Nola26

We used the perk and service back in 2019 for a Barcelona cruise and have booked it again for a cruise from Athens. We were quite pleased and I wouldn't hesitate to book them again, especially Europe.

NCL books Economy Main cabin fares with no more than one connection

- Seat selection is made directly with the airline, NCL clearly states this(people seem to ignore that),

call or use the airline website to select and pay any fees for upgrades to the airline per their policies 

- Baggage policy and fees are also handled directly with the airline, most seem to provide at least one complimentary checked bag from US to Europe

-"For International flights, Norwegian Cruise Line will book guests' airfare with a maximum of two connections when possible; air schedules permitting."  from NCL.com T&Cs

Barcelona

- We were booked nonstop on United Newark to Barcelona, flew overnight

- I had status with United and was able to get complimentary Premium Economy seats, not a huge difference but it was nice to have, especially for Mom's first trip to Europe

Athens

- Sailing in September and now final payment isn't until July, so no clue how we'll be booked

- My guess is it will be United (nonstop) or American(connect in London Heathrow)

- We've never been to London, so I'll treat it as a half full scenario if we have to connect

- Honestly, with COVID protocols that are likely to still be in place I suspect NCL will try to book more nonstop flights to minimize the possibility that their passengers get hung up pre cruise

I think the Bliss is a better ship if traveling without kids. I would prefer the itinerary of the Epic. We sailed the Epic for a Mediterranean cruise and it was fantastic so no qualms sailing her again. 

If the ship is more important the Bliss is a no brainers. The Observation lounge and the fact that the smoking section of the casino is enclosed are just a few of the nice things on the ship. Jersey Boys is Broadway quality too.

On 4/9/2020 at 12:34 PM, Love my butler said:

Like anyone would actually pay those ridiculous menu prices in the restaurants.  Overpriced Arby's at best.

Specialty meals are much better than any fast food options. The menu prices are set to encourage buying a package.

I think this is a reasonable reduction. The shore excursion credit used to be $75, so not new behavior or unfair in my view. NCL is trying to grandfather in cruise reservations. I might consider a 2021 booking now.

Some upsides: gratuity cost will be less and getting a reservation may be easier now.

Tampa is the only port I would not sail from again. I found the onsite traffic or security personnel unfriendly and we were not able to be dropped off in front of the terminal so we pulled luggage from a dropoff point and across the street. 

Entry point wasn't well marked as lobby is upstairs, no greeters or security to point directions. The waiting area was also on the older side, could use a refresh. 

Fog isn't really the issue, it's the fact that ships go under a bridge so if it is too foggy, visibility can make it impossible to safely navigate. Therefore delays are more likely from Tampa. We were delayed boarding and returning. Not NCL's fault but a feature of the port location. 

There's an active retail area at the port, perhaps they care more about that economy than the cruise experience.

I have cruised from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, New Orleans and Barcelona. 

On 3/27/2020 at 3:46 PM, BirdTravels said:

I would keep them and use them. 

Economic times have changed for many. Perhaps they just want the cash back now. Yes a great NCL deal, but family needs may trump planning on a future cruise.

God bless those dealing with difficult job changes.

We used the Free/Reduced to Barcelona last September. We paid $25pp to deviate our airfare to arrive a day early, we could have arrived two days year for the same $25 fee. We had a nonstop flight from Newark on a Friday night and arrived 9am Saturday morning.

I really liked this perk and having the airfare handled by NCL and the price, was great. We have used it again for a Greece cruise this September, but we're likely to cancel that trip.I'm nervous about travel within Europe (assuming a layover somewhere).

I suggest reading the fine print on the Peace of Mind to understand the cancellation policy with airfare. Also make sure you understand how refunds/FCCs are returned (do you kids get refunds because tickets are in their names?).

2 hours ago, tvlworm said:

I would love to do that same excursion you mentioned for Almafi coast, Positano, Sorrento and Pompeii, it sounds amazing and exactly what I’d love to do if I can get over the excursion price sticker shock for four of us (or win the lottery!) 🙂 

It is really pricey for a family of 4. We were just two adults and decided that was our big treat for the trip. My mother had never been to Europe and I had never been to Italy so we took it as a lifetime opportunity. Positano is the Jewel of that excursions because the big buses are not permitted there so you need a small vehicle tour to go there. There are much less expensive options that can also be fabulous. Pompeii was also important for us. Cinque Terre and Capri are places we missed but would have loved to visit. I will plan one if I ever get back.

We took the Mediterranean itinerary with NCL last year so I can speak to Rome, Florence and Naples.

You can walk around in Naples. We did a pricey excursion and saw the Almafi coast, Positano, Sorrento and Pompeii, priceless experience with my mother. 

Florence and Pisa we did the NCL on your own. Great way to have transportation and our own plan and would do it again. If you want museums you should book a tour that gets you entrance otherwise you'll spend your time in line. We had a more casual experience cafe lunch, shopping and outdoor sites like David and other sculptures and Ponte Vecchio. 

