RedwingHockeyFan

I had a La Cucina reservation for Friday but we wanted to go Thursday instead.  The restaurant was half empty at any point during any night of the cruise.  When I asked if they had any openings at 6:30 on Thursday the hostess told me only at 9:30 even though it was half empty.

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

Which ship did you end up picking?

It was a 2021 Eastern Caribbean Itinerary and I picked the Joy over Escape (Been on it) and Bliss (Cost $100 more per person) 

I pick Itinerary over ship.  For my next cruise there were three ships sailing the same itinerary so I eliminated the ship I had sailed on before then narrowed it down with price.

I want to try the 7 day Southern Caribbean itinerary but I have already sailed the Epic twice.

I was never able to change the source on the TV to watch a movie or display my laptop on the screen.  If someone has the secret I'd love to know.

37 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

I haven't been on the Encore so I'm curious as to what is behind that statement.

 

Could you elaborate as to why this is? What do they force you to pay for on the Encore that is free on other ships? What free items has NCL taken away on the Encore?

 

I can't speak for Steff but from what I have seen is that compared to the Escape, Encore has removed the ropes course and min-golf which were free and replaced them with the race track and laser tag which are not.  And they removed Spice which was free and expanded Vibe which is not.

The numbers are a bit misleading for a couple of reasons.  1. Outside deck space is really only important for warm weather cruises.  2. When booking a cruise, people would assume that there is outside deck space so they would be looking for the other intangibles to make their decision. 

The outdoor deck space was more of a question of yes or no but not size.  It won't take long for it to become a higher percentage when more and more ships start reducing the size.

The Tsunami warnings were cancelled.

16 hours ago, RNRcruisers said:

 

My expectation was that so soon after Christmas kids would be in school. I don't dislike kids but in my mind a cruise is more of an adult vacation and I avoid times when I can expect a lot of kids. This time was unexpected.

16 hours ago, novanoto said:

 

Ha, my wife and I definitely agree with you. We'll try to avoid kids as much as possible when we're away. 

I am the exact opposite.  When I go on a vacation I like to do it as a family and I like for my son to have a fun time.

11 hours ago, mianmike said:

 

My purpose is to obtain factual firsthand information.  The OP stated the Vibe was expanded which subtracts square footage from the free areas, additionally the aft area is now laser tag and car racing which also subtracts from the free areas.  Cramming more seats into the pool area does not mitigate the loss of Spice.  It's not that difficult a concept to understand.  

When they made that upper deck space part of Vibe on the Getaway my first thought is that it would actually free up area around the pool.  My last cruise I walked around the top decks on sea days and that area was always empty, there wasn't anything up there.  The only thing anyone do up there is sunbathe.  I figured making it part of Vibe and selling more Vibe passes would pull people away from the pool area and into an area that was normally void of people.  However, on the Encore it won't have the same effect because now you have to find a place for the passengers that would have filled up Spice.

On ‎1‎/‎26‎/‎2020 at 12:08 PM, bluenose1 said:

Anxiously waiting your review. And we are anxiously waiting for our cruise on the Encore coast to coast Miami to LA Apr 2021, Spa mini suite. Just debating a Vibe pass or not.   Yeah...

Mt Rainier?

Here is my tip for a new cruiser:  Start saving up for your next one

I was looking at a similar situation in JAN 2021 and I chose the Joy since I have already been on the Escape.  The Bliss also had the same itinerary but was $100 more per person than the Joy.  The Escape and Joy were comparable.

It just traded polluting the ocean for polluting the air.

On ‎1‎/‎26‎/‎2020 at 6:23 PM, mjcatlvr said:

At a week and a day out, we got the word that our bid was accepted going from a Haven Courtyard (H5) to a Haven Owners Suite with Large Balcony (H3)...YEA! I thought that the chances were slim since there are only two cabins this size on the ship and Woot Woot! We got it!

 

It's just the two of us, Platinum Latitudes, We cruise with NCL usually twice yearly (for those trying to figure out the algorithm). This is the second "Bid" we have won through NCL. Again, the bid was just one hair above poor and into the fair category. Part of the equation I am sure is that someone behind us bid higher coming from a Mini Suite like we did the last time wanting to experience The Haven and they needed our cabin to put them into, super lucky for us!

 

I think that the program is brilliant as it gives folks like us an opportunity to try The Haven at a little discount, knowing that once you sail in The Haven, its tough to go back!! So freaking spoiled!!

 

If we got bumped up, then someone else out there is super happy too! CONGRATULATIONS!!!   🙂

Awesome!  I'm on that cruise as well.

Just an FYI and I'm not sure this is protocol but I was tracking the upgrades that people were posting on the FB cruise page for my cruise and this is what I noticed:

1. The upgrades from Interior to Oceanview and Balconies were approved first about 1 month out.

2. The next group to be approved were the spa rooms. 10 days out

3. Anyone who had a bid approved had their lowest class bid approved if they bid on more than one class.

I would take a stand and not accept the free PDP.  Then, to spite the cruise line, pay $900 for the PDP.  That will show them!

Breakaway 1 FEB

Had a BA and bid $105 for a Spa Balcony, it was approved 10 days before the cruise.

I'd love to do that itinerary one day.  Have Fun!

1 hour ago, SeaShark said:

Wait . . .

 

So, not only do we have to worry about becoming Platinum between the legs of a B2B, but now we also have to attend the muster drill?

 

Oh the humanity . . . when will it ever end?

 

 

I demand compensation.

This just might ruin the cruise for someone

On the cruise I am taking on 1FEB they started filling the balcony upgrades from inside and OV already but haven't filled any of the spa upgrades.  There are also still a handful of Balcony room available but only as guarantee.  I imagine if you purchased a balcony room or lower that they are past the point for upgrading that category.

Add sofa bed to the list of things that can "ruin a cruise".

My last two cruises and my next two cruises have all been in the Caribbean and in the same timeframe, late January - early February.  The prices have been relatively steady with a moderate drop, about $100 total for 3 people in a Balcony. 

2018 - Epic , western

2019 - Getaway, western

2020 - Breakaway, western (10 days from today)

2021 - Joy, eastern

2 hours ago, Petoonya said:

It's an Alaska cruise on Bliss 5/17. I'd guess about 75-80% sold. In most cases I'd say you were right. In this one maybe not.

That cruise just went past the 120 day marker as well putting it past final payment due.

5 minutes ago, musicgal said:

So you can opt out then, at that point if you didn't realize what it cost before?

The price it shows you on the right side will be the total to that point.  When you remove the free at sea, the total will go down by the gratuity cost x the number of passengers.

Mine is the opposite.  It shows me the cost minus the gratuities, then it increases when I select the PDP and SDP.

Regardless if NCL itemizes everything and makes you pay a service charge for a Free perk, it is still cheaper than if you had to pay full price for it.  On NCL or another Cruise Line.  Doesn't make it Bogus.