Prices dropping June Dawn to Bermuda

[Patty1stTimer]

I saw on NCL site that some room categories have dropped in price. My husband and I are booked for our first ever cruise (booked thru NCL) and I was hoping for some advice. We are currently in oceanview midship deck 5, but now we are thinking about upgrading to a balcony.

 

The lowest category for Balcony is now only $30 more pp than we are currently paying for our oceanview room. First, is there a "best time" to call the cruise line to upgrade? Also, is this increase worth it for balcony, and are there any "perks" to having a balcony room vs. an oceanview?

 

Thanks!

Patty

[fridaythe13th]

For that price I would go for a balcony. I am waiting for the price to drop on the Spirit to Bermuda so I can get a balcony (hopefully). We always get a balcony but wanted to save some money this time. We enjoy ordering room service in the morning and sitting out on the balcony having coffee before we head up to the DR. I would call right away as there may only be a few left or they could put the price back up. Enjoy your balcony!

[CruisnGram]

I agree with Friday. For that price, grab that balcony NOW! It is SO worth it! Only problem is, once you sail on a balcony, you'll never want to sail without one again. :)

 

As far as additional perks, there are a few. Here's what is on NCL's website as far as perks for inside and OV rooms, and for Balcony's.

 

Stateroom Experience:

• Elemis bathroom amenities;
  
• Bliss Collection by NCL memory foam mattress toppers;
  
• Pillow upgrade and addition of Euro pillows to all beds;
  
• Upgraded linens;
  
  • All beds will receive a top sheet.
    

  [*]Expanded mini-bar options and item customization option;

  [*]Upgraded room service menus.

Balcony and Mini Suites, all of the above plus:

• Special color keycard;
  
• Escort to stateroom on embarkation day;
  
• Bathrobes;
  
• Customized Fruit Menu;
  
• Fresh-baked cookie at turn down on last night of cruise;
  
• Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception hotlines.
  

In addition to what is listed above, on most ships now, they have one of the main dining rooms restricted to balcony and above passsengers. It's the same menu as the other dining room but it's a little less crowded.

 

CG

[peg013]

I saw on NCL site that some room categories have dropped in price. My husband and I are booked for our first ever cruise (booked thru NCL) and I was hoping for some advice. We are currently in oceanview midship deck 5, but now we are thinking about upgrading to a balcony.

 

The lowest category for Balcony is now only $30 more pp than we are currently paying for our oceanview room. First, is there a "best time" to call the cruise line to upgrade? Also, is this increase worth it for balcony, and are there any "perks" to having a balcony room vs. an oceanview?

 

Thanks!

Patty

 

Just make sure if you have OnBoard Credit that you find out if you are going to lose it if you upgrade BEFORE you do the upgrade. Our cruise May 31 has also dropped prices for Inside, OV and balconies (not suite) but with $225 in OBC they have to drop a lot more before it would make sense to lose the OBC.

[14ersco]

I agree with Friday. For that price, grab that balcony NOW! It is SO worth it! Only problem is, once you sail on a balcony, you'll never want to sail without one again. :)

 

As far as additional perks, there are a few. Here's what is on NCL's website as far as perks for inside and OV rooms, and for Balcony's.

 

Stateroom Experience:

• Elemis bathroom amenities;
  
• Bliss Collection by NCL memory foam mattress toppers;
  
• Pillow upgrade and addition of Euro pillows to all beds;
  
• Upgraded linens;
  
  • All beds will receive a top sheet.
    

   

  [*]Expanded mini-bar options and item customization option;

  [*]Upgraded room service menus.

Balcony and Mini Suites, all of the above plus:

• Special color keycard;
  
• Escort to stateroom on embarkation day;
  
• Bathrobes;
  
• Customized Fruit Menu;
  
• Fresh-baked cookie at turn down on last night of cruise;
  
• Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception hotlines.
  

