Sand and Seas

On 4/17/2024 at 7:16 PM, Ashland said:

We certainly didn't have to "ask" as they (several of them from the same company) were walking just outside the terminal doors holding big signs and calling out "Shuttle to MIA...$10.00pp" hard to miss them.

After reading about these shuttles here, we used them from port to MIA just a few days ago.  As you say, very easy to find.  Leaving Norwegian's terminal, we went towards the taxi line and the shuttles were just across the lane.  Our shuttle held 11 passengers so it was quickly filled and we were on our way.

8 hours ago, Beach Life 1 said:

Has anyone sailed since April 1, and received the water package?  Is it one package for the cabin,  or a package for each player (Pearl and above)  in the cabin?  Also,  are the water boxes the large size,  or the small size?  It states 12 pack for 11 nights or more.  So would that be 24 boxes total for two people?  Thanks for any info.

We just returned from a 11 day cruise.   There were 12 one-liter water boxes in our cabin for one CAS (Ruby) player.  I don't know what they will do for two Pearl and above.    We also had four small 1/2 liter waters due to our Latitudes status.

About a week into the cruise, the casino host asked if we needed more water but we did not.   Based on your play, the host on board may send you wine, chocolates or water during cruise. 

We are looking forward to the new Thai restaurant.

And, it sounds like Indulge Food Hall is going from seven mini-venues to ten on the Aqua.  One of those is vegetarian, but I wonder what the others will be?   Perhaps they can offer some of the Food Republic choices or Shanghai's Dim-Sum/Potstickers🤞 

We love Indulge on Prima and ate many times.   One of the ships officers chatted with us during dinner and said they are looking for ways to add the popular food hall concept to other ships.  Wonderful variety of small plates like  grilled pineapple (like Moderno's) and fresh made Fresno chili Naan bread.   The Q had good ribs at dinner or pulled pork sandwiches at lunch.  Great Tapas like we have enjoyed on other ships.   Really something for everyone to enjoy and I'm guessing less food waste than the buffet.   

On 4/17/2024 at 4:06 PM, laudergayle said:

We did FWD-facing CBS on the Prima.  NYC to Bermuda.  We were very disappointed in our cabin choice.  The balcony is way too windy, and the bottom is metal so in order to see anything you need to stand up.  We will likely never do a FWD facing again on any ship…just don’t want to take a chance.  

We loved our CBS on Prima.  These cabins are the last four or five at the Aft and seem to have extra floor space due to the curvature of the ship's structure for that area. 

The balcony was decent sized with two comfy chairs and an interesting view.  It is a decent walk to the elevators, but we needed the walk for exercise😎 

4 hours ago, hachtely said:

I just got a CasNext March 23, 2024….there is no expiration date on it.   I had previously gotten one and it said it had to be used within a year of being issued….I’m thinking maybe they have eliminated the expiration period (the way they did with CruiseNext).  
 

Unlike CruiseNext, CasNext are not transferable

 

You CAN use 2 CasNexts for 1 stateroom during DoubleUp promotions.   

 

The Certificate says CasNext cannot be combined with Cruise First Certificates

 

The Certificate “says” it can’t be combined with CruiseNexts either BUT when I got the Certificate both the casino host and the Future Cruise Director told me that during DoubleUp promotions, it CAN.  
 

I haven’t tried to use this CasNext yet….

 

 

I just got two CASNext certificates four days ago.  My certificates still show the Terms & Conditions that say you must book & complete sailing within one year.  I would love if they do not expire, but I haven't seen anything that would suggest such a change.  

My certificates also say you can use two if it meets criteria for DoubleUp, and three if it meets criteria during a TripleUp promo.  It specifically says you can't use with CruiseNext.  Again, it would be great if T&Cs are changing for CASNext, but I wasn't told anything different.

10 hours ago, eatSleepVacation said:

No Sugarcane on Aqua? Le sigh.

No Sugarcane on Prima either.   

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Looks like a few new dining and imbibing options are coming to Aqua. 

