UnbridledEnthusiasm

My favorite Rose that I have ever tried was on the Gem last summer (may go on Bliss this summer). Does the Bliss duty free store sell any of Le Kool Rose and off hand how much is it per bottle? It's $90 a bottle by me so I'm curious if it's much cheaper in duty free. Also does the ship sell it by the glass at the bars? I believe it's covered under premium but not the regular drink package (I know you would just pay the difference). 

Thanks 

On 11/10/2023 at 10:19 AM, always-on-travel said:

Hello,

i cruise on Epic 31th December from Port Canaveral, at the moment i don't received any invite to bid for an upgrade. I travel alone in a solo cabin. It's possibile solo cabin can't bit for upgrade?

 

I know you already took your cruise but I'm posting in case someone in the future has the same question. 

I'm booked on a solo guarantee cabin on POA for 1/13. I got invited to bid today. The cruise from what I could see is sold out but I did get the invite today for an oceanview and for a balcony. Min for OV was $50 (but it's based off double occupancy so $100) and min for BAL was $100 (so $200). I bid on both but I do not expect anything. Every time I've bid on NCL they have always been rejected. Come to think of it whenever I've met people who on my sailing who have been bid, they have been rejected too. I always bid in the "poor" section :0

On 1/4/2024 at 5:57 AM, bkrickles1 said:

A few days ago my wife told me that she saw on FB that some people on our sailing in April had already received an upgrade advantage email.

I looked for a couple of days and didn't receive anything. I even looked in my spam folder. Nothing.

I just thought we weren't getting an offer to bid as I've read sometimes happens.

Yesterday, my daughter (who's sailing with us in April) was on the NCL app looking at the new American Diner menu and clicked on room upgrades and saw that we had availability to bid.

This is good news as I had a successful attempt this past July on Joy and it was a good experience. 

I've now entered a couple of bids and I'll wait patiently to see how it goes.

My point is that if you don't receive an email and your interested in bidding for an upgrade, you might want to manually look and see if it's available for you.

106 Days!!

I'm booked for POA on 1/13 and just booked an inside cabin a few days ago. Just got an invite to bid on an upgrade via email however when I go on the app, it doesn't find my reservation when I enter it manually under the room upgrade tab. You may have to play around with the app, the website, your email, etc.

1 hour ago, julig22 said:

I've been told that NCL does not tend to book comedians on cruises leaving from foreign ports where English isn't the primary language for a significant portion of passengers, since comedy does not translate well.

I could see that but even then I think the significant portion of the passengers were fluent in English and or American, Canadian, British, Australian, and from NZ.

8 minutes ago, destar said:

Shareholder benefits is $50 for 6 days or less, $100 for 7-15 days and $250 for 15+ days. You normally see it on you account.

Yes I understand that and stated that. That's why I don't understand why there's $15. 

I'm a single person and frugal so I pretty much go on NCL simply due to affordability but yes, it is a you get what you pay for type of experience. Some of the ships had better food than others but while I like to eat, it's not a deal breaker for me. The entertainment on NCL for my taste seems to have gone downhill (completely subjective). On the last NCL sailing I did which was 10 days, there wasn't a single comedian (my favorite evening  entertainment) or actual show that looked worth changing dinner plans for. I'm going on POA in a week and saw dailies people posted and while it looks like on some sailings they got a comedian the rest of the evening entertainment looked zzzzzzzzzzzz. To me it is pretty obvious that they cut back on entertainment as it looks like the majority of it (if not all) are activities that won't involved really skilled/trained people or a small amount of people. I see mainly "game shows" which I don't care about involving married couples or battle of the sexes stuff, karaoke, or a pianist. 

The main reason (price aside) I keep sticking with NLC is that for my age group (late 30s), I always meet fun people around my age at the solo meets who are often there traveling alone. I still talk to a couple people I met in them. It's nice having people you meet somewhat "organically" do go have dinner with or to do an activity with.  I went on a Princess Cruise a few years back and did a couple of their solo meets and while everyone was very nice, they seemed more my grandmother would have liked to have spent time with. 

1 hour ago, luv2kroooz said:

Probably a question better asked of your TA. He or she could answer your questions in a more definitive manner.