In addition to what is listed above, on most ships now, they have one of the main dining rooms restricted to balcony and above passsengers. It's the same menu as the other dining room but it's a little less crowded.

 

CG

 

 

Three weeks ago some of the items listed for Balcony guests were no more. No escort to the room; No fruit; No cookie. Also one of the bathrobes disappeared with the dirty towels about half way through the cruise and never returned. I just checked with reception to make sure we were not charged for the robe. The extra space and the fresh air was so worth paying for the balcony and the missing items didn't affect the cruise. Can get plenty of fruit and snacks in the buffet. Sure hope the drop gets bigger for our Bermuda cruise, we are currently not in a balcony.

[CruisnGram]

Three weeks ago some of the items listed for Balcony guests were no more. No escort to the room; No fruit; No cookie. Also one of the bathrobes disappeared with the dirty towels about half way through the cruise and never returned. I just checked with reception to make sure we were not charged for the robe. The extra space and the fresh air was so worth paying for the balcony and the missing items didn't affect the cruise. Can get plenty of fruit and snacks in the buffet. Sure hope the drop gets bigger for our Bermuda cruise, we are currently not in a balcony.

 

I don't think that NCL policy on this has changed. It sounds to me as if you had a problem steward. Did you ask him/her where you fruit and bathrobes were? I would have. I'm not difficult to please but if I'm supposed to get something, and it's something I care about, I will ask.

 

CG

[CC Help Michell]

I saw on NCL site that some room categories have dropped in price. My husband and I are booked for our first ever cruise (booked thru NCL) and I was hoping for some advice. We are currently in oceanview midship deck 5, but now we are thinking about upgrading to a balcony.

 

The lowest category for Balcony is now only $30 more pp than we are currently paying for our oceanview room. First, is there a "best time" to call the cruise line to upgrade? Also, is this increase worth it for balcony, and are there any "perks" to having a balcony room vs. an oceanview?

 

Thanks!

Patty

 

If you haven't already, call NOW! Balconies have a special breakfast at Aqua on the Dawn, and a few other things (longer lead time for specialty reservations, for instance) -- but for $30 pp more than an OV, the BALCONY should be all you need. :) Hope it works out for you and have a great cruise!

[Seanote]

I saw on NCL site that some room categories have dropped in price. My husband and I are booked for our first ever cruise (booked thru NCL) and I was hoping for some advice. We are currently in oceanview midship deck 5, but now we are thinking about upgrading to a balcony.

 

The lowest category for Balcony is now only $30 more pp than we are currently paying for our oceanview room. First, is there a "best time" to call the cruise line to upgrade? Also, is this increase worth it for balcony, and are there any "perks" to having a balcony room vs. an oceanview?

 

Thanks!

Patty

 

Some perspective, please. A bucket of Budlight costs $26 on the ship. Book the balcony!:D

[Patty1stTimer]

Thanks for all the advice.. yes first time cruiser here so I'll use that excuse if I seemed a bit silly!

 

Can I get further explanation on the "advance restaurant reservations"? Are the specialty restaurants by reservation only?

 

Thanks,

Patty

[Patty1stTimer]

Ok I just hung up with NCL and I still don't know what I should do. The cruise culsultant explained that the $1399 balcony promotion is for "BE" Guarantee Only. I am a bit nervous about becoming seasick, since this is our first cruise, and I had problems with motion sickness as a child. I purposely booked the oceanview midship because I've read here on Cruise Critic that midship is the best place to feel the least amout of motion. If I took this promotion I could end up forward or aft and may not have stateroom number assigned until the day of sailing... I guess I will stick with my oceanview. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Patty

[njhorseman]

I don't think that NCL policy on this has changed. It sounds to me as if you had a problem steward. Did you ask him/her where you fruit and bathrobes were? I would have. I'm not difficult to please but if I'm supposed to get something, and it's something I care about, I will ask.

