DomoYoshi

19 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

Do you know this for fact???

i would be SHOCKED if CCL casino department went that nuts on data analytics. (VEGAS casinos don’t even do that!)

but..honestly it may make sense…

Just want to throw out there that I do know for a fact that multiple land-based companies like Cordish, MGM, and Caesars have been using this level of analytics outside of Vegas for years. That’s why some find extremely generous offers to get them in the door/on the ship but they steadily decrease afterwards. 

Yes, I have done this on both Azamara and NCL after reading about it here I think. 

The only consistently unsafe island stop I skip is Jamaica. While you’d be safe taking a sponsored excursion and staying in a group, the long history of anti-LGBT activities there are enough for me to stay on ship (and ask for my port fees to be refunded). 
 

I’ve been to the three you listed multiple times and they are all safe. A good resource: https://spartacus.gayguide.travel/gaytravelindex.pdf

I booked my first cruise with Viking and it’s the Panama Canal in November.

Everything I’ve read states dining is, with the exception of reservations in three places, open, with no seat or time assignments. 

We were surprised to see an opening on Viking’s November 2021 Panama Canal cruise,  and even more surprised to find ourselves booking it. Seems like an interesting and unique trip and we’ll see how it goes.

My husband and I stated cruising in 2019, so we’ve spent a lot of pandemic downtime watching and learning from these channels. This thread has given me some new channels to check out as well.

Tips for Travelers is a delight. He seems like a wealth of knowledge on many subjects. I love that he details a variety of options, from high-end formal Cunard to your Carnival/NCLs, and seems open to the experiences of all. I also dig his expedition experiences like Antarctica. 
 

Ben and David put together very well-made videos. Their original photography is extraordinary, and I enjoyed their pandemic travel videos to towns in Europe. I agree with the points people made about feeling nakedly marketed towards instead of review/information. They seem fun and I’d have cocktails with them, good for them for being successful at what they do.

43 minutes ago, rkelly21 said:

How much typically do you have to spend in a casino to get a comp cruise?

You play with an account at the casino. This tracks how much you buy-in for, how many hours you play, and your average bet. This calculation earns you tier credits. The higher tier you get, the better perks you get to entice you to keep playing. 

To answer your question: almost certainly way more than the cost of a cruise. I generally—knock on wood—do alright at the casinos, usually up overall each year, so my overall investment is low. Other folks buy-in for big amounts and lose it quickly, and we all qualify for the same cruises. My retired Church Lady neighbor goes once a week with only $50, but plays on those penny machines foorrreeevvvveeerrrr and earns tons of credits. So it really varies.

My partner and I have been on three NCL cruises through casino comps. I like the freestyle dining, shows, and balcony rooms/suites we’ve stayed in have been nice. The thermal spa on Breakaway is amazing, and I love the Observation Deck on Joy.

That said, we choose Azamara or MCS when we book outright for ourselves. NCL prices are getting a bit outrageous for what they offer. 

7 minutes ago, PortFees45 said:

then the spikes pop up. 

That’s quite inconsiderate...

...of the poor staff that will have to sanitize the spikes.

Joy

Elements

Footloose

Beatles Tribute

Headliners Comedy

Piano duet team in the Atrium and Observation Lounge

Q,  Sugarcane, and The District all had live bands many nights.

Depending on when you call, how far out you are booking, what type of room, latitude status, ship occupancy, etc. you will find many things are negotiable (upgrades, waived fees, stacking benefits outside of promo periods). Agents and their managers sometimes have the ability to work with you. 

Another resounding “Yes!” from me. Even if you decide not to spend time with them again, there are likely to be experienced cruisers of your itinerary and/or ship that can offer great tips. We saved a lot of time in one port thanks to great advice we received at a M&G. 

We spoke with the CruiseNext manager while on our ship last week about booking a specific cruise later in the year. The deals she was able to offer were the same we could get online. 

We have better luck calling in to the reservations line until finding the right agent that can work some magic in the system to sweeten the deals. Good luck.

17 minutes ago, cruiseagona said:

Do you know when we will be able to make a reservation for the welcome aboard show, comedy show, etc.?

 

Usually 120 days out. Not all of the shows will allow you to make reservations, as some are open seating. 

There’s usually a Mexican and Mixed Grill as well.

Your Casino at Sea cards and welcome gifts will be in your room. Haven check-in will be much faster.

$79, or free for Platinum and above.

Yes. I even just tried now for an upcoming cruise and was able to reserve seats.

There are some shows that are open seating and don’t accept online reservations. I think After Midnight wouldn’t let me book, but Choir of Men would.

22 minutes ago, kenzie said:

Was the table played at all?

Empty every time I was at the casino. During the blackjack tournament finals, the spectator overflow had people using it as a coaster. The dealers weren’t bothering to ask people to stay clear.

And for coming from Asia, I was surprised there was no Pai Gow. 

If you’re on a shared account, only one room key is needed and it will deduct the credit for both of you. This is what happened with me and my husband on the Joy this last week.

I believe the clarification noted above refers to what happens when multiple families/accounts/people are eating under one reservation. Yes, everyone then needs to provide their cards to charge the proper accounts.