GracyandGravy

This is what it looks like a couple of days pre cruise. It is not what it looks like if you download it before that. It will look similar to your page on NCL.com where you select tours, dining, etc.

I believe it is $9.95 regardless of how long the cruise is. The app is actually free and you can do a lot on it prior to the cruise. Then, about 2 days prior to the cruise, the format changes to "vacation mode" and you access a map to the pier and your e docs. Once in the ship, you select "I am on board" and it gives you directions on how to enable the wifi and at THAT time you will pay the fee to use it. You do not need a wifi plan and it does not take minutes from any plan you have. 

Thank you - that makes sense. I do know (or so I've been told) that once you create a group you cannot add someone to it and that a new group has to be created but I wasn't sure about how the new number worked.

I see two issues - #1 that the activity level was changed without notifying people. I would book a level #2 excursion, but based on a prior experience with a level #3, I would not book one for most locales.   The second issue is that no matter whether she complained to the right person or not, she was treated rudely by a cruise ship employee as was apparently another cruise guest. 

1 hour ago, Pat.D said:

To me towel animals are a cruise tradition.  I'm a grown adult and love towel animals.  I usually ask the steward to leave behind the animals so I end up with a zoo by the end of the cruise.  They still make animals by default on recent cruises on Carnival, RCCL and Celebrity.

 

I had a chat about animals with my steward on a very recent NCL cruise and he told me the "company line" is to save water but it has a lot more to do with the fact NLC has reduced personnel and each steward has to cover more staterooms so not having to make animals (unless requested) saves them time. 

 

And that's why I really hate to ask for them even though we really do love to see them every night. On the other hand, we are in a large 2 bedroom suite and it is really unlikely that the other bedroom or other bathroom will ever be touched, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad to ask since our room really won't take the time that it would if it had a family or more people in it. #tryingtojustify

9 minutes ago, dd likes to cruise said:

 

The 2 don’t compare to me.  Towel Animals are cute, but not getting one doesn’t cost me money. 

I understand what you are saying, but almost without fail when someone knows you work for Southwest, the first thing they mention is bags fly free. It's the experience, not the actual savings. And more specifically that it is just something people associate with Southwest, just like many people associate towel animals with the experience of cruising.

Am I reading the information correctly that once onboard and after the NCL app has been activated to use the communication feature, you will be assigned a new "number" to use instead of your room number or phone number?  What kind of number (how long is it?) I'm trying to put together some contact cards for our group and if that is the case, then I need to leave a blank for that information next to everyone's room number.  Thanks!

I can't say I'm upset. Disappointed maybe. It's a little something special to look for when you come into your room in the evening that you don't get anywhere but a cruise.

You can't deny that almost every group of photos someone takes on a cruise includes at least one towel animal photo. That in itself shows that it's a special memory that people want to remember. I think it's reasonable to be disappointed that that part is no longer a part of your daily experience. 

I kind of compare it to "Bags Fly Free" on Southwest Airlines. I can tell you (as part of their employee family) that it is the number one thing someone says when they find out you work for Southwest. "Oh, Bags Fly Free. I love that." If they were ever to change that, there would be an uproar.

Thank you.

I know that there is a $9.95 service fee to use the communication feature on the ship and that it uses the ship's wifi exclusively so it isn't active off the ship. Is that separate from any wifi plan you have (don't have)?  We have a large group so I'm trying to make sure that those that don't upgrade to a larger wifi plan don't burn up all their minutes with the app without knowing that they are doing it.

I haven't personally used it (yet), but we have signed up. The way that I believe it works is that you (as the main account name) sign in using your NCL ID and password. Your wife would download the app and create a new user ID for herself. She will input your reservation number, so it links to your cabin reservation.

From my understanding, once you get onboard, the calling and messaging part of the app is activated and it is then you are given the chance to pay the $9.95 and it will generate a new "number" for you instead of your actual phone number (someone please correct me if that is wrong, but that is how I read the FAQs).

That feature is only available while on the ship because it uses the ship's WIFI. What I am not clear about is whether it uses any WIFI package minutes that you receive or if just purchasing the app gives you unlimited usage to message/call separate from your WIFI package.

Thank you.

