YankeesFan4Life

Great review, thanks! We were on the ship in August, going again in April.  This time we did buy the Priority Access, mainly because we're going to GSC (with a little bit of luck we'll get there the two days) and didn't want to wait for tenders...

You had mentioned that you had priority tags for your luggage for disembarking, what about boarding? Did your bags come to your room randomly at 1:30, or were they marked priority like some airlines do with first class bags?

TIA

Harvest Caye definitely IS beautiful.  The beach was nice, the water had a decent amount of seaweed, but its natural, nothing that can really be done about it.  There were enough loungers at the beach because everyone and their mother took the loungers at the pool.  The pool is AMAZING, clean, crisp and gigantic.  Nice little waterfall feature under the pedestrian bridge, very little shade at in the pool.  

Those are the positives.....if you do plan on staying on the ship, you'll enjoy free food, free drinks (assuming you have the drink package), and free everything else....NOTHING is free on the island, even if you have the drink package, beers cost at least $10, forget food...you're stuck, unless you go back on the ship.  

4 minutes ago, dexddd said:

We've stayed in suites and not really any special rush for bags to get delivered.  At the port they get lumped on cart with everyone else.

Was wondering, like at the airport, if you buy first class, or have priority access or something, they put a tag on the luggage so it's first on the baggage carousel.  Oh well...

On 2/13/2020 at 7:33 AM, ucmino said:

How much for a 5 day cruise? And where would you purchase them on the Breakaway?  TIA

I’m wondering the same thing.  Going on a. 4 nighter, but thinking that since we’re in port  3 out of 4 days, but also GSC 2 of those days, not sure how much use we’d get out of it without having a sea day, unless not able to tender at GSC.....

Leaving in 50+ days, eDocs ready to be printed, where’s my transfers??

Booked my cruise through a TA (friend of ours), and paid for the transfers right away.  There was a price drop about a week and change after I booked, so I told my TA (again, friend of mine who does this less than part time) and she called and got my lower rate, GREAT!  Saved almost $300.  

Went and downloaded my eDocs today, and the transfers weren’t on there.  I called NCL, got someone on board, and said that the $118 ($29pp, back and forth) was refunded a month ago.  I was out of the country at the time, and I had no clue, nor did I see a credit on my card statement, as they said they gave me a credit.  Got a supervisor on the phone who tried to explain it all to me, and it was an accounting thing.  I paid the $128, which was then credited to my account, which lowered my final payment by $118, but the actual transfer fell off the reservation, and nobody told my TA about it.  

I said to the person what would’ve happened if I got to the airport and had no transfer?  She said, I have no clue!  Bottom line, I had to rebook and pay for the transfers again, which is a pain in the butt, because I thought I paid it all off already!  Just one more thing.  

So FYI, if you do rebook for a lower price before final payment, make sure that all of your bookings that you’ve paid for already are still there. Interestingly enough, I had paid for the Priority Access for $99 that was still on there, and that didn’t go into the final payment and drop off.....

37 minutes ago, akmarshall said:

The new T&Cs state:

For port calls in Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye, the promotion and $50 Shore Excursion Credit does not apply to equipment rentals.

 

https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/promotions

 

I guess it depends if they classify the clamshells as equipment. Interesting that they don't consider the waverunners as equipment.

The wave runners are considered an excursion.  It is a group and a tour

16 minutes ago, Named-Tawny said:

Isn't the standard room service (continental) breakfast already free?  Or has that changed?  (Or do I misunderstand what they mean by standard?)

I think there’s typically a $7.95 fee

1 hour ago, esm54687 said:

Just make sure you understand the Spa credit has this condition: "Offer is only valid on port days for any 50 minute or more face or body treatments."

 

So that $50 credit may cost you $200 to actually use it. 

Hmmm that’s good to know....I assume that a couples massage would qualify, we’ll see in a few weeks!

I booked it..  For a hundred bucks, you get $50 per person spa credit, which we’ll most likely use.  Our itinerary has us at GSC twice, so instead of waiting and waiting for a tender, and getting shut out of a shady spot, we figured why not take advantage....We plan to get to the cruise port around 11am or so, figuring we could get right on the ship, instead of waiting for our boarding group, which was about an hour and a half of waiting around last time. Don’t care much about the breakfast, or the canapés, but more for the tenders and the early boarding.  Still wondering if our baggage will also be prioritized to get to the room.  Had to wait til almost 4:30 last time on BA..

