Langham1865

To clarify, the PCC is correct only if it is a cruise after January 2, 2024. The OP doesn't state when the cruise if for, so If it is prior to that, it still might not apply.. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2023/10/07/norwegian-cruise-line-solo-cabins/71057035007/

I have almost always cruised solo. I always wait and almost never have had issues getting a table with the exception of Teppanyaki, which you should plan ahead. I don't mind dining solo, but am usually outgoing and always go to the Solo Meet & Greets (at least the first few days). I normally find other solos to dine with too. I think the PCC is wrong about access to the studio lounge. I have booked balconies myself and it never has has access to the studio lounge, except when they prop the doors open for the Solo Meet & Greets. I would also check your modified reservation to make sure you have the free at sea dining. At that much of a price drop, it may only be the room and not the extra perks. When you change a reservation like that, it doesn't transfer the previous perks. It is whatever that rate at that time includes, and you may have been switched to something that is just the room. It almost happened to me once, but I asked at time of change to make sure. and checked later to make sure they had the codes on the reservation

Following....

I don't know if they have hard/blanket policy. If you used a travel agent have them contact NCL to see what they can do. If not, call NCL yourself. Everyone is assigned a personal cruise consultant (or whatever they might be called these days), even if you've never used them. Maybe they can do something. If not call again and use the general reservations line. Worst comes to wort, you get nothing. But you won't get something if you don't try... as you can see from previous responses, it is at least possible to get something. Good luck and most importantly, enjoy your cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To to sum up... some do and some don't. It is up to you

PS, I love your reviews. Just the right amount of humor, pictures, sarcasm, grumpiness and description of the day. Most of all I am glad you have this time with your Dad! You two are defiantly the type of cruisers I hope to come across in the future.

YAY you saw Jocelyn!!!!!! if you see her again tell her Daniel says hi!!!

I’m glad you liked Sitka and that you had a great guide! I hope to go back again! PS, did you end up eating or shopping in Sitka? pps, just found out Jocelyn the bartender that I mentioned is in Magnums… say hi if you get a chance!

I love it... a new spin on a bar crawl! I think we are on to something!!!

I am not sure which bar she's in on this trip, but look for a bartender named Jocelyn and tell her Daniel says hi and that I'll be in the Philippines on July 18th... she'll know... PS I love your reviews!!!

I too think if you board early you should be able to book dining then. Maybe book what you can now and see if they can change it onboard... If you want to avoid a long line, just have a leisurely breakfast and wait until the initial rush is over. My experience (20ish cruises on NCL is the long line you are referencing is the initial self carryoff your own luggage people and those who have early flights to catch.

I too have travelled solo several times, not paying double, and have always gotten the full OBC

it may be at the high for last year, but is in the mid 50's prior to the market going down due to the pandemic. It has been rising steadily the last few weeks, as more people have been travelling internationally, compared to mostly domestically last year. I would expect (though not necessarily as fast as the last few weeks) for the stock to continue to grow as people travel farther and more often. That will also assist in paying off the debt taken on during the pandemic. If you can afford more than the 100 shares, maybe consider buying some to sell at a profit down the road. I bought enough of NCL and Carnival to get the OBC and sell in the future to offset the 100 shares I plan on keeping for the OBC.

I love Sitka, was only there once but it grew on me fast, cute and quaint. Make sure to see the church and Ashmo's food truck fish sandwiches were very good. I hope they are still around as I went prior in 2018

I would echo that food and service (connected to staffing levels) are down across all but ultra luxury. If you are willing to try the specialty restaurants a couple times, generally food will be better there. I liked the stage shows on NCL better then I did on Celebrity when I tried them. I did like Celebrity, but I sail solo most often so the studios became the initial selling point to me for sailing mostly NCL. Although NCL used to have 2 Broadway type shows, It seems there is only one now on many ships. I've never had a bad cruise, as hey, I'm on a cruiseship!

I did this cruise December 2021 and the cruise itself was amazing even though we still had to mask up and had a late start due to an issue from the cruise prior delaying us to board. Love following along as its bringing back memories!

If you don't have dinner plans yet, Tableau by Jackson square is great!!! And Café Beignet is wonderful as well and less tourist trap feeling...

Although I am not leaving NCL, I do like HAL quite a bit and will sail them more often now. They have integrated many of the things I like about NCL for example interesting specialty dining (I love tamarind) and they have a great array of music. HAL just doesn't have good stage shows. And some of my favorite crew/officers have gone over to HAL.

I've sailed Escape several times. Even pre-covid, there always seems to be a slower bar somewhere. I've found that the bar between Cagney's and Moderno (I forget the name) is usually slower. Also the Cellars (Wine) bar on the Waterfront is often slower. Just keep in mind you may need to travel to find a slower bar and not all bars are always open. Not going to poke the bear or bees nest on tipping.... as this thread could quickly turn into venting on both sides of tipping....

Thank you for the review. I love the Escape, probably my favorite ship in the NCL fleet. And I've sailed with Kivanc a few times and he is a wonderful officer!

Wow... back to topic.... Although my last cruise was December 2021 on Breakaway and totally what you asked... the lobster roll served on Getaway & Breakaway Ocean Blue take out window was pretty good... and I'm a New Englander, so high bar. Caveats are I don't know if they modified the window recently and it has only been open on sea days from 12 noon - 2 pm, or something very similar (maybe 11-1)...

I agree with the people who say get there as early as you can and go right to headliners to make dining reservations. There are plenty of places indoors to sit and rest and relax. if you want to be outside and are worried about the sun, there are plenty of shady places to sit outside on deck 8. Keep in ming 1/2 of deck 8 may be closed for bunkering.

I'm a get to the pier early person... May as well get the most out of the time on board!! 9:30 am, even if I have to wait a bit to board, I like to enjoy as much time as I can on the ship, which is what we pay for!

My parents were on Holland America and I think they are no longer doping a PM servicing of rooms and are up to 33 rooms!!!!!

Fun show! Just don't say it 3 times!