ZsaZsa2019

I remember back in the 90's on an NCL cruise we asked if we could carry on our luggage and they had no problem with it.  It's nice to have your stuff with you.  On our other cruises we had to usually go to the first night's dinner dressed in our travel clothes and looking all frumpy, waiting for our luggage to show up late at night.  I guess it's an option, depends on what's important to you.  I'd just hate to lug it around for hours possibly.

It's human nature to complain when things go wrong or you aren't happy, but not as many people return the favor when they are pleased and things go the way they should.  

For the most part, it's been a while since we cruised so I imagine the way NCL is doing things is the new way of cruising.  However, our last cruise was Celebrity about three years ago, and I don't recall all this pre-planning.  We didn't reserve any dining before getting on the ship, and never had to reserve any shows or entertainment.  We booked, paid and were set to go.  But again, I'm sure things have changed.  It's not my preferred way to vacation, but we were asked to join some friends on an Alaska cruise and are excited about it.

My bad, yes it was a service charge, not taxes, that we prepaid on the UBP.  

So if we are docked in Alaska and have the free UBP and have already paid about $250 or so in taxes for hubby and I on the drinks we get free, we still have to pay additionally for drinks while in port?  

Just curious, we have cat B8/9772 balcony room.  Is this a decent room/location?  We will be able to see the scenery just fine, won't we?  Any reason we should consider a bid for an upgrade?

We have the same problem with 5 people.  The representative on the phone was helpful and also told us to book for 6, but she did tell us to go to customer service right away when we get on the ship to change them to 5 so that we don't get charged for an extra person.

Having done the following cruises (once each) I put them in this order:

Carnival

NCL (we felt this was a little step up from Carnival)

Royal Caribbean

Celebrity

It has been about 20 years since I did NCL, and will be trying them again for an Alaska cruise on the Bliss.  Not impressed will all the pre-booking stress and nickle and diming going on so far.  I remember when you paid one price for a cruise and everything (but drinks) were included.  Ahhh, those were the good days.  LOL

We chose Cagney's, the French and the Teppanyaki restaurants for our three picks.  No experience, just chose based off of the likes and dislikes of those in our group.  We also thought we would like to have one "nicer" dinner on board,  which is why we chose the French.

Resorts can vary regarding entertainment.  Even if we do an AI, we still leave the resort, usually at least once a day.  It can be boring to sit there all week, but some people also need that relaxation from life.  It's nice to be able to choose to be "lazy" or active, and on your schedule.

I'm finding that cruising is expensive.  Shore excursions, upcharges and all the other charges cruising just never had - they all add up.

Also, Apple not always the best place to get decent pricing, but it is nice for a first timer.  You want to check with Expedia/Orbitz - price it as a package and separately with air.  Take advantage of promo codes, too.

We've cruised about 5X (one more coming up in June) and have stayed at an AI at least 50X.  Hands down the AI for us.  A cruise is something different and fun to do here and there, but we prefer a land/resort/hotel vacation (not always AI) and having our own schedule.  

Is there an upgrade option from the "free" UBP to the Premium?  On a Celebrity cruise we were able to do this at a small cost ($100pp for the week, I think)  and then all the wine offerings were included (and some other drinks as well).  It was completely worth it, but not sure about NCL.

I'm starting to get a little bummed out.  I'm no wine expert by any means, but I love my reds.  After two trips to Napa/Sonoma last year I started to buy more expensive wines (because suddenly I feel like an expert, LOL), but I'm finding I'm still happiest with my middle of the roads.   We have the "free" UBP for our upcoming Alaska cruise on the Bliss in June and was hoping to be able to at least enjoy some "decent" wines with dinner and in the evening.  I don't know if I want to bother with bringing my own wine bottles on board, either.  

What happens if you fly in and DO have them in your checked luggage?  Do they scan and find them, and remove them from your suitcase?  Asking for a friend.........

That does seem odd.  I don't have any art skills whatsoever.  I've done these here at home, but you have an instructor with step my step guide and tips.  Hm.  I'm not sure this would be so easy?

I cruised with NCL back in 1996 ish.  I don't have any Latitudes info or number, can they look up that far back?  Might be nice to have that on record.

We always do our own bookings on line, but this time we were invited to go with some friends who asked we all go thru their TA.   She got us booked OK, but I've been filling her in on things.  I told her we were able to book dining and shore excursions now for our June cruise.  She had NO idea.  This is why I don't bother with TA's but went along with our friends on this one.  We didn't get any freebies like others either.

On 3/15/2019 at 3:35 PM, Katwoman007 said:

I was about to freak out, till I realized it is 50 cents, per person per day. Sure, it adds up. But better than 5 dollars per person per day. 

Exactly.  We prepaid ours, but I was going to let our friends know to do that too, but saw it was only going to be $7 per couple for the week.  

Ok, I wanted to edit, but not sure how.  It's the Alaska cruise, but we disembark in Seattle.

We originally had a noon departure with our flight coming back from our Alaska cruise on the Bliss.  We were pretty comfortable with it.  Now the flight has been changed to 11:15.  I see we dock at 6am.  Would you be nervous or feel OK keeping this flight?

Did I get this correct in that for a standard balcony it only went from $14.50 to $14.99 per day/per person?   

We are doing a 7 day Alaska cruise in June and chose the "free" dining option.  We get 3 meals for the week and I have already booked them, although it appears only certain times are available to pre-book so we might be trying to adjust once on the ship.   I got scared if we didn't book early, we might not get our three in.  I don't think that would be the case, but you might not have your first choices.

Ah, thanks.  We were at Club Med some years ago and they had a white theme party that was very cool.  Only we didn't know about it and didn't have white clothes with us.  Trying to get ahead of the game here, but doesn't sound like anything we will schedule around.

I read somewhere about them nights on NCL?  One of which I heard of was a white night?  Does anyone have any info on that, and what nights maybe?  

Could you imagine if you were on your balcony or up on deck?  I dread to think what could have happened.

Silly question... is Haven a room category or just an upgrade/are that anyone can pay extra for?