bonvoyagie

Also, don't expect to have your requests filled on sail day as the butler staff is very busy. Now something like an extension cord for a necessary CPAP machine may be a high enough priority to warrant same day service.

Kim, I have been following you and your family for several years now. I consider myself a destination cruiser and while I cruise every two or three years I always go for the destination, not the ship or cruise. So far we have visited Alaska 4 times - the last was in 23 when we did a land- sea adventure - so worth it. We have also done a 24 day Canada and New England, and a 21 day Panama Canal plus a Hawaiian cruise on the POA. We have a cruise booked for 2025 going to South America and the Antarctic 14 days on the Star. DW is still on the fence about traveling so far but we have till fall to make final payment :). We also have other destinations on our bucket list like Norway, Greenland, Iceland and Australia/ New Zealand. I know that you love the Carribean and there is nothing wrong with that, but I do think it is time to spread your wings to Alaska or even Canada and New England.

In the past Wave Season was a real thing - however since the shutdown I have only seen the same two "sales" from NCL either 35% or 50% off rack rates (which are inflated so the sale is only apparent). Yes they have changed the wording of the "sale" from 2od passenger free or 70% off - both of which they split the discount between pax 1 and 2 thus the 35 or 50% off. Now during Wave Season I have seen more ads for HAL offering 40% off and OBC to spend. The only thing that NCL could do to sweeten the pot would be to add either OBC or pre-paid gratuities.

We were on the Dawn back in 2016 and since they did different ports NB and SB we opted to do a B2B and return to the port we started from which was Boston. We also had to add a year to our plans because we only budgeted for a 7 day one way. In the end we were glad we did the entire 14 day cruise. Now NCL does the same ports up and back so it is less of a reason to go RT. That said there are some ports worth visiting twice like Halifax

in 2012 I took Chilkoot tours Bennett and Carcross journey. Train up the mountain - we had a car to ourselves - about 12 of us so lots of room to move around. In Carcross we had time to walk around town, stamp our passports, and grab an ice cream cone. From there we went to Emerald Lake. We did not visit Caribou Crossing. Also of note we had a miner's lunch at Bennett (no longer offered). Bennett was an interesting stop and tour (I am not sure they still offer it). The ride along the lake was slow and interesting - also a good time to take a nap after that hearty lunch :). I know that times and tours have changed since then - Now the RR runs the train both directions each day instead of up one day and back the next - skipping the lunch in Bennett probably speeds up the process. Remember that a passport is required on this tour.

I have preferred aft cabins ever since our first cruise when I got an upgrade to an aft penthouse suite on an AK cruise. Since then I have only gone to side balconies twice.

Sorry but Tracy Arm ends up in Sawyer Glacier not Glacier Bay. Usually the alternate is Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. These two glaciers are outside of Juneau while Glacier Bay is closer to Icy Strait Point. To the OP I would also choose Glacier Bay over ISP any day - there is no comparison between the two.

If you spoke to USA agents they probably have no clue as to how things are done elsewhere in the world. I know that due to the marketing laws in Europe and the UK they have to package things differently than here in the US.

We cruise for the destination so we usually splurge for a balcony or suite, use only the FAS perks plus our Platinum Status for dining - we also enjoy the MDRs and even the buffet.

We just did the 14 day Authentic Alaska cruise tour, Most of the time was filled with tours. We did have extra time in Denali where the tour company offered extra excursions for purchase. There was also an extra day in Homer with the same. For the most part we enjoyed the planned tour. That said, now that we have been there and know more about the area and options, I would DIY and add extra time in Denali.

We started cruising in 2002 and were lucky enough to have a great TA who showed us the ropes, and also got us upgraded to a suite, which also came with new expectations of tipping along with the DSC already being charged. We came back to our room on the last night to find three tip envelopes for the butler, concierge, and room steward- which was the only thing our TA had not covered. BTW back then there was a 15% gratuity on all drinks - so only having a 20% now is not all that much of a change - what did change is the drink prices - they doubled or more. I like and support the DSC system as it works like most restaurants where the wait staff have to split their tips with the hostess and back house staff. Some even go so far as to pool all the tips and divide them amongst the entire staff.

When in a suite, always call the butler for room service- never call room service direct. We were once mildly chewed out for calling room service directly by our butler who delivered it. I do believe that using the butler results in better food.

We did a 21 day cruise in 2020 and being Platinum we each got one bag per week. We just asked our room steward for extra bags. I am not sure if they also offered the fill a bag special each week or not.

We have sailed in these suites on the Jewel (2023) and Gem (2020) and ordered room service without any charge.

Well it reality it does not, however I had to fight to get mine this summer on the Jewel in AK. Seems they had lost contact with HQ and they had not applied to my upgraded cabin. One of the front desk folks tried to tell me that I lost my FAS in the upgrade. A quick call to my TA and I had a new amenities document in my hands, That was still not enough for them to add them to my account. However the next morning I got a call saying my new cards were ready and my FAS was restored and the drinks I had ordered the previous day were now off the record.

actually NCL is using the same tactic as Viking, Reagent, and other lines are using - they are even going back to their own tactics of more than 20 years ago and that is using rack, brochure or market rates to set the full price that the discount is then applied to. I remember this from my first cruise in 2002 the term was brochure rates and they were substantially higher than the sale price. I realize that NCL has been using the same brochure rates and then playing with either 35% or 50% off those rates. Yes they simply change the name of the sale from second guest free or second guest 70% off. I have a cruise booked for 2025 and got it first under the 35% off, then rebooked it with the 50% off and saved over $900.00.

on our most recent cruise (Jewel in early July, AK) we were asked at every venue if we had any food allergies, and yes we were often seated in the same section with the same waiter most of the time.

well I booked a cruise for 2025 back in June under the 35% off, I re-booked it under the 50% off and saved over 900.00 so it does pay to watch both the initial price as well as the sales.

On our last two cruises time zone changes have been announced with notes on he bed. Probably the most changes we had was on a Panama Canal crossing going from Pacific time to Eastern time with some Atlantic time thrown in for good measure.

Did they offer an alternate cabin? It could also be that they were at lifeboat capacity with two.

I have been told (never tried it myself) that you can go to the Latitudes desk and get a second set of platinum coupons so that each platinum cruiser has a set. I know that the perk is supposed to be per cabin - but again I have been corrected here on CC for stating that by people who have claimed to get extra cupons.

Generally speaking, NCL looks two years forward - so don't expect to see 2026 schedules until 2024.

I believe that NCL is getting rid of all the bathtubs in the suites. I know that on the Jewel the penthouse suites have full showers without the tub. Perhaps not all of the ships have had their bathrooms remodeled.

Could also be related to the tour boat that sank yesterday.

while the perks of the Haven and even just the suite life are nice. You also need to figure on extra tipping for the butler and concierge in addition to the extra DSC. We usually also end up tipping the room steward too as most go out of their way to make sure you are a happy cruiser, plus the suites also get two cleanings per day. As far as the minimum bid there are many reports of those easily making the cut. I don't think anyone knows the exact formula that goes into the selection process as a third party is involved.