 

CG

 

It was both a problem with the steward and a policy change. NCL did recently eliminate a few minor perks (like the cookies).

[KerCar]

In addition to what is listed above, on most ships now, they have one of the main dining rooms restricted to balcony and above passsengers. It's the same menu as the other dining room but it's a little less crowded.

 

CG

 

Is this for all meals or just breakfast and lunch. Also, do they do this on the Dawn and if so, which DR is off limits to those of us staying in insides and OV's??? TIA:)

[peg013]

Is this for all meals or just breakfast and lunch. Also, do they do this on the Dawn and if so, which DR is off limits to those of us staying in insides and OV's??? TIA:)

 

Aqua MDR was the one for balconies and above on the Dawn last October. I'm sure it still is as it is the smaller of the two MDR's.

[peg013]

Is this for all meals or just breakfast and lunch. Also, do they do this on the Dawn and if so, which DR is off limits to those of us staying in insides and OV's??? TIA:)

 

Aqua MDR was the one for balconies and above on the Dawn last October. I'm sure it still is as it is the smaller of the two MDR's. I believe it is not listed on the Freestyle daily at all. You receive a card in your cabin

[peg013]

Is this for all meals or just breakfast and lunch. Also, do they do this on the Dawn and if so, which DR is off limits to those of us staying in insides and OV's??? TIA:)

 

Aqua MDR was the one for balconies and above on the Dawn last October. I'm sure it still is as it is the smaller of the two MDR's. I believe it is not listed on the Freestyle daily at all as being open. You receive a card in your cabin telling you that it is available.

[Mooder]

Is this for all meals or just breakfast and lunch. Also, do they do this on the Dawn and if so, which DR is off limits to those of us staying in insides and OV's??? TIA:)

 

Aqua MDR was the one for balconies and above on the Dawn last October. I'm sure it still is as it is the smaller of the two MDR's.

 

But which meals? I was under the impression this was just for breakfast. Am I wrong?

[KerCar]

But which meals? I was under the impression this was just for breakfast. Am I wrong?

 

I'd like to know this too!

[peg013]

But which meals? I was under the impression this was just for breakfast. Am I wrong?

 

First of all sorry about all the duplicate posts, this board is really flaky today. :mad:

 

I think it was only breakfast that the Aqua was open only for Balcony & Mini-suites but I could be wrong.....that why I purposely didn't answer that part of the question originally.

[Mooder]

First of all sorry about all the duplicate posts, this board is really flaky today. :mad:

 

I think it was only breakfast that the Aqua was open only for Balcony & Mini-suites but I could be wrong.....that why I purposely didn't answer that part of the question originally.

 

Thanks, Peg! No worries. Someone will know for sure, but I'm pretty sure breakfast is all I have ever seen mentioned.

[CruisnGram]

I'm sorry I started this confusion. I should have been more specific. The main dining room that is restricted to balcony and above is ONLY for breakfast. For lunch there is only one dining room open and that is open to all guests.

 

Sorry.

 

CG

[CruisnGram]

Ok I just hung up with NCL and I still don't know what I should do. The cruise culsultant explained that the $1399 balcony promotion is for "BE" Guarantee Only. I am a bit nervous about becoming seasick, since this is our first cruise, and I had problems with motion sickness as a child. I purposely booked the oceanview midship because I've read here on Cruise Critic that midship is the best place to feel the least amout of motion. If I took this promotion I could end up forward or aft and may not have stateroom number assigned until the day of sailing... I guess I will stick with my oceanview. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Patty

 

I've never been subject to motion sickness except for one time on a charter fishing boat where the waves were bigger then the boat! :D And even then, I loved the ride...just got very, very sick the moment the boat stopped...go figure. LOL

 

Anyway, I'm not saying that you won't experience any motion. That's hard to say how much each person will feel. On our Sky sailing in January, the seas were as smooth as glass the entire time. Even my MIL who was on her first cruise (and worried about getting sick) couldn't believe we werre on a moving ship..she felt nothing. However, one night in the elevator, there was a teen girl who was absolutely green. She was alone and I asked her if she was okay and she said that she was on her way to the ships doctor as she'd been seasick since we left Miami. I didn't say it to her but I was thinking, "Honey, if this is making you sick, cruising isn't for you". My point is that the majority of people on that sailing didn't even notice the movement at all.

