cruiser2015

Yikes! Sounds like one of that group is one who might fall overboard. 😵

Stating that I do not know what some of those listed exception are, I do NOT see "group rates" as one of them. Yes, it does indicate that it may be a partial list; but group is a pretty big category to not shown in their examples. In a possibly related scenario, I recently had an issue setting up a discount under the NCL Military Appreciation Program. I seem to remember seeing the same "exclusions" as noted here. I am booked through a TA. The only issue there was that NCL required that the TA call NCL to "authorize" NCL to apply the discount. For your issue, I'd keep hounding NCL (and perhaps your TA) about this. Also, when contacting NCL, if you get a negative reply, ask for a supervisor. Customer services responses have been know to vary with different contacts.

Excellent insights. Note that I was not the poster to recommend booking up everything right now and looking later for changes. I merely provided an insight to a possibility, should he decide to try that route. Oh, and for the record, that was a "two-off". 🙂

Okay, allow me to elaborate on my comments. In some cases (for me) there were non-conflicts, especially for short length tours, which were showing as available, 1 one port; for the other 2, there were conflicts galore. I realize that no one can rely on that happening - but it does.

About the drink limit issue. Posts on this board have indicated how fabulous the FAS drink package is compared to the other cruise lines. So, if you get nailed for an extra charge here or there, seems like it's still a great bargain compared to purchasing the package at full rate elsewhere. However, sorry to say, but, for folks that can't get by on less than 16 alcoholic drinks per day there is another option: join AA.

A nightmare it may be. But what's the alternative? Perhaps less of a nightmare due to the season.

Understood. My comment was based on someone knowing, or suspecting, that their was a new alternative that they were interested in. Otherwise, I would periodically call for assistance and query about any offering (per the general lists, as you mentioned) that was not previously listed. Annoying to do, but that's the only way to play the game other than checking when you get aboard or using a non-ship operator. One more "wild card". NCL's shorex lists are inconsistent. For my January cruise, I have reservations in 6 ports. For 3, only my choice remains in the listing; the other 3 still show all of the options. Oops.

Thanks. But, wait a minute...what magic is this? How did you shoot the POA sailing away from the beach? A separate visit to the island, perhaps? Ooh - you reminded me of the Hula Pie I had at Dukes in Waikiki pre-sail. Yummm

If you cancel a tour, wouldn't the conflict be removed, allowing you to book the new offering? And, if that was still an issue, couldn't a call to the NCL tour shorex desk get them to book it for you?

That is completely absurd as any sort of justification. You indicate that after ordering drink #1, the passenger has been notified. Gee, that's so helpful. So, if money WAS an issue, they can simply not order any more beverages for the rest of the cruise. Final payment has no relevance, unless you're implying that they should have cancelled the cruise if they were notified. As you say, not an option anyway. But what about the beverage package? I'll guess that they might have still been able to cancel that FAS feature, if desired, pre-cruise. The main issue here, in my opinion, is not whether the passenger could have cancelled or not. There was a change by the taxing authorities, NCL clearly knew about it in advance. There's nothing to have prevented them from issuing a notice to those concerned. I agree that NCL is not responsible for the tax and that they do not have to absorb it, regardless of how other lines have handled these taxes. What baffles me is that I cannot imagine why you stubbornly defend NCL on this. It's a matter of a simple courtesy to their customers.

Hawaii, via Pride of Aloha, absolutely. The scenery and atmosphere of the islands are hard to beat. The last photo gave us a farewell view of the POA just after take off...sadly flying back to NY

Sure there's a general warning in the T&C's about taxes. However, as of 9/25 there was a policy change by the taxing authorities. So: A. NCL knew about the change B. NCL had to program their systems to add the new required taxes and to turn them on/off as necessary C. As this was a new application, there's no reason why NCL could not have sent an email to all booked passengers on the affected cruises notifying them about the change. Passengers are, in fact, reasonably entitled to be told when something different is going into effect, especially when it may result in fees of hundreds of dollars. Regardless of some posts saying "what's a few hundred when you've paid thousands", some folks do operate on a budget.

I have one also. It's been posted on here that the Delta AMEX cards do not participate.

Okay, okay...mum's the word. 🤐

Ain't nothing cheap about it. I still find it quite valid. As for the link you provided (helpful for some to use now), as I stated in my post, I already found and read it (today). I thought I clearly made my point - the link you provided is listed on the site in what I will call a sub-menu. One needs to spend a bit of time searching through a lot of tabs to find it. As I also mentioned, most of these (nice) features are not mentioned at all when you walk through the booking process. And not anywhere at all in their 2 inch thick cruise book. I had no idea that this information was there to be found - that's why I didn't look. The way you tend to defend almost anything negative about NCL makes me wonder if you are a major stockholder, LOL. Anyway, I am not here to take pot shots at NCL. I have sailed with them several times starting around 2001. I'm a fan - or I wouldn't be on here now. I booked my January cruise in a Club Balcony without even knowing about these other perks. My basic point here is that the perks should be more prominently shown to a potential customer. Or, if they think space is too tight in that part of their web layout - place a link so that the customer can see all of what they are getting for their buck - it could only increase passenger interest in this cabin class.

Thanks for pointing that out. I've never seen this page before. I just looked on the NCL site and found it - under the "Explore" tabs. So, I retract my complaint - partially. I have a Club Balcony booked for this January. I selected this level based on the information provided in the booking process. While in the booking mode, the first 6 items are not mentioned, nor Continental Breakfast. I also happen to have an NCL cruise book (hard copy). Okay, it's 3 years old, but NONE of these features are mentioned there either. I'm pleased with some of these benefits being available, but you really have to look for it. Also, in a similar context, I recently discovered their Military Appreciation Program by spotting a posting on this board. I've been on NCL cruises (not as many as many folks on here) for over 20 years. Never knew there was one. Apparently they had it, discontinued it and reinstated in last November. I was fully paid when I became aware of it, which seems to a cut off for applying the discount. However, I managed to get it a few days ago by being persistent - and learning that NCL makes exceptions to their rule if you are still far out from the sail date. Anyway, it is an item under the Cruise Deals Tab. Seems a potential customer has to peruse every tab and sub tab on the site to know some information. And that's a lot.

Isn't it amazing how NCL manages to hide this information?

You did not mention when your departure is, but you could bite the bullet and gat a passport.

Does anyone know what they are using on the Bliss? How is the service overall?

Gee, it sounds cool to me. I had one in front of the Missouri after exploring the ship - now that was re-freshing!

Smart choice. Your post stated that you went with the guarantee - so, not very clear.

A bit surprising to me. It depends on how you would use the FAS options. You did not mention voyage lengh, but even for a week, and without the beverage package, FAS is worth a lot more than $360

All vendors have a code attached to them indicating a classification of their business (e.g. supermarket, pharmacy, travel). It's possible they have multiple codes so the card company can differentiate.

Some things don't change - no, I did not get the offer. In this case, other than some of the tricks others have suggested here, it doesn't matter. My cruise is fully paid and is in January, post offer. 🙁

I don't know how you even know that, but my card is a Delta AMEX.