MrsTocko

23 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

There is no requirement to specify who you are booking for, so just book your table for 4 at 125 days and you are done. The system doesn’t care who you are going with.

 

When you turn up for the meal give the staff their card and they will automatically use their dining credit.

Thank you @KeithJenner  you are always so helpful with a plethora of useful information

I’m very excited about this.  We have just recently started purchasing the 12 pack of the larger cartons.  And have gotten through most of them, only leaving 1 behind.  We like these, because we bring our flavor additives.  Easier to dump into the carton, put the top on and mix it up.  Rather that trying to mix it in a glass..we drink water through out the day and night, as well as the adult beverage while out and about. We are happy to pay the gratuities on the FAS standard package and don’t feel the need to upgrade to the + package

So we just turned platinum (yay for 125 day booking reservation option)

We want to book a dinner for 4 (DH and I, and our FIRST TIME CRUISING KIDS) on our upcoming April 2023 cruise, If I call at 125 days, will they let me book for 4 , and put them on the reservation?  or do we just book for 4 and then add them onboard to the reservation so they can use their FAS dining?

Our reservations ARE linked.  And of course we will decide on the day ahead of time.  

Also...the restaurant that we get the free bottle of wine is that in Cagney's? or is that any of them?

(my BFF and her DH will be first time NCL cruisers with us in Nov 2024 on POA - so I will be using this info them too!

On 9/19/2022 at 8:51 PM, casofilia said:

@BirdTravels

 

I assume this is because you checked in when you made the reservation a while ago... and then NCL changed the check-in window to 21 days. 

 

True.   Without telling me!!   It would have been nice to allow me to complete!!!

@BirdTravels, @casofilia - 

good to know that I am not the only one that completes check in the minute my reservation is booked...and how insane it drives me that I have 3 booked at the moment and cant even START the process yet.  I keep checking and hoping this "21 Day" thing goes away...if not, I have discovered that the countdown is based on Miami time.  so at midnight in Miami the number of days to cruise is updated.  Meaning that at 9pm San Diego time on day "22", I can begin my check in...and watch the videos again.  Thankfully, I am able to check in both DH and I at the same time. less stressful.  I have our photos for check in on my phone/ipad, and a cheat sheet with our important numbers.  Still working from home, so I have 2 monitors (plus laptop screen) and can really do it all in a minute or 2.

We prefer the FIRST arrival time, so it is something that for US is important to get it done right away.

Our daughter and son in law on the next cruise in April, it will be their first cruise, so I think I am going to make arrangements with them to do it all together, whether in person or online. we live in the same city and will be picking them up on the way to the port, as we go past their house.  We want to witness all the first for them on this (they are going to love it), and be available for the questions they will have.

CANT WAIT

On 8/30/2022 at 10:25 AM, farringtonb said:

Does anybody kindly know if you booked a cruise before the changes to the number of speciality meals and now wish to change the date of your cruise and to a different cruise, do they have any flexibility? So we were booked on a 7 day cruise so are getting 2 speciality meals as we booked over a year ago. We now wish to change to an 11 day cruise and add another room as well. Now though it would be 1 speciality meal for a longer and more expensive cruise it seems.

 

Which is disappointing. Thank you.

You are booking what is considered a new cruise, not changing, therefore the new rules apply.  

4 hours ago, mpcaruth said:

• I turned down the Free at Sea drink package! 1) keeps us from drinking too much just to get our money's worth, and 2) I don't think my husband and I would drink 28+ drinks on a 7 day cruise to equal the price of the gratuity. 

Totally get turning down the free at sea package…I always get the free at sea, here is why

 A glass or wine with dinner, and one more after dinner and you are done.  When you don’t think about your on board spending total, because you don’t have to, it is much easier to do. I have cruised on a budget, and had no problem making the choice about, I would rather have a drink after dinner at the piano bar than with dinner, so I will wait till then. Don’t think of the weekly total, think of the daily.  Think about how often you have sat on deck, and said a margarita would taste good right about now.  If you never have, then you are golden.

at home, I will have a single drink if we go to a steakhouse for dinner, or the local Mexican place.  But we don’t drink at home (non vacation times) as a rule. 

