MagnoliaBlossom

I think it is the same as spa passes.  If they do not sell all of their cruise passes, then they may offer day passes.  No way to know in advance.

5 hours ago, jimc_usa said:

I am new to this board so please forgive me if this question has been answered already.

I have 25000 on my card, how do I exchange it for credit on my cruise?

There are several ads you can use points

OBC, wort use of points IMHO

Statement credt, better use especially f you got triple points for your onboard cruise charges

Cabn upgrade, best use unless you are happy with inside or ocean we.

there is also a free cruise option but it takes more points than most people can accumulate.

to use your points go to the rewards page and familiarize yourself with the points needed for each option.  Then you CAN do its online, but I personally prefer tocallWorldPoints (866-954-4077) and speak to an agent.  That way you can ask questions and be sure of what is transpiring, especially if you are upgrading.

The people here are very helpful, so come back and ask if you have questions.

48 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Yea, they provide the coffee and all the extras.  Honestly, the coffee is not bad, as hotel toes offerings go,  and more directly it is odd times better than the buffet coffe.  But, I bring my own “pods” made with tea/tisane bags and my coffee.  I use 1 Tbs + 1 tsp of grounds per bag.  (You will need to test this to your liking). Fold the bag over twice (do not use the drawstring) and staple 3-4 times across the top to close.  Works wonderfully in the NCL type coffee makers.

To clarify this, you double fold it, and secure it across with staples, 3 or4 ( 1 line) depending on-the width of the pouches you bought.

On 12/9/2023 at 9:47 PM, PNWMomma said:

 

assume the coffee is provided with the coffee maker?  Anyone who has had the coffee how is it?  Wondering if I should bring some of my own. If so what type of coffee maker/ what type of coffee should we bring: pod/grinds?

Yea, they provide the coffee and all the extras.  Honestly, the coffee is not bad, as hotel toes offerings go,  and more directly it is odd times better than the buffet coffe.  But, I bring my own “pods” made with tea/tisane bags and my coffee.  I use 1 Tbs + 1 tsp of grounds per bag.  (You will need to test this to your liking). Fold the bag over twice (do not use the drawstring) and staple 3-4 times across the top to close.  Works wonderfully in the NCL type coffee makers.

I would have sworn that I had looked for that info in the terms an and conditions and it said no.  Well, I’m just not quite up to my usual performance standard on this cruise.  Yep, will stop by Kroger on Seawall and,pick up some wine.  I just hate last minute tasks.  Now, to decide what my welcome aboard beverage will be.  Hmmmm, so many choices. 

I thought I had read that you could not bring on wine on Princess. I know we do it on other lines but it’s been years since we’ve sailed Princess.

we board today.

On 12/1/2023 at 11:44 AM, julig22 said:

Bids usually open around day 110, if you check the plusgrade site. Timing of email notifications varies.

I couldn’t remember.  I won a few bids early on and the cabins were fine by DH is very particular about room locations so we stopped doing it.   

We are platinum on Princess, although it has been years since we sailed them, but will be sailing the Regal on Sunday.  We are Diamond on Carnival and Diamond on NCL.  We have 42 days on Royal but I don’t remember what that tier is called. I think everyone has explained the differences quite well, but here is something to consider when you are somewhat new to cruising and looking for your “right fit”.   Loyalty program.  If you plan to cruise a good deal through the years, do a side by side comparison on each lines perks per category.  I have found that NCLs Latitude program leaves everyone else in the shade.   On top of the items to consider, as others have so well outlined, look at the long haul.

NCL also has an very good Mastercard program.

at the end of the day, they are all more alike than different, but it’s the nuances in life that define us all.

Happy sailing.

I did google it but the posts were all from early this year and did not give the plus level wine names, just generic, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, etc.

i assume since it’s a CCL family, the SV will be Santa Helena or Santa Marguerite for a few extra dollars.  Thanks y’all.  In 72 hours, I’ll know 🥂

17 hours ago, jasonfly said:

Within a few weeks before the cruise date I got an email that stated "Real-Time Bidding hsa Opened"  which basically starts a bidding war.  But it does show how many bids are on that particular category.

I got an upgrade email yesterday for my 2/2/24 cruise.  Seems a bit earlier than I remember, but I haven’t bid in so long I don’t remember.

