Ella2

The consumer site shows the no pricing available info, but the TA site does show pricing and availability (at least on the ones I was looking at).  I checked on this yesterday.  Have not tried to make any new bookings through the TA site, but it does the pricing.

And yes, the TA industry is reeling right now.  Try your TA again.  He/she may be happy to start getting NEW bookings.  Good luck with your plans!

11 minutes ago, Granny DI said:

Just heard from my TA who was supposed to sail on the Royal. Crew member OK. Passengers on last cruise OK. Computers out on the ship. They were given money for lodging, refund and free next cruise. 

Umm, don't think so.  This post is from a cruiser supposed to sail as well.  Very different story regarding the cause.  It's not "computers out on the ship."

6 minutes ago, Cannavaro said:

still no reason on officially why they couldnt get the 'necessary clearance'

Thanks for this update!  I'm sorry for the passengers waiting to embark and all the hassle with the travel plan changes...and and am also going "hmmmm" about not getting the "necessary clearance."  

11 minutes ago, wl2cruise said:

Been sitting in the port terminal now for six plus hours no word if the ship we sail. First we where told technical difficulties then around 3pm local time we where told waiting on local authorities.

That sounds awful!  There's another thread about this that shows police have shown up?  Hope you get some answers soon!

Here is the other thread:

18 minutes ago, flyguyjake said:

It's Royal that had the shared crew

I watched the video.  The ship wasn't named.  How do you know this?

9 minutes ago, hawkeye93 said:

Ugh I hadn’t heard about that one. Is that ship empty at least?


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Yes, I have not seen any news (nor can I find any on the Princess board) about a delayed embarkation for Royal Princess?  Where are we seeing this news?  Just echoing your question, hawkeye93...

Just got this regarding cancellation policies.  Once Upon a Time was correct.

Hi everyone,

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, also known as coronavirus, we’re making some temporary changes to our cancellation policy for cruises departing up to May 31, 2020. In addition, we are amending our final payment policy on cruises sailing June 1 through June 30, 2020. We hope these changes will help give your clients peace of mind around final payment decisions and applicable cancellation fees. 

Please find below the applicable departure dates and changes to our standard policies: 

*Date of departure is from the start date of your cruise or cruisetour, whichever is earlier.

Please note that this applies to new and existing bookings on all cruises and cruisetours, excluding charters, inside final payment for all destinations.

Guests who choose to keep their booking as currently scheduled for departures between March 9 and May 31 will receive the following Onboard Credit amounts:

• $100/$150 AUD per cabin for 3 and 4 day cruises
• $150/$225 AUD per cabin for 5 day cruises
• $200/$300 AUD per cabin for 6 day and longer cruises

Future Cruise Credits are non-refundable and may be applied to any new or existing booking not yet paid in full on a Princess cruise departing on or before December 31, 2021. Additionally, the Future Cruise Credit does not have to be used on the same product that was cancelled and is non-transferable. To ensure we cover guests who already made final payment, the revised final payment date means no cancellation fees will be assessed until 60-days prior to sailing.

Please note that while Future Cruise Credits will automatically be applied each guest’s Captain’s Circle account after they have cancelled, the Future Cruise Credit will not be available instantly and may take up to 10 business days to be processed.

26 minutes ago, Once Upon A Time said:

Watch tomorrow for new Cancellation Policy..   Princess will allow us to cancel our March 28th cruise up to 72 hours prior to sailing with 100% Future Cruise Credit..  It appears that this applies to anyone.. insurance or not.  This is for sailings April 3rd or earlier..   April 4th to May 31st.. cancel by March 31 for 100% FCC...  June 1 to June 30  Final Payment will be moved to 60 days prior to sailing.. 

 

 

I certainly hope this is correct!  I have clients on the 3/29 Grand Princess sailing who definitely do NOT want to go (if she even sails).  If you have inside scoop, it's one that I'm happy to hear, for my client's sake.

15 minutes ago, phoenix1975 said:

I'm off on holiday next week to pick up Epic in Civitavecchia on 31st July. Some last minute questions:

 

1. As a UK passenger - is it just my passport and my ticket I need to board Epic?

2. I'm in a Studio cabin - what type of power sockets are there so I can make sure I have the correct adapters with me?

3. What do people use to carry their cruise card - do you get given anything or just put it in your pocket?

4. I see I need to print my luggage tags. Is it best to print these on card, and if I can't get them stapled in the hotel on the morning, is it possible to staple these at the terminal?

