MagnoliaBlossom

Not certain about #2 as NCL seems to pay fast and loose with their OBCs at times, but as WP are nonrefundable I would say that is correct. Others will weigh in who have experience as I never, ever do WO for OBC. Which leads directly to #3. Yes, an NCL purchase will get you 3 pts/$,so the smart way to use points is to charge your onboard charges with your NCL MC, then when home apply for statement credit.

Well,that’s good to know. Thanks for reporting back.

I never book cruises with NCL through a TA, but I don’t remember anyone else ever sporting the ned for a three way call. It would be interesting to see if you called back and got a different agent, if you would get the same answer. I’ve had a few times when agents told me crazy stuff, like I couldn’t pick my cabin, they had to assign me a cabin. Hung up, called back, told the agent what cabin I wanted and she booked it.

Chief is in time out.

We are already booked on the 1-10-26 sailing. Yes, Galveston is quite a ways from the airports, but there are several shuttle bus companies that do a reliable job at a reasonable rate.

He was quite the character. I think about him often.

I’ve been drinking “ Moscow” Arnold Palmers for years but didn’t know they have another name. Hmm, that sounded good, I hear my glass calling my name.

We used to cruise out of NOLA when we were only 3 hours away. There was a gentleman we saw frequently. He was retired, lived with his dtr, and was only 20 minutes fromthe pier. He would pack his bag and come to the pier. If they had last minute cancellations or a no show he would get on for little more than port and taxes. He said he didn’t care about the cabin and he always got a cabin to himself. If they were full, he went home. Said he sailed several times a month.

T he Viva has a nice 14 day out of Galveston in January of 2026

That would be great fun. I was lucky enough to sail with graphic guy and gg in February. Rocket man was onboard but we never met up. So nice meeting people who I’ve chatted with online for years. But, chief would be in the brig the entire cruise, so not much chance of meeting him 😉🐀

It doesn’t matter who you book with. yes, you can transfer a booking so long as it is not paid in full. you will need 30,000 points to upgrade one category, 60,000 to under grade two categories. there is nothing magical about the 100,000 points except that’s it’s nice to look at, I guess.

Good to know in case I decide to give up control issues for lent and book more often with a TA

I rarely use a TA but when I do my card always shows VTG, the TA, not the cruise line. But as I have a wonderful PCC with NCL I never book NCL cruises with a TA. I think if you want the triple points, you’ll have to book directly with NCL.

Yes,it is the same as stated above for IN to Balcony. It varies by ship. Sometimes to get to a BA you need one of the top 2 levels, other it needs to be the highest. Call WP to find out what you have to book in order to get to BA or BB.

The chaos was that no one with bags was allowed inside until they could hand off their bags. We went in with our carryons and were directed to a waiting area upstairs. We sat, waiting for the check in staff to open the desks. Then someone came and moved everyone back downstairs to a much smaller area, then we were moved to a different spot downstairs, and finally we were moved back upstairs. The clerk at our station was new and it took 30 minutes for her to process me. We then went to the VIP waiting area, and when they called the platinums and above the very diligent lady checking key cards would not allow us to board because we were Diamond and she didn’t know what that meant. At that point I was fed up with the craziness and just kept walking. It was an exasperating morning. Hoping for something smoother this time.

We have sailed from Southampton several times and the last time boarding was chaos. We had 9:30 arrival time and as we had carryon only were allowed in the terminal. Those with luggage to be checked had to wait in the parking lot until the baggage handlers arrived at 10:30. We are sailing in two weeks, again with carryons, but our family members will have bags to check. Just wondering if they have the same procedure.

We always book LaCucina just for the oso buco.

the reduced rate cruises they’re referencing is something’s nt like a casino comp or a complimentary cruise as compensation for something’s no that may have gone off the rails on a prior cruise.

Yes it is. SH OBC is not effected by upgrades.

Welcome to NCL! Where the special of the day is always confusion. ive cautioned people sailing the smaller ships to callWP and ask what they need to book in order to get to a specified balcony. Some ships you can bonly get to a BA with the highest level of IN or OV, others it’s the top two tiers. It really does vary by ship. and as I’ve always said,if an agent tells you ant do something, hang up and callback. I’ve had agents tell me I could only pick from a certain list of cabins, which I knew wasn’t right, so I called backandgotthecabin I wanted. The misinformation is rampant so youhave to do your homework before you call. Should t be that way,didn’t used to be, it that’s the way it is.

No, you are exactly right. I always look at the difference between IN and OV.

I finally remembered to call the Diamond Desko during regular business hours and reached a delightfully helpful young lady who advised me what to do. I did forget to ask her if this could be used on any specialty restaurant onboard or only at the steak house. thanks again for all you ur good advice MB

You are not limited to particular balconies, you can choose the cabin you like,if it is within your upgrade level. Meaning, if you book a low level inside or ocean view, you will be limited to a BD or lower. If I want a BA, depending on the ship, I need to book one of the two highest level cabins. if you manage to accrue enough points there is even a free cruise option. there is a sticky about theNCL Mastercard if you are interested.

I realize RocketMan has chosen to take the moral hgh ground on this, but as I see it - the WP I acrue are “free”, meaning, I exerted no perspiration or indigestion to earn them, I have not paid tax on them so they are silent income. Yes, I could get $600 for them, but I choose to avoid a much greater amount to upgrade, I have “spent $600 of potential income but I diverted that to an upgrade. The money is lagniappe not real earned income. Big sigh. Let it go, man.