littlelulu01

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Had Lobster and Steak at Ocean Blue....some of the best I’ve had anywhere.

On the Bliss ocean blue?  It’s not on the Bliss ocean blue menu or at least it wasn’t for Alaska. 

On our bliss sailing we were able to use plat vouchers at los lobos, Q, or La Cucina because no Moderno on ship. 

Ocean blue on bliss didn’t have lobster or crab unless you count as an ingredient in soup or appetizer. The, “local” specialty for ocean blue on the Bliss was fresh oysters.  Not sure about, “fresh” oysters from the pacific nw on day 3-7 of an Alaskan cruise.  I thought it was funny looking at the menu that touted pacific nw fresh seafood and not having king or dungeness crab.  Those are definitely on the menu on any decent land based pnw or Alaska seafood specialty venue. Lobster not always on the menu in pnw land based but we ate at Anthony’s yesterday and they had Maine Lobster and filet mignon as the special.  It wasn’t that expensive.  Lobster and crab are easily frozen and I see no reason not to offer up for an up charge on a ship. I’d take the ability to pay substantial up charge to order lobster and other deleted menu items any day.

I’ve taken to finding an excellent server at the beginning of a sailing, tipping well, and making sure we we have him or her scheduled for most of our meals really increases our food quality and dining enjoyment. We had excellent luck with Le Bistro on the Bliss.  We just ordered different menu items and mixed it up. Our service was outstanding and our food cooked to perfection.

 Set dinner isn’t an issue for us.  We just set it up with hostess first night to ensure same server even if it’s following them to different venues. 

The price all in with the grats was $82.80. It’s now $94.80. It amounts to an additional $2.40 on the free at sea if taken as a perk.

Instead of max 4 meals as a perk on longer sailings they switched to max 5 meals as a perk.  7 night sailing still get 3 meals as perk. All specialty dining packages prices increased by an even $12 but this increase was done a few months ago. 

The cost per meal goes down as you increase the number of meals purchased in the pkg, diminishing the perk value so worth it to potentially take a different perk if only eating specialty.

Oop I can eat much for less $ without the package but husband benefits from the package price. 

All specialty dining packages increased by an even $12 a couple months ago.  I think it was in November sometime.  Doesn’t amount to much extra if taken as a perk. 

If you’re on a longer sailing and need to supplement with an additional dining pkg, the $12 extra isn’t all that bad for good food and service.  We used to get pretty good food in the mdr but the last 3 sailings we concluded it isn’t worth the risk anymore to hope for a good meal in mdr so we gave mdr up. We’re on vacation and I’m not going to taint my opinion of my vacation over a couple hundred extra $.

They increased the number of specialty dinners on the longer sailings from 4 max to 5 max. IMO if you’re on the longer sailings it’s better to take another perk at this point and just pay for the 14-21 meal pkg oop because the more you purchase the better the discount. Anymore I just purchase hubby a pkg and then I order off menu without the pkg. For now anyways it comes out to be much less for us. 

7 hours ago, caneable said:

 

Just wondering why the constant reference to on board currency is $ when ships ever take cash payments.  Oh and if I was travelling in USA I would never dream of paying in pounds.  Be polite, use the local currency!

Pretty sure folks are trying to be polite by giving extra cash tips above what they’re already paying for tips.  The dsc and all tips paid via sign and sail receipt onboard any ncl ship no matter where in the world it’s sailing, are paid out to staff in us dollars. 

Many will bring extra cash with intent to give crew. Depending on how the cash is procured, the cost of obtaining the extra cash might be needless.  There’s obviously a need to have euro to pay for things on land but why pay the conversion fees just to give staff euro when they may very well be leaving for the USA next week?  Likewise for an Italian- why pay to exchange euro to USD just because the ship crew is paid in Usd. Giving staff something in cash for excellent service is appreciated.  They’re resourceful and will figure a way to spend  the euro, $, gbp.... 

I priced out msc suites for our Europe cruise this year.  Msc was actually higher $ and less desirable ports/port times.  We booked October 2019 over a year ago. The price for our Jade sailing on all rooms and haven was reasonable at the time and the itinerary is excellent. 14 night with only one sea day.

