Russiamomm

6 hours ago, zqvol said:

I have been in studios cabins 3 times. Quietest places on the ship. Never heard a sound. 

Same.  I’ve been in the studios four times.  Very quiet.  

2 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

Taxis can take up to 7 so if you have 6 people it will be approximately $49 overall (5-7 passenger rate) plus tip. I have accounted for a 15% rate increase that went into effect this month (April 2024). There is an additional surcharge for Sundays and Holidays. 

Thank you.  We will consider it.

4 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

I personally prefer the taxis even with added expense even for less than four because the minibuses are shares loaded with 18 to 35 people. They fill every seat. 

Approximately how much is a taxi to Horseshoe?  I’ve been there several times and always used the mini busses.  This time we have three couples.  Wondering if it would be cost effective to just get private transport.

Us, they try to herd you to the buffet.  I don’t know why.  At least one of the MDRs and O’Sheehans is open.  We usually head to the MDR for a relaxed lunch on embarkation day.

Spa, sushi, perfume, top shelf liquor, Bingo, wine/liquor tastings?

 Also, unless it’s changed, if you’re on a B2B they will consolidate the bills so you may not have to spend it all this week. I assume you have another $100 to spend next week.  😃. 

7 minutes ago, OhioJourneys said:

To verify, you cannot make reservations in advance?  We'll plan CruiseNext asap

 

 

 

 

Nope.  As far as I know, they can’t be booked in advance.

4 minutes ago, OhioJourneys said:

Our next NCL sailing will be the 1st time we are Platinum status.  With that, I know that we get a complimentary Behind the Scenes Tour and an Around the World Wine Tasting.  My question is, do we have to make reservations for those in advance or do we do that once we are on board with the Latitudes Representative?  I am assuming the latter, but do not want to miss out on tour or wine..lol.  Thanks!

 

These events fill up quickly.  I would make the CruiseNext desk the first stop when you get on the ship.

6 hours ago, Wahoowa9904 said:

Joy Haven sundeck is completely full on the sea day today, just FYI. Still a million times better than the Easter week chaos on the main pool deck. 

1 minute ago, Wahoowa9904 said:

Edit: It had mostly emptied out by 1pm.

Thanks for the insight.  We’ll be onboard in two weeks and plan to spend a significant amount of my time in a cabana on the sun deck.  It’s my happy place.  😃❤️

I agree that they appear to have listened to all the complaints and are maki g changes.  If indeed this is an upgrade to FAS+ it is indeed a major improvement for Ruby and Elite.  
 

I’m only a lowly Pearl.  I just earned it in December after several cruises during the year. It’s unlikely I’ll retain the status this year.  I’m not that heavy of a gambler and only have two NCL/Oceania cruises booked this year and no time on the calendar for any more.  My question is that it appears that only Pearl and above qualify for any kind of discount of any kind on new bookings.  Jade is gone.  This is a change.  Even though I’ve never reached Pearl before last year, I have received at least a discount, and the occasional comp, through CAS for years.  It looks to me like that’s gone.  We’ll see.  

9 minutes ago, Always Cruising said:

wondering what the reciprocity is between casinos

This is a little outdated as the terms are changing on Monday, but this gives the basics.  There may be more info in Oceania and Regents websites as well.  
 

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/casino-cruise/players-club

No reciprocity between the lines except for the casino.  Sorry!

9 minutes ago, ChrysFox said:

Actually, CoffeeMate does offer a half & half.  One of my semi-local restaurant chains uses this.
The first time I saw that in the creamer bowl on the table I was appalled -- until I took a closer look at the label 😆.

Maybe.  But that’s not what’s on the ship.  It’s the artificial stuff.  They do have half and half in thermoses on the buffet.  I suppose one could bring a glass back to the room.  

1 hour ago, jleslie48 said:

 

1) no on the spa for two reasons: A) its pretty small,

 

B)the spa is a public space that is available to all.

