CruisingNole

When did you buy it though? Within the last two months? If so, I’m envious. That’s when the prices have jumped.

You summed up the Sun well. The food is so lacking and repetitive. Believe it or not, I sailed in May 2018 and in July 2019 they were still using the same damn menu. I had pictures to prove it. I remember embarkation day when I saw nachos as a menu item in the MDR I laughed. And that hair dryer makes me cringe. As you can tell, the bathrooms were not touched whatsoever during the refit a few years ago. It is what it is. A cheap, last minute, getaway with open bar. It serves it’s purpose. But not much else.

TA's are the one's making the offers, not the cruise lines. So I'm not sure cruise lines can dictate whether or not the TA's participate? Not sure exactly how it works but I can confirm yes, you can get quotes for NCL. I was on the Sun last month and booked it two weeks out from sailing. Saw the price NCL was charging on the website and then I figured what the heck, let me see what kind of offers I can get. One TA emailed me within 5 minutes of opening my request (happened to be an agency I'd used before) and offered the exact same price that was on the NCL website...plus $100 OBC. Obviously that was a no-brainer. The OBC almost covered all of my gratuities.

In that case, you should totally pay the extra $1,100 and book with NCL.

You're absolutely correct. Personally, I'm not "that guy" when I go out to eat, especially on vacation, but I suppose we all like to spend our time and energy in different ways.

In theory, sure you could do that, but who wants to spend an entire evening at one restaurant.

Taken from my cruise planner right now. Looks like someone needs to start updating things on the website: Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package! For one low price, you can enjoy multiple entrees and visit multiple specialty restaurants every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days. Plus, enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.A courtesy reservation will be made for the first night of your cruise based on your preferred dining time. You will receive your courtesy reservation confirmation in your stateroom on the first day of your cruise. All additional reservations or changes to your courtesy reservation must be made once onboard at any specialty restaurant.For restaurants with a la carte pricing, you’ll receive a $35 food credit.*Holiday Celebration Dinners are not included with this package.*

It still blows my mind that NCL loyalists utilize a "PCC" which is essentially a TA employed by NCL that gives you none of the benefits you get by using a real TA. Like you just said you saved $1,100 that you would not have saved had you booked through NCL directly. It's essentially free money. Enjoy!

Royal has always allowed this. You can use it for drink and dining packages, excursions, etc. But only OBC that THEY provide. OBC from a TA can only be used onboard.

Personally, I've had rooms assigned months in advance, and most recently not until 48 hours before embarkation. It's impossible to know what your situation may be. It will never be less than 48 hours.

I was just on the Sun last month and had $100 OBC from my TA. Upon boarding, I flipped on my TV, and there it was in my account. Every day, the DSC was deducted until there was nothing left, and I ended up paying a few bucks. I've never had OBC directly from NCL, so I can't speak to that. However, on RCI, all OBC (from cruise line and from TA) can be applied to gratuities.

I have never NOT had OBC offered at booking from a TA (not the cruiseline) that wasn't refundable at the end of the cruise. Usually I just apply it all to daily gratuities, but if there's leftover at the end of the cruise, it just goes back to my credit card.

Really? I've used 5+ online agencies over the years and have never once been charged a dime for a booking fee or a change fee (unless the cruise line themselves charged said change fee). Between lower prices and OBC incentives I've gotten thousands of dollars that I would have never gotten had a I booked direct with NCL, or any cruise line. I suggest you use that website where agents compete for your business. Don't think I'm allowed to say the name of it, but a Google search will find it easily.

"Was told that if I had spoken to someone prior to May 25 I would have gotten a full refund of the difference and that if it was worth it to me I would have stayed on hold for as long as was necessary." If only we all had so much time on our hands. I can't believe they said that to you. What a ***** response.

The biggest disappointment IMO is that Champagne Bar is being replaced with Bionic Bar.