I called this morning to book wave runners at GSC, and they used my $50 credit, which is great.  Our itinerary has us there 2 days (weather/tender pending), and I asked the person if I booked a Clamshell the first day for $40, would the Shore Excursion Credit cover it.  She put me on hold, said that their T&C’s changed as of 2/4/20, but that answer was never given to them, so we will not know until we go on the ship and go to the Shore Excursion desk...I assume that anyone booked prior to 2/4 may be grandfathered in?  Anyone have any thoughts?  Not that $40 is a lot of money, but it’s also a guaranteed spot with shade, which is what I want, given that we couldn’t get any shade whatsoever at Harvest Cay, because it was jam packed!

Escape the Big Top was interesting to say the least.  I did it with my family, they group you into groups of 10 or so with other pax, which is a good way to meet other people.  I am not too fond of these types of activities, so I left the group, got drinks, came back, started drinking, while they solved the puzzles...Didn't make much sense to me, personally, but somehow my son is the one who actually won the challenge in a group of over 100 people!  Totally shocked!  So at least they enjoyed it.

I just paid for the Priority Access, mainly because we're at GSC two days and wanted the priority tender access.   Also you get $50 spa credit per person, so may decide to book a massage....

Syd Norman's Pour House was the greatest time I've ever had on a cruise ship!  We were on a 7 day in August, the band was SO fantastic that we went there the 4 nights they performed!  We completely missed the comedy shows, and a bunch of other things because we had so much fun!  We're going back in April for a quick 4 nighter, so it will give us an opportunity to do other things like the comedy show.  The band is different now, and I think I'd go in with preconceived notions and not enjoy it as much, but we'll give it a try one night..

I think the American Diner is a terrible idea as an upcharge restaurant.  We went by Margaritaville on BA every morning when we walked the track, and never saw it as appealing.  There were many other free dining options on the ship, and never gave it a second glimpse.  We were on the RCL Adventure of the Seas a couple years ago and they had Johnny Rockets, similar concept to the renderings I've seen of the American Diner, and it too was an upcharge.  The only thing that was good about it were the milkshakes were included in their beverage package.  I'll stick to the buffet, MDR's, O'Sheehan's and whatever specialty dining option I get as Free at Sea.  Hope they reconsider this as a non-upcharge spot...might make more people a lot happier...

Following...We just got the same email for the 4/18 sailing!  Not that I was looking to see that show, per se, but it is nice to see a good production show of any sorts.....

61 days away from my cruise on Breakaway.....nothing gonna stop me!  I'm gonna washy washy and make sure my BAC is well above the boiling point of the Coronavirus (although I am not a fan of Corona)....

From what I read, Veuve is no longer included, they switched to Moet, still not a bad bottle of bubbles!  I did it for my wife and I in August on Breakaway, and loved every second of it!  The wine you can choose from at dinner are better than the wines on the $15 and under btg list.  I work in the wine and liquor business, and know the value vs price of may wines, and no, there is no advantage to the wines on the list, only the fact that you have better options.  We started out every meal with a bottle of bubbles, and even though the Veuve isn't available anymore, the Moet is, and so is the Nicolas Feaullate Rose, which is a nice bottle.  We then enjoyed a bottle of Hampton Water Rose from Provence, then we would order a glass or two of something else that we thought was interesting.  One day I wanted a glass of Lucente SuperTuscan, and the guy said if he poured me the glass, nobody else would probably order it, so he left the bottle....

Besides the bottles of wine at dinner, you also get bottled water at any bar, Aqua Panna and/or Pelligrino bottles for dinner.  In addition, you get all the cappuccino's, espresso's and other coffee drinks at dinner, and they never charged us for our Starbucks!  I also took advantage of the better quality bourbons and martinis that were over $15, and ordered doubles!  Instead of drinking Bulleit, which I love, I ordered Woodford Reserve or Gentleman Jack.  There are terrific advantages to upgrading.  We justfified it solely on the $99 Veuve per night, the $5 bottles of water (which yes, we gave to my kids....bottled water does NOT come with the soda package), the upgraded liquors and the espresso's after dinner.  They even brought cappuccino's for my kids with no questions asked!  Also....If you are traveling with others without the PPBP,  you can share bottles at dinner!

Hope this helps, and I'm going to enjoy it on my next cruise in April!!!!  (just paid for it!)

Has anyone left their iPhone in the room and been able to use the Apple Watch only to use the NCL app on board?   I'm somewhat new to Apple products and not sure how this will work.  My last cruse last year I was still on an Android phone and my Samsung watch was able to get notifications, but never left my phone.  If the watch is on the ship's WiFi, and the app is loaded, just curious....

