sharona211

Are there any benefits to purchasing OBC in advance? A discount or something?

As previously stated, you can easily avoid checked luggage fees with an airline branded or travel based credit card. Several of the airline cards provide for free checked luggage for the card holder and up to 4 travel companions. Some of the travel based cards reimburse you for airline fees up to a certain amount. Plus you sometimes get other perks like early boarding, companion passes, plus earning extra miles per flight.

For me, I always check a bag unless it's a short getaway weekend or a quick work trip. Anything over 3 days and I'm packing at least a medium sized bag. I like to have clothing and shoe options when I'm on vacation and, in addition to toiletries and sunscreen, I like to bring my own hair dryer, flat iron, etc. Too much for a carry-on.

I really like not having to schlep a bag through the airport. I check my bag and then I am free with just a small tote bag that holds my purse, sweater, tablet and water/snacks for the flight. Also it's really nice not to have to stress about getting overhead space on the super crowded flights these days.

Typically, by the time I exit the plane, stop at the ladies room and make my way to the baggage claim, it's only a minute or two before the bags start rolling out. Much less time than I would spend going to a store at my destination to buy everything I need.

Ah that explains it! Thanks.

No. Snorkel Park beach has some water toys but no mountains or trampolines:). There's a small inflated slide.

Thanks.

Would you mind telling me how to edit a post after it's posted? I can't seem to find the edit button and I see that you edited yours so I know it's possible.

and there it is... hmmm, is it just the initial post in a thread that cannot be changed?

I think I get what you're asking but I don't think you can assume that one of the cabins showing will be yours because if you do a mock booking you are having to choose midship or aft and sometimes pick a deck. I believe a guarantee could come from any of those areas.

I called today and we were able to switch our 2nd "free" option from the specialty dining for 3 nights to the prepaid service charges. We may try the specialty restaurants once or twice but this way if we don't, we haven't "lost" anything.

Thanks all for the tips, advice and personal experiences.

Do any of the beaches have water toys like the water trampolines or floating mountains and inflatable slides like they have on some of the Mexican beaches?

Better than the lobster buffet was whole Maine lobster served in the dining room - usually on formal night.

Yes! I am a New Englander who does not eat lobster (gasp!). My dinner companions were always happy to have my share.

First cruise for me was 22 years ago so not "way back when" but long enough to see many differences.

The main difference I notice is the lack of formality. I remember the excitement of gown shopping and getting all decked out for formal night!

Also missing is the elaborate late night buffets. Remember the lobster buffet? Or the miles and miles of elaborately carved fruits and breads? It was worth staying up just to see the creations.

The Haven is a collection of suites on some ships that are sold at a premium price. For this price they get a private dining room, lounge, and pool/sundeck area. So, unless you have a cabin in the haven (not available on all ships), you'll never notice it.

 

Vibe is a private sundeck on some ships which you can purchase a pass for when you get onto the ship. Think it's around $100. The problem is that to maintain the "exclusive" atmosphere they only sell a few passes so it doesn't get crowded, so it's difficult to get a pass unless you are in an early boarding group (primarily suites and high loyalty tier customers). Again, unless you get a pass to it, don't think you'll even notice that it's there.

Good info to know if we like this NCL cruise and decide to try another.

The people taking this review seriously are almost as funny as the OP's review.

Best line was calling FL the "Johnson" of the US. I think the woman who protested about that took it in a completely different and much more benign way than I did!

No offense and not trying to be snarky but simply look on the NCL website.

 

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/the-haven

Not offended at all. thanks. Looks like this is not something available on the Dawn, maybe that is why I didn't see any mention of it when I was looking at cabin options

that is mentioned in 90% of posts on this board? Is it a private part of the ship for certain cabins? Also what is Vibe? Sailing on the Dawn, do I need to be in the know on these things? Thanks!

Thanks all for the input, very helpful.

@Two Wheels Only the 3rd and 4th free was not available on our sailing date or we would have definitely gone with 4 in a bigger cabin with my mom and nephew. Since its not all that much cheaper to share when you're paying for all passengers, we split 2x2.

@travelerblue I'm not sure how the group thing works. My aunt is the one who initiated the group booking through one of the NCL agents when she realized that there was a lot of interest. I believe that instead of someone getting the free passenger credit, the plan is to have that amount split among the cabins as an on board credit. The second perk is the waiving of the service charge for those who choose the beverage or dining options. Not sure if there were other options. Maybe call and see if they can change you to a group booking? Some of our group booked online on their own and then had to be moved into the group after so it can be done.

@Nola26 I think I'll call tomorrow and see if I can switch the dining to the prepaid tips. I'll probably keep the beverage option just for the ease of it. If we had to pay the service charges, I probably would skip it. My daughter will have several similar age 2nd cousins to hang out with so I'm sure she won't want to spend much time with me! Fortunately I'll have cousins of my own to play with, lol.

Have never sailed NCL before. Is there a general consensus on which are the more valuable perks of the options being offered in the current promo?

We got to choose 2 and I went with the drinks and dinner automatically but now I'm second guessing that. I don't drink all that much and my daughter is 14 and not a soda drinker but I will likely have a few/day and some sodas and my daughter well, not sure what is available besides soda for my daughter that would not be free without the soda package?

My thought in choosing the bev plan option was that this way we would not end up with a bill at the end of the cruise for whatever we do end up ordering - making our time on board much more care free... But, the 3 nights at specialty dining is valued at what? $30 per dinner X 3 each? $180? Not sure if we would use the specialty restaurants more than once if they weren't "included". We do both love a good steak but neither of us is a very adventurous eater when it comes to seafood.

Wondering if I should call back and ask to change it to Drinks and prepaid tips then just pay for the specialty dinners IF we use them. I know we'll get our money's worth out of the no tips perk ($13.50 X 7 X 2 = $189? do I have that right?) ...

It's worth noting that I'm told I will not need to pay the $99 "service charge" for the bev package because we are part of a group booking. This is the 18% gratuity that I've seen mentioned yes? It's charged up front, not as you go based on what you order?

The internet perk seems the least valuable at $125 per cabin but again something I know we will end up paying for and we (she) will use...

Curious to hear others thoughts and reasoning on why you choose the perks that you do. Value? Convenience?

Thanks folks! Booked a port side OV for now and will likely upgrade to a balcony if prices drop or my budget gets a boost.

Any pros/cons? Sun v shade? Sunrise v sunset views? While docked in Bermuda? Sailing out of Boston?

Will likely have a balcony. Enjoy sitting out there in the mornings and prior to dinner.

Enjoying your review

See which promo has the most value to you:

 

• Picking pre-paid service charges will save you $13.50 each per day (save $189).
  
• Internet package is for 250 minutes (save $125).
  
• Gratuity on UBP for you & soda package for your daughter (cost $110). 2-3 drinks per day at say $12 each = $168 - $252.
  

I'm confused by that last option - what are you saying there? The "freebie" is the UBP right, not the gratuities on the beverages? Also, my aunt (who is organizing the booking) said something about not having to pay the 18% service charges on the UBP beverages as part of the group discount. Does that sound right? Could not really figure out if that is what she meant...

We sailed on the Dawn this past August to Bermuda and I have to say, one of my favorite cruises yet! The temp's were very warm and we had a suite with the cabin in the front of the ship. The balcony (ours was HUGE) was awesome and it was a perfect temperature. It will depend when you go. Bermuda water is chilly until July/August so if you are going in the summer, you will be fine.

We are going on the 8/4 sailing. Thanks for that info!

We have had cabins on deck 8 on the Dawn and Jewel, oceanview, and were not bad locations. Even the partially obstructed cabins still let in light, and some of them are in between the life boats and you can get a pretty good view.

 

I agree going with the inside (or possibly the OV on deck 8) for the lower price, and keep an eye on the balcony and watch for it to possibly drop. If not, you can take the $$$ you saved, and use on things to do in Bermuda, or do a trip later like you suggested.

