Traveller20074

and, for those who say they deserve it, maybe they do.  But it is dishonest!! to say oh if you prepay then you won't pay $16.10 per person per day.    then, charge me that anyway, even when I've booked this since last year

10 hours ago, negn said:

$0.50 / day for cabins.  $1.50/day in Haven.  Don’t think that will break anyone.  Now if they add a fuel surcharge that would be something else.    

we have 7 sailing. it is a big chunk from $15.50 to $16.10  per person per day.  quite a large sum that I'm not willing to pay since they aren't supposed to go up till APRIL

11 hours ago, Diane67B said:

Do you know if the extra money goes right to the staff? I wouldn’t mind, if it did. They deserve it. 

no.  the extra is the tax.  

10 hours ago, jlabs03 said:

Yes, this is the gratuities for the staff.

 4

yes, but they said if you prepay the tips ahead of time it's charged at $15.50 per day per person NOT $16.16.  They raise them April 1st to $16.16 which they are trying to charge me NOW.  I will not be prepaying my gratuities

8 hours ago, vince_g said:

Isn't there some additional tax charged on POA? I think they are calling it some kind of tax. Check that out.

the gratuity is just that.  tips to the staff on the ship NOT a tax.  that would be over and above I would think.  and its such a coincidence that the tip is what the $16.16 per person per day is?  highly unlikely 

4 hours ago, sprez33 said:

Is it the case that the gratuities are discretionary?

yes. you can take a small amount off at the end, if you tip in person to staff

I called and he said it was the Hawaii tax.  I call BS because its the same amount if they charged the 16.16 gratuity.   and if its the GRATUITY, it isn't going to tips, it's going to the government.   I checked the other reservation (we have 2 groups traveling but reservations are linked)  and its also $16.16 per person per day.      

on the NCL Pride of America cruise for November.  it shows as $16.60 / per person per day.   heads up.  better check yours 

2 minutes ago, mearsfansinboise said:

One device at a time. So technically it could cover all four of you but none of you can be on at the same time. My daughter and I keep kicking each other off to use the Internet. I will be in the room wanting to post on Cruise Critic (like I am right now), and then suddenly my post won’t go - which means she kicked me off. - lol

I suppose you can set up some time frames where each person gets to use it from this time to this time. 

hehehe she kicked you off.  I definitely can see my grandkids doing this lol

47 minutes ago, styles27 said:

I didn’t know about the $9.95 to activate that feature in the app. Do both of us pay that fee? Where would I find that?  
First time NCL’er sailing 04/15/22

 

as I understand, they both pay.  each phone does.  I think you sign up when onboard, from what I understand, someone can correct me if that is wrong

On 3/21/2022 at 11:38 AM, mearsfansinboise said:

On the Bliss now. We paid $9.95 for each of us to call and text in the app. You do get notifications of the messages however.

This morning we decided to get unlimited internet just for social media and internet and then we can message each other on Instagram - with notifications - and use the internet. We paid $89.99 for that. Probably would just do that next time and skip the pay to call/message in app thing. 

how many phones does the $89 cover?  just one?  if I have 4 in my party (I have unlimited internet) are they all covered if I pay $89?       It is all so confusing lol

I am totally confused.    So, the $9 per phone one is on the NCL app?      

So, all 4 of us need the app running for it to work?

so, even with all that, it might not work?  

I don't have an iphone.     

I did pay for unlimited internet on my phone if that matters

any other recommendations?

can we take it back on the cruiseship?

20 minutes ago, Woody14 said:

You still need a test to board in the US to don't you?   Really the Canadian change just made it so you don't need an extra test to get off the boat in Canada, like in the US

Yes,I need a test to get on the ship.  I just don't need ANOTHER one before my excursion.  I'm pretty sure if they wouldn't have lifted the restritions, I would have needed to test on the ship before my excursion in Victoria

49 minutes ago, 5waldos said:

This is good news although you still need to register with the online Canadian app. At least if you are flying in for sure.

 

But- and for many it is a big BUT- my understanding is that you still need one to board a ship if you are leaving from Canada. 

so, our cruise in May....last stop Victoria - I will not have to have one to get off the cruiseship I hope.  that's my understanding, anyway.   Pretty sure the Bliss will let me back on after my excursion

1 hour ago, lovetotraveltx said:

We are on the Encore, round trip Seattle. We are arriving 3 days before. Looking for a reasonably priced hotel with points or dollars in a good sightseeing location, and/or close to the port. Would prefer to be in Bonvoy, (Marriott's chain of hotels), if possible. Thank you!

if you have 3 days in Seattle, you have to see Mt Rainier, but that's no even close.  The Olympic Penninsula is a must.  If you have to stay close, the Space Needle is better than the wheel.  the wheel is over quickly, but you can stay up the Needle as long as you want.  They remade it, and the floor (part of it anyway) is clear. and you can see down.  🙂  

OTTAWA—Canada will end a requirement for fully vaccinated travelers to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before entering the country, easing a restriction that had frustrated businesses on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.

Beginning April 1, fully vaccinated travelers to Canada will be allowed to cross the border without showing proof of a negative Covid-19 test, Canadian officials said Thursday, although they may still be subject to random testing upon their arrival. The change doesn’t apply to people who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

On 3/14/2022 at 4:37 PM, gailellen12 said:

I know it is better to fly in a day ahead, but I don’t have that flexibility. I need to give an exam and then home and to the airport, arriving on the day of my cruise. I would love to hear from people who have do this often and Unfortunately  I have no choice this time. The only positive is I booked my flight with my cruise line so help will be at hand

You booked with the cruiseline, but once they make the reservation, it leaves their hands.  I did this for our Hawaii cruise in November.   They said once they tell us the flight, we call the airline and pick seats, etc.

On 3/15/2022 at 9:54 AM, 4 cruisers said:

No buffet?     

 

 

Well news from NCL a few minutes ago!  Here is the letter:

 

5 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

She's hit the open sea and the ETA now reflects March 18 (as suggested by several).  This is the most positive sign I've seen that my May POA plans will actually happen.  Ironically, HI had me the most nervous so I had booked a backup AK cruise.  Now, HI is wide open and the "ship has sailed," yet several questions linger about AK cruises, due to Canada's newly issued rules and lack of clarity regarding Covid testing for even Canadian port visits.  With POA, I should be able to test once before getting on the airplane and not worry about testing beyond that point.  I really like that! 😎

yeah I have an Alaska cruise (Bliss) in May, and beside being vaccinated and tested before sailiing, we have to AGAIN have a test before Victoria.  I have to test on the ship?   that's just weird. And, I really do not want to pay for the test, they're free at home.

does anyone have any information about it?   Are there any window views?   thank you in advance

She left and is on the river headed out to sea!  yay!!

so, a test before we enter into Victoria on the Alaska cruise in May

HOW am I to get this test on the ship?   I will have been vaccinated, and tested before leaving.   ugh this is getting complicated

ridiing on the lap?  especially in a foreign country?   😮