Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

tiger-91

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,098

  • Joined

 Content Type 

Posts posted by tiger-91

    Leave the day before or Early morning?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    In your case, I would leave the day of, with planned arrival time of 11AM. I would park at the post-cruise hotel that offers a Park and Cruise special and Uber to the port. (Even if there is a shuttle, it will likely have left prior to 11, but you could shuttle back at end of cruise.)

     

    Also, regardless of where you park, consider taking another suitcase full of clothing to wear in New Orleans for your post-cruise stay, and leave it in the car during your cruise. That way you maybe don't have to worry about laundering on the ship.

    Back to Back (sort of) Transatlantic Cruises

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I am retired with no set obligations and I love to cruise. I am flying to Barcelona at the end of this month to take a transatlantic back to Florida.

     

    Has anyone ever been able to do "sort of" back to back cruises, i.e. take a transatlantic to a European city, stay a few days or so and take a different transatlantic back (on different ships or lines obviously)?

     

    My flight to Barcelona is expensive and I was just thinking that if this is possible it might be a better future way to do it. I would not have a problem flying to a different city in Europe for the second half.

     

    It's probably too late for you, but what I do is book a round trip. So in this case fly to Barcelona in Oct 2016, do a TA from Europe to USA in Oct2016, then do a TA from USA to Europe in Spring2017 and fly back to USA from Barcelona after that. Much less expensive to do TAs in the "normal" transition season.

    Add Prepaid Service Charges

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by tiger-91

    I seem to recall that OnBoardCredit couldn't be used to pay for the Daily Service Charge. It's been several months though. Your OBC might not be as restrictive as mine was.

    Regardless, there's no benefit to prepaying the Daily Service Charge, I don't think. So wait until you're onboard and ask Guest Services.

    Edited to add...if the cruise is a long way away, which I doubt since you fully paid, the daily service charge might increase a few bucks per day whenever NCL makes another announcement.

    Bring your own equipment for Rock Wall?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    ...

    Really I care most about the shoes and chalk bag. On my last two cruises I would ask for a size 43 and they'd give me a size 47 or 49, I'd protest and they would say "Our shoes run small go try them." I'd walk off, come back and say "Yeah, these are way too big, could I get a 43?" and then they would finally give me the 43 after rolling their eyes. I had to do this every time, about 6 times total throughout the cruise...

     

    Why wouldn't you just ask them for size 39 or whatever so they'd automatically size up to your 43?

    Am I being too sneaky?

    Trying to Charge for Everything?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Actually you can have 5 drinks per day at $12 each plus your 18% on top of that and it will still be less than the $79 per day UDP

     

    5x12=60+ 18% ($10.80) = $70.80

     

    I think the wandering two meant that the perk "cost" at $14.22 per day equates to less than two drinks. In other words the Open Bar (UBP) perk is cost beneficial to some, including the drinker in your example.

    Trying to Charge for Everything?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by tiger-91

    ... What I don't understand is I have to pay upfront charges on free packages and then I have to pay gratuities again on top of the gratuities I paid in advance. ...

     

    If I understand your statement correctly, I think I can explain why you had to pay "gratuities again" on top of the gratuities you paid in advance.

    The gratuities for the UBP perk are distributed among all the bar staff personnel on the ship, even those that didn't serve you.

    The gratuities for the SDP perk are distributed among all the dining staff personnel on the ship, even those behind the scenes.

    The gratuities you pay "again" are distributed among the other personnel on the ship, like the housekeeping staff and others. This is called the Daily Service Charge. (Of course, if you didn't have the UBP or SDP, you'd pay gratuities per order, but those still just go to bar or dining.)

    Trying to Charge for Everything?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    The way I look at it is like this:

    If the service was all-inclusive, the upfront cost of the cabin would be higher per person. So if you pay the inflated price and, for instance, don't utilize room service, you probably would be upset that you "had" to pay for a service you didn't use.

    It works both ways.

    Taxis - Solo or Share??

    in Solo Cruisers

    Posted

    Share or use other public transport. Really depends on port. Check ports boards for options. Like some Caribbean have trucks the workers fill up, first come first served. So traveling with them requires no planning to share.

     

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

    Inside room on Escape?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Thinking about booking an Inside room on Escape for next June. We did getaway in a spa balcony last June, and it was great. However, I think we can only afford inside this time. Will I regret it? Should we just wait another year until we can afford a better cabin? Maybe the dark room would be relaxing? Help!

     

    It depends on what you used the spa balcony for. Did you find yourself relaxing in the room because you wanted to escape the masses in the public areas? Did you enjoy waking up to the sunshine? Sleep to the sound of the waves through an open door? I don't even know what the "spa" part does for you. If those things are important to you, then I suggest you save up.

    I almost always get an inside because I don't want to hang out in the room. But if the price allows, I go for a balcony.

     

    Tip if you do go for an inside: The tv has a bridge cam channel I use to check the current weather conditions and another channel (maybe same one) to listen to ship announcements.

    Age for own cabin??

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    https://www.ncl.com/faq%2523age-requirements

     

    Infants sailing onboard a Norwegian vessel must be at least six months of age at time of sailing. However, for voyages that have 3 or more consecutive days at sea, the infant must be at least 12 months old at time of sailing.

    A minor is defined as an individual under 18 years of age at the time of embarkation.

    A young adult is defined as an individual between the ages of 18 and 20.

    Company policy dictates that a passenger under 21 years of age must be accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by a passenger 21 years of age or older at the time of embarkation.

    For passengers under the age of 18 traveling with an accompanying adult, who is not the minor's parent or legal guardian, a PARENT/GUARDIAN CONSENT RELEASE FORM (PDF) that authorizes the minor's travel and further authorizes medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to a Norwegian representative at the pier during check-in. Failure to produce this letter at embarkation may result in boarding being denied, with no refund of cruise fare provided.

    Note: Two people under the age of 21 may travel together in the same stateroom if they are a married couple and provide proof of marriage to a Norwegian representative at the pier before embarkation.

    24F need some advice on Oct 8-15 Carnival Cruise

    in Solo Cruisers

    Posted

    I looked into it and saw some horror stories about snorers and people with bad hygiene and basically unaccomodating strangers. I decided to not pursue it. I can't post sites. I only found one anyway via Googling cruise mates. Maybe try to ask in the sailings group on the popular social media site.

     

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

    Bought UDP 18 months ago-What changes should I expect

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by tiger-91

    From the FAQ on NCL site.

     

    For Sailings on or after July 3rd, 2015

    The Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) is available via pre-sell or onboard purchase on days 1 and 2 of the voyage only. On 3-day sailings the package is only for sale on day 1. No refunds are available if fewer restaurants are visited. The UDP is nontransferable. Reservations are not required for UDP guests, however, tables reserved onboard will be subject to availability for reservations made 24 hours in advance. We encourage you to log in to My NCL to make dining reservations in advance for specific night(s) of your cruise. An 18% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added to the package price. A 25% discount applies to all a la carte and entertainment based dining and select Specialty Restaurants (Not included in the Ultimate Dining Package). These venues include: Sushi, Raw Bar, Food Republic, Hot Rock, Tapas Bar, Noodle Bar, Ocean Blue, Ocean Blue on The Waterfront, The Cellars, The District, Murder Mystery, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, Illusionarium, Supper Club, Wine Lovers, Pajama Jam, Bayamo and Pincho by Jose Garces. The UDP does not include beverages or corresponding gratuity. No kids pricing available for UDP. Excludes all 1 and 2 day sailings. Includes add-ons in Le Bistro such as Fruit de Mer, Lobster and Cote De Boeuf. Does not apply to special occasion/holiday menus (New Year’s, Christmas, etc.). Latitudes Platinum Guests will receive a $20 discount on the UDP (as they receive 1 complimentary dinner in Le Bistro). $10 per each additional main course will be charged in Le Bistro & Cagney’s. Chef’s Table, Jazz Brunch, Carlo’s Bake Shop items, Ice Cream Bar and Gelato are not part of the package.

     

    Hopefully, you saved the T&C's at the time of your purchase and can request to enforce those instead. What was that date of purchase?

×
×
  • Create New...