Russiamomm

Excellent point. A few months ago two coupons somehow showed up in my account. 50% off for Alaska and 20% off for European sailings in 2023. Shortly thereafter the Epic changed plans and a TA was added for December. I was able to apply the 20% off coupon to it, on top of the 10% military discount. Made the 2 BR Haven more than reasonable. The price also dropped more than $1000 before final payment and we were able to reprice it twice.

Never noticed that, but Thanks! Maybe because we never stay in the inside and always upgrade. 😂

Definitely!

My friend loves that second BR. Again, she had no complaints about the bed. She joked about falling asleep immediately any time day or night. I can attest that she took at least one nap a day, usually more. 😂. In my humble opinion, it’s the best cabin on the ship. I’ve never been in an Owners Suite or a Garden Villa, but the 2BR is fantastic. It works out great for us. We each have our own bedroom and bathroom, but have the common area to hang in. ( And yes, I get the big bedroom. It’s my status and gambling that gets us a decent rate. She’s good with that! 😂)

Same. We book through CAS and the math has always been the same. 10% off the cruise fare (or what we’re paying for an upgrade if it’s a comped cabin.) It’s a great perk.

I’ve never had that issue. It’s always been a straight 10% off of the cruise fare. There is no discount on the port fees and taxes or FAS gratuities. The math has always worked out to the penny for us.

I travel often with a friend. We’ve been in the 2 BR on the Joy and the Breakaway. My friend has stayed in the smaller BR both times and loves it. I have no personal experience, but she never complained about the bed. The steward kept it set up as a bed the whole time.

We’ve used the discount several times. It’s always been a straight 10% off the cost of the stateroom, even though both my husband and I qualify. It’s a great deal, but I’m not sure how the OP got 20%. I’d love that, but honestly I think it’s per stateroom. I think you got lucky!

I have the same question. What kind of “offer” is this? I’ve never seen an outright “offer” to upgrade. This was either an invitation to bid (which there’s no guarantee you’ll win) or it’s simply the cost to upgrade your booked cabin. This can be done by anyone with a simple phone call. The cost is based on the current rate for the upgraded cabin less what you’ve already paid for the lower cabin. They will not give you a deal for simply asking. You’re paying rack rate for the cabin in the end.

Yeah! I’ll be on the Encore in two weeks. I sure hope half and half is on it!

I’m sure milk is available. It’s better than Coffee Mate, but still not half and half.

For me, it’s not a “need”, but definitely a “want”. And we all know that wants turn into needs as you get older. 😂. Even milk is not the same. I want real half and half. Not Coffee Mate, not even whole milk. I want half and half, I’ve sailed in the Haven and the butler was very good about making sure I had a pitcher of fresh cream at all times. It was fine, bit still too heavy. My next trip is in a regular balcony cabin, so no butler. 😔The cost difference between little containers of Coffee Mate vs. half and half can’t be that much. And I’m with you. I really don’t want to carry my own onboard. I’ll just budget Starbucks into the vacation budget. Maybe that’s the point. I don’t know. I just want my half and half. 😢

Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear they haven’t changed this. As I’ve said before, I can handle a lot with regard to cutbacks, but this one is my biggest irk. One of my greatest pleasures in life is real cream for my coffee and this has been taken away on NCL. It sounds like a little thing, but for some of us, this is a step too far. No CoffeeMate! 😂

Wow! Would definitely look into that if I wasn’t already on the Epic TA!

I don’t know how you managed to avoid the tax in NY. I’ve sailed out of Manhattan at least ten times and always had to pay the sales tax on drinks until we reached international waters. Yes, the tax is added to your onboard account.

I was in Spain on NCL last Spring. While I’m port or in n Spanish waters they charged the VAT on the value of each drink. You do not pay for the drink itself if you have a drink package. Just the VAT. It’s no different than sailing out of a US port where local taxes are applied until you reach international waters, New York for example.

Thanks! This will work. We’re using Port Valet so will only have backpacks. I think we have a plan!

How far is Pike Place Market from the pier? Our flight isn’t until 1:30. Our current plan is to walk to the market to explore a bit and then Uber/Lyft to the airport. Doable?

Please don’t bump old, inactive threads. It’s confusing. Either post a new question or respond to an active thread. Some of the info on this outdated, like people in studios not being allowed to bid for an upgrade. I believe that is no longer true.

They have a “Chopt” type station in the Galley at lunch. Loved it. It’s basically a salad bar, but they make it for you. You go down the line and tell them what you want in your salad. They mix it up for you with the dressing of your choice. It was my go to for lunch. It’s next to the coffee shop in the Galley.

Good info. I’ve seen people playing with promo chips but wasn’t sure how it works. I’m a BJ player. Seems like a good way to use up extra loot. Seems more straightforward than trying to play it on the slots. May even try roulette with some of the Monopoly money!

Yeah. I’ve been in the same situation many times because I travel with a friend often. I didn’t know it was an option. But we’ve always worked it out amongst ourselves. No big deal, but definitely more hassle and sometimes awkward discussions. (Uh, that’s my credit you’re spending!” 😂

Our confirmation has “Sailor Loot” in big bold letters, but under it it says Bar Tab. I had an online chat this morning with SS. She couldn’t fix it, but escalated the issue and said they’d get it fixed. We really want this as loot. We don’t need more bar tab. 😂

This is the default, I recently found out that you make a note on the request form to have it applied only to your account. I did that for the first time for my October trip that I’m doing with a friend. It shows as a purchased OBC for me, as opposed to a straight OBC split between us. I don’t know if it can be done after the fact.

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds complicated. 😂