What to expect booking 1.5 years out?

[sixesandeights]

I was hoping to get some insight into booking a cruise over a year out. If there are price drops before final payment can you rebook at the lower rate and keep the same room? Are there any restrictions to this? Booking this far out would it be better to book with my PCC or is another site ok? We have never booked a cruise that far out, so I just have no idea what to expect. We want to try an aft balcony and booking right away seem to be the only way to get one.

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

6&8

[ImaKrazyKruizer]

AFAIK you can get whatever is offered until final payment. Sometimes they limit things to new bookings but even in that case you might be able to cancel and rebook the same room. We booked nine months out and have since had our price drop by close to 50%. We got all of the adjustments.

[triptolemus]

What to expect? Nothing really, except cabin choice, which you indicated was your primary focus (this is a good thing).

 

As far as price drops and promotions, sure... you can almost always cancel/rebook ON THE PHONE with NCL/PCC. The caveat being is you will lose whatever promotions were offered at the time of the original booking (OBC, kids free, free dining, whatever). These will be replaced with whatever is currently being offered when you cancel/rebook for the new rate. This could result in a NET LOSS to you if you don't do the math and pay attention.

[BritChickBN1]

If you care about points you get an additional point per day for 9+ months out. If you rebook for any reason you can (will) lose those points.

 

Also, so much time= lots of obsessively checking the prices over and over.. just me?!?!? :o

[bear3412]

This is how we book usually. 18 months out due to schedules, planning , etc.

 

You can expect a crazy wait period, but it's comforting to have a cruise to look forward to. Once you have a few cruises that overlap, to knock the wait down to, 5-9 months or less, it's a tolerable wait.

 

Of course, if some crazy specials present themselves nearby, then that's cool too. ;)

 

No help I know, but ...

Book with a great TA, or directly with a recommended PCC.

Yes the preffered aft cabins book fast. IMO book ASAP then call/adjust as needed as the sail date approaches, prior to PIF.

 

But keep in mind you will pay more than those booking 2 weeks before sail date. We are OK with that because we got "our" cabin. Some are not as picky with cabins and would rather wait for discounts at the last minute.

 

It's two different tactics. We prefer to pick our cabin way out, then call and adjust if possible close to sail. Rarely any adjustments on our sailings fwiw.

 

But often, we book, and never look back, as it can be disturbing to me, and some. lol. :eek: , ;) .

 

Good Luck

 

and Enjoy

Edited March 19, 2014 by bear3412

[Lucinarei]

I booked a cruise for summer '15 two weeks ago and had many of the same questions. I booked through the main NCL number and asked about price drops/deals and the rep told me that I could call back as many times as I wanted and that they would always go over every option available to make sure that I was getting the best deal- which was a comforting thought for me.

 

I did call last week to take advantage of an OBC offer (which I got with no problem) and the rep again assured me that I could call any time and we could discuss any new advertised offer to make sure that I would be getting a good deal. So far, so good. :D

 

My only problem has been looking at that giant countdown number… :( In fact, DH told me the day after we booked that I had to stop announcing the countdown. So now I don't tell him when I log onto NCL to look. :D

[triptolemus]

If you care about points you get an additional point per day for 9+ months out. If you rebook for any reason you can (will) lose those points.

 

Not always. One time I booked a year out, then upgraded and kept these points. Others have had similar experience, others have lost the points. There's no consensus.

[sixesandeights]

Thank you everyone. This has been very helpful. Sort of off topic...I received a call from my PCC once, but dont have any of her contact information. will they track down my PCC for me? Is there anyone that I should ask for who is known to be very good? Thanks again for all the help.

 

6&8

[don't-use-real-name]

If you care about points you get an additional point per day for 9+ months out. If you rebook for any reason you can (will) lose those points.

 

If you work with a TA there are ways to make you keep your Latitude Points.

Basically the TA amends the original contract keeping the original date.

Thus your booking 9 or more months out keeps the extra Points (1 per night).

Also the OBC and other amenities can be preserved.

