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From my limited experience it appears this is mostly coming from the chain hotels, the Marriots, and (especially) Hiltons etc. We always stay at Hiltons because my wife travels a ton for work and has loads of loyalty points but we've been knocked around a few reservations from them on our upcoming December trip, a few cancellations from their different hotels, without letting us know they were cancelled. So instead we are staying at a local place (Wave Hotel) before the cruise and a vrbo after the cruise. When I was looking around after getting bounced from the bigger places, the smaller non-chain places seemed much easier and better to work with. I'd rather spend where most of the money is going to stick around the island anyway.

You may want to check on The Wave hotel. My friend had her reservation cancelled and was told they were not accepting customers unitl 2018.

As for the rest of this thread. The hotel situation in PR is a mess. Nobody knows how to deal with 2 major hurricanes and the rebuilding of an entire island. There are thousands of workers that need places to stay. Contracts are made with companies for 'x' amount of time. Then new ones. The housing for these workers should take priority. If hotels are able to accept customers, I suspect the cost of having them has gone up. Unlike cruises, hotel room can be booked, cancelled and rebook at your control. I travel for a living and have booked out for several months at a time, watched the rates, and changed reservation when the rates drop. In addition I have had to pay higher rates as time goes by.

Try calling the hotel directly, or corporate office. If you are still not happy with the rate, then go else where.

I am seeing the nickle and dime on all cruise lines. I was MIA from sailing for 7 years. Man way tooo long. Anyway.. The promos that are offer help off set the various cost. For example. We are drinkers but not over the top. With my calculation the unlimited beverage/alcohol packages was a better deal. So that was a no brain decision. For the excursion credit, I got it when the cruise line had this take 5 promo. Its an ok perk. I won't get it again unless it is included. The dining package, I will know after my cruise. Our sailing have keep us in the MDR and we did get tired of the same 'staple' menu items. (7 day cruise).. So the dining package was of interest. Internet minutes.. go live without. I go on cruises and shut down all communication tool. Only expection now days will be the texting you can do while on board via your phone to other people sailing. Would be great for you with 2 kids.

Keep an eye on your cruise price. If it goes down you can call and they will give you an obc. Of course it has to be prior to final payment. NCL does have a submit a bid opportunity where you can upgrade your room for the amount you bid. I personally would suggest you move up in the 'chain'. You will not be happy with an inside cabin with 4 people. Way to small...If you stay with inside cabins please get two. One for hubby and you.. one for the kids. You will enjoy your cruise with the two rooms.

Regardless, go into the sailing with the attitude of I'm on vacation, I will do what I want when I want. No expectation, think of it as a new cruise.. Don't compare cruise lines. Each one is different. Princess is definitely not NCL.

fyi: I booked a cruise in Princess and will be canceling due to the dress attire.. Just to much dressing up for the hubby. Khaki pants and polo is his goto.

You invoice that you view on the TV, does it show a running total or do they just list the charges?

I thought the Dawn ship had all new mattress and they were foam. Did I miss-read something?

Take videos so we can see first hand how the island is doing go and bad.

My morning coffee hasn't kicked in so forgive me here...So you spoke up and they shoved stuff under your mattress for aesthetics? Okay I would not be speaking up I would be livid, outspoken and on the verge of telling the HD where to shove the folded up stuff. Seriously? What they did was beyond the point of speaking up. I would be more worried with blasting corporate right now as opposed to your posting a review....Just saying, without my caffeine.

I think we would both be heard loud and clear. If I didn't get a new mattress they will be hearing me from the top deck of the ship. In addition every worker would hear about it. If I had to go up to the captain I would. I spend good money on the cruise to not have an adequate bed. they will not cripple me. I have requested lounge chairs on the balcony. Last resort, I will sleep on them

If you are still looking for housing in SJ, goto Airbnb. I booked with Jose and he has been in constant communication. They had some power outage and was on generator. Now his place is back on full power. He has about 4 places.

I'm glad I read this thread. I will be changing that reservation.

Any news about when the National Parks Service visitor centers in San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, USVI will reopen? Our family loves visiting our national parks, collecting NPS passport stamps and having the kids participate in each Park's Junior Ranger program. We are on the 12/2 RCI Anthem sailing and are crossing our fingers that will be an option at one or both of those ports.

