texascane

I've seen posts with people stating they are losing their casino host. I never communicated with a host before my trips but got a few emails last fall and this spring about a "NEW VIP Concierge Service". Is that the same thing as a casino host with NCL?

hmm I see where I think you are pointing at but there isnt anything listed. I went back and looked at a photo from my trip last July and they gave me ruby and the ultra drink card. Now that I think about it I believe when I boarded last year they didnt have my account right then either - put me into Jade until I asked the host to go back and look at the records. Very odd since Im sailing on comped cruises.

I cant remember which tier I made on my sailing last year. Is there a way to find out online?

Where does the tour leave from?

Thanks for the tips

Yes many times.

Anh tips or things you learned about the room / service on your trip?

The deeding factor was days at sea. I'm not good being trapped and 5 days without land had me nervous. So very similar itinerary just with less stress.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Just to circle back I changed from a 14 day sailing to a 12 day one. I lose 1 port and 1 day at sea but had a better room option. Went with the 3 bedroom garden villa. Hopefully it is a good time.

Thanks all - I see the cabin type on the website for the deluxe 2 balcony but it is already sold out for my sailing date. The owners suite is 12000 and the floor plan shows the big windows in the room - but no balcony/

why was it so good?

I am looking for a two week trip on the NORWEGIAN STAR and am looking for a recommendation on the room type. There are only two of us traveling so not sure if the family room or general room would be better. Thanks for your help. Here are my options: 2-Bedroom Deluxe Family Suite with Balcony Penthouse w Balcony Forward-Facing Penthouse with Large Balcony Aft- Facing Penthouse with Large Balcony Forward-Facing Deluxe Penthouse with Large Balcony There is also a Deluxe Owner’s Suite but from the photos looks like there is no balcony.

Yes I gave them my phone number when checking in. Normally I have the service off while international but I turned it on just in case Royal called before the ship left. Luckily they gave me two calls and a little leeway. The second call I could see the ship - but I just couldnt get there. That port was very difficult to navigate. I believe the person calling was from Miami, I believe I had remembered a 305 area code and they relayed my information back to the ship.

Wanted to share my experience just in case others are in a similar situation. In Livorno we took a taxi to the train station and then on to Lucca. Had a fun time and after lunch grabbed the train to Pisa. Walked over to Pisa and climbed the tower and checked out the other monuments. It was difficult to find a taxi in the exit we used but someone was being dropped off and we grabbed it. We rushed into the train station as there was 2 minutes before the last departure that would get us back to Livorno in time. We got our ticket back to Livorno jumped on the train and we went the wrong direction. Had to travel about 20 minutes the wrong way and got out at the first stop. It was a small town in the middle of nowhere I think called Pontedera. Even if the train left at that moment we would have been late to the ship but the next train back was in 2 hours. So walked outside and tried to find a taxi and none were there. Tried lyft / uber and there were none. Called the taxi phone number posted and no one answered. Wandered around a few blocks and nothing. I ended up seeing a few guys milling around outside and asked them if they knew how to get to Livorno. They didnt speak english so I had to use the translator on my phone. After a few minutes they realized they could make a profit and offered to drive me - 160 Euro. I was stuck so I took the deal and based on the gps still would get back 15 minutes after all aboard time. I didnt even know the exact name of the port as I believe there were two gps spots for the industrial port. I search the royal site in the car and never could get a specific location We left and they immediately stopped to get gas - lost another 5 minutes. Not feeling great so I activated the cell service on my phone in case royal called to check on me. Finally made it back to the port but it is industrial and no clear signs where to find royal. They called - luckily I had my phone on and I said I was near the port and would be there in 5 minutes. We found a cruise ship - wrong one. Had to ask directions from multiple people and finally after getting lost 2 more times royal called again. I told them I would be there in 5 minutes again and they said they were leaving if I didnt make it. Finally we found the way to the pier but there was a toll booth with no one working. The ship was to far to walk - we would never make it. The guys wanted to get paid and I had no Euros. This was our last stop and we had spent everything - I hadnt known this when we made the deal. I had $200 and he looked at me like I was crazy. Pulled up the currency exchange on my phone showing it was $180 so he accepted. Tense moment there. But we are still standing trapped outside of the port, have no way in and have already exceeded the time provided on the second phone call. Not looking good and my mind is thinking how to get a train and where to stay in Rome - the last and final port. At that moment a taxi leaving the port comes through and we stop him and convince him to take us to the ship. Go through the gate, past another security gate and there is the ship. About 4 royal guys waiting outside with a small plank. Give the driver $20 crowd above cheers as we get out of the taxi. On the boat, plank pulled and the ship is off. All in all I think we were 45 minutes after the all aboard time. That port is chaos to find so make sure you plan ahead if making your own plans.

