Portia!

Heads up for solo travelers. The per person total that is displayed when tax/fee is included for 1 passenger looks like it is calculated for double occupancy. That is, solo cabin price plus double tax/fees. I expect it's an error in the algorithm - they aren't really charging double fees. Example May 1, Jade out of Orlando. Per person, double occupancy: 279 for cabin per person. 467 per person with tax/fees. So, 188 per person tax/fees. Per person, single occupancy: 429 for cabin per person. 807 per person with tax/fees. That's 378, about double the per person tax/fees from double occupancy. Now that's a single supplement! Thankfully, not real. Using same per person tax/fees as double occupancy, it would be 617. You might want to do a mock booking, to be sure.

As is often the case, NCL ships/staff do not apply the rules consistently. On the Escape and Epic the scenario described by dbrown84 at #61 has worked for me and I have walked out with cash in hand after the stockholder credit and $50 ShoreEx was applied to onboard expenses. On the Jade last week, my online account showed a $51 refundable amount, the printout of my account indicated NonRef as 0, Refundable as $51 and I received a letter in my cabin saying I was owed refundable credit. I went to the onboard credit desk and the finance representative insisted the $51 was non-refundable because it was ShoreEx related. I showed him the documentation and he said it was a glitch. Apparently, a glitch in three parts of the system. I told him Escape and Epic handled it differently, suggesting there really was no glitch in the Jade system. Then he got mad at me - suggesting I was making everything up or was stupid! Since he was the finance guy his interpretation was backed up by Guest Services staff. His interpreation and argument wouldn't hold up legally of course or pass a common sense test, since the documentation and previous history supported me. I got tired of fighting and being treated like an idiot. I'll just avoid the Jade for a bit since I don't trust their finance department. It's glitchy after all... YMMV of course!

I've done it with a week to go (last minute booking). I received the credit on the 2nd day of the cruise. Always worth trying!

The Studio Lounge is intended for Solo travelers (in a studio or other solo cabin) and a key card is required to enter the space with the coffee maker. It is more available (as in door may be propped open) if the solo gathering is taking place - usually around 5-6 pm on ships that hold the meeting in the lounge.

I would like a feature on the app that tells me when my room is ready every day, since it is no longer consistent. Tired of going to check just to find that my room hasn't been touched. Not insisting that my room be ready before noon, just would like to know if I can go take that nap, or shower etc. Yes, I know I can put on the Do Not Disturb sign, but then I won't receive my clean laundry or unexpected treats...

Hi, for the shareholder credit I typically receive an email informing me that the benefit has been granted. I save that email, then confirm that it shows in my account. If you haven't received an email, hopefully it is some other credit fairy throwing something your way. The shareholder credit is listed on your account viewable on the website as non-refundable onboard credit as part of the cruise summary and also included in the listing of booked items. If you have an issue, you can email the shareholder folks using the Case number they provided when you applied for the benefit.

I attended on both the Escape and the Epic in December. There is live music. Sometimes people dance. There's a shout-out to Latitudes categories. Not all of us do the FAS drinks package, so the drinks and snacks are a nice thank you for cruising. A bit of Cruise Next advertising. Sometimes a head's up on upcoming double points or double Cruise Next. And a chance to talk to other Latitude members, officers, etc. On the Epic, they gave away a couple of bottles of champagne.

Sometimes the Escape Supper Club will feature an act that does Beatles songs - Not an official Beatles Band like on the ships with a Cavern Club, but one of the house bands or a guest performer does a set of Beatles music. I've experienced this three times in the last year. You cannot count on this, of course, depends on which musicians are on board. I've also seen Supper Club acts that perform Rat Pack music, ABBA, British hits, opera, showtunes, classical violin, jazz and blues greats. The shows are always worth seeing.

I had an experience last year that perhaps explains why/how it happened. I was Sapphire on a back to back cruise. I changed cabins the second week. A friend of mine booked my old cabin for just the second week. So, on the first day of the second cruise, she received all of my Sapphire benefits (water, vouchers, strawberries) and I received none. She thought it was a big welcome for a brand new NCL cruiser. I explained to her what probably happened. I went to the Latitudes desk to report that I hadn't received anything and was given the vouchers. The next day I received water, never got the strawberries. My friend wondered if we could use 'her' vouchers as well as mine - I warned her that she could end up paying for the dinners and she agreed to turn the vouchers in to Guest Services. They thanked her for her honesty. That was early days after restart when back-to-back cruisers were placed on the VIP list, which meant a free bottle of wine in the cabin and snacks throughout the week. So, throughout the week my friend received 'my' VIP perks and I did not. And on the last night when we used one my vouchers for dinner, they bill came in her name/cabin number for signature. So, NCL never got it sorted. Since then, I have noticed that more often than not, and on three different ships, when I am on a back-to-back, especially if I switch cabins, I do not receive my Latitudes perks the first day of the second week but have to go to the Latitudes desk. So, when I switch cabins, I assume someone else is getting my perks. When I don't switch cabins, it seems that I am simply not on the Latitudes list. There is something messed up about how they handle back-to-back and Latitudes - like they don't cross reference the lists. I've talked to several Latitudes managers. They always treat me like it's the first time they've heard of such a thing, or they blame the staff. In reality, it's a process issue or a documentation issue or maybe a training issue. At least I know what to do now and I will continue to report and document when it happens.

I'm enjoying your input, particularly looking at the situation from every possible angle. I have sailed back-to-back-to-back cruises and had the same positive experience ready2cruzagain mentions of getting a fresh start with Latitudes benefits each week. I don't think I can do that on a transatlantic, unfortunately. Laundry seems to be the most likely benefit to be repeated, but probably only by asking cabin steward or Latitudes desk. Easy enough! It's all part of the adventure.

