saltsandknit

3 hours ago, gkbiiii said:

Well NCL used to be private, when did they become public?

2013

We always use the NCL air offer. We just got our flights for Prima direct flights both ways and decent schedule flying Utah to Florida. We usually have a layover, so I am happy 

16 minutes ago, bowlinmoe said:

 

I see you can preorder them so they are delivered to your room, but what about while on board?

Most of the bars have the cartons but they won’t always be cold. You can ask for a glass with ice. 

On 5/24/2022 at 3:05 PM, PowerLu said:

Hi everyone,

 

For those who have been at Silver Cove, I am hoping someone can decisively answer this one question for me please:  If you have a premium plus package (the top drink package) on NCL Sky, are drinks at the Moet Bar included without any additional charge?  Thank you!

 

 

I know this is delayed but the answer is Yes. We spent a good deal of time at the Moet bar with good use of the plus drink package.

you can use the app on the ship and earn points but you can't redeem them onboard. Sometimes it takes a while for the balance to sink up while on the ship so it makes it hard to keep track on how much credit you have. I purchase the premium plus package since I know I will drink a lot of starbucks as well as better wines. The cost of most drinks were around 6$ but that was last September so I don't know if it has changed. The menu prices were about a dollar more than the area I live but I know it changes by location.

All the Starbucks I have visited on NCL have the full menu including milk alternatives and flavors. My DH got a white peppermint mocha on our last cruise more than once. 

Choosing a cruise line depends on how you like to vacation. I have been on Princess, Carnival and Royal, I prefer NCL for a cost perspective I like a drink package, a dining package and wifi is necessary my husband has to work since he owns a business. I find food and entertainment better, I like the slower vibe, I have no desire to dress up more than a sundress and sandals for dinner. The local is a must when we need a snack after midnight. When you factor in all the costs all the cruise lines are the same price and if you watch you can get some great deals. We like to dance and find the jewel class ships the best for us. The crew is friendlier on NCL. We have made some great friends on NCL that we still communicate with. I love the spa as well. Will you enjoy it yes, will it be what you expect from Princess no, but I will say Princess is my least favorite line .

The club balcony is a slightly bigger room and bigger balcony, it also has a bigger bathroom and upgraded shower with jets. It comes with perks, one free bag of laundry, a bottle of water and snacks on 2 afternoons. You can book dinner and show reservations at 125 days.

The sofa is a pull out bed, so it should be comfortable for 3 in a room.

18 minutes ago, roomba920 said:

I have one to cancel as well, however since I booked it, I had to request the card I used be cancelled due to fraud. I wonder what method they'll use to refund me now.

 

Update: the refund goes to the replacement card. That was easy.

I had this happen not long ago. If you replaced the card the credit will go back to the card. I had my purse stolen and had to replace my card. I had a refund from NCL for the spa that we canceled and it still was processed no problem.

I use a cross body bag. Just big enough for essentials and an inhaler since I have asthma 

I have looked over the menus and I think we will only eat in the dining room once. I am not a big fan of pasta and I don’t eat red meat often. There is  one chicken dish and I wish there was at least one more. The seafood options look good but my husband is not a fan. He would probably be happy with the vegetarian options but he would probably prefer wings at the local. I am guessing we will spend more time at the food hall or the local. We sail Prima in Feb. the next cruise after Prima we will probably do free at sea plus that will give us 4 specialties and 2 platinum dinners

Check daily. I get the premium plus drink package and sometimes I get charged for Starbucks. The person at guest services said there were only 26 passengers that had the plus drink package on my last cruise and sometimes it gets missed. It's not a big deal for me but you do need to be aware. I have been double charged for dining items before as well.

If you are flying cross country it will usually be a red eye flight even if flying a day before. Baggage fees are the norm these days we always plan the fee as part of the vacation. 

11 hours ago, Swells1 said:

Thanks!!

 

Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, GSC. 

