krittykat

Travel insurance was a blessing for us. My dad actually got sick and went into hospice 2 days before we were supposed to go on our cruise. Got the majority of everything back. Took some time and paperwork but didn't lose all my money. 

Just booked a Christmas cruise for 25/26 for Se Asia. Bucket list trip....yay!

sorry - error post

Well, it was going to be the Holy Lands Oct '24 however...plans change.

Sailing on the Rotterdam  The Jewels of the Baltic 9/28/24 -10/12/24

Love all these tips.  We sailed on Holland for our 1st cruise (Alaska) on the Oosterdam, nearly 20 years ago.  We will be sailing again in a year.  This time, the Jewel of Baltics, on the Rotterdam.

I have sailed on NCL and Royal Caribbean, along with a river cruise on Viking.  Nothing can beat that 1st cruise. 

So much valuable information. This is why I love this site. It will a long wait for this trip but we'll worth it.

13 minutes ago, complawyer said:

browneyedgirl68.

 

refer to my post #3. actually, if it's at all doable on the ship, the butler can get it done for you. also, try and take advantage of the concierge.  if nothing else, when the cruise is over and it's time to disembark the ship, he sets up a meeting area and walks you right off to the luggage area, bypassing the 100's of people waiting in the halls, or on the steps for their number to be called. another great perk (imo) is not only do you special tags for your luggage the day before disembarkation, but  they are stored in a completely separate area, making them easy to find 

Just that makes it worthwhile...always hate the chaos of disembarkation 

57 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

 

 

- Peanut M&M's to always be stocked

- Gummy bears to always be available

- Lungo Nespresso always available

- Remove the for pay items in the fridge (since the pandemic, NCL hasn't really stocked these anyway)

- A pitcher of iced tea and water always available in the fridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter loves gummy bears and would love to have peppermint tea available. Me - coffee for the win. All your information is helpful regarding the butler and I will file away for our trip.
Thanks!

6 minutes ago, complawyer said:

when 1st meeting the butler, i ask him/her each morning to bring a pot of coffee, pot of decaf and pot of hot water for tea. along with sweet rolls, muffins and croissants. 

 

of course, gummy bears and peanut m&ms are a must.

 

if i ask nicely, he'll bring me a 6 pack of coke, and a couple of bottles of heineken for the fridge

 

the butler will bring you almost anything that is available on the ship.

 

if you want a meal from the specialty dining rooms, and wish to stay in  your cabin, he can arrange a white dinner table in your suite. breakfast and lunch are in moderno and cagney's respectfully.

 

you can arrange with your butler or the concierge to escort you priority off the ship, and depending  on the time you get back, the butler is usually waiting at the dock to escort you back on, bypassing the crowd. it also doesnt hurt on your 1st full  day if your having breakfast in moderno, to introduce yourself to the maitre'd and maybe slip him a $20. ive done this nearly everytime we've sailed, and they cant do enough for us. he even got my wife and i into cagneys one night for dinner when it was allegedly full with no more reservations available,  dont even be intimidated by the butler, he's there to help and make your cruise that much ore enjoyable and stree free

Great advice! Thank you. I have lots of time to plan. This group is fantastic for information.

Just have to post and share my excitement.
Back in the old days (pre pandemic), my hubby, daughter and I had booked a cruise of the Western Caribbean on the Getaway out of New Orleans - a 2 bedroom cabin in the Haven.
Due to the pandemic and a series of other untimely events, we never got to take that cruise and ended up sailing around Spain instead.  A lovely cruise, however, not in the Haven, no basking in the Caribbean sun.  
Now we are back, still have my heart set on a warm cruise .... winters are so gray and damp in the Pacific NW.
Vacations have been planned out through 2024 (Ireland - road trip driving around the country - a great way to see the country) and a Greek cruise in 2024.  So, it has to wait until 2025 but just couldn't wait to push planning off.
We are now booked in the Haven, a 2 bedroom for the 3 of us.  A totally new experience - looking forward to the quieter aspect as we have never sailed on that large of ship and I don't do crowds well.
The butler kind of intimidates me, not sure how much we will truly use them. However, all other aspects are definitely exciting.   Nothing except relaxing, eating some good food, enjoying some tasty drinks...venturing out to explore a little.
Yes, I might have gotten a better deal if I had waited... but 50% off for the first 2 of us (or in NCL sale language - 2nd person sails free) and my daughter is essentially free - I didn't want to wait to lock in our cabin.

So, I had to share my excitement. 

13 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

In my experience, they keep it to themselves.  Just call the reservations folks and ask if they can see any FCC.

