krittykat

I booked for Teppanyaki on our cruise on the Dawn going out on 10/15. Part of the specialty dining package. Was not charged.

I looked at options and flights are pretty booked. There might be one that would work, but going through Atlanta. Much longer layover but that would be nice. However, when I bought my tickets, they were less than half of what they are being sold for now. Who knows what would happen if I tried to switch now.

We started cruising late. Our first cruise was on Holland America's Oosterdam. Our daughter was 12. That would put it 2004. We cruised to Alaska. It was amazing. We felt pampered, ever though we were in just a balcony cabin. No special perks packages like there is now. We did eat at their specialty restaurant (a steak house) which was great. Remember an elderly gentleman coming up to us asking if we tried the Barramundi then kept telling us "Ya gotta try the Barramundi" It is still a long running joke for us. The daughter and I won at bingo (she played and I collected the money). We had fantastic shore excursions. The main dining room's food was fantastic. It was assigned seating and they got to know us. My daughter's love of cherries amused the waiter and he always put her favorite soda along with 6 cherries out waiting for her (and he taught her to tie a cherry stem without her hands - lol). One night, it was lobster tails and steak - she ate 6 lobster tails..... Still trying to chase the awe of that 1st cruise. Never likely to find that sparkle again but will keep searching. Mega ships definitely do not have it for us - too many people. Sailing on the NCL Dawn (about the same size as the Oosterdam) in just a couple weeks. Hoping to come close.

Exactly. Oh well, it is money I have already spent and if I get some back = bonus.

This is too bad that they wait until after the cruise to let you have it because FCC can be applied towards upgrade bids.

unfortunately, we are flying in 2 weeks. We chose this flight since it was over a 4 hour layover. Delta changed their schedule to a layover of 2 hours and 50 minutes now. Changing the flight at this point of time with incur a penalty for the three of us. I guess, we will just have to hope for the best and be prepared to possibly miss the flight.

I am wondering this also. We are US citizens but flying back from Italy. Flying into JFK, Originally had nearly 4 hours between connections but with adjustments made in our flight - we now have just shy of 3 hours. Will this be enough time to get our luggage and go through customs and still make our next flight?

I was unable to do any of the check in until we were at 21 days (today). Then I was able to fully complete it.

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Our cruise in October has had a significant price drop. Called to see if we could get FCC or OBC for this. I was told by my PCC that since it was closer than 40 days to the cruise, this would be unlikely. We do not want a cabin upgrade as we want to keep this particular cabin location/deck location. Option of upgrade would be to a Family Suite (no balcony) - Suite is a nice thought but no balcony?forget that. The 40 day issue does not seem very fair. Granted, I have already planned and paid for this trip - money was already spent intentionally but it would be nice to get some of it back.

Normally, yes but it is no longer an available option for my cabin class and quite a few other cabin classes on the NCL site for my cruise (we are now only 24 days out from the cruise). It is an option still for oceanview and inside cabins. I am thinking NCL has removed this option for higher cabins, just for this reason.

It is more of a curiosity thing. Since prior to the pandemic, it was never an question, ships were always sailing full. Now there is the new novelty of sailing with less passengers, meaning less crowded. A nice thought but never a condition for booking a cruise (at least not for me). We are off to Spain in just a little over 3 weeks and will have a great time no matter what.

Thanks! That helps

Ok, well..one can dream about 60 percent occupancy, I guess.

Unfortunately, that doesn't work. It no longer gives the ability to choose a cabin in any category. Only treats it like a guarantee cabin. So no way to tell.

I know there is some way you can get a ball park idea how full/booked the ship is but I am truly unable to figure it out. We are sailing on the Dawn out of Southampton on 10/15 around Spain/Portugal, ending in Rome. I know it is one of the smaller ships that NCL sails (which I like). Since we are just under 4 weeks away, I am trying to find out how booked is our cruise? Not looking to upgrade personally but never was one for crowds. Anyone know or can figure this out?

She only bid on a Club Balcony Suite - those are all on the 11th floor on the Dawn. She did not bid on a regular balcony, just because of this reason. They would not accept her bid for a Club Balcony Suite, only to put her in a regular balcony cabin.

thanks!! If she gets it, it would be a nice bonus for her - extra room, a balcony, etc. If not, she is always welcome in our cabin (which is what we were originally planning) Keeping fingers crossed for the upgrade fairy for her.

My adult daughter is sailing with my hubby and I this Oct on the Dawn, out of Southampton, around Spain. We booked a Club Balcony and are happy with this. Since this is her 1st time in her own room, she booked an inside cabin, right across the hall from us. (She suffers from significant anxiety issues) She decided to go bold and bid for an upgrade to a club balcony suite (there are quite a lot still open as far as I can tell) since they are on the same floor as our cabin. These are the only cabins that she would bid on since the other balcony cabins could be on other floors. She did not bid a a high amount - in the red, I am not sure she will get it but this is new territory for us. Any ideas if she has a chance and when we would find out?

Good to hear this. Sailing on the Dawn around Spain next month and will be bringing my own Cubans.

I am looking forward to following your trip. We are sailing on the Dawn next month from Southampton, around Spain to Italy. This will be our 1st NCL cruise. Have a great cruise!

Unfortunately, yes. Never again. Will try to keep my sailings on ships around 2000 passengers or less from now on. From someone with crowd anxiety, it was a terrible experience. I had thought based on ship size alone, it would compensate for the amount of passengers - I was wrong. Next sailing is on the NCL Dawn - at full capacity - 2200 ish but it is looking like they will not be close to full. Yay!

They do. So did Royal, Princess, HAL and Carnival when I sailed on them. I found that more people who go on the "Mega ships" are there for the party, the go carts, the ice skating, the on board shopping malls and the other out there experiences, all the while 24 hour drinking. In my experience (just my opinion), I saw that the smaller ships (which offer less of the glitzy attractions), tend to be calmer. Yes, with the "free booze" package, there are always those who over indulge. I would rather have a more genteel cruise experience, relaxing, good food, a nice environment, some nice destinations and, yes - a few drinks.

I agree. Beautiful ship. Would love to sail on it. Trying to compete with the higher end cruising instead of the party ships. It would be my preference. I would much rather pay more and have the luxury experience than pack on like sardines onto a 6000 passenger mega ship booze cruise.

I completely understand where you are coming from. I expect NCL will update their site after Sept. 3. I hope you and your family get to cruise. This whole COVID thing has made everything crazy.