Can’t find a menu of the wines onboard.  Anyone have a link?

TYIA

On 11/4/2023 at 2:17 PM, Saint Greg said:

 

Thanks. I'll resubmit and see what they say.

I had read that they started allowing both discounts so I applied for the veterans and got it and the SHOBC.

On 11/23/2023 at 1:34 PM, pompeii said:

Well, never mind, I guess.  We added our address again using the same address but with my husband's name and it took this time.  I guess it just didn't want to recognize our address that was already in there.  Such a fun app!

I had to put the info in multiple times before it took.  Very aggravating.  Even though I have an email acknowledging my order, my check list still shows our medallions not completed.  This is our first fifth PCL cruise, but it’s been 14 years since our last one,  things are so much more confusing than the other lines we sail.  Nothing on the website seems to be intuitive.

They no longer place them in the balcony cabins as a routine thing, but your steward will get you one if you ask.  Just like coffee makers.

Jason fly, The highest level cabin you can upgrade to is a BA.

EllieinNJ,  no, when your points expire, they’re dead and buried.

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

My favorite, cold calling room to sell CNs.

Yeh, that really irritates me.  I called and complained and the little snot said, 

“ well, if you don’t want the calls all you have to do is tell us”. Click.n. 👿👿👿.  CNs have become the time share of NCLs world.

Yes, the hard sell is getting obnoxious.  Not to mention that they really do spin that “free OBC” line in such a way as to misrepresent the transaction.   Last cruise I was second in line and the CN rep was really pressuring the guy in front of me to purchase and said, “look, I’m going to pay for your spa treatment”.  Not exactly what is happening, which is clear if you read the CN posts here.  I wish they would stop all that mess and sell them online, the same way they do the CF cents (which BTW, the $500/250 is back).

6 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Not sure if that was a happy ending or not?  I'm still waiting to hear from the "MANY," but obviously it has happened at least once.

It’s a pretty rare occurrence, but it can happen.. Spit happens but it is best to not react by going overboard.  🤣

On 11/25/2023 at 2:55 PM, ChiefMateJRK said:

Are there really MANY unlucky ones whose luggage never arrives on board?  I quite honestly can't remember a single first hand report.  Why wouldn't the luggage checked with a Porter at the cruise terminal make it onto the ship?

Well. I was one of those people.  Years ago on A RCCL cruise they dropped five pieces of luggage over board, into them into the MS River.  They did not fess up to what happened until the second afternoon.  I had literally the clothes on my back and a tee shirt they gave me to sleep in.  Long, long story, but after one of my humorous letters to the CEO of Royal, complete with blow by blow retelling of my tale, we received a complimentary 7 day cruise on the ship of our choice.  This cruise is known in our household as The Neck’ed on the Hgh Seas Cruise”

Which is why I never ever check baggage on planes or cruise ships.

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Drinks of the Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, they’re pretty, alright, but just awful drinks.  The one made from used coffee grounds was the worst.  Plus they cost more than a comparable cocktail, and they are very sweet.

On 11/22/2023 at 7:37 PM, julig22 said:

Funny, WP said no problem when I asked, so I tried, no go. See post 5923.

Well, NCL is so consistently inconsistent.   😵‍💫

It is a disservice for NCL to perpetuate the perk of Concierge service available to non suite platinum guests.  I had the one experience I cited earlier, and one other time I called and asked if this was in fact available and he nicely said “no, the concierge have so much on their plate they can’t take on anything else”.  I know some people have reported getting help, but that is by far the exception, not the rile.

I make my own pods with our favorite coffee from home.  They do not use the k cup style, but the little Barbie pillow size style.

I’m Diamond and when we first made platinum I called the concierge for help and he said something very rude about me not being in a suite or above and hung up on me.  Never called again as we are lowly balcony cruisers,  as others have said, go to CN as soon as it opens.  Things are capacity controlled and people sign up for things then don’t attend, which means lots of other people get left out because of no shows.  At our wine tasting there were very few people and at the mixology thing we were the only ones.  But after doing it once I understand why anyone who had suffered thru it would not want to return.  The sustain cocktails were hideous 🤮

It’s probably too recent to have any reports yet.

are you looking to do that?  If so, call WP and see what they say.  Then, let us know, please.