Rome please book a ship excursion. Rome is over an hour away from the port. I would not risk a late return by train.

So in summary NCL ShoreX for Rome as a must and a strong suggestion for Florence. Both are a longer ride from the port. For Naples you can kick back more and make pizza your destination. 

4 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Unfortunately, I do not believe my wife and I will ever cruise again.  With how long this virus may last (some medical experts are saying as long as three years), and with the devastation this will have on the global economy, I do not think our finances will ever recover enough to justify another cruise.  The double whammy of the 2008-2010 recession and this historic drop has destroyed our hope for a retirement that would include luxuries like a cruise.

I hope this isn't true for you.

Cabin options and frequency of cruises may have to change but hopefully you find a way to have something you love in your future. 

33 minutes ago, smileyjannie said:

We were able to on Delta.  Now that said, I don't know if we will get our money back of the cruise gets cancelled.

Delta has a pretty lenient policy at the moment. You can probably get it as a Delta credit depending on the timeline. 

NCL books your airfare but not your seats. You can upgrade your seats as per the policy of the selected airline. This is listed in the T&Cs or FAQs for the program. 

Last summer on United friends paid for the upgrade to Premium Economy. I had status with United so we were automatically offered Premium Economy seats to select from as complimentary upgrades. I booked seats live with an agent. 

I was on the Getaway March 8 to 15th. I felt safe and had a good time onboard and off. I the extra precautions I could see were adequate and I never really worried 

The downers were the other passengers fretting about what might be awaiting them upon returning to the port. Well we docked and departed the ship without incident. 

My next cruise requires flights to Europe. I am concerned about issues with potential flight connections in Europe and what our government may do to make my return to the US painful. I am not at all concerned about the cruise or NCL arranged excursions. 

I expect we will cancel our booked cruise as final payment is due mid May and I am not ready to let NCL hold my cash for a trip I think we'll cancel. The trip is for a significant birthday celebration for my mother. I want fun and happy memories, not worry.

Keep in mind those emails are for someone booking in England. Those terms don't necessarily apply in the US.

The discount is a bonus from NCL, they want to incentivize us to book now rather than later. If you want to use it book now, if you're not ready don't book and pay whatever price is there later. You may get a better deal today, but if you're not ready don't book. These are stressful times, booking vacation shouldn't be part of that stress.

We had a similar offer: Canceled Sprit Japan cruise for November 2020. Full refund received and 10% discount provided to be used within 45 days, which was last weekend for us. We booked same ship for September 2020 Greece & Turkey, 10% discount was applied in addition to all other discounts.

We may decide to cancel prior to final payment and I fully expect that I won't have access to the 10% discount for a rebooking.

Cheers!

1 hour ago, Northern wanderlust said:

DH and I just booked on NCL for a Mediterranean cruise in Oct 2021.  We were hoping to go this fall but then the orthodontist said the oldest was ready for braces so there went that idea and then COVID19 happened anyway.

 

I have cruised several times, mainly on HAL and once on RC.  DH has only been on HAL.  In general I prefer smaller ships and I don't like feeling nickel and dimed which I really felt like on RC and I didn't like that line at all.  I do worry about that on NCL as well but with free UBC (plus gratuity of course), free specialty dining, internet, and a $200 shipboard credit I'm not real certain what is left to be nickel and dimed on.

 

We chose NCL as the itinerary was the best we had found and we had been searching a bunch of lines for several months.  Itinerary is king.  That said I am a bit worried about how the cruise industry will weather this so we put our deposit down and are waiting for things to calm down before making any more payments.

 

I have been browsing these boards for awhile now and want to thank everyone for all the helpful information.  It has really helped determine what to expect with NCL.

 

We had a great experience onboard and off on our  2019 Mediterranean cruise aboard the Epic. I hope you will have a great experience as well.

Retail, photos and the spa are our biggest "nickel and dime" opportunities. My mother likes the photos so I oblige her when we sail. I rarely use the spa, but there were some good offers so we did that on our last cruise. I grabbed 2 t-shirts at the 2 for $20 sale on our last day as gifts, but nothing else in retail. There are some alcohol centered tasting events that would be fee based, we've never done those. 

I don't really find NCL to be a nickel and dime experience. They offer extras, if I want them I buy them if I don't I won't. I never feel pressured to make a purchase, well except by Mom, but I can't blame NCL for that, lol. 

7 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

 

-Half Capacity on ships

Would not matter to me

 

-No shows/deck parties or very limited attendance to these

Skipping a seat works for me

Deck parties get cancelled for weather, etc and it was skipped on my March 8th Getaway cruise not an issue

 

-Set dining times to allow planning for social distancing

Spacing on the Getaway in the Mahattan room so no issue, lots of open tables. Dining times were not used the only reason to add that might for be to keep people from waiting and managing their social distances.

 

-No buffet or very limited access to the buffet.  