Works best when you are upgrading from IC to OV - OV to BC - or other

combinations. If upgrading to a Suite then it is almost hands down a given

that you are going to keep the whole enchilada. It is not in the best interests

of NCL; the TA or PCC to fool around with a few points and expect the customer

to keep coming back for more cruises especially high revenue producing ones !

 

If the original booking was more than 9 months out it can be worked with.

Less than 9 months it is very difficult to turn the clock back because the date

of payment will reflect that it does not qualify.

A token way around this is make an advance payment of a few dollars for a

sailing 9 or more months away on a dummy cruise you might be interested in.

When you decide what cruise you want to put the money down on reference

the advance down payment use that date and make up the cruise contract.

If not sailing within 9 months or your dummy cruise plans have changed you

have nothing to fret about - the date of down payment will always be more

than 9 months giving your those bonus Latitude Points. See *below Latitude

Points schedule - - -

 

It is easier to work with a TA who is familiar with your travel needs.

If dealing with NCL directly and the results are not what you expect hang up

and try another agent at another time of the day.

The NCL website is date and time sensitive - no fudging the contract rules here !

 

LATITUDE POINTS

Latitudes Rewards Benefits

Complimentary Latitudes Rewards Online Magazine

Priority Check-in

Onboard Latitudes Rewards Representative

Onboard Discounts:

 

10% discount at Duty-Free Shop on all Norwegian Logo merchandise, good for one purchase only. On Pride of America only, 10% discount on any item excluding sale items, alcohol, tobacco and onboard entertainer products (including their CDs and DVDs).

Free work of art for attending art auction; 30 free minutes with 250-minute internet package purchase; 15 free minutes with 100-minute internet package purchase.

Members Only Cocktail Party

 

(Not available on Norwegian Sky or Norwegian Epic)

Ship Pin

Discount on Photos:

15% Silver members, 20% Gold members, 25% Platinum members

Member Discount on Spa Signature Services during port days;

15% Silver members, 20% Gold members, 25% Platinum members

Nightly Chocolates to enjoy in your room

Exclusive Onboard Gathering with Ship Officers

Priority Tender Tickets

Priority Disembarkation

(only available to U.S. citizens and benefits vary for international guests)

Laundry Service

 

25% on one bag of laundry Gold members, complimentary one bag of laundry Platinum members

Welcome gift

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

(will be delivered to stateroom the first evening)

Concierge Service

Complimentary Dinner for Two at Le Bistro with a Bottle of Wine

Complimentary "Behind the Scenes" Ship Tour

Complimentary Sparkling Wine in Your Stateroom

 

Please note: Ship pin and onboard discounts are available on all sailings. All other benefits are available on sailing 5 days or longer.

 

How to earn points toward the next tier.

Earn Rewards Points

◦Earn 1 point for every cruise night.

◦Earn 1 additional point per night for reserving a Suite or in The Haven.*

◦Earn 1 additional point per night when booking nine months or more in advance.

◦Earn 1 additional point per night when booking a Latitudes Insider Offer.

 

*Full fare suites booked when reservation was originally made. Does not include mini-suites

 

Rewards Point Structure

TIER REWARDS POINTS

Bronze 1 - 19

Silver 20 - 47

Gold 48 - 75

Platinum 76+

 

Special milestone gifts are provided for guests who achieve 250, 500, 700 and 1,000 points.

[bear3412]

If you care about points you get an additional point per day for 9+ months out.....

 

Lol. :p I only wish. I would have been Platinum on our first booking.

 

So to recap; I get an additional point for each day in advance I book, if booked 9 months out.

Now that would be a reward program. That would solve half the last minute booking issues for NCL. lol. Everyone would book in advance. Perhaps you are on to something. lol.

 

So; Book 9 months in advance, get an extra point per day, 9 months X 30 days = 180 points. That's awesome. Instant Platinum. lol. :D

 

I like it. :)

 

:p

 

ETA; Yeah; It's unfortunately only an additional point per sail night aboard.

Hey, I had fun while it lasted. lol.

