Willingness of NCL to "negotiate" last minute....
 

With the economy in the dumper and more and more travel "deals" being offered, I was wondering what NCL's current position is regarding last minute bookings to fill unsold cabins. By "last minute," I am essentially referring to bookings within 48 hrs of sailing. It is quite startling to see how many cabins remain for a number of Christmas vacation sailings on a number of lines, and the question is just how much the cruiselines are willing to bend to fill them up just prior to sailing.
Any insight into this (especially as it might apply to NCL).

I believe that TSA rules say no booking less than 72 hours prior to sailing.

I heard that TSA requires 5 days in advance.
With the final list 3 days in advance.

Totally WRONG. Haven't you read the updates on this topic on these and other boards?

As for the OP's question, why don't you contact NCL and see if they let you book on the pier. Some cruise lines do and others don't.

No I have not read such an update can you direct me to an official one please?

Here is the official information. The manifest now has to be complete 60 minutes prior to sailing; previously, it had been 15 minutes.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/..._departure.pdf

Here is a previous thread:

http://www.cruisemates.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=596805

sorry Marc, they will not book at the port and the ships are going out full!!!!

Nita

Some of the lines do cut off their manifest before sailing. RCI and Celebrity stop it at 24 or 48 hours prior to sailing.

yes, many do and I would never take the chance. Like I mentioned, depending on the time of year most ships, even in todays economy are going out pretty close to full.

Nita

They are still going out close to, or even, full. I have always heard the cutoff is at least 24 hours before embarkation starts.

But the question still remains about last minute deals. If you called NCL on a thursday night for a ship sailing out Saturday - I would think the deals are pretty good. Why wouldn't they be?

Paul, I think you are right. Whatever the break-off I would gather NCL or any line would be more than happy to work a deal.. I do know one thing, Princess hasn't done the embarkation deals like in the '"olden days" for about 10 years. When I first went into the business I called them cause a client asked me if they could just show up at the port. This was way before 9/11. I was told they hadn't done that for years. I don't know why...

Nita

NCL told me me on phone last week I could get on booking 2 days prior. I am past passenger. But I have never been able to get them to waive singles suppliment.

and you won't unless they are running a promo. There are only a couple of lines that waive the single suppliment..

Nita :wink:

You need to watch for those promos. The Jewel and Dawn repos this fall waived the suppliment. I would watch the return repos. I booked with no supplement on the Gem TA last December. $569 for an aft facing BA.

They are out there just not advertised. Have no suppliment can create some real problems and abuse. Passengers who are really travelling together booking two cabins for the same price as one.

On that Gem TA I knew passengers that booked two AB suites for the two of them :shock: Same price as one penthouse.

I admitt to booking two cabins once. Sun fall of 2003. I had booked a BB balcony for $749 no suppliment. My GF at the time decided to join me. That would have doubled the price of the BB. Booked her an inside GTY no supliment for $399.

Thus the reason for so few zero suppliment cruises.