If you have littles, you may not imbibe in front of them.  But remember it also covers soda at $3-$4 each.

i would suggest looking at you beverage total soda and adult beverage at the end of your next cruise.  (Water cartons not included in package).  Then add in when you wanted one, but didn’t get it…how close are you to that gratuity total?

just offering a different angle that you may not have thought of before.

2 hours ago, PATRLR said:

Glad the lava cake made the menu, now if we could only get them to do it like Carnival does 😉

We always try and guess “Will it actually BE lava?” before the first cut….

On 8/8/2022 at 6:42 PM, casofilia said:

I have noticed that there are people turning up on board who have attempted to enter without a CC name on the ship sign in sheet.   And also trying to get on my spreadsheet without one; I have a peculiar method of arranging a M&G to allow me to make full preparations before I leave New Zealand.

 

I believe that people on the Roll Call  are publishing details of the M&G elsewhere.   I may even go so far as to say that they are attempting to circumvent the idea that it is a Private arrangement between NCL and CC.

I have noticed that 98% of the people that are on my CC Meet & Mingle sign up are also on other social media sites, on a more frequent basis.  I have seen that the people that are NOT CC members, do not tend to go.  I will invite people/guests im traveling with, that have expressed an interest specifically in cruising, and CC and want to know more to join us.  so they can see what it is all about.  Then they can decide for themselves about joining.

There are also the people that say they are going to go, and then dont show.  So it is usually balances out number wise.

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Naps are great!  Especially for us suckers in inside cabins.

And us suckers in balcony cabins

7 hours ago, KimInTime said:

 

Ah right, I gotcha. It turns out it’s really not far off Helsinki prices one way or the other, in fact a little bit cheaper. Starbucks Finland 

 

I’d order one a day… MAYBE. Getting the package might’ve been awesome, but I won’t miss it one way or the other I don’t think.

That is where I fall on it.  I am good with the cup or 2 of the free stuff I have with breakfast each morning.  My son in law though, he may have a hard time not getting it...haha

5 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Goodfellas?  Sopranos?  

 The aforementioned DH loves Goodfellas so I have seen it (well most of it), and Gangs of New York.  I saw the last episode only on sopranos…it was a thing if you recall, so went to a party…but didn’t have HBO at the time, so never saw anything else.  We have discussed watching it now though…but that would take time from The Godfather…you see our issue…we started boardwalk empire, but haven’t finished it…but come on, Steve buscemi. You know that has to be good…every documentary, of any type, we watch…we did watch The Irishman, that was good too

5 hours ago, KimInTime said:

 

I don't really understand the thing about ordering at the Atrium, that if you're paying per drink, it's more expensive. More expensive than what? It's not possible to order as a package, so I'm not sure what the price per drink is being compared to?

 

For reference, I'm new to this kind of cruising. I take hops between Helsinki and Stockholm or Tallinn all the time, but I don't know the ins and outs of how it's wrong to order at the atrium.

The standard free at sea drink package does not cover “specialty” drinks,  which the Starbucks at the atrium cafe is considered.  So you have to pay per drink.  Which is more than you pay in a regular Starbucks store on land.  Starbucks in places like an airport, or hotel are more expensive than a regular Starbucks. On the ship you are paying closer to the airport prices.  My usual go to is a venti Carmel macchiato and I pay 5.45 for that at my neighborhood Starbucks.  I paid 6.20 on the Star last month for a grande. Yes, the 6.20 did include an automatic gratuity.

if you want the specialty coffees included in your drink package, you will need to upgrade to the premium beverage PLUS package.

