Wheeling TravelingMom

My son is a full time chair user and we are even subject to being bumped due to last minute issues. On our last cruise (Disney) 3 days before sailing I got a call asking us to move to a much smaller HA cabin since we were a party of 3 and a party of 5 suddenly had a broken leg and wanted our room which holds 5. 

8 minutes ago, KarlChilders said:

they are not able to apply to onboard account, you can generally apply them to an existing reservation, (may have to be still before final payment). If a balcony or above and six months to sailing, two can apply to a single reservation.

Thank you so much for explaining! I will watch for these for my next booking. I am within 100 days on the one I was hoping to use these for 🙂

Can these be used to pay an on board account or are they only for new booking reservations? 

We cruised out of NYC in November and lost two of the seven days to cold/crappy weather. We still had a great time but I just wouldn't do that in winter again if being outside is your goal. The seas were also very rocky on the days going into and out of NYC. 

17 hours ago, notanforme said:

We decided to go to Paris a day early.  We fly into Paris, arriving on the 6th, and take a train to Amsterdam the afternoon of the 7th.  That's a little more time than the On Your Own excursion for Paris.  Then when arriving at LeHavre, we will take the Beaches of Normandy excursion- just got the one through NCL although there are probably others cheaper.  That is another option to have more time in Paris.

That's a great plan. Wish I had thought of it. We are going to Amsterdam early and bought airfare with points so I have no flexibility to change it now. 

Thank you all for the input. This will be our one and only chance to be in this area for many years so Paris is a must, even if only for a few hours. I think we have decided on the "on your own" and then using the batobus to get to the different places as quickly as possible. I've mapped out their route.  I still need to call into shorex and see where they drop off. If it is Place de la Concorde this will probably be doable. 

That's awful Markanddonna about being delayed that much. That gives me serious pause. 

3 minutes ago, MeHeartCruising said:

I would post in the France forum and ask if anyone has experience with where the "On Your Own" excursions typically use for the drop off/pickup location.  I would bet it's pretty much always the same location.  Even different cruise lines use the same tour operators.  You may have to adjust on "game day".  But it would give you an idea of where to start.  Here is the link to the France forum:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/462-france-ports/

 

Thanks! I always forget about that part of the forums. 

47 minutes ago, MeHeartCruising said:

In these type of situations, where you have a long distance to the desired site and wish to use a ship excursion over a private tour, I am a fan of the "on your own" ship excursions.  I've used them several times in European cities that were quite distant from the port.  It sounds like you would have about 5 hours on the ground in Paris.  While not a lot of time, if you plan ahead you should be able to see the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame.  I would probably not try to climb the tower due to the uncertainty of timing.  Even with advance tickets, the total time spent going up to the top is probably at least 2 hours or more.  With a timed ticket entry at the base, you gain entry to the first level.  Then you have to take wait in line with everyone else to get on the second set of elevators to get you to the top.  I guess you could climb the stairs.  But that too would take a while.  I'd just walk around the base and take pictures from nearby.  I'd research and use the Metro system to get me to the Arc de Triomphe.  Again, I wouldn't take the time to climb up top probably, but a quick stop for pictures is worth it.  Then I'd again Metro it to Notre Dame.  You MAY have time to pop out of the Metro at the Louvre station and go up for a quick photo op of the Pyramid and other buildings.  But I would play that by ear.   I WOULD take the time to go inside the Cathedral when you get there.  The entry line moves quickly.  I think you'd have time to do all this (and possibly a little more walking around).  It will be fast sightseeing,  but that's what you sign up for with only 5 hours or so.  You may need to do these in a different sequence depending on where they drop you off and pick you up.   If it were me, my lunch would be a quick ham and cheese sandwich purchased from a vendor stand or maybe a street cafe if you pass by one.  I doubt you'd have time for a Seine River cruise if you do what I say.   A lot will depend on where they drop you off and pick you up.

Thank you for this opinion. I wish they said where they were dropping off. With the $50 stateroom credit per excursion the "on your own" options are actually a pretty good deal. This one because of the distance is quite a bit but probably worth it to me to make sure we don't miss the ship. 