I have not been to Puerto Plata, but there are no Starbucks in either St Thomas or Tortola. 

Miami airport Starbucks, if you are flying, usually has the Florida mug and the Miami mug. What ports are you going to?  I can tell you if you can get mugs there. 

Unfortunately no. I collect the mugs and there are just basic Starbucks mugs that you can buy. However there are Starbucks in many ports and you can get the collectible mugs there. 

We have always been encouraged to share a bottle of wine during dinner with our table mates, usually our adult children. We usually get the premium plus beverage package. I love my Starbucks and bottled water. The Veuve is pretty tempting too. On our last cruise we even shared a bottle with the table next to us they were 3 gals that were learning about wines. The waiter was having a blast with all of us, and recommending some great wines.

I quite like the options, they are more appealing than what the dining room had before.  The only negative for me is the lack of chicken dishes. I seldom eat red meat so that is lacking, I do like the seafood options.  With all the dining choices now on the ship I don't think I will be in the dining room more than a night or 2. I also want to see the menus for the indulge food hall. I will be on the Prima in Feb. I am pretty excited for this new class and all the options.

San Pellegrino is available at most of the bars and in the dining rooms they also have aqua panna but it's a still water. If you are on a ship with the full sized Starbucks they always have it in the display cooler. We usually get the premium plus drink package I can drink a lot  of Starbucks and bottled water, almost enough to cover the upgrade cost.

Music, the Q has a great band that plays around 7 most nights, they will have one night off, sometimes it might be earlier you will get a daily schedule of all the shows. Yes you can sit at the bar or tables to listen to music, its never busy at the Q.  Don't miss the Beatles they are fantastic but be there at least 45 minutes early. I think the Beatles was around 9 but schedules change and it will be in the daily schedule.  The Brewhouse usually has a guitarist that starts around 6 most nights. 

I have never seen a place to stash bags on the first day.  There is no music in the dining rooms on the Bliss.

Mojito or whiskey tasting is $40 and I think you get a discount, maybe 15% or 20% if you have the drink package, or a bigger discount  if you have the plus package.We always do it but I don't pay attention to the cost. It's fun and worth the cost, so you can hear the history and enjoy the bartenders knowledge.

The Observation lounge has a light buffet most of the day, and always has fruit, pastries, meat and cheese, tea and coffee. It was very paired down due to Covid when we were there in December, but previously they had a nice variety of things.

The Veuve Rose is my favorite.

18 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

This is where you lose me.  Why on God's green earth would anybody on Great Stirrup Cay spend even a minute watching the TV?

we didn't but if you had small children I could see the appeal.

We rented a villa on our cruise last September it was very discounted and worth the cost. The villas are air conditioned and have a bathroom and shower, as well as a TV and movies to watch. You get to use the lagoon and have a private bar and buffet. The downside is that it is very far from everything else and even though there are carts to take you to other places it wasn't always convenient. Depending on how you want to spend your time it really is nice but not necessary.

It’s a big savings if you upgrade the drinks package and need the Wi-Fi and add specialty dining days. It’s a win for me

On 12/11/2021 at 6:25 PM, GettotheSun said:

The Premium Plus was something I debated pre-COVID...for a few reasons.  I think / thought they include energy drinks...but according to their rules, they are not to be shared (with a teenager, for example, who cannot buy into a plan that includes energy drinks).  

 

I have regained my affection for Latte and Cappuccino, but would I upgrade (at that cost) just to include Starbucks?  No.

 

So I guess my point is, the PP package is really only for those who are planning to have higher-end drinks or wine / champagne.   If that is your reason for upgrading, I get it, but really isn't the Starbucks piece just gravy?   (if you want it at all).   I mean no one is buying this package to get free Starbucks.   

I do actually buy it for the Starbucks the veuve and top shelf liquors are the gravy. I sailed on Bliss when it was the first Starbucks at sea and not on any drink package, what I spent on coffee would have nearly paid the upgrade, over 200$