hallux

NCL does not organize anything like that.  What I did for my last cruise was some pre-cruise networking, which resulted in having a companion for dinner the night before the cruise, and someone I did activities with while on board and in some of the ports.  We also ended up connecting with other solos and had our own little group throughout the cruise.  We also did our own things but if we had common excursions in port we stuck together.

I'd be curious to know what the logistical issues with Manila were.  Were they unable to source all the product needed to provision the ship?  Were they unable to find a company to staff the terminal?  Did the company they had contracted with to staff the terminal back out for some reason and a replacement couldn't be signed in time?

Changing the turn-around port is not something done 'willy nilly' as someone else put it - A LOT of things need to be coordinated at the facility where they relocate it to.  I don't disagree, by that reasoning, that this is something that has been in the works for a while, but until they had the new logistics coordinated they couldn't say for sure that it was going to happen.  Is the timing unfortunate?  Absolutely.  Do I agree that SOME kind of option to cancel because of this change is something NCL should do?  Sure.

8 hours ago, Faels said:

In the article it mentions operational challenges and turnaround time. Seems like if they went to Singapore as planned they wouldn’t be able to do all their in between cruise stuff before next cruise is scheduled to start.

I read it the same way.  Seems NCL has probably been trying to get contracts for provisioning and not succeeding, or there is an issue organizing staff for the terminal ('NCL' staff [contractors] or officials from the country to manage immigration/customs) and hasn't been able to secure the people needed to complete the process in a timely manner.

Or... does anyone know if there is currently construction at the Manila terminal, maybe it's behind schedule and is not complete enough for a proper turn-around day?

There may be something here - https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages

The promo comes and goes.  Only TA's and NCL employees may have info on when it's due to start again.

and I'm guessing that if you do as @Anoynmous Phoenix suggests they will ask what the date is, the rest they can discover on that date.  When you get a table at ANY restaurant they swipe at least one room key, they know where you are...

29 minutes ago, grouchomarx said:

I just got this card and I want to know specifically how do you use the points for upgrades and such?

Log in to your account on the BofA website and you can find the redemption there.  There's probably more info in the sticky thread regarding the card.

2 hours ago, Anoynmous Phoenix said:

I do not do any financial transactions while on board.   I only check balances to see that they have not been hacked.

If you're going to log in to check balances you may as well do any other financial transactions, you've already opened the door...

I paid $205 net on the second day of a 15 day cruise in January.  It was $350 with a $145 credit for my 300 minutes from Free At Sea.  Another 2 days would be $410 and then the credit for the FAS minutes.  Here is my thought on buying internet on embarkation day - you're paying full price for 7 hours of internet access.  You typically don't sail out of range (as long as you're outside) until 5 or 6 PM) and most people don't need it while they sleep, upgrade when you wake up on day 2 and save that $30 or so.

7 hours ago, KarmaElectra said:

My concern is that with the tight space,and the 3rd/4th beds folded up on the wall, I could bump into them or hit my head

A valid concern.  I was in one of these cabins on the Bliss in January (booked before the additional Solo categories were announced).  I spent 15 nights dealing with those beds!!!  I never thought to ask to have the bed moved to one side of the cabin.  It wouldn't have changed the horrible design of the closet...

2 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

Take care of it NOW.

Anyone that read the entire thread before responding would see it was resolved 4 days ago...

I could have the French Onion soup in the MDR every day, no problems.  Have it at Cagney's or Le Bistro and I have some digestive issues, worse at Le Bistro.  So, yes, there IS a difference.  Maybe it's a different cheese?  I think some mass-production kitchens will use Swiss or a cheaper cheese on top, while traditionally I think it'll have Gruyere so maybe it's that cheese I have an issue with.

No, the issues are not onset of Norovirus, it lasts one round and then done, and it's happened on multiple cruises after having that soup at those specialty venues.

57 minutes ago, rjcook9 said:

Why would you want to take your own wine if you’ve got a beverage package. You will just be saving NCL money.

 

Some want wine in their cabin.

2 hours ago, majmaj4 said:

There is a handy flyer in the link

It's almost like NCL wants people to know about it... 🤷‍♂️

Not the Premium Plus package - https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/beverage-packages

2 hours ago, Anoynmous Phoenix said:

Could be that that is going to migrate to all NCL offices.

Doubtful, it's more likely just an IT glitch as has been known to happen from time to time.

1 minute ago, EllieinNJ said:

We upgraded at final payment 3 weeks ago and now it is another $200 less.  Will they give us obc or fcc instead?

If you upgraded before final payment you can request the fare difference in FCC.  But you get ONE chance, be sure you're absolutely happy with the final fare you're paying...

The return date is wrong, just try tomorrow.

3 hours ago, flcruzer said:

NCL won’t do anything because it’s within 14 days of sailing. If you have a NCL contact please provide it. TIA

Did you like the price of the cruise when you booked?  I'm guessing you wouldn't want NCL coming to you and asking for more money because the prices of cabins went up, would you?

As others said - you can get compensation for a price drop, but only if more than 14 days from the sail date.  You missed your chance.

2 hours ago, eileeshb said:

They do that on all of those ships, epic is the only one with an actual bar and even there the bar tender is only there for a couple of hours each evening. Escape, getaway, breakaway, bliss, etc.

Don't the Breakaway and Getaway have bars?  The pics on the deck plans page seem to show something like that.  I know the BA+ (Bliss, Encore, Escape) don't.

16 hours ago, 3CanadianBears said:

Thanks - so you can not use any minutes at all if you wait to upgrade? Not sure that would work for us....

Keep in mind that on embarkation day you're in port until around 5 typically, sometimes later.  That means you'll have cellular if you NEED to get online.  That also means you're paying the full day price for 7 hours or less of access.  By the time midnight rolls around most people are BEAT from travel and exploring the ship, so you really won't need the upgrade until you get up on the first morning at the earliest.

If I upgrade (I have on my last 2 cruises) I do it the day after embarkation day.

These folks in this previous thread have some thoughts - 

16 hours ago, Oakman58 said:

Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline is everybody’s favorite

12 hours ago, richg35 said:

Pro tip - nobody wants to hear sweet caroline

When I was on the Escape a couple years ago the songs requested the most were probably Sweet Caroline and Don't Stop Believin' Oh, I believe one of the cast members actually commented that Sweet Caroline is THE most requested song and is the song she hates playing the most.

I was blown away by the talent among those four, everyone did everything - piano, guitar, drums, singing and having a personality.  I followed one of the cast members on SM, though I don't live in the area where she normally plays.

Now that the chief has weighed in, I'll just sit here with my 🍿 and see what other 🤡 thinks the policies don't apply to them.

20 minutes ago, jds2001 said:

I moderate the NCL subreddit and can guarantee that OP will receive similar treatment there. Likely on the generic cruise subreddit as well.

I visit and participate in that subreddit, I would make the same comments there that I make/made here...