BirdTravels

CAS will charge you the difference in retail costs for the rooms to upgrade. 
 

Adding a second person in your certificate room also incurs the $20/night casino service charge for the second passenger. 

23 hours ago, realnice46 said:

Does NCL list phone numbers of US embassies for each port in daily paper?

Which embassy?

On our cruise last week, there were passengers from holding passports from 65 different countries. 
 

Did you want the number for the embassy of Spain? Cuba? China? Russia?

We went there both sea days on the Seascape. 

We actually would have preferred the lunch menu,,, for lunch. We found sufficient lunch items on the Brunch menu to warrant a return on the second sea day. 

10 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Wow! What a fabulous ‘Live From.’

Thank you so much! I’ve started reading it and it’s fascinating.

 1. What time did you get to the port?

We had a 1:00 check-in time, but showed up at the port at 10:45, checked in, and walked right onboard the ship. 

2. Do they provide any water with dinner or is this extra?

Our beverage package included bottled water, so the waiters served us San Pellegrino nightly.  

3. Do you know how much the internet package is, and did you get a discount for being Diamond? (We are also Diamond). Apologies if you discuss this in your review, but I’ve not got to the end yet…😉

I think that we paid $139 for one Browse & Stream package. 

4. If you do the Back to Back, do you get any perks on the second cruise?

Other's may know differently. I think that it depends if it was booked as two 7-day cruises (a true back-to-back) or one 14-day reservation.  

5. We normally do Late Dining, but hadn’t realised it was THAT late 🫢

    We are only Fantastica so no anytime dining for us, but what are the chances of changing to Early Sitting at 7.30?
It is up to you. From the Daily program, late dining was really late. We were Aurea so we had MyChoice dining at any time. 

I would reiterate that we had a lovely cruise. But, we cruise frequently. This year we have already done 1 MSC, 1 Royal Caribbean, and 2 NCL cruises. All ships, regardless of cruise line, are running well over capacity. Our expectations are that things will be crowded, elevators will be crowded, buffets will be crowded, shows will be crowded and we are not going to slam a cruise line for being busy.  On the Seascape, while the "front" of the buffet was always busy, the back (toward the back of the ship) had very short or no lines. If you walk in the buffet and pick the longest line to stand in, you kinda get what you picked. Our room was at the back of the ship and we used the aft scenic elevators to the back door of the buffet, so we always got food quickly and sat back there too. 

45 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

We board the Encore in July for an Alaskan cruise and I just read a comment on another platform mentioning a virtual queue for the kids clubs on NCL. They were saying it was very frustrating because their kids often didn't get in before a long line via virtual queue and then they'd get alerted in the middle of dinner and they'd have to leave in the middle of the meal to get their kids to the club before they lost their spot. Is that really how NCL does things? 

 

We've cruised on all the major lines but this is the first time we're sailing on NCL, but we've never seen a system like this on any of the other lines. If we have to fight to get our kids into the kids clubs this will likely be our first and last cruise on NCL.

 

Has anybody sailed on the Encore in Alaska to know how much of an issue we should expect? Thanks in advance for any feedback!

If mom and dad understand and follow the process, there should be minimal "issues". 

You do not need an internet package. But, you need the NCL app on your phone and you need to be connected to the ship's WiFi/intranet. 

Bottom Line: To promote social distancing and minimize crowding at the Splash Academy, NCL uses a Virtual Queue for Splash Academy check-in. So rather than standing in line at the club, you stand in a virtual line and come to the club when you get to the front of the line.  Verify process when you register your kids. 

Exactly 1 hour before each session starts, the queue opens. Plan on checking your kids in at the start of a session. Get in the queue exactly 1 hour before the club opens. About 15 minutes before the club opens, notifications are sent out to the first 10 people at the front of the virtual line. 

If you decide that you want to check your kids in at random times (i.e., not at the start of a session), your time in the queue/line will vary. 

When you get to the front of the line and receive a notification, you have exactly 15 minutes to get your kids to the club. At 15 minutes and 1 second, you are deleted from the system. So, yes, when you are asked to bring your kids down, it means "NOW". 

Norwegian Encore

15 minutes ago, jjjct said:

Traveling with my brothers on my next cruise. We all got the 2 free dining. Reservations are open to me right now at Sapphire level, can I book reservations for all 6 of us at Ala Cart restaurants?

Yes. One person should make a reservation for the group if you want to sit together. Large tables sell out fast, so do it now. 

1 hour ago, DorothyB said:

Is there any reason he can't just make the new reservation, then cancel the other one after he is onboard?

3 days prior to departure, online reservations are likely going to be mostly sold out or undesirable. Reservations opened on 01/21/2024. It would be better to book as soon as you embark. 

55 minutes ago, astera said:

How fluid are the reservation times if you show up early, for an already early booking? I have a table booked for 6pm at the teppanyaki place but ideally would like to start 20-30 mins early. Should I just show up as it should be quite empty at that time anyway?

