cwtravel

There are 10 people in my group using the BOGO flight program to/from Athens in May for our trip on the Jade. Most are from the DC area though one couple is from South Florida. None have overnight connections from Athens back to the United States and the flights are all good. To Athens 4 are on United thru Newark, 4 are on American thru JFK and 2 are on BA thru London Heathrow. Return from Athens 6 are on Delta thru JFK, 2 on United thru Washington Dulles and 2 are on Air Canada thru Toronto. I, on the other hand booked my own on Air France and due to multiple flight changes ( none good)and having to spend a ridiculous amount of time on hold/phone with Air France (major pain) I can not believe I did not do the BOGO (I wanted premium economy seats). The cost is triple the BOGO fare and the people using BOGO have better connections and arrive into Athens earlier. With the potential for strikes throughout Europe this summer the NCL BOGO is looking better every day. Flight back from Athens have few options to get back to the US after the cruise ends, thus the high prices, unless you want a really late departure which causes the overnight stay or a very early departure the next day.

My second cruise was in 1974 (I was 13) on the Starward. Small ship but still had plenty to do. They even had movies by the pool! Very first cruise was on Home Lines Oceanic in 1973, NY to Nassau. I loved that ship. Next up will be #45 on the Norwegian Jade from Athens Nay 14.

I am part of a group of 12 going to Athens for a sailing on the Jade in May. I used cash & miles I had to book Air France (Premium Economy to Athens/Business from Athens) while the other 10 all used the BOGO. Air France (the one NCL did not book) has changed the return three times and I now do not see a return connecting flight back to DC Dulles from Atlanta on the return. Communicating with a live person @ Air France has been a challenge and because I used Skymiles making changes on their website has also been a challenge. The BOGO flights all came out correctly with a 2 day deviation and the times/flights look very good. Most are departing from either BWI on DC National (their preferred airports) and are on either United thru Newark, American or Delta thru JFK & one is flying on Air Canada thru Toronto. All the record locators worked on the website and I do not believe any were charged for luggage. Picking seats was available, some for a cost some for no cost. And, all except one couple are scheduled to arrive in Athens before 12 Noon. The cost, at $500 per person round trip is 1/3 the cost vs. booking directly. I think a lot of the negative feedback is because people did not/do not understand the terms and conditions for the service.

Hyatt House Miami Airport has two room suites (1 King, 1 two queens, sofa bed).

Is the BB King band still on board and is the NA (Signature class) keeping BB Kings? we are considering the NA for a Christmas cruise and Daddy Warbucks who is paying for his entire family loves BB King and would not be happy with the RS Rock Room. Thanks!

No, you would need to call the airline for seats.

It depends on the type of NCL air you are using. If you were quoted say $1000 for two round trip US to Rome you are getting the BOGO (buy one get one free) rate and the answer is no. You get no say in the airline/flights, etc. what you get is what you get. If you are say quoted $1000 per person you are using the regular NCL air, not the BOGO promo and you might have more control over the booking. I am on the Jade in May from Athens and since I had Delta points and wanted a specific type seat (premium economy as a minimum) I booked my own air. Others that are traveling took the BOGO offer because of the substantial savings. They know they get whatever they get from NCL. If you are working thru a travel agent ask the what type of NCL air it is and what the terms and conditions are. If you are not working with an agent ask the NCL rep what type of air and the terms and conditions. Good luck.

T-5 @ JFK (the JetBlue terminal) is actually pretty nice and not a bad place for a layover.

I like the Homewood Suites, I believe it is on Western Street. Close to the port but also an walkable to Pije street Market, Space Needle & Jimi Hendricks Experience.

I am going on a Mediterranean cruise in May on NCL. This is what they are doing. https://crew-center.com/ncl-lays-staff-members-entertainment-department-will-be-reduced-across-fleet

Not sure who or why someone would have told you that info. If you are doing the BOGO (1/2 price air) NCL will not guarantee you and you friends will be on the same flights even if departing from the same airport on the same day. You can do a deviation for up to 2 days pre or post but that does not cost $100. If you are doing the regular NCL air (not the 1/2 price promo) you can just book your own air thus you are on the same flights. Final payment for a Sept departure is still a few months away so you have time to assess your air options.

Just to add - I am not using the BOGO to/from Athens. We are using a combo of points and cash for premium economy one way and business the other.

Like much on Cruise Critic there is quite a bit of confusion/misinformation on this post. There are a couple of different types of NCL air options that are DIFFERENT. The current Buy one/get one free is a great option on many Europe, South America and Asian flights but has more restrictions. For the May, 2023 sailing I am on from Athens on the Jade the cost for two from the DC area is $995 including all taxes. Up to a two day deviation is available either pre or post cruise but not both. NCL can book up to two stops ( DC to Toronto to Munich to Athens as an example) but could also book a non-stop. If you are traveling with others, from the same area but are not in the same cabin there is no guarantee you will be on the same flights. However the $999 for two is about $1300 less than one could book currently on their own. The other NCL air option is much more expensive and generally the cost is similar to what one would pay if booking their own air except for a open jaw or one way type flight that you would have for a trans Atlantic or trans Pacific flight (usually the cruise air is less expensive). In my opinion, if you want business or premium economy (not economy plus) class or want non-stop flights or a specific airline book your own air. If you need to be on the same plane as your friends, book your own air. If you can save $1300, have no issue flying economy/coach and do not care if you fly Air Canada or Air France to Europe than the BOGO promo is a great deal.

I was able to visit Princess Cay, Half Moon Cay, Coco Cay and Labadee this year and without a doubt Princess Cay had the worst beach, amenities/facilities and overall vibe (in my opinion) than the other places. I would stay on the ship and plan to snorkel/dive at a better stop.

OP - have you checked flight times (and costs) from Ft. Lauderdale?

My wife and I have over 45 cruises completed (we are 61) and except when travelling with friends and/or family very rarely eat in the MDR. Why? It generally takes too long. For us the specialty dining or WJ type set up works best. Chris

Coastal Kitchen question - an earlier poster mentioned Luminare, which I am familiar with on Celebrity. Is the CK dinner menu the same as the mdr daily menu but just smaller or is it a completely different menu? Can you order off the mdr menu or is there an always available option? I have yet to find a recent CK menu though I am sure they are posted somewhere. How is breakfast and lunch? Thanks!

Thanks so much for the replies! I used the Diamond Lounge (on Freedom and Adventure) for coffee, got drinks at various locations on the ship. I doubt I would go into the D Lounge with access to the Suite Lounge.

Hello- I am a new Royal Caribbean cruiser but fortunately have Elite status on Celebrity so have been Diamond on my two Royal cruises. I am considering a Crown Loft Suite on the Oasis which has access to the Suite Lounge.Would I also have access to the Diamond Lounge? Is the Suite Lounge a step up from the Diamond Lounge? Also, any thoughts on Coastal Kitchen? Thanks - Chris

Not sure about Diet Sprite but Sprite Zero has been available the past couple sailings I have been on in May and August.

Could the less than 6 night cruises be no testing (for fully vaccinated guest) because the majority of those sailings go to The Bahamas or Mexico? I believe neither countries require a negative test while other countries still require the tests?

Since The Bahamas no longer requires a negative test it is easy for Virgin to drop the testing requirements. Will be interested to see if Royal/Carnival/NCL start by dropping the pre-cruise testing but still requiring vaccination especially on the 3/4 day cruises to the Bahamas.

Hello- I am looking at booking an aft balcony on the Nieuw Amsterdam, probably on either deck 4 or 5. We spend a good amount of time on the balcony and it must have some cover. Any thoughts/recommendations are much appreciated. Thanks!!