Jetlagged787

At least some of you can access the website even if you cannot plan your next dream cruise!

I've tried everything I can think of this morning including clearing all caches and browsing data and even a reboot. Still, "Error 500" on royalcaribbean.pt, royalcaribbean.com and RCCL.com. I can get the UK, next door in Spain, further into Europe in Germany and even down under in Australia, but cannot get my own home site of Portugal, other than a copy cached by Google.

Then I got to wondering if this is a common problem with RCCL and the light bulb came on. I remembered all the problems last year with the Celebrity website and the fact that they are sister companies. Presumably they share the same lousy IT department.

If anyone from RCCL monitors this board, please get your websites sorted so that we can get on with planning our cruises. Unless you prefer us to spend our money on a different cruise line that is.

No problems right for me.

:cool:

I noticed your location so used a VPN to access from there and now I can get RCCL.com. I still cannot access my own country version of Portugal though.

Time for bed now so I'll try again in the morning.

Thanks again folks.

I got a similar thing, something to do with cloudflare!

I just tried again using the cruise critic address and it let me in! Not sure what was up with it!

 

 

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Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm glad it's not just me.

Wallis, sorry if this is a dumb question, but what do you mean by, "the Cruise Critic address?"

I was able to access the website OK this morning but now get "Error 500". The UK version of the site is fine but I cannot open either .com or .pt.

Is anyone else having this problem or do I need to look deeper? I'm having the same error on my desktop, laptop and two tablets.

Wow! Now that I've looked at the NCL Germany website, it gets even better. Not only do they get ALL the Free at Sea promos but their UBP includes Lavazza coffees AND one bottle of water per person per day in the cabin. I must try a dummy booking now to see how far I can get.

Hmm, do prices ever come down? We booked in late January our fare for 4 is $3696 with port taxes and fees of $556 for a total of $4252. We did not choose any of the "free at sea" items.

I've just costed up the dearest (largest) inside family room for that cruise on the NCL UK website and it came out at the equivalent of $5009!

At least you could grab $200 of that back by taking the Free at Sea offer of OBC.

 

We looked at an NCL Europe Cruise.

 

We checked prices with our English and American travel agents, and found a German agent was better value for the following reasons:

 

Tips are included, as Germans don't tip - except to leave a bit of small change as trinkgeld.

 

UBP included. Not offered to us by UK agents as maybe we British drink too much!

 

Final balance due only one month before. UK agents often ask for it 16 weeks before to aid their cash flow!

 

 

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That was an interesting post and one that I will remember for future bookings thanks.

Most of your points have already been answered but, as far as final balance is concerned, our UK travel agent also tried to extort money from us at 16 weeks. We had already had a falling out over the alleged benefits of booking with that particular TA rather than direct with NCL. She pointed out two 'benefits' that were not benefits at all, but failed to mention until I had booked that they would need the balance 16 weeks out and that there was a 2% charge for using a credit card which is not applied by NCL. We had a little 'discussion' and she gave a little but would not budge from 12 weeks. That was almost one month ago and NCL have still not received the money, so clearly it is still floating around in the TA's bank. It will be direct with NCL.de in future for me by the sounds of it.

An update. As suggested by some folk, I called NCL who to me that she could update my booking but that I would have to go back to my TA to pay. I left it a couple of days and found that I was now able to access the item on the NCL website and pay there.

Now the really good bit and of particular interest to those in the UK. On the NCL website, the service charges are shown as $13.50 per person per day, so for our 10 day cruise a total of $270. If you pre-pay that in the UK the amount us ?170 which at today's exchange rate is only $208. Result! :)

I would far prefer to see ripped jeans to the outfit worn by one heavily tattooed female in the MDR at dinner last year (Not NCL btw). A tank top, very short shorts and flip flops on her feet. Seriously?! She was a prime subject for peopleofwalmart.com.

Thanks everybody. I've checked my invoice and it is definitely not included so I think I'll give NCL a call direct tomorrow.

Thanks. I was wondering if that was the way but was trying to avoid that if at all possible. Let's just say that we have not really enjoyed a good relationship so far and I will probably book direct next time.

As a general rule, all alcoholic products will be far cheaper in Germany than any of the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway or Finland.

I've just checked out the Kosherica website and within the next twelve months they are offering ten cruises; Eight on NCL, one on HAL and one on RCCL. It might be worth checking if this is something that concerns you.

If I go to My NCL and click on 'Pre-Pay Service Charges' I get a message, "We are unable to display this option at this time." It has said this since I made my final payment.

I booked through a UK TA and am 81 days out from cruising. Is it that we cannot prepay this charge in the UK, any other reason or just another website error?

The only thing you could be missing, and would have to go to NCL for this, is that I've never read a post on this board about someone using a prepaid card to secure their account at the beginning of a cruise - therefore I don't know if their system will take it. The plan someone mentioned of using their debit card to open the account and then the prepaid card to settle it stands more chance of working IMO, but then they just have the holds on the debit card.

 

That being said, I really do hope everyone who is trying to work out how to not use a credit card for their account does bring a credit card on vacation with them! Keep in mind that if you break a leg in another country they are going to want payment secured upfront (and many travel insurance won't they just reimburse afterwards). Emergencies happen where you need access to move cash than you have in your checking account and being out of the country will make it really difficult to work something else out on the fly.

 

 

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I could not agree more sanger and always travel with two credit cards and now I also have the prepaid debit card.

