JandC_Cruising

@skittl1321  Based on what you have said, I would suggest Le Bistro as one.   In our experience they have a better steak than Cagney's.  There is an upcharge for their Filet with Fios Gras, but I think you can ask for it without the Fios and avoid the upcharge (sorry if I'm wrong on that front).  You will be able to order One Appetizer, One Soup or Salad, One Entree, and One Dessert.  More than enough food I'm sure.

I would then suggest Food Republic over Los Lobos.  While the guacamole is good and fresh, everything else was just fine in our mind and nothing better than a chain Mexican restaurant.

Food Republic has a HUGE variety of foods (dumplings, sushi, noodles, skewers, etc.).  You can pick any four dishes  and typically that is enough for two of us to share for dinner.  

Enjoy!

5 minutes ago, Adventures ahead said:

Wondering why some have disappeared

Not really a mystery.  The ones that have disappeared have likely sold out.  We are on the Getaway in two weeks.  We booked our excursions just after final payment to be sure we could do what we wanted.  Many fellow passengers have been left without excursions to pre-book through NCL and have turned to independent excursion companies.

2 hours ago, JGmf said:

Yes, it's not an easy walk for mobility-challenged individuals.  At least a 20%+ grade.

Agree that it may be a challenge, but it is definitely less than a 20% grade, which is steep!

Passenger Ship guidelines for ramps are 1:8 or 12.5%

ADA ramp guidelines on land are 1:12 or 8.3%. 

My guess is that it cannot be greater than 12.5%, but may be as low as 8.3% to ensure they are ADA compliant in the terminal.

If there is any concern at all, you should arrange a wheelchair.

@7Trainguy1951Boarding the Escape in NYC will be onto deck 7.  Here is a video I found that you can see the whole boarding ramp.  You can see if it is too steep for your needs.

36 minutes ago, gailellen12 said:

Good morning. I am a solo traveler with the free at sea package for my 9 day cruise. How many speciality dining nights am I entitled to?  Thanks

You said you were solo, but didn't specify what cabin type....If you are in a Balcony or above, you will get 2 meals.  

If you are Ocean View or below, you will get 1 meal.

Bookings for specialty restaurants open 120 days prior to departure.   Our favorites on Escape are Le Bistro and Bayamo.  Pinchos Tapas is great for sea day lunch.  

Maybe one of them pours stronger Rum Swizzles!  🍹

I think these two got their tickets just a few minutes before departure, IIRC.

1 hour ago, carribbound said:

I don’t see a way to book online just a flat rate room without the frills and thrills that are “included”. Can this be done over the phone? If possible, are the prices better for a room only fee?

 

thanks

There are two options via NCL for what you are asking. 

• The least expensive option is by booking a "Sail Away" room.  However, they do not always have thos available.  With this fare, you simply get to pick your stateroom category (Inside, Ocean View, Balcony, for example)   You will not get to select your exact room.  One in that category will be assigned to you (anytime from just after booking to just before the cruise)  You will not be offered the "free at sea" options.  They are excluded from this fare type.  (except for the $50 shore excursion credit)
• The other option is to pick whatever cabin you wish within whichever category you wish and simply de-select the Drink Package and the Specialty Dining package in the appropriate screen.  This will remove the Free at Sea Gratuities associated with those program benefits.  You will still get Wifi and shore excursion credit benefits.

I've seen the CABIN RATE pricing for these two options be apart anywhere from $30pp to $150pp depending upon the cruise.

Here's an example of the option on a cruise we are on at the end of the month:

1 minute ago, uneamie said:

We just got an extra $400 on board credit due to NCL bounus promotion. We hae not choosen the Free at Sea beverage package yet so I was wondering if we can still choose it once on board so we can use this onboard credit for the service charges? Has anyone waited till on board to do this? 

No.  The "Free at Sea" is a promotional program attached to your booking.  If you "declined" the beverage package at the time of your booking, you can add it back to your booking up to 48hrs(?) before your departure.  You can call NCL and have them change your Free at Sea selections up to that point.

If you wait past that time, you will have to pay full retail for any drink package you are considering.

7 minutes ago, khia213 said:

I just saw a video on YouTube that said if you’re in the Haven, you get a thermal spa pass automatically.   Is this true?

No...The only Haven guests who get "free" access to the Thermal Suite are those who have booked a Haven Spa Suite Cabin.  Everyone else in Haven must purchase the Thermal Suite pass if they wish to use that facility.  

9 minutes ago, sunnydreams said:

I worried I only booked for 2 when I needed the reservation for 4. I couldn't remember so I called NCL and was told it showed 4. The app doesn't show it (very annoying!) because it doesn't know the names of all 4 people, but it did show it was correct when I called. Unfortunately, if you want to double check, I think you have to call. 

