MagnoliaBlossom

If push comes to shove, go the CN desk and they can help you.  We found the first few days on the Prima frustrating, but once we had the deck plan down, we really enjoyed it.  Hope you will too.

If yyou’re u go through Galveston.com, there is a plethora of good information, including the list of shuttle services that operate from both airports.

56 minutes ago, expectthebest said:

This. Exactly!!!

Its a race to the bottom!!!

 

I did hear through a reliable NCL Insider (and by insider I mean they always book an inside cabin) that NCL was going to offer as part of their free at sea program a “manners at sea” where most of the ships officers will teach you how to act in public spaces on your current cruise. Expect to see the rollout in the beginning of September 2024.

It will be mandatory, right after you check in at your muster stations.  Those who do not comply will be locked in their cabin for the duration of the voyage. 😉

12 hours ago, IAcruising said:

 

Uh, no. They are not.

 

While they are similar, I think NCL has a superior product for OUR tastes.  Better sit down dining options on NCL but there’s a lot to be said for Guy’s and other breakfast and lunch time options.  The buffet is pretty anemic on CCL vs NCL, and night time dining is very limited.  CCLs sea day brunch is quite nice,

As someone said, if you drink more than two mixed drinks per day, you are ahead of the game with FAS.  And NCL even gives you a bamboo straw, not that disgusting' sticky, taste altering candy straw foisted on you by CCL.

we get better casino offers from CCL than NCL, and have more luck.

The loyalty program on CCL pales in comparison to Not even close.  Their most worthwhile perk to us is the priority disembarking in an orderly fashion, usually from one of the MDRs. The Diamond brunch with free drinks and a photo is nice, but doesn’t compare overall to NCL.

now having said all that, it doesn’t stop us from driving to Galveston several times a year to hop on a casino offer special, but if I’m going to pay full price for a ship, it most likely will not be on Carnival.

I am Diamond on both CCL and NCL but find NCL a better fit for us.  Especially for interesting itineraries overseas.  

On 3/27/2024 at 1:12 PM, Sand and Seas said:

I've been watching for a cruise that sails from Galveston and repositions to Miami or other port in 2025 or 2026.    We loved our prior cruise from Galveston to Miami and are doing the same itinerary next month.   

So far, I can't find where Prima or Viva goes after Galveston in 2025 & 2026.

 

This may work for your, Lisbon to Galveston, 15 night, Viva, 11/28/25

On 3/26/2024 at 10:00 PM, amindu said:

Yup, looking for end of May/June.  Hopefully some good ones from Galveston

Afraid you’re out of luck with those dates.  NCL is long gone from the Caribbean by then.

Some are already out, through April, I think.  I booked on the Viva in January.

Blue Moon - Amen to that.

17 hours ago, kismetique said:

And from experience,  don't take their first word for it, if they say there are no cabins available. 

Amen, amen, amen!   If an agent plays this game with you, hang up and call back!  
 

the only time I had to pay extra was on the Dawn because they only have BA and BX.  I had booked a mid level balcony and needed to have booked one of the two top IAs to get a BA.

WP is like many companies who provide call centers, their agents are not always well trained or knowledgeable.  If it seems fishy, ask for a supervisor or just call back.

20 hours ago, Kath29 said:

Hi guys, quick question on using WorldPoints to upgrade. Does the cruise have to be paid off before calling to upgrade the cabin? Or conversely, is it too late to upgrade the cabin once I pay off the cruise? 

No, you can do it the same day you book,if you want.
And you can upgrade at any time, although there may be a limit on how close to sailing you can upgrade, but I think I have read on this thread that someone booked and upgraded six days prior to sailing.  I’m,ways book crazy early and upgrade early for the best selection of cabins.

Glad to hear this.  We will. Be sailing her for a family cruise in June and the others have not sailed NCL before, so I’m hoping for a good impression.  What is the current productions show they have?

While this won’t get you anything but single points, I’ve bought WalMart gift cards because I knew as soon as that #500 or $1000 was processed, I still had the money for a place where I was going to shop anyway.   Of course, this is only good when you need a small amount of points, but it’s info for those who might not have thought of it.  I know some newbies to the cars struggle to get from the 20/25 K bonus to the 30k for upgrade.  

5 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Yeah...but did th😄ey ever get it working!!?? 

Yes we did.  Thought I had reported back when it was resolved, but apparently I didn’t. 🤭

On 3/20/2024 at 3:03 PM, AVLTravelers said:

Were you ever able to get this fixed? 