 

Also, if you are having more than 8 cabins, you should talk to a travel agent or NCL about a group booking. You can get credit if you have 8 cabins, and have the credit split between all that are going as additional OBC. Call NCL and talk to someone in the group department. If you have some extra time on your hands, you could co-ordinate the group, and take the credit for yourself. It would equal 1 person to sail for free. (cruise fare only).

We do have a group booking with a NCL agent, but thanks for the heads up.

You haven't told us what date you are going or maybe I missed it.

Early August

Yes, it's generally easier to ask for an upgrade than to ask for money/credit back. (And they will never give you the entire difference, more like 25%.) But keep in mind that if prices don't fall, or if all the balconies sell out, then you'll be stuck with your inside, so make sure you're OK with that.

 

I agree with you about oceanviews being on low decks, but Deck 8 (obstructed OV) is a great location IMO on Dawn and Jewel class ships. But the obstructed view might not be the best way to impress your daughter on her first cruise :)

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Have you done the Boston to Bermuda route? Were temps mild enough to use the balcony? As for it selling out, I will take the chance and check frequently for price and availability. If it does sell out I'll make the inside work and use the money saved. for a weekend getaway later in the year.

Another thing to consider would be an Ocean view cabin, either porthole or picture window. They less expensive than balconies, but still allow for natural light and an outside view.

Thanks for your reply. I have sailed in OV rooms before and while the window is nice, they are usually so much lower on the ship than I like but definitely considering all options.

Going on a family reunion type of cruise where we will have about 10-15 cabins of friends/relatives. Most are going the inside cabin route with the UDP included in booking. I'm traveling with my 13 yo. I'm not much of a drinker these days (max 2 or 3 per day when on vacation) and she doesn't drink soda (water or milk). Torn over what cabin to book and what "free" options(s) to go with. We'll need an internet package. We might want to do the specialty restaurants but maybe not for 3 nights and she's a picky eater so not the best value for us...

Deciding between balcony with 2 free options and inside cabin with 1. The price difference between the two cabins is $1100 (total for 2).

My last 3 cruises I've had a balcony and really enjoy having the fresh air and option of sitting in private with my book in the morning or after a busy day on shore. But that was in the Caribbean and I'm wondering if the temps out on the open ocean from Boston to Bermuda will really allow for a lot of balcony time? We'll be spending so much time with family on the sea days that I don't know if getting the balcony cabin is a waste of money. My daughter has never cruised before and I want her to have a great first experience so we can add cruising by ourselves to our future vacation plans.

Also wondering about booking and price drops. Have never sailed NCL before. Have mostly been a Carnival customer with one RCL cruise. Been reading various threads trying to figure out the price drop policy as I suspect this is much too early to be booking but family is booking now. I am not concerned about being nearby or even in same area of ship as everyone else.

I do want to be on a deck where there are no public areas above or below our cabin. Would that be midship deck 10?

Currently thinking of booking the inside and seeing if the balcony price drops at some point. At least that way we will not be shut out. Is that an easier change to make (upgrade from inside to balcony) than to get a credit for a price drop if we book the balcony outright?

Thoughts on prices probably dropping or is this going to be it because there are not many options out of Boston and it's prime time summer vacation?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Sorry, but unless your "group" is willing to pay more or not go, you are WAY to restrictive with only one cruise ship and date, and specific cabins.

 

To take advantage of last minute price dumps, the more flexible you are, the more successful you will be. Meaning- the month of August AND into September- if you aren't going to change anything else (ship and cabin choice).

 

Example- this year the price dumped on the Breakaway middle of Sept. no significant drops in August. The jackpot for August was on the Dawn- which I picked up twice.

Hi. Wondering if you could elaborate on your August Dawn jackpots? We are planning a cruise with a big group of family, most of whom have already booked. Target date is 8/4-8/11. Personally I think the prices are a bit high right now and am contemplating holding off booking until Spring. We need 2 cabins and don't care if our cabins are near the others or even super close to each other as there will be an adult in each room.