Been a while, couple of questions…

[L1211]

First NCL sailing since January 2020.  We’ve sailed other lines since, most recently MSC Yacht Club (found it disappointing and missed NCL!).  We booked late, like always, so Vibe  passes were sold out.

 I have assembled the best experience I believe I can piece together in NCL - FAS Plus, extra speciality dining, and Priority Access - I think Vibe is all I’m missing!  Yes, I do believe I could have upgraded my club balcony “suites” for Haven courtyard rooms, but after our YC experience, I don’t want to be “locked in an exclusive enclave” with other peoples’ children.  I get it, kids pay to cruise, and all that, personal preference and past experience at play… just could not get myself excited about the Haven. 

 

Back to questions. I plan to use my Priority Access to get to the port early and secure an early boarding time.  Then do the sprint to purchase Vibe passes that may or may not be held back and available for sale.  I researched this topic before asking (specifically stated for those who feel compelled to suggest I search versus ask) and only found discouraging remarks that my Vibe-quest is a pipe dream.  I was told by TA and NCL rep that they only presale a portion of Vibe passes and that are available after boarding.  
 

If, Big IF, they are available, anyone know where they’d be? Where to purchase? They were at guest services last time, but that has been a minute.  

 

Also, does anyone know if I can make changes to restaurant reservations online?  Someone suggested you do Ocean Blue early in the cruise as they experienced seafood that was less than fresh late in the week- that just makes so much sense after reading it, but I booked for the last night- not a risk I want t take!  If not, where onboard so you update restaurant reservations these days. 
 

We’re on the Bliss, Mexican Rivera sailing March 10.   All new ports to so excited! Onboard experience posts to come. 

 

Thanks!  
 

 

 

[DCGuy64]

3 minutes ago, L1211 said:

First NCL sailing since January 2020.  We’ve sailed other lines since, most recently MSC Yacht Club (found it disappointing and missed NCL!).  We booked late, like always, so Vibe  passes were sold out.

 I have assembled the best experience I believe I can piece together in NCL - FAS Plus, extra speciality dining, and Priority Access - I think Vibe is all I’m missing!  Yes, I do believe I could have upgraded my club balcony “suites” for Haven courtyard rooms, but after our YC experience, I don’t want to be “locked in an exclusive enclave” with other peoples’ children.  I get it, kids pay to cruise, and all that, personal preference and past experience at play… just could not get myself excited about the Haven. 

 

Back to questions. I plan to use my Priority Access to get to the port early and secure an early boarding time.  Then do the sprint to purchase Vibe passes that may or may not be held back and available for sale.  I researched this topic before asking (specifically stated for those who feel compelled to suggest I search versus ask) and only found discouraging remarks that my Vibe-quest is a pipe dream.  I was told by TA and NCL rep that they only presale a portion of Vibe passes and that are available after boarding.  
 

If, Big IF, they are available, anyone know where they’d be? Where to purchase? They were at guest services last time, but that has been a minute.  

 

Also, does anyone know if I can make changes to restaurant reservations online?  Someone suggested you do Ocean Blue early in the cruise as they experienced seafood that was less than fresh late in the week- that just makes so much sense after reading it, but I booked for the last night- not a risk I want t take!  If not, where onboard so you update restaurant reservations these days. 
 

We’re on the Bliss, Mexican Rivera sailing March 10.   All new ports to so excited! Onboard experience posts to come. 

 

Thanks!  
 

 

 

Nice to see someone on here from my hometown of Louisville. I'm puzzled by your experience in the MSC Yacht Club. That sounds highly unusual, most people are "wow-ed" by it (I know we are). In any case, Vibe passes are usually sold onboard outside Teppanyaki, but don't get your hopes up. As you probably have surmised by searching on here, they're usually gone before sailing, and I'd say especially so on a Mexican cruise during Spring Break. I believe changes to specialty dining have to be done over the phone with an NCL representative. I hope you have a great cruise, @L1211

[UKstages]

37 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Then do the sprint to purchase Vibe passes that may or may not be held back and available for sale.  I researched this topic before asking (specifically stated for those who feel compelled to suggest I search versus ask) and only found discouraging remarks that my Vibe-quest is a pipe dream.  I was told by TA and NCL rep that they only presale a portion of Vibe passes and that are available after boarding.

which ship?