Yea, I realize this is an old thread by now, but the info may be helpful.  On day 7 DHs account cleared and I reapplied and all was right in the world.  In the meantime I had called a lady whose name was one of the three NCL employees who were veterans and consulted on the program.  She was in accounting, I think, and was absolutely confused about why I would call her because she had nothing to do with the program aside from supporting it as a veteran.  I told her my delima, and how I’m sure I was not the only person who would face this and he said she would pass on my concerns.  She called me back on day 8 to see if the problem had been resolved.  It wasn’t her job, but she followed up on a fellow vet and it was much appreciated.

If you are embarking or disembarking in Reykjavik, I would recommend using NICE Tours.  We did three days post cruise touring with them.   We plan to return to see the things we didn’t have time for on our first trip.   Fell in love with Iceland and its friendly people.  It is the cleanest place I can remember, their invasions using their geothermal energy is intriguing (85% of the restaurants and bakeries use ovens powered by geothermal heat). It is quite expensive as so much needs to be imported, but so worth it.  We had some excellent seafood.  Enjoy your time there, it’s a magical place.

Just google those towns and day trips.  Should show you what’s available,  they are all small so there’s not a lot of companies out there.

4 hours ago, 7Contraveler said:

Can any1 help me out.. looking at a cruise for next year and would like to use my points to upgrade to a Balcony from an Oceanview... there are various options of OV.. port hole, picture, which room type should i book to guarantee an upgrade? Any help would greatly be appreciated.   

It will depend on the ship, some have more options/categories than others.  Let’s walk this backwards, though.    Do you have a specific balcony you want?  I,e, do your u want a BA which is the more centrally located, do you like to be forward or aft for more motion?  (Note: you cannot use points to upgrade to aft balconies or club balconies). If you need a BA then call WP and ask what you need to book in OV to get you there.  Generally speaking, if you book a OD. That puts you in a BD, but that is not true on older ships that may only have BA and BX balconies.  Also, if the cost of an OA is a bit tight for yu budget wise look at BB,BC,BDs,they may work for you.  The cabin itself is the same,the category only gives you location on the deck. See what fits, then book your cabin,then upgrade.

IMHO, you should book your upgrade by phone, not online.  You will have more flexibility when speaking to a human.  Also, before calling check out the deck plans and make a list of cabins that are your favorites, those that are no way Jose (next to service area, above the theater,etc) so when you are picking a cabin you can ask if your particular cabin is available or if they offer you a cabin yu can see if it’s a Jose.

enjoy your upgrade, check back if you have questions, we’re a friendly bunch, happy to help.

MB

Our first cancellation was for the BA out of NOLA in 2/2020.  My doctor dtr begged me not to go so I called my trusty PCC and told her. She said”noooo, I’m not gonna let you do that today. Call me back tomorrow”. I knew something was up and sure enough I got the cancellation email the next morning g.  I called to thank her as I’d have been in full penalty, but this saved me a boatload of money.  Another reason to have a good PCC

22 hours ago, julig22 said:

I haven't seen too much posted about the solo category. Still new so not much feedback, seems as if NCL is still working out the bugs.

Which they will do in their usual prompt way 😉

On our last voyage, two bartenders said they do not get a portion of the FAS gratuities, just the bar wait staff.

1 minute ago, julig22 said:

Exactly why I've been posting my "adventures" - because if you don't know what to ask, you can't really ask, especially since it seems to be a moving target.

That’s the beauty of these forums.  Thanks for keeping us informed.

I think the solo category is new enough territory that they’re still uncertain what to do with it.  Which will lead to all kinds of bizarre occurrences.

Ya know, you’re right.  Hmm, can’t remember why we couldn’t use ours that first year, thanks for refreshing my memory - or at least point out that I don’t have one! 🤣

On 3/9/2024 at 11:41 AM, kismetique said:

I don't know but i suffer from it.  If I can do it on line,  I'm going to do that over a phone call.  I think it has to do more with getting CSRs that don't soak good English and having a slight hearing deficit.  Those two issues make for excruciating phone convos!!! 😊

I have a 50% hearing loss and fully understand the difficulty of telephonic communications with people who do not have a good command of the English language.  If I need to make a payment, book dining or such things I will always opt for doing it online, but having dealt WP and their sporadic ahenigans with cabin assignments, up I’m willing to put up with hold time, Muzak, and foreign speakers (if they’re too difficult I just ask to be transferred to another agent) in order to assure that cabin assignment is to our liking.  It’s I,portent to us and I don’t want to trust it to the cyber gods to get it right.