MagnoliaBlossom

I called recently to inquire about the one year limit and was told it was no longer the case.  We made Diamond right before the shut down and as such were not able to book cruises.  NCL is notorious for not upgrading their documents, so this is no surprise.   

NCL docks at the downtown pier, so it’s close to shopping and crazy places like Carlos and Charlie’s, etc.  as you exit the pier area you take the escalators upstairs and there is a crosswalk (no need to dodge traffic crossing the street).  You wind up in the open air shopping mall.  If you want a cab or rental car go straight ahead and down the stairs.  Both are in the rear parking lot.

the BA is a great ship and we truly enjoy the waterfront area.  Comfy furniture and a great spot for relaxing and people watching, with plenty of shade.

I had an upgraded cruise cancelled around February of 2020.  I watched and waited for points to be restored,which normally took a few days, but now had stretched to two weeks.  The WP agent said not every agent can restore points, only someone with a security level that allows them to see your credit card information.  So, there aren’t very many of them and everyone was now working remotely and proper security had not been established for the at home computers.

she assured me she could see the points and they were slated to be returned but it could take several months.  They were returned but I think it was about three months.  
 

I remember the first time they read me that script about possible loss of points, it was pretty scary, but it never wound up happening, and I don’t remember if they still do that.  I’ve not done an upgrade in a year or so.

On 3/7/2024 at 3:06 PM, kismetique said:

I called to ask several questions before I actually did the upgrade and then inquired about just doing it online rather than calling back and the gentlemen said,  NO!!  Don't book online,  always call us,  less chance it goes bad!  I've only ever done this once,  so I have no real experience,  but he tickled me with his emphatic NO!

True!  You CAN do it online but there are posts describing the mess that happened when doing an upgrade that way.  If you want OBC or statement credit, that’s fine to do online but not an upgrade.  I don’t understand the aversion some people have to making a phone call.

I thought they were alternating with and without Napoli itineraries.  It is a shame if there are no more Nap Coast sailings.  It was a magical experience.

Around the lockdown some agents began telling people you had to choose from their list.  I challenged them on that and eventually would hang up and call back to get the room I wanted from another agent.  I don’t know how they can mess up something s simple, but . . . Never mind, y’all know.

Glad to hear all has returned to sanity.  Guess they realized telling people they might lose their points was not a bright idea.  

I’ve always had my points returned when we’ve cancelled or rebooked, but shortly after restart they started reading you a script that said the company had the discretion of whether or not to return your points.  😳. I guess they’re just CYA, and I’ve never heard of anyone else not getting them back.  But it sure got my attention when I first heard it.

We have sailed from NOLA 30 some odd times and never have I seen them check for scheduled arrival times.  But as others have said NO has a very crowded waiting area.  Bearding usually starts around 11:30 so I’d try for something after noon, by that time you should be able to walk right on.  Even if you checked in at 2:30, you would be fine. The 2 hour thing is their ideal, but they certainly let late arrivals on.  I’ve seen people run for the ship and have then pull the gangway in behind them.  You’ll be fine.

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Good point. Unfortunately, there is no Roll Call for our specific itinerary yet. But I’ll definitely keep checking as we actually had to book a van/SUV as we will have 2 bags and a carry-on, and they have strict rules requiring a maximum of 2 bags when it comes to booking one of their cars. Like I mentioned earlier, we are low stress cruisers and don’t want to worry about the car being cancelled because we arrived with the “extra” carry-on bag. 😂

Yep, we’re low stress cruisers, but with carryons only.  You can start the roll call yourself if you like.  I do find that lately that they are less active than in the past.  Probably due to social media sites.

At times a multi person van is cheaper per person if you’re u can get a group to go together.  Your might ask on the roll call if anyone else is interested.  We have had good luck with forming a group for private tours that way.

There is the free cruise option if you have tons of points, but it’s balcony, not Haven.

