lfdemt

Wow!  I used the term hangry teenager and now I’m a bad helicopter parent with a bad child. My son is the most respectful young man I know. He is however growing an inch a month. No joke. He is stick skinny and eats all the time. No I will not send him to bed hungry.  I will allow him to take food from the buffet to enjoy later. So that all my children are well taken care of. He is the responsible one. He will take care of his needs but he doesn’t like to sit alone at a sit down restaurant. So no I won’t leave him at osheeans, while I put his sister to bed. 

40 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

Although I never addressed that aspect, I don't have any issue with people either needing, or even just wanting, to eat small meals. I don't think NCL does either. Just go into the desired restaurant, order your small meal, eat it in the restaurant, and go about your business. My "drive thru mentality" comment still applies whether you eat small meals, large meals, or something in between.

So I should make my younger children suffer through a sit down order wait eat meal so my teenage boy can have a sandwich? Rather than grab him some meat cheese and bread to eat on the balcony for his 3rd dinner while I’m getting the younger child to sleep? Do you want crying over tired children making that much noise while you enjoy your meal?

I am sorry this happened to you. You definitely deserve better. I am shocked that they didn’t agree to your suggestion of a future cruise over a full refund. 
 

There are a lot of “you should have known better” people on here. The problem with this is that it’s constantly changing. It used to always be that booking air WITH the cruise line was the best guarantee to get on the ship as that was what was promised. Sadly the cruise lines now take as much as they can and guarantee nothing. The connecting room to mine (hubby and son in my room) with my sister and my 10 year old, still have not gotten their airfare and we are under 60 days. My minor child most likely won’t be on the same flight as her parents and NCL doesn’t give a darn. When we booked the air we were promised a travel with guarantee. That is no longer an option. Take as much as they can and give little to nothing in return. 

37 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

 Was this the International Cafe?  Love this spot.  Princess's 24/7 eatery.  Options rotate throughout the day.  It's like a better version (IMO) or the snacks put in the Observation Lounge on the Breakaway+ class ships.

Yes! International Cafe on Princess and I think it was the Promenade cafe on Royal.  I was  hoping the Atrium Cafe would have something similar but no such luck.

I admit I asked a question about this in a different outlet.  Our last couple of cruises, Royal and Princess had a complimentary cold case of items with the coffee shop.  It was the perfect way to end the night.  We would get done with the show/game/ karaoke and stop at the "cafe".  My younger kids would get cookies and milk my teenage son would get 2-3-4 ham and cheese sandwiches.  We really enjoyed it.  So I asked if the Escape had something similar and was told NO, just osheeans and we don't want to wait for that. The main suggestion was to grab a plate of cold cuts, cheese and rolls from the buffet to keep in the room.  If NCL doesn't have a grab and go option, I will bring the ziplocks because NO ONE wants to see my HANGRY teenager!

I just asked about this in our cruise group. My teenage boy loved to swing by the coffee cafe cold case after evenings entertainment for a ham and cheese sandwich (or 3) on our last couple of cruises. It was such a nice way for him to grab some food. Quick. Easy and free. I was told that ncl doesn’t really have anything and that I should grab it all from the buffet earlier in the day and have him make some sandwiches for this. So I guess I’m bringing ziplocks to make sure I can avoid the hangry boy. 

1 hour ago, truckswain said:

 

 

The credit to my original form of payment happened two days later.

This is what I keep waiting for.  NCL.com has been super glitchy and it would show as a credit and then go away again.  I keep checking my card for the refund but it hasn't shown up yet. but I canceled Friday, so will give them another business day or two

And the Escape docked at Taino Bay today.  

11 hours ago, zqvol said:

No it isn’t referred to that way 

The two docks are less than 6 miles away from each other. Docking at Amber cove would be a stop at Puerto Plata.  Similar to docking at the Navy docks in Key west being as stop at key west.     Its a heck of a lot closer than docking at most European ports that claim to be Rome, Florence. etc. 

16 hours ago, zqvol said:

That doesn’t answer what I asked as cruisemapper is an unreliable third party application 

Escape is currently docked at Taino Bay.  There have been several reports on social media by people on the ship.  You can also look at the escape webcam. As well as that unreliable third party cruise mapper. 