Depending on ship, you may be asked to wait until your reservation time at Teppanyaki (since they are planning on filling 8-tops). All other restaurants, they will try to be flexible if you show up early. Your reservation is cancelled if you are very late. 

9 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

About to go on my first MSC cruise, and I'm looking into dining at butchers cut and teppanyaki.  From menus I've found online, the dining experience menu at butchers cut is $39 and $44 at teppanyaki.  That's $83 total.  The price of the 2 meal dining package is $95.  I'm obviously missing something.....   Why would I purchase the package?  Thanks 

Butcher's Cut is $59 and Teppanyaki is $44. 

On 5/22/2024 at 5:15 AM, ellie1145 said:

We are due to sail on Seascape on June 15th and the reviews on here are pretty horrendous. 
 

We have sailed on Virtuosa out of Southampton twice and we were agreeably surprised. We’ve just got off Anthem of the Seas Norway cruise and felt the buffet was very poor and Virtuosa buffet was excellent especially the beautiful desserts. 

 

But the reviews make Seascape sound like the ship from hell! 
 

I know more people post about the negatives than the positives but it’s a little worrying.

First and foremost, don't believe everything you read on the internet. Most of it is totally fake news. 

We sailed on the Seascape in March and had a wonderful cruise. The ship is stunning and service wonderful.

If you want a peek at some of the ship's facility, here's my live post from that cruise in March. 

1 hour ago, SapphirePrincess993 said:

We are just flabbergasted that this is actually an event that can happen on any cruise line and it has. Wow. It does stink. We were thinking of rebooking another cruise but we just got cold feet. Just not sure what to do now. 

Yup. Every cruise line will accept a full ship charter if a group wants it. And it is much better for the paying passengers than to have a partial charter onboard, closing venues for the exclusive use of the charter guests. 

Just rebook another cruise in that timeframe. Enjoy. 

3 hours ago, ColdCruise said:

However @BirdTravels there is a noticeable decrease in choices from earlier menus 

2 salad options down from 3 *although happy to see the Brie!)

 2 soups instead of 3 to choose from 

3 appetizers versus 5 

I certainly notice differences in menus over time. I certainly notice changes from cruise to cruise. Some of our favorite foods (not hasbrowns or cookies) have disappeared over time.  BUT,,, that does not mean that all of the changes are bad. And I am able to pick an great meal from every menu (MDR and Specialty). 

Food waste is a big cost for the cruise line. NCL stopped the midnight chocolate buffets when passenger interest dwindled and when they were throwing 10,000 lbs of chocolate overboard from the event every week. Any foods cooked and held for over 4 hours are dumped overboard. So,,, maybe reducing the soup count saves 100's of gallons of soup each week from becoming fish foods. Last week, we stopped at the buffet around closing time nightly for some fresh fruit and ice cream. And it is always sad to watch those freshly made pizzas put out at 9:25 being thrown into a trash can at 9:30 along with all of the other foods on display. 

Sorry OP. Don't bring a bike on a cruise. I 100% would not want anyone riding a bike on the paths on CocoCay. You may think that it is "safe", but everyone else that you are running over... not so much. 

3 hours ago, Tripping007 said:

Has anyone used a Starbucks gift card, on the Dawn, at the Java Cafe?   

Since the Java Cafe on the Dawn is not a Starbucks store, your gift cards can not be used. No stars either. 

The gas station down the street from my house "Proudly Services Starbucks Coffee", but I can't use my gift cards there.

55 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

It should be noted that nobody was manning (womaning?) the Excursions Desk when we went to cancel.

"staffing"

Reservations open 125 days prior to departure, 12 midnight eastern time. You are afforded that 5 day head start over the rest of the passengers. Make good use of it. 

9 hours ago, roddy good boy said:

Who ever said that? We are talking about paying for one cruise and getting a completely different one, in terms of ports! Just asking for a little integrity. If NCL knows prior to sailing that they can’t go to the contracted ports, let customers know. We can then make an informed decision. 

The cruise line has the highest integrity. They don't care about "bait and switch" because you signed a contract that lets them do whatever they want. They don't have to "trick you". They will let you know when a final decision is made. And the decision will be made based on the safety and comfort of the passengers and crew, not whether you will get a substandard itinerary. 

The weather services run a dozen different models. And every model says that the storm is going somewhere different. All are highly regarded weather forecasting models built on years worth of research and analysis. And all will tell you something different. 

To the largest extent possible, the cruise line wants to operate the cruise as planned. Last year, NCL ships were literally dodging hurricanes in the Eastern Caribbean. The rides at night were not all pleasant, but they got to most of their ports of call sailing around the edges storms (versus diverting to much calmer waters of the Western Caribbean). 

Unlike when you are on a road trip deciding to take a detour and stop at a Motel 6 in another city, you just don't just pull up a 4000 passenger cruise ship to a dock in another port and say "here we are!" 

