JandC_Cruising

We've been in connecting cabins in the past and have never had issues.  The double door insulates just as well as the walls.  

3 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

If you don’t officially cancel, but don’t make another payment on final payment date, will they cancel the reservation and re-deposit the credits automatically?

No....If you simply walk away and never contact them to cancel or make final payment, you will lose your CN certificates.  It works identically to if you had simply paid cash as the deposit and failed to cancel or make final payment.

1 hour ago, D1829 said:

Would anyone be interested in sharing a private van from port to Florence and back?   A 16 person private van service is much more reasonable than anything I have found thus far. 

Did you look at the trains?  Livorno to Firenze is about $11 Euro each way and only 1-1/2 hrs or so?  Schedule usually has a couple of trains per hour in each direction. 

8 minutes ago, Warm-Water Diver said:

Well if I order 2 extra apps and I have 3 meals this coming cruise, that's a total of $90 extra! I don't think that's a small charge for something that used to be free

And hence the change....if you realize it's not a "small change", then it's reasonable for NCL's accountants to feel the same way.  Remember...they are trying to make money.

I think they could still just allow diners to have any combination of two soup, salads, or appetizers to best cater to people's tastes. However, I'm not overly concerned with limiting it to the two...

3 minutes ago, ScottT2000 said:

My sample size is next to nothing, but at Cagney's in October I ordered an extra app and the server said, it only comes with 1, I said that I would gladly pay extra for the second and it took him a couple beats to understand what I was saying, but then wrote it down as I ordered it. Bill came, and the extra app was not on the slip. Of course YMMV

I think this is the perfect way to handle it...you let the server know you understand the rules and then let that server make the choice.  Just don't be upset if you get a small bill for and extra $15 or so....

2 hours ago, Fogfog said:

hmm

Not a lawyer here-- but are you suggesting they give/transfer a stockholder benefit to Non-stockholders? 

Every time for us...it is always split $50 to me (shareholder) and $50 to DW....Of course DW successfully use all $100 every time with a pedicure on embarkation day! LOL!

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

A couple of weeks ago at GSC, we were told by the ShoreEx desk that clam shell could no longer be pre-reserved and that you had to do it on the island.

 

"o.k." says The Bird.

 

When we got to the island, there were people with their yellow ShoreEx tickets for clam shells there. 

Well I bet that ruffled the "Bird's" feathers!!!!!

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

The Kayak or a Clam Shell is considered a rental and the $50 does not apply to rentals. That change was made after the pandemic. 

Thanks for confirming Bird...I knew that something must have changed at some point since I knew things like Clam Shells used to qualify. 

36 minutes ago, 9tee2Sea said:

I have a cruise that ends in Miami.  Flying out of Fort Lauderdale around 7pm on disembarkation day ( a friday, in 2025).  Does NCL still offer the Everglades tour with drop off at Fort Lauderdale airport?  It's too far out to find it on the shore excursions option.  If not, then I can get an earlier flight ( 3 hours earlier) out of Miami, but it costs more.  Dont want to rent a car ( driving is not a vacation for me).   Thanks

Yes.  They still offer that excursion on their website. 

https://www.ncl.com/shore-excursions/MIA_03/Everglades-By-Airboat-Ft-Lauderdale-International-Airport?destination=Bahamas+Cruises%2CCaribbean+Cruises%2CExtraordinary+Journeys%2CMediterranean+Cruises%2CNorthern+Europe+Cruises%2CPanama+Canal+Cruises%2CTransatlantic+Cruises%2CWeekend+Cruises&port=MIA&sort=searchWeight&sortOrder=asc&perPage=12

14 minutes ago, genealogyfan said:

I was told by someone at the excursion desk that "rentals" don't qualify for the $50 discount.

Based on what I am now seeing online, it seems that is the case.  Kayaks and Paddleboards at Harvest Caye do not get the discount.

It is funny, however, that I can do a 1hr guided Pedalboard Manatee Watch at the exact same time and they will apply the $50 credit.  With our Platinum discount, it is only $17.10 pp.  

I guess we will do that, rather than spend $31.50pp for the Kayak...

2 minutes ago, Ellis1138 said:

For something like this, where the glitchy website is not doing its job, I would call it in and have a human being do it, so that they can book it for $0 or they could tell you why that excursion isn't allowing for the FAS+.

