NJcruisemom

The weather in NJ has been crazy all summer. Last week people were having trouble flying into EWR due to severe storms causing canceled flights. Some went from non-stop flights to 4 connecting flights or renting a car and driving.

We had very strong winds, thunder and lightning all night and flash flooding...they're predicting the same for tonight.

If you check flight status for ALL FLIGHTS in and out of EWR today, you'll see plenty of delays, cancellations and diverted flights.

Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone trying to get to their ports.

We had a group of 23 on the Escape last week...arranged on board with the maitre'd for a standing reservation for the entire week in the Manhattan dining room at 6pm. We didn't always have everyone in the group every night, but it was nice to know we wouldn't have to wait when we did.

Almost everyone in the solo cabins last week was traveling with a larger group so not many showed up; the first night which is very hectic. I do think however that 1. they don't overly promote it and 2. 5pm is way too early; especially if you're in port.

I understand how simple things look to us on the outside, but there are many factors in play that we just don't see.

 

Your cruise starts in 2 days...at this point, available cabins are being awarded to people who have paid additional money for them through the Upgrade Advantage Program. Truth is, they would rather give that balcony to someone paying more $$ then to move you there for "free".

 

When you booked, a contract was created where you agreed to take a specific room for a specific price. I don't see how it is feasible to basically attempt to renegotiate your deal a couple days before sailing.

 

You booked at a price you thought was fair and were given the room you requested. At this point, just go and enjoy your cruise. The only way you can realistically expect today's pricing is to wait and book the cruise two days before sailing instead of a year in advance.

I'm definitely good with what I have...it will be my first time in a Studio and I'm looking forward to that experience. But, I'm also a shopper (been watching prices go up and down)...always looking for a deal. Can't hurt to ask...worst thing they can say is no. And you're absolutely right...I'm still going on a cruise!!!!! :cool:

What is the current price for a Studio on your sailing? Will moving you to the balcony and booking the studio to a new passenger make NCL more or less money than keeping you in the studio and booking the balcony to a new passenger?

Studios are currently sold out, but 2 days ago, they were $300 more than I paid.

You must be past final payment. After that I've only heard of upgrades if it's the same or higher than what you paid, with you paying the difference. They prob don't want to deal with upgrading to a lower priced cabin and then people being mad they didn't get a refund.

 

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I told them I didn't want a refund...:(:(

You say you're in a studio (meant for one person) then say "We" booked a year in advance. I'm confused.

Sorry...I'm traveling with other family members.

you usually can pay to upgrade at anytime. but i expect you will have to pay double occupancy vs the solo rate you paid for the studio.

My cost for the studio is higher than today's single supplement price for the balcony. I'm not asking for a credit, just to be moved to a balcony cabin.

Currently booked in Studio, but see that a balcony has opened up. Base price for balcony is $400 less than my Studio base price (we booked a year in advance). NCL agent says I can't 'upgrade' to balcony unless my base price is the same, or less than the current balcony base price. So a they'll give a balcony to someone who books today for $400 less than I paid.

Can someone explain how this makes sense? Waiting to hear back from my PVP.

Can't wait for that...my 15 minute daily commute to the Secaucus/JC boarder should triple.

For those going to the Lincoln Tunnel on a weekday...depending on your starting point, cutting through Secaucus and up through Jersey City might be a good option.

I've seen them change: Studio Cabin went from $1329 to $1589 to now $1629 for my cruise, and I think there's only 1 tier level for that category.

I think what you may be seeing is if the lowest tier price of say a balcony sells out the next tier price appears on the website.

You have the choice of 2 entrances to the NJ Turnpike. From your hotel, if you take route 3 east, you can pick up the NJTP eastern extension in Secaucus. If you take rt 3 west and drive back to the sports complex, you can take NJTP western extension. Both will get you to Bayonne cruise port via exit 14A.

 

 

If you use the western extension, there are cars only lanes which avoid trucks and buses. Not sure if the eastern extension has the cars only lanes.

You definitely want to take the eastern spur; there are a few different entry ways from that hotel. Don't take the western spur; you'll be driving about 15 miles out of your way.

