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Former non-cruiser now considering TWO cruises in 2020

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Flowers, Sep 8, 2019.

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  1. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    GTK. Thanks!
     
  2. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Earlier this evening I booked the Sky Princess Western Caribbean cruise for February 15th. Happy Valentines Day to me. The process was pretty easy. Paid the 100 deposit that I can use as cabin credit and about 160 in port fees and taxes.

    For a number of reasons I won't get my specific cabin assignment for a while though I will definitely have a balcony.

    I am excited. I may cruise solo but I can add a second person later if I choose.

    Last night I used a big Southwest credit to purchase RT flights to FLL. Prices on all airlines were INSANE but I guess given that I am flying on Valentines Day (it's that Friday) and the following Monday is President's Day I should not have been surprised. Fares though were not that much less than what I paid for a good Jet Blue MINT fare to Vegas.

    Thanks everyone for the advice. I haven't yet called NCL/Casinos at Sea directly but will plan to call them this weekend. I am curious as to what they may offer relative to my Seven Stars comped cruise.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
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  3. thegov2k2

    thegov2k2 VIP Whale

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    As far as new vs old ships go, the lines do a pretty good job of refurbishing their ships. Having been on a few mid-size ships, I can't imagine sailing on one of the 5 to 6 thousand passenger ships. Our Alaska cruise was hard enough with half that number.
     
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  4. nancyf

    nancyf VIP Whale

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    They refurbish the ships every few years - you can check what year they were refurbished before you book. I was on the Norwegian Sun which is older but it had recently been refurbished and it seemed like a new ship.... I've been on the Epic the past 2 years and its going to be refurbished at the end of this year but it seemed new to me even before being refurbished. I think NCL really keeps their ships in great shape.
     
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  5. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    We have cruised a couple of times. One thing I found (from advice on Cruise Critic) was that booking excursions with providers other than those used by the cruise line. They do not have the guarantee of the ship waiting for you, but they would not survive as businesses if they did not get people back to the ship. That kind of excursion often has less folks on it and is a better experience. It does usually cost more, but it was worth it. We did three of them on our last cruse to the Southern Caribbean.

    If you go that route, look at the reviews and take the best ones.
     
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  6. Bond

    Bond Low-Roller

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    Flowers- I will try to post some pics and a mini trip report after we get back if you would find that helpful since it's the same ship and same itinerary.
     
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  7. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    1 - Sounds like you went with their "guarantee" program where they assign your cabin based on what they have available. You can save a bit, but never know where you will be. Personally, I prefer picking my room. Might cost a bit more though.

    2 - As to comparing 7 Stars vs what Casinos at Sea will give you. When you call - do NOT mention the 7Star cruise. Do your own comparison. Based on your numbers from a past cruise, I think you will do much better. And, if you get the 2 BR suite, a guest can have their own bedroom.
     
  8. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Yes, she mentioned "guaranteed floor"/ worst case/minimum for a certain level of balcony but she said she thought it would be better. She said a couple if balcony times were going quickly. She didn't offer an option to pay more to pick a room.

    And will do about NOT mentioning to Seven Stars cruise.

    Thanks nostress!
     
  9. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Yes! Thanks!
     
  10. NickyJ

    NickyJ Low-Roller

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    Flowers -

    I enjoy cruising and have used V/P cruise certificates too. Cruise Critic is a great resource, but here are a few tidbits:

    Know that you can upgrade your balcony cabin to a mini-suite or full suite through the casino at a discounted price. To me, Club Class Dining is a nice perk. Check out the full suite benefits on Princess, my favorite is the daily specialty dining mimosa breakfast, a nice way to start the day. May not match the Wynncore experience, but would get you closer to that level of service.

    Be on the lookout for an upsell offer email. One cruise I was booked on a V/P cruise offer and received an upsell offer for a full suite. I took it. If at all interested, call the number in the Princess email right away. You'll likely have to leave a voicemail. Offers are given out, and staterooms selected, in the order received. While waiting for a call back you can check out available staterooms and decide whether it's worth the upgrade price.

    Did you know that your Feb 15 Sky sailing is a casino VIP cruise? That's a cruise where the players club offers VIP amenities, and sailing on it makes you eligible for an upcoming Ultimate VIP cruise. If interested, I can post additional details.
     
  11. rooster42000

    rooster42000 Goat of all Goats , My Hero

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    Flowers were is your brother my man Champster :peace:
     
  12. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    This is great info. Thank you! And I had no idea that was a VIP cruise. I just picked that sailing as it worked for my schedule. Would love to hear more about the VIP cruise. It is a few months away but I am already so excited!
     
  13. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    He's been a little under the weather but I will tell him you asked about him! :love:
     
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  14. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Make sure you are on the list for the VIP part. They MIGHT be checking names for certain events. After all, they do want hundred of people just joining in certain events even though they are not part of the group.
     
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  15. NickyJ

    NickyJ Low-Roller

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    The Princess players club designates a dozen or so cruises at a time as 'VIP cruises' for invited guests. If you sail on one of them you then qualify for an upcoming Ultimate VIP cruise.

    VIP amenities include:
    VIP check-in
    A dedicated VIP host
    Exclusive VIP-only tournaments
    Complimentary beverages (while playing in the Casino)
    Special in-stateroom amenities
    VIP-only welcome aboard cocktail party
    Commemorative VIP cruise gift
    Chance to win a FREE Princess cruise

    Since you have not yet cruised with Princess you would not have received an invite. However, I'm confident any cruise casino host would be happy to have you on board. You can try contacting the players club to see if they would add you to the invite list. (I know if you were using Urcomped, they verify your level of play to get an upfront cruise offer from Princess so I know the casino has some leeway.)

    If you can't get added to the list pre-cruise, I'd touch base with the casino host onboard. Like anywhere, some are better than others, but your play should get noticed. You might enjoy some of the VIP amenities like the welcome aboard cocktail party or VIP-only tournaments, so it would be nice if you were able to participate.
     
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  16. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Great info and tips nostresshere and NickyJ. Thank you!
     
  17. Bond

    Bond Low-Roller

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    Hi Flowers-

    We’ve been back from our cruise for a few weeks now and I have to say for the most part it’s a great ship. Our cabin was nice, although we did get a little noise earlier in the morning from the pool deck but otherwise it was quiet. The extra space on the balcony was nice as we had breakfast out there a few mornings. The ship overall is beautiful. I think they did a nice job of keeping the traditional feel of Princess while adding in some updated designs like in Princess Live and the new Jazz Bar. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I saved all bur 1 of our patters and I tried to take some dining and drink menu photos too if you’re interested.

    Bond
     

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  18. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    I did one cruise in 2018. NCL, Getaway, Eastern Caribbean. LOVED IT despite a lot of extraneous crap. I know there are people who have cracked the code on cruising, but, I haven't found them. I want to find them, sit at their feet and learn. I know we paid way too much for our cruise, way too much. Like in the door price was low, but, by the end of it...just too much money. I NEED to crack the code because I'd like to make it a regular thing.
     
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  19. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    Totally agree. We had a balcony. Best memories are from the balcony just enjoying the breeze and views.

    That curtain around the bed is a nice touch.
     
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  20. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    NCL Getaway was going to be refurbished a few months after our cruise, and we were like....wtf are they going to refurbish? It looked great, clean, new.
     
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