Russiamomm

Thanks for the additional info @UKstages. Needless to say, none of us are happy about these changes. Another thing just dawned on me. I’ve been booking through CAS for several years. Last year was the first time I made it past Jade, only because I took so many cruises last year (two transatlantics, one ten nighter and two normal seven night trips.). The chances of making Pearl again this cycle are slim. I have always gotten at least a discount on the cabin, and several “freebies”, even as Jade. It looks like that is gone as well since they got rid of the Jade tier. I may book another cruise or two while I have Pearl status, but then I’ll be done with it.

I hear you. I did one cruise on Carnival last August. I get a new offer literally every day after that one trip. But it’s Carnival. 😂. Haven’t tried MSC yet. MY have to look into it.

I completely agree. The program has been denigrated a lot in the last few years. This could be the final straw. As much as I love NCL, other lines’ casino benefits are so much better.

I hope so. We’ll see. I board April 14.

I’m with JGmf. I’m in this situation. Finally made it to Pearl in December and am sailing on April 14. My CAS rep wasn’t sure, but told me not to count on the OBC for the trip. (We booked months ago.). At least the airlines give you more than two weeks notice before they change the terms of the program. Sigh.

Yes, but they also took away the perks, primarily the OBC and the drinks. I finally made Pearl in December and am sailing in April. It appears I won’t get the OBC. This is no enhancement to the program, that’s for sure.

I’m in the same boat as you. Only Pearl and unlikely to make it any higher. I’m sailing April 14 and it looks like I’m losing the $100 OBC I was planning on. I think also don’t understand the elimination of the drinks in the casino. Like most others, I always get a drink package so the only thing I’m losing is the bottled water and espresso. This is SO shortsighted on the part of NCL. It’s a perk that most perceive to have some value, even if in reality it doesn’t cost them that much. Mostly I’m annoyed about the sudden change in the program, with no apparent grandfathering for previously booked trips.

Not at all happy. I sail on April 14.

Thanks for posting this. Any idea when this goes into effect? I just made Pearl for the first time on our December cruise. I’ll be on the Joy next month and was counting on the $100 OBC. Won’t be happy if I don’t get it. Also not happy about the elimination of drinks in the casino. While I always get a drink package,I like being able to pick up bottles of water for excursions and the occasional espresso or cappuccino at the casino bar.

I’m assuming you’re talking about purchasing it yourself on your own account or are you somehow trying to buy it on the secondary market? I’m assuming it’s the former and not the latter as I’m not aware that these can be sold. Anyway, in answer to your question, this is refundable OBC. It can be used for anything onboard, including your DCS. If you have anything left at the end of cruise, you can go to Guest Services starting the morning of the last full day of the cruise and they will pay you cash for any remaining credit. In fact they will not let you off the ship until they’ve paid you. You can’t keep the balance for a future cruise.

I’ve been on six cruises on the Breakaway post-Covid, including 28 consecutive nights in April/May of 2023 - a TA from NY to Rome with stops in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy, followed by ten nights through Italy and Greece. The Transatlantic portion of this trip was in the Haven, but the rest of the trips were in a balcony or an Oceanview. Personally, I love the Breakaway. I haven’t been on the newer ships, but have been on the Joy, the Epic and the Gem. Of these three, my favorite is the Joy, but that could be because I’ve only been in the Haven on the Joy (and going again next month.) Since you really can’t compare a Haven experience to a sailing outside the Haven, my comments are limited to those trips. The ship is big. No question about that. But it never felt overwhelmingly crowded. Did I ever have to wait for a drink? Yes, but no more than five minutes. As others have said, if one bar is crowded, walk 75 feet to the next one. The buffet will be crowded at peak times, no way to avoid that. It’s even worse if the weather is bad and no one is sitting outside to eat. But again, a little patience goes a long way. You will find a seat if you try. It may just take a few minutes. Same for MDR. You may have to wait a few minutes for a table at peak times, but you will get seated. The food overall is good. And if you don’t care for something, order something else. You will not go hungry. It may not be Michelin Star dining, but overall very good. Same with Specialty restaurants. I’ve never had a bad meal, but at times the service was slower than I would have liked. The entertainment is good. For the big shows, it helps to have a reservation, but even if you don’t there is a standby line and chances are you will get in. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that the best entertainment on the ship is at Syd Normans. Shows are absolutely fantastic. But the venue is small. Others are right that you need to be in line at least an hour before the doors open to have any hope of getting a seat. But it’s worth the wait. Trust us. Grab a drink from the Whiskey Bar next door and chat with your fellow cruisers waiting in line. You won’t regret it, and will likely do the same thing for the next show. That’s how good it is. 😃 I wouldn’t hesitate to go on the BA again. So far it’s my second favorite NCL ship.

I’m not sure of the official rules, but I always book through Casinos at Sea and have always been able to apply two CNs as long as I was booking a balcony or above. YMMV.

Uh, no. Fairness for being in the Haven aside, the FAS dinners are per person. They’ve always swiped our cards - or at least taken names and cabin numbers - on the way into the restaurant. They know who is there and bump that against your packages. At the end of the meal they do only swipe one card, but rest assured they’ve confirmed that both have the package. So, no, you can’t take four people to dinner when you’re only entitled to two meals.

I’d call them servers, not bartenders.

I’ve only seen it on a Carnival cruise. In the main dining room. Found it tacky. I don’t need a roving bartender. Going to the bar in the buffet for my morning Bloody Mary works for me.

Agreed to a certain extent. I just find the CNs to be more flexible and like to keep at least four in my account at any point in time, I tend to book last minute. My understanding is that you have to buy the CFs at least four months prior to using them. But I may be wrong. I’ve always just waited until I got onboard to refill the pot when I need to. Either way, my point remains. The way they sell the CNs is deceptive. It’s OK for those of us that understand how it works, but it’s obvious from all the posts on this subject that their confusing marketing is having its desired effect.

Completely agree with cruiseny4life. This is a terrible idea! I have a better idea. Why can’t NcL just tell it like it is. “Pay me $125 and I’ll take $250 off your next cruise.” All this business about OBC does nothing but confuse the situation and make people spend more money on stuff they don’t want fearing that the have to “use it or lose it”. But I guess that’s the point.

You’ll be happy to know that NCL has changed from Pepsi to Coke across the fleet.

It’s an espresso martini. It costs $18 all across the ship, as far as I know. So with the FAS basic drink package it costs $3.60. $3 plus a 20% gratuity. I’ve bought many of them. 😂

No problem being part of the 2%. 😃

I know I disagree with the OP. We’re Platinum and Sapphire. The only time we’ve declined the meal package is on a seven night cruise when we are booked in the Haven. We didn’t see a reason to pay for two more specialty dinners when we already get two with our status. It would leave just three nights to enjoy the enjoy the Haven Restaurant. When we’re not in the Haven, taking the FAS dinners is a no brainer.

That I don’t know. I’ve never gotten the Starbucks package. I would assume it would be covered by the Starbucks package, but I don’t know for sure. Maybe someone else does. For what it’s worth, I found the espresso martini to be worth every penny of the $3.60 upcharge. 😃

I don’t believe so. You’re paying for the espresso, not the liquor. Espresso isn’t included in the regular FAS drink package.

Enjoy your new benefits. And enjoy the Haven!

The Haven concierge can book it for you, but ask first thing when you get onboard. We’ve done it before. Much prefer waiting in line for the concierge in the Haven than in line at the CN desk in the Atrium. 😃