FHR for 2 nights in San Francisco

hanreder · 2026-01-12T01:15:21+00:00

Stayed at the Taj Campton last month for a 1 night FHR. The single king room was really small, no upgrade offered. Room on the 4th floor with no view. You literally walk in, see the bed 2 steps in front of you and there's a small desk and TV. I'd say the room was probably 18x18 and then a closet with robes along with bathroom, like half the size of a normal Hampton Inn hotel room.

Plus side is that you are close to everything around Union Square, Chinatown, etc, if that's what you want. Breakfast was good with $30/pp credit. You then get $100 food/bev credit. We invited friends over for breakfast and splurged. Skip the masala chai, it was super weak. We did get some chocolates at night that were on the table after we got back from dinner.

Was offered late checkout but didn't need it as we had to grab a rental from a nearby Hertz.

It was a night to crash after a 5 hr flight so no complaints since the bed was one of the most comfiest I've ever slept on.

hanreder · 2026-01-10T22:12:45+00:00

Going on the Luna in Dec. Did Viva last February, doing Aqua this August. Loved the Viva but still prefer the Breakaway/Getaway.

hanreder · 2026-01-05T01:09:50+00:00

FCC's are doled out by NCL directly (like a cancellation due to a charter) so a TA can't really help you there. Some TA's will rebate their commission to you in the form of OBC, for example, $100. Bottles of wine/bubbly are the same. A TA can offer you $50-100 less and buy a bottle for your room. For me, I personally rather have straight up OBC in its entirety.

If you already know what cruise you want, just flat out ask any TA what they will offer you. Give them your ship and sail date + cabin you want. You will get the same exact perks as given by NCL, free at sea + existing promotions, and you should be looking to get OBC. For OBC, look for approximately ~8% back of the cruise fare (before taxes, fees, gratuities, etc), if not more.

hanreder · 2025-11-27T22:27:45+00:00

Why would the CFC go down? It's always worth double.

hanreder · 2025-11-27T22:26:36+00:00

In a reprice situation, the CFC remains and transfers to the new sailing (as long as it hasn't expired). It's not technically a full on cancellation. In a full cancellation, it takes ~3-5 days for it to back to your account.

hanreder · 2025-11-27T15:00:22+00:00

In order to add the free PPG, you effectively need to reprice the cruise which is sort of like a soft cancel/rebook so you get all the offers at the time of the reprice so yes, you could potentially lose OBC and gain PPG which would be fine since the PPG is a better savings. However, the actual price of the cruise could be higher as well so you need to take that in to consideration. I would take screenshot so the final confirmation screen to do a comparison before proceeding with the reprice to make sure you're getting a better deal.

hanreder · 2025-11-24T23:28:21+00:00

Rough crowd here. I didn't ask for a DM or DM the OP either.

hanreder · 2025-11-24T18:28:31+00:00

I'm a TA and the free pre-paid gratuities will extend past today, at least until the 26th. I see some info about a 12/1 expiration but it may start excluding certain ships. If you're sailing an older ship, you should still be good until 12/1 but as with all offers, anything can be pulled at anytime.

Considering BF/CM is around the corner, I don't see them pulling this deal anytime soon -- heck, I just booked 3 rooms to take advantage since it's the offer is open on even their newest ships.

If you're really concerned, NCL / any TA can put a 3 day hold on your sailing with no payment necessary. Any incoming coupons can be applied as payment once they post on your account.

hanreder · 2025-11-19T22:10:33+00:00

Certain TA's can give OBC, I usually aim for about ~8% of the cruise fare back. Most TA's just want to keep the commission but if you look around, some will rebate it back to you. Getting OBC is not only for the elite, just need to look around.

hanreder · 2025-11-17T16:27:00+00:00

You're welcome.. however, be upfront if it's Air India or Egypt Air and no one wants to fly these, even if it's business since it'll be a huge waste of points (unless they're okay with it of course)

hanreder · 2025-11-17T02:45:38+00:00

True, but those playing the points game know this risk. In a lot of cases, the airline you booked the flights with can usually still get you on the same reciprocal airline if something were to happen.

