More at Sea

[Eno]

I hear that the next change coming soon in a reduction in loyalty perks for top tier levels….. kidding but I’m sure although it only impacts a minority there would be end of the world posts

[ChiefMateJRK]

7 minutes ago, Eno said:

I hear that the next change coming soon in a reduction in loyalty perks for top tier levels….. kidding but I’m sure although it only impacts a minority there would be end of the world posts

They better keep their greedy hands off of my free laundry!🤬

[vacation44]

13 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

To me it is amazing. You take freebie perks, which could conceivably change weekly, and change it once every 5 years and the world has come to an end. 
 

You take a bunch of more expensive liquor (which used to come at an upcharge) and add it to the free package and the world has come to an end. 
 

You add an additional free specialty dinner and the world has come to an end. 
 

You take a la carte restaurants which used to cost upwards of $100, add more options, and sell it at a fixed price for $40-$60 and the world has come to an end. 
 

Make your life simple. Decline all offers so the world won’t come to an end. 

I, personally, do not think the world is coming to an end.   I would just rather keep my $200 per cabin (usually book three) the next time I book.    

[UKstages]

39 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

They better keep their greedy hands off of my free laundry!🤬

 

you will get your free laundry, but their greedy hands will have been all over it. that's precisely how it gets washed and folded.  so you may wish to launder it again once you return home, if you don't like the idea of your stuff being touched.

 

 

[Antimony]

3 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Interesting that those who lament the loss of 'free' water, starbucks and freshly squeezed orange juice seem to forget that they are also losing the cosiderable charge for those 'free' things.

I bought FAS+ mostly for unlimited internet and Starbucks. I have ADHD and trying to remember to log out to not use up all my internet minutes would be a disaster for me. Unfortunately, I have responsibilities that require me to have online access even on vacation, and I tend to take cruises with more sea days than port days. Yes, I can just pay a la carte for Starbucks/juice/water, etc., but realistically I won't. I'll see the $4 charge for that freshly squeezed juice and pass, the same with Pellegrino at dinner or a cappuccino with breakfast in the MDR. I'll be fine without them, but it was very nice to have them and for me, the convenience and the feeling of being pampered made FAS+ worthwhile to me. Now I'll grit my teeth and pay for the internet access I need, but the cruise will feel a bit less special without all the little treats I used to enjoy. I don't have the budget or vacation days to cruise often, so treated myself to those perks I could afford to help it feel more all-inclusive. That is why losing the little things from FAS+ stings a bit and I'll likely start looking at other lines' offerings for my next cruise.

[ChiefMateJRK]

33 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

you will get your free laundry, but their greedy hands will have been all over it. that's precisely how it gets washed and folded.  so you may wish to launder it again once you return home, if you don't like the idea of your stuff being touched.

 

 

I know you're joking.  I toured the laundry on my last cruise.  Decent, hardworking folks doing a fantastic job in a warm/stuffy environment.  It would likely kill me....

[ChiefMateJRK]

12 minutes ago, Antimony said:

I have ADHD and trying to remember to log out to not use up all my internet minutes would be a disaster for me.

Yep, it happens.  I generally only surf the internet when in port on free wifi or domestic cellular.  I try to use the 150 minutes only for discreet, time sensitive tasks such as daily check for email, voice mail or texts from family. I may try to establish a habit of setting a timer on my phone for ten minutes prior to logging in.  My biggest beef is when I login and then my phone drops the ships wifi.  That happened several times in the buffet on the Bliss in July (high deck, far forward).  I would have to walk about halfway back through the buffet to pick up the wifi and logout.

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, Antimony said:

Now I'll grit my teeth and pay for the internet access I need, but the cruise will feel a bit less special without all the little treats I used to enjoy. I don't have the budget or vacation days to cruise often, so treated myself to those perks I could afford to help it feel more all-inclusive. That is why losing the little things from FAS+ stings a bit and I'll likely start looking at other lines' offerings for my next cruise.

I understand.  I hope you will still enjoy your cruise.