 

my experience is that vibe passes are sold at a table set up outside headliners or the social or teppanyaki, while restaurant reservations usually are made inside one of those venues. somebody recently reported that vibe passes were sold inside teppanyaki, but i have never seen that. others have said they are sold at guest services, but I haven’t seen that, except for day passes. once you buy a pass onboard, you may have to visit guest services to reprint and recode your keycard, if the sales desk doesn’t have a card machine. 
 

there are actually quite a few people, including me, who repeatedly report success at getting vibe passes on embarkation day. there is a current thread with a spirited discussion on NCL policy related to this, including the text of the policy. what your NCL rep and your TA told you is what comports with my understanding… that in almost every case, passes are held back for sale on embarkation day, albeit “a limited number” of passes, to quote the text of the policy. others still insist on offering contrary views. your NCL rep and your TA both have access to the full text of the policy.
 

there are actually lots of encouraging remarks around here and real world experiences,… not just discouraging remarks and speculation from naysayers. and most of the naysayers are anti-vibe crusaders who not only have never tried to purchase a vibe pass at any time, on or off the ship, but they also see no value in the vibe concept (which they have never experienced for themselves).

 

Edited March 8 by UKstages

[L1211]

15 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Nice to see someone on here from my hometown of Louisville. I'm puzzled by your experience in the MSC Yacht Club. That sounds highly unusual, most people are "wow-ed" by it (I know we are). In any case, Vibe passes are usually sold onboard outside Teppanyaki, but don't get your hopes up. As you probably have surmised by searching on here, they're usually gone before sailing, and I'd say especially so on a Mexican cruise during Spring Break. I believe changes to specialty dining have to be done over the phone with an NCL representative. I hope you have a great cruise, @L1211

Dcguy64 is from the Ville??  Thanks for the quick response.  I may try calling today to work on dining.  Will report back on Vibe availability.  As for YC, it’s a good product- lovely cabins and facilities, high quality dining.  We had two issues - kids galore. Killed the vibe and they were out of everything- no Diet Coke at breakfast, no bottled water (really!), nice bourbon on day one then out (they only had one bottle??), wines from their menu by the glass not available and always poor g down - I could go on… 

[L1211]

4 minutes ago, UKstages said:

which ship?

 

my experience is that vibe passes are sold at a table set up outside headliners or the social or teppanyaki, while restaurant reservations usually are made inside one of those venues. somebody recently reported that vibe passes were sold inside teppanyaki, but i have never seen that. others have said they are sold at guest services, but I haven’t seen that, except for day passes. once you buy a pass onboard, you may have to visit guest services to reprint and recode your keycard, if the sales desk doesn’t have a card machine. 
 

there are actually quite a few people, including me, who repeatedly report success at getting vibe passes on embarkation day. there is a current thread with a spirited discussion on NCL policy related to this, including the text of the policy. what your NCL rep and your TA told you is what comports with my understanding… that in almost every case, passes are held back for sale on embarkation day, albeit “a limited number” of passes, to quote the text of the policy. others still insist on offering contrary views. your NCL rep and your TA both have access to the full text of the policy.
 

there are actually lots of encouraging remarks around here and real world experiences,… not just discouraging remarks and speculation from naysayers. and, to a person, most of the naysayers are anti-vibe crusaders who not only have never tried to purchase a vibe pass at any time, on or off the ship, but they also see no value in the vibe concept (which they have never experienced for themselves).

 

Wow, a little hope!  Were vibe enthusiasts!  We travel with young adult daughters, they love the mayhem, parents not so much…. It’s a wonderful get away where everyone knows your name (if you choose!).  We’re on the Bliss. First time sailing her but love the Away Class ships.  May have to send DH to guest services while I hit teppanyaki.  Thank you for the info, much appreciated! 

[DCGuy64]

2 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Dcguy64 is from the Ville??  Thanks for the quick response.  I may try calling today to work on dining.  Will report back on Vibe availability.  As for YC, it’s a good product- lovely cabins and facilities, high quality dining.  We had two issues - kids galore. Killed the vibe and they were out of everything- no Diet Coke at breakfast, no bottled water (really!), nice bourbon on day one then out (they only had one bottle??), wines from their menu by the glass not available and always poor g down - I could go on… 

Yes, I'm from the River City (we lived in Middletown growing up and then in eastern Jefferson County). 🙂 Always nice to see another Louisvillian. I am sorry to read about your YC experience. We were just on MSC back in January (our 3rd time in Yacht Club), and kids have never been a problem. If anything, it's kid-FREE! I have to say your experience is very atypical, so maybe consider going again. We LOVE MSC, and the Yacht Club especially. Never a problem with getting drinks, bottled water, etc. Anyway, enjoy your cruise, only 2 days to go! 😄

[www3traveler]

Priority Access does not mean very much.  Will not help you get into the terminal any earlier.  It does not assign check-in times.  It is my understanding that most ports to do check what check-in times passengers have.