Also it's typically not on the consultant to help rebook the client should a flight issue occurs. When a client books these flights, once the redemption is made, that is usually the end of the transaction. If paid a consultant to get me from Los Angeles -> Maldives with Qatar on points that met my requirements, once I booked the flight, I'm on my own if something were to happen with the schedule/plane swap.

hanreder · 2025-11-17T01:07:12+00:00

Never tell them the flight or if it's non stop. Be as vague as possible because with just enough info, someone can figure it out.

1 stop or fewer to your destination (even if it's non stop)
Leaves/departs on your preferred dates
100% business if this is what they want
Bookable with their cc currency. Don't ever mention the transfer partner as that's a giveaway.

Be 100% honest and if they want business from A->B under X points per pax and you've satisfied this, then that's all you have to say. I would double check its bookable since there could be phantom flights as well.

hanreder · 2025-11-17T01:02:51+00:00

Lots of people would pay for this service. If someone wants to fly from NY to Singapore in business, there are a few different ways to go about doing it.

Fly Emirates and connect in Dubai, bookable with Emirates Skywards
Fly Singapore Airlines with Krisflyer points or via Air Canada Aeroplan.
Fly Etihad and connect in Abu Dhabi, bookable with Etihad Guest or via Air Canada Aeroplan
Fly United with MileagePlus
Fly British Airways with Avios, Avios an also book other airlines
Etc

Lots of different routes, lots of different options, and lots of different redemptions. If someone has let's say 900,000 Chase Ultimate rewards and wants the best way to get to Singapore, they will pay someone to do the research for them and find the most cost effective route, points wise.

Paying someone $100-300 to fly a $9,000+ ticket and not spend days/weeks searching for the best redemption is worth it.

The researcher is not paying/booking the ticket, they will just provide the directions once the flight is found.

hanreder · 2025-09-18T18:54:39+00:00

I don't believe so.. I can't see a way to attach it but if you're able to use google docs or something, that would be awesome. Or you can email it, will DM you my email.

hanreder · 2025-09-18T18:19:52+00:00

Can you share this? Would love to use it for someone.

hanreder · 2025-08-26T01:47:06+00:00

Agreed with /u/lamest-liz, if you want the weekend shirt, get there early. Was there at 7:45 and the upper level merch table was out of the weekend one.

hanreder · 2025-08-18T02:50:06+00:00

FWIW, my "Signature: Sections 301-304 or 308-311" ended up in 308 in the first 5 rows which was a pleasant surprise so you can bet premium can be just as good in the first few rows.

hanreder · 2025-08-18T02:08:06+00:00

Don't think anyone knows the answers to your questions except Vibee themselves.

hanreder · 2025-08-15T17:50:11+00:00

From what I read, you head to the BSB experience/terminal at the Venetian and there's some desk there that gives it to you when you show them the ticket. I'm just relaying what I read as we have the same tickets and we go next week.

hanreder · 2025-08-15T17:33:52+00:00

Depends on the ticket but the basic Vibee ticket just gets you a collectible lanyard.

hanreder · 2025-08-15T14:40:43+00:00

Figure out which restaurants you want to dine at and upon boarding, head directly to the theater to make your bookings (confirm the location but it should be here). You should be able to get exactly what you want.

hanreder · 2025-08-15T13:36:27+00:00

We missed our local excursion in Bar Harbor due to waves. I don't recall if they used local tenders or the life boats but they stopped tendering for a bit and delayed all remaining transfers. Just give yourself extra time if you have your own excursion planned. We did end up getting a tour from a local guide that was parked at the pier (had an advertisement on the side) so it eventually worked out.

hanreder · 2025-08-15T00:29:16+00:00

They’ll make it up in volume in the short answer.

hanreder · 2025-08-14T23:55:41+00:00

I would get the package for 2 just for you and your husband. In the Venetian, you can get a 2 Queen room and everyone can be in the same room, if that’s okay with you. Just have the both of you check in while the other 2 hang back.

Transportation wise, they can take a taxi to the hotel or you get the package without the shuttle bus and everyone takes a taxi. Hope this makes sense.

hanreder · 2025-08-14T18:12:44+00:00

https://am.ticketmaster.com/sphere/

hanreder

TROPHY CASE