If the route or ship matters, specifically I'm talking about a Panama Canal crossing on the Joy. 

I'm extremely hypoglycemic and always carry a packaged protein bar for a quick snack if I need one that won't make me crash the other way. Will I be allowed to have it in my purse or backpack when we leave or return to the ship? 

2 hours ago, esm54687 said:

Wait..... "you believe it does" or you KNOW it does...... you're giving info to people based on experience or rumor??   You speak very confidently in #4 that it does but the literature you provided in #7 seems to contradict your info and now "you believe it does"??? 

 

Sorry to hold you accountable for the info you provided but I come on here to get real info and not "I believe" 

I'm quite certain that the social media does not allow streaming such as Netflix or the like. It "may" allow you to play something that is embedded in the social media site, but does not allow actual streaming.

The info from the package for the social media package is 

The Unlimited Social Media Wi-Fi package gives you access to majority of social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, WeChat, etc.)

• • The package allows you to view, post and upload videos on social media and also chat on all popular messenger platforms.
• • Price displayed is per day use. Total cruise rate will be calculated based on the number of cruise days.
• • Can be used only on one device at a time.
• • This package does not include email access or web browsing.

This Unlimited Premium Wi-fi package gives you access to unlimited web surfing, email access (including VPN), social media access, all apps.

• • The package also gives you streaming options via YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Audible, Hulu etc.
• • Price displayed is per day use. Total cruise rate will be calculated based on the number of cruise days.
• • Cruises of 13 days and longer will have a lower rate.
• • Log in to My NCL for more details.
• • Can be used only on one device at a time.
• • Please note that some on demand content may not be available. Live streaming channels are based on your subscription package and location

6 minutes ago, julig22 said:

You can still book online if you have the excursion credit - but you will have to pay in advance.  You are correct that if you cancel, the charges will be refunded to your account.  The difference is whether or not you have OBC credits that you want to use for your excursions or if you will have enough onboard expenditures to cover any non-refundable credits you may have.  If you book online you won't be able to use OBC for pre-booked excursions.

Ah, that makes perfect sense. 

Okay - that confirms what she told me. Guess I suck it up and use the phone - LOL.

The comedy show doesn't have a "book on the ship" or "not available" so that's why I was confused but perhaps you are right and it isn't available until getting on the ship. Thank you.

(Normally I'm not so stressed about the tours and shows because we just travel as a couple and really don't plan ahead or care that much, but we are traveling with a group of friends and we aren't "linked" to their reservation because we booked late and separately directly through Norwegian instead of their travel agent, so I'm trying to play catch up to be with our group. I need to just chill and enjoy something else that is unplanned if it doesn't work out.)

One of our fellow travelers stressed that we should book our tours by calling because if booked online they are charged immediately vs. booking through the phone won't be charged until the time of the cruise. But if you cancel a tour, isn't it a simple matter of getting it credited back to the payment method? It seems overly fussy to call and I already missed out on the one single tour that I actually wanted to do with the rest of our group because I am loath to pick up the phone and sit on hold.

What am I missing? (I know it must be something because they cruise quite a bit and we do not). 

Also, sort of related, does anyone know why the page for reservations for the comedy show is "on permanent vacation?" Is it just a weekend glitch or do I need to pick up that dang phone and call in for that too.  Ugh. Phone anxiety is real, y'all. I hate the phone.

Ugh - never mind. I'm an idiot. I posted on the wrong cruise line. This came up from one of my previous cruises. 

Back to your regularly scheduled football or family time. Thank you.

How is the speed with the unlimited streaming package? We are going on a 16 day Panama Canal on the Joy. My husband likes to sleep in late and I would love to have some quiet time late at night or early morning to mindlessly catch up on things I never have time to see at home plus we are big news junkies. I can upgrade from the 250 minutes we got as a promo for what is a pretty reasonable price.

Also, to clarify what someone mentioned - SMS texting works from the ship to land phones? So I'll be able to keep in touch with my daughter via text? I was planning on going old school email or FB messenger.