7 minutes ago, DRedmond said:

I have no advice to give and it will also be my first time in Paris, but am also deciding between these two options for an August cruise.  

Welcome to the conversation. Lots of great ideas and opinions so far. 

Thank you so much for the insight. That is what I am more leaning towards. I think we are going to want the freedom to move around. Good to know about the batobus!

Going to the top sounds wonderful but you are right in that we just won't know what time we will be there. 

Trying to decide on excursions from La Havre to Paris. Would appreciate any input from those who have done this. Cruise is in June. We really want to see Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and just really the outside parts of Louvre (don't think we will have time for more in depth there). We would like to be able to experience them, not drive by. We would also like to pop in and eat at a cafe or something more authentic than a cruise tour.  Its a 3 hours drive each way with 12 hours total in port. Trying to decide between: 

Paris on Your Own: For those who are interested in exploring Paris on their own, we are pleased to offer a round-trip motor-coach transfer to the ‘City of Lights’. An escort will accompany you for this approximately three-hour journey and will happily assist you with sightseeing plans and provide information about locations. Upon arrival you’ll be dropped at a central location, convenient to the many shops and city sights.

or 

Paris and Lunch on Seine: Don’t miss a unique opportunity to visit the spectacular ‘City of Lights’, from two perspectives. After an approximately three-hour drive from Le Havre, you’ll arrive in Paris to discover the most important sights.

Your guide will point out Place de l’Etoile, its Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees Avenue at the end of which the Place de la Concorde offers to all visitors, its legendary obelisk. Continue to the Rive Gauche where the most impressive monuments of Paris are located. At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, a glass-covered sightseeing riverboat awaits you for a scenic cruise on the Seine River. Enjoy a different perspective of this monumental city from the water while having lunch. See the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and much more. During your lunch cruise, you’ll not only discover the quays and the monuments of this enchanting city, but also the districts where the nobility and the Bourgeoisie live. Afterwards, before driving back to Le Havre, you’ll enjoy some free time in the city near the Trocadero.

Would love actual experiences on either from those who have done them. How rushed were you? What were you really able to experience? This is our first time in France so I know this will be just a preview for us. 

I can't answer if she is on the Fantasy but just off the Magic where the restaurant is and she is seen just about everywhere. Or at least it seemed that way to us. We weren't looking for her but saw her a lot. 

On 11/19/2018 at 7:38 PM, cantgetin said:

On the Magic and Wonder, a CM will take you thru a CM only passageway so that you can get a first row seat for the theater if you are there 30 minutes before the show; otherwise it is the back row.   You must be able to transfer to use this option. 

You can do this on Fantasy (so I am assuming Dream would be the same-it's the only one we haven't been on as well) and you can stay in your chair. We actually like the back row better but again you have to get to the show early to get a spot. LOTS of grandmas in scooters (think I mentioned this before 😉 )

My son is a chair user as well and we have never had any accessibility issues on board. The elevators can be a pain at peak times so we do the trip of going up or down...whichever way we can get on. The Wonder and Magic have huge HA rooms in the aft but to be honest I rather like the midship ones on Fantasy (Dream has same layout) better. Make sure and book early as someone mentioned above. They fill up fast. The cast all over the ship go out of their way to make everything as easy as possible for chairs. Even the characters make sure to kneel for all their photos 🙂

Not sure if this is a concern but be aware that kids in pull-ups or anything similar are not allowed in the kids clubs. 

One thing I DO not like is the separate tram on Castaway Cay to Serenity Bay. That's on and off twice fighting every grandma and her scooter for a spot but doesn't sound like your daughter is old enough to be out there anyway. 

Also be aware if any of your ports tender this could be an issue if you cannot  get her down or up the small flight of stairs. 

We are just off the Magic last month and I put that in my comments on the survey they send after the cruise. It feels like across all 3 ships we have been on it's the same old, same old. They need to do some imagineering 🙂

4 hours ago, littlelulu01 said:

Specialty coffee drinks for example a latte or espresso or just a nespresso shot are not included in the ultimate beverage package.  Canned soda and water bottles of any sort are also not included. Fountain   Soda from the bar, hard alcoholic beverages, beer and wine by the glass under $15 are included.  I think your sailing has 4 sea days?  So you might get your $ worth on the sea days.  