Also allow extra time...lots of traffic on a weekday morning.

Great review, Jessica...thank you for taking the time to post. Glad you enjoyed the Escape...so excited to be going next month.

Really enjoyed your review and all your wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing :)

 

Two weeks today I arrive in NYC to spend a few days before my cruise... so excited!

CazV, would be interested in hearing about your experience in the Studio cabin...I have one in August.

Love it...and following. 23 of us will be on Escape in Aug.

Did you see us waving to you from NJ...lol

Following and looking forward to hearing more. We'll be on in August.:D :D

We will be sailing the Conquest and will be in Nassau on Sept 5th. 3 new excursions were added that are available for booking on our cruise to Balmoral Beach (making that 4 total)... A deluxe Beach day that includes lunch, a beach day with stingray encounter and a beach day with a dolphin encounter. There is not much information about the last one yet. I will be watching it to see if they add more description to the dolphin encounter option as we may have to change our plans. :D

It says, "Your shipboard Sail & Sign card may be used for purchases."...Looks to me like this is a Carnival operated island, similar to Grand Turk.

our first on festival was in 1984 and our second was in 1989,loved it and really miss it.:( have been on carnival triumph,holiday and destiny plus dawn princess. the best ones were FESTIVAL and HOLIDAY.:)

I think I've read this thread before but just noticed the date on your picture. We were on this cruise and have our boarding photo with the same date. It was our honeymoon (played the Honeymooners game), we were upgraded (first and only time) to an outside cabin with a porthole. It was all the way forward and there was a "secret" exit that went right out onto the bow of the ship.

I forget which port it was, but we had done the booze cruise...they played Hot, Hot, Hot. Back on board, we were on deck by the pool and they started emptying it (something they don't do anymore) while we were still in it and had to boost each other up to the ladder to climb out. Then at dinner that night the waiters were singing Hot Hot Hot.....everyone from the booze cruise went wild and started singing and dancing with the waiters. We met so many people and had soooooo much fun.

Still cruising, but really miss the experience of smaller ships.

I flew on Eastern, and on the flight back everyone was from the cruise, and we all started singing C, C, C, CC Carla C, CCC la, la, la, la, la, la, la......

My first and most favorite cruise ever. Booked with Singleworld...shared a cabin with 2 strangers...and had a blast. I still have my picture with Captain Nardini, as well as our waiter and Chef. Dinner (tables of 10) was a cross between French Service and Family Style. Waiters carried platters of food, and you could try anything they brought out, even if you didn't order it. There was a different theme every night and the waiters all dressed in the theme. There was also a display as you walked into the dining room. On Country Western night there were live baby chicks in the display.

I remember non-passengers were allowed on the ship until 11 pm before we left San Juan. It was their night out on the town(ship).

No towel animals back then, but every night you're bed was turned down, the night light was on. and there was always a special treat or souvenir on your pillow. No automatic doors, but bingo was cheap and had big payouts. payouts).

My kids laugh at the pictures and can't believe ships were that small. They want to know what we did for fun....Fun? :D We were on a cruise, what could be more fun than that.

Oh what great memories.....

our first on festival was in 1984 and our second was in 1989,loved it and really miss it.:( have been on carnival triumph,holiday and destiny plus dawn princess. the best ones were FESTIVAL and HOLIDAY.:)

Great pics! I loved that ship. We were at a table with 2 other couples and did a "cabin crawl" afterwards to compare cabins. Our cabin was at the very end of the hall and if you went to the left you could go out on a the deck in the front of the ship. You know, the one they don't let you out on anymore. One couple on their honeymoon had twin beds and would push them together at night, and everyday the steward would move them apart.

My kids laugh when they look at pics of the older ships. Their first cruise & and my first on a big ship was the Pride. Boy was that a shocker, I was lost for about an hour the first day.

How about never seeing stewards in your cabin, yet every time you came back it was clean. And with 3 women in our cabin, just how did they know which pajamas were mine?

Today you're stepping over vacuums in the hallway.