 

- Thai (yes, please)

- Wine (meh)

- Vegan (grossssssssssss)

 

https://www.nclhltd.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/

Thai sounds  great. Thanks for sharing link. 

Also like the idea of expanding  Indulge to ten specialties.   Prima officer was telling us they are trying  to add more  Indulge  food halls but hard to fit on the older  ships.

10 minutes ago, bob.chan@sympatico.ca said:

Just got back yesterday Bermuda  R/T New York.  Ship was beautiful.  We (wife, myself and son) had an inside 2 bedroom, absolutely gorgeous, everything looks brand new 👍

Welcome  to  Cruisecritic!   

We love the Joy.  Glad you enjoyed your cruise 😎

Indulge Food hall ( Prima) has a nice selection  of Indian food with some tasty vegetarian selections. The dinner menu also has fresh  made Naan 😋   

On 4/11/2024 at 8:56 PM, deefer said:

I believe that Ruby status gives you free drinks anywhere on the ship (not just the casino).
 

But it does look like free drinks casino invited guests used to receive in the casino is no longer happening......?

Yes.  Ruby  player and one guest have UB on your  keycard  for  drinks  anywhere on board.   It's the  basic  FAS drink  package  but you  are not charged  the 20 percent  fee.  

3 hours ago, Coastalbreezes said:

Question for any Ruby players who have sailed since April 1st: I read on the "other site" that the beverage package is not indicated on your key card and that you have to go to Guest Services where they look up your reservation, supposedly see that you are Ruby and reprint your keycard that shows the beverage package.

 

Is this true? It seems ridiculous and a waste of time.

Call CAS before  sailing and  ask  them to send you  an updated  Amenities confirmation for  your  reservation.   Ours showed BEVPK1 at zero  cost for  Unlimited Open Bar Package.   When we checked  in at Port our  cards were  already  printed  with UB.

Currently  on the  Prima.  They delivered a plate of cookies  to our cabin yesterday.  We didn't  see any  in the observation  lounge  but we have only  been there  once during  afternoon snack  time.

For Prima, I believe it was the Improv club across from Syd Norman's.   I saw a lot of backpacks and  small bags there as we boarded.  There was an employee checking them in.

55 minutes ago, cruisin4familyfun said:

In early March, during our Getaway cruise, the Haven policy of one lobster tail per person was in place. My husband requested two (no turf) and was informed of the additional charge for the second. No big deal, I requested a lobster tail for myself. I stated that I would be giving it to my hubby. The waiter chuckled and brought out the extra lobster tail on his plate - no extra charge. 🙂 

Perfect!

I bet  your  server loved that soluion😊

2 hours ago, goldmom said:

We were on the Getaway about a month ago.  I noticed the Haven menu didn't mention the upcharge for the lobster.  When I asked about changing the turf for surf the waiter then said that there was an extra charge.  I hope you're right and they did away with the extra charge, but I wouldn't count on it just because it isn't showing on the menu.

Sounds confusing.   I would  rather  they just post it on the menu so the server doesn't have  to explain.   

I like a crabcake and lobster  tail.  Will they have to call that an upcharge?  Doesn't make  sense to me.

12 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Talking with the host team, they are selling this as an enhancement to Ruby and above since you get a beverage package that works 24/7 (not just when the casino is open). 

For us, the new Ruby benefits are an improvement.   Others may wish for Premium Plus but comped FAS to use shipwide meets our needs.

@BirdTravels,  Hope you have a wonderful cruise!  Encore is one of our favorites.

Thanks for sharing with us all😎

@cygnets, thanks for posting about your upgrades on your summary page.  I'm Ruby, but nothing showing on my summary page for my 3 booked cruises.

As changes to program were still being made yesterday (per agent I spoke with), I would suggest you keep an eye on that summary page.  It could take awhile for them to sort out the Tier promos.

18 minutes ago, UKstages said:

yes, indeed.

 

NCL's crack design team has built limited functionality into the mobile web version of their site.

