n4w

NCL uses the farther away AJ Dock (where the Pearl is in the pic), other lines dock in town.

Pre-cruise, there's no time expectation except arrival 1 day prior to the cruise departure, can be any time that day.  When you find out, it will be too late to change, get the 2 day now.

Post-cruise, ask now if NCL will book your return France to LAX.  Depending on which airline you will be booked on, you may not have the opportunity to modify.

29 minutes ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

I just noticed that my December cruise dropped, but I wasn’t sure whether to ask for the FCC because I wasn’t sure I could apply it to my February cruise.

FCC would be given AFTER your Dec cruise completed, when the 12 month expiration date is attached.  It would not apply for your Feb cruise since you would have paid in full, unless you wanted to pay to move up to a higher cabin.  So you can plan on upgrading from your current cabin, or you could downgrade before your 120 days, and then apply the FCC towards your move back up.

Go to post #24 for sample schedule.  No, there's no charge.

Next April? FYI:

you may have better luck here: 

Can't answer your specific question, but FYI, the 2 extra meal upgrade for $82.80 per person is cheaper than the 2 meal package for $118.80.  That might convince you to save your OBC for something else.

29 minutes ago, dhanakorn said:

I had $100 non-refundable OBC in my accounts. Bought 2 cruise next certificates for $250. Ending balance on my account was $150. It’s a very good use of non-refundable OBC. 

Years ago, you could use non-refundable OBC for CruiseNext, not anymore.

1 hour ago, catbro said:

I've only purchased a Cruise Next certificate once and used it for a new booking But I've discovered the double up promotions and am interested in getting more, but I'm somewhat confused about how the OBC works. I have $350 of OBC upon boarding. If I purchase two $250 certificates ($500 value) how does the balance work out.

 

I'm assuming since the credit is applied instantly my balance initially will be negative $150, but will the two $125 on-board credits from the CN purchase be applied against the negative $150 balance, leaving me $100 OBC overall? I'm a novice on this subject so would appreciate advice. Thanks

It's not really instant, and all the math is done at the end of the cruise.  You will have a line item for +$500 (or +$250 and +$250) and another line item for -$250 (or -$125 and -$125).  Ultimately, your $500 purchase costs you $250.  If your OBC applies, you have $100 left to spend; if your OBC does not apply, you still have $350 to spend and also a $250 bill to pay. 

5 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

If you choose the 2 day deviation, you will be credited $25 per booked passenger. And, you would then need to find your own method of transportation to your hotel.

the T&C says "Deviation requests up to 2 days pre/post cruise will be credited $25 USD per person per deviation for guests 1 and 3-8 on the reservation." Does guest 2 not get the credit?  Is the deviation credit for a party of two: A) $50 = 25 per person, or B) $25 = 25 per guest 1 and guest 2 is skipped?

9 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 can see the specific terms and conditions here: https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions

15 minutes ago, MacGuffin3 said:

They want me to chase down the person, figure out their name and position

I ask to take a picture of their name tag.  They all seem to know why I'm asking.  When I'm on a ship, I rarely have cash on me at all times; you do you.

28 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

I asked several employee's if they ever saw any of the gratuities (cabin steward, waiter, etc) that we used to manually tip in the past.  The said no, they do not.  It all goes to NCL.  What NCL does with it I don't know and neither did they. So we've decided to go back to the old school way of just tipping in person.  We wont remove or not pay the gratuities, as I still have hope they benefit the ships crew somehow.

Based on the following, I conclude that filling out the Hero Cards are just as important.  It sounds like the service charges may go into a Squid Games piggy bank and staff need to earn and collect Hero Cards to win prizes.

Why is there a service charge?
The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional.

1 hour ago, FastShip24 said:

The op stated they were free meals. OP did not pay for anything

Nothing's "free."  That's why I stated, "When you purchased the dining package or when you selected the Free at Sea."

1 hour ago, krufrank said:

Sorry, I should have said the dinners were apart of our “free at sea” package. I did say “free” in the OP but should have explained more. So, if I understand you - the 20% tip  is already factored into the price.  Thank you all for the clarification. 

It's not "factored into the price," it was a line item you were actually charged for.  The package was "free," the tip was billed to you.

18 minutes ago, krufrank said:

But we aren’t paying after the meal. That’s my question. 

If you wish to tip more, you may.  If you have it, the shareholder's benefit OBC cannot be used for gratuities. 

When you purchased the dining package or when you selected the Free at Sea, you already paid the mandatory dining gratuities. 

Dining and drink gratuities are separate from the DSC gratuities you prepaid for the trip.  Again, the dining and drink tips were charged to you when you selected them, so no need to tip more unless you want to.

Same as tipping your cabin steward, most will tip them additional.

2 hours ago, World Gallery said:

(is it possible to see whales by kayak there?)

I think the website does a decent job of describing the tour, including the important notes at the bottom.  Is it possible to see whales by kayak? Sure, just like it's possible to see them from land.

The video on the page can give you an idea as to what you might expect.

On a tour "Suitable for all experience levels" and 8 year-olds, you're likely not getting too far from shore, but you'll be in the same waters.

7 hours ago, ngrund said:

Whenever the points get applied, deposit into bank account-cash in the account is always fun

What is the process by which this is accomplished?  Is it a phone call? or can it be done online?

1 hour ago, coolrider71 said:

Lots of shuttles running constantly. When they fill up the next one pulls up. The pick up downtown is right where the tram to Mt. Roberts starts. 

nota bene: the shuttle lines get really long closer to all aboard time (like tender boats), but you are able walk back, though it would be easier if it were flat.

Yes, it's a long thread.  And there's a lot of useless stuff, but there's some good info in there as well.

A short answer is it's all personal preference.  Another short answer is every sailing is different. Otherwise, the answer is 42 - Life, the universe and everything.

No bait a switch, you still have exactly what you contracted for, there's no switching to something less desirable.

Compensation may be a consideration if there is harm or loss, none seems to apply here.

5 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

yes, the upgrade price has to be purchased before the cruise and I believe it's up to 24 hours before.  BTW, did the price go up?  It used to be $70

$69 plus gratuity = $82.80

4 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

You can wait and book on the ship if you prefer....

Purchasing the upgrade (extra 2 meals pp for $82.80) may have a different schedule than purchasing the package (2 meal package 118.80 pp).

Do kids need a passport to go to Canada?
There are different ways to get to Canada, and your travel mode will affect your travel documents. Consider your options as follows:

1)  Air
All passengers traveling in and out of Canada by air must have valid passport books. This rule applies to children as well. You cannot use passport cards or other travel documents to travel internationally by air.

2)  Sea
You can travel to Canada by sea in two ways:

Closed-Loop Cruises: These start and end at U.S. ports. Thus, most cruise lines allow children to board the ships with their birth/ citizenship/ naturalization certificates alone. However, some may require children to have valid passport books.
Standard Cruises: These start or end at a non-U.S. port and require all passengers, including children, to have valid passport books.
3)  Road
Kids traveling in and out of Canada by road don’t need passport books. Instead, they can use their birth/ naturalization/ citizenship certificates.

I'm in the process of getting an urgent service passport for my 14yo so we can fly to Vancouver for a one-way to Seward.

5 hours ago, jack300s said:

I'm sure this is probably covered somewhere in this long thread? When the status on bids shows pending does that mean anything?

maybe depends on the cabin; this inside cabin does, pointed out starting at 3:45: