ready2cruzagain

Can't say the TA here. We have an inside cabin and they pay the gratuities. We also used Cruise Next and Cruise First certificates. Due to them paying the gratuities we have 6 cruises booked with NCL. It makes a huge difference.

Our TA is paying our gratuities for us on our NCL cruises, 21 days at $40 a day is a big chunk and why we booked with them. We have booked with them in the past due to incentives but this on is the best so far. It sounds like you booked through the same online TA. We were told that they pay the gratuities for us to NCL. You can tip extra if you want but it is not required and no one is getting cheated if that is what you are worried about.

I can't find anything on the Epic lately. Was shocked when I tried finding out what is going on in the Spiegel Tent and couldn't find any info. I have 6 cruises booked on the Epic so hopefully someone put up a review soon.

Trying doing a specific search and came up with nothing. What is in the Spiegel Tent on the Epic now? Is there a dinner show still? If so, are reservations in advance? Not seeing anything online when I google it. Thanks!

I have always taken my protein bars and powdered shake mix in my luggage with no problems. I have never taken a liquid drink.

Same here, 56 cruises and never seen it enforced. Most people think it takes a long time to get on a ship now, I would hate to see if they weighed every bag and charged an overage fee.

Inside statesrooms that I have stayed in do have a mini fridge. (Been on Epic 5 times). How cold does your insulin need to be because the mini fridges do not get very cold.

No, it is not enforced, they do not weigh the luggage at the port like the airport. I have been known to go over 50 lbs due to sailing 3 weeks to a month at a time and take what I need. I am not on vacation to do laundry and I would not send my good clothing to the ships laundry due to them having shrunk several things in the past. We always tip our porters well.

I tried signing up to use this website, first it said already signed up which I know is not right, so I signed in with what I had just tried to sign in with and it said I had to verify with my email, which I did, never received the email so I said send requested another email, they never sent it. If it is that difficult then I don't think I can trust their info

Yes Carnival owns it but NCL Epic is going there, I have two cruises booked on the Epic that and it shows up on Amber Coves Ship Schedule even.

We are taking a cruise on the Epic in January 2024 and again in January 2025, both times we are going to Amber Cove. Excited to go there since we have never been. Watch the youtube videos, paddle boarding, zip line, etc are not expensive there. They have a pool and 2 waterslides that are free.

I like that MSC includes the gratuities on the drink package unlike NCL where it is extra and that is US.

I like that they are different and not like every other cruise line in the US and hope they never become more Americanized but to each their own. We will sail on them again but just wish the itineraries were better.

We have sailed 9 cruises on NCL and 12 cruises on MSC, all but one out of Florida, the other was out of NO. We have also sailed 21 Carnival, 8 Princess and 7 Celebrity cruises. After having sailed mostly MSC (some NCL) over the last 5 years (no cruises 2021) we have our next 6 cruises booked on NCL. The reason being, itineraries. MSC is stuck on the same few itineraries in the Caribbean. With MSC we sailed Fantastica, we do no sail YC which is the same as the Haven so I cannot speak for the YC. We do not need a butler or pampering. We sail Fantastica so we can pick our own cabin. MSC, you do not have anytime dining unless booking Aurea. You would have a set dining time. We like it. You can get seated with others that you do not know. We always book with the drink package, you can upgrade to premium if you want for a price, just like NCL. Love that bottled water is included in their package where as NCL it is not. Their drink package is also good on their beautiful island. MSC's island is beautiful, it is a marine reserve and not like Coco Cay with lots of bouncy toys or zip lining. Very relaxing. We have sailed on the Seashore, Seaside, Meraviglia and the Divina. We love the Divina but it is older and does not have as many bells and whistles as the others do. You would be better off booking one of the newer ships which have better water slides and spas. MSC has lots of bands on their ships, way more than NCL. Their shows are unique, you might have an opera singer mixed in with an acrobat. They are not broadway shows and they are only around 30 minutes long. Lots of activities all day long. Food is subjective but will just say we love MSC's food in the dining room. Lobster, Steak Diane, Filet Mignon, just to name a few. If you go to the boards of MSC you will find the menus. Their specialty restaurants are great but if you buy a package you will pick from a specific menu, unlike NCL. Everyone brags about MSC's pizza, we don't care for it. The buffet is good but never eaten there for dinner. MSC will status match their loyalty program to other cruise lines or hotels. This gives you a percentage off your booking price and other goodies. I am sure there is a lot more that I am missing but that is it for now. The thing about MSC is that you have to go on their cruisees with an open mind. You cannot go on an MSC cruise and constantly compare it to other cruise lines. MSC is a family owned Italian cruise line and very European. They do things their way.

No, none, nadda. We have 2 b2b2b's booked with NCL and nothing. Make sure that you get all of your Latitudes rewards on each cruise.

It has not been reduced or wasn't on the Meraviglia this past Feb. It was twice a day.

I have to disagree. I have a cruise that is still 545 days away and we booked 3 months ago. Have you ever cruised on a different line? All cruise lines I have ever sailed have this same policy. It is not just NCL. We have 6 cruises booked right now and all were booked early. The price on our cruises have done nothing but gone up. I sure wouldn't want NCL charging me more because the cruise went up. You booked at a price you were comfortable with therefore if I were you I would not be checking again after final payment if it is going to upset you that the price went down.

ohh did not know you could do that. I have 3 that I just paid off 2 days ago and 3 left to payofff, will have to check that out!

I know, I know, some will say don't do it but I might. If I were to get obc with my NCL credit card points, would it be refundable or nonrefundable obc. I don't want to have several hundred dollars that I can't either use in the casino or might lose if I can't use it all.

I was on a Carnival cruise several years ago and the disco was closed every night for a Private Event. People were not happy.

I have sailed before a charter, no problems. Sailed after a charter and depends on the charter. I would never sail after Holy Ship again. Long wait to embark, people were passed out, hiding, had to be taken off by ambulance. Crew were exhausted. Learned our lesson on that on.

You are quite correct: https://www.ncl.com/travel-blog/2023-rugby-world-cup-cruise-see-the-matches-with-infinity-rugby https://www.infinitysportstravel.com/companies/norwegian-cruise-line

The Epic is not going into dry dock until April-May of 2025 according to cruise mapper. Would be nice if they did go this fall into dry dock since I am on her in January.

I sure wouldn't like that substitution!!!

When we were on Meraviglia last time it docked at the International Pier which I do not like and we stayed on the ship. The time before on the Meraviglia it docked at the downtown pier, Punta Langosta. It will be one of those two piers. You should be able to google the port