Russiamomm

They only open up something like 30% of all dining reservations before embarkation day. As mentioned earlier, there will be a table set up that day. Sometimes it’s in the Atrium, but more likely in the comedy club. Any staff member can direct you there. If we weren’t able to get the times we wanted pre-boarding, that’s our first stop. We’ve always been able to get our restaurants/times we wanted this way. I believe you calls do it on the app and via screens by the elevators once you get onboard.

Trying to bring this back to the OPs initial questions. 😃 I’ve only done one TA - from NYC to Rome on the Breakaway last Spring. We absolutely loved it. In fact we liked it so much we booked the Epic in December for basically the reverse of the trip except it goes to Canaveral instead of NYC. We’re looking forward to the Southern route, especially since it’s an early winter cruise and are hopeful that the weather will be warmer and seas calmer than going through the North Atlantic that time of year. We’re also looking forward to gaining an hour each day instead of losing one each night, as well as the shorter flight home on the return. All these things have been mentioned - understanding that the shorter flight scenario only applies if you live in the US, which I see the OP doesn’t. Obviously your return flight will be longer, and likely a red eye returning to the UK from the US. That will negate your slowly getting over time changes. I have to say that I’m looking forward to not being jet lagged when I get off the ship. 😃 One thing that hasn’t been mentioned, unless I missed it, is that we’re looking forward to the relaxing part of this trip (the crossing) being at the end, instead of the beginning. The time in Europe is port intensive and exhausting. We loved every minute of it, but think we’re going to prefer front-ending the ports and having six days to relax at the end. as far as the ships go, I love them all. I think it would be nice to be on a ship with an Observation Lounge on a TA, given the unpredictability of the weather. This would be especially true if you’re in an inside cabin. It’s a lovely indoor space with great views, food and a bar. As far as the cabin goes, that’s obviously your choice. Personally I’d want at least an oceanview. I like a cabin with some natural light, especially on that long of a sailing. That being said, I have stayed in the studios four times and absolutely loved them. They’re small, but well appointed and bright. Plenty of space for a solo. And the coffee machine in the lounge is phenomenal. No need for a Starbucks package. 😃 There will be plenty of solos on any TA and NCL has solo meetups every nights. You’ll never not have someone to chat with.

As mentioned above, if you have the FAS dining package the fixed price restaurants (Teppanyaki and Moderno) need to be booked first or they will try to charge you if you’ve made other reservations already. You should call NCL. They will straighten it out,mor at least cancel the other reservations so you book these first.

I think it depends on if the OBC given by the TA is refundable or non-refundable. It’s probably non-refundable. In that case I don’t think it can be used to buy CNs. The only kind of non-refundable OBC that can be used to buy CN is that received for buying the CN. And as we’ve discussed, that really isn’t OBC. Confusing enough?

I suppose that’s one way to look at it. 😂

I’ve never used a CruiseFirst, but I think the difference is that the CN is good for four years, where the CF is only good for three. Also, they regularly have “Double Up” and sometimes “Triple Up” offers for CNs. I don’t think they do for CFs.

I don’t think it changed. I think it was a shady salesperson. As long as you buy at least two the net cost is $125 for a $250 certificate. That’s how it’s always been. This nonsense about OBC does nothing but muddy the waters and cause confusion.

It’s not a change. That’s the way it’s always been. They just try to convince you that you have to spend the money on other stuff. I did have an issue on my first cruise post-covid. Onboard they said I forfeited something like $160 of OBC. Stupid me didn’t check the account closely enough before I got off the ship. I noticed it the next day. It took several days and multiple escalations, but finally talked to a CN supervisor in Miami. Her reaction was “Of course you can apply the OBC to the cost of the certificates. Why else would anyone buy them?” It took two more phone calls, but I got my $150 back. And I agree about buying 8. Unless you’re planning a LOT of cruises in the future. You can buy more on each trip. I usually try to keep four on account. I’m out at the moment and will buy four more next month on the Epic.

Are you onboard now? Either way, you will be charged $1000 for the certificates. You do not have an additional $1000 of OBC. That $1000 was used to offset the cost of the certificates.

I’m afraid you fell for the gimmick. What they don’t explain clearly is that the “OBC” can be used to offset the cost of the certificates. Bottom line is that as long as you buy two, they cost $125. The return is less if you only buy one. I’m afraid you did what they wanted you do - buy stuff you wouldn’t have otherwise bought. The certs are a good deal. I’ve used them extensively over the years and always try to have four in the bank. But I really hate how they market them.

Agreed. Istanbul is a fabulous city. One of my favorite cities on earth. Of course it’s your decision, but I would go in a heartbeat. Just don’t trust yourself if you promise yourself not to buy a carpet. 😂

And the casino.. Probably best that I don’t book this. 🤣

I agree. The perks offered by a RA come from the commission earned by the TA. NCL is highly unlikely to give OBC or reduce the published fares.

