numberguy

I've organized two. The first one, no perks (didn't know they were an option, so I didn't miss them). Oh, I just realized that was on my one Royal Caribbean cruise [never mind].

The second one (the one on NCL): I couldn't understand why we kept getting canapes or strawberries each evening, and why I got a letter from the Concierge inviting us to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's. Then it dawned on me why. This was on a 14-day on the Star in 2014 and we were in an inside, and we really enjoyed the perks.

The perks were great, but I'm still organizing the M&G on the Jade in September without thinking I'll get any (although my husband is hoping we do). And besides, we only have about a dozen people signed up for this one compared to about 120 or so for the 2014 trip. I'll be really embarrassed if only five of the twelve show up!

--Michael

Also, the dress codes can be a little relaxed the first dinner, just in case not everyone has received their luggage.

I would do that but we want to go on the June 4 sailing and the total is due, not the deposit.

Ah ok.

Put the minimum deposit down on the current card, then pay the rest using your sapphire. You won't get as many points that way, but you'll get a lot.

If you're doing a few days in Copenhagen pre- or post-cruise, be warned that Copenhagen is EXPENSIVE. I think it's one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Very nice city, but man, those prices.

--Michael

We did an upsell this past week and I confirmed with them that we would keep our bonus points for booking more than 9 months out.

This was also true for us on an NCL-initiated upsell.

Thanks for the info.

Yes sorry this will be the Getaway out of Miami!

I think the odd-numbered floors go to one terminal and the even ones to the other.

In my experience, it could change. We had an inside then we're upsold to a balcony. With the room change, the terminal changed as well.

You don't say what port, but this was in Miami.

Can you request to have two twin beds instead of a queen bed set up in your cabin?

Yes. The "queen" bed is actually two twins pushed together with a bridge of some sort between them. However you want it, you can get it.

Not sure why you can't prepay for them. I have heard (but not experienced) that to prebook shore excursions using your credits, you can't do it online, but you have to call in. Maybe if you call in to use the credits, you'll be able to prepay then?

The orange juice is not fresh squeezed. You can get it, but it costs, and I don't know how much.

(For whatever it's worth, I loved the ports on this cruise, but didn't love St. Petersburg.)

Agreed.

Our upcoming cruise will be our first as platinum, so le bistro twice for free. Someone earlier stated that we should tip the servers there, but I thought they were part of the DSC. Please advise: not trying to be cheap, just want facts.

Oh, and I love Moderno each time I go. The lamb is wonderful.

To me, Le Bistro is worth the money, but my last visit was September 2014. Also liked Cagney's, but that was 2008.

Food Republic on Escape is very much worth every penny.

Not worth it was Bayamo on Escape. Service was excellent, and the food was good, but not worth the extra money.

On a previous cruise last year we were on a cruise with a group of 500 males- most were nice however there were some who displayed behaviour I would reserve for in my cabin with my husband! I am open minded but this was shocking exhibitionist behaviour that I would like to avoid in the future and everyone should have the choice of this.

However if the poster of the above comment has no objections to such behaviour then good luck to them but do not jump to judge others!

Ah, I know of those cruises, and agree with you. I specifically addressed the first three cruises listed which were for deaf groups, and that sounded just mean.

However, for the reasons the op has cited, as well as yours, I can understand. The original post just came across as mean-spirited, which I now understand was not the intent.

Why do you want to avoid them? Particularly the groups you have identified? Someone deaf do something mean to you in the past?

They still use stickers to indicate UBP or Soda Package? Is that only if it's purchased on board? I thought these were all just printed directly on the key card (UBP or SODA).

My UBP was printed on my card, but it was one of my free perks.

--Michael

Thank you!

I know that on some ships (Gem and Pearl, at least, I think), there is a bridge viewing room, which I find kind of cool to visit periodically throughout a cruise. I can't find one on the Jade's deck plans, so I'm assuming there is no bridge viewing room on the Jade. Can anyone please verify? Thanks!

--Michael

After lots of cruises, I have never heard of this.

 

Wouldn't want to utilize it with a bag with meds/camera/electronics, but interesting.

 

gary

I know they had this for my Norwegian/North Sea cruise on the Star in 2014. It was in the Asian restaurant, if I remember correctly.

--Michael

No problems or lines at all, in my opinion, but I never asked a pool server for a drink; I obtained mine at the bars. I have heard (but not seen) that the bartenders can refuse service if someone has been overserved.

--Michael

First cruise was in Hawai'i and we were there five days before we got on the cruise.

Second cruise was an Alaska cruise, and we flew into Seattle day of departure (Sunday) with no problem at all. The only reason we did this is because my husband's brother rescheduled his wedding to the day before our cruise, an earlier date than originally planned. *cough*bunintheoven*cough*

All other cruises have been one or two days before (Australia was again five days before). Our upcoming Jade one is going to be a bit tight, as we are supposed to land around 7:30 pm the night before in Venice. A little tight, but with a new job, time off is difficult right now.

--Michael

Yes, I had to call, because it wasn't showing on the website when I went to make my first monthly payment. The website wouldn't take my (less than $500) payment. I called and they said it can take a bit of time for the FCC to show up, but she took my (small) payment over the phone without a problem.

When I went online to make my next monthly payment, the FCC was there, but it still said we owed $145 to meet the deposit requirement ($500 less the FCC and less my first payment of $105), and it wouldn't let me make a payment of less than $145. I just paid that amount and adjusted future monthly payments.

The payment page on the website appears to not always play well with FCCs.

--Michael

So after a lot of confusion on our recent Star Cruise. (missed meet n greet)

I decided to just check my acct. They don't have any of my cruises listed at all. Has anyone had this problem with the new latitudes?

It happens periodically. Contact the email address listed on the latitudes page, and they should take care of it for you. Their IT system is not the best.