9 hours ago, complawyer said:

in the carribean, most islands habla $20 bill. years ago we were in martinique, and i went into a bakery, and they insisted on francs (before euro became fashionable, and probably over 30 years ago) 

We had a similar experience in Martinique.  We had done a tour of the filthy little island, and stopped in at a cafe for a beer.  I had only $20s and the very rude waiter said he would not be able to give me change, implying I could Pat $20 for a $4 bar tab.  I had seen a currency exchange down the block went and changed money and left him exactly $4.   Only place I’ve been in the Caribbean that did not take USD.

Plan to get your yellow fever shot ona Friday (if you are still working people).  Mine made me pretty sick for a few days.

It varies depending on traffic.  In December we left from 28, but were told in advance that we might return to a different pier, but we were back at 28, too.

On 2/12/2024 at 5:51 AM, dmwnc1959 said:

 Norwegian Jade only has glassed-in top decks, but they do open the bow for the Panama Canal. 

We sailed the PC twice on the Pearl, sister  ship to Jade, and they did open the bow, and had put out chairs and had a coffee station set up on both passages.

Recently I found some limpiras ina drawer that were left over from my mission days in Honduras.  Took the with me on our cruise to buy a beer or two and they wouldn’t take them!  They said the port area is on dollars only.  I took them over to the booth run by the Rotary Club and donated them there.  I thought the whole thing was amusing.

It seems to me that I read on CruiseHive that NYC, like many other cities was getting a lot of pressure from environmentalists wanting to reduce the number of big ships sailing from their cities.  I could be wrong but I think NYC was included in the article I was reading maybe three weeks ago.

On 2/24/2024 at 7:28 PM, philv said:

Just curious. What is tatting?

Tatting is a form of needlework and produces a very fine lace like product.  It can e done with a shuttle or needle. It was becoming a lost art, but is making a comeback in craft circles.  I like to take tatting with me on cruises because it is much less bulky.  I can put all my supplies in a little bag not much bigger than mt iPhone.

Yikes!   What a disappointment! 

9 hours ago, julig22 said:

Uh, ok. Nothing new, that's been the policy for quite some time. The only inconsistency is that CN purchases slip through on some ships, depends on the onboard software.

And so often yu read posts from people wh said they were allowed to use it, yu just don’t know what the real story is? 🤨

On 2/20/2024 at 2:01 PM, complawyer said:

hey magnolia blossum, if the t-shirt is a maybe, simply bring along an extra tube of toothpaste, and then you need not buy anything. and mocruisefan, most cruise sites advise "NOT" to but any art. biggest ripoff imaginable

I’m a pretty good packer, and always have a spare toothbrush that “lives” in my suitcase, but if I’m going to forget something it’s gonna be toothpaste.  But it’s not a common occurrence and I probably haven’t spent a dime in any onboard store in years.

On 2/11/2024 at 2:41 PM, julig22 said:

AFAIK, yes. Can be used for any optional charge to your account, other than DSC, casino charges or CruiseNext certificates. And depending on the ship, it can sometimes be used for CN.

Julie, I was told this month that SHOBC could not be used for CNs or DSC. I wish there was some consistency at NCL 😵‍💫

1 hour ago, FPMoosally said:

 

{sigh} Gifts? I haven't figured out tips. Now I have to figure out a gift for our PCC?

 

 

No, no, no.   This was a gift as a friend of 14 years, not somethng expected  otherwise.   The original questions was, could it be done.  Yes, it can, but I don’t think any PCC would ever expect it

As to gifts;  my PCC works from home and years ago she began sending me Christmas cards,so I have her address.  We have become friends over the years,14 of them now,   She was going through a difficult time and some big surgeries and I sent her flowers.  It was not a problem, but it might be if your person works in a call center and it is something like a gift card.  The best gift is a nice note telling her how pleased you are and asking her to send you her business cards so you can share them with friends.  After each cruise VE sends me a welcome home note and a few business cards enclosed.