Belletora

Carnival has a program that is superior in every way. I know some people end up with drinks only in the casino but it is my understanding that is not the norm. My offers all have drinks everywhere on the ship for myself. My husband’s offers include drinks everywhere for him and a companion. attached is a sample of one of my current offers through carnival.

I am booked on the NCL Getaway for November 10, 2024 as a solo in a solo inside cabin (not in the studio area). This will be my second solo cruise. Last one I found the solo group a few days in and it made a world of difference. NCL really makes sure their solo cruisers don't feel left out for the most part.

I just began cruising this year. My first cruise was supposed to be on NCL but life intervened. I ended up on Carnival and found their casino program and have booked 5 casino offers, all free cabins from interior to suites, free drinks all over, free play, and more... for myself and a companion 6-9 days each. Out of pocket, I spend maybe $600 with taxes, port fees, and prepaid gratuities. When put side by side with CAS there is no real comparison. I was on the Prima earlier this month and dropped more than intended in the casino, more than I had on Carnival even. My NCL offer was a free interior with FAS. Okay, not bad. But try adding a second person to the trip (which is free with Carnival) and it's just not worth it. Just for me, it is nearly $700. If I add another person, it is $1,400+. Now don't get me wrong, I love NCL, especially as a solo cruiser. However, their casino program lacks the perks to make it worth booking. Now I know many hate Carnival, but I find things I like on both lines, which means, without the abysmal casino offers it would be a difficult decision on which line to use more often. As it stands, I guess I go where my money gets me more.

Cruising solo on the NCL Prima on March 1st!!!

I think their site is currently having issues. I have been trying to work on a new booking and I keep going in circles with errors.

Vibe it is! Just booked it. Thanks to all of you for offering some brilliant advice!

My husband would make the choice just as simple lol I like the argument for Vibe. I hadn't realized how much better the location was on the Prima. the best of both... Refills on wine, while I read, might actually be what seals the deal!

I realize I am comparing apples to turnips; however, I figured some seasoned Prima cruisers (or those that have cruised NCL) might offer some advice. I have booked the March 1, 2023, 7-Day Caribbean Round-trip Galveston: Harvest Caye and am currently in an Oceanview. However, I am considering bumping it to a balcony or getting the Vibe pass. I am torn, though, and I do not want to splurge on both since this is a solo cruise and only for 7 days. With that said, I wonder what others would do in this position. With the balcony, I could see myself on it often with a good book. The Vibe sounds like it would be relaxing and gets me out and about. First-world problems, I know. I appreciate any advice given.

If you have used more than one card to pay for any portion of your cruise through NCL it is roulette as to which it will be refunded to. I cancelled one and instead of it going to the card it was purchased with, even though they confirmed the last four on multiple occasions it took nearly two weeks and ended up on the card I had used to originally book the cruise. It was not much of an issue but it can be a problem if you are trying to keep things organized.

I had a similar situation. It turned out that because a specific promotion was running, specifically the CruiseFirst promotion, it did not entitle me to a refund. Very shady if you ask me. I did mine over the phone, and I was originally only told that NCL would "match" my $250 deposit. I only learned of CruiseFirst once I needed to cancel, and I was advised that even though I was nowhere near the payment in full deadline, I would not receive a refund.. but hey, I can go ahead and use it on another cruise down the road. SMH: The downside is they advised me I could not use the CF with any other promotion or something of the sort.

I got mine at about 50 days out but only because I got an email from the airline about a change. Called in to NCL and they sent out an email after the fact lol

Oh I definitely got the cruise first certificate back. I was just meaning that you wouldn't get an actual refund (as in back to your method of payment) in the case of a cruise-first promotion.

Not sure this makes a difference to your scenario, but I put a deposit on a cruise during a CruiseFirst promotion and because of this when I cancelled the cruise (well over a year out) I realized I wouldn't get a refund because the deposit was essentially purchasing the Cruisefirst credit. It is my understanding that this is the only situation that would make a deposit nonrefundable prior to the payment in full date.

So, I took a 2-day deviation prior and none after. I just received my flights and I leave 3 days prior and land 2 days. The way my NCL PCC explained it to me is that if you choose a deviation your flights should align to give you the deviation days in port. For example, my cruise embarks on the 28th, but my flight leaves on the 25th and arrives on the 26th. This gives me 2 days in the embarkation port.

I've been stalking this thread since I placed my upgrade bid a few weeks ago. I wish there was some method to the madness. Cruises after mine (in September) are getting their upgrades, yet I have not heard of anyone on the Aug 28th Mediterranean Epic sailing succeeding in theirs. I guess if I get it I get it lol.