Pghcrews

App is showing "gangway up" at 6pm for the first day at CocoCay, moved from 5pm. I suspect they don't want to stay open late at night because of employee issues perhaps?

That's true, can always go with one of those stationary sea days, lol.

Oasis of the Seas sailing out of Miami on March 31 replaced Labadee with a second day at Coco Cay. Really? Two days of amusement park in a row? RCI also will be arriving at Falmouth 3 hours earlier for that previously scheduled stop.

Think it my be the time when the dish arrives at the table?

Thanks everybody who responded. Think I have the info needed. 👍

Thanks guys, dining reservations are done. Nice to no that show reservations are not linked to check in. So now just need to know 1. how far through the check in process can you stop and request a boarding time and 2. how do you find out anticipated starting time for boarding. Thanks again.

First time NCL cruiser here, just need a little info from experienced folks. Can one initiate the online check-in process and then exit/pause the same in order to secure an early embarkation time and make show reservations? Is there a minimum threshhold of info that needs to be entered for check-in before that can be done? Any guidance would be very appreciated, my check-in starts at 12:01 am on Oct 2. TIA.

Note that this is an article from England, where the laws are somewhat different than here in the States. Any prices are supposed to be shown as all in with no additional charges, I believe. In any event, it does explain the workings of the Spanish VAT even if you don't particularly care for the headline.

Check this article: Free at sea: Cruise line’s ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package doesn’t apply in Spanish waters | The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ncl-free-at-sea-package-spain-vat-b2415631.html

Thanks so much Keith. Your posts have been really helpful. We're set for the same itinerary on the Breakaway leaving October 23. Hope that your cruise was wonderful (notwithstanding the psycho in O'Sheahan's).

My understanding is that for Spain the VAT is assessed at the time of consumption and/or the time of purchase. Accordingly, it's assessed on drinks when served even if on a drinks package purchased months before outside of Spain. Also, my understanding of which country's VAT laws are enforced many times depends upon the embarkation port. For example, I've seen some indication that Spain's VAT rules will be imposed throughout the cruise no matter where you are if the cruise begins and ends in Spain. That said, if the itinerary goes to at least one non-EU country, I believe no VAT is imposed. Regardless, NCL has determined that it is in their best interest to make the VAT the responsibility of its customers when it is imposed, unlike many (if not all) of its competitors. There may be additional nuances, but that seems to be why so many here report paying no VAT when there cruise begins in Italy, for example. Just my two cents.

Wow, thanks so mych for the quick response. Hoping the rest of your cruise has great weather. And thanks so much for these posts, so helpful.

One question on tge Santorini Oia excursion. Were you on the one that stops at a vineyard for a wine tasting? If so which vineyard did you visit?

FYI, you do not need to go through your TA to get an Amenities Confirmation. Just call NCL and ask for one. They will send it to your email addy. At least that's been my experience numerous times when I've booked through my TA.

I'm in a similar situation kittymamma. Booked in 8732 on Breakaway this fall. I too am a little prone to motion sickness, but I'm not sweating it. I'm counting on bonine, ginger chews and sea-bands to keep me on an even keel (pun intended, lol). I'm looking forward to crawling back to my room after a night out too.

Anyone have success bringing flowers on-board in Civitavechia, particularly on Breakaway? TIA

Yeah, I know it isn't simply. My son is a senior programmer and he's got a ton of stories. They do test "roll outs" where a separate team tries to throw everything under the sun to attempt to make the programming fail. Seems they always turn up a least a couple of coding mistakes that get fixed before the upgrade is actually made and final.

Probably until NCL hires competent computer programmers. Worst "system maintenance" outcome on record. You're supposed to debug a roll out before install.

For situations where a cruise starts in the EU and never leaves the VAT laws that will be in effect are the VAT rules where the cruise originates to make it so multiple jurisdictions aren't involved. This is to simplify things. Although all countries in the EU need to follow certain basic rules, the VAT laws can differ among EU countries. My understanding is that most countries only assess a VAT at the time of sale, so a beverage package bought prior to going to Europe would not be taxed. In Spain, however, the impose a VAT at the time of "use or enjoyment", hence the VAT when starting from Barcelona and for the entirety of the cruise if the ship only goes to EU ports. Not sure why this doesn't apply to SDPs, but I'm certainly no expert. Just what my understanding is with respect to the beverage packages after doing research on the VAT laws in Italy, Greece and Spain.

Thx again UKstages. Very helpful

Seems like a simple question to answer, but I'd like to make sure. The deadline for final payment is 120 days prior to cruise date, but I'm booked in a club balcony and the reservation window opens 125 days prior. 1. Do I need to be paid in full in order to make reservations even though it appears I do not? 2. What opens for reservations anyway? SDPs reservations, shows, spa treatments, others? I see that reservations for the thermal spa and Vibe have already opened, but not sure what the 125 day window actually opens. Thanks so much in advance. Appreciate the sharing of so much knowledge here.

Hey, never intended it to say that anybody deserved compensation, I was only trying to explain contract/agency law. Sorry about the law school exam overtones, my bad. I wasn't trying to be "heavy handed" ... really. Was trying to explain the best I could so that it was at least somewhat understandable. Also was unaware that the NCL PPCs were not independent contractors. Hope that even though the example was flawed it still made some sense.

It's the difference between charging the customer a fee (a lesser vendor, like the company that runs the spa) and a company that is paid by NCL to provide a service for its customers as an agent of NCL.

In the case of the agent who is hired by NCL to administer a specific program for NCL, a plaintiff need not prove negligence. NCL can be held liable directly for its agents. This is similar to all the independent contractors who are PCCs that are hired by NCL. Technically those individuals are not employees and are hence not technically NCL. Nevertheless, as agents on NCL, NCL is directly liable for their mistakes.

I believe the example you gave of the lease out of space to an independent company is a slightly different situation. In those situations one would need to prove, for example, that NCL knew or should have known that the lessee could pose a hazard to cruise passengers. If one could successfully prove that NCL knew or should have known, then NCL could be found liable for negligence in leasing the space to a company that could hurt its customers. For example, the lessee had a well documented history of food poisoning guests. Of course the lessee would also be directly liable.