Always Cruising

I've found that the casino host will give approximately 7% of your loss as non-refundable OBC. It used to be 10% (pre-Covid). It was applied to my CruiseNext purchase on my last cruise (I hadn't realized it, and bought RayBans, but had some left that was applied to my bill.)

I was on the Dec 16 sailing, and received no notification. I agree that the people sailing from Nov 19 would be more at risk than later passengers.

Any info on the senior officers and staff on the Star? (including concierge). We sail Feb 26. Thanks in advance....

Wondering if anyone knows who is the concierge on the Star? I'm on board starting Feb 26. TIA!

I'd love to see the list of officers (& concierge), as well. TIA!

Maybe he will be back by then - such a great personality!

and Rommel had been at Vibe in December, but I think he's at another bar now, according to a previous post.

just googled $2 bill superstitions, and mostly in US, there is an association with gambling and prostitutes (both paid in $2 bills from 1900's). Also two - deuce is a name for the devil - like "what the deuce" rather than "what the devil" I tried to forward the short article to this page, but computer skills aren't my forte 😉

I had 50 brand new $2 bills about 10 years ago on a cruise on NCL. I thought the crew would be delighted with them as a tip for a drink. Most looked at them a bit suspiciously - they weren't very common. And being new, some staff members thought they were fake. I assured them they could be used like $1 bills, but I never made my bank get them for me again.

After asking a few different people, we were finally led to Haven check-in at the port. Lines at Port Canaveral Dec 16 were crazy long, so we didn't get to check-in 'til just before noon. After checking in, we were led on board, and told to go to Cagney's. No crew member led us there (no big deal, but different from Haven). We met Lainie (the suite concierge) who was often at a desk in Cagney's during breakfast and lunch. She was very helpful with reservations for shows and getting us off ship early. Not the attention of a Haven concierge, but we paid thousands less than those guests. We ate 3 breakfasts and 2 lunches at Cagney's. Menu very close to the old Haven menus. Good service and food, but not great. Our butler, Benny from Goa was a delight. Our forward facing suite felt much smaller than expected for us 3 "girls." But it worked out. When the sofa bed was opened (very comfortable for sleeping!), I had to do acrobatics to make coffee, cuz the end of the bed touched the counter and fridge. And we couldn't figure out how to close it - our steward had to do that. But we had a fun time, and the ship is beautiful, but different. Happy Sailing!

Just off the Dec 16 Prima, and really enjoyed the Vibe! Above bartenders (and Ann Marie) were all wonderful, and I enjoyed meeting other guests. So glad I bought the pass.

He is a bartender at the Vibe on Prima.

And with a baby, no less!

It will be interesting to see how breakfast and lunch at Cagney's for Prima suite passengers works. Not sure if this has been done on other ships with both a Haven and suites with partial perks (like concierge, butler, b'fast and lunch at Cagney's). I will report back after our Dec 16 cruise. Thanks for all responses.

The suite I've booked on Prima has breakfast and lunch at Cagney's (or equivalent) and concierge/butler service. Just curious about any boarding perks. Thanks for all answers!

Specifically, I'm asking about the Prima, and it would be at Port Canaveral. I know they haven't started Prima's trips from that Port yet, but wondered how it worked at previous ports. Thanks in advance for any info....

I see Haven check-in; do you know if suite pax can use that check-in, or is there another place for them? TIA

Spa representatives have always been in the Haven check-in day available to book appointments. So, if the Pre-concierge can't do it for you, you should have the opportunity to do it as you're having your first drink at the Haven bar.

In reading the "fine print" for the AmEx $350 refund offer, it said the payment had to be done online? But I see above a person had luck getting the refund by paying through their NCL cruise consultant. Is it correct that the AmEx card number can be given to an NCL agent by phone? TIA

I thought so....thanks for your answer

Lots of good tips - thank you!

I seem to remember that $200 was the OBC for shareholders on a 14 day cruise. But I only rec'd $100. Anyone notice a recent change? TIA

Is the thermal suite on the smaller ships (we're going on the Star) worth it? I know it doesn't have the bells and whistles of the larger ships, but peace, quiet and relaxation are what we're looking for!

Just read a Daily Mail online article, but somehow couldn't post it here

Thank you - it is H5. With so many Owner's Suites, I was afraid NCL had ditched this perk!