I already asked before I posted and said that (no snark). They said that no OBC from them will be posted online. 

Lived in Hilo so don't need any recommendations (no disrespect)...I figure I will just Uber/Lyft or the hop on hop off bus but saw with my $50 excursion credit that I can take the Hilo Explorer excursion for $30 which might be kind of nice. I was planning to go to Carlsmith Beach Park and maybe to walk around the gardens (not a deal breaker). Is the Hilo Explorer a hop on hop off (which I would want) or is this an actual tour where you have to stay with a group with a designation pick up/drop off location and time?

The description on NCL's website says:

OVERVIEW

Stroll through the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan and enjoy hours of free time browsing the shops and farmer’s market near Hilo Bay. To reach Liliuokalani Gardens, you will travel down Banyan Drive, a sun-dappled street lined with banyan trees that celebrities such as Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart planted. More botanical treasures await you within the gardens, which is named for Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. It opened in 1917 as a tribute to the many Japanese immigrants that worked Hawaii’s sugarcane fields. While meandering through the serene setting, you will notice that nearly every plant is indigenous. They include species such as the rosy trumpet tree and the towering kukui, the national tree of Hawaii. Later, you will independently explore the abundant boutiques, art galleries and marketplaces along the waterfront. There will also be plenty of time to dine on your own if you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive down a beautifully shaded street lined with banyan trees that celebrities planted.
• Meander through Liliuokalani Gardens, a botanical oasis with mostly indigenous plants.
• Spend hours exploring Hilo’s main shopping and dining district along the bay.

Have any of you paid for this via NCL? Did they stop at Carlsmith? I would really only want to do it if they include that or my favorite Richardson's. 

My TA is giving me $95 of OBC but said it will not appear in my online account and I filled out the paperwork 2 days ago for the shareholder's credit for the $100 (did the same thing last summer and received the $100 and saw it on my online account. 

I go on this morning and see: 1 $10 OBC and 1 $5 OBC. 

Was NCL offering some promo or was I given the incorrect amount of OBC for the shareholder benefit? When I received the $100 last, ,it was  fast to see my account but not 2 days fast.

Alright. I lost faith but just booked my NCL cruise today for Jan 13!

I used to always book 1-4 weeks before a cruise departs but I'm seeing the pricing actually going up from where it may have been 4-8 weeks earlier. Seeing it with NCL, Princess, and Royal. 

9 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

We usually attend.  Like @ChiefMateJRK said, in the olden days before everyone seemed to have a beverage package, it was an opportunity to get a free mixed drink.  They also used to give away door prizes.  Most of those were pretty lame, but on one cruise we did win a free bottle of wine, complimentary laundry service, and a couple of bingo cards.  Those days are long gone, though.  The attraction for us now is the receiving line and a chance to get to know some of the senior officers.  I have to confess to having held up the line for several minutes more than once while I schmoozed with the Captain, GM, or other ranking officers.  As a result, almost every time I sail with NCL now, one or more of the senior officers will greet my wife and me by name as we are boarding.  Some folks may say "so what," but we really enjoy getting to know the ship's officers and spending time with them.  We have shared dinner with 30 different NCL officers over the years, and still remain in touch with many of them.

What happens at them now?

3 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

Use it to book shore excursions that cost $50 or less.  You don't actually have to go on it.  When you get the excursion credit back, it will be refundable.  You could then get the cash on the last night 

I like this idea but how would it work with the $50 off excursions promo that is automatically given? 

What goes on at the cocktail parties?

I know because it's the non refundable one that you cannot use it to cover service charges so do you just lose it if you don't spend it on dining, excursions, the spa, drinks, etc?

I looked at the layout map and it looks like one of the cabins I may reserve isn't directly under Hollywood Theater but is right near it. If you have ever stayed in 4508, 4510, 4512, or 4514 how noisy was it?

29 minutes ago, carohs said:

If you're flying and want duty free you might find something at the airport. If you're looking for wine do the room, just get it by the glass. You can get up to two at once. Bring a tumbler, dump, and order two more. Or sit there and enjoy some music while you drink. 

