ja2nowak

Total cost for two for next week is showing at $239.40 for a 7 day. Breaking it down, it comes out to $17.10 per person per day. Still an increase but now I'm running numbers if on the few occasions I go over the max drink price it's cheaper for me to pay the $1 or $2 plus gratuities per drink. Even for a $3 up charge to go to a more premium liquor that's a total of nearly 40 total upgraded drinks vs paying the upgraded drink package price.

2 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

You would be able to buy it but it is very expensive, approx $100 per day per person plus gratuities. I believe everyone over 21 years in the cabin has to buy it, you cannot only buy it for one of the adults

 

It's awfully expensive. Everyone over the age of 21 in your cabin must have it. Your kids will be required to have a soda package as well I believe. I might see if the price difference between the two is less than the drinks package outright. It usually is.

2 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

You never never ever ever want to pay full price out of pocket for NCL's drink package.  It's a ripoff and I believe only 3 people in history have done that and they are still living in bankruptcy. 

Ha! Back on my first cruise it was $280 with gratuity. At current pricing it's a total ripoff.

I usually tip a buck or two per drink. It depends on how much of a pain I'm being. If I order a complicated Martini or fancy drink I tip more. If it's just a beer that gets opened I tip less. But on day one I always tip. Day 2 I will tip more every other drink or so. Mostly since carrying 5's takes up less space in my pocket. And absolutely I tend to get my drink order taken and my drink ahead of a lot of people. I guess just like back home the bar staff takes care of those that take care of them.

1 hour ago, wampuscat7 said:

They have pepsi products on NCL, not coke. Is that right?

Sadly, yes. But after 3 or 4 drinks I don't know if it matters anymore for me personally.

I don't think I'd worry about the rush after March 1st when dockside testing ceases. Truthfully that is the slowest part of any boarding I've had since things started back up.  Timing wise though I think that is probably a busier time since everyone wants to get onboard and have a drink or food around noon.

I have casino drinks so always order my espresso there as well as any other coffee drinks. I tip a couple of bucks for the extra hassle.

I think it also depends on what ships you all are booked on. I don't think the smaller ships are going to return to service anytime soon. My trip in December to the Caribbean is on the Encore, and my trip in Feb 2022 for the Mexican Riviera is on the Bliss. With Canada not opening the ports the May trip makes sense to cancel now so people can find other things to do.

Only my Alaska cruise in May shows this. My Mexican Riviera cruise in 2022 looks fine as does my December Caribbean.

47 minutes ago, mtrancher said:

Still wondering how you are arriving at your 2K #?  Right now booking a balcony cabin on NCL the deposit is $250 total. Granted when thousands of people send in $250 deposits it adds up to thousands for NCL, but I don't understand your claim each individual losing thousands.

 

I'm not arguing your point that people would lose money IF NCL declares either Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy; but I suggest there are a lot of factors between now and then if then ever comes.

The people that would lose money would likely be commercial lenders. They would reorganize under chapter 11 and it would allow them to breathe from the commercial loans. I don't think a judge in their right mind would let them screw hundreds of thousands of passengers out of their money. It would certainly spell doom for them. I'd never sail NCL again if I even lost my cruise next certs. No one would book with them anymore since the trust would be broken. Then they would end up using Chapter 7. Just my thoughts.

What a bunch of negative Nancy's on here. What's a cruise deposit run? A few hundred dollars? This is why I buy insurance and don't pay off cruises until I have to. I've got 3 on the books. One for August, one for September, and one for December. August is the only crap shoot in my book. The rest I expect to proceed as usual. And if I'm wrong I'm out a few hundred bucks and have a bunch of airfare credit. It isn't the end of the world.

On 9/4/2019 at 10:46 AM, fstuff1 said:

 

no more pork belly as appetizer.

now replaced with thick sliced bacon.

i had that. basically, it's bacon with maple syrup. it's actually very good.

but you can do the same thing for breakfast. just stack a few slices of thin breakfast bacon together to get same thickness.

 

also, prices are INSANE without the dining package!

 

Blah. I really loved the pork belly. 

I've used the new version of the NCL App on the Dawn and the Bliss. It worked much better than iConcierge for texting. I didn't find myself closing it and launching it non-stop. I always have an internet package and I still get the $9.99 onboard messaging just to keep in touch with those that don't. Though I am questioning that wisdom since more people I know are getting something we can stay in touch with on board.

They can also adjust prices for you if they change sometimes. Or if they can't do that I've been issued on board credit at least.

Working in IT I feel for the Internet Managers. It's nothing but a mess of people who typically don't know how to use their devices. They are super patient. I've never had any luck getting my promo minutes bundled with my platinum minutes. I have a 9 day coming up and will be going for the premium unlimited because why not. Yeah, it stinks because I can see it online right now for $265.50, so that would work out to $160.50 based on online pricing. But on ship it won't have a 15% discount so will run roughly $305 for the package with setup minus the $125 credit the package is worth on board so $20 more.... Typical NCL surcharge. 

Dislikes: No SpiceH20, no Spinnaker lounge, no Great Outdoors to eat breakfast at in the aft. Interesting layout.

Likes: Crew and staff are great, enjoyed the casino, still has decent size balcony's compared to the new ships.

Oh and keep the pics coming! It looks good.

Tivoli Gardens is beautiful all the time. So they replaced some things. But did they change the club DJ? I have sailed on Getaway 2 times, totaling 23 days. Every night the DJ played only 1/3rd to 1/2 of a song and mostly reggaeton or bachata. The place became a ghost town after the themed events ended.

Yes they do have vodka there. 

Just now, browniegirl said:

Yes it showed on my confirmation email as well as each person in room getting a $50 obc.

Thanks!

4 minutes ago, Tinyturtle22 said:

It wasn’t listed online but it is on the confirmation email they sent me. 

Thanks. It's not showing on my confirmation. I'll have to call and make sure they apply it.

5 minutes ago, kenns said:

Hi All,

 

Wondering if I should change my current reservation to take advantage of this promotion. I am booked on the Encore for February 2020, going to San Juan, St. Thomas and Tortola. 

 

I am booked on the Encore for February 2020. My current reservation is for 2 people in a large ocean-view room (OB) for which I paid $1,099 (still have until October 2019 before final payment is due) and got the beverage package and dinning package. That same room is now going for $1,149 (increased by $50).

 

I just did a mock booking for the same cruise, which as part of this promotion is offering 4 offers (no free 3rd / 4th guest & no discounted airfare) in the cheapest available balcony, which is going for $1,299. So basically, it'll cost me $200 more per person or $400 total to go from ocean-view to balcony and to add-on the $50 per port shore ex credit and 250min of WiFi.

 

Do you think the "better" cabin, shore ex credit and 250min of WiFi is worth $400? My original plan was to just jump on WiFi while in port to check email, and do excursions on our own. 

 

Thanks!

As someone who loves balcony's yes. $150 for excursions across your 3 ports and the WiFi is worth $110. (I think) But for me $400 for more space and a balcony is enough. You can't beat the view when it's a nice day and there isn't much better than sitting on your balcony enjoying morning coffee or tea.

23 hours ago, Tinyturtle22 said:

I just added all to my dec 2020 and got an extra $100 OBC and kept my cheap, not free, air to San Juan. 

Question, I did the same but I don't see the $100 OBC listed anywhere. Does it list out somewhere for you?

Atrium and the buffet/pool bars are usually open bright and early.

I'm another cruise boarding with the group on the 7th so I'm looking forward to your review. Thanks in advance.