Buying Thermal Spa Passes Onboard

[sctexan]

How fast do week long Thermal Spa Passes sell out on the first day or do they at all?

 

We were originally in an M9 and I just did an upsell today to an H6. I tried to buy spa passes online but it wouldn't let me buy them. I eventually called NCL and after talking with the customer service rep and after she talked to two supervisors none if them could fix the system to let me buy spa passes. They stated that the system still thinks I'm booked in an M9, spa mini suite, and won't sell me the passes. Their solution was for me to buy them onboard.

 

I'm ok with that as long as there is a really good chance that we will be able to do it. Spa passes are very important to my husband. What are your experiences buying the pass on the first day?

 

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[hawkeyetlse]

I think it really depends on the sailing, I've heard of them selling out fast, but on every cruise I've thought to ask, they have still been available on Day 2 or even later into the cruise.

 

One thing about the "solution" they came up with is that the passes cost more on board than if you pre-purchase them. But they may already be sold out of the advance purchase passes. Maybe ask on your roll call if others still see than as available to purchase. If so, maybe someone would be willing to buy them for you and transfer them to your names on board.

Edited June 9, 2016 by hawkeyetlse

[sctexan]

True about their "solution" although I'm not truly even upset about that because I'm really happy with my upsell price so paying a little extra onboard for the passes is ok with me.

 

The rep that I spoke to said that the passes were not sold out its just that the system still thinks that I'm still in a spa mini-suite.

 

We aren't going with friends so I don't know anyone to buy them for me and then transfer. :)

 

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[punkincc]

True about their "solution" although I'm not truly even upset about that because I'm really happy with my upsell price so paying a little extra onboard for the passes is ok with me.

 

The rep that I spoke to said that the passes were not sold out its just that the system still thinks that I'm still in a spa mini-suite.

 

We aren't going with friends so I don't know anyone to buy them for me and then transfer. :)

 

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I guess the question I would have is why the "system" does not immediately reflect that you are now in an H6. I have never done an upsell or cabin change where the updated cabin info was not shown more or less immediately. But If old M9 info in the system is the problem, surely the new info will be reflected, at least by tomorrow, and you can then purchase the passes. If not, I would be asking why.

 

I can't imagine this won't work itself out in a day or two, but the Pre Cruise Concierge may be able to assist in getting a pass earmarked for you. If you do end up needing to get them on board, just go to the Spa after lunch. They will be having an open house early afternoon. We have done that and never had a problem.

[sctexan]

I asked that question too since I feel like I'm not the only person thus has happened to I'm sure. Unfortunately, they didn't have an answer. I did think it was odd that my cabin category on my upsell confirmation was M9 H6.

 

I'm hoping too that this will resolve itself in the next couple of days. I'm going to keep checking online and calling if need be.

 

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[DMH15]

I would like to clarify. Are you asking why you could not purchase at 100 days out since you are now in a suite? If so, just wait 10 days.

[sctexan]

I would like to clarify. Are you asking why you could not purchase at 100 days out since you are now in a suite? If so, just wait 10 days.

No. That is not what I am asking. We are sailing at the end on the month and I just did an up sell this afternoon. We lost our spa access when we upgraded from an M9 to an H6. I want to pre-purchase the thermal spa passes but the NCL system doesn't fully recognise that we are no longer in a spa cabin and will not let me purchase the passes.

 

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[BirdTravels]

So,,,, you are in a great position.

 

When you board the ship, you will be escorted to the Havens lounge for orientation and maybe lunch.

 

There is always a Spa representative there as part of the welcoming committee. They will sell you a spa pass and sticker your cruise card on the spot. No need to go to the spa and wait with the crowds. We've done this on our last two cruises.

 

Happy Havening! Happy spa'ing.

[riekl]

I guess the question I would have is why the "system" does not immediately reflect that you are now in an H6. I have never done an upsell or cabin change where the updated cabin info was not shown more or less immediately. But If old M9 info in the system is the problem, surely the new info will be reflected, at least by tomorrow, and you can then purchase the passes. If not, I would be asking why.