15 minutes ago, imlulu said:

RCI refreshment package would be the perfect option. RCI also will have sales on it on different sailings and times. My DH always gets it. This is our first first cruise with NCL. Originally I didn’t get the drink package in the free at seas but then changed  my mind due to number of days on ship. I also have Starbucks GC to use in addition to the app if needed. I’m thinking of taking water bottles vs getting the water for the room. Will see how I feel this week about it as we board Sunday. 

Do you know for sure if the Starbucks on board will accept a GC? I know that certain Starbucks (like those in grocery stores) don't work quite the same way in regards to rewards as the standalone stores. You can earn stars but not redeem them. I'm not sure if GCs work the same way or not.

5 hours ago, skeetns said:

Very frustrating thread with not having the ability to even search by ship name.

I read a couple of posts where people mentioned that there was a search option under the "Page # of # " but all that seems to do is allow you key in a page number and jump to that page.

 

Would be great if the thread could be searched by ship at least,  I can't see that having to open all of the currently 21 pages and scrolling trying to spot the posts regarding a specific ship is really useful.

 

If there is someway to search the thread please share.

It's not perfect because you have to search each page, but you can do a CTRL F for the ship name or room number

8 minutes ago, callmebetty said:

The buffet on other ships (I would assume Joy would be same) has a few Crystal light type dispenser drinks with the juices...Mango peach was one I think.

I'll definitely look for that. Thank you. 

50 minutes ago, GettotheSun said:

Hi - hope you don’t mind me adding a question to your thread.  I seem to recall reading in a post or a review that they won’t let a child under 13 (?) be authorized to use the App, do you know if this is true?

 

Im not sure I understand why if the parent consents.  We have a 14 and 11 year old so was hoping both could use it.  I have an old iphone that only has wifi (deleted the cellular plan) that I let my 11 year old use to text his friends at home...was hoping he could use it for the NCL app.

Oh wow - that could be pretty inconvenient if you are trying to stay in touch with your kids. I guess they have to have a cutoff somewhere.  Hopefully someone with kids can weigh in and let you know if really is a smart enough app to link to the ages on your profile. Highly unlikely because anyone in your party could be using any device. I should try to install it on both of our phones as well as my spare phone and see if it requires it to be linked to a specific person in our reservation. I don't think it did when I put it on my phone.

1 hour ago, marktwothousand said:

There is no other reliable way unless you wanna pay for texting via Cellular at Sea at 75 cents or more a pop, and that’s if everyone has their phones on roaming. I wouldn’t rely on something like whatsapp via the ship’s internet as sometimes you can lose your internet authorization when your phone’s been idle for too long and you need to re-log in.

 

Just have everyone download the app, they will be happy they did. It’s the Cost of traveling unfortunately. The first thing I do is download the app on all my cruises...and if you’re in the port waiting to board, sit in the waiting area close to the ship and get on the ship’s wifi before you board and get connected and set up early. I always hated consuming valuable vacation time setting up and testing the messenging after boarding and found out you can do it before you board if the signal is strong enough. 
 

so! If you’re the one organizing it, YOU are gonna have to get everyone’s contact info into your app contacts, then, go to start a group chat, and add everyone carefully and manually. If you miss adding anyone you will need to start a new group all over again...it happened to me. Had to do it 3 times because I kept missing someone 

Thanks - that is good to know. I'm probably the most tech savvy out of the group although everyone is completely comfortable with texting, etc. so it won't be an issue from that standpoint. I'll make sure I'm prepared right away to get it going.

I just wanted to research all the options so that I can present it as "here are the options and this is what we are doing." The cost itself won't be an issue. It might be more that they don't want to even handle their phones, but then they will just have to rely on someone else in the group who doesn't mind calling them or knocking on their door. That's their problem - LOL

Thanks - that's very helpful. I doubt we would add other people since we all live in the same neighborhood and will pretty much stay a group, although it is likely that one or two of the really social butterflies will find other people to have a separate group.

Good info too about the problem with the do not disturb feature. I don't think that will be an issue since we all pretty much text at all hours anyway. Since we are all 55+ I would like to say the chances of doing shots on the dance floor at the club isn't a regular occurrence, but alas, we are quite the party hard type and there is probably more than one photo of at least one of us dancing on top of a bar.

Did you find that it's the best (only real) way to stay in touch with a group? I can't think of another one that would work better but I haven't traveled as part of a group before.