Here is a photo of the atrium cafe, Starbucks menu:

4 hours ago, tetleytea said:

 

Except the mob.  I would hope....

Correct…

53 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

WT*????????????????  I've never heard of such a thing before.  And you have time to go on cruises??

(jk)

I know it’s iconic..(good or bad), put a lot of names on the map…I have tried, but not fully committed to it. DH has said he will watch it with me…we just have busy lives, and have a hard time finding time to watch anything…I’m back to being a football widow/fan again.  He is a HS football coach, so practice every night till late, then I go to the games on fridays.

but maybe next time we have a day to do nothing we will try again.  I enjoy mob movies, and he loves mob..anything.

On 8/15/2022 at 8:51 AM, KimInTime said:

Yeah I noticed it appear during my check-in for the Star (Aug. 24th), but you can't add it to cart or anything, so I guess it's maybe not available on the Star? Maybe the Star doesn't have a Starbucks yet?

I was on the Star last month, no Starbucks.  They have the atrium cafe, where your get a limited Starbucks menu.  They will auto include a gratuity automatically to your total.  In addition, if you are paying per drink, they are more expensive.  You can not use your Starbucks card on board, only room charges.  I had the standard FAS.  Did not upgrade to the plus, as we didn’t feel it was worth the added expense to buy for both of us, when I would be the only one using it. And that would be the ONLY reason for us to add it.

We are a balcony family regardless of the destination.  We like having a place to retreat from the general public, without suffering from FOMO.

Love the Viking Voyages commercials - they are flipping genius.

I try to be aware of little pitchers with big ears in the vicinity before I start dropping f- bombs and other choice vocabulary words. 

and finally, I do NOT have an informed opinion on The Godfather as I haven’t seen it.  DH and I do have a difference of opinion on whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

1 hour ago, fenny7cats said:

I love decorating my cabin door/inside/balcony with balloons and birthday banners, confetti etc - but hate when the cabin cleaner removes it.  I want to celebrate my special occasion for more than one day.

I have been successful with a door flag that DH got for me on our door.  I have a hook magnet for the top and then 2 bulldog ones for the bottom.  We buy magnets as souvenirs and then use them to stick stuff to the walls, (notes, shore excursion tickets, dailies....)

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

And, you would be the one causing every cabin around you to call guest services and complain that their cabin is hot.  Yes, opening the balcony door does shut off one AC system, the one that merely recirculates your cabin air (like a window AC at home).  However, you have just unbalanced the fresh air supply AC system, that is not shut off when the door is open, and your cabin gets more fresh, cool air, as the system tries to rebuild the overpressure in your cabin (it can't overcome the huge opening that is the balcony door)(the overpressure is to keep smoke from entering your cabin from the passageway), and everyone else in the block of cabins (typically everyone on your deck between the fire doors, so 40-50 cabins) gets less cool air.

That makes sense...except im not the only balcony cabin doing it.  those all around me are too. or if they are not, they are up on deck because we are cruising through glacier bay...so, until they install speakers on the balcony so I can hear the rangers.  Or turn the balcony doors into floor to ceiling windows that dont open forcing me to the public areas...Apologies for screwing up the AC system to my former and future fellow cruisers. 🤪

16 minutes ago, juju2454 said:

It will never happen,  I wouldn't leave the door open either ( I know many say the do it at night*shivers in fear*) I would consider an ocean view if it wasn't on the bottom floors like 5,6 or 7, lowest I've been is 8.    Thank you for the offer,  I have seen them from across the room we're in when they are cleaning and even then my legs as you say *tingle*  I don't do the room crawls for that very reason ... 😉 

Well shoot then.  I get that.  I can look at someone on the edge of something on TV and my legs tingle.

2 minutes ago, rugerdog said:

What I don't enjoy that others seem to:  spending hours upon hours at dining/coffee venues playing cards, crafting, etc. whilst others search for a place to sit to enjoy their meal.