 

You can encounter rough seas, but honestly, if that happens, it's going to be rough everywhere. And if you are prone to motion sickness, where your cabin is won't make any difference.

 

Since you haven't been sick since a child, I would think that you will be just fine, no matter where your cabin is. So, I would still recommend the balcony cabin as opposed to the inside. Especially if you feel even the slightest bit nauseous, going out on the balcony and getting some fresh air, or even letting the balcony door stay open and letting air into the room can make a huge difference. I find the insides and the OV's to be rather stiffling with no available air.

 

I'd also recommend going to see your doctor prior to sailing and getting the ear patch. One of our family members suffers from seasickness and the patches work fantastic for him.

 

CG

[sunsetter425]

Where is the information on what is currently available for people in balcony level rooms? I tried looking for it on the NCL website as well. I booked the balcony . . . well for the balcony! And because this is our first cruise, I would not know the perks that I should be getting. Although I have been monitoring the boards for weeks, I've only just seen that the Aqua Dining room is available for breakfast as a special perk for balcony people. Where is the list so that I can copy it and have it with me! And if something is not in the room, I know to bring it the stewart's attention. Appreciate all your help! We are so excited that our cruise is only 3 weeks away!

[arlee]

We were on the Dawn (mar 21-28) and yes, the Aqua is open for balcony and up for breakfast - there was a sign posted that said something about a conference being held there, but that is just so people not in balcony and above eat there. We spoke to the director of food services and he said that if anyone else wanted to eat breakfast at aqua they would not be turned away. What exactly is an upgraded fruit menu for balcony rooms - I never got any info about that.

[Mooder]

I'm sorry I started this confusion. I should have been more specific. The main dining room that is restricted to balcony and above is ONLY for breakfast. For lunch there is only one dining room open and that is open to all guests.

 

Sorry.

 

CG

 

Forty lashes with a wet noodle, CG! :D

[14ersco]

For the March 28 to April 4 sailing of the Dawn it was not the stewards that were the reason for reduced perks; they were great. That week was a combination of factors; the start of reduced perks and a touch of noro. There was never noro on our cruise; just a few minor (less than CDC reporting levels) cases the week prior. So we did not get any welcome drink or samples at the specialty dining on embarkation nor could we serve ourselves at any buffet for the first half of the cruise. Funny part was at the meet and greet we could serve ourselves, but no one anywhere else on the ship could serve themselves. :rolleyes:

 

The Latitudes benefits deleted were any welcome goodies on the bed and the Latitudes lounge with snacks was gone. There was supposedly a Latitudes gathering at sail away in Dazzles, but that announcement sheet was not given out until the evenings paperwork on the bed. Besides who wants to be inside as the ship is pulling away from the pier. Also was not worried about extra food (could find plenty on the ship) or the bathrobe (was too warm to wear).

 

As for existing balcony benefits there was a card in the room with a phone number to call up to 48 hours in advance for specialty dining reservations. There was no card that mentioned the Aqua for breakfast. The Aqua was not open for lunch. If you went to the Aqua for breakfast there was a sign out front that said either "private party" or "private function". Ignore the sign and the hostess will just ask for your cabin number. In the Aqua cold food was on a buffet line and you ordered the hot food. Either it was not well known on our cruise that you could use Aqua for breakfast or that people did not care to eat there, because the one time we went there was only 5 or 6 tables occupied at about 8 AM. The Venetian was open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for everyone. The Venetian was also open for embarkation lunch.