farjar

This was back in 2019 on a one way northbound on the Jewel. We flew from Southern California to Vancouver, then home from Seward to Southern California. The confirmation shows we paid $99 each total with an AIRPROM2 code. I believe it was a BOGO even though the cost was divided between both of us. There wasn't any way we could have booked those flights on our own at such an incredibly low fare. Too bad they won't accommodate you. The current airline situation probably won't allow for it. Enjoy Alaska.

We used NCL's air program for our pre-pandemic Alaska cruise. The original flights they booked us on were terrible. I went to website of the airline they were offering and found several options that worked better for us including a nonstop flight. I then called NCL's air travel department and asked about the flights I had found. We were able to get our first choices. It definitely was worth the research and the phone call.

I have a very good thermal cup that keeps beverages hot for 12+ hours. I fill it up just before bed so I can have some coffee the next morning along with a few pastries I put in the refrigerator. It tides me over until I get dressed and go eat.

I lay out on the bed any large pieces I would hate to go missing. I then take a picture of all the items at once as a reference. Carnival also has self-service laundries on their ships.

We have family on this same cruise. They flew out from the west coast yesterday morning then spent an hour circling DFW because of thunderstorms. After landing they found out their connecting flight to FLL was cancelled. Fortunately they got on a plane to MIA that got them there at 12:30 this morning, minus their checked bag. They got a hotel room in Miami then were notified this morning their bag was at the FLL airport. After taking an Uber from Miami to FLL to retrieve the bag, then going to the cruise terminal they are FINALLY on board! It was a travel nightmare but at least they made it and can now relax for a week!

How many days is your cruise? We just paid $420 to go from a guarantee inside to an extended balcony on a 16 days cruise. If yours is a 7 day we are both paying about $25 a day more. Hate to find out we are on the same ship.

I hate the NCL website. It is extremely difficult to use for cabin selection. Instead I go to the big "C"' box store's travel site to do my research. You don't have to be a member to use it. When you click on "Choose a different stateroom" it shows you all the cabins available on each deck in the category you are interested in. It is so simple compared to NCL. Once you have an idea of what you want you can then contact whomever you wish to book through.

There are many free activities for kids The waterpark has two large slides, a drench bucket and splash toys plus a rope course. The kids can also play miniature golf, ping pong, corn hole, billiards, basketball and soccer. Movies are also shown on an outdoor poolside movie screen. Adults can ride the sky ride.

We have 100 shares. Applied in May for 2 upcoming cruises at the same time, one for 16 days in Sept. 2022 and one for 8 days in Dec. 2022. We were approved for both, $250 for the 16 day and $100 for the 8 day. We were surprised they approved the second cruise so far out but I would definitely resubmit closer to your sail date. Perhaps it was too early for a cruise in 2023.

The $300 you are "saving" is the gratuities charge. On our upcoming cruise for example a sail away interior cabin is $1802 where the least expensive "pick your cabin" interior cabin is $2222 with dining & drinks declined. For a balcony it is $3962 for a sail away and $4842 for the least expensive "pick your own balcony cabin" with the dining & drink declined. Try it, I think you'll be surprised.

NCL recently changed several benefits to their Latitudes program. They are no longer giving free internet. Instead Platinum members gets a 15% discount, Sapphire 20% and Diamond 25%. 😡

NCL was always out "go-to" cruise line until they began offering their "Free at Sea" package. We are non-drinkers and get 2 free specialty meals because of our platinum status. You are lead to believe if you decline the dining & drinks you are somehow "saving money" due to not having to pay the gratuities. You're not. We now have to book a "sail away/guarantee" cabin to avoid the hidden increase. Since the restart we have sailed Carnival twice and Holland once plus have two upcoming Carnival cruises. In all cases we were able to pick our cabin without having to buy a drink package. We do have an upcoming NCL cruise but only to use up a FCC due to our last January Getaway trip getting cancelled. We also just learned NCL is no longer giving latitude members free internet only a discount. 😡 Too bad, we really liked them. Our situation is a bit unique so I would still recommend them to others.

