ljrfrm

I've booked two cruises this year with our PCC and received the AARP discount both times. I never had to give a number or show a card, or show in any way that I actually belong to AARP. I brought the card just in case, but didn't need it.

We were worried after having read about so many problems and slow service with the free UBP, but we were pleasantly surprised. On our recent Dawn cruise to Bermuda, we had great service throughout the week. There were wait staff roaming the pool decks (we were on deck 13 above the pool deck), all the bars and at Spinnaker. We were able to get drinks pretty easily the whole week other than a few times when Spinnaker was completely packed. The only night we completely gave up on ordering a drink was before a show one night, when the wait staff never made it to our area. All in all, we were very pleased with the service. That said, I know others didn't have the same experience we had - I guess it's hit or miss at times. We ordered our drinks through our dining room waiter each night and it was very quick and easy - and we had no problems with refills. That said, in the main dining room on the last night, our waiter told us we had to order from the bar service staff - and that took a bit longer and was more of a pain. But that was only the last night. I have no idea why that night was any different.

We just got word that we won't be leaving until Wed. No one here knows why. I'm just curious. I'd be perfectly happy if they told me I could never leave.

Last week I kept joking that I hoped we had to stay! Wonder if it's mechanical - haven't heard anything that it would be weather but maybe?? Enjoy your extra time there. I loved our two Sea Days home - but an extra day in Bermuda sounds nice also. Hopefully it isn't anything serious that's keeping you there!

Last night I was standing on my deck 8 balcony when a wave hit the ship and I got sprayed.lol Needless to say I got off the balcony,

 

Had dinner in Le Bistro last night. We walked up without reservations around 6:30 and were seated right away. We used the two platinum certificates for 4 people and one couldn't make it due to seasickness. They let my husband order an extra charge item for no extra charge instead.

 

The beef tenderloin and the lamb chops were amazing. The only issue was it was so dark in there I had to take the menu outside to see it.

 

I'm off to the Blue Lagoon for lunch then Horseshoe Bay, my happy place!

We just got off the Dawn on Friday, as you got on. I just laughed when I read about Le Bistro and seeing the menus. We ate there the other night and I needed my husband to read the whole menu to me. Without my reading glasses and since it was dark in there, I couldn't see a thing. We had a great dinner there though - I had the Beef tenderloin also and it was so good. Enjoy your cruise!!

From those two letters - the Dawn and Breakaway - it sounds like they only affect specific cruises in Sept and Oct - at most two for the Dawn and four for the Breakaway.

 

It is either a trial run to see if any fuel is saved :D

 

or there are other things affecting the wharfs in Bermuda - perhaps some maintenance work.

 

But from those two letters, the change is not permanent.

We sail the Dawn tomorrow and just today I noticed that online my itinerary was changed from 11 am to 1 pm. I didn't receive any notice of the change and only looked because of this thread. It definitely is frustrating!

But even if you were able to keep the perk of the UBP, were you able to keep it at the "pre-gratuity" change from the original booking? They are currently/still offering the UPB promo but the whole gratuity thing has changed, so if I add that in for 2 of us, plus one with the soda, it may not make up the $300 price drop.

I kept the "pre-gratuity" from the original booking. Nothing about the promotion changed. I did not cancel my booking and rebook - that would have led to the new promotion. All I did was move rooms - so my promotion stayed the exact same. Within 5 minutes of the upgrade, I received an email confirming the promotion and all had stayed the same as before the upgrade.

Well, they could move you to a mini suite in another location.

I would have been fine with that. I actually already got my cabin overnight. It's a BA balcony - but very happy with the location and deck. So, I guess it all worked out. I had dreams (briefly) of a great upgrade to a suite - but reality set it and I'm very happy to have the balcony.

We are about a month out from our sailing. Just saw that our cabin category has dropped around $300 total for the room for 3 of us. Is it worth a call to NCL? I booked directly with them on line. We got the free UBP promo before the whole gratuity thing. IF they did offer us anything at all, not expecting them to, but if they did, would we lose this?

I just upgraded after a price drop and my UBP went with me to my new cabin. I didn't lose it.

