grobma

See my post above for the Premium Plus list. Here's the Premium list Premium-Beverage-Package-0922.pdf

I was looking forward to Don Julio as well, but the most recent beverage lists no longer have it Premium-Plus-Beverage-Package-0922.pdf

I was next door in 8128 in 2014. It is very similar to a regular balcony with two primary differences. One - larger bathroom with a double sink; Two - larger balcony. We had two loungers, a round table, and two chairs out there. If sailing from NYC, that's a great spot for sail away because you pass the city on the port side. It was also great being so close to the action, but was certainly quiet enough that we never heard anything.

Just found this thread and it reminded me of something that happened when I took my family on an Alaskan cruise 8 years ago. I always tip my cabin steward at the beginning of a cruise, and it always results in top-notch service and attention. On this particular cruise, our cabin steward's wife gave birth to their son in the Philippines during the cruise. We were so happy for him, and yet so sad that he wasn't able to be there with his newly expanded family but was, instead, taking care of us. At our next port, we stopped in a store to get a card for him. We wrote a personal note of congratulations and enclosed some additional cash as a gift. I cannot begin to describe how grateful he was. And apparently he told his fellow crew members because within a few hours and for the rest of the cruise, we were treated like royalty by everyone because of what we had done for their friend (it was a smaller NCL ship). We didn't do it for the service - we did it because for us, it was the right thing to do. It was a nice thing to do. It was a human thing to do.

This is not the spa you are looking for 😁

I wonder whether it makes a difference as to whether you have the streaming option which should, theoretically, improve the likelihood of success due to greater bandwidth.

Bingo!

I have purchased both for my upcoming cruise in December out of NYC. The spa will be handy while it's still cold enough not to be laying around outside on both ends, and Vibe for the hot days. It's a Christmas cruise, so the ship will be full and as both are capacity-controlled, it will be a nice escape.

I did the upgrade on my last cruise on the Bliss. I was traveling with my daughter who at the time was 18, so I only had to pay for myself. With the base package free with FAS, I didn't consider it as such a big expense and was so happy that I did. I had Starbucks once or twice a day, enjoyed the bottled water - especially sparkling with a meal - and tried all sorts of things I might not have otherwise enjoyed. I realize it's not for everyone, but cruising solo for the first time on my upcoming Getaway cruise, and with the FAS again it was an easy decision. Especially with some new offerings since three years ago. Cheers everyone!

I can understand that for people unaccustomed to eating alone in a restaurant, it can be a new and potentially anxiety-provoking experience. Especially if it's because one lost a partner with whom they were used to dining and traveling. I find it interesting that it seems to be more acceptable to eat alone at breakfast - or even lunch - as so many couples and travel partners may have different sleep or activity schedules. My last two cruises I went with my daughter. I am an early riser and she is not, so most mornings I found myself eating breakfast on my own, and there were others doing the same, likely for the same reason. But people's expectations around dinner seem to be different. I traveled for business for many years and spent many nights dining alone. It never bothered me as I enjoyed the quiet, watching others, and taking in what was going on around me. Or reading. It's certainly better than sitting alone in a hotel room with room service. If I felt like conversing, I would take my dinner at the bar where even if there were no others sitting there, I at least had the bartender with whom to chat. I still sometimes travel alone and don't mind it. That being said, a cruise is different for many reasons and I can understand the trepidation. My upcoming cruise will be my first as a solo cruiser and I'm looking forward to socializing and meeting people (I'm fairly outgoing and approachable), and if I find dinner partners or am seated with others - great. If not, I will be happy too. I'm there to relax, and relax I shall. If others give me the side-eye (which I'm told may likely happen), I realize that it will be because of their own discomfort with the notion of being alone. Not mine. I hope everyone here finds what they're looking for when they cruise solo - and comfortably!!

While it's true that no legal bailment is created when handing off your bags at the pier, nor is there any documentation, I do appreciate the suggestions for AirTags. Just ordered some and know that it will definitely bring some peace of mind. I will at least be able to ensure that they're aboard before we sail!