I do enjoy sitting and playing cards or what not...but NOT while others are trying to find a place to sit down and eat.  That is just rude, and there are other places that you can go to play your games. Now if you have a small plate of snacks, I have no problem.  I will usually try to go sit near a bar anyway to play my cards, or read my book.

5 minutes ago, juju2454 said:

If we ever got to Alaska I would have to seriously consider that ocean view,  but balcony is for am a hard no, out of paranoia.🙆‍♀️

Alaska is one place that I strongly recommend a balcony especially for cruising bay, or hubbard or tracy arm.  Put the chair inside the room, leave the door open (for the breeze and fresh air as well as clarity of view), and watch it go by. Front porch sitting.  Listen to the ranger on the TV.  or turn the sofa.  ALMOST what you would get on deck, or in an observation lounge. Without the crowds of people jostling for a view, enjoying your favorite beverage (hot or cold).

If we make it to cruise together, you can come take a gander from inside our balcony, while we are not moving.

5 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

The problem with this, is that you could achieve "gold" status on a variety of ships, and therefore you may not be as familiar with where the muster stations are on your present ship.  As I've said, it is "muscle memory", actually going to the station that causes you to retain it.  Also, wandering there, or being escorted one on one to the station is not giving you the "drill like its real" aspect that you get when everyone on the ship is moving to their stations, as they would be in an emergency.

Right - Everyone still MUST go check in at their station.  So you know where it is and how to get there.

But if you have reached Gold - you know how to put on the life jacket, the 7 long blasts....because you have been doing the old school muster on other NCL ships.  That part should be the sale across the fleet, and at gold or say 5 NCL cruises, you are good to watch the video and check in, and go on with the cruise. until something changes in HOW NCL does their muster that has an effect on HOW passengers should respond/react, then back to 5 cruises old school again.  (new muscle memory)

22 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

I believe the muster stations are tied to how many people can fit in the lifeboats.   In an emergency, though, where it's sinking so fast that you cannot possibly save everybody, then I imagine it's anyone's game.

I would also think that they have a system in place to quickly check off/account for everyone in their station.  So they know that everyone from room 10090 is accounted for. and dont go looking for you.  That is a waste of precious resources at that point.

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

And, as another attempt to steer this back to the OP's question, I'll chum the waters with this:

 

What I love that others hate:  Old muster drill

What I hate that others love:  New muster drill

 

Enjoy

I LOVE the streamlined aspect of the new muster drill.  Gets me to the fun stuff that much quicker. 

However, I do kinda miss the gathering, (not the waiting around for it to start), also miss the putting on the life jacket and go stand outside.  That is nostalgia for me.
 

I do think though that with everything that they have already attached to your card, based on your latitude status, they could figure out a hybrid system, if it is your first cruise with NCL, you are required to do the drill the old way...say until you hit gold....after that, you can do it the new way, until and unless something changes in how NCL does their muster.  Then you MUST do new muster for X number of cruises. After said number of cruises, they you can go back to the video/check in "new muster".

I mean - They KNOW you have watched the video each of the 5 times they send you the email, as well as when you have checked in.  If you are a seasoned cruiser this is not new.  They know who has been on before, and who has not.  They know how many times.  They can easily attach the note to your profile that you need to do the drill or not.  This would also free up crew members, sooner, because they dont have to check in as many people, and the old school method wont take as long, because fewer people.

Not sure how feesible this really is, just throwing out an idea, but I would think there is a happy middle ground.

Just now, PhillyTravelBug said:

I do not understand the love for Vibe beach club.  It's just personal because I do not like sitting in the sun. Even with spf100, I feel like  I am slowly getting skin cancer.

Right? We rarely (can count on 1 hand and have fingers left over) the # of times that I have utilized ANY ship pool/hot tub.  I will fry to a crisp.  I get the fresh air on my balcony or sit in the shade.  That way I am also not fighting the chair hog...