hallux

On your cruise Victoria was more of a technicality - the ship is required by US law to visit a foreign port on closed-loop cruises (start and end at the same port). For Alaska cruise that port is often Victoria because it doesn't require timing for tides to allow for clearance passing under a bridge as is needed for Vancouver. The Encore is the same size as the Bliss, I was on the Bliss sailing into Vancouver in 2019, there is a 20 minute window at low tide during which there is enough safety margin to pass under the Lions Gate Bridge to enter Vancouver.

They're there on a B2B, and on an NCL ship as noted before, it'll be the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, probably Pier 88.

@tsmith6719 and what does that have to do with the topic of the thread?

Buffet, Taste, Savor, Manhattan Room (or whatever the large MDR is on your ship), The Local, O'Sheehan's. You can also go to the NCL website and look at the 'dining' section for your ship, you should be able to tell the difference...

Specialty dining when using the free meal (either the free-at-sea or the Platinum coupon). Order whatever you want in the MDR, even multiple entrees if you please. This thread was asking about the specialty dining in regards to free-at-sea, I think you piped in asking about MDR meals but did not specify such, hence the confusion.

If you're Platinum you can book at 125 days. Also, if you read the rest of the thread, you'll see that I indicated there was a system upgrade this weekend and others were experiencing this issue post-upgrade...

There have been system issues the last few days, including a couple threads here from folks trying to checkin but showing a balance. It will probably sort itself out tonight or tomorrow.

@durberville I think there's still some confusion on that, but you may be able to bargain with them to let you do both of those and skip the dessert.

This has been covered on this forum ad nauseam, but I'll do it again... You can reserve either type of restaurant. You can NOT get "any amount of starters, desserts or sides", it's been pared down to one of each with one main. You can certainly reserve them before boarding, if you want to do more than the two meals, be sure to book the cover charge places FIRST or you will be charged up-front for them (unless you want to just pay for them now). If you're looking to make reservations after around 100 days before boarding you're not likely to get the reservation times you want and you'll need to try as soon as you board.

I believe this was originally posted in the NCL forum then moved here (hence my first comment suggesting visiting this forum section). That means it'll be the MCT...

There's discussion on the roll call for my cruise in January (on the Bliss) that people are having similar issues. There was a system update this weekend, causing issues with the bookings.

You could walk right next door to the Intrepid aircraft carrier and tour the museum and exhibits there. Times Square is a short walk as well. You might find other ideas in the East Coast Departures forum - https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/317-east-coast-departures/

Yup - that's the excursion! That's an early call for vacation but I think the excursion should be worth it! I hope we get to see the visitor's center for the canal...

No need to call - current offer is to book balcony or above on any sailing and use 2 CND's. https://www.ncl.com/cruisenext That's two for the ROOM, not two per passenger...

The CND's may be, but your booking offers may not be, unless you go through a US travel agent or a US booking site.

I have a feeling you bought CruiseNEXT deposits. There's usually a limit of one per stateroom unless there's a DoubleUP offer. Your offers may differ from those in the US.

You're on the Jan. 27 cruise from Miami, aren't you? I am as well, and taking the same excursion. I hadn't even gotten to the point of thinking about breakfast!!

On my cruise on the Escape in March I was standing with a couple others observing one of the parties in Spice from above. Next thing we know, someone opens a door to our left (the control room for the A/V for Spice) and walks out. We had a brief conversation with them, including them asking how we were. Similar happened on the last night, when the crew member came up to remove the 'flags' that they pull across over Spice during the party.

I simply looked for similar length cruises to the same destination so as to give a fair comparison. I wasn't really looking for the total package cost (including airfare), I was simply comparing the cruise cost. Something else to consider that I just remembered - the NCL price includes open bar gratuities for FOUR, that price will drop another $200 once the ages of the kids are added. That would cover upgrading to the "Family Balcony" rather than a standard balcony...

Found this with a 10 second Google search. I checked, the cabin on the Joy is one cabin back from the cabin of the same number on the Encore.

Should have waved as you went by, I live near the highway on that route! As does mine. I'm planning to fly Southwest as I have points with them, but flights into MIA are limited. I'm flying to FLL with a layover in BWI, my plane change is early enough that there are 4 more flights that day from BWI-FLL, giving me options if there's a delay, options I wouldn't have if I flew to MIA.

On my cruise in 2022, I spent lots of time (outside the cabins!!!) with the wife of a pilot boat 'driver'. They also take responsibility for the pilot's life, it's a dangerous and stressful job on the calmest of days. Much respect to those that do it - both the pilot and those that get them to the ships!!

You can certainly call to ask, don't be surprised if they say no. You knew the terms when it was issued and have had a year to use it. Yes, I realize not everyone can use FCC within a year as not everyone sails twice a year (I don't either), but those were the terms.

Isn't that true! I recently stayed in a hotel geared for long-term stays (had a kitchenette) for work, a 10 day trip. The bill JUST for the lodging was almost what my inside room on a 15-day Panama Canal cruise cost, and that cruise includes food an entertainment!!

Do tell, how is NCL insanely MORE than Royal? Just compared a 5-day cruise for 4 to Bermuda, the Joy for NCL and Liberty of the Seas for Royal, balcony for both. NCL came in $400 LESS than Royal, on a newer ship and with the Free At Sea package so it has the open bar grats. on the NCL cruise. Screenshots for proof... Royal - NCL - I guess the "insane" prices compared to other lines depend on the itinerary...