rnr4thatsme

Do thermal suite passes usually sell out pre-cruise for the Discovery Princess or can I buy onboard?

The second person on my booking is only 19, therefore can’t drink alcohol.  Would that make any difference?

Now this may seem like a dumb question, but I'm in a live chat right now with a Princess rep and he said he doesn't know if I can use the $100 OBC to pre-book a thermal suite pass.  Can I only use it for specialty dining or shopping onboard then?   Can I use it for the Sanctuary if I can get in?  I got the OBC as part of choosing the "better" rate.

How was the Sanctuary on this ship - did you get a chance to see?   Also packed?   Anyone have any idea how much that costs for a 4 day cruise?

On 12/8/2022 at 2:30 PM, lx200gps said:

We're regular Sanctuary users, most recently a few weeks ago on the Sky. As other have pointed out, you have to board early, among the very first, to have a chance of snagging decent loungers. We're Elite and try to check in as early as possible, so as to be among the very first to board once boarding starts. Keep in mind that there is a priority to boarding, with B2Bers first, then Elites and Suites, then Platinum etc. so there will be a lot of people ahead of you in the line. On the Sky a few weeks ago, we arrived very early, about 9 or 9:30, sat in the lounge until boarding started around 11, and were probably the fifth and sixth Elites to reach the Sanctuary, but the B2Bers had arrived well before any of us, and we had little selection to choose from.  The newer ships like the Sky and Discovery, have different Sanctuary layouts from the older ships, with more empty wasted space, hot tubs, sofas and expensive cabanas reducing the number of basic loungers. They also have far more loungers in full sun, which is a show-stopper for us, further reducing the number of decent loungers available.  Of course, sea days are far more popular than port days for Sanctuary booking.  Although it's far more expensive, you may want to consider a cabana; loungers are $40/pp/day so $80 per couple, while a cabana is $220 total and you should have a better chance of getting a cabana.

Is it $220 per person?   We are on a 4 day cruise on Discovery Princess.   And to confirm, there is no booking in advance?   Can we use onboard credit?   New to this cruise line, many thanks...

Just booked a last minute cruise on this ship - my first Princess cruise...  Did you get a chance to check out the thermal suite?   Looks pretty small from what I can see...   

I was looking at booking this 3 hour tour through NCL.  It indicates in begins with narrated tour of downtown Juneau and city highlights before heading to the Visitor Centre.  Has anyone done this tour?   I am just wondering how long we are at the glacier - is there enough time to do some hiking?

15 minutes ago, AK Dreaming said:

I live in South Florida and I used to see Travel Agencies in all the strip malls, but haven't seen one in about 10 years.  I thought they went away with VCR repair men.

They moved down the street next to the typewriter repair shop in my town.   🤪

Is this on the NCL Sun?

Is the pricing better if bought locally on site?  Or is it the same as if you pre-book.

Contemplating a cruise to Alaska in 2024 but was wondering if it's like the Carribean where you can get off at the port and there will be tours to buy from vendors?  Or does one need to pre-book?  I would definitely pre-book the few that are important to me, but other ports, I'm open to see whatever...

6 hours ago, julig22 said:

Also while onboard the NCL website often reverts to the country providing web services.  So if in Europe you may get prices (and available perks) in Euros for example.  But somehow the CN desk has access to US (and I assume everywhere else) pricing - yet they have to go through the main office to actually book something - go figure.

And  I have yet to find a workaround....maybe Starlink will do better???

So true!  I couldn’t access an English language NCL site.

I’ve heard the seas are generally rougher in the winter, does anyone have info on this?  Also, are things generally open all year?

There are many great restaurants and neat bars downtown, if you like that kind of thing.  Downtown Victoria is very pretty for a stroll around the Empress Hotel.

21 hours ago, wolft927 said:

I agree, we used new orleans because it was 5.5 hours from the house, was the only reason and we do like the Breakaway. As i said embarkation sucks there! We cruised in the Haven, but te Security line up is horrible. Half the time you have debarkation still going on and people lined up for Security check in...wraps all the way down the hall and sometimes outside. 

If we ever go out of New Orleans again we will wait till about 11 or 12 to arrive just to miss the lines

 

Unfortunately, we waited until from 12:30 to 1:30 in the mall and the lines never went down significantly...  It was not very organized and I felt awful for the elderly and those with small children.  And even if you are Haven (I wasn't but took notice), it wasn't until after the initial long line did you get any preferential treatment insofar as the lines to get on the ship.