 

:D

[don't-use-real-name]

bear3412:

 

There are those folks that are a riot and then there is your type ---

You sure know how to start a revolution; encourage an insurrection;

create mayhem to the nth degree and almost (ALMOST) pulled my

leg out of joint !

You had me going there for a moment and at the end you dropped

the punch line:

 

(Quote)ETA yeah; It's unfortunately only an additional point per sail night aboard.

Hey, I had fun while it lasted. lol.(Unquote)

 

Side note: Your math needs attention - did not notice that till I had posted - went back to edit.

 

So; Book 9 months in advance, get an extra point per day, 9 months X 30 days = 180 points. That's awesome. Instant Platinum. lol.

 

9 x 30 = 270 - NOW that is a whole bunch of Platinum !

 

Seriously all you have to do to get to the maximum level is book a cruise

of 28 days more than 9 months out - in a suite - pickup the base points -

and if advertised as a Latitudes Inside Offer - voila 112 Points and you

get free laundry; chocolate strawberries and a bottle of sparkling bubbly

and whole bunch of other trinkets and goodies.

Skip any one of the four above and you still have enough for Platinum.

 

The cavet is you get this on your next trip which you don't have to be so

extravagant. The NCL program is one of the best and easiest to work with !

Edited March 19, 2014 by don't-use-real-name
add material

[bear3412]

 

Are you a poet, or a know it?

I'm not sure. But I always welcome a new attitude. A new sense of humor.

 

It would help if you could quote PP properly, even in color perhaps would work.

I lost a bit due to the quotes the same color. IMO.

 

I'm confident I'll give you another chance soooon.

 

I hope we share the thrill of sailing asap, regardless of vessel, cruise line, or forum. ;)

 

:)

Edited March 19, 2014 by bear3412

[david_sobe]

I booked my current cruise 1.5 years out. There have been price drops but not my category. My suite has went up in price $400. But anything can happen. Still never make final payment until it is due.

[Ewoodspark]

If you care about points you get an additional point per day for 9+ months out. If you rebook for any reason you can (will) lose those points.

 

Also, so much time= lots of obsessively checking the prices over and over.. just me?!?!? :o

There is a lot of comments about cancelling and re-booking if there are price reductions. I may be missing a point somewhere, but is it worth it when you would lose the 20% deposit paid either to a travel agent or direct to NCL?

[don't-use-real-name]

There is a lot of comments about cancelling and re-booking if there are price reductions. I may be missing a point somewhere, but is it worth it when you would lose the 20% deposit paid either to a travel agent or direct to NCL?

 

You will not lose the deposit in any event PRIOR to the Final Payment !

Exception as note about my TA agent the Agency fee is non-refundable $25

and Cancellation results in a service fee of $100 - that is the cost of doing

business. Any deposit made prior to the Final Payment is used to reduce

the overall cruise fare. If you cancel after the Final Payment a refund will

be made prorated on the number of days before sailing i.e. Cancellation Fees:

 

Cancellation Fees

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Days Prior to Departure..................Cancellation Fee

76 Days or More............................$0 pp

Between 56 and 75 Days................$400 pp

Between 30 and 55 Days.................50%

Between 15 and 29 Days.................75%

14 Days or Less..............................100%

 

 

Until the final payment is done you can negotiate the cruise contract to achieve

a lower fare or upgrade to a better cabin. Some of these MAY result in forfeiture

of the OBC and other amenities.

So for instance the stateroom fare goes down $250 ($125 pp) you negotiate

a reduction in the cruise fare. The OBC is $250 and it will be a wash - certainly

not worth the bother. Any more reduction and it is worth considering.

If you are dealing directly with NCL the OBC is important but remember that

it can not be used for the $12 pp daily crew gratuity. If you don't contemplate

using it all up consider taking the lower cruise fare and forget the OBC.

Check out all the trinkets in the gift shop; the duty free liquor; the gambling

chits in the casino; shore excursions etc. that you can use the OBC on.

That way you can make an informed decision about what is fare value.