The Experts here on Cruise Critic will tell you the moment that NCL starts planning alternate itineraries. They will tell you when the cruise line books dock space at multiple locations (North, South, East), they arrange for shore side support, they start contracting for shore excursions. You will see anecdotal information about dock worker Mary Jane Smith in Boston getting notified that she needs to work this week because the Joy is coming. You will see other anecdotal note that the Joy is on the Port Canaveral arrivals list. Everything is contingent on the weather. Nothing is final until the ship makes a decision to reroute, normally less than 48 hours to departure, and sometimes after the ship is underway. 

It is easy to be sitting on your couch at home (perhaps typing a message to us). It is hard to predict the weather and make the decision to change itineraries. 

When the ship is rocking-n-rolling, every room will move. The forward facing room will move more. In a storm, you will hear the pounding of the sea against the bow. 

We book forward facing rooms from time-to-time. We had one last year. (Actually, we book forward facing Haven rooms (suites) on either side of the ship from the OV rooms). 

From Deck 9, you won't have the best forward facing view. You are looking down at the bow of the ship and the crew bar and sundeck below. But, if you look beyond that, you'll see where you are going. 

Every forward facing room will be a little different because of the ship's structure. The video below is from what is probably the smallest OV room. You get a bit more space as you move to the center of the ship. (We actually sit on the counter under the window and watch the sea go by).

We would take a OV room over an inside room any day. 

21 hours ago, Willwork4cruises said:

That’s a great tip. We did not try Food Republic on our first NCL, so looking to try new ones this time. 

Food Republic is one of our go-to restaurants and will normally have lunch there once or twice a cruise. (We ate there twice last week). 

It is basically a balcony room with an angled balcony. On the Epic, they consider it a "large balcony" Class B6, so you will pay a premium price for the room. We have sailed on the Epic 7 or 8 times and would gladly sail on her again. 

There are a lot of youtube videos on Epic Balcony rooms. It appears that the bed in 9225 is next to the balcony, so it will be like this room

Here is an example of an angle balcony room on the Epic. In this video, the bed is away from the balcony. 

5 hours ago, Sandie5 said:

We're thinking of visiting Japan but I hear it's better to do a land trip. I'm leaning towards a cruise because then you're travelling around the country without dealing with hotels and transportation. Is Japan better as a land trip? 

25 minutes ago, mek said:

I'm also considering a cruise to Japan, but since I will be traveling alone I will have to pay the single supplement, which is generally more than on a land based tour.

But like security of being on a ship rather than being alone in a strange city.  When my husband was alive, we did several bus tours in Europe and there were always some nights when we were on our own.  Not sure that appeals to me in a country as different as Japan is to Westerners.

While you clearly won't get everything you could from a land-based tour, based on your descriptions, a cruise maybe an excellent introduction to the country. 

We are well seasoned travelers. We have toured Japan on a ground-tour and have been there on our own. And even for us, some of the travel logistics on your own were a bit daunting. 

1 hour ago, roddy good boy said:

Nope. My argument still stands. If it’s a substandard experience on a cruise ship, I’d rather be sitting on my couch at home (perhaps even typing messages to you)! 😜

Be at home. But don't expect the cruise line (any cruise line) to give you a refund because "you didn't feel like you would get a good experience on the ship". 

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

My point is that while Omaha people may not eat Tilapia, others do. And providing a variety of entrees is what others seek. If they served salmon every night, people would complain that the menu never changes. 

FWIW: Here's my example of the contemporary taste. 

Once upon a time, when you walked down the soup aisle in Costco, you would find pallets of Campbell's chicken noodle soup (CNS), cream of mushroom soup (CoMS), tomato soup, beef vegetable soup. That is what the "old timers" thought and still think is good food. 

When The Bird walks down the soup aisle of Costco today, there is no Campbell (or any other brand) canned soups. Gone are the old fashion chicken noodle soup. Gone is the old fashion cream of mushroom.

What you find is Cup Noodle (of multiple varieties), Ramen, Tonkatsu, Pho, Udon, 

Some here would argue that "that's just being cheap" and that "Campbell's CNS is much better" and that "none of my family or friends would ever eat that in Omaha". Well,,, NCL more than any other cruise line, continues to evolve and adapt to the desires of the contemporary cruiser. Maybe not the old timers from Omaha, but the rest of the world continues evolve. And to be successful, you need to evolve your menus. And yes, even serve Tilapia that a young Bird would catch and release from the local ponds. 

Yup, old timers, set in their ways, may still want that CNS or CoMS, but that is not what the contemporary cruiser is looking for in an innovative menu. They want the foods that they see appearing at their local restaurant. That demonstrates that NCL is trying to remain relevant. That's exactly why you'll find that Asian noodle soup stand in the buffet on big ships,,, even if they had to dump the old, clunky crepe stand. 

That's odd because NCL's insurance from Aon is not CFAR. That's why NCL offers a "kick back" if your insurance claim is denied. 

1 hour ago, laumicmah said:

No. didn't know that. We use a TA from an online company and she didn't tell us that.

When you say Aon insurance, I assume you are talking about Royal Caribbean insurance.

Check the Guest Invoice from your Upgrade. See if the cost of the insurance increased due to the Royal Up. On "other" cruise lines, the insurance is increased automatically.