Definitely bring your elderly family member a wheelchair!!!   We were just through the Port of New Orleans and can second it's a LOT of walking and standing... even for much younger people.  It took us about 2 hours to get onboard. No one checked our check-in times, it was just one huge line-up about 2 hours on our feet.  Alternatively, get the 9:30 check in time and get to port super early - you may find a spot to sit while waiting for boarding to start.  Either way, it's a long wait. 

Once onboard, our rooms weren't ready for a few hours.  I would highly recommend going to a sit-down venue to bide your time.  It's a little crazy.  Muster drill was also done the pre-covid way - so having a wheelchair for your elderly family member might be helpful here, too, as our station was in O'Sheeans and it was very hot and packed.  We were fine to stand, but there weren't enough chairs in any case.  We also had a very forward room - just be aware that the hallways are long if she tires easily - perhaps a walker with a seat or something might be helpful if they need a rest?

Disembarkation, while smoother, also covered a lot of ground - your family member may benefit from a wheelchair on this day too.

You do get an in category upgrade usually (value $100 give or take).  I would just research which exact cruise you want beforehand while you have access to faster internet rather than trying to research onboard.

Just off the Breakaway, cruised the Jade previously..  I liked on the Jade not having to pre book entertainment.  I didn’t really notice a difference on the pool deck with crowding.  I’d say it felt the same to me.  The only thing to note is of course less bells and whistles (ropes course, water slides, etc) on a smaller ship.

2 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

Yet that clearly isn't the point. The point is that CruiseNext personnel are there to sell CN certs, be the onboard Latitudes reps, and to conduct port shopping talks. They are not travel agents. Those are the facts, and I'm not going to ignore them simply because of internet "but, ...." on a message board. Call that committed if you want, but maybe you should consider why you are so committed to changing my mind. If I actually was wrong, why does that bother you so much? Have you nothing better to do? You say "no one cares", but you don't act like it.

 

I'm still waiting for the genius who can explain why I would want a CN person to be my travel agent given that I'd have no way to contact them outside of the one cruise for any issues/questions/problems that might arise with my booking.

@Tpzatxjust pay the $4.99 a minute to call your TA from the middle of the Atlantic or whatever ocean you're on, it's worth avoiding the stupidity on here...  Or believe previous posters who were able to book onboard for free with a real live person.  I'm sure if I wanted to book onboard in person with CruiseNext, I could've, no doubt.  The manager said as much. The fact is booking onboard for free without paying for phone or internet use is possible.

Whether you are the type of person who prefers to deal with a TA, PCC, their personal travel guru or just DIY, that's another question that nobody asked.  

5 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

Then let me explain it yet another way. Here is NCL's official job description for the position. Please read over it and let me know what part of it that you believe makes them an onboard travel agent.

 

Cruise Next Consultant - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Category: Guest Services Jobs
Position: Future Cruise Consultant
Salary: Commission based role
Updated: January 9, 2023

 

POSITION SUMMARY
To increase revenue by sales of CruiseNext and promotion of any Revenue area such as stores/restaurants/corporate clients in ports of call where contracted and manage the execution of the Latitudes Program on assigned ship.

In order to consistently exceed guest expectations and provide the highest levels of product and services, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promote the sales process of CruiseNext/ CruiseNext Ultimate sales to reach assigned financial goal for each voyage (varies per ship). You will interact one-on-one with guests to attain sales.
Learn the live presentations given by the CCM in public lounges in regards to dispensing advantages of booking now with NCL Bahamas or American-flagged vessels. You must have the ability to step in and do the presentations when necessary.
Fully learn and understand reservation system Seaware/Seaweb and Fidelio Hotel Management system onboard.
Learn and maintain procedures for Latitudes Program: Learn and update Fidelio computer program each voyage to include members who may have sailed previously. Implement mail merges each voyage with repeaters list to send to cabins Welcome Letter and Party invitation. Provide front desk with extra copies. Promote hours for Latitude members to register in the Freestyle Daily program. Ability to host special cocktail reception as a tool for our program’s exposure, must attend weekly. Assist to ensure adequate participation from all departments. Assist to maintain inventory of Latitudes supplies (letterhead and collateral).
Monitor that the Destinations channel is consistent with written schedule given to Broadcast Tech on the ship IE: Destinations, CruiseNext, Taped Talks or other videos/presentations as directed by shore side management.
If applicable (varies by itinerary) assist with promotion of stores / brands / clients under contract with NCL Bahamas or American-flagged vessels. Tactics will include helping with Port & Shopping talks in front of a live audience scheduled through Cruise Director and Freestyle Daily program; scheduled office hours to interact one-on-one with passengers, early morning duty at ship’s gangway to direct passengers going ashore to specific client partners. You may at times have to collect monies from clients as directed through accounting administration. Interaction with clients to improve sales from passengers.
Performs other related duties as assigned or as directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Must be familiar with the Safety and Environmental Protection Policy and the SMS, and carry out the policies and procedures appropriate for his/her position.

