NayRN

I think they were tying to avoid what your suggestion is and not wait till they get on board. I I were doing it I would book what you want when you want and at worse change it on board. Out last cruise the only openings in the good specials were early and late nothing in the middle

 

Agree!! I booked the speciality restaurants that I wanted and will change in board if I need to....I just didn't want to eat at Teppanyaki at 10:30 at night!!:eek:

Here is the description I got when I booked my room. They solicit your interest of being offered upgrades at a cost at check in if better rooms are available.

 

1 King Bed Club Level , 408 sq. ft.

Excellent exposures of the Port to the North, the Bay to the East and the City Skyline to the West.

Offers continental breakfast, tea, coffee and soft drinks all day.

Complementary hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails in the evening.

Two persons per room, each additional guest will be charged $25.00.

 

The base price for this is currently $34 (down from $50). We have 3 and a roll away bed is also extra on top of the up charge. Not worth it for us.

 

They have a whole range of potential upgrades if the rooms go unsold. From $14 for port view to $780 for the presidential suite. We can live with a pool view on a lower floor.

 

Thanks! I don't think I got that when I booked....may have...:o

The Club Floor us a must. You get what you any for :D

 

Just curious....

I booked a double/double club level for two nights in September......got a great price, too!

 

I'm having problems finding out exactly what's so good about the club level.....can you give me any information?

Mine came last week...and I'm still 46 days out today!! :D

I'm LMAO! I'm sorry I'm no help that is just so funny and sketchy to me! I'm sure it will turn up!

 

I know! But those that took the tour said it was great! I wanted to do some research before I did anything!! I know I've read about it a couple times.

I've been searching for a post (or two) about an Everglades tour near Miami where people are picked up in a gas station parking lot. I vaguely remember people saying it was a great ride. Any idea what company this was through? We did rent a car....so transportation isn't a problem. I'm now not sure if I read it here or on TripAdvisor....:confused:

 

If there is a particularly good airboat tour that the locals recommend other than the one mentioned above, I'd greatly appreciate it. I've done a search and there are a LOT of threads..... :o

Right on... I get really angry when I hear that I am worth nothing more, even though I bust my hump. If I wanted to sail in inside only, I could criuse twice a year. I don't. I save.

 

BINGO! I cruise once a year....and that's after working countless extra shifts at the hospital and University! I feel it's my time to spoil myself! Irritates me when I read posts about the "class system"!! Heck, for the price of a suite, I could sail twice a year in a balcony!! :cool:

Whoa! Can you share with me which airline you used?

 

Delta!! Booked the flight about 3 months ago!! Typically don't fly first class....but there is no way I was going to pass up this deal!! :D

This is why I like to sail out of Miami in late August or September - hotels and airfare are reasonable. I paid $130/night to stay at the InterContinental with a Bayview room for my upcoming cruise and..........$600 in total for two of us to fly round trip DTW to MIA first class!!!:cool:

Thank you NayRN. What is the cost for the hop on/ hop off tour bus?

 

It was about $45 for adults and $30 for kids. Greyline and the Big Bus were two of the companies that offered the tours. We got a 24 hour pass and used it all day to get from the IC to South Beach, Little Havana, etc. Better than a taxi!! If you google Hop On Hop Off Miami, you will see a number of sites....also look for discount codes!

 

Another thing we did was a Duck Tour (Google this as well...for Miami)!! It starts in South Beach and you get a land tour....as well as a water tour! Lots of fun!!

When I was in Miami last summer with the kids, we did the Hop On/Hop Off bus tour. It was perfect for getting around town and over to South Beach! No need to to look for a taxi when we were ready to leave the stops we did get off at. Only caveat....make sure you bring plenty of sun screen, a hat and fluids! All kids want to ride up top.....and it got really toasty and they don't sell bottled water on the bus.....which is silly because they'd make a mint doing so!! :cool:

I sail in 2 weeks and have gotten nothing!

 

Hi!

Are you sailing in a suite? Suites are the only cabins that receive a "Welcome" letter and printed luggage tags. Otherwise, sign into My NCL and you can print everything off, including luggage tags (or wait until you get to the port and there will be generic luggage tags available).

