RB9643

We just booked a Feb. '25 Aus/NZ cruise on Spirit. It's available.

I am curious how NCL (or any cruise line) can force you to get back on the ship. If you tell someone with authority (so they don't call your name 20 times at all-aboard time) "Frankly, no, I will not be returning." What are they going to do? Have you arrested? On what charge?

We booked Spirit Feb' 2025 a week ago. I did a Princess Plus mock booking yesterday and it was indeed 1/2 the cost of Spirit. Something is going to have to give at some point. Either NCL will drop (and I'll drop with it) or Princess will increase as they get some bookings and then need to actually make money. My guess is it will be a combination of both.

You didn't say what cruise you're on, but at that price it must be a 11-12 day. As liljo pointed out, you'd breakeven at about 2 drinks a day per person. Anything above that would indeed be totally free. It would suck to end up with a $700-800 bar bill at the end of the cruise when you could have gotten all you wanted for $500. If you're going to come even close to the $500, it would be worth it just to not have to think about it for 12 days. Just my opinion.

No Basil Hayden currently listed on either package. Three types of Old Forester listed on the Premium package. https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/790164-BEV_Package_Flyer_UOBP_PPBP Update_V7_no_crops.pdf

I bend over backwards to accommodate non-smokers. All I ask is fairness in return. If it's a designated smoking area, then there will be smokers there. I don't know what more to tell you.

Never tried, but I would put the dining upgrade in my cart, and then see if I can also put the Premium Plus in my cart. If they are both available to pay in your cart, you should be good to go.

I think you should look up the definition of this term.

The spring-breakers would love that! But no, all persons in the cabin must get a package.

I get it. On the new Prima the smoking room is tucked away in a back corner that no one has to go near if they don't want to. On the Joy and Encore it is in a main walking area. The smell only lasts about 10-seconds (according to my non-smoking wife) but if you happen to walk by in that 10-seconds, yeah, I get it.

I am a smoker, and casino player. I usually cruise NCL, but as we travel more, we're expanding our horizons. We'll be on Ovation in August, which looks to have fair smoking areas in addition to the casino. NCL's newest ships have non-smoking casinos with separate smoking rooms. It works well, except for the inevitable "always p*ssed" complainers that don't like the minor amount of smoke that seeps from the room when the door opens. I think this is the way it's all going to go eventually, and as long as there are fair and comfortable areas to smoke, I have no problem with it.

Personally, I'd do it sooner rather than later. The price is not likely to go down, but it could most certainly go up.

No doubt. When I first heard about it, I snapped it up at $13.25. Never expected to get anything out of it but the credits. Looking pretty sweet for the moment.

Agree that Encore is our favorite ship (so far). We'll be with you on that cruise with sister and BIL. Seriously considering Vibe for the wives, but do you think it's worth $300 pp if the cruise isn't full? I've heard the Vibe loungers on Encore are not the upgraded padded loungers. Any experience with Encore's Vibe?

Can't speak about the Haven because we haven't tried it yet. We like the oversized Club Balcony cabins. Great bathroom, and slightly larger than a balcony with more storage space. For 2024, we've got a deck 10 Club Balcony for $8000 fare plus the port charges, taxes, fees, gratuities, etc. for a total of $11,000.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but it is far from the consensus. Most will tell you it is one of the best, if not THE best, show on any ship they've sailed.

We'll be on the 2024 sailing April 7. Looking at it with great anticipation -- reduced occupancy, few kids. lots of room -- but no set expectations. It could be full, or if not, venues may be reduced, closed, or "transitioning". What I do know is that some number of passengers will be disembarking in Los Angeles, and again in San Franciso, so occupancy could be reduced dramatically for the last 4-6 days of the trip.

You can travel with just a birth certificate and driver's license if your cruise is close-looped (starting and ending at the same US port). Not that I would recommend doing that, for a number reasons, but it is an option if you don't get your passports back in time.

Your understanding is incorrect. You will be hauling your luggage with you wherever you go prior to your room being ready. As previously mentioned, not advised for a myriad of reasons.

We just booked the 2/8/2025 cruise on the Spirit. I'm a little confused by your post. Is there something about the Spirit you don't like? Is it more expensive than Princess once you add a drink package and specialty dining and excursion credits to the Princess cruise? Can you expand on your post a little bit? I'm also in a balcony, and I'm curious what price you're seeing.

Is that in each sleeper car? That's pretty significant if there are 2-4 cars.

I do not recall any sleepers on the first level, just coach seats directly adjacent to the entry door. However, I have not needed to research it, so they may very well be there. As for availability, any sleeper for a trip like theirs is going to be unlikely this late in the game. And I would not recommend coach for 50ish-hour trip.

I love Amtrak for cross-country (my wife not so much) but be sure to look at the train. They are large, roomy and comfortable, but you have to be able to get to the upper deck, and those steps are a b*tch even for a fully mobile 60 year-old like me.

Yes! Read your card benefits carefully. You still need solid, high-limit medical and evacuation insurance.

Seriously? You mean they're the same as the other 1000 pool and sundeck loungers? That's disappointing. We were finally going to splurge a bit for that this time.