valencia expat

Hi Islabonita

I know that Junior Suites get extra benefits now with the new white system. It was introduced on our cruise on Monarch in May this year.

I cannot comment on white benefits as we were Black on that cruise. We were not over impressed with the new benefits as they had taken away some of the existing benefits, there was a charge for Room Service (including breakfast) which in the past had been free. no free tokens for Casino etc. The new system was not easy for staff to operate especially in the Waves Club because of the different benefit entitlements between the new Black & White.

This was our third cruise with Pullmantur, we had always highly recommended their product, after this cruise we are in no rush to take another.

Hopefully they have got their act together again and you will have a good cruise.

We have travelled on MSC before and as well as drinks Coffee's & Teas from all the bars are included in the drinks package, the quality of these drinks is much superior to the Machines in the self service restaurant and the cost of these can soon add up.

I was wondering if other travellers on this cruise have received their e.tickets, when I asked my travel agent, I was advised they had not been issued yet. When I have travelled with MSC before they have been available at least 3 weeks before travel.

Allen

Hello

Yes it is worth reading the other link as I have today posted on there the new benefits that come into effect for the first time on this cruise for all suite guests

Hi Bill 21

You were asking what extras were included in a suite, I am assuming you have a Grand, de-luxe or queens suite (Junior suites seem to be excluded), for the three main suites mentioned you will go to Priority Check In, be offered champagne and other refreshments, be issued with a special colour cruise card (ours was silver last time), be escorted to the ship, have a table for 2 in the main dining room in a premium location, this table will be available for your exclusive use at Breakfast & Dinner (need to check about Lunch, sometimes it is, sometime it is not) if it is not available at lunch time you do not have to queue, your card gives you priority seating. Same applies to disembarking or embarking at any port, no queuing you have Priority. Room Service is Free. There is a Coffee Machine in the Room and suite guests have their own concierge. There is a private lounge on Monarch (and I believe there is one on Horizon) called Waves Club, where there is a lovely sitting area outside, a very modern lounge with all drinks included and light snacks always available and also free unlimited internet. There are often other perks, vouchers for duty free etc.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask if you want more information.

Hello

We are arriving in Panama on Sunday 7th May and have opted to stay at the 5 star Grace Panama, it has outstanding reviews and the contact we have had with the Hotel has all been positive.

They have arranged for a Car to Pick us up at the Airport at a cost of about $40, payable direct to the Hotel when we arrive, they have also said they will be able to arrange a transfer to Colon Port on the Wednesday and it will be fine to sort out the details when we arrive.

We are on the transatlantic in May from Colon to Lisbon. Like others I would recommend a suite as you get lots of extras (Junior Suite is not included). This will be our 3rd Cruise with this company and the previous 2 have been great, they are also excellent value for money. We also got a free upgrade from a Grand Suite to a De-luxe suite.

Hi Pat

Like Steve we are staying in Panama for a few days before the cruise, flying direct from Madrid on Iberia.

We are staying in the Grace Hotel which has been highly recommended and they are providing a Car to collect us at the Airport and to take us to the cruise port.

Looking forward to the Cruise, it will be our 3rd on this Cruise Line.

Regards

Allen & Nick

We are booked on this cruise from Colon to Lisbon.

This will be our 3rd Cruise with this Company.

Last two have been great and hoping for same again.

Booked a Grand Suite and company rang us 2 weeks later giving us a free upgrade to a de-luxe suite which is only one down from the top of the range Royal Suite.

So we are really happy bunnies.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on board.

Allen & Nick

Hello

We travelled Grand Class with Pullmantur on Sovereign from Valencia, Spain 18 months ago.

It was a great experience, we had Priority Check in and Boarding, while we were checking in we were given a glass of champers and then escorted to the boat.

Stateroom was very nice and very modern coffee machine.

We did not feel we got the best table in the dining room so we had a word with the Suite Representative and was immediately offered a really lovely table in a wonderful position.

We ate in the main dining room on a few lunch times and were told as Grand Class passengers we were to bypass any queues, and were immediately seated.

All drinks are included for all passengers on European and transatlantic trips.

Not sure if they are when the boat is in Brazil or the Panama area.

We were so impressed that we have booked the transatlantic trip from Colon Panama to Lisbon next May.

We originally booked a Grand Suite which includes everything including Free Drinks, within 2 weeks of booking we received a telephone call from the company offering us a free upgrade to a De-luxe suite which is very large only 1 down from the top Queens Suite.

We are really looking forward to the trip.

If you would like any further information, please ask and I will endeavour to give you the answers.

We have travelled on Pullmantur on 2 occasions and both experiences have been really great.

The important aspect to always consider is it is a Spanish Cruise Line and adopts a much more laid back life style, no rushing around, leisurely meals, all meals are continental style with continental ingredients, so no large american steaks etc.

An experience we would recommend to anyone.

Sadly it does not always get great reviews because it is different, which is a great pity.

Thank you alibally for your advice, contacted Celebrity this afternoon and itg was very easy and like you got a good rate.

We are travelling on Celebrity Millennium on 16th October.

We received Classic Drinks Package for Free and would like to upgrade to Premium.

Can we do this before the cruise or do we have to wait until we board.

We are in the UK, if we can do it beforehand can someone please tell us what rate we would be charged per night.

Hi happy2roam

We have not got a Visa for 16th October cruise and do not intend to get one.

Have confirmation from Celebrity that we will not be denied boarding and from Shanghai Immigration Authority that one is not required if we do leave the ship.

The travel agent contacted NCL and the answer was that the upsell offer is not available to UK customers.

Their defence was that they offer certain offers on certain of their sites.

As far as I know all other offers are available to all customers regardless where they book, the only variation between sites could be price.

To me this seems discrimination by NCL, I would appreciate hearing others views on this subject and if you agree with my thoughts, how we should proceed from here.

Hello

I have noticed there appears to be different rules for different countries.

I have raised the issue with my travel agent today and they are in contact with NCL and awaiting a response.

Will keep you posted.

I suspect the get out will be that they have no upsells for my cruise on 3rd February!!!

Hi

Thanks for posting a very interesting and informative review.

We are sailing on Epic on 3rd February and very much looking forward to it.

It will be our first cruise on NCL, we have travelled various others in the past.

I agree what many have said on here that so many people like to highlight the negatives, which is a great pity as there are normally very few and are much outweighed by the positives.

Thanks again for a honest and informative review, hopefully it will encourage others to try NCL.

Allen & Nick

Hi

We are on the same cruise I am from Spain (been there 12 years) and my other half is from UK.

This is our first time on NCL having travelled various other cruise lines.

Look forward to seeing you at the meet and greet.

Allen & Nick

We booked out cruise though a UK travel agent.

Does anyone know if we can ring the Upgrade Fairy to see if there are any upgrades, I understand you can do this 2 weeks before the cruise.

If we can does anyone know the phone number

Hello

In February we will be going on our first NCL cruise on the Epic in February.

We have been on many other cruise lines.

The reason that we chose this cruise was the bargain price, we have got 12 days cruise plus UBP and the total cost is less than that of the UBP package, so there are still bargains to be had, you just have to search them out

I agree that you cannot tell by outwardly appearance whether a person needs to use handicap facilities.

We are travelling on Epic next year and have a handicap Cabin as it was recommended by my surgeon following 2 major operations.

If you saw me I look quite fir and able.