What A Wild Couple Of Days!!

[Lotteryfan]

For months I searched dozens of web sites, and travel agents to get the best possible price on a Norwegian Spirit cruise. The wife and I had gone on her for the first time last April during our anniversary week and I was itching to go back on her. It didn't matter to me whether it was the six day cruise to Florida or the Bahamas or the eight day cruise to Bermuda and the southern Carribean. It didn't matter to me which week to go. I was just looking for the best possible price because I had to get back on that ship and cruise again.

 

Although I found the prices to be a lot higher than I wanted to pay, I discovered that if you combine a six day with the next eight day, the prices were respectable. They were even better when I found a travel agent willing to make a better deal with me; latitudes discount, union discount, cut in commission, for a balcony cabin that I wanted. I then chose the particular weeks because the birthday's of my wife and myself are ten days apart and would be held during this two week vacation.

 

I booked the back to back a couple of weeks ago and decided to surprise my wife for Valentine's Day. Here's where the real fun begins.

 

On Tuesday, Feb 13, I received notification that my credit card was hit for the remaining balance and confirmation from NCL that the cruise was paid in full. This was great because I now had proof to show the wife what kind of great husband I am. She knows it but I like to prove it every so often. I printed out the confirmation, with the itinerary and sealed it in an envelope, and put it into the card that I was giving her.

 

On Wednesday, Feb 14, I gave the wife the card and she was so happy and surprised to learn of my gift. We spent hours looking over all the printouts of price quotes that I had gotten, and printouts of the many shore excursions that were being offered. We spent the entire night talking about the cruise.

 

Then on Thursday, Feb 15, I get a call from my travel agent at work. She told me she had great news for me. So I yelled into the phone, "UPSELL!!". She said I was right. It was the first time that I had been offered an upsell and the third time cruising on NCL. I don't know whether I was offered an upsell so close after final payment because I was a latitudes member, a union man, or because I was probably the only one doing a back to back on these weeks but it was a deal that I couldn't pass up.

 

For $700 more, or $350 per person, I could move from a balcony cabin to an AB honeymoon suite. People, this is for the entire two weeks. For $50 a day more I went from a balcony cabin to the second best cabin on the ship. I grabbed it.

 

When I got home I told my wife that although the calendar said that Valentine's Day was over, I still had another surprise for her. I told her what had happened and printed out the new confirmation and handed it to her. She was shocked and in tears.

 

So thank you NCL. Thank you travel agent. Thank you people here on cruise critic who told me what an upsell was. And thank you Cupid. This vacation is going to be one for the ages.

[cruizinwithkids]

WOW! Big Congratulations.

 

I always notice your postings as my mother grew up in Mt. Vernon.

[Maryfrei]

Lotteryfan, you won a big one after all, I'm so happy for you and your DW!

[osiebosie]

Wow! What a GREAT gift! And you spent the entire Valentine's night just talking about a cruise???!!!

 

Isn't it wierd how some things just fall together just perfectly, and other times they just fall apart? Well, this one fell together perfectly for you.

 

Enjoy your cruise,

 

Shay

[Guest BeckyThane]

What a great story! You brought me to happy tears. I know you will, but I'll say it anyway...

 

ENJOY!!!

[Mary_Jo]

What a great story! Have fun!

 

MJ

[cssmom]

What a beautiful story. My husband and I will be traveling to Bermuda in July for our 20th anniversay I would love an ending like that.

 

Congratulations.

 

Karen

[erieboater]

AWESOME! Take lots of pictures of the AB honeymoon suite and post the slide show. I want to dream :)

[BeachBumMama]

How wonderful for you! Have a great time!

[MLN]

For months I searched dozens of web sites, and travel agents to get the best possible price ....

 

For $700 more, or $350 per person...... For $50 a day more I went from a balcony cabin to the second best cabin on the ship....

 

LotteryFan:

 

Your story is super and I did not pull the $$ quotes out of your post to pull the excitement out of the extraordinary offer you received. I just want to mention that now that you are in a suite you will have to think about the additional tipping you will have to do for the concierge and the butler. That might be a heafty amount depending on the services you take advantage of during your long stay on the ship.

 

I agree that this was an opportunity that you could not pass up. I also think, from the way your post is written, that they could not have picked a better couple to offer the upsell to.

 

Your description of your surprise gift and the excitement you both have about the trip......:D Good for you Lottery Fan!!!!

 

Enjoy your trip, just bring some extra $$ along.....

[Lotteryfan]

Hello Everyone who posted,

 

Thank you for your comments. We are still excited about this. The way things were going, I was expecting NCL to give us another upsell offer; this time to the best cabin...but so far nothing. Well, there's still ten weeks to go before the cruise.;)

 

Hello MLN,

 

Thank you for your comments. When my travel agent called me I told her right off the bat that we were not butler, or concierge people and probably wouldn't use them. She told me that this was my perogative and that if I didn't want to use them I didn't have to. Now I know from reading these boards that these people are not included in the tip program so I'll probably use them for a thing or two and tip them anyway. The way I look at it...

