Ellaleah

1 hour ago, KSSS2013 said:

 What lines? I’ve been on Royal, MSC, and Princess and we were able to get tables by ourselves for breakfast and lunch. MSC was the only shared table at dinner but we could have requested our own. 

I’m referring to breakfast in the MDR, not lunch or dinner.  Royal and Princess fill up large round tables at breakfast.

What happens at breakfast in the MDR?  Most other lines sit you with others.  Is this the case on NCL?

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/from-razor-wires-to-sonic-booms-how-cruise-ships-are-protecting-you-from-pirates/

https://www.quora.com/Do-cruise-ships-carry-defensive-guns-or-cannons

i recently watched a documentary on how cruise ships defend themselves from pirates.

I am on my second NCL in 17 days.  I received emails confirming my excursions and my $250.  OBC is showing.  I am to get additional OBC from  my TA, but I know that doesn’t go on until a couple of days before departure.

I would like to give a shout out to Cruise Critic.  I have used it for several years and am always amazed at how easy it is to use.  I have been on over a dozen cruises on assorted lines.  I spend a lot of time surfing the cruiseline websites.  They need to take a lesson from CC as several are ever so challenging to use.  I think that one thing that makes CC successful is the ease of use.  I have garnered a lot of useful and money saving information.  I ama fan!

I think I left $50. For 2 weeks a couple of years ago, but maybe $75 would be more average.  I am just striving to be average and adequate!

I will be in a solo balcony for 15 nights and assuming service is good, what might you suggest as an extra cash tip?

I was under the assumption that most cruise ships use liquid concentrate to make there coffee and that is why it’s all bad.

1 hour ago, alanstarr said:

Just got off a 23-day B2B that included a TA. I upgraded my internet on the 2nd day of each leg; it was $170 for 1st leg and $185 for 2nd leg. Since I had $100 OBC from stocks, it worked out perfect.

I have read this before regarding upgrading Wi-Fi on the 2nd day.  Could you explain to me why the price difference is so great?  Thank you

I have a balcony booked by myself as a solo 12/23 (before the new classifications take effect).  I phoned NCL and asked if I would have access to the studio lounge and was told “No.”  I am hoping that is wrong as it makes 0 sense to me.  I will ask again when I board.

I bought shares and was credited $250. Within 10 days.  I booked through a TA

And how long do you need to hold onto it before selling?

thank you

8 hours ago, david_sobe said:

You used to be able to take a NCL Sky cruise for $349.  Today it gets you a spa pass.

😲

For how many days?

9 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Since you have 300 FAS minutes x 2 for the cabin, the other 300 FAS minutes can be used & is still available after you do the upgrade.  You just cannot upgrade to unlimited on the line/account with airtime/data minutes already in use or active, being subtracted.

 

In order to see the offered options & pricing, you need to log into the account to activate first (verify your DOB and create your own unique password) - while connected to (only to) ship's WiFi inTRAnet, not the inTERnet to review the choices, prices and that's the "free" portal and is not counted against your online usage to the inTERnet.  For example, you can access ncl.com to browse and you can access CruiseCritic, free at no extra charge while logged in and not "online" to access other external sites behind the firewalls.  

 

There is a printed mini-guide on paper that you can pick-up free at the iCafe onboard, with specific instructions & details for those less tech savvy 

 

 

I really could use a little more clarification.  I’m in a solo balcony for 15 days.  I have FAS and I’m thinking that I will want to upgrade to the premium unlimited.  It is best to do that before boarding?  Are you stating that I should absolutely do that be I use any minutes?  Thank you for your help.

I was there 12/22.  I booked https://www.thenativechoice.com/tours/chacchoben-ruins-tour.  I highly recommend.  It was well worth the $ and we felt perfectly safe with great guides.  That is Costa Maya.

Do they put the thermal suite passes on sale for Black Friday?

1 hour ago, BunnyHutt said:

I’m trying to figure out how much you all drink, resulting in a tax bill breaking you after paying several thousands of dollars on a vacation. On a port-intensive cruise like the Med, I’m guessing I’ll be looking at averaging maybe $10/day - or $100, give or take, for my planned trip next year. 

I believe this to be the NCL business model.  Let them think they are getting a rock bottom price with all the add-ons included and they won’t see it coming!

On 9/26/2023 at 5:06 PM, agent00F said:

Ok, bit of a follow-up. Should I do the online check-in for the 3rd no-show passenger or no? 

 

 

I searched a bit, but the answers/threads didn't seem to address the weird fee for dropping someone. Now it's more clear that it's not really a fee so much as repricing the whole cruise.

I will be going on my second NCL in Dec. on the Bliss.  The first was on the Epic about 7 years ago.  The TA was fine, but nothing special.  My general feeling was that NCL nickels and dimes you and I think that this “ dropping fee” goes right along with that theme.

1 hour ago, cruiser2015 said:

I'm sailing on the Bliss in January and I'm eyeing a shorex that departs at 6:30 AM (the ship arrives the prior evening)..

Aside from room service, what would be the breakfast options? How early does the buffet open?

I have the same situation in Dec.  the buffet will not be open, but the Observation Deck and The Local Bar and Grill is open.

On 9/17/2023 at 9:19 AM, aquafit said:

Hello,

We're departing Miami next April, and I'm unsure of where is best to stay. We will get a cab from the airport whichever we choose, and spend 2 nights there. My main goal is to go to the shopping mall, somewhere within Miami centre, and then another cab to the port on departure day.

I'm looking at the Tru by Hilton in west Brickell, or the Sheraton 4 points in Coral Gables.

My husband just wants to relax somewhere nice, not too hectic.  Any suggestions for these 2, or similar within my budget of 250 per night would be very welcome. Thanks!

.https://www.ebhotels.com/miami

I stayed here 12/22 and going back 12/23.  Pretty, clean, free airport pickup and free shuttle to cruise port.  If you just want to stay overnight it’s great.  Not so great if you want to walk around there and be at a resort.

6 hours ago, ICutTheCheese said:

The FAS gratuity is inded a gratuty/tip.  The DSC is NOT a gratuity.  It is discussed at https://www.ncl.com/faq#!#what-is-onboard-service-charge.  Tips are discussed at https://www.ncl.com/faq#!#what-about-gratuities.  Many people confuse the two.

I can’t imagine how you are making a distinction here.  It is your daily gratuity.  Please tell me how that is not so.  Fortunately, our TA paid it.

On 9/15/2023 at 7:51 AM, KKB said:

I did Princess last summer & this spring solo as well as NCL solo last summer.

NCL did a MUCH better job--daily solo meets, tables reserved for solos.

I went to the Princess solo meet up--NOBODY CAME.

I had a good time on both cruises, and I don't really do the solo events but those were my observations.

Yes, they will seat you with others if you do My Time Dining.

Are solo cruisers invited to the solo get to get hers on NCL if they are not in a Studio?

I will be in a balcony in my upcoming NCL.

What about Black Friday/cyber Monday?  Can you get discounted pkgs then?

Paxlovid is the leading oral medication for preventing severe cases of COVID-19 in high-risk individuals. However, symptoms returned in some patients after treatment was completed, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a health advisory on this so-called “COVID-19 rebound.”Jun 2
i, too, had a mild case and opted not to take it.  It was less than a bad cold.