absolutely loved the Vibe.  They treated me like a rock star in every way.  The bar and personalized service was outstanding in the Vibe.  But I have to say honestly, the bar did not cater to the premium brands much.  it would not have really mattered which drink package one had. That treatment was received elsewhere mostly the "A List" bar called different things on different cruise.  That was my actual and honest experience and it did not effect my experience at all.  Everything was still quite lovely and I must say, at 1/3 the investment of the Haven.  

 

As I have said so many time, that does not mean other have gotten different treatment then I did.  It just is an accurate outline of my time.  Remember, the drinks were flowing but the highend brands and spirits were fond elsewhere. 

 

You asked me if I was going to be in the Vibe for the week of December 4, 2022 out of New Orleans; the answer is absolutely and I can't wait to share this experience with my wife.  I have booked one of the Cabana's which thrilled my wife.  On the Breakaway, the Haven is almost exactly like the Getaway.  The Haven Sundeck does not have any hot tubs or a bar on their sundeck.  Where the Vibe has two hot tubs and a rather large bar.  In my opinion, and only my opinion the Vibe is the way to go on this size ship. 

 

I too have bid upgrades on every Haven Suite possible.  As I have stated previously, you have to have a Haven Suite left, to provide to a an upgrade bid.  The Haven has been sold out now for two weeks.  The reason is this is a very special cruise.  It is the finals for the Slot Tournament.  It is $100,000.00 winner take all.  It seems, the casino has offered their top gamblers the opportunity to join that event. That is most likely the reason the Haven Suites are sold out.  I am lucky enough that my wife won the slot tournament on the Joy last year giving her an entry.  That is the reason we booked this cruise almost a year ago.

 

I hope my experience allow you to the information you need to make your decision.  I hope you both cruise and join us in the Vibe.  It will be a very exciting week.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[TOMTOMRN331]

8 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Not the cabanas. They are still available. 

Two Questions - 

How much are the Cabana's for that cruise? Just curious and I know it could fluctuate ship to ship. My other question, I have Vibe passes for a cruise in Jan 2024. If prior to our sailing I decided to get a Cabana instead, are the passes refundable or are they used towards the purchase of the cabana? 

 

Thanks in advance. Happy sailing

[Sthrngary]

6 hours ago, TOMTOMRN331 said:

Two Questions - 

How much are the Cabana's for that cruise? Just curious and I know it could fluctuate ship to ship. My other question, I have Vibe passes for a cruise in Jan 2024. If prior to our sailing I decided to get a Cabana instead, are the passes refundable or are they used towards the purchase of the cabana? 

 

Thanks in advance. Happy sailing

@TOMTOMRN331 Happy to answer your questions.

 

Cabana Investment: $539.00 for the Cabana, includes week pass for two people. Remember, some Vibes do not have cabana's that can be rented.

Refund:  I had a week pass first.  I called and changed it to a Cabana after my wife saw the Cabana on YouTube video.  So the answer is yes, no isse.

 

Hope that answers both of your questions.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[detroitlions]

I was wondering why your bookings showed up so late. When I booked my December cruise a few months ago it all came up except I had to wait 120 days to book restaurants. My Vibe booking was available immediately. 

[Sthrngary]

2 hours ago, detroitlions said:

I was wondering why your bookings showed up so late. When I booked my December cruise a few months ago it all came up except I had to wait 120 days to book restaurants. My Vibe booking was available immediately. 

My Vibe Showed up on day one of the daily summery.  Yet when you looked below, it was still showing as an option.  My Free At Sea PLUS program was also purchased months ago when it was first available.  Yet I could still purchase the Premium Plus Drink Program even though it was included in the program I purchased.

 

It seems, NCL has just done a major update on their online website.  Hope that makes sense.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[CDR Benson]

On 10/5/2022 at 10:02 AM, Sthrngary said:

I am one of those crazy cruisers that look at their online account daily. 

 

I thought I was the only one who did that, heh.

[Juncti]

15 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

You call it Mini-Haven, I call it "Haven Lite".  Again, I will comment a little long winded which is my nature.  When on the NCL Joy, end of November 2021; my family (four members) and I were in the Haven.  After four cancellations due to Covid, postponing my 40 wedding anniversary to our 42, I like the Joy so much I went again, same itinerary in March 2022 as a "solo" doing "Haven Lite". 

