drvalo

I would also just like a lower price.

However, since that does not seem to be happening, since we don't drink, I would like the soda package as an option (maybe a bit of an upgrade to include juices, coffee and bottled water without raising the price of it though). Especially because we cannot bring our own beverages any more, this would be something we would be willing to pay the gratuity on.

I do like the prepaid DSC, though.

Also be careful. Some of those forward deck 8 cabins are right over the Bliss nightclub. It can be noisy at night. Not sure where yours is, but you should definitely check.

This has some good info about Epic balconies.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1523109

Seems like your balcony will be uncovered.

Time always matches the port. You will get a message (usually a card) in your cabin the night before to remind or alert you of a time change.

Didn't Cozumel switch to Eastern time recently? I know it switched times zones, but I am unclear. I never worry about it though as the ship crew will let you know if you pay attention.

Great to hear from you! We have a cruise booked on NCL Pearl for Mar 3, 2017. That will be our 5th time on the Pearl! Maybe you can look into joining us.

 

As for the CC meet, MSC plans a date and time for it. They post it in the daily for the day it is scheduled. We had a CC roll call, not very active and only 6 people attended the meet.

 

As for the formal nights, it was not really enforced from what we saw. Many of the men in the Black Crab were wearing pull over collared shirts that night.

 

The only time I saw any crew member enforcing dress codes was in the buffet. Men had to have on shirts and women cover ups over bathing suits.

 

We were maybe the odd folks that did not enjoy the shows, just not what we liked.

 

The Divina is a little different to get around, not hard, just different. In about the middle of the ship are two elevators, one on each side, that let you out at the Black Crab. They are very handy. You also need to really study the deck plans to find everything, we were still finding places to see on the last night.

 

Don't worry about bringing a tux or suit, just nice slacks and dress shirts will work.

 

Another tip for you, if you want something just ask, that is what the hotel director told us.

 

Hope to sail with you soon!

Thanks for answering my questions! I feel much better about considering cruising with MSC out of Miami now. You always do such great reviews!

As you can see in my signature, we are on the Jade in January, so that might be it for a while for us. Cruising out of Tampa means a shorter drive and we also like the longer cruise. That cruise had been 11 days and way more expensive. Then they extended the cruise to 12 days, the price dropped, and dropped again and with the free DSC, it became hard to pass up. But I feel sure we will see each other again on a cruise.

You got it right. Between walking in the ports and walking on the ship, we actually lost weight on our Epic cruise!

 

 

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exactly!

We loved the Sun. It is a bit smaller in size, but the cabins are very roomy. We also like the jewel class ships (Pearl, Jewel, sailing next on the Jade).

We did not like the Dawn as much because there is no Great Outdoors and they removed the forward Observation Room to make more suites, but the size was good and had a wonderful cruise.

We did not like the Epic much at all for very many reasons and wished for another cruise after it (on another ship) to be able to relax from that cruise. I would imagine we would feel similarly about the _Aways, and the Escape. We are trying to avoid the megaships. We live in a big city and do not look for the same experiences we can have at home (crowds, reservations needed, and smaller living quarters).

We also really loved the Majesty!!!! It was a sweet ship with a lovely crew. By the end of the cruise everyone knew everyone else. It was the most enchantingly pleasant cruise ever.

Bring your walking shoes while on board. We hated that about the Epic. It makes you be very purposeful about where you are going and where you are because if you make a mistake, change your mind, or get confused and end up on the wrong side of the ship, it is a really long walk back.

Thanks for your review, Gard, and the videos. They really give a good idea about what to expect. I knew about the level matching for Platinum, but it's too bad there is not a real dinner included, and yes, I agree with you that the welcome aboard packs and gifts are lovely on NCL. They do make one feel special (even if less so than previously) :)

Actually, you and Debra looked great all dressed up for dinner, but as we probably discussed on the Pearl, there will not be a suit on our vacation, so even if it can distress others, it's great to know we can, at least, go to the buffet in more casual clothes on formal nights. I have read the MSC didn't allow casual anywhere on formal nights, but maybe for the U.S. port it's relaxed.