thanks for the info. looks like they had me in the wrong tier - back to jade. they looked me up in the system and applied the internet, drink, and obc to my account after checking with the host.

thanks appreciate the info. is the obc just automatically taken off my bill when I check out? Also where do I make the food choices?

i earned ruby on my cruise last year. this year i booked another cruise via a certificate from a land based casino. Do I automatically get the ruby benefits like the on board credit?

Sorry for the sideways photos but hopefully this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

There isnt much to do on the gem as far as activities go - at least for my tastes. I usually like comedy for the evening shows and the gem had nothing that I wanted to see.

Day of I got an email with "Unable To Confirm Your Upgrade Advantage Request." Two days before boarding received the email below. This email is to confirm that we have received your offer(s) to be upgraded on your upcoming cruise. While your offer has not been selected yet, you may still be selected for an upgrade by our onboard team.Upgrades may be awarded at any time up until 0 hours prior to the sailing departure. Should your offer be selected for an onboard upgrade, your credit card will be automatically charged, and your stateroom will be reassigned. Please check your email up to 0 hours prior to the sailing departure to see if we were able to upgrade you.If you no longer wish to be considered for an onboard upgrade, you may cancel your offer(s) through the link provided below up until 5 hours prior to the sailing departure, provided that your Offer has not already been accepted by Norwegian Cruise Line, and provided that your credit card has not been charged.

I think I earned around 40k points on my last cruise. Started off as a regular member but since I had booked free via Caesars 7stars I had the low level drink card. Everytime I qualified for a new tier I got a new card and upgraded drink card. They also sent a bottle of wine and chocolates to the room. The host comped off the charges on my room, I think around $1,500 and told me I had a bunch more but there wasnt anything I wanted to spend it on. Still waiting to see if I receive any post cruise offers.

We departed from the main pier close to town and returned to a different pier next to a large container ship. It may be the commercial pier you mention. Yes I was taking a direct flight to the US so you have to go that way first. To the left was US direct flights and to the right was all other destinations so there were separate locations for general security. But once there there are a few queues. One said All passports which was empty and went right to the passport control agent. We were kicked out of that line and put into a separate much longer line where they were forcing American passports to use the automated clearing machine. The other thing was that the lounge was before passport control so we didnt use it. Once you went through the passport area there were 2 small shops which had long lines and not much to buy.

Posting how my trip to the airport went in case anyone is in a similar situation. 6:45 boat docked 7:15 left boat with first group to grab bags and go to shuttle bus 7:30 bus left 7 minute stop at a rest stop - AC wasnt working and folks needed to use the rest room. I wouldnt anticipate this happens for others. Trip was horribly hot. 9:35 arrival at venice airport 9:45 made it to airline check in 9:52 at security 10:04 through security 10:20 through passport control and at gate Passport control had a long line for US passengers. There was a separate line, empty, for all passports, but they wouldnt let americans there....we had to wait for the automated station. Lines seemed long at the airline check in area but as I have status I was in and out in a minute. Adjust accordingly if you dont have priority check in. Bus was $50 per person.

Yep as long as it docks on time and you are on the first group off you should be fine.

Do you remember what time folks were able to disembark, specifically the ones carrying their own luggage? I am trying to figure out what time I'll get off the ship and make it for a flight.