 

*the going rate for that cabin is currently at over $10,400 for the two weeks and I paid less than 40 percent for it so I saved money there.

 

*I lost a small fortune in the casino last year and do not plan on spending as much time there this time around so I'll save money there.

 

*I told my wife she couldn't buy as many pictures as we did last year (Every damn one that was taken of us) so we'll save some money there.

 

*I won't be playing bingo as much as I did last year, or buying those damn crack-its like I did last year so we'll save money there.

 

*The wife and I don't drink so we don't spend any money on liquor.

 

I understand where you are coming from, MLN, but I think I have it all figured out...that is until I get on the ship and forget all about what I just wrote.:p

[shoreguy]

Hello Everyone who posted,

 

Thank you for your comments. We are still excited about this. The way things were going, I was expecting NCL to give us another upsell offer; this time to the best cabin...but so far nothing. Well, there's still ten weeks to go before the cruise.;)

 

Hello MLN,

 

Thank you for your comments. When my travel agent called me I told her right off the bat that we were not butler, or concierge people and probably wouldn't use them. She told me that this was my perogative and that if I didn't want to use them I didn't have to. Now I know from reading these boards that these people are not included in the tip program so I'll probably use them for a thing or two and tip them anyway. The way I look at it...

 

*the going rate for that cabin is currently at over $10,400 for the two weeks and I paid less than 40 percent for it so I saved money there.

 

*I lost a small fortune in the casino last year and do not plan on spending as much time there this time around so I'll save money there.

 

*I told my wife she couldn't buy as many pictures as we did last year (Every damn one that was taken of us) so we'll save some money there.

 

*I won't be playing bingo as much as I did last year, or buying those damn crack-its like I did last year so we'll save money there.

 

*The wife and I don't drink so we don't spend any money on liquor.

 

I understand where you are coming from, MLN, but I think I have it all figured out...that is until I get on the ship and forget all about what I just wrote.:p

 

Great story - loved it.

 

The butler will provide any and all room service at a mimum so you will get to like em.

 

Don't drink - you can make some real friends with the bottle of bubbly and 3 bottles of liquor that come at no cost with the AB on the Spirit. :eek: :D Check out the roll call and offer to the higest bidder;)

[Lotteryfan]

Great story - loved it.

 

 

Don't drink - you can make some real friends with the bottle of bubbly and 3 bottles of liquor that come at no cost with the AB on the Spirit. :eek: :D Check out the roll call and offer to the higest bidder;)

 

WOW!! Didn't know that. So we get liquor too? Definately going to the roll calls now.

[watchdiva]

Congratulations! Believe me, tipping the butler is the easy part - going on another cruise WITHOUT having butler/concierge service is the tough part....and no, I don't speak from experience because once we were "butled", we've never looked back and now will only book suites. We cruise once a year but try to book the best cabin possible.......now, if only I could convince my hubby that we REALLY need the space in the GV for the two of us I'd be in heaven:D .

 

Enjoy your cruise - the reviews for Spirit are great and I'm sure you and your sweetheart will have the time of your lives.

[SailAways]

-- - Dreams Do Come True!---

 

How beautifully you have shared your delightful experience with us.

 

Thank You, and Hopefully, you will have the time of your life!

[dwrist]

Enjoy your birthdays, the Penthouse, and know you will never cruise with less in the future. Welcome to the habit forming Penthouses.:D

 

 

Try the Butler for breakfast and romantic dinner in your cabin at least once. It will spoil you both.

[Leafpeeper]

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary. I was happy when DH brought me roses for Valentines Day. Your wife must be thrilled.

 

We just got off NCL Star a week ago and I had forgotten how much I missed freestyle dining. It was so nice to eat at a different style restaurant each night. We love cruising too, and NCL and Princess are our favorite cruiselines.

[Jean-Michel]

What a great story! Thanks for sharing...

[judyf]

Wow congrats on the great upsell. Sounds like you both are going to have a nice b-day!

[Stillfloatin']

What a happy story! Congrats to you and your wife and have the trip of your lives!

[denims]

It's stories like this that make CC fun to read!

[johnql]

What a great story! Congrats.

[angeljt]

Great story! Breakfast in your cabin or on your balcony is wonderful, and you will have a more extensive butler's menu to choose from. Enjoy your cruise!

Jackie

[grandmaof2]

Thanks so much for sharing it. I am sailing on the Spirit on June 2nd with daughter, son-in-law, 2 grandchildren. I can hardly stand the wait! I read these boards every day and sometimes they can get pretty negative. I am not concerned because my daughter is the fussiest person alive! and she came back from the Spirit last June,absolutely raving about it!! Like you, she became obssesed with going again. Believe me, had she encountered ANYTHING negative, we would be looking for a different ship!!! so I'm thinking it must be pretty terrific and that some people cant be pleased, ever.

I hope that you and your wife have the time of your life. I believe from your post that you deserve it.

I will be waiting for your review!!!!!!!!