graphicguy

I know that scene. Will be there in about a month! 😉

I am so looking forward to your posts. Thank you!

Love your pics. Thanks!

BTW….none of the above includes flights, transport or insurance. I estimate that to be $300-$350.

Thanks, for sharing your great trip with us, Henry. Welcome home!

I think it has gone up since we booked. Here's my breakdown for a Club Balcony Cabin-Solo.... PASSENGER CHARGES Description 1 Cruise Fare $ 590.50 Beverage Package Service Fee $ 138.60 Dining Package Service Fee $ 17.80 Future Credit Certificate $ -419.90 Tax / Fees $ 226.00 PASSENGER TOTAL $ 553.00 On top of that, I get $75 OBC. I get $200 OBC + LeBistro dinner and a bottle of wine from AMEX Platinum. I get another $100 of OBC for being an NCL stock holder. TA will pick up the tips (service fees) of $139+$18=$157 when I embark. I get another 2 Specialty Dinners for "FREE AT SEA" and another 2 Specialty Dinners for Latitude Sapphire. So, that figures to be.... $553 ($157) tips $375 OBC 5 Free Specialty Dinners 1 bottle of wine I know OBC doesn't cost NCL anything, but that's money that doesn't come out of my pocket. And, the FCC was the result of my last cruise's price drop. So, I've already paid that, regardless. But, if you total it up, this cruise costs $178.

I’ve seen some crazy tip amounts (like tipping that equals or exceeds the fare of the cruise). I’m not that. But, I do bring a lot of Grants and Franklins with me, as well as even more George Washingtons for bar wait staff. Then, you have the “I’m already charged for tips…no one’s getting anything more”. LIke you, I’m probably right in the middle of those two extremes. You give me good service, you get good tip.

Not really related to this cruise, but since I try to post "LIVE" when I cruise (operative word being "TRY"), I've used a GoPro for pics and video. Just scored an iPhone 14. The cameras and stabilization on it has become so good, I decided not to carry my GoPro anymore. One less thing to stuff in my backpack. Anyway, posted it on eBay, where it just sold. And, just saw the shipping address. It's going to someone who's working on the Carnival Conquest. I guess s/he will pick it up when they're docked in Doral, FL. Shipping label actually says Carnival Conquest. I must be bored if that's what I think is interesting, today! 😉

Temp and facial recognition tech has been great…on and off the ship, through customs, etc. Very easy and cleared up bottlenecks that used to occur. I think we all knew that once the amount of VAXed cruisers elevated, things would relax. IN talking to the GM on the Getaway in July, he said the average % of passengers that are vaxed is well over 95% on NCL sailings. The only way they got to that point was to require 100% vax for the last 18+ months. Talking to Capt Kate over a year ago on the Celebrity Edge she stated the only way Celebrity could sail was to require a vaccination for anyone who could be vaccinated. They don’t sail with many children as they aren’t geared for that. So, their %s of vax passengers were very high, also. She said they had to make the policy to get ships back on the water and have the passengers who sailed put in the safest possible environment. NCL and Celebrity stuck to their guns with their original policies, which made it work for them and their guests. Kudos to them. Looking back, Royal, Princess, and HAL tried segregating passengers, closed off spaces depending on vax or non-vax, etc. To me, that was not only a disaster by comical, as the policies kept changing. Not so with NCL and Celebrity. They kept their policies consistent. Now, as a result, after over a year and a half later, then can relax those policies because they worked and COVID is now a painful, but hopefully a distant memory.

Yep…I saw staff removing towels from loungers that had been vacant for around 45 mins. Warmed my heart!

Sailed the Getaway (Breakaway’s sister ship) in July. It was near capacity. Frankly, I’ll give NCL credit. It never seemed crowded except at the pools on sea days. Typical bottle necks (like the Garden Cafe buffet) were handled efficiently, keeping things moving. Even those who were “reserving” pool chairs with towels or trying to reserve tables in the buffet were given little leeway that cause bottlenecks. So, things flowed well. No lines that I ever saw in any of the MDRs. The Noodle Bar had a bit of a wait during lunch and dinner. So, if that’s on your radar, might want to go earlier or later than typical lunch or dinner times. All venues were open (including MDRs). Shows in Syd Norman’s got crowded, but the key there was to get to the show 30-45 minutes early. I’ll be on the Breakaway end of October/first of November. It will be the last sailing of the season for that itinerary. Prices have been really good. So, I expect my sailing to be at capacity, too…..also in a Club Balcony (particularly good deals on those in OCT). Latitudes status didn’t matter except for embarkation and a few special events. So, that shouldn’t be an issue. Good luck. I’m certain you’ll have a great time.

Just logged in to take a look at mine. No issues on my end.

I can see that. But, even NCL’s booking site isn’t all that accurate (and glitchy). My TA complains all the time that she’ll make a booking, and until it’s accepted by NCL, she doesn’t tell her customers it’s official.