18 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

 

Will I get a refund if I cancel my flight?

If you decide not to travel, our normal cancellation policy applies: 

• Business Select®/Anytime tickets are refundable. You can choose to either a) receive a method-of-payment refund or b) hold the value of the ticket as a  flight credit  that you can use to buy a future flight. 

Hey, just saw these terms…maybe you can choose future credit.  Remember, NCZl seems to release air reservations to SWA at 72 hours prior to departure do yhry don’t have liability.  

Thank you, I didn't look hard enough since we plan to keep our southwest flights, (hoping to get the whole group on the same flight home at that 72 hour mark) but since you pointed out that, I also found. 

Important: If you don’t cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the flight’s original scheduled departure time, the value of Business Select or Anytime tickets will automatically be converted to a flight credit. Any Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus flight credit will be forfeited. 

IF you don't do anything at all at the anytime fare level, they automatically make it a flight credit.  Interesting for sure.  I would be interested in knowing if anyone has had any luck with that?

On 1/20/2023 at 1:46 PM, laudergayle said:

 

SWA has a policy where you can cancel up to 10 minutes before departure time.  And, if you have a Southwest Rapid Awards number, they will credit that passenger with the cost of the fare to be used on a future flight.  They also specifically say that the credit goes to the passenger, not the method of payment.
 

Ncl booked us anytime flights. And this is what southwest says about refunds since that fare is 100% refundable and not as credit like the ones lower. Specifically says to your original form of payment. I would expect that is why they book that tier. The lower tier fares say flight credit to the rapid rewards number. 

refundable, as long as you cancel your reservation at least ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight. If you cancel, you’re eligible to receive 100% of your ticket value as a refund to your original form of payment. A Southwest flight credit from a previous reservation that is applied toward a Business Select or Anytime fare will be refunded as a flight credit. For travel booked with Rapid Rewards points, If canceled, points will be returned to the Rapid Rewards account holder who booked the ticket.

With two carnival ships you will not dock at Amber cove dock. That said. There is new hope that Taino bay will be used again. The encore docked at Taino bay this week. Therefore your sailing is more likely to dock at Puerto Plata barring any weather issues that could prevent it. The “ban” of Taino bay seems to be lifting. 

I am sure the people answering the phone are pulling their hair out.  That has to be all they have done lately, is check peoples accounts and assure them that this or that is good and that no you don't have a balance due and yes your package is still there. 

Thanks, I thought I was going nuts. (well I probably am). Mine keeps changing every time I refresh the page. owe 378, then 0 then 682 then 0.  can add pre pay service charges, can't add them.  Very strange.  I was going to do my pre paid service charges but I think I'll wait a day or two for things to settle down. 

UPDATE.  After spending 35 mins both chatting and getting disconnected on the phone (done on purpose and I was being nice). I got to the resolution desk and when pressed about why I am not entitled to the 50% refund, she told me it wasn't done properly and refunded it immediately.  Again  they didn't send anything to break it down so I can't be sure but I think she even refunded too much.  She said the $314 and then made it $471.  SO moral of the story is go ahead and press if it doesn't show up.  

On 1/14/2023 at 8:39 AM, truckswain said:

Thank you Ifdemt!!

 

I had no idea you could cancel just the air portion of a cruise booking.  I called today and got 50% refund on my the air portion.  

 

Good lessons learned here.  You need to be very flexible to use the NCL promo air and for some that is not a problem.  

I just tried to do this today and they took 50% for penalty and then said an additional penalty for having the flights already booked and basically took it all.  so no refund for me.  Did you check the confirmation after and double check it.  Or am I missing a step yet?

2 hours ago, lfdemt said:

So I just called this morning and canceled our flights to the cruise.  I was able to cancel and will be receiving a small amount back. She indicated that it was 50% penalty plus a penalty for it already being booked. We paid $1256 for the 3 airfare $628 for the first, 0 for the second and $628.  SO with keeping the return flight it should have been $628 for the one way and then lose 50% to penalty so $314 is the refund I was expecting and it looks like I'll be getting back $263 so an additional $50 penalty.   Honestly, my lesson has been learned.  Unless we all fit in one room and will be guaranteed to be on the same flight, I will not book the air again, and even then it has to be AMAZING savings for me to give up that control.  For the flight home we are on different flights but they are both non stop and there isn't a 7 night vacation waiting at home if something happens and flights get changed.   

 

Bottom line you can get some money back (even if the recording tells you you can't) If you decided to change your flights last minute.  We are at 64 days and the penalties go up at 60 days. 

actually after checking and re checking. I did not get anything back.  100% of the airfare.  50% per the cancellation schedule and I'm assuming 50% as additional penalty.  The only thing I got refunded was the transfers $112.5.  UGH not that it was unexpected but..... 

Maybe its testing the waters (pun intended)  See how the encore does today and maybe the future is looking up for those of us with dates that have no room at amber cove.  

19 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

I second this question. Flight into Orlando day of sailing feels tight, wondering about doing my own thing a day before but keeping my NCL flight home, if that's even an option

So I just called this morning and canceled our flights to the cruise.  I was able to cancel and will be receiving a small amount back. She indicated that it was 50% penalty plus a penalty for it already being booked. We paid $1256 for the 3 airfare $628 for the first, 0 for the second and $628.  SO with keeping the return flight it should have been $628 for the one way and then lose 50% to penalty so $314 is the refund I was expecting and it looks like I'll be getting back $263 so an additional $50 penalty.   Honestly, my lesson has been learned.  Unless we all fit in one room and will be guaranteed to be on the same flight, I will not book the air again, and even then it has to be AMAZING savings for me to give up that control.  For the flight home we are on different flights but they are both non stop and there isn't a 7 night vacation waiting at home if something happens and flights get changed.   

Bottom line you can get some money back (even if the recording tells you you can't) If you decided to change your flights last minute.  We are at 64 days and the penalties go up at 60 days. 

12 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Don't think yours will be similar! I'm booked on a cruise with three of my clients. Every single one of us have totally different flights, and thanks to flying into Southern Florida, a nice split between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Thankfully my flights are the best of the lot haha

Ugh. I’ve heard that too. Unfortunately the 16 year old is actually my minor child. Traveling with my sister and niece since that’s how we split us up for the cruise. My 10 year old is with my other sister. I just would be less stressed if we are all together. 

well I haven't done it yet but I did ask in the Chat and Ruth checked for me and said that it IS POSSIBLE to cancel one way portions of air fare.  As soon as I get our airfare or by day 61 I will call and cancel and find out for sure.  I just don't think 45 mins layover to change planes in Atlanta with a 9 and 16 year old is smart when you were already landing in Orlando after noon to make the ship that leaves at 4?l   (those are my sisters flights and I would think mine will be similar)

41 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

I second this question. Flight into Orlando day of sailing feels tight, wondering about doing my own thing a day before but keeping my NCL flight home, if that's even an option

We have three cabins and have only gotten the air for one of them. I would like to wait to get the others before attempting this but if you try it please come back and let me know how it goes. I only have a few more days until the cancellation forfeit goes from 50% to 75% 

On 1/14/2023 at 10:34 AM, vacation44 said:

Thank you for this information.   While we do not take the NCL air, my BIL and his family did for our upcoming extended family vacation.   He is not thrilled with his return flight and it makes it worse that we will be home already before he takes off, then has another 1.5  to 2 hours to get home once he lands.  Jokingly,  he said my husband can pick them up from the airport then.   

Did your BIL try to cancel?  I'm curious because my sister just got her flight info and the flight down makes me nervous, only has a 50 min layover in atlanta gets into Orlando at noon. get bags and hour drive to port doesn't leave much wiggle room.  Thinking about booking a different flight down but would keep the flight home, but unsure if you can cancel only one way.

2 hours ago, bookbabe said:

I wonder if the last minute DR cancellations are because NCL was scheduled to dock at Taino Bay and then Carnival changed one of their schedules and that dock was now no longer available?  It is Carnival's port, so I'm sure they get dibs, even if it's for a last minute change.

You are incorrect. Taino bay is not carnivals dock. Amber cove is. And yes carnival gets priority at amber cove. Taino bay actually has room for 3 ships to dock but ncl hasn’t docked a large ship there is a long time.