 

 

Ah! I didn't realize this. Thank you. I just assumed as that is part of the package on other lines. I guess I will just have to have an extra glass of wine every night to make up for it 😉

Thank you all. Airfare was not available from Denver (go figure). So I went with the following: 

UDP-at $554 in gratuities thats $20 a day per person. We can easily consume enough in coffee (mornings) and water (bring with us) and wine or beer (dinner) to make that well worth it. 

Ports--I went through each port and a lot of them offer "See on your own" for about $70-$80 for both of us. That gets us into town and out for $20-$30. No way I can find a taxi RT for less than that. Takes out the hassle. Some of these ports are quite a haul. I figure for us this was about a $400 value 

SDP-because you all recommend it so highly and it being our first NCL I know to trust CC members for best advice. It will give us 5 days of variety. Imagine the MDR gets old on a 14 day cruise 🙂

WIFI wasn't worth it to us. Our phones will work 11 days in port and if I really want the 250 min package prepaid was around $100 I believe. 

Thank you so much. Looking forward to our first NCL 

Thank you all for your opinions. One thing I wasn't thinking about when I initially posted that you all brought to light is that this is a very different cruise than I have been on before --14 days/11 Ports of Call. That changes things drastically. We won't be onboard enough to drink to break even and for wifi our Verizon travel pass will kick in at every port. But with 11 ports of call I wonder if the $50 makes more sense. I really need to look at what is offered in each place. For sure will get the SPD. 

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

You need to pay the 20% gratuity when selecting the dining or beverage package. For your 14 day cruise, the gratuity for the beverage package that will be added to your cruise fare is $555. Look at the bar menus on the attached link. The Beverage Package will cover the first $15 of each drink. Determine if you buy-by-the-drink, whether you will exceed $40 per day (that is your break even point) 

 

YIKES!! That gratuity ADDS UP when tacked on! Thanks for the charts, very helpful!

Hi. We are taking our first NCL - 14 days British Isles in June. Need help choosing best 3 perks for the money. Obviously if we can get free airfare from our city (TA checking) that one is a no brainer. Thinking open bar is as well....not HUGE drinkers but a few day on the ship is normal for us. 

• Free or Reduced Airfare (select sailings)
• Ultimate Beverage Package (Hawaii Beverage Package for Pride of America)
• Specialty Dining Package
• Up to 250 Minute Internet Package
• $50 (USD) per Port Shore Excursions

Southwest is our preferred airline and they fly into La Guardia so we will do that. Also, several Marriott properties right outside the airport that offer shuttles (so technically they should have an ADA option--I will call each and see) and then it does look like Disney still offers transport from both airports. They also have a partner Marriott hotel somewhere in the city that they say offers transport to and from if booked through them. I will at least get pricing on it.

Thank you both. As always, you are very helpful. DCLCrazy--my son has SB as well :)

Moki--that's what I was thinking, a hotel near airport and return for Disney transport.

Hi Everyone. I just booked a Magic 7 day for next Fall out of NYC. We would have to fly in day before given time changes. My questions are:

Does Disney provide transport of any kind in this area?

What's easier for this port? JFK or La Guardia?

Hotel that is easiest for this?

Special consideration: my son is a fulltime wheelchair user and I do not want to mess with taxis in NYC if I can avoid it. We have no desire to visit NYC as an add on....I just need to know the best way to get in and out of port here. We have never cruised out of NYC.

We have used insuremytrip.com to buy the highest level Nationwide Cruise Plan for our last couple of cruises. We also have an annual MedJet membership. Our primary heath insurance will cover us abroad in many places but our secondary will not. My son has significant special needs and I feel we are well covered with these arrangements. As an additional bonus I do book our travel through a credit card that offers insurance. Every family situation is different and a broker like insuremytrip can help you figure out what works best for you.

We didn't experience it in Aug or Nov of 2016