 

I can't imagine this won't work itself out in a day or two, but the Pre Cruise Concierge may be able to assist in getting a pass earmarked for you. If you do end up needing to get them on board, just go to the Spa after lunch. They will be having an open house early afternoon. We have done that and never had a problem.

 

When you book an upsell your room category will show oldcat-newcat instead of just newcat i.e. i upsell'd from mx to h6 and my category shows mx-h6.

 

The reason for this is when you upsell you get NONE of the added benefits i.e. you don't get the 4 promotions people that book haven directly do. You don't get the double cruise points that people that book haven directly do. You just get the room. Whatever promotions and credits you had prior to the upsell is what you have after the upsell.

[sctexan]

So,,,, you are in a great position.

 

When you board the ship, you will be escorted to the Havens lounge for orientation and maybe lunch.

 

There is always a Spa representative there as part of the welcoming committee. They will sell you a spa pass and sticker your cruise card on the spot. No need to go to the spa and wait with the crowds. We've done this on our last two cruises.

 

Happy Havening! Happy spa'ing.

BirdTravels,

 

Thank you! This is exactly what I was hoping to hear. My husband was very good to let us up sell to the Haven and I would feel terrible if he lost the one thing he really wanted.

 

 

 

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[sctexan]

When you book an upsell your room category will show oldcat-newcat instead of just newcat i.e. i upsell'd from mx to h6 and my category shows mx-h6.

 

The reason for this is when you upsell you get NONE of the added benefits i.e. you don't get the 4 promotions people that book haven directly do. You don't get the double cruise points that people that book haven directly do. You just get the room. Whatever promotions and credits you had prior to the upsell is what you have after the upsell.

I was wondering if that was why. Basically it lets them know who gets what. Makes sense.

 

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[imzeppy]

For what it is worth, I thought I would add some recent information to this older discussion. I too am having issues purchasing a thermal spa pass online. I am on the Epic for a December 2018 sailing (77 days out) and recently upgraded from an H9 to an H4. I originally booked last year (Sept 2017) and the spa passes were never showing as being available. And I get that; the system should default to not allowing you to inadvertently purchase a spa pass if you already have one! With the upgrade, though, the system still shows as not available. I know for a fact they are available for purchase because another passenger on the same sailing just purchased a couple of them online.

 

After several calls to NCL and eventually speaking to a supervisor (after being placed on a very long hold) , I am told the issue is the system still recognizes the original H9 booking. The passes are in fact available for purchase now - just not to me and there is no by-pass around the system and the only option is to purchase once on board. Apparently this is a known issue with the NCL booking system.

 

I don't mind so much having to pay the extra $20 once on board. My issue is I don't want them to sell out. I know once on board, spa staff are in the Epic Club as part of the welcoming committee so I won't even have to go to the spa to purchase so I doubt I should worry. I just am a Type A personality and want everything taken care of BEFORE getting on the ship. One less thing to worry about, ya know!

 

The concierge desk did say they are going to e-mail the ship to see if they will honor the pre-boarding price savings since it is the NCL system not allowing me to purchase a pass. We'll see.

[sctexan]

After several calls to NCL and eventually speaking to a supervisor (after being placed on a very long hold) , I am told the issue is the system still recognizes the original H9 booking. The passes are in fact available for purchase now - just not to me and there is no by-pass around the system and the only option is to purchase once on board. Apparently this is a known issue with the NCL booking system.

 

I can't believe that issue is still going on several years later. I honestly don't think you will have an issue. A spa employee will most likely be in the Haven lounge on the day you board. Simply buy your pass from them. We did end up having to pay the additional $20 per person but it was worth it to us.

[imzeppy]

I can't believe that issue is still going on several years later. I honestly don't think you will have an issue. A spa employee will most likely be in the Haven lounge on the day you board. Simply buy your pass from them. We did end up having to pay the additional $20 per person but it was worth it to us.

 

Thanks for the reply. I don't think I'll have an issue either. It's just a pain and I want to be worrying about what drink to order next, not buying a spa pass! :cool: