smillerholmes

LOL! I see what you did there...a Kelis fan?!?

Agreed. Using my points to go from OV to Balcony on an upcoming cruise and the savings at the current price is about $3500. Not sure why I keep debating keeping the card - significant value even though I only use it for NCL. Although, I have not done the comparison to using my AMEX as I only just became aware of their program. Hmmm...

I too am on this cruise. I picked it specifically for the sea days. You may want to join the roll call.

I was encountering the same issue - not sure if it was a blip or not, but I am able to login to the app now with no change to my credentials. It just all of the sudden works - PFM as we say in IT.

Interesting. Over the weekend I too had been trying to research/compare Panama Canal cruises and number of cruises available for comparison kept changing. How weird. Since I don't have anything booked yet, just researching I will check back later this week.

Thank you! That definitely helps with the decision making. It looks like the Jewel class ships are offering shorter cruises and charging a premium for going through the old locks??? Will not derail further...this thread is about Encore/Alaska. Thanks again!

I was on the EPIC TA/November 2021. I did not upgrade because while waiting in line the 2nd day for the Internet Cafe to restore the minutes of the many that didn't type "logout" there was a mix of those that had purchased "unlimited" and they too were complaining. Therefore, I can only speak to the free minutes. I did not complain ONLY because it was free, but UNUSABLE for anything besides SLOWLY reading email. It looks like some had a different experience so just be prepared if your experience is disappointing.

When I called my PCC to try this for my upcoming cruise (sailing 09/22) my intent was just to apply it to THAT cruise which met the after 1/18/22 booking criteria - I assumed (you know what that means) that I would not be able to apply it to a cruise that was actually booked pre 1/18/22 (sailing 12/22) because of the date stipulation AND I wasn't actually ready to PAY for that one. My PCC insisted on trying and was able to add it and I didn't have to pay for it yet. Final payment isn't due until 08/22. Not sure if that was because this was a former cancel/rebook many, many, many times cruise or not, but my booking date is actually still showing as January 2020. I do not partake of the air promo, so can't confirm from that perspective. So, give it a try...

Here's hoping for more witty observations. I'll be following since I am thinking about booking Encore for a Panama Canal cruise although I am leaning towards a smaller ship so I can go through the old locks. Decisions...decisions...

I've only sailed Princess once - Majestic Princess February 2022. Internet was stellar. I almost forgot I was on a ship. AND it was UNLIMITED and included in their version of FAS. Drinks, Crew Appreciation and Internet is what was offered.

It depends...most major sporting events are available - sometimes not live. I've only had one time where something I wanted to see was not available so YMMV. As a sports fan - I was pretty ticked though so I understand how disappointing it can be when something you want to see is unavailable.

This is awesome since I often take longer cruises. I recently tried the Premium Plus Beverage package - an absolute game changer in my opinion and since the reduction in the FAS dining package I have been adding the two dinner upgrade package. I am content to give them a few extra bucks to not have to remember to type "logoff" and spend 30ish minutes in line Day 2/Day 3 getting my minutes restored in the Internet Cafe. 😁 My PCC had not heard about this, but an email with a screenshot and he fixed up my next few cruises in less than 10 minutes.

So what you are saying is I am going to have to bribe someone in the Haven?!?

Why have I never heard of this "smoked bourbon"? OMG - that sounds so good!

Ahhh thanks julig22! I was just about to respond to this. It's the spendy ones that get us in the end isn't it? 30K points is definitely worth more than $800 - I know you are a frequent solo traveler - what has been your experience with the solo supplements as a factor in the points equation?

Thanks for the insights. I am leaning toward paying for the OV (it's only $800 more) and saving the 30K points for something else. I've had my eye on Greenland (very short cruise season AND very pricey!) Thanks again!

Looking for input here so no response is too far out there. I've got a pretty expensive cruise coming up and I had planned to just apply the double meta, get my balcony and be done with it, but then the cruise which is April 2023 dropped by $400, That got me thinking....now I had already watched 2 iterations of this cruise come and go tracking prices all along. I had not seen anything to make me think the double meta wasn't the best use of my points here, but now I'm not so sure. Also, I am solo so had also been watching for the supplement to drop and I had not seen that. So... . a. stick with the original plan and quit thinking about it. Unlikely, but I can accept that as a response. b. keep my inside cabin until at least final payment - THEN double meta - (I would be able to take advantage of all the price drops, but risk not getting a choice cabin. c. keep my inside cabin until final payment - THEN do the math to see if I should do a paid upgrade to OV THEN single meta upgrade, This will be my first time using points so looking for the best way and wondering if I am missing out on a feature that I had not considered. None of these are wrong, just different levels of obsessiveness for checking prices (which I am probably going to do anyway!). For those of you that just choose the cabin you want upfront or those that are happy with an inside cabin my apologies if this induces an eyeroll. Thanks in advance!

Update: I've got a Transatlantic scheduled for December. Emailed docs over on 06/18. Received case # back a few hours later. Received a lovely email from "Shonte" with the following text: We take great pride in delivering an exceptional guest experience and appreciate the opportunity to connect with our guests.Please note that we have applied your shareholder onboard credit to your reservation as follows: Reservation #/$$$ onboard credit. This was followed by an updated amenity confirmation noting the addition of the OBC. Nice!

I tried the same I have Delta and Hilton branded AMEX - no dice. The only upside to using the NCL card for everything NCL is a very quick and easy way to see cruise related expenses. I guess you gotta take what you can get.

If I wasn't planning to cruise NCL for a while in addition to the fact I was a little shy of the full $250 OBC, here's what I would do. Use the card while on my cruise to pay for something that would put me over the necessary points (why not earn triple points when you can?) and then I would request the statement credit.