Free Airfare Question

[TRAVELBUGCRUISER]

Hi Everyone

I’m looking to book a cruise out of Rome and ending in Lisbon for November. I want to take advantage of the current promotion including one free airfare. My question is does a rep from NCL call and ask what day you prefer to fly? We usually fly in 2 days before any cruise so we’re not rushed. Is there an option for this or are all flights booked to arrive the day of the cruise? 
 

Also when I go to book, I choose Balcony however I’m unable to see the deck plan and choose my preferred room before payment- is this normal? When do I get to choose my room?

 

Thanks

[JandC_Cruising]

11 minutes ago, TRAVELBUGCRUISER said:

Hi Everyone

I’m looking to book a cruise out of Rome and ending in Lisbon for November. I want to take advantage of the current promotion including one free airfare. My question is does a rep from NCL call and ask what day you prefer to fly? We usually fly in 2 days before any cruise so we’re not rushed. Is there an option for this or are all flights booked to arrive the day of the cruise? 
 

Also when I go to book, I choose Balcony however I’m unable to see the deck plan and choose my preferred room before payment- is this normal? When do I get to choose my room?

 

Thanks

With NCL Air Promo, you must request a deviation (up to 2 days on either end) at least 75 days before departure.  You must make that request, otherwise, you will arrive the day of your cruise.  Keep in mind a flight from the US to Rome will likely be an overnight flight.  

 

Regarding booking a cabin, the NCL system will assign a cabin in the price category you are trying to book.  There is an option to select a different stateroom on the screen.  From there you will get to see floors, open cabins, and additional fees if a cabin has an upcharge from the originally selected cabin.

 

I usually open up the ship's deck plan in a separate window on my computer to more easily see where any cabin I am considering is located within the ship

[deelightfull]

If the cruise is nearly full you may see something like this.  If you see this, as I tell my kiddo, you get what you get, and you don't throw a fit.  Just like airplanes, the cruise line would love to charge you more to let you pick your own room (or give you a discount to let them pick it 🤷 to-may-to, to-mah-to.)

 

If you don't pick your room when you pay, there's not really a way to pick it afterwards.

[cruiseny4life]

If the website doesn't allow you to choose your room, call NCL or a travel agent. They can help you select an exact stateroom. Unlike what @deelightfull says, you can just pick up the phone and politely ask to select your room from those still available. Have a few locations in mind as you won't know which rooms are available. 

[genealogyfan]

Yes, just like cruiseny4life said, sometimes NCL reps can see rooms available that you can't see online (I've had that happened before). The other option is if you want a balcony and there aren't any regular balcony cabins available, look at what is available for a family balcony, sometimes they aren't much more or worth being able to pick the cabin you want.

 

If you can't find the deck plan just google "ship name deck plan" and it'll come up.

[Minimama]

Be very flexible when it comes to the air....we had a nightmare of a deal trying to work with NCL and their "air" department (nonexistent). You can make requests but you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. You could have up to two or three transfers, you could be transferring in the same city but different airports. I was with a group where the grandmother was not traveling with the rest of the family. NCL basically said too bad so sad.  Always remember, you get what you pay for!!

[Sue Do-Over]

Cruise lines deliberately do NOT display all available cabins online.  They want us to think that cabins are nearly sold out, so we hurry to make a decision.

Plus, a portion of cabins are set aside for travel agency partners, casinos at sea, etc. which are then released back into the available pool at final-payment date -- and then shuffled in for the upgrade advantage program.

You can call any time to move to another cabin in the same category if any are available. (see the color coded deck plans).

[TRAVELBUGCRUISER]

Thanks everyone for all the info here! It’s very much appreciated!