Always Cruising

"passengers 3-8" is terminology NCL uses.  I agree, travel with 7 others would be close to a nightmare, except it's only Garden Villas that hold that many.       My CAS agent told me yesterday that passengers 3&4 on a booking that I have will get the basic drink package without paying gratuities.  Just trying to see if this is something anyone else has heard or had happen.  Sorry for my misuse of FAS - I did mean unlimited beverage package.

Some CAS agent have told me that with Elite level, passengers 3-8 are offered the basic FAS - any experience on that?

43 minutes ago, roddy good boy said:

I need to consider this for our Mediterranean cruise. My kids gifted me an Apple Watch this last Christmas. Not only am I still trying to figure the thing out, the notion of trying to insure it synch’s with the ship’s and local times is daunting! 

My favorite thing is the light up face - so useful on overnight flights and jet lagging while abroad

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and experiences...seems the program has kinks to be worked out. 

I love my Timex Indiglo!

Thanks!  I was only looking at "Music Everywhere" on Page 2 of the Dailies. 

Captain Stefan is very nice and so approachable.  We sailed with him years ago when his wife and children were onboard, and they played with my granddaughter.  Great memories...

From your dailies, it looks like there is only 1 performance (45 min) of country music each night at Q.  When I was on the Joy last year, there were at least 3 performances each night. 

I'm enjoying your posts - will be on the Joy in a few weeks, and love getting a preview!  Thank you!!

55 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

I am Ruby in casino and we sailed April 5th on Prima.  We did not pay the 20% fee for FAS drinks.  When we got our boarding cards they had UB on them which gave us the basic FAS drinks anywhere on the ship for passengers 1&2.   

 

If there isn't a UB on your card when you check in, I would suggest you go to guest services and have them check with Casino hosts to verify your status.  

Sand and Seas - Ruby and Elite are supposed to get the FAS + package, according to new rules.  Did you receive it?  I've had differing answers as to whether passengers 1&2 have to pay taxes in advance on basic FAS and then are given FAS+ onboard.  Last answer was that we don't need to have the basic package, and will be given  FAS+ once on board.  But clear info is difficult to find....

Could you confirm how the drink packages have worked?  I've been told (final answer - after much conflicting info from different CAS reps) that passenger 1&2 get the upgraded FAS drink package, without having paid/purchased the basic FAS drinks.  

2 hours ago, goldmom said:

I also lost my rep.  She was really great and always tried to work her "magic" for me on pricing.  I had sent an e-mail, but never heard back and it wasn't even returned.  When I called I was told that she now longer worked there.  I had another male rep for years and when he left I worked with my latest one.  I now have a new rep and she's very nice, but I don't really have a relationship with her yet and she isn't quite as generous.  Although that may just be CAS cutting back as she took time to look up everyone sailing with me to see what she could offer.

If we're allowed to say names they were Alan and Kim.

I called CAS yesterday and after about 20 min hold time, reached a rep, who told me when pressed that Kim had "left the company."  I asked if I'd been assigned a new person, and she said that whomever answered my call would be my new rep (meaning her).  Doesn't seem like CAS values their loyal customers, and that things are really tightening up.

31 minutes ago, Bliss1 said:

the new program started april 1 2024    it was announced in early march on the site

 

I spoke with my rep Kim mid April, so she wasn't fired/let go/terminated before then

I just lost my wonderful CAS rep - have others lost theirs? 

On 4/2/2024 at 1:56 PM, sato said:

What do you recommend getting at Q?

A smoked peach margarita - and listen to the music. 

His live reviews were the best - and such a great writer.  Does anyone know if he and Sue are ok?  Sad that he's not posting anymore. 

44 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

@Always Cruising it was a wonderful experience! I wrote about it in post #250.

Just found the post - sounds like a fabulous evening!

Love your review, and your writing style!  I think I missed the dinner with the officers recap.  Which officers attended, and how was it?  The last one I attended was set for 14 at a giant almost square table (quite a few tables pushed together), and only 2 officers and 5 guests attended.  Lots of empty space, and we couldn't talk to each other at all (except to my friend who was seated next to me, and we'd already been together for 2 weeks!)   I suggested we move around to be at least close to others, but the idea was nixed. 

I read somewhere on Cruise Critic that Beau will be performing on the Joy May into early June.  Will try to find the post...

wondering what the reciprocity is between casinos

I did a search, but couldn't find info.  Thanks in advance

What is the yellow and green drink on the table with your clam chowder?  Thanks for the great pictures and info...

10 hours ago, CruisingSince1982 said:

Not necessarily true. There have been instances where Haven guests were comped on night one in a specialty, but it usually is a low demand restaurant. Such as Q. It all depends on how busy the Haven restaurant is on night 1. 

On the Joy to Bermuda last summer, we were offered Q the first night - the Haven restaurant was overwhelmed.  I was glad to take advantage of the offer, and not use a specialty meal.  Loved the music and the smoked peach margarita!   My daughter and granddaughter stayed for the Haven dinner, but service was slow. 

1 minute ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

Did the concierge mention it to you? I’ve been in the Haven three times and no one onboard ever mentioned that the American Diner was free. I learned that here on Cruise Critic and did partake of it on our most recent cruise. 

Yes - they were hoping a lot of people would take advantage of the offer, because it was a super full ship (New Years Eve, school vacation, etc).  Most cabins had max number of people (ie 6 to a 2 bedroom).  Haven lunch would have been crazy busy. 

Just now, Candy Apple 12 said:

I’m going on the Escape soon. La Cucina sounds great for lunch. How did you learn of this option?

It was offered to Haven guests on my cruise in 2018 - equivalent to American Diner previously offered to alleviate crowding

in the Haven dining room the first day (lunch only)