Everyone has a threshold on what they’re willing to pay for Haven.  Ncl jacked their haven prices WAY up a couple years ago and suites sat unsold.  I remember being floored with haven prices in 2015.  Our 2015 two week med had the gv at twice the price of our 2019 med. 2015 it went to a bingo winner. 2019 both were snapped up shortly after they started sales because they were priced right.  I suspect a certain % of the unreasonably priced haven suites are comped to casino high rollers early on to give the appearance rooms are selling at list prices.

They will offer new perk pkgs, reduce prices... when they Need to.  I think it’s more a high/low price game they play.  Ask over 1k/night and then when we see something at $700/night we will think we got a deal and snap it up.  In comparison to deluxe hotel rates right now, $700/night for a hotel suite isn’t out of line. When you get to 1k + /night, just about any other luxury vacation is going to be much more luxurious and cost less and you know ncl is well aware of that.

All the extra levels of added spending to get that haven suite to a luxury level are separated now because they would rather we pay extra for the better meals, drinks... especially when it’s a bid winner or comp likely getting many of their haven rooms.

i paid more for our October 2019 jade haven suite than I’d like to but it was just a little more than I was comfortable with given the perks associated.  Nice chunk of obc, distinctive voyage pkg and free at sea.  We didn’t take the ubp because even at only $500 in grats it wasn’t worth to us. I’ve got most of our shore excursions booked with ncl pretty much for free.  Hopefully we will enjoy the ship excursions- a first for us to use ship excursions pretty exclusively but I justified the haven cost by using the free  shore excursions so we’re gonna be off on bus loads this time around as a trade off. 

1 hour ago, gmbhardy said:

 

Yes, if you have the UBP Grand Marnier will cost you $2.95 plus the 20% gratuity. In total $3.54. Not a big deal, but when you pay $10,000 to stay in the Haven it’s the principle of the thing. If I want cheap booze I’ll go to a 3 star Mexican all inclusive.

For anyone who doesn’t benefit from the ubp ie doesn’t drink or doesn’t drink much, Ncl’s been charging them in such a manner for sometime now.  I seriously don’t think they are worried about losing customers over the up charging on the ubp.  I don’t drink alcohol, usually sail in suites, and ever since they instituted the fee on the free perk we have paid oop for all drinks we consume onboard.  No ability to switch out the ubp for a soda perk and just pay fee on soda pkg, no ability to switch out the 6 bottles of hard alcohol in gv in exchange for a free bottle of water at dinner.... it’s pretty cheap to be sailing in a garden villa and have the choice of byob of water from the room to dinner for free or be charged the $ if ordered with the meal. If anything other than owners suite or higher, the byob to a meal isn’t even a work around option.  I’ve wanted a non alcoholic beverage package for years.  Instead we get yet another option that is pointless for an non alcoholic beverage or minimal alcohol drinker.

This pkg is for the couple that saves a great deal by spending over $100/day on a “free” perk. I’m sorry but it’s a red flag when spending over $100/day on drinks is an enormous savings over what the non discount per day charge is otherwise. The oop pkg cost on this new pkg is more than current Haven fares.  This isn’t nickel and dimes, it’s more like charging everyone onboard Haven rates. They can ask whatever they want for their packages but people at some point are not going to spend that kind of $ just to “save” or just for the convenience. They’ll just not drink the koolaid ncl is selling them at a “discount”

https://www.ncl.com/terms/hawaii-beverage-package

terms and conditions as of today.  Hawaii ubp is a perk and for now anyway, includes alcoholic beverages up to $15, soda, juices, water bottles sparkling and still and specialty coffee with meals. Not sure what’s going to happen with the changes but for now anyway,  the pkg can be appealing for even a non alcoholic drinker or a lite drinker.  

My pcc said the Pride of America bookings have really increased since this pkg was introduced. 

23 minutes ago, pitz0005 said:

So the total cost would be $20 service charge plus $34.80 upgrade per day for a total of $54.80 per day.  What a nice free perk.  

So it took less than 4 years for the ubp to out free itself. In 2015 the ubp was $54 all in out of pocket. 