We actually have a very good PCC that we just hooked up with so I may just message him.  

As I said, it's not a big deal if we end up with OBC.  

Just now, purplecow15 said:

Not sure if the kayaks would be considered an excursion. I know that at Great Stirrup Cay rentals of umbrellas etc not considered excursions. 

Hmmm....We've gotten clam shells and things (day of) for free with the $50 ShoreEx credit at other sites.  However, now that I'm looking online, the Kayaks and Paddleboard rentals do not indicate that they will give the credit, while all the others do indicate it will be applied

5 minutes ago, 9tee2Sea said:

I believe ( in my opinion), it's a $50 credit for the first person.  The first person gets $50, off, the second pays full price ( less any latitude discounts).  I may be wrong, but that is my thinking of how the excursion credits work.

Yes.  You are correct with the basic free at sea. 

 Although we have Free at Sea Plus, which does provide $50 credit to both passenger #1 and #2. 

In either case, the Retail value of these (and other excursions and activities) are less than $50, and it seems for those, the system doesn't take the $50 off when you are pre-booking as it does for any excursion or activity that is more than $50.

So we are Platinum and very well versed in the NCL programs.

However, in all this time, we have never pre-booked an excursion which is less than the $50 ShoreEx credit that comes with Free at Sea. 

For our cruise later this year, all our other excursions, which we booked and paid for already, were discounted $50 for F@S, then discounted 10% for being Platinum.  

Example:  Standard $119 excursions, is $69 with $50 Credit, then discounted for Platinum to $62.10.

This is the way it has worked for years.

We are now trying to book Kayaks at Harvest Caye.  The standard cost is $35. 

So, when we book, the price should be "ZERO", when the $50 F@S credit is applied.

But when checking out, they want the $31.50 paid up-front, which is simply the Platinum Discounted price.  

Is that typical for these "less than $50" bookings?

Are they simply going to credit us the $31.50 on board? 

@BirdTravels  I'm sure you know the answer 🤔

Mind you, I have no problem spending the extra OBC when we receive it, but figured I would ask if I am missing something here.

TIA

3 hours ago, baobaodarcy said:

Tagging onto this comment for people that have taken the Norwegian Prima.  It's scheduled to arrive at 11 am, and I booked an outside bus tour at 11:45 am that is right off the port.  Is that cutting it too close?  😬

I would contact the company you booked with and inquire if they are waiting for the guests to disembark.  Gerainger is not big town.  It is likely that the bus tour is expecting most/if not all of their guests to come off the ship.  In that case, you would be fine.   No sense for the bus to leave if nobody has gotten off the ship yet.  

49 minutes ago, SteveM812 said:

Under Vibe it literally says too early to book.

Try posting a question to others on your roll call to see if anyone has successfully purchased passes on your cruise.  
perhaps it is “sold out”.  
 

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Port Valet is actually paid for by airline and port fees, according to the Port of Seattle. If I were a Seattle resident, I'd be quite upset if my tax dollars were funding vacationers luggage transfers.

There are many cities that subsidize services of all types in order to pull tourism dollars into the area.  This is exactly that type of service.  Think how much more revenue gets generated throughout the city every time a cruise ship disembarks.  They are making it easier for the tourists to run around the city for the day without the concern of their bags.  They can do all sorts of shopping and sightseeing before catching a red-eye eastward back to their home.

Oh....and for each $ spent at Pike Place Market on a seafood lunch or a Venti Mochaccino at the  the original Starbucks, the city and state capture sales tax revenues back from that tourist.  

1 hour ago, SteveM812 said:

I recently booked the Viva out of San Juan for February ‘25. While booking it says the Vibe is “too soon to book” and come back 120 days out. The only offering is a cabana rental. Is this a new policy? A glitch? Or does this mean the Vibe is already sold out 11 months in advance? 

There is definitely not a firm policy about "when" the Vibe passes first become available.  

We are booked on the Prima in July 2025 and I can buy the passes today, if I wanted to do so.

$329pp for 10-day.

53 minutes ago, stellarose33 said:

so my question is we have the speciality dining with FAS. so only one night for two meals (hubby and I ) correct?

As @zqvol said...depends on what cabin your purchased AND the length of the cruise.