5. Anything else as a UK passenger / on Epic, that I need to remember to bring?

 

Thanks 🙂

Boarding the Epic in Barcelona on the 28th!  🙂

1- Yes, your passport and printed boarding pass are what you need.  Have the credit card you are using for onboard purchase too in case they need to scan that.

2 - All Norwegian ships are equipped with North American standard, 110 volts AC and standard European 220/230 volts AC outlets.

3 - I use a lanyard.  They will not give you anything but they can be purchased on the ship.

4 - Just print your luggage tags on regular paper.  I am sure your hotel will help you with the stapler, or the porters at the pier should have something to attach them for you as well.  I use clear luggage tag holders that I ordered online a while ago, can't remember where.

5 - There is a thread here about "things you wish you had brought on a cruise"...take a look at that for any ideas of things that may be useful to you.

Looking forward to a fabulous cruise for all of us!  😄  

26 minutes ago, ginaf said:

Thank you so much everyone! I cancel the social media and I’ll upgrade on day 2 .  I’m assuming I can do this on my own without going to Internet cafe correct?

Yes.  I did the same thing on the Bliss in April with no issue, it was all online.

This thread is from June.  Pretty sure the question has already been answered....

8 hours ago, cruisencrazy said:

We are 64 days out and this is the first time I have not received the email or offer to upgrade.  We are platinum, just for reference.  I was given this information:  

Key offer details:
1. Norwegian (not VTG) determines which bookings are eligible for an upgrade offer.
2. On select sailings customers are given the opportunity to bid for an upgrade against other customers on the same voyage. Eligible customers will receive an email from VTG outlining the details.
3. These auctions are typically offered around 30 days prior to sailing, and upgrades are confirmed a few days before departure.
4. Customers provide their credit card number online at the time of the bid. If they submit the winning bid their card is automatically charged and the upgrade is confirmed immediately.

 

We did book an M6 in an excellent location, so not feeling the urgency to upgrade.  I have never upgraded to Haven, but have cruised in the Haven. Last year we fell in love with Windstar and spent a lot of time on them.  I would rather pay more for that kind of experience as opposed to obsessing over suites on the larger ships.  As one lady said to me....(she was in an inside cabin, which I won't do) We all arrive at the same time....

Did you go to your personal NCL check-in to see if the offer was there?  Have you booked with "VTG"  (and yes I know the reference) before?  Because the "30 days prior" that they mention in their email offer isn't correct for NCL...it's typically 80 days out.   

I've been offered the Upgrade Advantage on every sailing at 80 days out...and have been Platinum for the last two sailings.  But, I always got the offer even before then.  I think it has more to do with the agency you book through if you are not getting an offer now, officially, in an email.  But do check to see if it is there and you just weren't notified.

3 hours ago, kaylie44 said:

I am on the Sky July 1st and bid on a balcony upgrade.  That category has been showing 15 avail cabins on ncl.com until last night and other categories had availability as well.  Now all categories are showing sold out.  Did they really sell all those cabins in one day or is this the start of the upgrade process?

Probably the beginning part of the upgrade process.  Or not.  They may pop back into inventory tomorrow (seen it happen on other sailings).  But likely that it is the beginning of the upgrade process.  Good luck with the bid!

WOW, amazing pictures, thank you for sharing!  And for the Dailies as well!  Will be on the Epic at the end of July so I appreciate all the updated information.  😊

7 hours ago, drvmywifecrzy said:

 

I look on NCL.com   These all had rooms yesterday.  Clearly they have upgraded some people as they were not miraculously sold in one day

 

Maybe, maybe not.  I've seen inventory pop in and out of availability MANY times when watching for my upgrades.  I wouldn't put too much stock in it at the moment, especially with the IT issues going on.  I've been upgraded into categories that have shown as sold out.  It could be that they are starting the upgrading now, for sure, but it doesn't mean that everything was upgraded completely already for a July cruise, if a category shows as sold out.

