checkitallout

Got a gift of a spa pass for NCL Star for May 30 cruise. The cost was $259 for the cruise. I planned to get my husband a spa pass on the ship to use my onboard credit. When I went to buy it it was $308. Given two different reasons- it wasn’t updated yet and that it is more expensive to buy on the ship. I don’t believe it is $50 more on the ship! If they changed the price they should honor the price online. I feel abused. The spa manager was not able to do anything for me. Customer service said it’s a spa issue. Phone customer service never indicated it would be more on the ship when I spoke with them several times. We’re sapphire and do feel taken advantage of! 

2 hours ago, complawyer said:

since you need to be on board at least 2 hrs before sailing, that cuts it down to 8 0'clock.

 

if you have time, explore trieste for a few hrs. it beautiful and worth your time. last oct we sailed from trieste, but it said venice. we flew into venice 3 days prior to sailing, spent 2 days there, hired a shuttle to drive us to trieste, and spent a night in a lovely hotel. we were able to explore trieste for the entire day, and the port is only about 15-20 minutes away.

Do you remember who you used/made reservations through for the shuttle to Trieste? we are also flying into Venice for a cruise from Trieste. Prices I see are very expensive.  Also have to get to the car park area first- water taxi is also expensive if we want it private- and we will have luggage so not sure we have other options.

We’ve been to Venice several times so not concerned for myself. We are going 2 days before and staying 2 days after- so not that concerned with flight time. At this point I’d rather save the money as we have traveled several times this year and will forego the convenience of booking my own flights to save about $1500. I’d go straight to triest but my kids and grandkids are going- they booked their own flights- so we’d like to do at least a little of Venice with them. 

we have a cruise from Venice to Athens in July. In reality it is from Trieste. If I use NCL air, what airport are they going to fly me into. I want to go 2 days early and go to Venice. Will they schedule that?

Does anyone know how much NCL gets for transfers from the Southampton cruise port to heathrow  airport? Also- what time is the latest transfer? We are 4 people with a late afternoon flight and trying to figure out our best option 

also- can you get an Uber or Lyft at the cruise port to the airport and approximate cost. 
 

thanks for responses 

Just got the notice for July 3 cruise. Very disappointed. I don’t know how you make a decision without knowing the dates and itinerary. I was told that the getaway cruises were canceled to change the itinerary. I guess we can take the chance because we can cancel if we don’t like it. Dates are also important to us. 
we do want to book air with points so need to know soon before flights aren’t available 

We’re booked for July 3 with kids and grandkids in the haven. No idea if it’s going or not. Would like a back-up but not sure what would work. Kids are 15,17,19 so ship would be perfect for them. Need some suggestions. Not limited to cruises but the inclusion of July 4 works vacation wise. Also want luxury. (Haven). 
thoughts and suggestions?

anyone know where Gian is now? We are on the Bliss Aug. 20 and would love to see him.  He was on the Gem just before the shut down. I think he got off the ship (end of contract) about a week before- at the end of our cruise.  Hope he made it home.  Would really like it if he is on the Bliss in August.

I don't see SIX listed on entertainment for the Aug. 20th cruise. Anyone know if it will still be on?

curious- we had a problem on the Breakaway before Covid.  Not happy with how it was handled.  Who was the GM? We did get compensation and satisfaction after the cruise- from Corporate- but not without difficulty. You need to be persistent. If necessary write letters all the way up the chain of command. 

Is six still on the bliss? Going in august. Granddaughters loved the show and want to see it again!

Traveling with kids and grandkids. Told TA to add it to their cabin. They need the Wi-Fi more than me! We’re platinum so we already have 2 extra meals and enough internet for us. They’ll enjoy the Starbucks too. Unfortunately I think they will still have to get the kids soda packages so they can get by themselves. 
waiting to see it show up!

Who is the concierge in the Haven? Gian was on our last cruise and I thought he was on the bliss now. 
please tell us about your other excursions. We’re on the bliss august 20 with kids and grandkids. Couldn’t get everything we wanted. Doing a helicopter with the dogs from a private company. Girls want salmon fishing so we will probably do that privately too. Doing the ATV. Doing the raptors bears oh my tour too.

wwould love to hear reactions to the excursions. 

Do you recall the days and times of the show? Would want to change dinner reservations  so we can get to the show and still enjoy dinner. 
thanks

August 20- bliss to alaska

price dropped several hundred dollars but no compensation because we used a credit- not a FCC but a credit from a problem we had. Still added some money- but won’t give us onboard credit or fcc. Any recourse?

does anyone have experience with premium air? How does it work

Our Feb -12 cruise was canceled. This was a rebook from last year. The price for next year is more than 50%more

than we were paying for a suite. Not rebooking it now. The other issue is our airfare can be rebooked- but we have to fly by March 31 2022. No plans on going anywhere now. I did look into a few days in Waikiki and a few days in Maui or kaui. Problem is hotel prices are astronomical. Don’t know what I will do. 

I am on the pride of America in February in a suite. I got the letter with the cuts in service. I HATE buffets! We’re in a suite -first time- and expected luxury- buffets and lines are not luxury. Our friends are also in a suite. In the past suites had separate dining for breakfast and lunch. Told they won’t have it on this cruise. Not happy- can’t cancel- fully paid. Can cancel for COVID but then a fcc. Not sure what we will do. Not happy about the changes. 

Anyone know where Gian is? 

We’re on the cruise from San Francisco back to New York. I want to thank you for your posts. Got me in the mood and gave me some useful info too. 

How is the food? You weren't happy with the specialty restaurants at the beginning of the cruise- have you gone to any since? and? How is the main dining room? Is there good variety? On sea days can you get a seat at the pool in the shade or is it very crowded.  Just trying to get an idea.  Many of our cruises were with our kids and grandkids and over holiday weeks so used to crowds.  How has this been? 

Enjoying reading the postings.  We are on the SF-NY cruise.  Getting excited and can't wait!

Following along. We are on the 24th San Francisco to New York.  Eager to read about this cruise.  Please post info about the excursions you take, and anything you hear from others.  Will definitely help up decide what we should/shouldn’t do.  We are signed up for some NCL excursions and some private ones.  We have excursion credit so do want to use some of it.

We use the credit card for the travel insurance with the addition of buying insurance for a trip with 0 cost. This gives medical and evacuation, and is super reasonably priced. From my questioning, some of the higher cost cards will cover evacuation- but I'm afraid to trust it- and we need medical anyway since medicare doesn't cover out of the country. You just have to decide if the medical needs to be primary or secondary- depending on your own insurance. I look at several parts of the policy as I price it- length of time for pre-existing conditions, medical coverage amount, and medivac coverage. There are websites that will give you quotes on multiple policies.