BarnCat1

This is just a general question. 

I have been following a cruise that we were interested in.  I checked all the ports that the ship was scheduled to be in and it was there along with the other ships in port on those days.  I was just about to book this weekend and now the cruise is gone from the itinerary to book it and it's also gone from all the ports it was scheduled to be in.  

Would this mean it's been cancelled or could they just be tweaking the itinerary?

I thought maybe the Black Friday sales had something to do with it but having it missing from all the ports makes me second guess that. 

Glad I didn't already have it booked.  I think we'll need to find another cruise either way.  🤷‍♀️

10 hours ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Correct, the stations are lined-up in succession like a cafeteria but each has its own line or no line at all. For instance, there's rarely a line at the dessert station or bread station.

 

As for the seats, my wife and I typically grab a dinner plate and silverware and find an empty table and then place it there. We then go back and get our food, knowing we've got a spot saved. The buffet is crazy busy on Embarkation Day lunch when that's where everyone goes. Lunch on sea days can be packed too. But otherwise, there's plenty of seating.

Is there any other restaurant open on Embarkation Day besides the buffet?  I know some cruise lines have a MDR open, even though not many people know this. 

20 minutes ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Sure you can. While the various food types don't have their own kiosks like RCI has, there are a continuous series of food stations all lined up cafeteria style. If you don't want food from the carvery but you do spot something you want at the Ethnic station, just get in line at that station. You can work your way around to each station and then move on to the next. Some won't have any queues. Food choices on the left side of the buffet (as you enter) typically are the same on the right side. And aft, where the two sides connect, you may find repeats of what was on the L & R sides but fewer people are aware of it.

So only each station has a line and it's not the whole buffet that is one linear line like a cafeteria?  You can go from as many stations as you want as long as you stay in their line.  Is it hard to find seats once you get your food? 

On 10/29/2023 at 4:23 PM, LatinaInTexas said:

I loved MSC except the assigned dining time. We got super early and were not able to change it even trying as soon as possible. They also assign you shared table but we were able to change that.

 Curious how you changed the shared table.  We would not want to share. 

Anyone use a Lyft/Uber from NY Penn Station to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal? 

Is there any benefit, like a package rate, to booking the hotel directly with NCL when using their air deviation. I know they provide all the transfers, for a fee.  That's at least peace of mind.  I already used them coming in on the day of the cruise and that worked out very well, but this time I would like to come in a few days earlier, just to relax a bit before sailing. 

We used them for the first time and had a good experience.  Flight out was 6:55am and we arrived at the airport at 9:30am, which was plenty of time to catch the NCL bus and get to the Port for a 4pm departure. Flight home was scheduled at 12:19pm, which had me concerned, but we carried off our own luggage and took the first bus back to the airport with plenty of time to spare.  However, even with it being a good experience, I was worried from the get-go that something would go wrong, We booked at the last minute so couldn't get the air deviation. I would prefer to have come in at least a day early, which is what we have always done on previous cruises.  The airfare was so inexpensive though and was definitely a savings for this trip.  I would not book it again just for the peace of mind. I would like to come in a day early and not have to get to the airport so soon after getting off the ship. 

Just received an email that "Your offer was not selected but you may still be selected by the onboard team up to 0 hours before sailing." 

Has anyone every got their bid after this type of email? 

Should we carry on our bags instead of checking them at the dock, just in case there is a last minute change?

2 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

This entire section is chogged already, and not a single person in sight.

 

 

Since all the towels are exactly the same, who's to say who they belong too. Sit down and say it was your towel. 😂

7 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

First time I've ever seen anything like this. Each staircase has three different sections. Starboard, center, and port side... All three of these photos are in the same stairwell.

 

 

 

 

Is it one or two flights between decks, then at the bottom what does it do, branch out in the direction of the area of the ship you need?  This might have to be seen in person. I will certainly be lost on this ship 😂

I remember always leaving $40-$60 to our room stewards on past cruises except for one, we barely saw him, he barely interacted with us when we did, and he wasn't around the morning of debarkation. We like to personally hand an envelope to them and thank them. We are planning again to do the same, depending on the service.

We have one specialty dining which we will leave $10-$15, again depending on the service.

If we stay at one bar for a while, we'll tip, if we're just getting a drink and moving on, we don't.

