romalley99

Everywhere is different. 

New York hands down has the best Back to Back Experience, followed by Miami. In New York, in the 20+ times I've done back to back cruises from NYC, only TWICE did I have to actually get off the ship, and that was just recently on the Prima TA Crossing and after the Inaugural 4 Day Cruise to Canada. Those are special cases, in my opinion. Other than those two, all other times, NCL invites CPB onboard into Cagenys/Moderno Restaurant and they do their passport checks and inspections there. They have in the past just stood there and let facial recognition do it's job! It's fantastic! We would meet at 7am and were done and free to go about our business about 7:30am. It beats having to get off the ship and wait in the terminal until zero count... 

I haven't done a B2B in Miami in quite some time, but doing it again soon on Escape. I'm hoping it is as good as it used to be (especially now since they have the new terminal). 

On 2/22/2023 at 6:18 AM, Coastalbreezes said:

I did two B2B cruises from PC (one in November and one in late December). BOTH times it was a nightmare (I'd use a stronger word but not allowed here).

 

On the November cruise, there were 10 of us B2B. We met in the theater at 9:00 a.m. where we were told we had to wait for a zero count before they could deal with us. Around 10:30 we were finally escorted off the ship into the terminal where we had to wait in another area to go through immigration then just...waited. Our escort's radio didn't work so he had to keep running outside to find out when we could reboard. Finally around 11:30 we were brought upstairs to reboard only to see that general boarding had already begun. 😡

 

On my December cruise, I was the only B2B passenger and went through essentially the same process although I was told by the concierge it would be a smoother process "this time". It wasn't and a lot had to do with the PC personnel who were rude and downright nasty stopping us constantly along the way demanding to know what we were doing. When I was finally taken down to immigration, I and my escort were the only two non-employee people there. I asked a worker if I could just go through and she screamed at me that I would go when she said I could go. Literally 10 seconds later she announced dramatically that I could go.  Then suddenly I was told to "wait here" until she said I could go back upstairs (again less than a minute later I was "released"). Once again general boarding had already begun and to say I was angry and frustrated is an understatement.

 

I spoke with the GM once I was back on board and he had heard many similar stories before and said they were looking into the process.

 

Port Canaveral is the only port where I have had such experiences. In other ports, you're off then back on quickly and get to enjoy the ship for some quiet time before boarding begins. I truly hope things have gotten better and you will report your own experience back here. Bon voyage.

 

 

THIS ^^^!!!! 

I've had this experience in Port Canaveral 5 or 6 + times. Definitely the WORST place to do a back to back. 

2 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

Since your confirmation just states 'BA', sounds like you are in good shape.

 

Have you checked your sailing to see what the lowest category of Club Balcony cabins are available?   If you are happy with that, it should be fine.   Hope it works out well for you😊

 

On my Joy cruise, I was starting with a casino comped balcony.   I checked available cabins and was happy to see the lowest category Club Balcony available was a MC on deck 8 that has a good sized balcony.

My sailing is (somewhat) close in so there are slim pickings... There are two MC left (but only hold 2 guests), MB is Sold out, and there are about 10 MA's open. Since MA is the only category open that can hold 3, I'm assuming that is what will be assigned, and I cheekily requested my same cabin from the week prior (which still remains open), in hopes that I will not need to change cabins. 

Here's to hoping! 

4 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

I don’t think that will pass muster.  When you upgrade using world points, your reservation carries the codes for both the “from “ and “to” cabin types.  You get to travel in the upgraded stateroom, but your benefits, terms, and conditions remain as those associated with the lesser category.  When you try to use your roommate’s upgrade, it likely would try to start from scratch with your lesser category,  not with your already upgraded room.  No harm trying, though. YMMV.

I'm not upgrading a cruise using World Points.... I've booked a Balcony outright with my points (227,900 points), 7-Day Caribbean. So my confirmation only states "BA" and not "xx - BA". So I have an email out to the Latitudes Dept in request of using my cabin mate's Diamond Upgrade, and we'll see how it goes. As always, expecting the worst, and hoping for the best. I can't see why they wouldn't do it. 

