FFTB

I'm about to go on my first b2b, and was looking for advice (from those that have experience doing similar) on the best way to view the entertainment without getting board. It's a smaller ship so I already know the entertainment variety will have less options (i.e. no Syd Norman's to go to instead of a production show). Options: 1. Watch everything the first week, and chill the second week (or vice-versa). 2. Watch half the shows/comedy each week. 3. Watch everything twice (unless it's dissapointing the first time).

My recommendation would be to call Amex Travel first, find a competent TA, get their info (name, email, etc.) and cc them on the email of you sending the transfer form to NCL. My TA gave me a special number that NCL uses to assign the booking to Amex Travel and my TA.

If after discounts and CruiseFirst/Next certs, you pay your remaining cruise balance entirely with your platinum card, then after transfering (and working with the AMEX TA) you should receive the following with the AMEXCPP: - OBC (Depends on stateroom level, but for inside it is $100) - Le Bistro Dinner for 2 (even though I booked as a solo) - Bottle of wine in stateroom on embarkation (no code added to confirmation, but TA said it will be there, so we'll see...)

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Direct_Guest_Reservation_Transfer_Form.pdf or google: NCL Direct Guest Reservation Transfer "Bookings may be transferred to a Travel Agent up to 14 days from creation, if the request is made outside of Final Payment period. For new reservations booked within final payment period, that are paid in full, transfer requests can be processed if the request is received within 7 or less days of final payment application." (I submitted the transfer say day as the booking, took 8 days to go through)

I booked a b2b with my NCL PCC over the phone, $650 charged to the first itinerary, and $450 to the second, after cruisefirst discounts. Amex credit hit my account within a few days. (As a bonus, I transfered both bookings to Amex travel to get the AMEXCPP benefit added 😎)

What else do you want NCL to do? Most corporate businesses don't even recognize the military at all, let alone a 10% discount (the patch and pin is a nice bonus). 15 months ago they didn't do anything, so I think they are tremendous. Yes the veteran meet up official portion was short, but that's preferable to me, I'd rather it be a meet-and-greet style anyway. It did include two nice photos for free.

*DISCLAIMER* - *The following is strictly a Thought Experiment and is in no way intended to be advice or be attempted as it may have issues with your bank/taxes* I think I figured out how one could "buy points" to use on an upgrade for substantial savings. The casinos on the ships charge 3% to take cash out, that is then charged to your on-board account. Hypothitically (and for ease of math), if one were to get $9709 cash out + the $291 fee, it would equal $10k total charged to your NCL card at 3x = 30k points = 1x Meta Upgrade. Obviously, depositing the cash after the cruise and using it directly to pay off the card. This is definitely one of the more expensive itineraries to upgrade (25day Panama), but an example to illustrate that for a $291 fee (and some legwork moving around cash), one could get an upgrade valued at $3300... Again... *DISCLAIMER* - *All of that is strictly a Thought Experiment and is in no way intended to be advice or be attempted as it may have issues with your bank/taxes* 😅

For anyone that has booked through costcotravel, when using the NCL CC, does it show as an NCL direct charge (3x points)? Or as a regular travel purchase (2x)?

If you have an American Express Platinum, check your available offers, I got one for $200 off $1000 at NCL.com (or by phone).

It's completely free. When I was there in July the shuttles into and from town were running nonstop (to/from Berth 3). Your only wait time will be waiting your turn, as the line can get a little long at varying times during the day.

I'd be more concerned with urine and feces content levels 😳

That was still the case on my late December Sky voyage, which was very upsetting as this was my first of five NCL ships in the past year and a half to enforce this. The other four (Jewel, Breakaway, Bliss, & Escape) had servers take and bring our drink orders from & to the hot tub resectively. Was definately a disappointing part of my experience on the Sky (wondering if this is because the Sky is usually designated for short "booze cruise" type voyages, and too many drunks spill into the pools/hot tubs). I seriously hope this is not going to become policy fleetwide...

I've been curious what other's thoughts on this was as well. At what point do all y'all draw the line on doing a double meta vs pay the extra up front for OV and doing a single meta to BA, saving an upgrade for the next cruise? i.e.- I'm looking at a future cruise where the difference between Inside and OV is $590, and difference from OV to BA is $1417. Simplifying Math: $10,000 in purchases direct with NCL = 30,000 points = $300 OBC (or 3% Cash Back) = $590 Inside to OV meta upgrade savings (or 5.9% Credit Back) = $1417 OV to BA Meta Upgrade savings (or 14.17% Credit Back) So at what percentage/savings do y'all draw the line?

You right. wasn't listed in the Ports of Call, but it is shown on the map. True, I remember being disappointed by that on the Bliss compared to the Jewel. The issue being that I only have a 15day window (Sunday through two week later Monday). The Bliss departs every Saturday, but I'll be at a concert in Vegas that day. The Encore departs on Sundays (so I can make that), and Jewel on Mondays. I could do Encore one week and then fly from Seattle to Anchorage/Seward for the Jewel return, but I feel like that defeats the purpose of a B2B. I guess I could look at another line, but I'm pretty loyal/comfortable with NCL.

Seriously considering doing my first B2B in the next few months to Alaska and trying to decide between two different routes/experiences. Encore would do two loops from Seattle (2x Juneau, 2x Skagway, 2x Ketchikan, & 2x Victoria) with the layover in Seattle. Jewel would do an out-and-back from Vancouver (2x Juneau, 2x Skagway, 2x Ketchican, 2x Hubbard Glacier, & 1x Icy Straight) with the layover in Seward. I've done a one-way on the Jewel before (although it included Sitka) from Seward down, and a loop on the Bliss (similar size and activities) from Seattle. Also have been to all ports for both ships before, so not necessarily a factor. Encore Pros: Lots of activities on board, Seattle port is easy to access (taken the shuttle from SeaTac before), more nightly entertainment. Encore Cons: Lots of people, bigger ship can't go to Hubbard, more expensive itinerary. Jewel Pros: Smaller ship less people, preferred specialty dining options, can get places bigger ships cannot, less expensive itinerary. Jewel Cons: Less activities on board, less nightly entertainment, Vancouver port is tricky to get to if not flying direct (Southwest goes to Bellingham WA., uber doesn't cross the boarder). For those that have done varying B2Bs before, are multiple loops or out-and-backs generally preferable? For the Jewel route, what is there to do in Seward during the layover if I want to get off the ship?