jimp1266

When I dive my mind is quiet and I am completely immersed in what I am doing in the moment. I've not found anything else that provides such an escape. 

28 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Exactly why I don't use a PCC. 

Can  you explain exactly what control do you lose when using a TA?

Generally, If you wish to service the reservation directly (by calling the cruise line) they will refer you back to the TA you are working with. Which means attempting to contact your TA and waiting for a reply. They add a "middle man" that must first understand your request then relay that request to the cruise line.  Some don't participate in the upgrade bidding process and some charge change fees not related to the line you are sailing.  Some have great TAs that are responsive and actively monitor for price drops and such but I have found that I must make them aware of pricing changes.

I'm also jaded. Way back when internet based cruise travel agents were a new thing one of the largest abruptly went out of business. As I recall, the son of the business creator took over and mismanaged customer deposits. They collected payment but did not forward them to the cruise lines. I got very lucky when Princess alerted us to the lack of payment and were able to resolve it, many others simply lost their payment and cruise. 

I'm struggling to understand the value of using a PCC. It seems like they are internal "travel agents" that offer no additional discount or perks while creating a barrier between you and your reservation. Am I missing something?

I generally book directly so that I am in control of my reservation (not waiting for a response from a travel agent or playing the phone game). I have, on occasion, used a travel agent when the discount or perks were too good to pass up but have felt frustrated when I wanted to service my own reservation. 

We sail Friday, we were notified today. (JS to GS for $25 above the minimum)

The shops don't typically "unpack" on the reprovisioning day. 

We board on Saturday, If you still need one let me know.

No, you can't bring cans of soda, or cans of ANYTHING. You need permission for water, sugar free drinks( but not soda).

 

I asked about diet coke( I abhor pepsi). I was told NO.

Since the policy change we have checked two 12 packs of Diet Dr. Pepper in a cheap duffle bag all by themselves. We have received that bag, full of our preferred beverage, each time. I have been prepared to abandon the bag if it didn't show up but it always shows up in the room. This was true was in both Miami (x2) and New York. We are leaving on saturday and our soda is already in the duffle.

How "dressed up" were people on formal night?

From what others have posted it is the first sea day. I'm curious how many people participate and how dressed up do they get (tuxedo vs suit vs jacket).

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Day 2 was formal night! So, after a nap we got dolled up and ready for dinner. I started to get hooked on the pumpkin seed rolls, and ordered the lobster bisque and the shrimp ravioli. Was surprised when the ravioli came out... and it was only two pieces. From then on, I asked the waiter the serving sizes. Indulged in two desserts tonight, creme brulee and the souffle.

Great review! We are cruising on Indy next month and I was curious about how "dressed up" were your fellow passengers on formal night? Did you notice any tuxedos or suits? We have cruise many times with Royal but our last three cruises were on Norwegian which is very casual.

Hi DVC'er. We own at SSR. Just came back from THVs between Christmas and New Years Day. Fantastic trip! Just booked Poly Villas for September 9-16. Yey.

 

Anyway. I see you stayed in the Haven. Who was the concierge? We plan on spending our mornings in the spa and then linch in Haven and rest of afternoon there until getting ready for dinner. Love having drinks at Haven bar before dinner. How were the Haven bartenders.

 

We made all our dining but need to to the comedy and shows when we board or as you suggested while waiting to board. I may do that or just give to the concierge and let them know what day/time. I have it written down. Dont think it should be a problem having them take care of it.

 

What did you do at night. What were your high and low lights of the trip.

 

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The Concierge was John Dsouza. The Haven bartenders were very nice and very personable (Pia and... nope, can't remember the guy's name, Pia served me most of my drinks).

I'm sure the concierge can take care of the entertainment reservations. I like doing it in the boarding lounge to pass the time.

At night we did a lot of the comedy shows, they were the best comics I have seen on a ship in a very long time. Even the MC (Keith) is great, be sure to ask him if he is Kenian. We normally love Howl at the Moon and spend as much time there as possible however, the guys onboard seemed like the requests annoyed them they wanted to be somewhere else. Don't get me wrong, we love dueling piano bars and the banter between the performers and the crowd. These guys just seemed like they stayed on a few cruises too long (particularly the Simon Cowel want to be). We didn't even go to their performance on the last night which was a first for us.

So I guess the lowlight was Howl at the Moon because we usually love it so much.

The highlights are a ship staffed with a friendly crew eager to help, having spa and Haven access (just can't say enough about how great these areas are). We loved the dolphin encounter / snorkel in Roatan and the cooking class in Cozumel (which exceeded my expectations, everyone seemed to genuinely have a good time).

I find the dinner for 2 per stateroom annoying. Here is a scenario, I am traveling with a friend who happens to also be Platinum and he or she want to go to dinner by him or herself and that cannot be done because we must use that voucher together, just because we are traveling together does not mean we want to spend every single moment together. :cool:...

I can totally see how that scenario would be a problem. We are contractually obligated ;) to spend every moment together so the new system worked well for us. Having a second dinner in Moderno was nice (wife isn't a Platinum yet, just a lowly Gold). We have the same number of NCL cruises so this is said to tease her. Again, long story.

Were you and your wife allowed priority embarkation under your platinum status?

 

 

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We were lucky to have a Haven room so, yes. I can report that a Platinum priority embarkation was present in the boarding area and I'd be shocked if a cabin mate was not allowed to board with a platinum member.

Thanks. How was your cruise. Any hints. Sailing in two weeks! Cannot wait!!

 

 

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Hello fellow DVC member!! (BLT, BCV & Poly). Like all 'away ships, too much to do, too little time (trying to do it all will lead to frustration). Use the iConcierge app to book comedy / show reservations while waiting to board in the terminal. The system will allow you to book as many as you like. If in the haven, use the priority disembarkation to avoid frustration in all ports of call (up to the lounge, down a service elevator, off the ship!). Most of all, don't blink...the week flies by.

Are you plantinum? How many bags of laundry?

I'm platinum, wife is gold (long story). I received one free bag and she was offered 50% off one (we only used the free bag). The bag was cloth and very large, I'm sure we could have stuffed in twice the amount of clothing compared to the old paper bags.

Did you book any NCL excursions? Wondering if they are giving credit at the shore excursion desk for those booked online based on the percent off you get for lattitude level?

To be honest I was caught off guard by the change and I wasn't even aware that this was a new benefit (platinum). I booked two excursions online and no refund was offered. If I don't get double points for booking many months before this cruise I'll be sure to raise this issue while fighting for the points.

I'm sorry if this has already been reported. We completed our Getaway cruise this morning and the new latitude changes are fully implemented. New levels, new perks, everything.

May I ask from what to what

Mid ship mini to a haven spa suite.

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We are sailing on the Escape this weekend February 4th and received our upgrade email today (Tuesday January 31st).

 

 

 

We were originally booked in a balcony category BF and upgraded to Category H4.

 

 

 

Oddly enough our bid was in the poor range for this particular category and we had also placed a bid in the fair range for the Aft Haven suites. Makes no sense but I'm not complaining! :)

 

 

 

We also used a TA for the original booking.

We experienced a similar situation, our H9 bid was "poor" and our aft haven was "fair." Ended up getting the H9 with no complaints (haven and spa access for a much cheaper bid).

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We were notified yesterday (Monday) and we leave Sunday on the Getaway.

I have a question about the drink package I am booked in a balcony room I picked the drink package and the dinners here is the thing I do not drink I want to use the package to get non-alcoholic drinks like a virgin dakary the last cruise I paid for the soda card and was tired of soda after 2 days does anyone know do they offer non-alcoholic versions of drink and is the card good for them.

 

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They will make just about any drink virgin and it will be covered with the drink plan.

We were on the Escape last week, sailing on Saturday and we got notice on the Tuesday prior that our bid was accepted (mini-suite to Haven Forward Facing...yay!!)

May I ask what your bid was (we have a few bids pending)?

We asked for and received two from Breakaway's latitude rep last week. She confirmed that when they are gone that are not receiving any more.

Pier 88 when we boarded on 8/7

Wow. We will still have a great time but Getaway in February is looking less and less likely, too many other fish in the sea...

We are also on the 8/7 sailing. Second City will be available when we board. I booked the shows the day they became available and Second City was not a choice. The comedy shows on Escape were handled the same way when we sailed last January.