kiminey65

Call and tell them you have enough points and would like to do a double meta and see what they can do. They can reprice, move , adjust and can make it happen if......you get a good report on phone. If they sound unknowledgeable call back.

 

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I actually don't have enough points for a double Meta upgrade. But for me being put into the GTY balcony ended up being a good gamble. I was awarded a BB category this morning on deck 10. Merely 24 hours after I traded up! I mentioned earlier I am also eligible for NCL's upgrade offer but ironically, it clearly states I am an IV to Balc upgrade but can only upgrade to balcony ([emoji848]) or mini suite. I will stay put! But wanted to share this amazing news with all of you.

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Should be cabins unless it's short notice.

You may need to book a higher category to get an available one in upgrade

 

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I am on a very short notice before my sailing and therefore limited in options. Keep in mind some ships have very little pricing difference between OV to balcony. In fact a bermuda cruise I am looking at for late spring currently has balconies for $50 less than OV. I personally check out pricing differentials to figure out which is the wisest way to cash in my World Points. For my sailing, it was for sure doing a meta upgrade to a balcony! I'd guesstimate a good $2000 for this feat. My only blunder, which was only because I didn't know about meta upgrades at the time of booking was that I chose the lowest Ocean view and should have chose the highest, that way my cross meta upgrade would be a better balcony. My sailing is listing most categories currently as GTY. Who knows, I may win out because the worse I can do in a balcony is what I am already jumping in at! A BD category. I have to keep reminding myself it is wayyyy better than my (former) obstructed OV room.

I just cross Meta upgraded my OK category on Jade for a BD balcony GTY on Jade 3/12 Panama Canal partial transit. Of course I'd love a better balcony than that and haven't been assigned my stateroom yet as most cabins are now showing as a gty. My TA had to reassign my booking under a different code to be eligible to use my World points to Meta. I also got an invite to "upgrade" within 12 hours of this new code. Not sure how that works when I'm not even assigned a stateroom yet!

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This is a great thread and I have learned a lot! I've read several pages of the more recent posts, especially regarding MC World points and the best way to redeem them. I do however have a few questions. Sorry if these have been asked & answered already, as there are a lot of pages here...

If I have accrued 30,000 points and book an OV, I can then call my World points center to META upgrade immediately? I don't have to wait until after final payment right?

Will getting a META upgrade from OV to balcony make me ineligible to get their upgrade offer at 80 days??

If I book an OV then Get my META balcony upgrade (same category) can I then pay to upgrade to an aft???

These might seem like stupid questions, but I like to know the facts before I proceed. Thanks.

We were in room 12186 last year with 3 of us (adults) in a cabin. We were on a 14 day sailing in Jan/Feb with very few children onboard so didn't mind the fact we were on a "family" deck. Let's face it. When NOT traveling with children we would rather not have to deal with all the shenanigans children can incur... We loved the bathtub! We did notice the adjoining door, but never once heard our neighbors. The rooms are fairly close to the elevators/stairs. Ours was a quiet sailing without many children. For that reason, a very quiet "neighborhood". No problems at all.

You've got me nervous now! I am having a recollection of our 1st cruise from FLL back in 2012 where the hotel was over booked. It was happening as an influx of vacationers were trying to register in at the same time. There were a lot of unhappy people! Luckily we were able to stay, but others were whisked away to a sister hotel, and I don't know what anyone agreed upon.

I plan to call our hotel tomorrow to at least validate our booking for March 11. I booked two rooms at the River Side Hotel. I don't know what my plan B will be, but THANKS for the heads up!

I ADORE follow ups and am beyond thrilled to hear about this one!!! Congratulations to your whole family that your son fully recovered from the scariest illness a mother could hear of. Praise the Lord. Happy adventures and sailings to you as you continue through life's crazy journey.

Not a bad outcome after all!:D

 

Moral of the story is if you book with a tour operator who flies in the day of a cruise, be prepared for an adventure!;)

 

If you don't like adventure, fly in the day before or book an AI with the same tour operator. AI's don't move.:cool:

I'd say this is fair advice! Although it must have been stressful and disappointing at first, all is well that ends well. Life is an adventure and things like this can make some of your best stories down the road. I am glad to hear they all made it to Jamaica and at least their cruise didn't have an itinerary where they were at sea for 3 days before the first stop. On that note, I admit to being the sort that books my travel a day ahead!

I am not sure if we are allowed to drop site names on here, but if you are the gambling sort you can do what I did for both our son's upcoming cruise in Feb at very peak time and ourselves in (almost) mid March. I logged into a site that rhymes with "NotFire" Go to their hot rates site, figure your filters out and take that gamble. For our son & fiance we felt they would want Hollywood area or Airport South (Dania) which hopefully would further help their thrifty travel with free airport shuttle as well as complementary breakfast. Often times the hotel the site claims was the past "choice" is the one you too will get. I took the gamble for 2 1/2 star. shuttle, free breakfast & in Dania. Sure enough they scored Sleep Inn & Suites for $145 plus taxes. I also found a $15 off coupon.So they should be happy with all my research...

For my husband & I, I went with the downtown area in March hoping for access to the water taxis, and again had great luck with The River Side Hotel for $150 plus taxes. Keep in mind we too are in height of the season, although not as badly as our son. For me to secure for him our hotel (A month earlier) it would be $200 plus taxes.

Once you put in your credit card and press "send" you are locked in without the option to cancel with reimbursement. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your responses. An update here is that it appears things will work out for my mom & her traveling friend. That's obviously great, even though I was letting my imagination run with the " Dream" of cruising twice this winter! But alas, its back to reality.

I agree too that policies should be checked out. My mother's is a 75% cash back for CFAR. But it also covers sickness, repatriation as well as lost luggage etc @ 100%. So does mine for that matter. I hate to pay it out, but feel so much better knowing I have it. Coverage for all the unthinkables of being outside the country is worth it to me.

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I can not adequately give a play by play for an actual wedding on board ship as I have never attended one, but can validate that the boarding process is when they will process you and your guests to gain access to the ship. Everyone waiting to board the Breakaway that day will be similarly waiting in a holding area. Your area is set aside due in part to your nuptials. It will go by faster than you think!

Remember, there are approximately 4,000 pax from the previous week's sailing disembarking and a full turnover of the vessel going on in those few hours! A beautiful ceremony will ensue and all will be right with the world. Congratulations on you wedding!!! Sounds like a great way to get married and go straight to the honeymoon.

Thanks everyone for added things to consider. My mother booked this whole thing with her credit card. She did add the CFAR insurance through a 3rd party. Either Insure my trip. Or Travel Guard. So if she canceled her friend she could expect a 70 or 75% cash back for her friend (as I've said, she wants to go regardless). My problem with this is I selfishly would rather she not go solo. But I also cannot come up with that $1600 or more fare for myself to join her. I am interested to know if only rhetorically if my mother gets her claim back due to friend not paying up. And then I "volunteer" to be added, will the cruiseline (who isn't out anything) offer a new 2nd person a decent rate???

Does this question even make sense?? Lol

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.... Hi All. Mine is a rhetorical question that I am already worrying over....

My mother and a friend are going on a 10 day cruise in early 2018. They are already in full payment, which my mother fronted for. The agreement is that her friend will pay in full before they go. They DID get the cancel for any reason policy through insure my trip.... My mother has said to me a few times she hopes her friend doesn't change her mind, but she will still go ahead by herself if this friend decides not to go.

My question is, IF her friend up & decides not to go after all (She seems less interested lately, so maybe we are pre-jumping to a conclusion) and mom makes her claim with the insurance company for the 70% refund, what are any other options for adding a new cruiser? I don't feel comfortable with her traveling solo. She is near 75 yrs old. I don't feel I can necessarily pay a full fare to join her as my husband & I are cruising in mid march, but if being added to her sailing cheaply is an option, I might consider it.

I am thinking out loud when I ask, if NCL already has their fare from # 2 passenger, and mom's reimbursement is from her insurance plan, "what" would the fare price fee be to add a new 2nd traveler?? Mom's cc has been billed with 2 passengers.... Just trying to figure this out... Thanks in advance for any insight.

To the OP I am very relieved to hear this all worked out for you all! What a stressful way to begin a vacation and I am grateful you took the time to update all of us here on the final verdict.I hate it when it remains open ended with a cliffhanger!! We can only imagine what these past few hours were like for you, and thanks for the reminder to the rest of us to double, then triple check on our docs before leaving our homes once our vacation starts!

My son & his fiance are cruising together February 18-24, 2018 on Carnival Vista out of Miami. On the morning they disembark I'd like to gift to them a tour or something fun to do that won't be too complicated as they are traveling alone & aren't very confident travelers (thus my "idea").

Some important details are: Disembarking in POM but flying out of FLL. Flight home is at 4:15 pm so I'd want to aim for them to be dropped off at FLL by 2:00 pm. They need a safe place for baggage storage, unless Carnival offers luggage to be delivered to airport for them for a fee?

I appreciate any and all ideas. Thanks!!

I have no idea what you paid, obviously, but we saved just $100, which appears to be precisely what OP is saying. (That is, we paid $150, and *not* $125.)

So NOT "everyone" knows they "paid $125". At the very least, *we* don't, so that's two less than "everyone"!

 

We purchased several, all at the same price.

 

We have one left, and might not be able to use it, but we are still hoping :)

(Our next currently-known NCL cruise will be too late, after the coupon expires, unfortunately.)

 

GC

You can always sell them to someone who appreciates a savings. And you won't be out a total loss. I have gifted several CRUISENEXT certificates to my family & friends. I've never dealt with a total stranger but I believe in Goodwill and as long as we had an email conversation where I had some feasable proof of an agreement I'd certainly consider doing so. It could be arranged with a TA to apply the voucher number. I've done it. And it was easy peasy.

Assuming Adm. doesn't mind, I'd definitely start right on these boards to sell mine if I was going to lose it anyway! I firmly believe "most" people are honest. And if it isn't allowed, you'll get your fingers slapped. No one will take away your Birthday!!! :')

We've currently logged 21 days on The Breakaway. We did make reservations for the two shows you mentioned but TBH I don't think it is necessary. We never had a problem getting into a show. If one sounds good to you, and you like prime seating just be aware to get there earlier versus last minute.

On our 14 day cruise last winter there was a show offered each night from ventriloquist , comedian to hypnotist as well as other offerings. However, the line changes things up on a 14 day so as not to repeat x2 and brings onboard extra entertainment for the longer sailings.

To answer your question better though, if reservations are not offered on your NCL account, I wouldn't sweat it. Enjoy your holiday cruise!!

Thank you! I did not realize that. Very helpful.

I agree with Brookie. I LOVE to walk. In fact, it is my criteria while cruising along with taking the stairs. BUT my mother sometimes joins us, and is able to walk around fine. However, these ships are very big! My husband & I make sure we choose a location near the elevator banks, as the hallways are also quite narrow, and it just helps to properly utilize our timeline if our door is easily accessible. I think I prefer the aft better as it is near most dining options. We've been in the front too, and it's ok too. ront places you a little closer to entertainment.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone! Booked the flights and will be staying in NYC till Sunday. The stress is melting away already.

Sounds like a splendid plan! I'd think most north easterners who are planning their winter break getaway are already well on their way to ensure their own trips. You should be great with this plan, Plus you can take your own time disembarking from your own cruise. Enjoy!!!!

We are in the same situation. Flying into FLL with arrival expected around noon. Sailing out of Miami, and decided on the downtown FLL area to enjoy the area near the river with their water taxis being practically outside our door. We plan to use Uber the next morning to get to POM. At this juncture, there isn't a wrong or right, but I am happy with this decision.

Just purchased a Hotwire deal for W Miami for my son and girlfriend. One night for February 16, 2018 for $137 USD - $169 including taxes and fees.

 

 

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Holy cow!!!! How did you do that?!?! I need a room for my son & his girlfriend for Feb 17th, 2018. I need to go check on this. Was it outright booked or was it an opaque bid? Did you filter in 4 stars?

Yes! We want to give them another try.

We've sailed Carnival a few times and liked it a lot. But with NCL I find their entertainment a lot better! I am not one to order room service much, but like another person said, the Continental breakfast service is free (add a tip of course) and you can order up a coffee pot or tea. I also think if you watch for pricing on your sailing, once those prices drop, and if it is not yet 90 days' out I'd upgrade for an OV and add the UBP. It is only affordable as a PROMO IMHO, but sooooo nice to have!

I liked the food on both lines, and have had the dining pkg (No kids with us, so it's a PROMO as well) which adds nice options, but I feel the complimentary food choices are totally acceptable! You should LOVE this cruise.....

I've booked GTY categories before, and from my experience, it is seldom longer than 2 weeks before you will receive your room number. But I am American & not sure how everything runs across that big pond! Just go ncl.com and register yourself as you will need it later on anyway. You will see your room number there as soon as it is chosen for you. Right now it will say GTY or BX.

As far as Downy wrinkle release, it should be found in any grocery store or even Dollar General, assuming you can find a store near your hotel that is easy to get to. NCL also has a special on the 1st day to iron any shirts at a decent discount! Good luck.

Unless I'm misunderstanding, if she has purchased the early bird option, she's all set. Her boarding number is already assigned. She can check in at the airport and get her already determined boarding pass.

Great!!!!! Thanks so much. And just to clarify, I am now able to just wait to check in once we are in port in our final day? I really don't care where I sit! I am just trying to look out for my traveling friends. They DID purchase the $15 early bird check in. This is my 1st rides with Southwest! Can you tell??

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Thanks for all the great information. I have never really booked with hotwire but maybe I will give it a try. What rating were you searching with, 3 or 4 stars?

I believe I selected both 3 and 4 stars. I also am certain The Riverside is one that has "pet friendly". It was straight up $150. No bidding. Come back and let us know what you got!

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