Mine just shows 'Casino-Value'.   I've been Ruby for quite awhile.  This last year I was over double 'Ruby' points.    Maybe it means "you COULD get to Elite if you just pushed it a bit more"

Just now, UKstages said:

 

you see, though, that's the same wording that was in the brochure. that's what is so concerning.

 

in order to get an "upgrade," one would have to have purchased something (or paid the gratuities, in this case). NCL has been known to play fast and loose with the english language, but if they were giving elites the premium plus package, they should say so. if they're "upgrading" an elite player to premium plus, that suggests that the player would have to already have had the premium (regular) drink package in order to be bumped up.

I totally agree!   

And since they seem to be tweaking the benefits day by day, who knows what the final language will look like.  

I am glad that I (and many others) had called CAS to express our displeasure with the changed benefits listed in the first brochure that some received.   I hope they are still listening and working on what is fair based on Tier levels.

22 minutes ago, UKstages said:

april 1st is the day they say they were just kidding... april fool's.

 

as an elite member, i am curious as to what the changes are. sounds like i can count on a "free" baseline drink package. i mean, if they're giving it to ruby, i assume it'll go to elite as well.

 

interesting that it sounds like they will require a purchase of the drink package in order for elites to enjoy the premium plus package. that suggests they really don't know how loyalty programs work. or casinos, for that matter. if they really wanted to differentiate between ruby at 35,000 tier and elite at 100,000 tier (representing a minimum of $500,000 coin through, but closer to $1,000,000 coin through for video poker players who dabble in slots), they should just give premium the plus drink package to elites. very minimal exposure... there are not a heckuva lot of elites... and - whether they realize it or not - by making the benefit the same at 35K and 100K, they are giving players few compelling reasons to play beyond 35K.

There are some additional reports on that other site now.    One of them says he spoke with a CAS exec who was currently onboard their sailing.  He said Elite will now get 'Complimentary' upgrade to Premium Plus for guests 1 & 2.  It read like you would NOT have to pay the basic FAS fees.    I hope that is true as Elite has definitely earned it.   

I feel fairly confident about the change for Ruby as I talked with a CAS agent who was reading an update that had been sent to them.    Please let us know if CAS gives you further information for Elite.  Who knows what they might change in the next 24-48 hours before we see it on the website.

31 minutes ago, texascane said:

I cant remember which tier I made on my sailing last year.  Is there a way to find out online?

I've never seen my status online.  Suggest you call CAS.  Any agent should be able to tell you.

They are tweaking the program again.  I just talked to CAS (in Arizona) and they got a change today.  He verified that Ruby will not have to pay 20% fee and will receive FAS drink package all over the ship.  Elite has changed too, but he didn't explain that to me.  (Someone on the other site said Elite could get FAS free, or pay for FAS and get PremPlus) 

I wonder if anything else will change by April 1st🤔

Some wonderful cruiser created this spreadsheet for Breakaway and Getaway cabins.  I found it from CruiseCritic years ago:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10YW7fMQarer30UCHKqKJ_zLDmbyMTczCTtYf2XRflh8/pub?single=true&gid=0

Just heard from a friend that over on that other site, someone is reporting that they have again tweaked the drink FAS for Ruby/Elite.    I know many of us have been contacting CAS to question why we would need to pay for FAS in order to get the 'free upgrade' to PPlus.   Paying for the FAS fees in order to get PPlus would not be a good deal for someone like me.

So....I just called CAS (Arizona) and was told they just got an update about it.   I'm not sure what it will be for Elite, but as Ruby, I was told today I should get FAS regular package all over the ship without paying for the 20% per day fees.  (The other site was reporting Elite would get FAS free, but if they pay for FAS it will upgrade to PPlus.)

Since I mainly want it for my Diet Cokes, this works for me.  Maybe a Mango meltdown or two😉

Apparently, as suggested before, if enough of us call CAS to express our feelings it DOES make a difference.   

Can't wait to see what is actually posted on April 1st.