I do like an occasional towel animal, but don't need one every day.

My cruise is showing sold out in all categories when I do a mock booking, but I can still bid for an upgrade. Is this possible to do and still win?

On 12/21/2022 at 2:06 PM, Schoifmom said:

 

I would argue that those should be considered "toe-post sandals" just as my expensive Vionics are called.  I would say that "flip-flops" would be considered more in the order of those $2 Old Navy flip-flops that everyone wears to the beach.

 I have Vionic flip flops (yes very expensive) and was starting to panic thinking I can't wear them to the specialty dining restaurants so now what am I to do? Glad you have seemed to reassure me. 

 Has anyone really gotten turned away for their footwear, especially if the rest of their attire is ok? 

Since the Noise Boys will no longer be offered, are they offering a replacement?

Where can we find the days and times of the rest of the shows on the upcoming Prima sailings? 

Is this perk of 150 free minutes per cabin or per guest? I have seen it written both ways.  Is it worth it to upgrade for just being able to check in at home every other day and read or delete emails? Can you text between phones with this perk? 

Once on the ship, do you put your phone in airplane mode, turn off roaming (which it always is anyway), and turn on Wi-Fi?

Do the ports still have free Wi-Fi available in certain areas?  It's been a few years since we cruised, we're a little rusty 😷

I am not interested in social media, streaming, web browsing, etc.

  I'll be on vacation, FINALLY!!  🚢 🌴 🍹

20 hours ago, AwesomO said:

Does anyone know if they still move COVID cases to a separate isolation area? 

I am curious about this too. 

Also, way off topic, but have they switched to paper straws for drinks or do we need to bring our own stainless steel if we want to use a straw?

My flights have been booked by NCL for a few weeks now. When will they show up on my vacation summery when I log in?  

We also got great flights, early AM same day of cruise and early afternoon day of return. I booked our cruise under 75 days so I couldn't get the deviation. Fingers crossed all goes well.  If I had booked this myself the cost would have been a thousand dollars more! 

8 hours ago, smeck said:

It took an hour and a half to get out of the port this morning it was a hot mess.  I mention it only to help answer the never ending question can we book a flight before noon.  The answer no!!!

We just got our flights emailed this weekend and it’s departure is 12:15pm. I am wondering if this is even possible myself! What time is the first transfer bus to MCO. Can I request a flight time change?  

On 12/7/2022 at 4:35 PM, jtdlmc said:

My TA received the flight information at the same time I did.  She is actually advocating for them to change the return flight as they have us on a 10 a.m. flight out of Panama.

Why would they book that time? You would need to be there at 7am and its 45 minutes away from the ship.  Much luck to you on getting this changed! 

Just now, reeinaz said:

When you make your booking, you select the airport you want to fly out of and it shows what the charge will be.

No, I meant when they book the flights, how do you get notified what they are. 

How do you find out about your airfare when you do the BOGO from NCL?  I assume they email you, or does it show up on your reservation first? 

Do the airlines also send an email?  

What's the earliest anyone has gotten their flights booked?

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Need some relaxation?  Get a Thermal Suite pass for the week. Warm saunas, hot steam room (best in the fleet), rejuvenating salt bath, snow room, and hot stone loungers.

 Hey Bird, loving your review so far!  What is the cost of the Thermal Suite pass for the week.  I am thinking of upgrading to a Spa Balcony and want to compare. Are men and women able to use the same area? 

2 hours ago, nyc12345 said:

I got JetBlue for the BOGO air from NCL

How were the flight times?  Were you able to choose your own seats?  I have a strong feeling this is who I will get, at least for one of the legs of the itinerary. 

2 hours ago, Mikiejag said:

Having flown once on Frontier, and once on Spirit, I would never choose the Free airfare if those were the carriers

I agree. I have flown each once myself.  With all the add ons, lack of available flights and other issues, I am glad they aren't included.  

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

SW has the best business model in the business (i.e. they are the only ones who didn't need to get bailed out after 911) and they don't need to resort to goofy things to fill their planes.

 I was hoping they were for the 2 free checked bags! I love flying Southwest. 

I saw the list on NCL's website, but they don't list Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit or Southwest Airlines. Has anyone that ever used the air promo gotten any of these airlines as their carrier?  With some of the low fares the promo offers, I would think these would be the companies that they would be using.