[Petrel]

I booked prior to Oct 1st for a 2025 cruise.  Our FAS included 2 specialty dining, free Wi-Fi minutes, and shore excursion credit.  We specifically unchecked the Free Beverage option, as we wouldn't drink enough to pay for the added gratuities.  Reading the verbiage below, it sounds like I keep my existing FAS items, but now get the MAS Beverage package for free?  I don't see it listed anywhere in my cruise info on NCL, nor have I or will I pay any gratuities for it.  Am I reading the below correctly that I do indeed have it at absolutely no cost?

 

"All guests sailing in 2024 will enjoy their current Free At Sea benefits. Guests sailing in 2025 and beyond, who booked prior to October 1, 2024, will enjoy both their current Free at Sea benefits plus the new More At Sea™ beverage package, providing an enhanced unlimited open bar experience, at no additional cost!"

[laudergayle]

7 minutes ago, Petrel said:

I booked prior to Oct 1st for a 2025 cruise.  Our FAS included 2 specialty dining, free Wi-Fi minutes, and shore excursion credit.  We specifically unchecked the Free Beverage option, as we wouldn't drink enough to pay for the added gratuities.  Reading the verbiage below, it sounds like I keep my existing FAS items, but now get the MAS Beverage package for free?  I don't see it listed anywhere in my cruise info on NCL, nor have I or will I pay any gratuities for it.  Am I reading the below correctly that I do indeed have it at absolutely no cost?

 

"All guests sailing in 2024 will enjoy their current Free At Sea benefits. Guests sailing in 2025 and beyond, who booked prior to October 1, 2024, will enjoy both their current Free at Sea benefits plus the new More At Sea™ beverage package, providing an enhanced unlimited open bar experience, at no additional cost!"

Seems like you opted out of FAS drink psckage. As a result you will have neither FAS not MAS drink package.  As a result, you will pay drink price + gratuity for each alcoholic drink you order.

[ChiefMateJRK]

8 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

Seems like you opted out of FAS drink psckage. As a result you will have neither FAS not MAS drink package.  As a result, you will pay drink price + gratuity for each alcoholic drink you order.

Yep.  The breakeven will still be two or three drinks a day.

[drew69]

26 minutes ago, Petrel said:

I booked prior to Oct 1st for a 2025 cruise.  Our FAS included 2 specialty dining, free Wi-Fi minutes, and shore excursion credit.  We specifically unchecked the Free Beverage option, as we wouldn't drink enough to pay for the added gratuities.  Reading the verbiage below, it sounds like I keep my existing FAS items, but now get the MAS Beverage package for free?  I don't see it listed anywhere in my cruise info on NCL, nor have I or will I pay any gratuities for it.  Am I reading the below correctly that I do indeed have it at absolutely no cost?

 

"All guests sailing in 2024 will enjoy their current Free At Sea benefits. Guests sailing in 2025 and beyond, who booked prior to October 1, 2024, will enjoy both their current Free at Sea benefits plus the new More At Sea™ beverage package, providing an enhanced unlimited open bar experience, at no additional cost!"

No, you only keep what you had.  If you had chosen FAS drink package, you would now have MAS drink package.  As it stands you will still have no drink package

[Petrel]

9 minutes ago, drew69 said:

No, you only keep what you had.  If you had chosen FAS drink package, you would now have MAS drink package.  As it stands you will still have no drink package

Ok, that’s fine with me.  The way it’s written does say guests keep their existing FAS and also get the MAS beverage at no additional cost, so NCL needs to update their wording.  We don’t drink, so not a big deal, but just thought we may get a soft drink occasionally.  Oh well, we’ll stick with lemonade.

[drew69]

9 minutes ago, Petrel said:

Ok, that’s fine with me.  The way it’s written does say guests keep their existing FAS and also get the MAS beverage at no additional cost, so NCL needs to update their wording.  We don’t drink, so not a big deal, but just thought we may get a soft drink occasionally.  Oh well, we’ll stick with lemonade.

It means those with full FAS package now get MAS drink package instead with no additional charge.  You would not as you opted out of the beverage package in the first place.

[Petrel]

2 minutes ago, drew69 said:

It means those with full FAS package now get MAS drink package instead with no additional charge.  You would not as you opted out of the beverage package in the first place.