 

2) The "seeing part" I was only on the breakaway once, I don't remember, but I remember constantly running into doors that needed a swipe to enter.  I found it very distasteful.  On the prima, it is right in your face.   Either way, having two classes on the same ship I find uncomfortable. 

First, the spa is not a public space that is available to everyone.  It is available to those who pay for access - same as the Haven, albeit on a smaller scale.

On the “in your face” comment, there are limited doors into the Haven area.  Usually one or two on two decks.  Not sure how that’ll “in your face”.  Would you prefer the doors not be marked?

On the substance, I’ve been in the Haven four times - soon to be five.  Also have been on at least ten NCL cruises when I wasn’t in the Haven, in cabins ranging from a studio to an Oceanview to a balcony and a club balcony.  I’ve enjoyed every one of them.  Do I love the Haven?  Absolutely.  But I somehow manage to have fun when I’m not there.  And has been stated by others, we’ve worked our entire lives to be able to afford this luxury and it’s our choice how we choose to spend the capital that we’ve spent a lifetime accumulating.  I refuse to feel guilty for it.  
 

Do you feel the same way about people in first class on an airplane?  I’m afraid I’m not seeing the difference.

6 hours ago, graphicguy said:

(855) 625-4283.  Have your reservation number, date of sailing and ship you're sailing on ready to give to them so they can confirm you're in the Haven.  There will be a couple of "menu options" before you get to the NCL Concierge.  They've been great doing my pre-cruise choices and planning.  Pillows, coffee, snacks, dinner reservations, etc.  

 

I'm all set once I board.  I use the Concierges for changes on board, but mostly, I'm all set by using the Concierge Phone Number.

Thanks for the advice.  I’ve been in the Haven three times but never took advantage of this.  Took all of five minutes and have preferences noted.  Love it!

8 hours ago, goldmom said:

It may vary.  We were recently on the Getaway.  We started the week with coffee mate (liquid, not powdered) and ended the week with half and half.  Don't know if they were switching back to the half and half or if the were just using it until they were re-supplied with coffee mate.

Enjoy!

3 hours ago, detroitlions said:

I was just off the Joy last week it was half and half called Cloud House

So glad they seem to be returning to half and half!  Around a year ago they moved to only Coffee Mate.  Ick.  Maybe they heard the complaints!  

5 minutes ago, jleslie48 said:

I cruise consultant recommended the joy to me for a cruise, I searched the internet with the question "how crowded is the Norwegian Joy"  and it took me here.   That simple.   

Not a problem.  But generally speaking it’s best to start a new topic as things could have changed.  
 

As I said, I loved everything about the Haven on the Joy, but obviously your mileage may vary, as is evident from this and other threads.

I do have to ask why we’re resurrecting a thread that has been dead for two years.

But, regardless, personally I love the Joy Haven.  Been in it twice and will be again in just over three weeks.  I’ve also been in the Haven on the Breakaway and the Epic.  The Joy is by far my favorite.  In my two previous trios on her, I never had an issue finding an empty cabana, much less a lounger.  And the ship was full on both sailings.  I love the fact that there are two hot tubs on the sun deck.  They don’t exist  on the BA or the Epic.  Also like the interior elevator that brings you to the sun deck.  That doesn’t exist on the BA.  And love the Horizon Lounge on the Joy.

To each their own, but I love the Joy and its sun deck.  I plan to spend lots of time up there in two and a half weeks.😃

Horrible accident.  I’ve been over that bridge countless times and just passed through Baltimore twice this weekend.  Prayers for all involved.

While a minor issue in the big scheme of things, there are two cruise ships that go out of Baltimore - the Carnival Pride and a small RCCL ship.  We saw them both this weekend.  Who knows now long it will take to allow any ship in or out of Baltimore Harbor, including those two ships which are out to sea at the moment.  And freight will be affected up and down the East Coast.

Thank you @UKstages and @Beach Life 1!

4 hours ago, Beach Life 1 said:

The above shows the Email,  On Board Credit for Pearl.  