I just saw this on the facebook national parks

Hawksnest Beach and Honeymoon Beach are officially open! Vault toilets or port-o-potties are in place. A huge amount of debris was removed from the beaches themselves and park divers removed submerged debris from the swim areas. Even so, continue to be cautious when swimming anywhere in park waters. As you well know, a lot of "stuff" ended up blowing into the water around here!

Trunk Bay is not open

It means that if you go there without a dining package, everything on the menu is priced per item and you pay for exactly what you order. In other words, it's how a typical land-based restaurant works.

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Yes it gives you three. Some restaurants are fixed price, some are al la carte and you are told when you arrive what it includes and some need an up charge. For instance teppanyaki is fixed price. Cagneys is al la carte and things like cirque dinner on epic or wine lovers musical n escape have an up charge on top of the free package.

 

 

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non refundable OBC. Can it be used for Bingo, Deal or No Deal Game and the scratch offs they sell before Shows in the Theatre? these are gambling and if won would be like cash in your pocket. ?? Have some good OBC on cruise next month. Will try to get specific answers from NCL.

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I chatted with my NCL cruise specialist. (if that is what they are called) Here is what I was told.

1. OBC can be used for anything on the ship except, Next Cruise Certificate, and the daily room service charge. In addition if you use it at the Casino you will be charged 3%.

2. Port OBC are per port. If you don't book an excursion for that port then you don't get the OBC. Its a use it or loose it. For those who have purchased the excursion via ncl.com or via phone, you are to go to the excursion desk, explain what happened, and they will provide you a refund in the original payment method.

3. When I asked about the Cruise Next deal, for example: 250 with a credit of 100 OBC. That OBC cannot be used to pay for the Cruise Next. This I have seen so many posts about folks who have done this and yet NCL told me no.

So I am just going to have my hubby do his negotiation while on the cruise ship and see what the 'rules' are all about..

I just called the shore excursion desk and was told that I need to book through them, then pay on-board. Okay, but I am not seeing in my list of amenities my shore excursion credit to take with me. What in the world is wrong here? Anyone else in the same situation? Remedy?

Mine doesn't show up online, however my ncl representative has send me confirmation that is it part of my package. I think it was like an invoice.

As for booking, I did one via ncl.com and when I asked him about how to get the credit, I was told just goto the excursion desk and explain the situation and they will credit your original payment method for the $50/port.

What I was bummed about was that if you don't use the credit at the port then you don't get the credit. Its a use it or loose it..

At least all this from my ncl cruise specialist

Thanks it is the first. Can you use it in the casino, gift shop, room service fee?

I am so confused on the terms OnBoard Service Charges and Discretionary Service Charge.

These phrase are used on NCL and it looks like they are using them inter-changeable.

Ultimately the question is, Can I use my OBC toward the daily per day per person charge?

And can you use the OBC in the Casino

We picked shore ex credit ($50 per port) as one choice and we get $50 per port as part of distinctive voyages, so is it a total of $100 per port now? :confused:

That is what I understood.

When I get my confirmation of amenities there are some that are missing. Why is that happening. For example: I have the specialty dinner and it is not showing up on one of the cruises. Then on another the excursion is missing.

Here's what we got which probably varies by dates, ships, TA, and category... [emoji6]

 

2 x Adult Ultimate Beverage Package

2 x Internet Package (250 Minutes)

1 x Choice Phone Call Credit

1 x Fifty Dollars Per Port Shore Ex Crd

1 x Choice Shore Excursion Credit

2 x 4 Meal Speciality Dining Package

2 x Free $100 On-Board Credit Certificate Non -Refundable

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what is the difference between Fifty Dollars Per Port Shore Ex Crd and Choice Shore Excursion Credit?

Many people make comments about their Cruise Director being excellent. What made them out shine others?

I’m not convinced the money doesn’t end up with the Cuban Government.

 

 

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I have a friend who moved to the US when she was young. That money goes to the government. She said if you want to give the people something, give them a gift bag of the living basics.

Now another friend of mine who went to an all inclusive resort said the employees claimed they got to keep the tips.

I am happy to be able to get on a ship and have 7 wonderful days.

Just ask another traveler. I've stopped several times and took photos just because. If you stopped me I would. Photos are memories at a point in time.

Southwest airline is still going to SJU. Connect through Orlando or Miami.

I called 2 weeks ago when the OBC increased by 100.00 Then I called this week and got the other 2 bonus. Didn't need to pay anything.