 

If you are in a suite...and haven't recently received an upsell/upgrade, there is a number for the suite concierge so you can call and request some suite preferences (like pillow types). I think the number is 1-855-625-5283. If you've recently upgraded, it's too too late to send out the luggage tags.

Although not my first choice for a vehicle, I snagged a mini-Van thru Alamo for $20.83/day for my September cruise. I'm picking it up at Miami International....and Alamo has a shuttle that rounds frequently at the POM. I'm told you just need to show your paperwork to board the shuttle.

I've also stayed at multiple hotels...

 

Hyatt Regency downtown - not my favorite but within walking distance to Bayside and eating options. No view of the port but nice little riverwalk (if that's what it's called). Small pool...mostly shaded by the buildings in the area.

 

DoubleTree - not much around but great views of the port and a pretty good pool.

 

Downtown Hilton - again, not much to do within walking distance but decent views of the port and an OK pool.

 

Staying this time at the InterContinental...read great reviews, next to Bayside for touristy restaurants (first time there for my SIL), close to and with fantastic views of the port and a decent taxi fare to South Beach.

Is there anyplace to park by S&W to watch the ships sail away from POM?

I'm following.....63 days and counting! :cool:

[quote name='BlueHerons']In September? Not busy at all. Keep in mind Puerto Saga is an authentic Cuban restaurant. It is basically a Cuban diner. Most likely your waitress will not speak English to you so don't expect fancy.[/QUOTE]

That's exactly what we are looking for!! Thanks!!

[quote name='BlueHerons']There is also a Whole Foods in South Beach. You can also buy beer and wine and food in CVS.

Puerto Saga is really good. It is my favorite in South Beach.[/QUOTE]

Yes! Another trustworthy vote!!

How crazy do you think it will be on a Friday night?! :eek:

[quote name='Keith1010']This one I am not sure about but let me suggest you call them.

Here is their telephone number.

305-673-1115

You could call them and ask about nearby parking.

Keith[/QUOTE]

It's probably easier to just take a taxi...thanks for the attempt though!! :cool:

[quote name='Keith1010']You are very kind.

Friends of mine a few months ago ate at Puerto Sagua and really enjoyed it.

Adress is:

700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139-6216

They said it is a simple place and it is not fancy or pricy but the food is terrific.

Keith[/QUOTE]

Fabulous!! You both said the same restaurant so I'm thinking its a must-do!!!

Is there parking close by or would taking a taxi be better?

Hi!
You always seem to give valuable advice so, here is my question:

If it were your last day on earth :eek: (or my one day in Miami)....where would you go for Cuban food?

We will be staying at the IC...so that's pretty central for Miami and SB.

THANKS!!!!

Thanks everyone for the responses! I'm surprised to hear there is such a difference in these hotels as they have been comparably priced on the sites I've searched. Guess it is well worth to pay a little extra for the ITC.:D

 

I booked the IC for this September directly thru the hotel site. They had a great price if you prepaid your stay. It worked out to be $130 a night for a port view double/double!! :D

It took me 31 minutes on the phone with NCL to redeem rewards from 3 different NCL credit cards!!

 

Sweet!!

 

Did you do this today? Just curious if they're closed for the holiday...:o

Will you, and others in cabin, be listed on the same Credit Card account for NCL billing?

(you sign an agreement when you get your cabin cards if/that you want all charges on one card or individual)

Curious...If redeeming, why not just get the cash applied back to your credit card instead of an OBC?

 

We will all be listed under our own separate credit cards....

And I'm opting to use the points as OBC because I have an almost zero balance on the card. With the OBC, I can make purchases onboard, like photos of the three of us or dining that's not covered in the UDP....and leave the ship with a $0.00 balance! OR I could be a great SIL and purchase the UBP for my SIL as she is the 3rd passenger and only got the soda package with the booking. ;)

Took us less than 5 minutes to redeem & got an update "Amenities confirmation" immediately as well[/quote

 

Edit: I found the number to call to redeem, but now I have a different question:

 

When I redeem my points for OBC, does the OBC go just to my account or is it split between those of us in the cabin? I'm traveling with my sister and SIL....and have no intention of sharing!! No, I'm not mean! I paid for the entire cruise and I'm already splitting the OBC that came with the booking with my sister!!