Thanks and I know that. Same thing with airlines. But once I hand an airline my bag, I have it documented that that exchange occurred. What happens after that then becomes their responsibility and I have documentation in the event I need to make a claim for loss or delay. Same thing when using a porter at a hotel - I get a claim check. There is apparently no such documented handoff in this case so in the event of loss, it can become my word against theirs.

You might also want to check out this forum https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/317-east-coast-departures/

I have sailed out of Manhattan 4 times (three times on NCL, once on Cunard) and remember only handing my checked luggage over to a porter and then heading to go through security and check-in.It occurred to me that though my bags had their cruise tags on them, I had no confirmation that I had, in fact, dropped them off in the event of loss or delay. Am I remembering that correctly and/or has that changed? Sailing again in December and was a little concerned about that. Thanks!

I don't usually go by the promo codes because they are a mix of things free, paid, and others. In the confirmation, there are two sections "Booking Components Per Guest" and Onboard Activities" that lists everything for which I have paid. For example, mine has among other things, the cruise fare, the Vibe pass, Bev Srv Charge (which is the gratuities for the FAS portion) and Upsell Beverage Package which is the Premium Plus (includes gratuities) in the Booking Components and my spa pass in the Onboard Activities. There is then another section "Add-ons" which shows a mix of things including some purchased items (e.g. Premium Plus shows but not Vibe or spa pass), TA perks, etc. I can't figure out the rhyme or reason as to why things show up where they do (or not) but as long as everything I've purchased or am entitled to shows up somewhere on that document, I'm happy.

I've done the Christmas week cruise out of NYC on NCL twice, and doing it again this year on the Getaway. Christmas Day weather is unpredictable but rarely frigid. Both times, I was comfortable doing the sailaway on deck, albeit in cold weather clothing. But after that, the jacket, hat and gloves go in the closet until the day of return. As someone mentioned previously, by mid-day the second day it feels like late spring, and continues to get warmer pretty quickly. Similarly, heading back it starts to get chilly enough for a sweater or jacket on the last day before arrival.

Correct. Same for me and adding that like the OP's, my Vibe pass shows up under Purchased, but not Included. Ultimately, your cruise confirmation should have everything laid out correctly (you can call and ask them to send you an updated one).

I don't know if it's different for a 15-night cruise, but the 8-night cruise I just booked had only two included (I was able to upgrade to two more for a discount). And yes - you get to pick the nights and the restaurants.

First solo cruise booked. NCL Getaway to the Bahamas out of NYC for Christmas week. I hate traveling that week, but I can walk to the pier from home, so bonus!

Correct!

TL/dr: Use your email address to log into the NCL website - not a username. If you use a username, switch to email in the "My Profile" section Booked my next cruise last week and went to add a few items via the website (e.g. spa pass, pre-pay service charges) including the upgrade to Unlimited Premium WiFi. Everything went through fine except the WiFi upgrade (NCL took my money, but then had to process a refund). Once the refund got processed I called and spoke to an agent rather than go back through the website. She had trouble adding it as well. It turned out that it was because I was still using a username to log into the NCL website. Once she changed it to my email address, it went through just fine. I suspect it may have to do with how one then logs into the WiFi once on board (i.e. using your email address). I remember seeing in the "My Profile" section an option to switch from using my username to my email address to log in. That option is no longer there now that it has been switched. Hope this is helpful to others!

Following as I have the same question 😁

Last night I booked the Getaway for Christmas week and bought a Vibe pass right away for that exact reason. When the ship is full (as it will be), Vibe - even in its expanded state - will be a haven (no pun intended 😁), especially on sea days.

60 and taking my first solo cruise in December. It doesn't feel like a big deal as I have traveled on my own since I was 17 when I went to London for 3 days before then going to meet my family (who were already over there) in the Cotswolds. I love traveling with friends and family, but if there was some place I wanted to go and there wasn't someone to go with, it has never stopped me. And I was also a road warrior for 16 years, traveling most weeks for work and often alone. I have never had trouble striking up a conversation with people, but am also looking forward to being the master of my time. I also can't help smiling about the fact that if I wake up in the middle of the night and want to go sit out on the balcony and look at the stars, I can do so without disturbing anyone else 😁