I am 27 days from sailing on the Dawn. I noticed yesterday a price drop (about $300 for the cabin) on my Oceanview. I called NCL and they were very helpful. Now - I realize you are told something different depending on who you talk to. In this conversation, she told me that the only time they can give OBC is when there is no upgrade available for the same price. In my case, there was an upgrade from an Oceanview to a Balcony guarantee for the same price. So, that was all she could offer me. I ended up upgrading to a BA guarantee for $40 more. That way, I'm assured at least a BA location. I could have very much used the OBC, but I'm more than happy that I now have a balcony for this upcoming cruise.

ljrfrm, Portland 46, summer0311, craigles14, and JustShipping,

 

I have mailed the info and docs to you all! Happy cruising! :)

The information is great. Thanks SO much!

Hi, firsttime_cruiser2015!

 

I'm fairly new to cruising myself. I just booked my sixth cruise! I went on the Dawn to Bermuda last August and loved it. I have a tendency to really research my cruises--both the ship and destination, so I compiled quite a bit of information for that cruise. I would be happy to share it with you. If you have an email address, I could send it to you. I have a Word document with Internet links, a map, etc. that I could email to you. Keep in mind, though, that some information may be dated since my cruise was last year. :)

You are probably tired of sending this out, but I'd love it if you could send me your Word document as well. Thanks so much!! ljrfrm@yahoo

We had two certificates that were about to expire also. Our PCC told me to just book anything - as long as something is booked you can always then change the reservation to another cruise further out once you know what you want to do. We did just that - and twice changed our reservations. It all worked out great and we didn't lose the certificates. We bought them in Nov 2010 and we used one for a cruise this upcoming July and the other for a reservation in March 2016.

I rebooked two cruises yesterday to utilize the freestyle (UBP) promotion. I was able to save $300 on my Escape cruise by using the AARP promo and I have free drinks now. (Same cabin). Great deal!! My other cruise cost me $100 more but worth it since I had the free drinks - but no AARP help.

I booked a suite on the Dawn last year and got a card in the mail after booking!

We were there in September and they did have umbrellas. We easily found one on the beach and later by the pool. Also for the person who asked about changing facilities, I didn't see lockers - but we changed at the pool restroom. While not ideal, the restrooms were clean and we were able to easily change in there.

I'm not sure about the price of a taxi, but one thing to think about is that 6 people won't fit in a taxi. You might be able to get a mini van taxi, but from my experiences, most drivers won't let a passenger sit up front. This would mean you would need to get 2 taxis either way. In that case, my guess is that the shuttle would be cheaper.

Thanks - we thought (hopefully) that maybe we could find a mini van taxi - but not sure. You're right, we'd probably need two taxis - so then it would be cheaper for the shuttle. I was thinking also that the shuttle might be better in case we want to return at different times as well.

Approximately how much is a taxi? There are 6 of us - so shuttle would be $60. I'm thinking a taxi might be cheaper. Thanks.

We will often just drink Fanta Limon (lemon soda) and red wine when we are in Spain. Refreshing and goes drink easy! On a side note, we also drink Fanta Limon mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with beer. Try it when you're there - order a "clara". Yum.

My father in law (Spanish) makes Sangria for us every summer when we visit. I love that he puts in melon (chopped into bite size pieces).......it is so yummy! It soaks up the Sagria flavor and is delicious. He uses the green honeydew type melons. Add some to your Sangria - you'll love it! I'll have to get his recipe as well....although the one just posted looks great!

Glad you got it worked out. Thanks for the advice - I'm sending my certs off on Friday and will send them as your recommend.

Ok, I ordered $2,000 and the certificates arrived today. I'm filling the back out now to mail them off tomorrow.......I have the reservation #, ship, sail date, etc. When it says agency and agency tel. #, I'm assuming that means who I booked with, right? I booked directly with NCL so I guess I just write that, right? What about the phone #? Or, should I leave blank. Just want to make sure to get it right as we worked our tushes off to earn these points and don't want to mess up. Thanks.

Loved the review and your sense of humor - glad you found a way to enjoy yourself throughout all the mishaps......hopefully you can cruise again soon with your 50% refund!