NCL had the buffet they just serve everything at it was great. They could simply remove chairs or mark tables DO NOT USE to maintain Social Distancing

Quote

-Reduced loungers on the pool decks.   

I don't really use the pool deck, maybe Spice H2O 

For Marketing purposes modified would not be used. I think the term set some people off, but we have all had modified experiences at some time.

We will sail NCL again, probably for our next cruise.

We were onboard the Getaway for the final sailing prior to the break. NCL provided us with a safe and well executed vacation. We will be back onboard when we are comfortable that cruising is safe for us.

We had our November Japan cruise cancelled in early February. Our deposit was returned and 10% extra FC discount has been applied to our replacement Greece Turkey cruise. We are just under 60 days from final payment. I am not sure if we will make that payment. Even with Peace of Mind I don't really want to tie my cash up with NCL. If we think things are calm enough such that we are comfortable flying internationally and sailing in September will we make that payment. The trip is to Celebrate a big birthday for my mother. I want it to be memorable for good reasons, not a worrisome experience. We can celebrate a different way, it doesn't have to be a cruise. 

NCL's Peace of Mind policy says you are eligible for a FCC. If the sailing is after October 1st it's a refundable deposit. 

Now if you want to say you are covered under previous T&Cs prior to March 11th that's another matter. 

Did you get anything refunded like taxes and prepaids?

When I  canceled a couple of years ago I thought NCL was slow to return funds. Most of which was CN certificates.

We are booked on the Spirit for a September Greece and Turkey cruise. Based on our recent experience we'd go. However given that we'll have international flights and customs I am not sure if we'll go. Final payment is in May. Not sure we'll make that payment. For now we have it held with one cruise next certificate so refund would be easy.

We have a great deal with included airfare so it would be nice to take advantage of our deal. I just don't think we'll know enough and NCL cannot guarantee nonstop flights.

You can call the main number and they can help with some things.  When they can't they'll transfer you to CAS.

Payments, dining, excursions, entertainment, etc. can be handled through the standard customer service line.

I was on the Getaway that was the last cruise prior to the shutdown/hiatus. Things were pretty normal though the Glow party was canceled and books and games were no longer available for use/loans. Temperture check as part of onboarding, washy washy as you entered the entry deck. As reported no self service in the buffet and notthing left on the tables (condiments, silverware, etc.) they handed you a plate and untensil roll upon entry. 

I played in the casino and cannot say I saw extra machine cleaning, but perhaps that happened during the nightly shutdown.

Plenty of santizer available, no handshakes or hugs and guests seemed up to the challenge of good handwashing habits. I will add that doors to the public restrooms were propped open so no issues with touching door handles there.

Officers were quite visible and interactive. They'd run out of sani wipes in the gym (they had them in the weightroom) I ran into an officer in the hallway outside and he addressed it immediately.

We were on the same cruise, non Haven and still give crew great kudos. 

Glad to know crew is still healthy. 

I saw and spoke to both of the ship comedians at the airport. One said his contract ended and he chose not to extend. The other was still under contract but said NCL sent them away but he'd get paid as per his contract. I assume all of the talent was dismissed. The Back in the Day band was also at the airport but I didn't speak with them.

3 hours ago, Laszlo said:

You never know, heck you might end up in Bermuda or do the Florida, Bahamas, GSC run

I would expect Bermuda as that would be the closest international port from NY/Boston if Canada isn't an option. I seem to recall that something like this happened a few years ago.

1 hour ago, wampuscat7 said:

I would be interested to know how the customs and screening process goes for those disembarking today, considering what has happened at the airports. I know someone who was in line at O'Hare for 6+ hours to get through customs and health screening. yesterday.

Here in New Orleans everything was typical. Sea card to exit ship and passport review at customs. Even simpler at airport as TSA only needs to insert your ID, flight information is automatically pulled, didn't show boarding pass.

We were the last cruise for now. Getaway is slated for Europe after the hiatus. It is likely to be more of Greece than standard Mediterreanean itinerary. 

Update:

We are on our final night of a great 7 night cruise on the Getaway Mexico, Roatan and Harvest Caye.

Highest sanitation state declared days ago. Visible changes were no self serve in the buffet including being handed plates and silverware roll, empty tables in buffet and only your silverware roll and in main dining rooms, condiments brought in individual serving cups, public restrooms doors open ( no handle touching).

Guests seem to be using sanitizer liberally. No COVID-19 announcements and all seems a go for disembarkation in the morning. We are taking a New Orleans city tour transfer through NCL.

I will deal with any COVID-19 reality once back in NOLA or home.

54 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

 

This is exactly what happened to us when we embarked the Spirit in Civitavecchia on Feb 14 for the Rome - Dubai cruise.

 

Also the Washy-Washy people were in full force at the entrances to Garden Café and noone could skip them. 

 

 

Great point there was washy just prior stepping onboard too. I tend to use the sinks at the buffet rather than washy washy.