julig22

Seems like NCL previously changed itineraries from Whittier to Seward - rumor was that people complained about the lack of excursions. So I'm surprised to see it back on any itinerary.

Correct. Sometimes they wouldn't be able to wait. They may need to leave on time to make the next port. They may have a scheduled time for tugs/pilot boats, shipping channels. And in some ports, the tide can be an issue. We were told by the captain at a Q&A that the best thing to do if you are late on a private excursion is to call the ship - if they know you are on your way and have an ETA, they will tell you what to do - either they'll wait or tell you how to proceed to get to the ship at the next port of call ( on your dime LOL)

Cheaper to wait until onboard to upgrade to unlimited because they rebate some from the FAS. On a 7-day cruise, I upgraded on day 2 for $79 - they gave me a $100 credit for the FAS. I hadn't used any of my minutes yet but others have posted that it doesn't matter, and that you can also upgrade on day 3 for an even better discount. No more discount offers after day 3.

You pick your own seats with the airline. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had a middle seat. And to add to that, normally you have the opportunity to pay to upgrade within economy to preferred seats. Some airlines will also let you pay to upgrade to business but that is up to the airline and your status with the airline. 30 days to get your flight info is pretty late - I think the latest I've ever gotten mine was 45 days. Policy is a maximum of 1 layover for domestic flights, 2 for international. No overnight layovers. Are there exceptions - rare, but it happens. No arriving in the middle of the night, unless it's due to an airline delay. NCL doesn't make the airline schedules. Will you get the most convenient, most direct flight? maybe, maybe not. Will you be leaving at 6am - maybe. Will you be on a red-eye - maybe. No, NCL will not guarantee to fly groups together anymore. It's not that they can't figure out how to do it, it's because of the way they buy bulk tickets, it's too difficult. They have a Premium Air department that would book you together on the flights you choose but you pay prevailing rates, just like the other cruise lines. But you don't get the BOGO rates. Things do go wrong with NCL flights, just like they go wrong for the other passengers on the same flight. It's not a matter of who booked it. I've had flights cancelled and contrary to popular belief, you can call NCL -there is a special # to call for assistance. Have there been glitches with my NCL flights - yes. And the airlines made it right. Did NCL ever mess things up - yes. And NCL made it right. And NCL will actually pay you $25 to book a flight that arrives 1 or 2 days early. Same deal for leaving 1 or 2 days post-cruise. But you have to ask BEFORE they send you your flight information.

search for BOGO I have used NCL many times, I'm fully aware of the terms and the savings are worth it for me. I've flown to Reykjavik once, from Reykjavik once, through NCL both times. Direct flights on IcelandAir from/to Seattle. I don't fly from a major hub, so flight 1 of their 3-flight max for international flights will always be to a hub. I have a Norway/Iceland cruise in a few months, no flights assigned yet. NCL does not assign seats - that's done directly through the airline. So if you go to the airline website, hopefully you can get seats that you like - should be able to pay to upgrade within the economy cabin if you want more legroom.

Wasn't me

Reminds me of when I was in Buenos Aires - young bartender asked me if the $2 USD bill he'd gotten as a tip was real currency. Now USD was actually somewhat preferred due to the exchange rate at the time but the bank wouldn't take it. $2 bills are a novelty but not so much at the banks (that may also require "clean" bills).

I am fully aware of what cruise ships pay to transit the canal - as I said, I have no insider info. And of course, they are out to maximize revenue, that's a no-brainer. It will be interesting to see where the ships are re-deployed. NCL is trying to find a niche market. Last year Alaska was a target, can't wait to see what they come up with - hope it's somewhere good!

And if a more normal rainy season doesn't happen and NCL has to make itinerary changes closer to the sail date, they'd get accused of selling cruises to places they no longer intend to visit - since the water issues in the canal were a known issue when they started selling the cruise. Not saying I have any insider knowledge of what they are doing, just speculating that maybe they are trying to mitigate and address the current trend of changing itineraries at the last minute.

When mine hadn't shown up after almost 3 days, I contacted Guest Services. They called the laundry, my stuff showed up not too long afterwards. Don't know if calling made a difference or just coincidence with the timing. Everything had 2 sets of labels, still wondering what that was all about!

Also on the June 10, 2024 cruise - panicked when I saw the comment from @DCGuy64 until I realized those are 2025 cruises. I lost my December 2024 Australia cruise when they chartered the Spirit - their suggested substitute offering was for cruises in Asia, with a 20% discount on the Jewel - through February 2024 - not even close. I know my geography isn't great but I'm pretty sure Australia isn't in Asia!

Same here. Someone posted on another site asking if NCL would be handing out the funny glasses. Probably a reasonable question until I realized her cruise was nowhere near the path. I was right in the path for the last one -watched from my back porch.

Actually, I didn't have a clue what you were talking about - which is why I asked. Or why you'd need to pay anyone to get the flyer that everyone gets when they are running the special. Thanks for the update.

I opened a Charles Schwab checking account with an ATM card. No account fees, no foreign transaction fees or notification needed and they refund ATM fees. The account is independent of my other bank accounts, so if it gets compromised in any way, the most I'd lose is what's in the account, which isn't a lot. I can get what I want when/if I need cash. Also, should I need additional money for some reason, I can contact my financial advisor and he can transfer funds for me. I gave up on going to the bank ahead of time when 1) they had a minimum requirement way over the amount I wanted and 2) they didn't have what I wanted on hand, they have to order it and charge $10 for fedex and 3) what I wanted wasn't available anyway.

Yes, you get a certificate for club balcony. What I don't understand is a so-called 1/2 price certificate.

Never heard of a "1/2 price laundry cert". No certificate needed for latitudes benefits (free or 1/2 price). Laundry special is shipwide, date specified. So please elaborate.

Gosh, it helps if you read the answers already given. Scroll up, already answered.

Except that it probably won't deter an overeager waiter. Never has for me. I always leave my utensils on the plate, my napkin on my chair. And there is always the possibility that someone will claim the table if the buffet is crowded. I think I'm going to have to start bringing my phone with me, first as a place-holder - but I also might need it to snap a picture of the elusive hash browns or cookies, if they happen to appear!!

Big difference between saying they will be available because they are held some back vs they might be available because they either didn't sell out or people cancelled. Being available is in no way proof that they held anything back.

Hasn't changed.

Dollar Tree $1.25. Maybe you could bribe someone in the kitchen to make them for you.

Right place, wrong conclusion. Nothing showing is a pretty good indication that they aren't porting out of Baltimore in 2024 (other than 1 cruise), in 2025, and maybe not in 2026.

Those smaller ships can go places those big ships can't even think about - and some ports are starting to limit the # of passengers they will allow, so I'm thinking you've got it all wrong. But I guess it depends on the demographic - I'm out to see the world by cruise ship, not interested in parties or hiking a mile to get from my cabin just to go to dinner LOL.

If you are asking about tipping on the ship, USD. If you are asking about spending money in the city, not everyplace will take USD for purchases, so Euros or credit card. But I suppose if you are just asking about tips, not purchases, anything would be accepted - just remember they have to go to the bank to make the conversion.

That's great if you have your phone with you - I don't carry mine. But maybe leaving my key card would work.