julig22

I usually fly out of Eugene, PDX isn't my favorite airport but hadn't checked that option. Might be doable if they have non-stops.

Following but for different reasons - I live in Oregon, so options are different. My cruise starts in Seward, ends in Vancouver. I can drive to Seattle, fly to Anchorage for the cruise, then Vancouver to Seattle post cruise. Or fly both ways from Oregon, which usually means a layover in Seattle. Or drive to Vancouver, so no flight home. At the moment, Seattle is looking to be the easiest option, mostly from a time perspective.

It was a tender port with the Star.

As others said, probably not gonna happen with Haven. Balcony and below solo supplements vary from 0 to 100% , when they kick in also varies, although many do drop prior to final payment

Not true in my experience, if you are paying for it. Rules might be different if you have the drink or soda package.

On my last cruise I believe it was $4.20. $3.50 + 20%gratuity. But it may vary by ship.

You only get the points that were in effect when you booked. If you get a price adjustment prior to final payment, you get the points offered at that time. I don't believe they will change your points after final payment. You said "latest confirmation" - did you make any changes to your reservation, other than payments? Don't think it's 5 extra points. Previous promo was 3 for some Europe or Alaska cruises, 2 for 2023 cruises.

When I used a TA, they did not automatically send me the NCL confirmation. So you'd have to ask your TA to send it to you.

You can use the platinum vouchers to take anyone you wish to dinner. Assuming you are all eating together, you take your MIL for a meal using platinum voucher #1, husband uses one of his specialty meals. Husband then takes his mother on the 2nd platinum voucher, you use one of your specialty meals.

I strongly recommend that you check your reservation. Telling them you prefer something doesn't mean they put it on your reservation! Your statement should indicate a $25 per deviation credit and indicate the # of nights pre/post. Your itinerary should include the extra days you've requested. If those things are not on your confirmation, you will find yourself flying in on the day of your cruise, out the day your cruise ends. Now is the time to verify your information, you won't be able to do anything once your tickets are issued.

Yes. 3% convenience fee. Charged as a travel expense (not a cash advance) so you also get whatever points your card gives you for travel. I use the NCL card, get a 3% rebate on NCL purchases, so fee is a wash.

Unless you ask for a 1 or 2 day deviation, your flights will be scheduled to arrive the morning your cruise begins and leave the day your cruise ends. You have to request the deviation more than 75 days prior to your cruise date.

Haven't done it myself but others have posted that they were able to get a refund, then use NR OBC. Not sure how their system actually works so unless they have the ability to lock a reservation I suppose it's possible to still lose your reservation if someone else snags it during the cancel/rebook process - so I'd certainly verify before moving forward!

To be honest, I've never seen a return-to-port excursion in any embark/disembark port. Not even in ports where flights out are traditionally quite late. Probably not enough interest to make it worthwhile to NCL. The Seward-Anchorage train is available as transportation to/from the airport, as transportation options to the airport are limited - the pre-cruise train itself is a highly unusual option. Your best bet would be Viator and trip advisor

Been using those from Amazon for years, still going strong! And then no need for tape or a stapler at the port.

Not anymore. Breakfast is $4.95 + 20% gratuity. But you can also get a hot breakfast now. Changed a few months ago.

Yes, a walking billboard is just about right. I got shirts for my Baltic cruise in July. But nothing since. Was really hoping for some in December with So Africa - none then, none for Antarctica in February.

Plan ahead - no more monstrous t-shirt sales, they seem to be a thing of the past, so if you want one, the former sea-shell lady is your go-to. They changed vendors for tradewinds, haven't seen itinerary-specific t-shirts for a while. But at one of the last sales they did have, I was able to buy an Argentina/Antartica t-shirt on the Star when they were closing out on the stock they'd had in storage from the last-minute cancellations in 2022. Saved it for when I actually did get to go.

Nah, now she sells t-shirts with pictures of shells.

Nothing sadder than a homeless hermit crab LOL

I travel a lot so have a ATM card specifically for travel. It's prepaid and not attached to any of my other bank accounts so limited liability if it gets lost or hacked. Plus no foreign transaction fees and they usually pay the ATM fees as well. And, should the need arise, I can make a simple phone call and have additional funds transferred from a different and unrelated account.

This. I was a deck or two above a "large balcony" and made a mental note to NEVER intentionally book one! And a word to the wise - if you do have one, DO NOT go out on the balcony and smoke!!! You are in full view of probably a dozen or so passengers above you who can - and probably will- report you.

That's a sometimes. I've had tour guides tell us upfront that they share, others indicate they don't. I tip NCL tour guides if they've put in a lot of effort to be entertaining, generally tip bus drivers with demanding tour guides - meaning we've gone to difficult to reach locations for example. I often do excursions by boat so tip the crew accordingly and will sometimes tip if there is a local tour guide at a specific location. I also leave donations at locations that rely on customer support for upkeep etc.

I don't know if it depends on the location, as the only time I remember shells being specifically mentioned was at GSC. And the person ahead of me got called out at security for trying to bring some onboard.

They post excursions as soon as they are negotiated with the vendor. That might be 2 years in advance, it might be much closer to sail date. If it's a cruise that's offered every season the tried and true excursions will be offered early. If it's a new itinerary, you just have to keep checking back.