1 hour ago, gatorchinsky said:

 

We cruise in June so leaving euros makes more sense.

Likely but not a given.  Different contracts for everyone onboard.  Someone you tip in euro might be leaving the ship at the end of the week and would prefer US dollar.  Someone else might be saving their money vs spending in port.  Dollar is the currency onboard.  If you only have euro they’ll be very appreciative of receiving it but no need to go out of your way to procure extra foreign currency as it doesn’t necessarily make it easier for staff you’re giving it to. 

Dollar currency is used onboard the ship.  Everything purchased onboard is charged in dollars no matter where the ship is sailing. Their employer is paying them in US dollar.  No need to secure local currency just for tips  ... unless that’s all you have and in that case they’ll be happy to take gbp or euro or whatever. 

A green swipe is any game with a green swipe included in the ultimate arcade pkg (UAP).  Signified with a green light on the card swipe mechanism on the game. Games not included in arcade pkg are a different color.  Those not included games are mainly located towards the front of the arcade. Yes the arcade is in same hall as kids club. 

Idk if I’d trust a 7 year old to recognize and follow the color coding and would definitely see if his card could be fixed so he can’t spend on it.  Perhaps guest services?   When you pre purchase or have an included pkg the passengers who have a pkg will have it noted on their card. Ubp or soda or UAP..so the cards with the pre purchased pkg will be ready to play when you check in for cruise boarding and pick up the ship cards... 

id also spend some time in there till you’re sure he’s aware of what’s included and what isn’t. As adults we couldn’t stomach being in there long just due to noise from all the games. 

I purchased for husband for Alaska bliss sailing.  It was just the two of us, no kids and I was allowed to purchase for just him.  It was around $56 for the unlimited for the week.  Sounds like price has gone up so perhaps the included green swipes are different now?  

For Bliss when we boarded, husband’s ship card had something on it signifying ultimate arcade pkg. Only his card could be swiped and I think the rules were if more than 3 swipes in 3 minutes the card would be disabled  for 15 minutes.  I think that’s to prevent one kid from supporting a large group on one pkg. We played air hockey, a few video games in the small arcade.  I’d say about 1/2 the games in there or about 5-6 games were green swipes.  Some of them were double player and his card allowed both of us to play.  They have a two person pirate game that could probably take in a couple hundred/hour with the game asking for another swipe at around $6 every few minutes. We had fun with that.  

The local had a Mario game.  Skeet ball in the local isn’t a green swipe. I’d definitely walk kids through and make certain they know what games are green swipes and which ones are extra to avoid some insane charge.  We only visited one night for about 20 minutes and between the two of us definitely spent more than cost for the week pass.  It was more of a, geez this place is small, really loud and dark but let’s play a few games just to get our $ worth and get out of here. Kids likely have a different perspective.  I didn’t see anyone else in there but that likely depends on the sailing. 

5 hours ago, Georgie562 said:

So many people are willing to do it because NCL gets them into thinking it's "free" when its really not. I too rather avoid the stress and book my own air especially since it seems that these flights fly you in the day of the cruise. Not to mention the high transfer fee your required to pay if you take their air promo. No Thanks.

Some of the free airfare is day before flights. My Panama Canal booking has true free airfare sea to Mia so a true potential savings. The itinerary I was sent with confirmation has us leaving day prior. If we find out the flight is too risky when assigned at 60 days I assume we can ditch the free airfare and get our own tickets. I’m not a fan of the airfare promo and really skeptical of group airfare but did add to a booking that’s pretty far out so plenty of time to read accounts of how it works out with others. Price wise the pick all 6 Is a a pretty decent deal on some sailings. I also like the ability to opt out of the ubp.  It’s not a deal for everyone and I think the pick all 5 last year had no option to opt out of the ubp which added way too much to the fare for someone like me who wouldn’t benefit from the ubp.

The hawaii sailings also offer true free airfare from sea and ability to pay $50 for air deviation to tack on a couple days pre or post.  The Hawaii beverage plan also has benefits such as specialty coffee and bottled water, making it more appealing to the lite or non drinker. 

Excellent review and spot on!  Fairly certain Anoop has esp.  He’s one of Ncl’s top assets IMO. 