Our final cruise payment is coming up. We can buy travel insurance at that point or wait until up to 10 days before we sail. Is there an advantage to buying it early? I know there is a sliding scale for reimbursement from CCL if we cancel but does travel insurance cover anything prior to the "vacation dates" that are entered when you take the policy out? Is the policy in effect as soon as you buy it or only when your actual travel begins? If we buy the insurance now and then cancel the cruise prior to sailing is the insurance cost refundable? Thanks.

We do the same. Carry-ons with essentials and a couple changes of clothes along with one large suitcase with everything else. We check the big bag at the airport then give it to the porter at the port. At least if the airline or ship loses the big bag we could survive with our carry-ons and still enjoy the cruise without having to wear a ship's robe to dinner.

Slightly off the subject but just a reminder that you can again order another 8 FREE Covid home test kits from the US Postal Service. Go to USPS.com and type Covid tests on the search line or just do a web search. They are not a substitute for verifiable pre-cruise testing but can be taken with you to self-test on a cruise or when your return. Stay safe.

Free Covid testing is still available through the County of San Diego. Just search for County of San Diego free Covid testing and click on the schedule link. They do both types of tests. Some locations do walkups while others you can schedule an appointment. No problem with the results being accepted on our last cruise. Kaiser only does PCR tests but if you get a rapid test elsewhere they have a reimbursement form. We received payment in about two weeks for a different cruise. Reminder 8 home test kits are still available through the postal service at USPS.COM. They can't be used for precruise testing but they can be used when you return for peace of mind or if you are exhibiting symptoms. Travel safely!

I know Platinum and above members receive a voucher for one appetizer, one entree and one dessert as part of their specialty dining reward. What is the current price limit for an entree in Cagney's or Le Bistro? It has been several years and I noticed the prices have gone up considerably. Thanks.

On the Panorama in January we had an assigned table for two the entire cruise. The problem was the table was very small and the table next to us was only about 4" away. It was like that for four tables so basically it was a table of 8. There was not enough room between tables for the wait staff to walk so all the serving was done over your head or you had to lean to one side so they could put your food in front of you. Fortunately we were one of the ends but the people in the middle were bumping elbows with those on both sides to them. Very uncomfortable! Hated it. It was a totally different experience on the HAL Koningsdam in May. Our table for two had plenty of room around it for the wait staff and you didn't feel as if you were eavesdropping on you fellow cruisers' conversation.

The Gelato at lunch in the Lido buffet on the Panorama was wonderful. They had two different flavors each day with lots of toppings you can add yourself. The best part was you could go back as often as you wished. Don't know if they have it on all ships.

10 days before our Jan. 2022 Caribbean vacation on the Getaway the entire cruise was cancelled. Within about 2 weeks our credit card was refunded every cent we had paid (cruise fare, taxes, port fees, excursions purchased through NCL and prepaid specialty dining.) The only additional compensation we received for the inconvenience was a 20% FCC. We just rebooked an almost identical itinerary on the Dawn for Jan. 2023. Using the 20% FCC we just about broke even. We did not book our airfare through NCL so the nightmare was not our reimbursement from NCL which was hassle-free but with the airlines due to the problem caused by the cruise cancellation.

The final payment date for our upcoming cruise has now passed. I'm assuming Carnival now knows who is going and who is not. Any guesses how long before upgrade offers might be sent out? Thanks.

We're doing a 16 day Panama Canal cruise in Sept. and were wondering how many formal/cruise elegant nights there will be. If there are 2 for a 7 day cruise will there be 4 for a 16 day cruise? Any idea when they might be? We have lots of sea days and only 4 ports. Also are the MDR menus apt to repeat every 7 days or so? Thanks!

We just leave the Do Not Disturb sign out on those days we don't wish to be bothered and bring it in on days we want service.

We just used some of onboard credit to book an excursion online we were afraid might sell out before our Sept. cruise. There were only 10 spots left and we couldn't count on a later time being offer if the first time sold out. When we got to the "pay now" page it told us we had OBC and asked if we wanted to use part of it. What I'm assuming is if we cancel within the proper time frame the amount will be returned to our account.

We have cruised Carnival before on the Legend and the Panorama but never on the Spirit or the Magic. We have upcoming cruises on both and would appreciate any information or hints about the ship that might be more unique to either of them. What did you like or not like about them? Thank you.