Did you do the planning for the CC meet? Or did the just schedule it? Was there a roll call?

I will be interested to know what happened during sea days and what the entertainment was like. Thanks again for sharing your videos and thoughts and our best to you both!

Hope to sail with you again sometime!

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Did you book that particular excursion from NCL? I can't seem to find one like that and it sounds like a wonderful trip.

We did and I can't imagine they will not have it. It was pretty popular (they even organized a second time for it) and very well organized. There will be more excursions available when you get on the ship if you don't see it. Or perhaps it is just not posted yet, depending on when you are cruising. We had not problem booking once on board.

How many people were in your roll call that participated? We are going in March and starting to have quite a few in our roll call, but not sure how many people you really need to do this...

 

thanks in advance!

 

Gale

I don't think there is a required number. I have been to ones with less than 20 and to ones with close to 50. And, even if people say they are coming, they don't always show up even if you ask them to confirm they are coming so the event planner on the ship can plan.

Board around noon-ish;

head to the MDR for a leisurely lunch;

when the cabins are ready, go there and drop carry-ons and stow away valuables in the safe, meet the steward if he/she is around, review the Daily and any other publications/letters in the cabin;

unpack any luggage that has arrived;

go to muster;

back to cabin and finish unpacking and organizing;

go to dinner;

attend welcome aboard show or early show;

attend the "game show" that evening;

find some music or visit the casino or go up to the buffet for our first softserve of the cruise;

Back to the cabin and get out the highlighter and plan the next day with the Daily;

This schedule only works on the non-mega ships. Since we didn't much like the schedule on the Epic, I am hopeful this will always be our boarding routine.

Hi. I'm thinking of going on an NCL cruise about a year from now, partly for the studio option (going by myself) and partly for the itinerary.

 

It looks like the current Free at Sea promotion ends September 16, but I understand that it happens at various intervals during the year. Is that correct? Am I safe waiting to book and getting it later?

 

My guess is that the drinks package will serve me best. As I'm going alone, a free guest doesn't help. I don't really need the wifi, and the specialty dining is for more than 1 guest (I assume I wouldn't get its full value if I dine alone). I do drink, so I suspect I can make use of the drinks package.

 

I know no one can predict fare drops, but it looks like a) NCL doesn't offer price drop protection like Carnival does, and b) it's likely to drop over the next year, given what the rates have been for 2016. So am I OK to wait? (I always book stuff way in advance, partly for the security and partly because I just have nothing better to do, but maybe I'd benefit by waiting on this one?)

 

Side question for those who know: I know I can book through the Chase UR portal (by phone). Are there are any benefits to using the portal if I'm not using points at all, though--just cash?

 

Thanks!

No one really can answer your questions. Many things have changed over the last couple of years, including the promos AND the value of the promos as well as the fares. For us the gratuities (daily service charge) are the best value, but we do not drink very much on a cruise and would not spend what is charged for that "free" promotion (it's not really free) even if we bought drinks, so do look at the 18% gratuity charge on the UBP to see if you think you would spend that much on beverages - we wouldn't. People have calculated the break even point on various threads, but it is many more drinks than we would drink.

If you see an itinerary you like at a price you willing to pay, then book it. You can always cancel and rebook if something better comes along before the final payment is due, but if not, then you have the cruise you want.

If it works like other such travel portals, unless Chase is offering something extra, then why do it that way? You don't have control of your reservation, which may or may not be important to you. For example, the Chase agents would have to contact NCL on your behalf if you decide to make any changes.

Whatever you choose, I hope you have a good cruise!!!!!

I just booked the 9/17 sailing on Escape. $399 for balcony, and going solo. UNREAL!!! :D

Geez, Kat, that is almost cheaper than staying home. Have a great time!!!!!

Cruising oct 1. Final payment has been made.

 

 

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Then contact your travel agent in the morning about what can be done. You may get an upgrade or a really good upgrade if you are willing to pay a bit more. It never hurts to ask. Some people say they have received OBC, but I never have, so don't expect that, but, again, it does not hurt to ask. It's after final payment, so NCL doesn't really have to do anything. Hopefully, you have a good travel agent willing to make the call.