Great to see experiences from others who have been on longer cruises. Many thanks Russiamomm and bonvoyagie!

Thanks everyone for your input. I will assume that 14-21 day cruises are treated the same as 7 day for Latitudes benefits. It won't deter me, just good to set expectations before booking.

Hi all. I've been looking at Panama Canal and Transatlantic cruises ranging from 14 to 21 days. How does that affect Latitudes benefits? (Solo US Traveler, Saphire) There doesn't seem to be anything relevant in NCL's terms and conditions or FAQs. However, CC is full of experienced travelers and have long been my best source for inside information. I have read on CC that one free bag of laundry for every seven days is common. Is that policy or does it depend on stateroom attendant, with passenger needing to ask for additional laundry bags, etc.? Are Flow Water cartons limited to two for the entire duration? Two per week? What about dinners? Is it just two free dinner vouchers for the entire 14 or 21 days? I mock-booked to see how FAS works for longer cruises for a solo traveler. It looks like they offer one dinner for 7 days and two dinners total as part of the standard FAS plan for either 14 or 21 day cruises. Thanks in advance.

I want to try Ocean Blue but my wife hates most seafood. Ocean Blue serves a very nice 8oz filet.

I agree with Shof515's comment on how the website works. I am also Sapphire and have found that the website says I can't book until 120 days, but at 125 days I can click on the restaurant and it will allow me to book. Works on website and NCL app. As always, YEMV.

Current Terms and Conditions: CRUISENEXT DOUBLEUP! OFFER Booking Window: July 25th – August 31st, 2023 11:59pm ESTOffer Details: Book ANY stateroom on any sailing and apply TWO CruiseNext, CruiseNext Haven or CruiseNext Lite deposits.Offer valid for sailings beginning in 2023 and forward:• Guests must book at least 4-months prior to sailing for any sailing in 2023 and forward

Studio beds are full size, not twin size beds, so much more comfortable than two twins pushed together in an inside. I've been in Prima, Epic, Bliss, Escape, Getaway, and Breakaway studios. The beds are slightly different sizes, depending on when/where the ship was built, but all were larger than a twin. Studio cabins are slightly smaller than an inside but use space better. Plus you and your friend will be able to meet up and hang out in the Studio Lounge.

Yes. Bayamo on Escape. Weather permitting, it's amazing. Fresh air, you can see the water, a few people walking by on the Waterfront, but not many. Service is impeccable, as always.

I believe 'new booking' means 'not yet passed final payment date'. That is, still within the cancellation window. So you can't get money back on a cruise you've fully paid for by trying to use CF. I have successfully applied CF a month after making initial down payment, but before final payment. Current Ts&Cs says: Your CruiseFirst certificate(s) may be redeemed as a deposit or as a payment towards your new reservation’s grand total with a sail date greater than 120 days from purchase date. It also says: Not applicable towards canceled/rebooked reservations. If a guest with an existing reservation cancels and rebooks the same ship and sail date with a CruiseFirst certificate, the additional value of the CruiseFirst certificate will be removed. I believe the cancellation policy is an attempt to discourage people from rebooking the same cruise hoping to apply the CF. Link to full Ts&Cs below: https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions#cruisefirst

Or... go to the Studio Lounge and have coffee, juice, fruit, pastry and pound cake. A continental breakfast that should see you through the morning.

As others have said, it varies by ship and by who is in charge of solos for the week. On both Epic and Prima when I sailed, the solo group met all week in a bar. On the Escape and Bliss it has always been in the lounge other than the first evening. On ships without studios/studio lounge it is generally a self-led meeting in one of the bars, included in the FS Daily but without a host. On some ships, the host is very involved, playing games and getting more involved in scheduling activities. On others, they pretty much organize dinner and leave the rest up to the solos. On Prima and Escape, I have seen non-studio folks (children/families/teens not old enough to be there etc) take over, trash the lounge, take the trays of cookies etc. I agree this is a separate issue from the solo gatherings. I believe some ships will allow solo travelers access the lounge via their key card, which requires a visit to Guest Services. Others have requested it and been turned down. NCL policy and practice is always changing. All part of the great adventure.

Hi, You can definitely walk on the Waterfront on Deck 8 early in the morning. It isn't usually very busy except for a few others trying to get their steps in. You cannot run, however, just walk. The track is shorter and is in direct sunlight for most of the day. It can be quite busy. On some ships it passes by a smoking area, which isn't an issue on Deck 8. Deck 8 is also a good place to walk in the evening - nice for catching a sunset or watching the stars.

Pasta can also be requested as your main/entree, and portion size will be upsized.

I think you'll find Latitude voucher course count (3 vs 4) varies by ship and sometimes by restaurant. Over the last year on the Escape, 4 courses has been normal--even encouraged by waitstaff. Same time period, on the Bliss and Prima some restaurants were three and some were four courses. It is a good idea to check with the waiter before ordering.

Hi. I requested my Diamond upgrade for a December 2023 cruise on the Epic on June 5, using the phone number provided on the website 1-866-625-6086. They said I should hear in a week. On July 17, I hadn't heard anything so emailed latitudesupport@ncl.com and was given a case number. I received my upgrade on July 27. No email - I noticed it when checking my reservation online. The upgrade was from an inside to a 'privasea' balcony (as Ken mentioned, there are no outside cabins on the Epic, so you get to skip a level). FAS choices were retained. Current pricing for the balcony is about $1300 more than I paid for the inside. So, while not the best balcony on the ship, this was a pretty good way to score an upgrade.