Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin

3 hours ago, Lonedaddy said:

I'm opting out of the air for our NYC-MTL cruise.  Air credit is measly 300 bucks but they wanted $1398 for First/business class upgrade Per person.   I just booked RT first/business class for 970 PP out of DFW.  we would be doing the deviation so that would have added another 175 pp. Sometimes it is better to just book your own especially domestically. 

So, if I want to book my own air, seems like I can cruise many other lines than Regents....Business class air has been the MAIN reason for going with RSSC.  I really enjoyed my 1st cruise with them last Nov, but I already have 2 more upcoming cruises, and if the air arrangements are still in the quandary they seem to be in now, I would certainly NOT have picked RSSC!  Fingers crossed this gets sorted out quickly!

Thanks for the heads-up!  We head to Boston on Thursday for our cruise!

We did the British Isles on Princess.  Very port-intensive.  i think it was a 12 day cruise, but to be honest, after a while, all of the ports ran together in my mind.  Now I look for cruises that have some sea days to break it up.  This was our 2nd venture on Princess, but we went in a suite on this one and were used to the Haven.  No comparison as far as that experience, NCL won hands down (but its been a few years ago and P may have upped their suite game by now).  Don't get me wrong, we had a good cruise, but DH said "never again" to Princess as far as the suite experience.

Have you compared RCL (to include Celebrity) and MSC for this cruise?  NCL seems to be running high on many cruises right now, but I certainly enjoy the free style of NCL.

We sailed in the Yacht Club and loved it!  We had sailed previously in NCL's HAVEN (love that too!), but the price point between MSC and NCL is significant.   While the price point has been getting smaller between the two cruise lines, the nod still goes to MSC.  However, I am a craps player, and MSC ships do not have craps in their casinos.:(  With the Status matching program, you can get lots of perks with MSC even if you have never sailed on her by matching to something you DO have status on.  Biggest downside of the Voyagers program is that you must sail every 3 years or lose status.  (However, I will be on MSC again next year precisely to keep my status, so I guess that is effective.!)

Since NCL uses a 3rd party for the bidding process, I don't know if they would have any visibility that  you used the Mastercard to upgrade.  However, why don't you call NCL or Mastercard to see if they might know the answer?  Since you haven't received any replies, it doesn't look like anyone has specific knowledge of this.  But its a good question!

You are keeping me smiling with your review!  I hope you have a FABULOUS time.  Also interested in book suggestions, as we always go through 2+ books while cruising.  We will be on the Encore in January!  So looking forward to it!

Nevermind, everyone has to purchase.  Wow!  have to purchase drinks and coffee.  cha-ching!

Can you buy for one person, or does everyone in stateroom have to purchase?

On 7/18/2022 at 4:45 PM, jwinrich said:

Did you check out the St. George Ferry? Do you know the schedule? We go out on the Pearl 8/12 and want to visit St. George/Tobacco Bay the day we dock. We have a group of 6 adults, so want to do a bit of pre-planning. We don't want to get to St. George and be unable to find transportation back to the ship later that evening. 

 

Thanks!

Hey @jwinrich!  We are on the 8/12 Pearl to Bermuda, too!  We're your neighbors in TN, Clarksville, near Nashville & Ft. Campbell.  I am also planning to catch the ferry over to St. George, but wanting to buy ferry/bus passes for the rest of the trip, so won't be dependent upon the NCL ferry and can get back to ship via one of the other routes, since the regular ferry doesn't run on Sundays (and looks like it only runs on 8/15 between Dockyard & St. George's.)

On 10/31/2021 at 10:52 AM, BirdTravels said:

Your 2019 tier status is continued through March 2023. So, you will get your $400 OBC, WiFi, wine, treats, and Black (Ultra) Drink Card good for just about any drink the bar can make. 

 

The Jade status is "old news" and was the CAS policy prior to restart. At restart, they were going to extend your 2019 tier status through March 2022 and make everyone requal this year. Since then, in September/August, they updated their policy to extend tier status through March 2023 (you need to requal April 22-March 23 for the April 2023-March 2024 period). All that being said, none of this has ever been written down. Unlike every other travel/entertainment industry company (air, hotel, car rental, land-based casino, other cruise lines), NCL has chosen not to publish their tier extension polices. 

Oh, wow!  I wish I had read your post prior to Nov 2021!  We were on Regent's and tried to get our points from our last NCL cruise transferred, but were told they had expired!  And of course, cruises had been shut down for most of that time!  I will check again in August, as I'll be back on NCL.

I also had issues.  Same website problem, that it would show up in my cart, but then wouldn't let me check out.  I didn't even have the same restaurant.  Ended up with only 1 specialty booked.  But, was able to get others through concierge.