Ok question for you experts. We booked a BE balcony last month. The Price has dropped about $100 pp. Is there a chance NCL would give us some on board credit or a 3rd free at sea item or cabin upgrade? If so do we call NCL or have our travel agent call?

 

 

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You did not say when you were cruising, advice is difficult.

Here is what I believe based on my experience: If it is before final payment, just cancel and rebook at the lower rate if the promo you have is still available. If it is after final payment, they may offer an upgrade if you ask.

I have never been able to upgrade from a bx, ox, ix after assignment if the assignment was higher, however, I have been able to upgrade from the assigned cabin level if I paid a bit more.

If you booked through a TA, NCL reps will not speak to you about your reservation. You have to go through your TA. I booked my next cruise with a TA, which is unusual for me. Just last week, she canceled and rebooked my cruise for a lower price. No problem.

How? Cheque or Refund to Credit Card?

Honestly, I don't know. I have only ever canceled a cruise that I booked using a FCC which just reverted back to my FCC, pretty much immediately. I am sure others know, however.

You will be refunded your whole deposit (or whatever you paid). If you booked through a travel agent, sometimes they have cancellation fees, but you should be fine with NCL. Unless you booked the Haven.

https://www.ncl.com/about/cancellation-fee-schedule

You do realize, don't you, that your carry-on goes through an Xray scanner as you board the ship. Your bottles of water will be taken away and not returned.

I have never experienced this in a U.S. port at initial embarkation. The carry-on luggage is scanned before you enter the terminal, and not again prior to boarding the ship; only the key card is swiped. The on-board scanning does occur at ports of call however.

Doesn't hurt to call ask. It has been my experience that after final payment, you can pay for an upgrade and not lose any of the promos. In fact, I have gained them in the past for the new level that were available when I first booked. But it is likely true with the new conditions/limitations on the gtys that you may not be able to upsell to that and keep the promos, but you may be able to upsell to the others.

In my experience, after final payment, it was not a rebook. It was just a change in cabin and I paid the difference.

We cruised that week on the Epic a couple of years ago. Honestly, it was crowded, especially when the weather was bad. The only public spaces available were the atrium and the buffet when there was rain and we were in port with many excursions cancelled. I realize that was unusual, but be prepared. We didn't have a problem with reservations for meals or shows, however. We did make reservations before we boarded, but, then changed most of them once on board. There were most always tables available, generally, just lots of other people joining you. Most every venue is too small for the people who want to be there for the event/show/dinner. To us, although some love it, the Epic always felt crowded and pretty much turned us off mega-ships, but YMMV.

Not sure what the ports of call are, but call from a port on your cell phone. If you have international service and roaming it will be cheaper, much cheaper, AND the cell service on the ship may not be on. It only works a few hours after you leave port, any port. I always get a text message in ports letting me know the per minute charges as soon as it is available and it is so much better than the ship costs. So, if you can, schedule your interview on a port day.

Is that service charge applicable on all art purchased or just on originals?

 

What about prints that with a genuine limited edition artists signature ?

It was a joke. There is no service charge on the artwork, only shipping, framing.

I once bought a set of numbered and signed prints that I liked very much and still do. It was a pretty good price for such items, I believed. I paid for my own framing at the great frame up; which was almost as much as I paid for the artwork. I also "won" free larger mass produced prints that they included in the tube for mailing to me. I had a couple of those framed as well. They look nice and make me happy.

Investment, no. I have never seen others like them on ebay and I do look from time to time. I have seen some other prints by the artist, but not the ones I purchased and the prices have been consistent with what I paid on the ship. On ebay you really can't see the colors as well and there are different qualities of prints. So who knows? I am happy with my purchase.

They get assigned when they get assigned. Sometimes, it really is at the very last minute. That's one of the chances you take with a gty. We have usually had a good outcome, though, so, as hard as it is, just be patient. If it gets assigned at the dock, the porters will know where you are going and you can get luggage tags with your cabin number there.

You will need to print out your edocs though, even without a cabin number, if it comes to that.

Try not to stress about it....it's just part of the anticipation!!!!!