DaveL00

We need a Life at Sea 3 year cruise roll call.

Thank you.

NCL Joy Sept 1st 5 day anyone going?

3 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

I also have information on bed location for all aft-facing staterooms (H6, M1, B1) on Escape so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks for the speedy response...much appreciated.

On 3/12/2016 at 12:10 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

I'm on my phone so this is from memory. I have pics at home if I need to correct myself.

 

From largest to smallest, decks are 9,12,15,11,14,10,13.

 

I also have pics of deck 9 in relation to the waterfront.

Thanks for this.  This info is not readily available and finding videos of all these balconies is fruitless.  Do you still stand by your assessment from memory?  How about room vibrations from being in the rear?  I stayed in an Aft on the Getaway deck 11 and had no issues at all with vibration.

A couple thoughts on your booking. You have 4 months before sailing (it used to be 3 months) to cancel or make changes to your booking. Check prices frequently under 1 guest to get a better deal. If you really want some flexibility, just cancel the original booking and rebook this cruise or another closer to sailing. You might get a lot better deal but you also risk not getting exactly what you want.

I've been on 4 solo trips since 2013 and never had a problem finding several people to do things with. The 7 day trips have a better chance of finding all age solos. I'm 55 now and went on a 12 day out of NYC last Dec. I would say most were 40s-60s with a few younger mixed in. There had to be at least 50 solos on that one.

It sounds like you have a lot of flexibility and unlimited cruising options. Some people would tell you to do back to back 7 day cruises so you have a new group of cruisers each week.

I heard that there is a cruise on NCL for halloween that has about 700 singles. Coincidently, 3 different singles groups booked the same cruise. Call an NCL consultant and see if they can give more info.

I think that big group will be on the NCL Bliss out of Los Angeles.

Dude is super lucky to be alive after 24 hours in the ocean.

 

http://amp.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article214147969.html

They say he jumped at 1:00am Saturday morning least 14 hours before being discovered overboard. If picked up at 1:00pm today, that's an incredible 36 hours.

In a previous post of yours earlier in the thread, you lamented the fact that the 18% you paid was more than a glass of wine would be with dinner. If you bought a 9.95 glass of wine, it would have cost you 11.75 after factoring in the gratuity. You paid 16.02 per day, so you paid 4.27 per day more than you wanted. After factoring in 2 people and 7 days, you paid about 60 bucks more than you wanted for your vacation. Even less if you chose to drink a glass of wine that was over 9.95. Get over it. Either suck it up and you'll be educated about NCL'S policy for the next time or just cruise with another line.

It doesn't look so bad when you break it down...nice work. Does the original poster care to give us an estimate on how many drinks your party had over 10 days? You might have made out better than you think unless you flat out didn't partake at all. For 3-4 drinks a day total, you're breaking even.

I did read the fine print. You must be better in English than I will ever be. Could the print be confused to suggest the gratuity is on actual drinks purchased? I did.

Unfortunately you missed the line in your booking invoice called

Bev Srvc Charge for $314.50. The daily UBP recently went up $10/day raising the gratuity charge. There is speculation these gratuities don't go back to the crew...that disturbs me more than anything. I don't know what a fair payout is under these policies.

Don't forget the 18% gratuity that sneaks up at the end of the trip. Although you can pay them upfront also.

I have to assume this is part of the free at sea promo. I know a year ago you could change your choice up to sail day. Keep in mind all ppl in the same cabin have to either have it or not.

Thanks for the reply, Dave! I really want to book the AFT balcony but we need either the rooms to connect or the balcony (preferably the balcony) for kiddos to easily go to and from rooms. Looks like I may have to book a regular balcony :(

I would definitely call NCL and ask. You never know what they're willing to do.

Thanks for the reply, Dave! I really want to book the AFT balcony but we need either the rooms to connect or the balcony (preferably the balcony) for kiddos to easily go to and from rooms. Looks like I may have to book a regular balcony :(

That's too bad. I'm sure you've noticed how much bigger they are. BTW, that link is for the Breakaway but the Getaway is the same. Good luck in your selection.

We are looking to book 11910 and 11912, do you recall if the balcony dividers can be removed? Would love if they can 'connect' through the balconies which would make our balcony even larger. I know they can on the side balconies, not sure on the AFT. Also, know the 'safety rules' indicate they shouldn't.

I'm 90% sure these are not removable. They seemed permanent to me.

You'll love these cabins/balconies.

There is a big picture of the dividers in this thread. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1774708

Studios will also open up much closer to sailing as prices for better categories drop in comparison. This past February 2 friends and I paid less than $200 CDN pp to move from our studios up to guaranteed balconies, only about a week before sailing.

Oh I know this does happen. A few months ago aboard the Getaway I was able to upgrade from a Studio ($1230) to an Aft Balcony for $70 more with an additional perk added about 2 weeks out. An incredible happenstance, cabin and trip.

That info is in the NCL Frequently Asked Questions.

I meant the link in CC for complaining...jokingly. The expensive water is no joke though...

It wouldn't be thanksgiving without an argument about the drinks package and service charge. I love holiday traditions!

That made me :).

Now someone please give me the link to the post about the new policy banning bringing your own soda or water onboard. The price of their bottled water is more obscene than the UBP service charge.

Week 1/21 was the one I was looking at. Thanks everyone for your input.

I'll keep checking availability from time to time. I'm in no hurry or is it dire I go a certain week.

https://www.ncl.com/vacations/norwegian-epic-jan-2017-feb-2017-studio-1-guest?sailmonths=4294953440+4294953439&stateroomcategorymeta=4294953423&ships=4294959811&cruise=1&cruiseHotel=1&cruiseHotelAir=1&cruiseTour=1&numberOfGuests=4294953450&advancedSearch=true

 

I'm seeing at least 3 weeks that those studio cabins are available. Are you changing the default number of guests from 2 down to 1 so the studio cabins show up?

True. 5 of the 10 weeks between Jan and March are sold out. Too bad the week I need isn't available. I was just surprised to see that many sold.

Does anyone know why the Studios on the Epic for Jan and Feb 2017 are for the most part sold out? I know NCL is offering 2 week as well as 1 week trips on the same ship but I'm still surprised of the high demand for Studios.

I don't think the solo traveling concept has taken off enough to sell out 128 cabins over 2 months. At least not from my observations over the last few years.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

We had 11314 nov 8-15 and loved it I did find the neighbors to the right had a slightly wider balcony but ours was still huge on the left was a handicapped room and it's balony was easily twice the size of 11314 not sure I could ever go back to a regular room again there was no real noise as its a dead end even spice wasn't loud when out there at night only problem we had was smokers out there next door also there are two lights shining down so u can always see the wake really good no matter the time

Thanks all for the info and pic of 11314. I'll be in that cabin on Sunday after getting an upgrade from a Studio which I paid a premium price. I knew the balcony in that column of cabins were the smallest after looking at aft pictures of the ship and was a little concerned. Under the circumstances it's all good.

I went with the SDP and got (iirc) an extra $12 charge. I might be misremembering, but it was fairly low. Maybe it WAS $24 but I remember it being under $20.

 

I know some TAs are able to give you no frills pricing that is MUCH lower and doesn't include the 'free' perks, but typically guarantee rooms, and doesn't include studios.

You're right it is $12 extra per person for SDP. I must have had 2 people in there while I was checking prices. I never considered a TA for booking. Maybe I need to look into it as I'm not convinced that having the drink package is what I need. I have liked staying in the studios though.

That ultimate bev package is normally $560 + 18% which is where the additional $99 comes from. That's only 10 mid-range drinks for the entire trip to break even. For those power drinkers, that's an incentive to book that can't be ignored.

100% agree. I paid $899 for basically the same week last year and $1199 this year. I absolutely do believe it's because of the "perks" being forced on us. I held out for a while but finally caved. I don't drink, don't want more than one or two nights of specialty dining, and will be buying a weeklong internet package. I don't need any of the "perks" and the studio rooms aren't eligible for the special "no frills" pricing on other rooms.

 

I also seem to recall the same sailing last year had single supplements on normal rooms that were a lot less than 100%.

Did you not pick one of the promo choices? Although just a moderate drinker, I picked that package and they added another $99 for tips. The dining option has a $24 additional fee while the wi-fi and excursions don't have any.

Not to make us feel worse but someone posted on my roll call how he got his studio with 2 choices under the promo while being almost $400 cheaper. That deal was through Dec 31 but I wasn't in the market then. Timing is everything as they say.

Thanks! My last NCL cruise was June of last year, and the way things have been going I'm afraid my favorite things will be gone or an upcharge. :)

Welcome. Well that is a small expense for a popular perk. I am a little taken back at the studio prices now. I never paid over $900 but booked for $1229 yesterday. They are compensating for the "free" promo I suppose. You really need to book way out in advance to see any savings.

June 05 NCL Getaway. Can anyone confirm if they still have the awesome espresso machine in the studio Lounge?

Yes it does. My 2nd trip on Getaway is Sept 4.