Noise Boys is leaving Prima the first week of March... aka, next Sunday. This week is their closing week and they are not returning and a new cast is not coming. Donna Summer 2.0 is onboard as well as Price is Right. 

Indulge is still complimentary, as well as mini golf. I never really use the thermal spa so I can't answer that, but hopefully the above you find to be helpful. 

Robbie 

1 hour ago, debenson0723 said:

You can remove it or add it up to about 3 days prior to the cruise, not just prior to final payment. I have done it multiple times.

Enjoy your cruise.

This ^^ 

31 minutes ago, FlGoodShips said:

On the Encore recently...no booklet. Just a piece of paper and at the bottom was the 2 vouchers.

30 minutes ago, MeHeartCruising said:

 

Same on the Joy a couple weeks ago.  And it wasn't all that clear there were coupons on the paper.  You had to really read the text to know that.   I assumed they were doing it all via the computer/account/keycard and didn't bother taking the coupon to the restaurant.  I had to go back to the cabin and get that. There wasn't even a perforation to tear off the coupon.  You had to bend it and do the best you could to tear it straight.

They're in the process of changing the books so that all coupons reflect the "any restaurant" verbiage. There have been times in the past when I have gotten printed copies as well, but the standard is the booklet. I'm sure all ships fleet-wide will get the new books soon.  

14 hours ago, Joken35 said:

They do not give out “ booklet” any longer. they just  leave the dinner vouchers in your room.Everything is  connected to your  room key anyway

They sure do. You tear your dinner vouchers out of the "booklet" 🙂

2 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

You’re in a good position too because you will each receive a coupon book for your latitudes level!

Yes, you can embark and disembark together.

That's not quite true. NCL only gives one "booklet" per couple, so in this case, they will receive one Platinum booklet in the cabin on day 1. If there were 3 people in the cabin, it would be two booklets etc. 

6 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Interesting thought but I doubt the system will take it.

Half the time when I redeemed, my confirmation now reads complimentary upgrade from IA to BA.

So when you want the upgrade it will be treated as complimentary and based off original category.

 I don't know when your friend got it, but it has to be used within 1 year. Unclear if it's book in a year or sail in a year.

I'm not trying to upgrade to a balcony with points, I booked a balcony outright with points so my confirmation only reads "BA" and not a category before it. They got rid of the one year rule for both the Diamond upgrade and Ambassador Cruise (which is how I was able to book my Ambassador cruise, thankfully... since it previously expired)... so I'm not too worried about that. I'll be reaching out shortly to Latitudes to see if they will take this perk and apply it to this cruise... Will let you know how it works out. I'm going in with a "expect the worst but hope for the best" attitude. 

Let's see...... 

So, I really took some time today to think about how I can get to the CBS... My new question is... can the person I am sailing with use their unused Diamond Upgrade on this BoA points cruise? As mentioned above... I'm doing a balcony with points. This is an interesting scenario which I'd be interested in pursuing. 

If anyone knows, please shed some light for me? If not, I'll find out tomorrow hopefully and will report back! 

Thanks again for the insight earlier! 

Robbie 

So, I'm planning on booking a cruise tomorrow with my NCL Bank of America Worldpoints. While pretty much everything is included, as well as taxes and fees, I'll probably have a zero balance on my confirmation. The person I am sailing with is Diamond and still has their upgrade available to use. 

My question is -- Can they use their Diamond Upgrade on this practically "free" cruise? I'm doing a balcony with points, and hoping to move up to a Club Balcony Suite so that we can stay in the same cabin that we are in the week before. 

If anyone knows, please shed some light for me? If not, I'll find out tomorrow hopefully and will report back! 

Robbie 

7 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Not going to happen. Even afts are no longer allowed.

You can pay but why?  Everything is based of you rate prior to point upgrade.