Try and find a Haven rep outside the terminal, if there is one.  They will walk you through security and to the Haven waiting area, whatever that set-up may be for Port of LA.  If there is no rep outside, once through security there will be someone to assist you.  I've done Haven embarkations in Miami, but they have NCL ships there year-round so their set-up is better.  Out here, NCL ships are seasonal, so not sure if they will have the outside reps or not.

You will board first so I would plan to arrive by 10:30 or so.  Lucky you in the Haven, you will love it!

First of all, congrats on the wedding, sounds beautiful!  And thanks for sharing such a detailed review.

One question...you had to make RESERVATIONS for the silent disco?  I've done this on other ships (and it's a hoot) but on those I just walked in, got a headset and moved on.  How exactly did the reservation process work for that?

Based on the current weather forecast, no.  

We have very little humidity in Southern California, except for a few random weird times of year, and those are not this time of year.  Every night be prepared for cool-ish temps when here (although if you are Canadian, it may not feel cool at all to you).  While on the cruise, from Cabo south it is much more tropical, although Cabo can still be a bit cool (compared to the typical Caribbean weather) this time of year.  Someone posted the weather forecast for this cruise and it looked like 80s all around, and maybe upper 70s in Cabo.

None of the beds split in the Haven suites.  

3 hours ago, marktwothousand said:

Hard to explain, I haven't been able to figure out what triggers it. Certain foods, or combinations of foods eaten together, will occasionally cause stomach ache, cramps and tenderness under the skin. Unfortunately its unpredictable and doctors have been able to isolate the cause.

 

If something Noro is going around, I'll be paranoid as to whether the cause is actually Noro, or just my typical uneasy "sensitive stomach" that I normally deal with. I usually do bring a thermometer on the cruise, plus lopermide, dephenhydramine, tylenol, pepto, anti-spasmodics, and pretty much anything for any eventuality, so its not like I am not prepared 🙂 but I would like to know what I might expect, than be surprised. So if I had no fever or vomiting, I probably wouldn't be too concerned, but I would be EXTRA-vigilant in noro situations...for example, maybe just skip the buffet entirely.

I've had norovirus (NOT on a cruise ship) and trust me, you would KNOW...without gross details, nothing stays in you at all.  You live on the bathroom floor.  It's hideous.  It's vastly different from anything like IBS or sensitive stomach issues.

I'm also sailing the same week you are and agree that normal precautions make the most sense.  I've sailed on ships with active noro outbreaks and on ships that just got deep cleaned and were the first sailing after noro outbreaks.  Just wash hands often, don't touch your hands to your face (I actually use my knuckle to punch elevator buttons) and use common sense regarding buffets.

20 minutes ago, alisonslp said:

I wondered about this. So it is not like a silent auction, where you bid based on the highest you are willing to pay but you only pay where the bidding stops (for instance if someone bid $150 and you bid $200, you would win and only pay $155 (or whatever the increments are)?

No, it's definitely not like a silent auction.  With those, you can SEE what others are bidding and bid appropriately.  You are blind bidding for the upgrades.  If your bid is accepted, you will pay the per person price based on your bid, and pay that full amount...it's immediately charged to your credit card.

1 hour ago, warcon said:

hi  never done ncl before    does bidding max mean you get it ?? im thinking not :):)

Nope.  I bid the maximum on a spa mini-suite on the Bliss and did not get it, but did get a spa balcony (with a way less than maximum bid).  It's not a guarantee.  Bidding maximum on the HAVEN, however, if there is availability, is a different story.  However, bidding the maximum may very well be overkill...base your bid on availability for the stateroom type you are bidding on and your comfort level with the price. 

TOTALLY agree with the others...keep your angled balcony and just buy spa passes if you want them!  There is nothing better about the actually spa balcony room other than the spa pass.  The spa min-suites have the upgraded bathroom.

If you are going to bid on ANYthing...bid on the Havens.  Other than that, I would not bid on anything else.

Enjoy!

On the Bliss, 4/21/19, 7-night Mexican Riviera.  Got upgraded today from a BF (balcony guarantee) to a spa balcony for basically the cost of the spa pass.  I'm happy with that.  It's also the EARLIEST I've gotten upgrades (my two previous Haven upgrades came 2-3 days prior to sailing).  Havens have been gone for a while, mini-suites disappeared within the past week (my other bids), so knew it was a spa balcony or nothing.  I'm happy with the result and looking forward to the thermal suite!