 

I was in a Club Balcony Suite and it was very nice.  I had a week pass at the Vibe Beach Club, five specialty dinners, and the Premium Plus Beverage Package.  During that week, I became a huge fan of the Vibe Beach Club.  As many know, I write about both the Premium Plus Beverage Package and the Secrets of the Haven VIP experience often.  I adore the Haven, truly.  Yet this solo cruise gave me the opportunity to experience this cruise, differently.

 

I absolutely loved the Vibe.  They treated me like a rock star in every way.  The bar and personalized service was outstanding in the Vibe.  But I have to say honestly, the bar did not cater to the premium brands much.  it would not have really mattered which drink package one had. That treatment was received elsewhere mostly the "A List" bar called different things on different cruise.  That was my actual and honest experience and it did not effect my experience at all.  Everything was still quite lovely and I must say, at 1/3 the investment of the Haven.  

 

As I have said so many time, that does not mean other have gotten different treatment then I did.  It just is an accurate outline of my time.  Remember, the drinks were flowing but the highend brands and spirits were fond elsewhere. 

 

You asked me if I was going to be in the Vibe for the week of December 4, 2022 out of New Orleans; the answer is absolutely and I can't wait to share this experience with my wife.  I have booked one of the Cabana's which thrilled my wife.  On the Breakaway, the Haven is almost exactly like the Getaway.  The Haven Sundeck does not have any hot tubs or a bar on their sundeck.  Where the Vibe has two hot tubs and a rather large bar.  In my opinion, and only my opinion the Vibe is the way to go on this size ship. 

 

I too have bid upgrades on every Haven Suite possible.  As I have stated previously, you have to have a Haven Suite left, to provide to a an upgrade bid.  The Haven has been sold out now for two weeks.  The reason is this is a very special cruise.  It is the finals for the Slot Tournament.  It is $100,000.00 winner take all.  It seems, the casino has offered their top gamblers the opportunity to join that event. That is most likely the reason the Haven Suites are sold out.  I am lucky enough that my wife won the slot tournament on the Joy last year giving her an entry.  That is the reason we booked this cruise almost a year ago.

 

I hope my experience allow you to the information you need to make your decision.  I hope you both cruise and join us in the Vibe.  It will be a very exciting week.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I'm rather surprised that Vibe didn't provide many premium options. I get they may not typically stock many things as each bar has limited space, but they're always so accommodating there that I find it hard to believe they wouldn't stock something that is available on the ship if you requested it. 

 

Our first trip on Breakaway we started having afternoon shots. Little by little everyone that was actively in the vibe daily would gather for shot time and the bartender would make some new shot varieties or would let us design a shot if any of us had one. My contribution was a twist on the flaming Dr Pepper (sans flames because obviously). 

 

We joked Vibe is similar to the first class scenes in the movie the Wedding Singer, can be fun when there's a lot of others also ready to have fun in there. 

 

We just booked a few minutes ago, however won't be getting to join you for a round. The boss (wife) decided to go with the one leaving when you return. So after you finish with the vibe we'll be heading in there the next trip. 

 

The big selling point was that talking to NCL rep we were able to confirm vibe availability on that cruise. So we booked the cruise and vibe at same time. Guaranteed vibe beats no vibe every time lol

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, Juncti said:

Guaranteed vibe beats no vibe every time lol

I will report during that week how it goes.  FYI, Vibe Cabana's were available.  Finally, loved the idea of daily shots, brilliant.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Juncti]

4 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I will report during that week how it goes.  FYI, Vibe Cabana's were available.  Finally, loved the idea of daily shots, brilliant.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

We look forward to hearing your experience, learned a lot last year when we did our Haven and executed a number of your tips.

 

If you're looking to do the Dr Pepper shot I mentioned here's what was needed, it's really simple. Shot of amaretto (preferably chilled), half a cup or a little less of a domestic beer (Bud Light works quite well), and the twist that really bumps it up over the traditional version is a small splash of Cola into the beer. Gives it the traditional color of a soda, but also that little bit of sweetness from the cola makes it taste even closer to an actual Dr Pepper.

 

When ready, drop the shot into the beer/cola cup and shoot the entire thing. It will taste like a Dr Pepper.

 

Flaming version you do slightly less than a shot of amaretto and float a tiny bit of everclear on top. Light the everclear and carefully drop it into the beer/cola mix to extinguish and then drink down. 

 

Cheers!

[vacation44]

16 hours ago, TOMTOMRN331 said:

Two Questions - 

How much are the Cabana's for that cruise? Just curious and I know it could fluctuate ship to ship. 

We are paying $599 for a cabana on our Encore February 2024 sailing.