 

If dealing with a TA you should be able to amend your cruise contract to get

the fare reduction keeping the original booking date to get all the Latitude

Points you are entitled to and a savvy agent will manage to keep your OBC.

 

A PCC may not be able to save the OBC but can get the fare reduced and

perhaps grandfather the booking date to keep the cruise points.

 

So after the Final Payment - negotiating is off the table and you are stuck

with your cruise contract - except it does not hurt to inquire about recent

changes (in a very nice way) which may result in your getting a token OBC

credit or a stateroom upgrade - nothing ventured nothing gained. If you

have cruised before and the more the better chances are a tad bit to your

favor especially in the Platinum Latitudes very frequent cruiser.

 

It is important that you DO NOT read NCL the Cruise Critic Riot Act and

expect the results in your favor ! No threats - No promises !

Edited March 19, 2014 by don't-use-real-name

[rvsullivan]

There is a lot of comments about cancelling and re-booking if there are price reductions. I may be missing a point somewhere, but is it worth it when you would lose the 20% deposit paid either to a travel agent or direct to NCL?

 

 

Doesn't work if your in the UK!!;)

[sassyredhat]

I booked our cruise that we are taking in 24 days, 2 years ago, in Dec.2011

It wasn't even in the booking engine when I called my TA. We wanted all the aft penthouses on a certain deck, and they sell out fast.

We have not had one price drop. Our cabin has increased $988. since I booked. :eek: :eek:

Since this is our first NCL cruise, I didn't have to worry about points, but I always book at least a year in advance, and check for price drops.

 

Pat

[Da-Painter]

We have started booking more then a year out, for the lower prices, especially if you want an aft cabin, as there are so few afts available.

Also look at the suite afts, with the $300 OBC for a suite, booked 9 months out, it might be competitively priced to the non-suite aft cabins, :cool:.

[seguincruiser]

Thanks for posting the info on the point system. If I have this correct I'll have 21 pts after my first NCL cruise.

 

7 points for a 7 day cruise in October 2015

7 points for staying in the 2 bedroom Haven Suite

7 points for booking 9+ months in advance

 

This is the first time trying something other than Carnival and I'm already excited!:)

[kimkencruzers]

My advice would be to not purchase airfare too far in advance in case the ship is chartered.

[Ewoodspark]

Doesn't work if your in the UK!!;)

I was about to say to "Dont-use-real-name", that if I tried to cancel my booking and book again if the price dropped, regardless of paying final payment or not, then I would certainly lose the 20% deposit that I paid to my travel agent..

Am I correct in thinking that Americans can cancel up to final payment with no penalty? Interesting !!

[Demonyte]

Am I correct in thinking that Americans can cancel up to final payment with no penalty? Interesting !!

 

Anybody can - as long as they have booked through US office. We have booked all of our cruises either through NCL in US directly or via a TA in US - never through the EU office. While the rate might not always be better (still at least 9 times out of 10 :D), the terms and conditions and flexibility is much better in US.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Demonyte

[Sheils65]

I was hoping to get some insight into booking a cruise over a year out. If there are price drops before final payment can you rebook at the lower rate and keep the same room? Are there any restrictions to this? Booking this far out would it be better to book with my PCC or is another site ok? We have never booked a cruise that far out, so I just have no idea what to expect. We want to try an aft balcony and booking right away seem to be the only way to get one.

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

6&8

 

A long wait!! LOL

[bonnie voyage]

We booked our March 2015 cruise in April 2013! Now that's way far out, but we like to choose our cabin and we like the additional points (trying to reach platinum).

[BabsinTX]

AFAIK you can get whatever is offered until final payment. Sometimes they limit things to new bookings but even in that case you might be able to cancel and rebook the same room. We booked nine months out and have since had our price drop by close to 50%. We got all of the adjustments.

 

Dumb question: If cancelling and rebooking, are you sure to get the same room? Lately we've been booking aft mini-suites, and usually they are gone way before any price drops. So we'd be hoping for OBC or dinners at specialty restaurants, but we'd want our same cabin.

 

We work with an online TA.