That’s good news anyway, if it doesn’t change again.

i have a question about the OBC.  My April cruise will be the first since I made Pearl in December.   Does the casino OBC show up in your account online like the shareholder credit, or does it only post to your folio when you get on the ship?

5 minutes ago, 603NHCruiser said:

Was on the phone with CAS for about 45 min this afternoon and confirmed that NO, existing reservations will not be Grandfathered and new benefits immediately take effect fleet wide as of April 1. UK was already kind enough to add a lot of info to the other thread, but I figured I might as well add a second point of data, since we are all aware that you can call three times and get 4 answers.... 

 

• It is still unclear about the status of Jade or entry players before they hit the now lowered 4k threshold. And specifically will that mean that CAS priority embarkation will now only be offered for Pearl and above.
• Drink cards are discontinued. The agent was unsure if land based cert offers would also no longer have them as that was not outlined and is currently a perk. the assumption is that once more talking points come out and the website pages are updated, it will likely be removed.
• the Water package will be boxed water delivered to the room in the same fashion as the Latitude perk. I personally hate the box water so I didn't write it down, but I believe it was 6 boxes for sailings up to ten days, and 10 boxes for sailings over ten days.
• as we know, no more OBC for Pearl.. YMMV, but when I politely expressed my displeasure with this especially given the fact that it takes effect in ten days and Agents are still learning about it at the same time we are, she placed me on a brief hold and came back to tell me that a supervisor was adding a one time $100 OBC credit on sailing departing April 5th. it would not apply to my later reservations, and the supervisor was emailing the ship so that it would be noted upon arrival. I asked for any sort of written confirmation and she said that unfortunately she was unable to provide that, however, at the end of the call I asked for an updated amenity confirmation as I needed it after having my Shareholder OBC added, and to my surprise there was a second $100 OBC credit that stated it was from the Casino. again, YMMV, but sometimes being polite and patient while expressing dissatisfaction can certainly help.

Thanks for the update.  To me it’s unconscionable the way this has been handled.  I’ll reach out to my guy in hopes I’ll at least get the $100 OBC for my April trip, but I’m not hopeful.  I’m a regular cruiser/gambler, but not a Whale.  I guess I don’t count. 

It’s not about the money.  It’s about the way this has been rolled out and the utter disregard for their loyal customers.  I simply can’t believe how poorly this has been handled.  I’ve had high status with the airlines for years.  They would never treat their loyal customers this way.

14 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

Actually 1700 could easily be below the threshhold for a hand pay and a  1099.  In most casinos the criteria is NOT the amount won but the odds of hitting that prize.

9 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

Excuse me?

 

I disagree.  US law says any winning over $1200 needs a W-2.  I had my first hand pay on Virgin over New Years and got a W-2.  (Now I just need to remember it at tax time next year.  😂)

I have heard this before - that MSC doesn’t issue them.  I think it has something to do with it being an Italian line and their interpretation is that they aren’t subject to US tax rules.  I’m not taking a position one way or another, but this is my understanding of MSC’s interpretation.

23 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

Literally?  WOW!

Yup.  Not great offers, but the emails come in every day.  Usually a free Oceanview with drinks in the casino.  But it’s Carnival.  😂

1 hour ago, smillerholmes said:

Sorry.  I hit enter before I could explain further.  I called CAS and it is indeed as you suspected; the basic package has to be purchased and the "upgrade to premium" is complimentary for Ruby/Elite.  That is what led me back to this thread.  

 

Also another change noted - the "internet package" is now one device unlimited for both Ruby/Elite.

 

So, my original question stands - when did they change the drink package discounts based on latitude level?

I can’t answer that.  it’s my understanding that those discounts on the drink package are pretty useless because it’s on the full price of the drink package, which virtually nobody pays.  It’s cheaper to take the FAS package and just pay the gratuities.  Again, I may be wrong.  I always take the FAS package and have never upgraded to the premium package.

3 minutes ago, smillerholmes said:

 

Did I miss something?  When did the drink package discounts changetbased on latitude level???

 

The screenshot you posted are Latitudes levels.  Completely different from CAS levels, the subject of this thread.