You are correct that you cannot see it via the App. But you can do this without calling if you login to your account through the website, you can see all your plans/reservations and numbers via the "print booked items" button.

2 minutes ago, LloydJr said:

If you also are getting a SHOREX discount because you're a higher level latitudes, the math on these can sometimes get a bit fuzzy.

 

LoL.  You are a faster Typer than I am!

38 minutes ago, Pookie2u said:

No, just me.  The credit is also different on different excursions.  I guess I will have to call but I'm sure I will hear about some fine print I did not see on my own.  

Are you latitude gold or higher?   You also get a latitude discount % if you are and that is removed after the $50 credit,   The overall discount will differ depending upon the actual cost. 

2 hours ago, FLAHAM said:

Each sea day on transatlantic cruises, NCL offers a beginner’s lesson, an intermediate lesson and a two-hour game.  No charge.

Beginner lessons on How to run the Bridge!?!?!?   Sign me up!  

37 minutes ago, lak4 said:

@Two Wheels Only -- Thank you so much! I really appreciate your responses! 

@Two Wheels Onlyis the Guru of cabin setup and balcony sizes on NCL.
That is not a joke!
 Since we joined Cruise Critic in 2019, I search for his posts about cabins  on every NCL ship we sail if I have a question about a cabin we’re considering 
Balcony  depth?   He’s your man!
Like the bed closer to the balcony?   Two wheels has you covered!

13 minutes ago, JeanKC said:

I think maybe what can be very much  dumped on NCL at this point is the fact that they are still selling this Oct 10th 2024 cruise on their website using the original itinerary which they now know not be even remotely similar to actual itinerary......

To this point I 100% agree!   NCL is not good in being sure their left hand even knows there is a right hand on the body at times.  

Enough planning had to be done to change the route and notify the currently booked cruisers, but is their only web guy on vacation?!?!   Change the cruise on your own website for pete’s sake!   
 

3 minutes ago, UKstages said:

nobody is dumping anything on NCL. what many are saying is that NCL could and should have handled the communication better! they should acknowledge that it’s a completely different cruise, offer comp or an incentive to take the new cruise and explain the curious regulatory environment they reference.

 

Actually, my specific response was drectly quoting someone who was dumping it on NCL claiming they " still seen to find new ways to screw their customers".

As for doling out "compensation", if a change is made at the last minute or even after final payment, sure.  But this cruise, according to the letter, is October 10, 2024 

Do you know how many things can change over time?  This cruise in question is over 15 Months from now!  NCL cannot dole out compensation for every cruise that has to be changed over a full year from now.  That's a bit unreasonable, IMHO.

Semantics, regarding "new cruise" or "itinerary change"...Here is an example where they learned a cruise needed to be changed and they are notifying customers as early as they possibly can.  Seems like good communication to me.

If the customers are told they cannot cancel without penalty (Non-US customers) THEN I would have a problem.

45 minutes ago, NJGeorge said:

Just when you thought NCL'S degradation has bottomed out they still seen to find new ways to screw their customers. 

 

Ummmm....if you don't believe that Ireland has imposed the restrictions, so be it.  I guess you really have a bug up something about NCL.

But, to dump this on NCL is absurd!  

They have been given new restrictions and have to alter the cruise.  

They "assembled" a new cruise itinerary and notified their customers promptly with over 15 months notice.

This is certainly disappointing to anyone who has booked this cruise, BUT it's for OCTOBER OF 2024!  There is plenty of time to simply cancel if the new cruise destinations are not of interest.

Honestly, What do you expect NCL to do?  Ignore the restrictions , just drop anchor and invade the various Irish ports!  

40 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

I really wish NCL would simply sell a certificate for half price, if you’re onboard, and stop with the “free OBC” nonsense.   It is so confusing and we have all heard people oohing over how they are going to spend their free OBC.   I mean, I know why NCL does it, but it’s deceptive, IMHO.

That is absolutely true!  It is unfortunate that so many fall within the spectrum of confused to outright deceived.  

In the end the CN certs are a good deal, however, my advise to anyone who is considering buying for the first time is this:

1. Get the sales pitch within the first couple of days of your cruise AND WALK AWAY WITHOUT PURCHASING!  You are not getting the last car on the lot!  The same deal is available right up to the last evening of your cruise.  Walk away and come back another time after.....

2. Go back to your cabin and review all the material again

3. Ask fellow cruisers to explain it to you.  Preferably someone who has purchased/used in the past  -- a fellow cruiser has no skin in the game!

4. If you feel you understand it and want to participate, go back to CN desk and get the pitch again from another salesperson (particularly if you feel the first selling was not clear).  