Thanks for the review and pics. Enjoyed all of it!

Yeah….overall, it’s at best, a guessing game. Plus, they don’t really know a total count until everyone is checked in and on the ship. I know I’ve tried to pinpoint the amount of guests before sailing. And, given the wildly inaccurate guesses (and many times glitchy WEB sites), I’ve come to the conclusion no one can make a reliable estimate, including me. Doesn’t matter. I’m booked and sailing regardless of there’s 1 guest or 6,000 guests sailing.

Could be right. I’ve actually seen ivy both ways, with disabled and Have guests swapping boarding times.

My TA got me $420 FCC because of a price drop on my July Getaway sailing. I don’t think it was difficult, but I didn’t personally have to call them to do it.

NCL has been pretty strict with boarding times. It goes… 1. People with physical disabilities (crutches, wheelchairs, etc) 2. Haven 3. Platinum Latitudes and above 4. EVerybody else Haven guests can usually board whenever they want, as long as the ship has been cleared for new passengers. But, I saw some people in July who were there early and told to wait until their assigned boarding time.

Yeah….I chalked it up as a WEB site glitch on their side. I looked at the Haven on this sailing before it sold out. There were good deals to be had ($3,500, which is good for a Haven Suite). Thought about it. But, also thought about going the other direction and seeing how much I could get for the least amount. Was going to see if I could bid on the Haven. But, I called NCL and even they stated it was sold out. Don’t want to see anyone have to forfeit their Haven Suite last minute, but I’m thinking it happens. NCL usually has a sign up at guest services on Embarkation Day stating that no upgrades are available. But, this cruise is the last of the season to Canada. As such, these are the kinds of cruises that have always offered some move up availability.

That is too bad. I'm a parent. I know what it's like with young kids. Sometimes you just need a reprieve from them. But, there is a line that's not to be crossed. In your scenario, special needs or not, that line was smashed and the behavior of both parents and child is inexcusable. That's true of all families with kids. Insisting on taking a child to LeBistro probably wasn't a good idea to being with. The kids don't care. And, as a parent, it's probably not going to be enjoyable because you're busy "baby sitting". While it should, it never seems to occur to some how their kids interactions on a ship (and the parents' subsequent inaction) will affect other guests. It's like the ship is all theirs...oblivious that there are thousands of other guests cruising with them. Bottom line,

I should know this, but don't. If anyone has experience, do they release cabins (thinking specifically Haven) of those who had to cancel sometime close to the sail date? I know Celebrity allowed this. Never tried it with NCL.

Ocean Blu is my favorite dining venue on NCL ships. Thanks for posting.

Didn't know that. Good to know!

Are there better options for families with young'uns? Probably. Disney and Carnival come immediately to mind. I also think it is not ship dependent. To me, NCL Pearl is just another of the jewel class ships. So, I think the ship itself is irrelevant. But, what does make a difference is the itinerary and time of year you're sailing. Bahamas/Caribbean when school's out? Yeah...there will be children. As far as ones I've encountered on any ship, it's clear that the parents of those little orcs....errrr...I mean angels...all believe they have raised the best kids in the world and it's everyone else's children who are the problem. I don't have issues with kids on ships, except when they throw tantrums, get in other passengers' way, or generally think the entire ship belongs to them (BTW, that goes for adults, too). Little Johnny or Janey throws a hissy fit in the MDR because their hot dog isn't served to them the right way....and the parents allow them to do so, I think public shaming and shunning by crew members is in order (joking)! Disney, in particular, is made for kids....to a lesser extent, so is Carnival. All the rest of the cruise lines offer some things for the kids to do. But, it's more an afterthought. This reminds me of a cruise the GF and I took many years ago on Royal's Allure of the Seas. Anyone who has been on that ship knows there is a beautifully landscaped area around Central Park. Family with 3 probably under 5 year olds was talking among some others in the area, while 5 feet away, their little cherubs were climbing all through the dirt and plants, spilling ice cream cones and sodas all over the place, while screaming at each other. Their family adults acted oblivious. Finally, a crew member came by and asked the parents to remove the kids from the area. They did, for about 3-4 minutes, and then it was back to the destruction scene that was happening previously. Felt sorry for the staff. I'm sure the area is both costly and delicate to maintain. A simple removal of the kids would have sufficed, but that wasn't to be. It made us feel sad as it was a beautiful area.

1. Not sure about lower categories, but… -Balconies get $100 OBC -Club Balconies get $200 OBC -Haven gets $300 OBC Plus, you get dinner for 2 at LeBistro and a bottle of wine with dinner 2. Don’t know about Visa points. 3. yes 4. yes, if the TA allows it 5. all cabins booked with the AMEX PLAT are eligible. Above has been my experience with my TA. Check with your TA to get a more definitive response. They should be able to answer all your questions.