bww11

From: https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program

Ways To Earn Rewards Points

Jamie, having used both the Bliss and Escape thermal suites, I found the differences to be very minimal. I enjoyed the heated and padded loungers and the thermal pool/hot tub area on both ships.

https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program

Ways To Earn Rewards Points

If a TA is discounting a room, they are simply taking some of their commission and discounting the rate. I don't think it is a good practice, but some TAs do this.

If the cabin price goes down before final payment, and you ask for the lower price, the TA's commission goes down. Therefore whatever discount or OBC they provided will likely be reduced. I personally would go with the OBC.

The program you are referencing is CRUISENEXT ULTIMATE. This option allows you to book a specific sailing and room. It allows a free upgrade within the same category. For instance, if you bought a BC balcony cabin, you .could get a free upgrade to a BB stateroom. It is not applicable to suites or studio cabins.

What parts of the Haven are you interested in? If not the sun deck is it mostly the Haven restaurant and the suite perks like priority boarding?

Have you done the spa pass? I have sailed in many different categories on NCL. While the Haven is certainly wonderful, I felt that getting a balcony cabin and a spa pass was enough of an escape from the pool deck for us.

If you are not much of a pool person have you considered looking at a suite on a smaller ship or a non-haven suite on a Jewel class ship? 

Today I won one of my bids:

NCL Bliss June 16th sailing from BF balcony to B9 Spa Balcony $175 PP.

I paid $1699 PP for the BF (guarantee)  and originally was assigned a B8 cabin. 

I already bought two spa passes so we are actually saving $75 PP since the Bliss Spa bass costs $250 PP.

The full details are listed here:

https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/promotions

Just note NCL will add a $18.80 per guest in gratuities onto your cruise fare. The link above also lists specific venues that may have an upcharge in addition to using on of your free speciality dining credits.

Both Aft and Forward suites have a couch that converts into a bed. Technically it can fit two people, but I wouldn't put more than one adult on it. With two children you would be better with an H4.

When we did the behind the scenes tour it was certainly not free. Are you mixing that up with the Platinum benefit of getting a free behinds the scenes tour? A few times when we ordered speciality coffee from the Haven restaurant it was free but that might have just been an oversight... I wouldn't count on anything with a charge being free.

Only item I can recall is on the first day on the larger ships Margaritaville is free for Haven guests for Lunch and half price for dinner at Food Republic.

As noted above, if you are flexible on your travel dates and are not set on a specific room or category it would be worth waiting it out.

Have you ever read the CC post below:

Sun and Sky regular open bar terms and conditions:

https://www.ncl.com/terms/sun-beverages

https://www.ncl.com/terms/sky-beverages

For the cost of the upgraded package I would go with the premium package it is not that much more

The usual drink package includes drinks up to $15. If you ordered say a $20 drink, you would have to pay $5 plus 20% gratuities. If you are not particular on the brand of alcohol, you can find most things under the $15 limit. If you prefer premium brands or fresh juices or specialty coffee in the MDR, then get the premium package as a perk.

Please review this page for details of the premium plus package. This is a new option starting for Sun/Sky sailings starting early 2019.

https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-plus-beverage-package

Note the following: "Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Premium Plus Beverage Package ($5.80 USD per person per day) prior to cruise"

Please review this page for details of the package

https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-plus-beverage-package

Note the following: "Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Premium Plus Beverage Package ($5.80 USD per person per day) prior to cruise"

This is a new package for Sun and Sky sailings starting early 2019. No one will have had it yet. It depends if you order a lot of premium spirits, fresh squeezed juices, specialty coffee at dinner etc. You will be responsible for the gratuities as noted on that page "Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Premium Plus Beverage Package ($5.80 USD per person per day"

Only you can decide if this is worth it. If you are ordering two or more premium spirits a day, this package might be worth it.

On 11/29/2018 at 2:24 PM, monctonguy said:

yeah...so it says drinks up to $15 are included...but then its lists a bunch of drinks that aren't(and wouldn't be $15)....and it says its the most inclusive at sea......??!

 

I have never had a cruise with a drink package with as many exclusions and up charges.....just have to be very careful when  I order drinks obviously...or I will put no money on my account card so if I do order a drink and there is a charge they cant charge me and will have to make it with the cheap stuff instead....seems like a process....never had a drink package that didn't include bottled water or some OJ or some coffee or some powerade/Gatorade.....any I have had even included redbull which I expected to be an extra charge....

  

For the price I am paying for the cruise I cant complain I guess..but for the normal cost of this cruise I would cruise any other line and add the drink package and would be the same $ or less for ALOT more drinks options it appears....

 

thanks for the info guys.....I guess I need to find the drink menu and study it to see what I can and cant drink.....

 

Monctonguy,

When are you cruising? Starting fairly soon on the Sky and Sun there will be a premium beverage package as a perk....

https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/promotions

Look on NCL's site to see which specific sailings offer it and it would never be with the sailaway rate... I think it will start in a few months ago...

No that is not included.

Nope, they have on demand programming that is free for Haven guests.

Yes that is a no brainer! The aft penthouse is wonderful, large balcony, plus haven access.... You can always try the Haven and if you feel you need the spa, the pass can be purchased on board.

Our cruise is in 22 days. We are going in 2018.

This is likely why you can’t make it a group. As someone posted earlier in the thread, group space is limited. Most groups are planned far in advance. Unless a cruise is really empty, I don’t see there being group space so close to sailing.

OP,

Is your cruise in 1 month August 2018 or August 2019?

If 2018 it is likely that you are past final payment and group space is not available this soon to booking.

bww11, you read my mind about the aft suite if we chose Escape. I was just looking at youtube videos and they look amazing. We are big fans of the relaxing and less windy wake view, we did an aft suite on Princess and loved it.

 

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Ashleyiley, you brought up a very valid point regarding wind. When we went out on the DOS balcony area it was very windy and even when we were in port. I am sure this varies by weather, destination, etc but it is important to remember if booking a DOS.

Hi, thanks for the replies. Itinerary is fairly important, we are not stay on the ship while in port people. We have not been to Tortola or Great Stirrup Cay, which is why Epic and the itinerary looked good. We were thinking about the Escape because of the Bermuda itinerary. We have never been.

 

We actually have been on the Jade for the Venice/Greece itinerary. Absolutely loved the size of the Jewel class and the OS with 2 balconies. We wanted to try one of the larger ships and the larger Haven that goes with it. This trip is for our 20th anniversary, no kids. [emoji3]

 

 

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The Epic's Haven is the largest and many rave about it. I personally also really enjoyed the Escape Haven. Do remember children will be in the Haven (how many depends on time of year of your cruise)... We love Aft suites on the Escape, the balcony is huge but there is a bit of a walk to the Haven... I have also been in the Escape DOS and it was huge. I would avoid the H5 Courtyard Penthouse, not as much room as DOS or Aft.

How much space do you want/need? If it is the two of you, on either ship, if price is not a factor I would suggest DOS or Aft suite... Depends if you mind walking from the Aft to the Haven... I personally would get an Aft Suite and buy the Spa pass.

Being a bit pedantic, the Jewel ships do have a Haven, although it is smaller than the Epic, and is missing things like the restaurant.

You are right KeithJenner! I should have clarified that the Haven is smaller and the Moderno/Cagneys breakfast/lunch on the smaller ships is not as good in my experience as the Haven Restaurant on the Breakaway plus class ships....