ChiefMateJRK

Did you really jack the NCL boarding paddle?

Yes, and I believe you've already posted this. I'm not suggesting that it didn't happen, just trying to understand if this is widespread or only isolated instances. That is why I asked if anybody ELSE had witnessed such an event.

Thanks. That's what I thought. I have never done that, but will receive some FCC early next year that I hope to apply to a cruise later in the year (I have several booked).

Why not?

Vancouver or Victoria?

Thank you. I also found and bumped the older thread that has a lot of useful information.

You are assuming that the cruiser doesn't already have another cruise booked within the next 12 months. I believe that the FCC can be applied to any cruise within the next 12 months that hasn't reached final payment date. I may be mistaken.

Yes. That was my point.

Bumping this very useful thread. Will the non-refundable stockholder OBC cover the taxes charged for in-port alcohol purchases? Thanks.

Can somebody post a link to a location on NCL.com that describes this benefit? Thanks.

I would call back. There have been reports of inconsistency among different agents.

I'm not a beach person due to health concerns. That said, GSC is a nice way for me to occasionally "get my feet wet" on a beach without a lot of bother. It's an easy tender ride and I can walk around the beach, have a drink or two, stand in the water for a while and chill in a shaded lounger. I can get right back on the ship if/when this gets old.

Perhaps. But if nobody else reports seeing this, it may be an isolated instance.

I would agree with this. It doesn't "inspire" loyalty (whatever that is), but it is a nice perk to reward me for coming back to NCL. Beats a stick in the eye. Yeah, I wan't thinking about that, but it is nice added perk.

Has anybody else witnessed this situation where NCL just lets anybody board once they call group one? I've never heard of this before.

Probably not a lot differently. To summarize, you feel that they are a "joke." I feel that they have some value. The laundry and extra specialty dining are probably worth a couple hundred bucks or so to me. Again, to summarize. Platinum gets to board before group one. You claim that all other passengers can board when they call group one. Wouldn't it then be valuable to board with the first 100 or so passengers, instead of the second mass of thousands of passengers? What am I missing here?

Well, I have the not-so-obvious solution for those who really want a bottle in the room. Just book a B2B(2B2B...). On the last night of the first leg, stock up on bottles in the on-board liquor store. IIRC, you can take those back to your room. I'll just let the reader fill in the blanks from here..... Would I do that? Of course not. I have the beverage package.

Not at all. I don't know why you would think that. Then isn't boarding before group one even more valuable than boarding with group one?

I guess I'm the counter example, at least at this phase in my life. As with you, my STEM career was highly dependent on details and planning. Historically, I was OCD to a fault, which is almost a requirement for that type of career. Eventually, I grew exhausted, my brain was full and I quit that rat race (technically, I retired, but I prefer the "quit" reference). I still plan and replan to the nth degree on some things, but no longer travel. I get us to the ship and then allow my traveling companions to fill in the details. Just tell me when/where to eat and when to get on/off the ship and I'll just enjoy the ride. I think we only booked one shorex in advance for our Oct Joy NE ten day cruise. In Boston, DD googled and found out about their outstanding aquarium. About a $15 uber ride and $32 admission. Likely a much better experience/deal than anything NCL was selling. In Charlottetown, we weren't sure what the weather would be like until we got off the ship. It was actually nice and as we just strolled around we spotted the horse drawn town tour. $20 cash per head and a fantastic way to see the town. Somebody said they were selling that one for $69 through NCL.

I often order a double, and watch while they actually pour a double. What are you talking about?

Yep. The real show in AK is the scenery, which we get plenty of without stepping off the ship. The Jueneu tram is quick/easy/free-cheap, so that's a no brainer for us. The gondolas weren't running at Icy Strait last time we were there, but we'll do them (again, for the scenery). Glacier Bay is easily my favorite (non)Port.

🤣The buffet bar was open for breakfast my last cruise, but only for soda. The two prior cruises (on the Encore) it was open for Bloody Marys, etc. I can use a nice Bloody Mary prior to beginning a "stressful" day of travel. We may need a sticky thread to track disembark bar openings across the fleet. 🤣 This is important information.

Well, it sure doesn't sound like it was wasted for you (and me)! 😎 My idea of wasted space would be shops, library, exercise room, and all other "no fun" places.

You don't want boarding prior to group one, free laundry, two extra specialty meals and 10% off shore excursions?

Alright "Rodney." LOL. Welcome to every man's world. 🤣