I'd rather pay $250pp deposit.  Makes you less likely to cancel, and have less to pay down

Very intrigued by this thread.....My in-law's are from another country and have a similar issue while eating at their house....Like taking a perfectly cut ribeye steak I've cooked for them and pick up with their hands and much like cannibals will take it with their hands and cut it off with their teeth!!  I feel for you!!!  Just really curious, where are they from?? Mine are from the former USSR...

Going on the Breakaway in April, planned ports are GSC, Nassau, GSC....By the looks of this thread, I might as well taken the Bermuda cruise out of NYC and saved airfare!  Either way, I would prefer a sea day rather than an extra day in Nassau.....but as long as the drinks are flowing, and the weather is nice, who cares? You're on a cruise! Enjoy it!

I just booked it for my cruise in April.  Mainly booked because of the priority tender tickets, since we're going to GSC 2 times...Also,  will be at the ship around 11am, so hopefully we can get on right away!

1 hour ago, benzygirl said:

So I upgraded to the PPBP because I like to drink Veuve, or I'll try the Moet.  However, if after spending all this money, I want a glass of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which isn't very expensive.....do I understand correctly that I have to pay for the bottle less 40%?  What is the thinking behind free Moet by the bottle but not a bottle of wine that cost half as much?  Doesn't seem right that after paying $500 for us to upgrade the pkg., I still have to pay for a mid priced white wine that they have.

 

You are correct in the fact that you do get a 40% discount if you buy the bottle not on the PPBP. 

Again, being in the wine business, you might want to try another Pinot Grigio besides Santa Margherita.  SM Pinot Grigio is a lot of marketing, not a ton of quality.  I see their choices in PG are limited, but think outside the box!  I did see on one of the lists they had a nice Chenin Blanc, which is a great alternative in a similar weighted white wine that gives a ton of fruit, great acidity and overdelivers for the price.  I do sell a TON of Santa Margherita, and shake my head when I see people pick it up in my stores.  There are a ton more PG’s on the shelves and floors of wine shops for half the price that are twice as good.  Enough of my rant on Santa Margherita, just had to share my thoughts...LOL

Going on the Breakaway for a 4 day, 3 port cruise.....$159pp for the Thermal Spa, or about $200 more for a Spa Balcony room.  If I’m going to be in port 3 days with no sea day (except the first day), anyone think its worth it?  Don’t know if I’d utilize it or not...thoughts?

I think all the ships carry Goslings GInger Beer.  My go to drink was a Bulliet Mule, love them!  However.......They tend to overthink the “Mule” and go all out and its not great....depending on your taste.  On Breakaway last year, the bartenders took a pint glass, muddled 2 or 3 lime wedges, added a prig of mint, then bourbon (or whatever spirit you like) then shook it, then poured over ice, added ginger beer, then topped it with a piece of candied ginger.  I kept telling them STOP!  Double Bourbon, add ginger, squeeze a lime, and let me drink!  I get it, they like to make a presentation about it, but a mule should not be overthought..

I’m in the fine wine business in NJ, and tend to be a little bit snobbish when it’s comes to drinking wine off a list.  We were on Breakaway last year, upgraded to the PPBP, really did enjoy it, mainly because the Veuve bottles, which seems to have come off the PPBP program by the bottle, and replaced with Moët, which is not a bad deal.  However, with the PPBP, you can still get Veuve by the glass, and I’m going to have them bring me 2 glasses at a time, as I will for my wife when we’re back on Breakaway in April.

That being said....Looking at the new updated wine list, without the PPBP, wine drinkers will have a difficult time finding something by the glass that is worthy of drinking.  I do sell a few of the wines on the list, have them frequently, but either not available by the glass, or not available with the PPBP by the bottle.  Therefore, for us, it’s a no brained to upgrade.  Granted, my next cruise is a 4 night, and it’s only $140pp, its easily worth it, and will definitely take advantage.  

Don’t forget that by upgrading, you also get Starbucks, specialty coffee at dinner, along with Pelligrino Sparkling and Aqua Panna (IIRC) still water at dinner, bottled water at the bars, and better quality liquors.  Put it all together, and you have one heck of a great time!!!  

9 hours ago, mncruiser84 said:

Do you have a list of wines available? Was there any limit on how many bottles you could get at each meal?

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If I recall, it was 1 bottle per person with the PPBP,  but I think one night we actually got a bottle of Veuve, a Hampton Water and the bottle of Lucente...If not, order two bottles, then BTG..