cruiser2015

I was only addressing the usage of the term "free". I agree that there are some suspicious activities afoot according to the posts on here. NCL agents trying to lead customers to believe that the only way to use the credit is to spend it on board the current cruise is close to being fraudulent. It's fine to let folks know that they are free to spend the credit on other purchases or against the CN purchase. I would hope that stories we are seeing are more of misunderstanding the policy - but perhaps poorly explained.

Thanks for the correction on the single buy. I know the second one is "free" - I simply don't agree with the concept that it's free when you don't get it without buying the first. You proved this by pointing out that a single ticket is sold for half during a BOGO sale. Some cruise lines offer truly free air - the only requirement is that you buy the cruise.

If at first you don't succeed, try try again...if you have the time.

But this one really is a "free" giveaway. Take the BOGO air, for example. You must purchase TWO tickets. Effectively you get them at 50% off (of some amount). That's a nice discount - but it ain't free. NCL say it's "free air". Not quite. Now the CN must be purchased as well. But there is not other requirement except booking another cruise. My assumption is that anyone buying a CN wanted to do another cruise. The CN represents a discount on that next cruise - except half the value was free to you by effectively making an advanced deposit, which can be used for many options over a period of years. I call that "free money". It's not exactly comparable to a 35% off sale because the buyer controls when to use it and will further reduce whatever future sailing it is used for.

Especially considering you are one week from departure, why not call the NCL shorex department now and ask them about it? It could still be up in the air, but they may have an answer even though it is not yet reflected in the online schedule yet.

Perhaps the wording by NCL is misleading (shocking!). But you certainly need to deposit some funds - having your account locked and by your own comment having it blocked for all uses is not fun at all. Per NCL: Traveler’s Check / Cash Procedures A cash deposit may be placed on your onboard account in the following amounts: 7 day cruises - $300 USD per person Less than 7 days - $150 USD per person More than 7 days - $450 USD per person Once you have exceeded the deposited amount, your account will be closed to further charges. You can deposit as much money as often as you'd like throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess.

The $450 you mention is required if you do not secure your account with a credit card. As long as you do provide a card, you may deposit your cash as desired - it will be used to cover the charges to you onboard account until used up. If you do not give then a CC, then charges are limited to the amount of the cash deposited and the deposit is the amount that you read about..

First, I assume that you meant the return is a 12:15 PM departure. Otherwise, boy, really bad flights. They may recommend 3 hours prior for check-in, but that's a lot of time. Customs must be cleared at the pier - nothing to do with flights. Lastly, if NCL provides these flights, do you think they might know what they are doing? I expect they will assign an early disembarkation time to those Toronto bound friends.

Internet service and wifi are two different things. Wifi connects your device to the ship's system; the ship then connects to a satellite. It's quite possible that the computers in the internet cafe are hardwired to the system and not using wifi at all.

I was thinking more in terms of small claims court. Yes, in regular court the attorney's fees would not be worth doing it (unless, perhaps, you can represent yourself).

I'm pleased to hear that NCL is doing the "right thing". I am guessing that the previous single upcharge was bad information from the agent spoken to. Regardless of anything outrageous done by NCL, I don't think there would be an insurance recovery. First of all, the charge is against another party (yes, it's connected). More importantly, insurance is purchased according to the cost of the travel. Assuming your friend did not absurdly over insure, she cannot collect more than the original cruise fare plus any other (insured) costs like air fare.

I'm wondering if this is something particular to the U.K. rules vs. in the U.S. I find it repugnant and morally corrupt. Unless there is something in the T&C that specifies this procedure I would call NCL out on this. And, if it's not, and they refuse to reneg,I would sue them.

Wait a moment... was that 1200 more after them keeping the fare for the cancelled passenger? That's not insane - that's literally robbery. How much is the fare per passenger?

In the past, I have asked personnel in the MDR - and was handed a stack of menus to peruse.

I've been investigating the same question for the same reason for my January 15 night cruise. I have found a number of posts that CC members have used to show photos of the daily menus. That includes BirdTravels's detailed series on her recent cruise. So far, all of the menus have matched up. Someone posted this which includes 7 days worth of MDR plus other dining: https://profcruise.com/ncl-menus-2023/ One of the threads I found weeks ago followed my itinerary from last spring. They did not post for all days (only 5 for days 8-15). Sorry, I don't have a link for those; I did note some highlights for myself. Anyway, for the first 7 days all the posts I have seen have been consistent...but obviously subject to change at any time.

Doubtful. My understanding is that NCL does not compete with TA's by adjusting prices or giving away credits.

My wife would NEVER sail in an inside cabin. Just hates it. I probably wouldn't either unless the budget was too tight to allow for it. The price difference you ran in to might be due to a different balcony type; or, a guarantee without a cabin assignment (usually cheaper than even the lowest balcony fare). Anyway, congrats on getting what you wanted and ENJOY your cruise!

Sounds like you're talking about the Cruise First. The $250 buys $500 deal comes and goes. The usual deal is for a lesser amount. I got the $500 deal when I booked last July for January 2024. When you purchase a Cruise First, you must use it for sailings 120 days or more from the date you purchase it, so it cannot be used until sailing dates in late February 2024 or any later date after that up to 3 years out. I think your choice will depend, in part, on when you plan to use these certificates.

Just a second - kindly tell us what it is you finally did. Not sure what original price a bit better means - of course it's most likely lower than the balcony. Did you upgrade?

You can review the helpful brochure posted by Paula_MacFan. I would compare pricing of this cruise tour to your own booking options. These tours are convenient and will include transfers, but tend to be very expensive. We sailed the POA several years ago. Booked 4 nights pre-cruise on Waikiki at the Hyatt Regency. Good location in the middle of the area. The brochure says they use the Marriott. I stayed there in 1978 for a week (it was called the Hawaiian Regent back then). Only issue there is it is at the far end of Waikiki, so not as close to some shopping and restaurants - a bit more of a walk. I booked a Pearl Harbor tour, but I don't recall with what company. It was most of the day, included the Arizona memorial, time on the Missouri and visits to other highlights. Did the Polynesian Cultural Center, purchased directly from the Center on their website - had the best pricing, choices of tours with/without food, and there were add-ons available. We took one the toured parts of the island's center and then to the Center for the rest of the day, through their evening show and then back to our hotel. Took a cab to the pier on embarkation day. If you do your own arrangements, you can choose whatever hotel you like and, I'll wager, save a lot of money.

According to the brochure in post # 9, a visit to the Arizona Memorial is included.

If you haven't already, you can do a mock booking online to check the current pricing for the balcony upgrade you are considering. Only you can decide if it's worth it. Then call, as Bird suggested, the NCL main number. Speak to whatever agent answers about changing your reservation. If you don't want to bother checking online first, just make the call and ask the agent for the pricing.

Oh, cool. I think I'll wait for the extra super sale after that - 20% off the first passenger + 50% off the second. Can't beat TWO discounts, right?

Call NCL and ask for assistance.

Correction to my previous post - should have said 5 months before sail date. I was already booked a month or so prior. Did a cancel/rebook to get the price drop (except I lost an NCL $200 OBC) so I saved only $400 net. Still, not to shabby.