SilentlyPerfect

In the past, it did not matter if everyone in the same stateroom had the same check in times; now it does. The new NCL Check-in time rule is even if you are in the same stateroom, if you have different check in times it will not be honored and those with different check-in time will be turned away. Recently, when checking in for our up coming cruise on the NCL Dawn 11/27/22 at the traditional 21-day mark, I discovered a hick-up in the check-in process. Innocently, like everyone else on that checking in I stood up to check in at 12:00a. Nothing came up until 1:00a to check-in and with that had internet issues. Then I discovered NCL was going through a maintenance issue and would be shut down for maintenance until 4:00a. My competitive side got the better of me and stood my ground waiting for the NCL web-site to reopen. When it did, I quickly grabbed the 9:00a-9:30a slot for both my husband and myself. A few days later while printing out our boarding passes I discovered I had the 9:00a-9:30a time slot and my husband had the 11:00a-11:30a slot. I called NCL rep to find out if his could be changed since the statement under the port information basically read that anyone with different check-in times will be turned away. The NCL Rep was of no help except to say this was a new rule. The NCL Rep even consulted with others on this matter and stood firm, thereby stating that no one is getting on the ship any sooner than 12:00 noon. She even suggested I give-up my 9:00a-9:30a slot that I stood-up all night to get. I did not choose 11:00a-11:30a for my husband, why would I? And at that time in the morning had I finished with my check-in the worse case possible I should had ended-up with the next time slot over for him (I started the check-in process with me first). So what happened? This is a new rule by NCL and according to the NCL Rep there is no exception. In my opinion, why not have the website (while checking in) with the first person automatically be the time slot for the second person in the same stateroom? Or all the people in the same stateroom? Is this to easy of a problem for NCL to fix? After hanging-up, I decided to checked with the groups that are sailing on our ship. I created a Google Sheet for anyone to join in the Meet & Greet and other activities across more than one platform for the NCL Dawn 11/27/22 sailing; almost 100 people had sign-up. After contacting these groups, I noted many had the same problem or was not able to get a check-in time due to website issues. I offered them the NCL Rep number and the number for those having technical difficulty. Overall, I foresee on 11/27/22, at the Tampa Port there will be hundreds of angry guest trying to check-in with different check-in times with their loved ones who are sharing the same staterooms. I can imagine, this will be happening at other ports of call if they insist to separate everyone in the family to come back at their check in time, thereby splitting up families or children in the process. Once again, this is a hick-up that can be fixed by NCL and I am wondering how long will it take to do so. Especially if NCL are insisting this is the way to go with their new check-in policy! Really? In my opinion, it will cause a lot more work for those involved or to split up families staying in the same staterooms, plus a lot of upset people arguing their case at check-in. Do you have this issue on your boarding pass?

It sounds like you have already made up your mind by stating you prefer the outside to inside. In my opinion, if you plan on doing a winter or chilly weather cruise longer than 6 days and you love water/ heat the Thermal Suite Pass is worth every penny. The NCL Thermal Suite Pass allows the freedom to access the spa throughout the whole cruise which includes those long sea days. If you ever had children (under 18), jump into a hot tub with you while cruising, or even traveling with your own children, you will appreciate the lack of small children in the spa area. If you had ever traveled in a stateroom with multiple guest (having little privacy), you will appreciate the spa. My suggestion is to bring your ear pods or even a good book and soak-up your cruising adventures in a zen like atmosphere. The spa does have separate (men/women) locker rooms, showers, hair dryer, extra fluffy towels, chilled fruit flavored water/ or tea for your use, besides all the other amenities that make it an attractive deal throughout your cruise. If the price is what is holding you back, skip an excursion or two. Every ship is a little different on how they handle these passes and most if not all are typically sold online. Approximately only 100 Thermal Suite Passes are made available to guest. Not everyone purchasing this pass uses it everyday of the cruise, so chances are you may be the only one (or one of five people) in the spa during certain times of the day; especially on port days. The hardest part in using this pass is being alone with no one to talk if you are the only one using this pass in your group, but then you may be that special someone who craves that alone time.