karinad

Thanks for the tip! It's the fair thing for NCL to do. I'm glad you were able to change with no loss!

That is good to hear! So, they might not redeposit them but they would transfer to another booking? That makes me feel better! I have FCC, too. Thank you for posting that!

Thank you for the good advice! I am a little fussy about cabin location, too. I like to be near the elevators and closer to what attractions I might do the most. It seems to be somewhat of a losing game with points depending on how close to sailing and how well the cruise is selling. It could end up to be a loss if booked far off because things change. Of course they could change no matter how close to sailing! If travel insurance would consider the points money or better yet, NCL would allow re-deposit of the points which would only be fair! I'd be sick if I lost 60,000 points! I've noticed that sometimes there isn't a big difference in price between the OV and balcony. Did I read once that unless there's a $600. difference in categories that it isn't worth it to use the points?

Thank you! I thought the small price difference was wrong, too, but I checked several places to make sure. It's one of the reasons I asked the question about the benefits of the Cloud 9 balcony. It's only a 5 night cruise and not until November and a couple weeks before Thanksgiving.

The only reason that I was considering booking a Cloud 9 balcony is because it's a total of about $50. total more for the 5 nights. Is there a reason you wouldn't book it again? I guess my dh is SOL with the slippers! Size 10! Sorry I missed that what Ninjacat123 said! The sauna and steam rooms used to be free on cruises once upon a time! Thank you!!!

If I don't have enough for the double meta at the time of booking can I do the single and the double when I get the enough points? Also, I would think that's it's best to do your upgrade as soon as possible because the upgrade might not be available later, as you said at the end that it's not advisable to wait. My concern is price drops and if I'd have to cancel and NCL might not redeposit points.

Does anyone know if there is a steam room or sauna on the Sunshine? My husband enjoys going to the sauna and the past few ships we were on did not have one or access wasn't allowed unless you bought a certain package. This cruise is mostly about relaxing and not about the ports for us. Thanks!!

I would rather book for 2024 but the fact that the rates seem to be high and the chances of having to change something so far in the future, makes me think that the sooner I am able to use the points, the better. I wanted to to book a Europe cruise for Oct 2024 for our 50th anniversary but the inside rates seem high to me. Thank you!

I'd bet that a lot depends on who you talk to with how they'll do things. We earned the points and shouldn't have to jump through hoops to use them. They want you to book early but it seems like we get punished for booking early. So, I would call NCL World Points to book the cruise but then I could transfer to a travel agent and get what perks they would offer. How long do they give you to transfer the booking? Thank you! I'm thinking that I will be closing this card out when I use all my points.

I think I found a cruise in September that I could use my double meta upgrade. So far there's a pretty big rate difference between Inside and balcony. My question is if the rate drops on the Inside cabin before final payment can I get that price deduction as long as it's the same category? Also, do I have to book directly with NCL to arrange the upgrade?

I also have Future Cruise Certificates along with 60,000 MC points. Most likely, the cruise I book will be for 2024. I think I need to use the Future Cruise Credits in 2023, too My guess is that there's still a big difference in price between the Inside and balcony but having read some of the posts that the double meta might not be good if there's a chance I'd have to change the cruise because of booking so far ahead. I'm just confused and uncertain with what to do because I have a month to decide. I'd hate to go for just a statement credit since my goal was to get to 60,000 to upgrade.

It's not fair that you should have to forfeit points when we work so hard to earn them. Even when you book closer to sailing anything could happen. We always get insurance but I thought I read somewhere that the insurance wouldn't reimburse you the amount of the points lost.

What happens with the points if you book a cruise and use the points for an upgrade but end up having to change or cancel the cruise?

I agree with you all that said that the double meta isn't always the best use. I was looking at this one cruise that the difference was only $100-200 difference in price between the categories. It could always change, too as the categories sell or don't sell.

I have my first 60,000 points with NCL MC. I just checked to see when they will start to expire and it is this May. What is my first step that I should do. I understand that the best way to use them is for a double Meta upgrade. I usually book through an online cruise agent and not NCL directly. Do I need to book with NCL directly? I don't have a cruise in mind yet but could find one for 2024 Sorry, I might've read about it before but it's been a wild, sad year full of changes and I'm hoping to cruise again soon! Thanks for all your help walking through the process!

I'm looking to book a cabin on the Sunshine. What are the perks with booking a Cloud or Spa cabin. I know on other cruise lines that class comes with certain perks. Thank you!

I guess that the time of year depends on the type of crowd. Maybe I'll be safe since it's a couple weeks before Thanksgiving.

Thank you for the suggestions! The last Carnival ship we were on was the Dream. I haven't heard of any of the restaurants you mentioned. If we get to go we will have to check them out!

We love going in October and early November. I would never go during the summer. I'm glad we don't need to travel in the summer! Thank you!

We will have a few days in Charleston before the cruise. I was there once and loved it but hot as hell! It was the summer! This will be in November so maybe we'll enjoy it more. Thank you!

I would never go over one of the breaks for the school kids! Thank you!

Thank you! The one we're looking at is a 5 day. I think it departs on a Sat. It's been a few years since we've been on Carnival. We've been sticking to our home port of NJ on the Oasis the past couple years and I think I had it with the dining crowds on the Oasis!

We've been on CCL more than a few times and always no less than a 7 day cruise. We are going to a wedding in Charleston in November and I was looking to combine it with the 5 day cruise on the Sunshine. My question, is it a party ship because it's a shorter cruise? We are in our late 60's but young 60's. There's no roll call yet on our date. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Can I book directly online with NCL and use the CN certificates. I would have to book an inside cabin and get a booking number and call World Points to get the meta upgrade. Once I get the upgrade for the balcony, I would call whatever agency I want within 14 days and transfer the booking. Thank you so much for the info!

Me, again! I've decided on a cruise to book for my double meta. I've done that compete thing for prices from different agencies. A lot of them say that their rates can't be combined with Cruise Next certificates or MC points. Is it even worth booking with a travel agent? The only reason I book with an agent is to get OBC and other perks.