 

You can get a basic cappuccino/espresso in the dining rooms included with the HBP.  If you ordered a SB at the cafe though that would not be included. Depends if you want to take it to go or drink ☕ outside of the dining room, then you may opt in for the SB package. You're also in port every day so if you're willing to wait until you're off ship there's better cafe options on land. The SB selection on board is fairly limited. 

I wouldn't be going overseas so no duty free. NCL on many sailings have the wine I like that isn't available at retail stores near me. I can buy online but it's more expensive online because shipping wine isn't the cheapest especially when you just want 1 or 2 bottles. It's moot though. I just found out from someone on the POA (the ship I will likely be on) that they don't have the wine I like available at all to drink at any bar or restaurant. 😞

No need to be a jerk Cruiser. 

Sorry. Cannot delete this or edit it so I'm hoping someone sees this. Does POA only have 1 drinking package which includes alcohol or can you upgrade to a premium plus like the others?

If you can only use the Hawaiian Beverage Package are you able to buy wine bottles under that discounted or would that be a completely a la carte purchase?

Are these the only drinking plans on POA? chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Hawaii_Beverage_Package_122322.pdf

I don't understand how Starbuck's works on that plan. It says it's included when dining on the left but then on the right it says $12.95 a day. Are only certain  Starbucks drinks included then?

On 12/27/2023 at 6:41 PM, carohs said:

Aww thanks so much! It's only been a few months but I keep thinking back on all we did. I hope another opportunity to go again comes soon for both of us.

I downloaded all the dailies you posted! Thank you for your photos and for uploading whatever you could for us. Just have a couple questions if you see this if you wouldn't mind answering!

1. I'm a bit confused with drink packages. Is there only one package on the Pride of America which includes alcohol? I know when I was on the Gem in Europe over the summer you had 2 packages that included  alcohol...the standard FAS and the premium plus. Randomly I then found online a few minutes ago a "Hawaiian Beverage Package" so I'm lost. 

2. Was there only 1 comedian for 2 nights?

3. What time did people debark the ship? 7-9?

Thank you!

I know because the cruise doesn't go overseas that duty free is unavailable (I often purchased bottles duty free for wines not available at stores near me...was convenient when I knew I would have space in my luggage as it helped me to avoid heavy shipping fees for wines that aren't available locally to me!). 

However are you allowed to pay for an unopened bottle at a bar or restaurant? I know if you have the premium plus drinking package this likely wouldn't be included as from what I read in the terms and conditions that bottled wine is to be consumed at restaurants which I understand however would I be able to buy discounted wine at the 20-40% discount (depending on the drink package that I purchased) at the restaurants and not have them open it so that I can take it back to the room with me? I'm trying to make an unofficial duty free shop for myself to get a few bottles of wine that normally retails for $90 a bottle. 

If you are traveling solo and you order a bottle of wine, can I walk out with the bottle?

On 6/15/2022 at 2:16 PM, RGEDad said:

Here is a link to an open source/ user updatable spreadsheet that lists the Steam/Sauna configurations for each ship / each line.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ROCmeNSYj_VwCYs3IUjWbrcEomFeqOrvIDUnXG6GLTg/edit#gid=836403675

If there are any updates - please make them on the spreadsheet so others can see the most accurate data...

The link appears to have been deleted 😞

I know there are many links of photos with various drink menus....

Have any of you recently been on this ship and if so did you see any of the following offered on it?

Pommery rosé

Le Kool rosé

Can you order by the glass either of these or does it have to be by bottle (I'm likely going solo)?

If you do not upgrade to the platinum drinking package, what's the price to upgrade for either the glass or bottle on this?

I went on the Gem in July of 2023 and met a woman who ordered a bottle of one of these ones (I'm pretty sure it was the one from Le Kool from looking at the photos of the bottle but I'm not 100% certain) and she gave me a glass. It was one of the best roses that I have ever tried. 

I know I will get a drinking package but I'm just not sure which one for me but would happily upgrade to the platinum one if it means these ones are included. 

3 hours ago, Raiders4Life32 said:

I was wondering the same thing. We just booked this cruise a few days ago. When I informed my 11 year old daughter about this cruise, her first reaction was, “…but what about Halloween and trick or treating?!?!” Halloween will be the embarkation day so I am wondering how much they’ll actually be able to organize as this day is usually hectic for the staff. 

I think we may be going on the same cruise :0