Personally, if I can't see it myself, I truly wonder if it exists.  Or it is just NCL trying to get me to book another cruise by the end of October.

I was considering booking another cruise for 2025 but don't like being pressured to use something before 6 months is  up. Just don't plan vacations that way

12 hours ago, genealogyfan said:

Did you check under "my coupons and credits" in your account? That's where I see my cruisenext, but then future cruise credit might be something else.

I have previously seen FCC there,  prior to booking my last cruise but absolutely nothing now. 
Made me question the validity of the unsolicited call.

I am sure there is an answer here somewhere but I can't find it for the life of me. 

We cruised on NCL last October. I just received an unsolicited call from someone who said they are from NCL who said I have FCC credit still available. 

I see nothing on my account. 

Where would this be visible or is this something that NCL keeps to themselves?

Great video. We are looking at cruising on the Riviera in 2024 Athens to Venice. Our 1st Oceania cruise.

The thing I miss most whenever I travel is my adjustable air bed. Having inflammatory arthritis, it is great for the joints.  But I love to travel and I can survive for awhile without it.

23 minutes ago, spanishguy1970 said:

what happens if you prepaid your gratuities and the bid to a haven suite is accepted, does that mean you pay the daily service charge difference for getting the upgrade?  

Yes and an increase for insurance, if you have that the NCL 

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

My experience was completely different.  I use an outside company and never use the Cruiseline Brand.  My was got Covid 8 days before cruising.  My lost $5,000.00 due to cancellation.  I had that money in my account in 15 business days.  They even direct deposited it.  

 

On my next cruise, my adult son got short of breath on the Jolly Roger snorkeling trip.  He went to the ship hospital.  Two hours later, $800.00 was charged to my suite.  This was paid by the insurance company in 16 business days.  

 

Like with all insurance, you can get some or all of the coverages.  The more you pay, the more it provides.  The key is to remember unless you book cruise insurance the day you book your cruise, many insurance companies will not cover pre-existing issue.  I hope this helps everyone. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Definitely, would get my own, none cruise line insurance next time. But will get insurance, whenever I travel

1 hour ago, Karaboudjan said:

 

Not quite Islay but for a few extra bucks you can get Talisker 10.

Might try it for fun. Bringing a couple Cuban Romeo y Juliets to enjoy with whatever I choose. 😊

I don't think "they decided not to go" is going to cut it for cancelling and expecting reimbursement back from the insurance.  
We had a cruise scheduled for last December and had to cancel 5 days before embarkation due to my dad *not cruising* sudden illness and going into hospice.   It took me 5 months of going in circles with the insurance company and did finally get reimbursed but it was like pulling teeth.
So, considering the difficulties we had with that, I am not sure just deciding not to go will be accepted.

It is getting easier to traveling - less obstacles.  When I booked our cruise (Spain/Portugal/Italy) that we are going on in less than 2 weeks, I worried about the logistics of testing prior (timing) for COVID and before flying home - and possibly randomly testing positive on the cruise.  Each of those anxieties have gone by the wayside.   Still will use caution, masking on planes, possibly on tours/tour buses etc.  
Follow regs of countries - but the big fears are gone.  Now just the standard worries of catching planes, making connections, luggage arriving with us - etc.

Looking forward to our cruise in 11 days.  Daughter is currently in an IA inside cabin and has put in a bid for a Club balcony.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for her. Likely this will go down to the wire but checking the inventory (I know, not accurate) there are quite a few of these still open.  Maybe this will be a nice little boarding surprise for her. If not, still will be a great cruise.

Sadly, the bar does not carry a nice Islay scotch (Ardgeg, Bruichladdich, etc)..... Give me something smoky, peaty and a taste of seaweed = nectar of the gods. 
 

I will have to suffer in the the Cigar bar with something less than ideal. 

We are just a little over a week out (Sat will be 7 days) from our cruise.  Daughter has her own cabin, currently inside, across the hall from ours.  She put in a bid for a club balcony.  I know it is a long shot but it appears there are plenty available still.  It is nice to have dreams.

1 hour ago, Wedgie Wedgie said:

For those of you who received the FCC how long did it take until you were notified?

I started the 7 day period 9 days ago and have yet to hear anything.

I called about 2 weeks ago for our cabin and my daughter's cabin. She got an email about hers in about a week but I have yet to hear about ours. However, a lot of their offices are based out of Florida and figure with the weather catastrophe that has occurred, things might be delayed for awhile.

We are sailing on the Dawn 2 weeks from today. From what I can tell, there are still plenty of cabin availability left. I certainly do not mind if we are sailing at lower capacity since I am not big on large crowds (one of the reasons I wanted to sail on the Dawn).