graphicguy

I’ll qualify this by saying I grew up drinking facet water out of a dirty hose. There was nothing as refreshing on a hot summer day. So, that’s where my taste buds are coming from. I’ve seen NCL’s water filtration system. It’s probably cleaner water than what you get in those cartons. Not familiar with the taste of Pelegríno, so can’t comment on that.

That would be great if he returned to the NCL family, even though it’s Oceania.

Yes...you have to have a reservation to upgrade. Also, I think to bid on a Haven Suite, you must first be booked in a Balcony Cabin at a minimum.

You should have received an email stating "Let's Get You Upgraded". Not sure it's always sent out or if it goes to everyone. If you never received it, call 866-234-7350 and ask about upgrades and if you can bid on one. They may be able to send you a link.

The BEST Haven Concierge in the entire NCL Fleet. Sorry he left NCL, but happy to hear he's doing well.

Haven is still serviced 2X/day!

Thanks. Her name is PICO! She’s about a year old…rescued from a constantly caged and dirty puppy mill house that was raided a few months ago. She was dirty, matted, starving when I got her. Got her shots up to date, a spa day, spayed. She’s a little bundle of sweetness….mini daschund/ papillon mix!

Couple of observations…. 1. The shows that have contracts that are expiring are being replaced by internally developed shows vs paying for Broadway/Vegas shows. I’ve seen some of NCL’s newer shows (Syd Norman’s shows comes to mind). They’re excellent! Anxious to see the big theater productions they’re bringing to their stages. 2. True, room stewards have more cabins to take care of, but they’re only cleaning them once/day instead of twice per day. Just thought I’d add some perspective!

😉 Sometimes it feels that way. Just like our kids, we cater to their food wants, take them out when they want, make sure they're warm and dry. LOL! But, they bring endless joy and love unconditionally. I'm on my 3rd doggo...all rescues. Each time the others passed, I swore I'd never get another. Then, I'll see some sad scared eyes looking back at me at some SPCA or rescue event and, don't you know, I have a new family member. Not complaining, however. This girl is sitting next to me while I type this......

Ummmm….most (if not all) NCL cruises are sailing at capacity. I know this is a Europe thing, but I think you’re looking to blame the cruise lines for the way they collect your VAT. Not sure that’s where the blame should reside. It’s the different locales that demand the VAT, not NCL!

They’re integral parts of our families. And, just like any other being in our lives, we help them along when they are ill, infirm or in need. Bless your soul for being there for your pup as s/he ages. I know way too many who find their pets disposable.

With you on that one. That’s one of the BIG reasons I like sailing in the Haven….letting someone take care of all that for me. Once on board, I huddle with the Concierge and work out dining and entertainment plans and turn them loose to do their job. Same with the Butler, although I’ve not had nearly as much luck with them. I tell them what to bring for snacks (if anything….no chocolate covered strawberries, but they insist on bringing the anyway), as an example. The rest, coffee, pillows choices take a minute to communicate, plus it allows for introductions. I get on board and everything is done for me. I don’t do any of it. That’s the beauty of the Haven in my estimation.

Concur about having the ice melting in that metal bucket. The bucket has zero insulation and the ice melts quickly. As others mentioned, you're better off getting ice at the Garden Buffet in whatever vessel you have to use it in.

Same here. I use them in my hard side and soft side luggage, as well as my back pack. They work well in all my applications.

I guess I’ve cruised NCL so much I’m used to the Cruise Next promos. Great explanation. Just keep an eye out for the double up and triple up promos. All-in-all, it’s a way to get a discount on a cruise, either in the form of a deposit match ($500 deposit for a $250 Cruise Next Cert) or to get OBC on the cruise you’re on. The Cruise Next folks at their kiosk can explain what promos are available for you right now. Again, loving the pics.

I understand the tag holder thingies. I don't fret about them mailing the luggage tags to me, though. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. Mostly, I do carry on and have my rollaboard with me when I embark and with my back pack really have no need for luggage tags. Now, if I was checking luggage, obviously I need tags. Invariably, I forget them. And, the porters take care of them for me after showing my ticket with my cabin number. Only time I had an issue was on an MSC cruise, where they actually lost a checked bag. They didn't even get the right deck. Was waiting and waiting, until finally customer service called me to tell me someone else got my luggage. I was a bit worried. But, I had a lock on the luggage. And, no one outside of TSA and me could open it. Still, it took them a day to track it down. NCL, who I've sailed the most, has been accurate and timely with my luggage any time I've checked it...with a porter luggage tag, one I printed out, or one they mailed to me. Never seemed to matter.

Digging the pics. Glad you're having a great time!

I know people go out of their way to get luggage tags, put them in special holders, etc. As has been mentioned, prints them out on your printer, fold them the way the simple instructions tell you to, staple them to your luggage. Or…… Forego all of that and let the porters tag them for you. Either works and either is fine, whether you’re mailed luggage tags or not.

Who could argue that????? 😉

Thanks, Henry! Got lucky on the flights. Sometimes even a blind squirrel trips over an acorn. I have tried Royal's Starlink implementation last year. Wasn't impressed. I'm assuming the same for NCL. So, not holding my breath. That said, this cruise is port intensive. T-Mobile assures me I'll have service in all the ports we're stopping (and some we're spending the night). So, assuming (you know that that means) I'll have service at all the ports, it shouldn't be much of an issue via connection or signal. At least, that's my hope.

Yeah...it gets a little convoluted. According to the FAS+ "perks", there is an additional $50 excursion credit offered. This would be on top of the FAS $50 excursion credit. So, effectively it would be a $100 excursion credit, per excursion. However, I had one Concierge tell me since I was a solo, I wouldn't qualify. But, I paid for the cabin. I'm traveling alone. So, purchasing FAS+ offers an additional $50 excursion credit as part of the package. It does not stipulate that anyone else in the cabin has to purchase FAS+ to get the additional excursion credit. I wanted clarification from NCL. And, at best, they seem confused by it themselves. Anyway, here's the email I sent and the response I received from NCL. "

I don’t think I even own enough clothes in my entire wardrobe to need collapsible cubes for storage on a ship. (J/K….kind of)!

I will get the original $50 FAS excursion credit. The question was, if I buy the FAS+ package, which includes another $50 excursion credit for a 2nd guest (I’m both the first and second guest since I paid full fare. But, I asked NCL and I have a split decision from NCL whether I do get an extra $50 credit or not. I do have an email from NCL stating that I DO get the credit. But, who knows what will happen once I board and the bill comes. I have a $500 OBC. If I get the additional $50 excursion credit added to the one I already have, it’s worth it for me to buy the FAS+ package. If not, I don’t care about the other drinks added to the plus package and I’ll just buy the internet upgrade on my own and plan my own 3rd party excursions. Still a little skittish until I get on board and see what the Concierges and on board Customer Service say about the credit. I think they’ll be the final arbiters on if I do or don’t get the additional credit

For a while I was jumping back and forth to Brazil, Chile, and Taiwan. Domestically I was bouncing from Cincinnati, Boston, Austin and Silicon Valley. That was my life for 2 plus decades! I’m about 20k miles from 3 Million Miles just on Delta!

Thanks. So, according to this, the Mole Leon Gourret pier is 6 miles from the old port, which is where my hotel is supposed to be. By all indications, looks close. Not close enough to haul luggage around, but close enough for a Taxi/Uber.