We came to the conclusion the inclusive venues are just no longer for us. There’s just no mistake about the food quality and service offered being designed to encourage switch to specialty.  Specialty dinners get you decent to very good food but nothing “special” such as lobster. Shrimp as the best item on the menu screams cheap. Most of their included venues would not last 6 months as stand alone land based venues. Once we got past that point and resolved to only specialty we get to the next hurdle of server issues in specialty.  When paying a minimum of a grand each day and then to be regularly told what is/isn’t allowed... I just want to order what I want and be served with a level of competence.  I don’t want my server going on about the extra cash tip they need, what I can and cannot do....

We find a couple excellent specialty or haven restaurant servers and then just use them and reward them for normal, hassle free and pleasant meal service. That alone really makes a vacation so much better. I make certain when I tip out at the end to tell them what it is that makes them stand out.  We’ve learned to make some adjustments that can still make our vacation wonderful. It’s really just a couple hundred extra to reward the right servers and pay for the extra specialty dinners and to just walk away from and provide zero response to anyone who is trying to hustle you with hard sells or blatantly be hustling for extra cash every time you see them. 

42 minutes ago, Smokeyham said:

Thanks for that info. 

 

I have heard voltage as being equivalent to water pressure, if you are using an analogy of a plumbing system to an electrical system.   The European plug would be using 220 volts, as compared to the American 110 volts, so it would make sense that your hair straightener would have more heat using the 220 volt system.

That makes sense. I’ve never plugged an eu hair straightener into a us outlet for safety reasons nor a us hair straightener into a eu outlet with adapter for same reason. But my us straightener which works very well in the USA does not work well on the ship when plugged into one of their USA outlets. The eu straightener however works just as well in the eu as it does when plugged into the Jade eu outlet, which is why on the ship I only bring the eu straightener and leave the USA one at home. 

The Jade rooms, at least the rooms I’ve been in have at least one EU outlet. I always bring my eu hair straightener because for some reason it gets much hotter than the us outlet which seems to run the US hair straighteners at about half the heat. The eu outlet that I’m certain they have is near the table/mirror with the blow dryer ncl provides. I have not sailed in a mini suite on the Jade but have sailed in several other categories and all the rooms had the eu outlet. No U.K. outlet. 

8 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

This may be off topic but are you allowed more than 4 ports for the excursion credits now?

Yes.  Our next med has the distinctive voyage and free at sea shore excursion credit along with a nice chunk of ncl obc. 12 ports with free or next to nothing shore excursions. Latitudes discount comes off the top. Then the $100 discount and obc takes care of the remaining balance on the few that are higher priced. 

43 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

 

One tip, because shorex prices can increase between the time you book on the phone and when you actually take the excursion:  before you call NCL to book, take a screen shot of the actual shorex price at that time, and bring it with you on the cruise, as proof of the booking price.  Also, ask the NCL rep to email you a price confirmation at the time you book (usually in the form of an amenities invoice); most told me they had no way to do this, but one person was able to do it.  At the very least, have your screenshot.

Good idea!

We’ve used it by calling the shore excursion department and booking in advance. Prepayment not necessary and latitude discount is taken off the cost before the $50 credit making the savings a little better.  Shore excursion department has been very knowledgeable every time I call them and they’re happy to give you a running total of what will actually be charged onboard. For some reason they don’t include totals in email confirmation so good to ask especially on port intensive longer sailings when using the credits for lots of excursions. Good to keep a running total to make sure credits and discount applies once onboard. 

7 minutes ago, maja651 said:

This is exactly what I’m thinking and why I started this post. I was actually surprised, although maybe I shouldnt have been, by all of the people stating they have no use for the butler.   It is such a pleasure and great way to start the day by enjoying breakfast in the suite with my hubby, and in a robe! Also, for those who have never tried it, it’s super romantic to have a nice meal served by the butler in your suite. It’s private, it’s quiet, and it’s perfect.  