Here's the chart from the Free At Sea Terms and Conditions:

3 hours ago, 2flacruisers said:

Does the Escape still have a dedicated cigar lounge?

Yes.  it is next to Tobacco Road bar on deck 8 - starboard side.

30 minutes ago, ddlb said:

 I understand I can get a bottle of wine with each meal when dining instead of ordering by the glass. Am I allowed  to share this bottle of wine with anyone dining with me who may not have the package?  

So, We've never had a problem sharing our FAS+ bottles of wine with others.  We've traveled with our adult children and we had the upgraded package, they did not, but we always shared all our bottles at dinner without any issue.

31 minutes ago, ddlb said:

n addition, the package includes two specialty dining dinners. Do I have to use both of them only for myself or could I use one for me and one for a person dining with me?

Your dinners are specifically assigned to you.  They are non-transferable and therefore cannot be "used" for another person.

32 minutes ago, ddlb said:

I presume the Starbucks coffee can be ordered at no charge when in the main dining room or possibly other dining rooms? Or can you only get it at Starbucks?

With the upgraded package, you will not be charged for any specialty coffees.  The only exception is if you try to use the "automatic" machine in the buffet.  DO NOT DO THAT.

We get cappuccinos at dinner most every evening with dessert.

34 minutes ago, ddlb said:

Am I allowed to order a bottle of water when dining to take to my cabin or do I have to always get it from a bar?

We drink at least 1 bottle of Aqua Pana with every lunch and dinner.  At dinner, we will often ask the waiter for one more bottle toward the end (actually they often already have one for us). We then will leave with that extra bottle and return it to our cabin for our evening.  You can also find Aqua Pana at many bars (or boxes of water) throughout the ship.

36 minutes ago, ddlb said:

Most important are chocolate martinis included in the premium plus drink package or do you have to pay that extra  $3.60?

INCLUDED!  Enjoy at your heart's content!

1 hour ago, garnet115 said:

Which would you choose an why?  I've never been to any of the places on either itinerary, and having trouble deciding.  I'm leaning towards Italy/Greece, but would love input from the CC hive mind!  Thanks.

It sounds like you are willing to do both itineraries and even hope to do both someday.  If that is the case, pick the ship that you like the best.

For us, that would be the Escape, hands down, over the Epic. Do Greece/Italy, but on a different ship.  Just one cruiser's opinion 

15 minutes ago, bjtravelnews said:

Hello everyone!  For those of you sailing on the Joy more recently, do you recall where you could make dining and show reservations on the ship after boarding,  The restaurant I wanted to book didn't have any available reservations and I want to try to get one as soon as I board. 

Not as important for the shows, but would be nice to know.  Thanks so much!

For shows, you can go to the Theatre Box office - Forward Starboard on Deck 7.

They will have a print out of all the scheduled entertainment for your cruise.

For dinner, They will have a table setup at Teppanyaki or next to guest services, both on Deck 6 no more than 25 yards from one another.

3 minutes ago, boxedmoon said:

If you will be in the same cabin they will allow it to be used even if you are the 2nd person. The deposit doesn't need to come from passenger #1.

EXACTLY THIS!

As long as you are on the reservation with your correct Latitudes account number, you or an NCL rep will be able to grab your certificates and apply them to the booking.  

Sometimes we have certificates in my name and sometimes they are in DW's name.  Once both of us are on the booking, either one of us, or the sales rep have been able to pull the certificates necessary.

For NCL's policy, see here:

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents

3 minutes ago, RWK1952 said:

Since our cruise next March currently only includes one French stop at Le Havre, I thought maybe another French port might also be a possibility.  Bordeaux is one that other ships stop at I know.

We were supposed to go to Bordeaux (Le Verdon) on that cruise but it was cancelled due to rough seas in the Bay of Biscay.  

La Coruna may be a pretty even swap for Vigo as you can do many of the same excursions from those two ports.

7 hours ago, RWK1952 said:

It appears that NCL is removing the Vigo Spain port stop from their itineraries.  Any ideas which port they might be replacing it with?

We were on the Getaway last summer from Lisbon to Southampton.  We stopped at Vigo, La Coruna, and Bilbao in Spain.  We enjoyed all three ports.  Perhaps one of those other two will replace Vigo.