I’m loving it too! I was on the same cruise. Loving hearing about OP’s adventure. I’m also about the same age and did my first solo cruise two years ago. Loved it! Have done two since, as well as several with my Husband, son and/or a friend. Any cruise is a good cruise. If you can’t find someone to join you, just go by yourself!

I’m too much of a rule follower for that. 😳😂. It’s also altogether possible in the craziness of the times that it simply fell through the cracks at the TA. The cruise was scheduled for April 2020. It was one of the first ones cancelled with COVID. As we all know, the world was crazy and I’m sure NCL and the TAs were processing thousands of refunds. In hindsight I should have taken the 150% (?) FCC they were offering, but life was in such a state of flux that I opted for the refund.

Possibly. I’ve learned a lot about cruising since then. I’ve made up for a lot of lost COVID time in the last two years. 😂. We had used that TA before and it never occurred to me that it was an issue that the charge was to the TA and not to NCL. Live and learn, but if the experience helps someone else I’m happy about that. I just wish I could name the TA. It’s an online cruise seller that is still in business. I still get promotional emails from them at least once a week.

I agree. I discovered this the hard way at the beginning of COVID. I had booked a cruise through a TA. It was fully paid for. I had booked extras on my own directly through NCLs website. Those were refunded rather quickly, considering the circumstances. But months passed and I hadn’t gotten the cruise fare refunded. NCL said I had to talk to the TA. The TA said it was still being processed by NCL. I got really frustrated and escalated it within NCL. They finally told me that the refund had been processed two months earlier and gave me the last four digits of the card it was credited to. It wasn’t my card. Turns out that the TA put it on their own card, received the refund and never credited me back. I was furious. The TA credited us within a few days. That was obviously the last time we worked with that TA. I discovered CAS after that and have used them ever since.

Most NCL ships have a thermal suite. It’s a pay extra area with hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, etc., as well as cushy loungers and hot stone loungers. Not necessarily “geared toward the winter”. The spaces are fabulous any time of year. 😃 They limit the numbers of passes sold on each sailing, so they are rarely crowded. It’s also an adults only space. The larger ships have bigger, nicer spaces. Do a YouTube search for NCL Thermal Suite for videos of the areas on the ship you’re interested in.

On the first question, I believe there are certain categories of non-Haven suites on some ships that have the Nespresso machine. For example, I know the suites on the smaller ships without a Haven (Star, Jade, Sun) do have them. But I don’t know if the French Press is available. I’ll find out in May when we’re in a suite on the Star. 😃 And I hear you on the machines! When we replaced our countertops we created a coffee nook. The Nespresso, Keurig, drip coffee pot and grinder are all lined up. Every morning starts with a Nespresso as the coffee is brewing. 😂. I used to have a Jura, but was a pain. When it broke I replaced it with the Nespresso and never looked back.

CNs have no such restraints. They can be used any time. I’ve used them several times when I booked after final payment date. If there’s a double up offer, you can use two.

Honestly, I’m not sure I’d pick this as your first TA. As others have stated, this is basically a repositioning cruise after a major dry dock during the winter. As also stated, if I were to do this, a thermal suite pass would be a must. At least the first half of the trip will likely be cold and windy with rough seas. BUT… the Joy currently doesn’t have a thermal suite. It’s one of the things that’s being added during the dry dock, but there’s no guarantee that it will be fully operational in time for this sailing. I LOVE the Joy. Especially if you’re fortunate enough to be in the Haven. I would do this trip in the Haven in a heartbeat. But there are a lot of question marks if you’re outside the complex. Either way, there will be a lot of down time. For a first TA, I think I’d look elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.

Loving your review! We were on the same sailing, can’t wait for the rest! And I have to admit I did chuckle on the confusion on the name of the ship. 😂

Yup. That was my first thought when I read the “ice cream” comment. Never seen that. Wish I could find it!

I agree with you, but a lot of it depends on where you are in life. After a lifetime of hard work and penny pinching, we’re at the point in life we can afford to not take those cheap red eyes. At this point in life we’re spending our kid’s’ inheritance. 😂. But even five years ago when the kids were still in college, we would have done it. Not now.

Personally, I would not bother with the Starbucks if staying in the Haven. I love the Nespresso machine and it works great for that first jolt before having the great French Press coffee at breakfast. But not everyone likes the Nespresso. It’s an espresso machine. The pulls are strong, but you can always run more water through to make it more of an Americano. Your butler will keep the room supplied with pods and keep the machine filled with water. I don’t know if it’s bottled water. I doubt it. But the water is fine. If you don’t care for the Nespresso, room service is always available and it will be the French Press. Not the swill from the buffet. Your butler can keep your fridge supplied with cream. When they changed from half and half to CoffeeMate 😡, I asked the butler for real cream. He kept a small pitcher of heavy cream stocked in our room.