That is an interesting comment that you made about insurance. I think possibly that only applies in the case of US insurers. I worked for some years with a UK travel company and part of my remit was to help holidaymakers who had been taken ill or suffered accidents on holiday. It was a matter that I was involved in on a daily basis. You cannot imagine how many people unexpectedly get a two-centre holiday; beach and hospital bed! As far as UK insurers are concerned, once they have established that the claim is justified, they deal directly with the relevant hospital or clinic, leaving the holidaymaker come patient to concentrate on getting fit enough to get back to their holiday or return home.

The only reason not to use a debit card is that holds are placed on it, and it may take up to 30 days for the hold to fall off. If you have large balances in the bank it really isn't an issue but if you don't keep a large balance in that account it can be an issue. If the card is compromised you have fewer safety features than you do with a CC, If it is truly a prepaid debit card, the most you can be out is what is on the card and it is not an issue. Security is not the reason most people say not to use a debit card.

 

 

 

This should not be an issue. You should be able to pay your account on the last night using the prepaid card, even if they won't accept it for the security on your account at check in.

 

 

Have a great cruise.

Thank you. My particular card is fairly new to the market and has additional features that I have never come across before, upping the security level. Using a smartphone app, users of this card can disable the card completely or just individual features of it. So, I only load it when I know I'm going to use it and then immediately disable it until needed.

Unless anyone can see a flaw in my plan to guarantee with a CC and use this particular card, I think I've got it covered.

Getting back to the OP, to summarise, it would seem that they will manage their way, but will also have to remember that NCL will put a block on a part of the available funds and that is probably $300. As far as security goes, a prepaid card is only as good as the value it holds, so as far as I can see, is more secure than any regular CC or DC. Does that about cover it or have I missed anything?

My thanks to you all for your help.

In general NEVER use a debit card. If your card is compromised it will be your bank account that loses money. Yes, you'll eventually get it back from your bank, but in the meantime you could have payments (mortgage, car, utilities, etc) rejected. Whereas, if your credit card is compromised, it's not your money that's at risk. Eighteen years in banking, with most of that time handling deposit accounts and adjustments...don't assume the bank can or will get your money back into your checking account right away.

That's sound advice irishgal and something I will keep in mind for the future. Thanks.

One major problem with the use of a Debit Card is that they place a hold on it, I think USD300 to start with. Then if you approach that limit they again put on another hold and so on. The holds may well not drop off for up to a month depending on the bank. It could leave you short of available funds if you run "close to the wind" normally.

Thanks for that. My intention is to offer my credit card as security, but at the end of the cruise use my prepaid debit card to actually settle the account. I did read earlier in the thread that some debit card companies do not allow the use of their card on cruises, but thankfully mine is not one of them. Now I just need to check with NCL that they will accept the prepaid card.

Never, ever use a debit card for this...

 

Again, never use a debit card for your onboard account.

Can you expand on that please triptolemus. Noticing your strength of feeling, I assume this is a security issue so why is a debit card any less secure than a credit card?

I was planning to use my prepaid debit card for this year's cruise so am off to checkout their t & c's now and wait to hear back from you too.

I was able to look in my paper work when making notes of things to do after making my final payment. The case of 24 bottles was $70.74. It still is amazing what they charge for the bottles. In my local stores' date=' prices run from $1 - $1.49 for liter bottles of that brand. Last year, I paid $5 for 12 half liter bottles (= 6L) on the Carnival Pride. It is still going to cost me just under $18 on the Epic. But I still need to make the purchase. I was told that in Europe when you go out to eat they charge for water.[/quote']

 

Any restaurant in Europe will give you a jug of water if you ask for it so I'm not sure where that idea came from. Naturally, bottled water is a chargeable item but is a lot cheaper than NCL's extortionate rates, even after the reduction.

So was I:)

I say Epsom as nobody has ever heard of Tattenham Corner. :)

Haha I'm not one for attention so I'll be staying well away from any carpet that even looks like it may be red :eek:;)

 

I'm in Crawley, near Gatwick airport, so littlehampton isn't too far. 50 min by car 🚗 I think. One of our 1st choice of a trip to the seaside with the little one because there is a lot there for her. :cool:

I was born in Epsom and know Crawley well. Littlehampton has changed a lot since I was a kid but is still perfect for your little lass. I look forward to meeting up with you o board.

Colin

I agree with this. We got off the ship as soon as we were able to (early risers and early breakfast eaters here). Nothing was open. We walked the waterfront and up the hill all before much of anything was open. It was very relaxing and enjoyable. But if you're looking for open stores, restaurants, etc., you might as well sleep in and tender over a little later in the morning.

We're in port for 12 hours so have decided on a leisurely approach to breakfast before slipping ashore for a wander around, coffee and a pastry or two. Mmm mmmm!

Hi, you are on the same sailing as myself, husband and 4yr old daughter 😀

It's going to be our first cruise ever. This is really useful info for us too, thank you.

I've not long realised that we are in Cannes at the same time as the film festival. I'm not sure how that will affect us but if anyone here can shed light please, that will be brilliant? 😀

I was wondering the same. I'm sure that we'll be OK so long as we keep our feet off the red carpet.

I have a very good friend in Littlehampton. Anywhere near you?

As you arrive in Cannes at 7.00am, there is no need to get off much before 10.00am. By that time, all the little bars and cafes are then open

That's very useful advice. Thanks for your time.