 

I think they are treating us wrong.

 

If an inside is $1500 and a balcony is $5000 and we double with points we should be able to pay the difference starting at $5000. But no, it's at the $1500.

 

Hope to bid!

I would pay just to keep the same cabin. I don't NEED to use points to upgrade, I would be willing to pay on top of the cruise booked with points to get to a CBS. I woudn't bid either as that would defeat the purpose as well 😝.

When I call in to book my cruise, I will inquire and report back. I'm fully prepared to be told no, as I already have been here, but worth the shot to ask. 

Thanks everyone for the tips. 

Robbie

It's been quite some time since I've used BoA points for anything NCL. I'm looking to redeem some of my points for a 7-Day Caribbean Cruise. If I redeem my points for a Balcony, is there any way of getting to a Club Balcony, even if I have to pay for the upgrade... or am I stuck at the BA level? I know I can't use points to upgrade to a CBS, but wondering if I can do a paid upgrade? 

I'm doing a back to back, and have a CBS for the first leg, and I would like the same cabin for the second week I'm using BoA points for... and it's still open!

TYIA

2 hours ago, MSP_CRUISER said:

I'd say it speaks to the fact your not it touch with how modern companies do business. This isn't the 1960's anymore. Just like the reason (lack of loyalty) people don't work for the same company for their entire careers anymore. Once you make your final payment, cruise lines (all of them) could really care less about you. They might give you some lip service or a pin and some free drinks ect, but when it really comes down to it cruise lines are loyal to their stockholders. To show any real loyalty towards cruse corporations is pretty short sighted....I choose my cruises based on the on board experience, prices, itinerary's...ect. I'd never cruise one line and only line only due to "loyalty". 

While I love NCL, I frequent many other lines as well. I might not cruise on them as much as I do NCL, but nonetheless, I still do. I don't cruise NCL simply because of loyalty; I cruise NCL because I LIKE to cruise with NCL. I could make a lengthy list of things I love about NCL and a list some things I do not. To be quite honest, I personally think NCL has one of the most LACKING loyalty programs in the business. I'm not quite sure what a pin has to do with only sailing with one line solely for loyalty, but yes, I do proudly display my pin on nights where I'm wearing a sport coat, during parties, events etc -- and yes, I also do happen to be a stockholder. No, I don't wear my pin everywhere, all day. But, since I do love NCL for the cruise experience itself and have accumulated, at this point, close to 1,000 points via their program, I think I've earned the right to display my pin on some special nights/occasions, yes. 

Of course, this is my POV and take it as you wish. 🙂

Last minute change to use Terminal 3 today (completely outfitted and decorated as a Carnival Terminal). Had to be totally strange to walk in and see Carnival pictures, photo backdrops, and verbiage for anyone boarding Prima today! 

3 minutes ago, lhlm75 said:

I didn’t know about the pin?! I thought NCL did away from them.

They did away with the ship specific pins, and when they revamped the program in January 2022, they introduced new pins in coordination with your Latitudes Level. You can pick up yours at the Cruise Next Desk onboard the ships the next time you cruise 🙂

30 minutes ago, MSP_CRUISER said:

If I had to come up with a list of the lamest things I could do on my vacation wearing a cruise corporations "pin" would be quite close to the top of the list. Lol.

Happy Cruising to you, too! 🙂

3 hours ago, Steff79 said:

biggest question is if the third ship will be a plus ship or the same then 1 and 2.

sadly no news for viva, no official for beetljuice.

but for sure the longest race track ever 😀

I believe the third ship is going to be a "Prima Plus Class" ship. 

14 hours ago, complawyer said:

im sorry to ask this, but are you really going to wear them? we just got out sapphire pin, and it went right into the drawer when we got home

I wear my Ambassador Latitudes Pin with my name customized on it -- but I see many wearing their other tier pins all the time, especially at the party. 

All the pins are available at the Cruise Next Desk in the Atrium. 🙂 Make sure to ask for all of them up until your status. They will give them! 

