PaperSniper4

Can we make a dinner reservation with our "anytime dining"? We have already made our two specialty dining reservations at Cagney's and Le Bistro, but I wonder about the rest of the nights. We usually dine at home around 6-630pm. I know we can just show up, but I wonder if we'd be smart to make reservations.....if that's possible. And if it is possible, when and how can we make those MDR reservations? We're on the Breakaway from NOLA March 2024. Thanks Doug

I haven't sailed from NOLA in a while. Seems like the past time I did we were charged a little additional for our "free beverage package" on departure day. I don't recall what it was, but it might have been LA sales tax? I know something similar is charged departing from Galveston. Can anyone please refresh my memory? Doug

I'd like to know also. It's much more convenient to have a screw on a plastic soft drink bottle. Once a can if open, it will go quickly.

Must be a glitch somewhere. I'll just do it when they offer in on board. We're flying DL.

It's about a 10 minute cab ride from the ship to FLL airport.

No problem, thank you! Doug

Roger that, I just figured I'd set it up early if possible. I'll keep an eye out for the Luggage Direct advertisement when on board. Doug

We're ending a HAL cruise at Port Everglades on 28 October 2023. We've used Luggage Direct, or whatever other cruise lines call it, to have our luggage picked up outside our cabin the last night and we don't touch it again until our final flights destination. It's very handy and not expensive. I've been trying in vain the last few days to sign up. Here's the error I get below. I've got the correct ship name and disembarkation date...I've double checked both! <g> https://maketraveleasier.com/holland/Order

Roger that, you said it better than I did. Doug

This seems at odds to what others have said above since we're talking about a FC certificate I'm considering purchasing for March 2025, more than 4 months after I purchase the CF. I believe if I were to cancel that potential cruise, the CF amount would revert back to my NCL account, and I could book a cruise anytime; as long as the certificate were still active of course. IOW, I'd not have to wait to book a cruise 4 months after I canceled that potential cruise. Did I say that correctly? You are correct about someone considering purchasing a CF certificate today.....they need to know they must wait to book a cruise 120 or more days in the future to use that certificate. Am I correct? I will probably get another CF certificate the next time NCL has that "$500 for $250 sale"; that's a darned good deal.....especially combined with their military appreciation program.😎 Doug

4+ months after initial purchase, right? So if one had to cancel a cruise where a CF had been used, it could still be used, say, in two months after canceling....assuming the 4 months from initial purchase. Doug

Very good, thank you. Doug

I can echo everything you said. I don't have a DD214 that I can read....mine is a copy of a copy of a copy of a ..... you get the idea. I have no idea where the original one is located. When I did the "ID.me" form, which I did for other purchases, like my last car, I input the dates of my USN service. I think with some other cruise lines like HAL I used "SheerID"; which is probably the same thing with a different name? And yes, the military appreciation program at NCL is new, and I really hope it continues. Let's face us, we former and present military people are just so darned nice.😎 Doug

"..you don't have to do it at the same time as you're cancelling the current booking.." - Oh, that does sound better.I could probably live with that. Doug

Yes, whether or not the Cruise First certificate is "refundable" is a big deal for us, especially booking something nearly a year and a half from now. I suppose being able to have it available to be book another cruise is okay, but having to select an alternate cruise when canceling the first would sometimes be difficult. I wonder how much time we'd have to do that; anyone know? It would be more convenient to just have the certificate's value returned, with the original expiration date remaining in effect of course. I do not like booking at the last minutes because the best cabins and itineraries are gone, but it's tough to book so early also. Doug

Thanks for your information. I didn't think I had to reapply for a military discount with NCL every year, but my TA (incorrectly) thought we did. However, in his defense, one of the cruise lines requires passengers to re-new their eligibility for certain OBC or discount each year. I can't remember what it was.....if not military, maybe AARP, stockholder? No matter; I'll figure it out before I book another cruise!😎

I retired from the USN in 1994. Applied for NCL's Military Appreciation discount April 2023. Used "ID.me" to do that. I can confirm that Military Appreciation status when I look at my account at NCL.com. Several months ago I booked an NCL cruise for March 2024. Received the 10% military appreciation discount. Around June 2023 I purchased a $500 Cruise First certificate that expires in June 2026. (Off topic question below.....) In a few days I am planning to book another NCL cruise for March 2025, about 17 months from now. I will likely book with the non-NCL TA we usually use. Probably cabin category MA if that matters. Question 1: I assume I do not need to re-apply for the Military Appreciation discount every year; correct? Question 2: How can I verify the 10% discount before making my deposit? Question3: How is the Cruise First certificate used for booking? Does the certificate amount ($500) go toward the deposit and as an additional payment for the cruise if the deposit is less than the certificate amount? I have heard that all NCL deposits are non-refundable....I don't want to lose my Cruise First money if we have to cancel.....we are old folks.....gotta be realistic.🙄 Doug

We tried hot water bottles and chemical heating pads. They don't work with our particular afflictions. Instead we bring small auto-shut off electric heating pads in our HAND CARRIED luggage. If they are confiscated I'd rather it be then than having to go to the naughty room. I would not argue with the cruise lines if they were confiscated; we'd just be semi-miserable for the cruise. 😪 We have not had them confiscated...yet. We don't leave them plugged in unless we are using them. Doug

We sail on 21 October, and I just received our boarding pass notification this morning, 8 October, via an email. Once you get that email, log onto your HAL account and click on Check In, then print it or send the boarding pass to email (or however you like to get it). Doug

Here's what I do: I take an empty Rum Runner when I board the ship. Then during the day I'll drop by one of the bars and have the bar tender pour a scotch (or whatever) straight, no ice no mixer. I take that back to the cabin and pour into the Rum Runner. I might do that several times the first day to limit the hassle, or I might do that every day. Then in the evening or whenever I pour myself a decent liquor from the Rum Runner. I've been doing this for years. I started because we sometimes did not particularly want to sit in the bar for our drinks, but preferred our cocktail hour on our balcony. Doug

Thanks all. I don't know where I got the idea our ship was docking at Crown Bay. I am glad it will be near Havensight Mall instead.

All I have been able to find today is it is scheduled to dock at "WICO"? I thought I'd read somewhere the ship would dock at Crown Bay, but searching for WICO, sounds like it might be Havensight? If my failing memory serves, Havensight is usually preferred by most cruisers due to it's better location for shopping, etc. Crown Bay seems favored by those who like to watch iguanas near the ship.........😉 Thanks!😎

It has been on our HAL, Princess and Celebrity cruises from Port Everglades. Our most recent was on the Celebrity Infinity October 2022. However, I'd call Celebrity to ask to confirm. Most airlines are included, and absolutely DL. I think Jet Blue wasn't the last time we used that airline. I cannot imagine why some ships would offer it and some would not, even among the same cruise line. BTW, cost for us on a HAL cruise October 2023 will be $25 pp. We use it every opportunity we can.....FLL is one of the few ports/airports where this service is offered. I think the other is Seattle. After you contact Celebrity, please post your finding here. Doug

Okay, thank you for that tip. Doug

Okay thanks. Seems like they'd have had they by now. But our last HAL cruise was a while ago. How do they notify me? Email I'm guessing? Doug