 

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ATTRIBUTES
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of one (1) year experience in marketing/sales in a hospitality-related industry is required.
Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook is required.
Advanced experience in Public speaking with large audiences is required.
Intermediate knowledge and experience with Fidelio (Hotel management system) and Seaware (Travel booking system) or similar systems are preferred.
Intermediate to Advanced experience managing a sales team is required.
Advanced level English verbal and writing skills, including the proper use of English grammar is required.

 

EDUCATION
High School Diploma or Foreign Equivalent is required.
Associate’s degree in communications, marketing and/or sales is preferred. Some related experience may substitute for this education requirement at an equivalent rate.
Excellent communications, leadership, team building, and management skills
Passionate about hospitality and customer service driven
Must have a professional appearance and good hygiene
Respect for all co-workers and guests
Pride in your work by creating positive energy, excitement and fun
Able to work 7 days a week
Demonstrate positive behaviors; smiling, being polite and courteous
Able to develop a camaraderie with team members
Ability to live in close quarters, share limited space with other cabin-mates
 

I have highlighted and underlined the sections that refer to the duties specified.  Cruise Next Ultimate refers to the process of booking a cruise onboard to receive discounts in addition to the usual Cruise Next certificate discounts.

And again, I ask...  Who would you suggest then that a cruiser onboard see to obtain this additional discount of booking onboard?  The captain himself (yes, that's sarcasm).

1 minute ago, SeaShark said:

 

Sorry, my bad. Let me issue a correction. "Flail, and the use of all caps, will not change this."

 

Better?

Ok, then, how would one access the discount of booking onboard?   Which department would one consult and book through?  Who would be the "booking agent" in this case which would access this discount for a client?  Seeing as, in your opinion, it is not the CruiseNext staff.   I thought maybe using the caps would make it clearer or easier for read for you, my bad.

6 hours ago, SeaShark said:

Except that it isn't. While they may have brochures and future schedules, they are not booking agents. They are the sales force for CN certificates, and Latitude reps...nothing more. Flail will not change this.

Then why OFFER and ADVERTISE to book cruises onboard for a discount?  How else would you get that discount if not THROUGH the CruiseNext desk?  They ARE in fact also booking agents in that capacity.

7 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

The whole fault with that is that ALL employees are "an arm of NCL". Based on your argument, the bartender should happily assist any passenger seeking to book a future cruise. As should the kid's club staff, or my room steward.

 

"Travel agents per se" sheesh...they aren't travel agents at all. They are there to sell CN certificates, to act as your onboard Latitudes rep, and to pass out any brochures or other information that they might have (in case you aren't getting enough of them in the mail). But they are not booking agents.

 

And given that we should all me smart enough to have a knowledgeable PCC or TA that we trust, why would we not be using them instead of the CN sales clerk for our bookings? It isn't like you will have a means to follow up with the CN staff with future questions or any other needs for your reservation.

I often book myself, online, without assistance, through a website.  Same thing with the majority of my similar-aged friends and I’m not that young. If the wifi had been better, I could’ve gotten the price myself in 2 minutes. But with the slow wifi, I figured he had access to a computer and it is in their job description - that’s how they advertise them “Book your next cruise onboard get an automatic upgrade”. I know what I want - just give me a price.  That seemed to be a big ask.

47 minutes ago, Sydneyberlin said:

We had similar experiences on Celebrity once but our last NCL experience was good.
 

We weren’t ready yet to book an actual cruise and I get the feeling that this is exactly how it’s supposed to work. The staff is there to push purchase of the the cruisenext vouchers, not to actually help you book the upcoming cruise.

The thing is if you had booked onboard, you would receive an in class upgrade - obstructed balcony to BA, worth about $100.  They should stop offering these specials if they don’t want you to book onboard then.  I’ll take my chances on getting a gift card from my big box store rather than try to deal with those people next time!

4 minutes ago, FlGoodShips said:

While on board, you should have spoken to the General Manager.

Talking to NCL now...will not accomplish anything.

Whenever you have issues, address them while onboard.

Yes, I notified their supervisor when I saw her later, and she was very apologetic.  I didn’t expect more than that - that was suffice for me.