There’s always going to be posters chiming in the benefits of a cutback and price increase. The Who needs that anyway and I hated lobster crowd. The suite amenities are what got my husband back to enjoying cruises. Major jet lag and a fantastic dinner from Cagneys served in our room was a fantastic perk. Waking up and having our breakfast already sitting on the table. Coming back from a long day in port and just the right snacks ... waking up before anything open and some great coffee to enjoy on balcony instead of  waiting for Starbucks and needing to get dressed, go wait in a long line. In all honesty I’m not sure how they can create a market for these rooms. Perhaps they are planning ahead for recession?  If they were planning on continued great sales they would just charge more for the rooms but instead they’re cutting back on what makes them better and sets them apart from other choices. 

4 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

Well, we will have to see when this is all washed out, but until then it is only speculation that they will get ride of the Nepresso machine.

Yes. Perhaps it’s only the extra salary they no longer can pay. I would put odds on them not turning the room steward into a pseudo butler. Doubt whoever decided to cut out a butler salary did so just to save his minimal wages.  Nespresso pods are expensive. Extra sales for specialty coffees and room service delivery fees are likely greater than the butler salary they cut. 

2 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

Are they getting rid of the Nespresso machines?  Why do they need a Butler to service them, couldn't the Cabin Steward do it?

I guess they could but they currently don’t. That’s a service the butler provides.  Ncl’s cutting of services only to still provide the same services in the form of the room steward isn’t likely. 

There’s also the Nespresso in the room the butler stocks and services.  

Butlers make a salary but the majority of their income likely comes from servicing staterooms.  Cutting out an extra butler isn’t where the savings is.

Ncl Cutting back costs and services and creating additional opportunity to make extra $ on these new category rooms is the only benefit I see in the change. 

If they don’t have to pay for the nespresso pods AND have the opportunity to sell more specialty coffee that is a win. If they can now charge those rooms a delivery service fee for any room service that’s a win.  Purchased extras for the room instead of delivery from butler...

These rooms have dining areas, larger balconies perfect for relaxing breakfast... folks booked in them are willing to pay extra for some extra time in them. That’ll now cost more and available services even If willing to pay extra will be fewer. 

Im Guessing the few posters here who have zero need for a butler, never use room service, don’t drink the nespresso and book in the full suite just for a dining table to spread their electronic devices on are pretty few. The majority of passengers willing to pay more than double did so for the amenities provided. 

40 minutes ago, maja651 said:

My issue is without a butler, that means no full breakfast, lunch, dinner, whichever your preference, in your suite. One of the perks we enjoy a lot with butler service is the ability to have meals in our cabin. This is especially important for us when  arrive at ports early or are put in port for along day. 

This!  We order specialty dinners to room.  The shorter sailings likely not much issue but we take the longer port intensive sailings and have most of our dinners specialty. We don’t feel like going to the venue every night.  For us one of the main benefits of being in a suite is specialty dining on our balcony or stateroom dining room a few nights out of 14-21. 

Ive noticed a cutback in number of butlers.  This hasn’t affected our service. In 2016 we had a garden villa for two weeks med on the Jade.  Our butler had one half of haven.  In 2017 we did British isles... one segment was in two bedroom family suite and the next segment was haven 2 bedroom.  Our butler had our section of deck 11 and also half the haven including the gv.  He was excellent And highly experienced but I can’t imagine most people adequately able to service that many cabins. 

There’s no way I’d pay over 1k/night and have zero ability to order good food to my room. 

Fall of 2020 is a long time away so I’m not too worried.  ALOT can change in that time.  Ncl is getting these $ on haven and suites today for the sailings I book but when the economy changes it’s going to be a very difficult sell!

1 hour ago, pixiedust777 said:

The only information NCL would give me was if we ran into problems on the 7th (day of arrival/embarkation)to call them. 

However the nerve racking part at the bottom of the flight confirmation from NCL is-

Note: NCL is not responsible for any flight interruptions out of our control, such as airline flight cancellations, schedule change or weather interruptions, as stated in our brochure.

Deltas policy on missed connections is to book you on the next available flight to your destination that has seats available. There is only one other possible flight we could get on and get to New Orleans on time to make the cruise.

 

I am looking at booking a flight to New Orleans and just using our return flight home that NCL has booked.

If ncl will book you one way home that’s about the only way it will work.  Airlines automatically cancel returns if first half is missed.