I know I’m being anal about the wording, but I don’t read that it implies those with a full FAS package.  I appreciate your responses and not trying to create an argument, I am just more interested in NCL wording it correctly.  If I was NCL, I would have added the following to their statement which leaves no ambiguity:

 

Guests who previously booked the FAS beverage package and sailing in 2025 and beyond, who booked prior to October 1, 2024, will enjoy both their current Free at Sea benefits plus the new More At Sea™ beverage package, providing an enhanced unlimited open bar experience, at no additional cost!"

[JSar]

48 minutes ago, Petrel said:

I know I’m being anal about the wording, but I don’t read that it implies those with a full FAS package.  I appreciate your responses and not trying to create an argument, I am just more interested in NCL wording it correctly.  If I was NCL, I would have added the following to their statement which leaves no ambiguity:

 

Guests who previously booked the FAS beverage package and sailing in 2025 and beyond, who booked prior to October 1, 2024, will enjoy both their current Free at Sea benefits plus the new More At Sea™ beverage package, providing an enhanced unlimited open bar experience, at no additional cost!"

I would think that it stands to reason that if you had FAS but opted out of the FAS beverage portion of the package, you would be upgraded to MAS, but once again opted out of the beverage package. Afterall... you had to take that extra step to opt out in the first place. And the fees for the beverage package were previously removed. Why would they add and upgrade at no additional cost something you already downgraded from and didn't pay for in the first place? 

 

I also opt out of the beverage package - so I would never assume that my opted out and fees removed beverage package would be upgraded at no additional cost. We didn't pay for the FAS beverage package in the first place. I wouldn't think that needs to be spelled out myself - 

[New2cruise2022]

23 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Yep, it happens.  I generally only surf the internet when in port on free wifi or domestic cellular.  I try to use the 150 minutes only for discreet, time sensitive tasks such as daily check for email, voice mail or texts from family. I may try to establish a habit of setting a timer on my phone for ten minutes prior to logging in.  My biggest beef is when I login and then my phone drops the ships wifi.  That happened several times in the buffet on the Bliss in July (high deck, far forward).  I would have to walk about halfway back through the buffet to pick up the wifi and logout.

High deck, far forward in the Bliss. We would be there for hours. If not during peak times, eat, talk, get drinks from that forward bar. One of my favorite places on the ship … minus the WiFi. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

16 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

@Sugar Magnoliadid you book yours?

 

@schmoopie17 glad I did not make final payment yet as my cabin price dropped another $200. However, the new world order kicked in with the repricing so now I only have 150 free wifi minutes (vs 300 minutes) and one additional specialty meal at the new exorbitant rate. I feel a disturbance in the force.

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, New2cruise2022 said:

High deck, far forward in the Bliss. We would be there for hours. If not during peak times, eat, talk, get drinks from that forward bar. One of my favorite places on the ship … minus the WiFi. 

Absolutely!  That's my secret squatting spot for Glacier Bay.  Funny thing.  The buffet closes between breakfast and lunch but that bar doesn't! 😎  Yes, I've done that routine four times.  Very soon to be six.  Just make sure to use the restroom before breakfast ends.

[schmoopie17]

7 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

@schmoopie17 glad I did not make final payment yet as my cabin price dropped another $200. However, the new world order kicked in with the repricing so now I only have 150 free wifi minutes (vs 300 minutes) and one additional specialty meal at the new exorbitant rate. I feel a disturbance in the force.

 

Pardon my ignorance (you should be used to it by now)...but when your cabin dropped $200, did you have to re-book under the new program? (I assume so, since you're quoting stuff from MAS).

 

We already made final payment, so if our cabin dropped $200, under the old program we could apply for a $200 FCC. But now with all of the MAS mumbo-jumbo, that's probably not possible.

 

Also, in our summary on our reservation, there is no mention of internet as one of the "Vacation Add-ons". However, in the email confirmation of our reservation, it lists internet of 300 minutes x 2. NCL consistently being inconsistent again.

 

Cruising is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Now it's just hard work...and I haven't worked since 2015. 

 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by schmoopie17

[Sugar Magnolia]

16 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

Pardon my ignorance (you should be used to it by now)...but when your cabin dropped $200, did you have to re-book under the new program? (I assume so, since you're quoting stuff from MAS).