On 2/7/2023 at 6:41 PM, MagnoliaBlossom said:

That is exactly what happened to NCL in approximately 2010 or so.   They introduced the extras - 1 pt for each of these - booking 9 months or more in advance, latitude special, haven so you could receive four points per cruise.   It was not uncommon to hear people say they had made platinum in very few cruises. Platinum at that time was the top tier.

 

eventually the platinum parties were packed, and the ships seemed stressed to provide for all these top tier folks.  So they added platinum plus and ambassador.

Later they realized the 350 pt gap between plat plus and ambassador was a disensentive to platinum plus cruisers who felt they’d go explore elsewhere as they would never make ambassador.

 

so, they added a mid tier, Diamond, and renamed platinum plus Saphire.  And here they are doing it again.  I think, IMHO, they would do better to offer targeted perks for specific cruises rather than diluting their loyalty program.

I agree with everything you have said. I know some who have made Platinum in 2 or 3 cruises! Sadly for me, I did much of my cruising the "old fashioned way" as I like to call it, where status was accumulated by number of cruises and not by days. When they converted the program, I ended up only getting 1 point per day (which was fine), and still continued to cruise for 1 point per day for years after. I'd say out of my many NCL cruises, only a handful had a promotion applied where I got bonus points. 

But, I guess it is a sign of the times. My United Airlines Status renewed in January and I had an offer in my email a few weeks later  asking if I would like to PURCHASE the next tier up (which would be the highest tier, Premier 1K) for the 2023 year. I mean, seriously... buying status? If I was an organic Premier 1K member, I'd be pretty upset, because it's not easy to attain. And as a top tier NCL, it almost feels the same -- the principle is the same -- buying status. 

3 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Correction about the Spirit.  On our Star cruise we had a CN person who was outrageously wrong about a variety of things.  One of the things he said at the future cruise presentation was about the Spirit and said it is a child free cruise.   Afterward I stopped and asked him about this, as it was news to me.  He was a bit flustered and said, well, actually children are allowed on the ship, of course, but there is no kids club, etc.   😳.  I asked if he thought maybe he had misrepresented the situation for the Spirit and folks who might want to do those cruises with their children or grandchildren.  He hem hawed around and said, yeh, he probably gave people the wrong idea.  Ya think?!    If something has truly changed regarding children being prohibited from sailing the Spirit, please let us all know.

 

 

Just did 30 days on Spirit. Kids can sail on all NCL ships, but as you have said, it's not very kid friendly. There are no kid services whatsoever on Spirit. I also feel the same way about Prima. While there are many activities for the teens and older kids, there is very little for younger kids, and I have heard rumbles about many kids being bored on Prima. Seems like a direction they seem to be moving in... 

Yes -- Those with excursions and priority will be called BEFORE they call Group 1 Tender Tickets. Listen for announcements. With Priority Access, you should also get a letter in your cabin regarding where to go for Priority Tendering... but it's really not needed with the Shore Excursion ticket as that gives you priority anyway 🙂

I was on the Spirit for 30 days in Oct/November 2022. French Polynesia and then Hawaii. It was very nice, and I love the refurbishment. I was on the Spirit when she was brand new and a time or two after that, and she was looking pretty rough... it was time for a face-life, and it totally did the ship justice! She looks brand new. The crew is fantastic, and the food was delicious everywhere. I loved how they were going for a more "adults-only" theme. It was lovely all around. 

As for the thermal suite... I was graciously gifted passes from the GM, and I don't think I went in there more than 3 times over the course of a month. Once was because I had a pounding headache and I just wanted to lay on a heated lounger for a while, and the others was because it was raining outside... But I would never spent the money for this thermal suite. It's super tiny and very few chairs. It is, however, very quiet, with nice calming music, and warm -- so it might be a nice place to read a book or just relax in peace... but for the cost, I think Spinnaker during the day would also do the trick! 

You will throughly enjoy your cruise on the Spirit! 

Robbie