 

Priority Access DOES NOT mean you will be among the very first to board either.

 

Most of the time Boarding order goes something like this: (1) Any VIP guests, (2) Haven Guests, (3) Casino at Sea guests, (4) Upper level Latitudes members [Ambassador, Diamond, etc.], (5) Handicapped Passengers (Scooters, wheelchairs, etc.), (6) Priority Access and (7) General Boarding by Group Numbers.

 

Since this will be a Spring Break cruise, it will be very very crowded.

 

Enjoy

[L1211]

28 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Priority Access does not mean very much.  Will not help you get into the terminal any earlier.  It does not assign check-in times.  It is my understanding that most ports to do check what check-in times passengers have.

 

Priority Access DOES NOT mean you will be among the very first to board either.

 

Most of the time Boarding order goes something like this: (1) Any VIP guests, (2) Haven Guests, (3) Casino at Sea guests, (4) Upper level Latitudes members [Ambassador, Diamond, etc.], (5) Handicapped Passengers (Scooters, wheelchairs, etc.), (6) Priority Access and (7) General Boarding by Group Numbers.

 

Since this will be a Spring Break cruise, it will be very very crowded.

 

Enjoy

Now this is quite intriguing- I was assuming g with PA I would skip any line to checkin and allow me to get an earlier boarding group.  I didn’t realize it was its own board g group.  If that is the case, we would t need to arrive as early.  Hmmm. Have you experienced this?  Thanks for the intel! 

[www3traveler]

6 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Now this is quite intriguing- I was assuming g with PA I would skip any line to checkin and allow me to get an earlier boarding group.  I didn’t realize it was its own board g group.  If that is the case, we would t need to arrive as early.  Hmmm. Have you experienced this?  Thanks for the intel! 

Keep in mind, that boarding will begin somewhere between 11:00 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. depending on how quickly the prior cruise passengers complete disembarkation and the ship is cleared to begin embarkation.

 

Yes, I purchased Priority Access once and quickly discovered that it was not worth it me as a solo passenger.

 

On the Bliss at the rear of Deck 17 is an area called Spice H2O (which is a free deck area for sunbathing-- does have a bar and restrooms.  From about 7 A.M. to 7 P.M., it is an adult area ONLY.  After 7 P.M., they show movies up there geared for families and later in the evening the various dance parties are held (weather permitting).

 

If you are interested in World War II history, the Battleship Iowa is docked at the same pier where the Bliss docks.

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, L1211 said:

 Someone suggested you do Ocean Blue early in the cruise as they experienced seafood that was less than fresh late in the week- that just makes so much sense after reading it, but I booked for the last night- not a risk I want t take!  If not, where onboard so you update restaurant reservations these days. 

FYI. All seafood is boarded frozen. Health requirement. So, the quality of seafood on Day 7 is the same as Day 1. Even sushi. 

[L1211]

40 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

FYI. All seafood is boarded frozen. Health requirement. So, the quality of seafood on Day 7 is the same as Day 1. Even sushi. 

You are a wealth of intel bird travels!  That is so helpful.  That makes me feel much better about a late-cruise visit to Ocean Blue!  

[L1211]

58 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Keep in mind, that boarding will begin somewhere between 11:00 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. depending on how quickly the prior cruise passengers complete disembarkation and the ship is cleared to begin embarkation.

 

Yes, I purchased Priority Access once and quickly discovered that it was not worth it me as a solo passenger.

 

On the Bliss at the rear of Deck 17 is an area called Spice H2O (which is a free deck area for sunbathing-- does have a bar and restrooms.  From about 7 A.M. to 7 P.M., it is an adult area ONLY.  After 7 P.M., they show movies up there geared for families and later in the evening the various dance parties are held (weather permitting).

 

If you are interested in World War II history, the Battleship Iowa is docked at the same pier where the Bliss docks.

Thank you- so helpful!  Will not plan on getting to the port at O-dark-thirty for early boarding group number.   I got PA to help improve the chance of getting Vibe passes but also for Cabo tendering.  Saw pictures on facebook that showed the Cabo line to get back on the ship- holy cow!  It was something…. Also have a noon flight out of LAX and have seen some big complaints on slow disembarkation at LA port.  
 

interesting insight on Spice - I thought Bliss dropped that to have the lazar tag and Grand Prix (nothing were interested in!).  Will look that up.  Have never visited in the past due to Vibe.  Thanks!