 

Ignorance or not, you are correct. My reservation has joined the dark side.

 

[ocdb8r]

19 hours ago, UKstages said:

following this thread (and the others) closely.

 

let me summarize:

 

this horrible thing is happening, it will be worse, much worse than the other horrible things we thought were horrible. and the even more horrible company that did this truly terrible horrible thing lied to us and made it seem like it wasn't horrible at all. and then it took them two full days for them to begin to admit the horror that will ensue just three months from now. and it's hard to believe, but it's even more horrible for our friends in europe!

 

oh, well wait a second, it might not be as horrible as we thought; we'll just have to wait and see. this one thing is better. and here's another thing that's not nearly horrible. oh, i do love the way this other new thing works. (maybe i shouldn't say that out loud for fear of being stoned by the townspeople.) but i'm still skeptical that what i've been told is true... yes, in fact, i'm sure that what i've been told is not true and the horrible things i thought originally are indeed just as horrible as they seemed at first glance. 

 

well, ain't that something? i just confirmed with three different people at the horrible company that what i thought was true wasn't true and they let me keep the thing i used to complain about (that, let's face it, was pretty awful, but not as horrible as the new horrible thing, so i'm clinging to it). and then they sent me an invoice and an email to confirm what the three people at the horrible company had already told me. then i was able to go online and do the very lovely thing that i was sure the new horrible thing wouldn't let me do. i was surprised and thankful. oh, happy day! i guess we're good. we can all go home to our loved ones. nothing to see here. 

 

oh, no! what if those people and those confirmations and those emails are wrong? what if this is a trick or a terrible horrible snafu from the people who brought us the original horrible thing? i hate being hoodwinked. and i am inherently distrustful of this horrible company. so i shall spend the rest of my days in doubt and uncertainty because, well, c'mon... this is a pretty horrible thing. we all know it is. and those other companies that also do pretty horrible things? none have ever been as truly terrible and horrible as this.

 

oh, and never forget... these are the same people who took away our hash browns! 

 

i'm paraphrasing, but i ithink i got this mostly right.

 

I think your paraphrasing is pretty much a summary of about 50% of the comments on most chat boards.  We all like to discuss what is happening real time, which means things and opinions change as more information is gleaned. I guess it's outrageous to expect NCL to actually have a clearly laid out plan, communicated to the customers for whom they are changing already purchased products, rather than just focusing on all marketing gimmic.

 

19 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Interesting that those who lament the loss of 'free' water, starbucks and freshly squeezed orange juice seem to forget that they are also losing the cosiderable charge for those 'free' things.

I don't think it was forgotten.  Many posts mentioning this were lamenting because there are considerably higher charges for replacing these very items.  I didn't see any posts calling this water "free" but rather "included".   We can all go buy packages to partially replicate what was lost with FAS+, but for several things there is now no option but to purchase certain items a la carte at much higher prices.  

 

Edited 13 hours ago by ocdb8r

[Shidah]

We really enjoyed FAS+, paid for it every time and it really made our cruises special.  For us, it will depend on what alcohol is actually included.  Yes, and that could be a deal breaker.  And I haven’t seen an actual list yet.  Does anyone have this?  Unfortunately, my land casino comps cruises on NCL plus we have a $500 Haven voucher from NCL, so I feel obligated to take at least one more cruise on them, but we will see.  I am sapphire, and we always stay Haven.  Our next cruise is on Carnival since their casino comps are pretty good.  But they are my choice for cheap cruising, and on NCL we went all out.  May have to rethink that.  Unless NCL comes out with a more at sea+ package, then we would be good again.

[clojacks]

21 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Yep.  The breakeven will still be two or three drinks a day.

Per person and if my wife doesn't drink, or only has maybe 1 with dinner, that means 3 to 5 for me per day to break even. No thanks...I prefer to remember my cruise.

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 minute ago, clojacks said:

Per person and if my wife doesn't drink, or only has maybe 1 with dinner, that means 3 to 5 for me per day to break even. No thanks...I prefer to remember my cruise.

Yep.  (I thought that was clear from the context)