5. Buy the CN"s if you are clear

Happy Cruising!

7 minutes ago, KKB said:

It was just odd to me that I got 2 different "ways" of doing it on the same day.

 

How long did it take to finally show up on your account?

Over the past several years, I have:

• been notified AND not notified
• OBC split between my wife and myself AND/ not split between my wife and myself
• waited only 24hrs to appear AND waited a week to appear
• Seen it listed as OBC in the header of my Booking AND sometimes NOT listed there.

It seems much of they way it happens changes like the phases of the moon!

That said, I do always see it within a week and it is always shown in your booking under "PURCHASED ITEMS"...again, sometimes it has been split between the two of us ($50 each, for example).  Although on our cruise in 28 days it is listed as $100 for ME!!!!!!!  Sorry honey...you can't steal my OBC to pay for your pedicure this time 🤣

14 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

Can I apply a CN Certificate after  I first book but before Final Payment is due?   If I'm booking a cruise in April 2024 for example I may want to book a cruise on a whim before that day.  So I wouldnt want my CN certificate allotted for that April cruise.  My thoughts are yes, I can but not sure which is why I'm asking. 

YES!!!!  

We have applied CN certs on sailings long after we booked on multiple occassions.

In fact, our very first NCL cruise a number of years ago, we had bought our first CN's and came home to apply it to another cruise we already had booked.

Several times, we have had no CN's in our account, Booked a trip, paid the $250 deposit on CC, gone on a different cruise, purchased CN's and then come back and applied (2) to the already booked cruise.

Additionally, a few weeks ago, they did a "triple-up" CN deal.  We had an existing booking for 2024 that already had 2 CN applied.  I went online and plunked the 3rd one down several weeks after we had originally booked.

15 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

The appeal of the CN certificates died down for us after our second time using them. Covid made it so difficult to travel anywhere let alone use or extend expiring or expired certificates it made us rethink how many we want on hand at any given time. It's always completely inconsistent with how they're issued/charged as well that it's too much effort to bother most times.

 

First time we bought it we were told we would get OBC for the current cruise we were on at that time. So we ran up a decent sized bill, only to find out my credit card had been charged $500 and we had $1000 worth of CN certificates in our account. No OBC at all. So $500 charge for the certificates plus a large debarkation bill to boot. 

 

Second time we bought 4 again as we were using them for a family trip, and all 4 came back when that was Covid cancelled. Along with the next 2 trips we tried to use them on that got cancelled as well. Don't remember if we got OBC or just another straight $500 cc charge for those.

 

Now we finally have none left (assuming this trip in September doesn't get cancelled for any reason). Might get 2 just to have as I think we'll take another NCL trip at some point in 4 years, but definitely do NOT want more OBC as we're going into that trip with over $1300 already in our pocket.

 

They're essentially a B1G1 free $250 gift card, usable only for new cruise bookings. I guess if you tend to book inside cabins they're a bigger deal, but our last few trips have been quite pricey Haven ventures, so that's barely a drop in the bucket.

It seems as if you did not understand how the purchase of CN certificates worked.  Certainly there has been a bunch of conversation regarding how the CN salespeople "confuse" purchasers to think they are getting an even better deal...but the fact remains, if you are planning to cruise again (and you have the funds), buying CN certs are a good deal.

As you stated, you RECEIVED $1000 in CN certs your first time buying and were charged $500! 

You DID receive $500 in OBC....It was automatically used to reduce the CN certificate cost!

21 hours ago, Tutone56 said:

My daughter is flying into Newark, arriving at 10am for our cruise out of Manhattan on the Escape in September.  She will be using NCL for shuttle transportation to the cruise terminal.  Does anyone know approximately when she can expect the shuttle to leave EWR?  I’m sure there are many variables but just looking for a ballpark time, thanks.

Upon retrieving her luggage at baggage claim (if necessary) she will see/find/meet the NCL agents there.   They will mark her as arrived.

Since it will be 10AM, the shuttles will have been going between the airport and pier already, bringing disembarking passengers back to EWR.

She will be led to the shuttle bus area and put on the next bus scheduled to go.  They don't wait too long at that point, since the bus needs to get back to the pier for another return trip.

The drive from EWR to the pier on a Sunday (typical departure day) will be 30-40min (depending upon traffic)

27 minutes ago, celestialcruiser said:

Can OBC for pax 1 or 2 be used to buy dining package or a la carte for pax 3 at specialty restaurants?

Assuming you put everyone in the cabin on the same credit card for your on-board account, then yes.  When you setup your on-board account that way, all the charges go against the one card and any OBC will get applied as charges are incurred for all in the cabin.