1 hour ago, sidari said:

The top has the head of a snake.

 Based on that.....do you come out at the Poop deck?

After booking thru myVegas, were you able to see your booking on the MSC site?  I have a booking # from myVegas booking, but I keep getting "there is something wrong with your booking number" when I try to look on MSC.  Can't get it either putting it in at the beginning, nor does it come up when I log into my account with MSC (sailed with them before).  I will call them later this week, but just didn't know if it took a while to process before it shows up?  (And we ended up with 4 of us in 1 YC cabin, so it may be that I have given the system a headache.)

I have been there pre-CoVID.  I would say NCL is the only game in town.  However, you can visit the island and chill without spending anything extra.  Or stay on the ship and enjoy it almost all to yourself!

Does anyone know when these are available to book?  I have 2 cruises that go to GSC and neither is showing a cabana available.  We are in Haven on one and suite on the other.  Jan and May 2023 cruises.  Shorex are available, but nothing on cabanas.

I have never done VIBE, but have a question.....are those cabanas noted in the VIBE area?  The reason I ask is that our Jan sailing on Encore is not showing cabanas for GSC available.  Didn't know if they won't show up until after final payment, or maybe they are now going to work the same as VIBE?  Or are these cabanas what I am looking for on GSC?  TIA!

Shout out to our neighbors in SC from TN!  Hope to see you cruising soon!

So, booked with the 30% off from myVegas earlier this week.  The Concierge that called me (the next day after I might add!) actually said I could use it on ANY booking for Miami or Port Canaveral.  I had already done my research using the limitations on the myVegas voucher, but I had previously looked at a Divina out of Miami, which is what I ended up getting (even though the voucher says Divina out of Port Canaveral!)  Also, while the voucher is for 2 people, you can request additional people in your stateroom.  They pay the regular fare.  So, I have a room with 4 people in it.  We had to pay the port fees and insurance, but I notice there is also a $56/pp "hotel service charge".  Not that I am complaining.....We have a Yacht Club stateroom.

However, I have not been able to log in on MSC with my booking number and it does not show up when I log in under my account.  Has anyone experienced a delay like this?  Maybe it is because we have extra folks in the room?  Guess I'll call next week.

And yes, I see that there are actually cruises available to pick on myVegas.  Considered one for Labor Day weekend, but we are coming off a cruise 2 weeks prior, so thought better of it.

Wow!  You go!!  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

I didn't even think about MSC having children's programs.  Maybe I should reconsider them for the grandkids!

I think you are leaning towards keeping what you have.  It sounds like a great deal!  While the Yacht Club is my favorite, I would not want to change a balcony for an interior.  And, another $3,300, while probably reasonable, just seems like a big chunk!  If port intensive, how much will you get to enjoy YC versus sitting on your Aft balcony and chilling?

Our first Regent's cruise was a 14 night TA on Splendor.  We ate at specialty restaurants and Compass Rose.  I have to say that the Chef's selection menu (tasting menu? I can't remember exactly!) at Compass Rose was almost always what I went with.....never had anything that I didn't enjoy heartily!

Now, I have 2 more cruises booked (alas, the next not until late 2023) and am already salivating for the dinners!

Who started this thread!!!??? 😉

Can anyone tell me at what point you can sign up for the Culinary classes?  Is it after final payment or sometime before?  We have 2 cruises booked, but not till next year.  We did the classes last year on our TA and I will gladly do again!  It is too true that it will spoil your next meal....lunch or dinner, you will be too full to eat again!  But hey, it is fun and good, so who's worried!?

We started cruising on Royal, then moved to NCL.  Have dabbled in Princess, MSC, and now Regents.  I have enjoyed all of them.  I agree with complawyer regarding Carnival....haven't tried, but it seems every time something bad happens on a cruise ship, Carnival is in the middle of it.

Also agree that NCL seems to nickle and dime you, but if you know that going in, then no worries.  We usually opt OUT of the beverage package...the up front charges are more than I spend if I purchase drink by drink.

Love the anytime dining on NCL.  I think most other lines are now adopting this posture.  We dress up for dinner, but it is optional on NCL.  The HAVEN is just wonderful, but the prices have gone up considerably, which is why we are now venturing onto Regents.  And I really appreciate the 2 bedroom suites on NCL!  Great for family vacations!

Yeah, that "per cabin" thing is interesting.  I was owner of the stock and sailed with a friend, not DH.  Split between the 2 of us for OBC.  Ha,ha!

DH asked me if I would like to do a vow renewal ceremony for our 40th.  I asked him "Did it not "take" the first time?" 🙂