Seas2mountains

2 hours ago, stellarose33 said:

nervous for NCL getaway (the sister ship).  have only sailed RCCL and Carnival.  should I worry about NCL?

I’m so confused. @stellarose33 is going on the Getaway. 

1 hour ago, Floatyman said:

Honestly I didn't find the lines all that long. Just make a show reservation for Burn the Floor which is terrific. The rest of the entertainment is very good and you likely won't need a reservation for it. 
 

In my opinion the nickel and diming is excessive vs other cruise. Others on this thread appear to like it 

@Floatyman recent cruise on the Breakaway makes them an expert on all NCL ships for entertainment and experiences? Or maybe they stayed at a Holiday Inn Express before or after the cruise?  🤷‍♀️

Here are some photos at Silver Cove Lagoon villas taken in February 2024. We had a studio lagoon villa. 

On 5/17/2024 at 8:18 PM, mking8288 said:

Looks like our new CC friends @Fogfog - hi, Sharon & Robert ... might possibly be home  again and catching up with video clips ... this one is for us, others & everyone onboard the Prima TA.  Let's bring back a tiny bit of swee memories, for a moment, Duo Rita that sang nightly - sometimes in Penrose & other times elsewhere, their sweet music ... Let It Be 

 

 

Thank you for sharing the video. We really like listening to Duo Rika. Autocorrect wants them to be Duo Rita. Do you by chance know how long they have left on the Prima? We hope they will be on through early July. We embark on the Prima in about 35 days. 
 

Thank you again for all the details you provided in this review! I appreciate it so much! 

Thank you so much for taking the time for this live review. I enjoyed reading about your experiences on the Prima on @mking8288’s wonderful live review. It’s so nice to get to hear about your adventures on the Escape. Thank you for sharing the details on how you got from Southampton to Trieste. 

 Enjoy the rest of your cruise! 

27 minutes ago, Jordan61 said:

Well, those pictures @Seas2mountains posted look lovely, but for some reason we are in terminal C.

That’s a bummer. The Port of Miami daily port schedule doesn’t list any ships at terminal B today. I wonder why they used terminal C?
 

Have a wonderful cruise! We embark on the Breakaway two weeks from today. 

Happy Birthday, Yvonne! Can’t wait to read about your day and hope it is wonderful despite the weather. I hope you get to enjoy some yummy cake, too. 

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Not really. There is a separate line to get you to the document checkers (who handle both Haven and steerage). Avoids the long steerage line.
 

Then you join the steerage passengers to get security screened. 

 

Once past security screening, Haven checkin is about 3/4 the way back in the terminal. They have made more “folding chair” space to stage Haven guest in the terminal. Nothing like Miami. 

Here is more info on this topic

1 hour ago, Sand and Seas said:

Our friend has had surgery a few months ago and can walk a few stairs, but is there an elevator to get someone up/down to the Haven area?    

Yes, there is an elevator to move people up and down from the Haven/Suite waiting area for those who have mobility challenges and can’t take the stairs. I saw it used often. 

4 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I'm really impressed.  This takes priority embarkation to a new level in Miami. I am still surprised they do it because there are not that many suite passengers and the port pays the security screeners, no?  For smaller ships you could show up at any time and wiz through security.  It puts a new meaning behind priority embarkation.

This is a brand new terminal.  Any other ports have a separate security line?  I know they all have the Haven lounges but have its own security screening line?

I understand New York Manhattan terminal added a separate security screening station for Haven. 
 

While terminal B in Miami opened in 2021, the carpet in the main cruise terminal did not look great when we weren’t in the Haven /suites a year ago. I’ll see it in a few weeks and hope they figured out a way to clean it or replace it as it was really bad in high traffic areas. 
 

It is a beautiful terminal with all the windows. The Haven/suite area is even better with that separate security line and the snacks. It’s a relaxing way to start a vacation.  

15 minutes ago, weisla said:

After ID.me sent me an email confirmation, I had to go back to NCL.com/teachers and click through the link to ID.me and sign in there again. It then prompted with a request to approve sharing/sending the verification status with NCL. I assumed it was finalized with the email but once I logged in again on ID.me approved sharing the status it showed up as activated on NCL:

Thank you! I missed that additional step.

53 minutes ago, Linda the Book Lover said:

Has anyone used both the military and teacher discount for a combined 15%? 

I tried to do a mock booking this afternoon and could see the military discount but did not see the educator discount. I’m going to wait a few days to try again. 
 

If anyone has success, please do let us know. 

No, but it is in the area below the waiting area. If you walk down the stairs from the waiting area, you turn right as if you are going to embark on the ship and they are located to your right. There is usually a person standing by the restrooms to make sure you don't keep walking towards the ship. 

42 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I have not been to the new Miami NCL terminal yet.  The Haven has a separate security line now?   The old terminal everyone went through security before separating to Haven and general boarding.

Here are some photos of the security and check-in area for the Haven/Suites in Miami Terminal B. These were taken in December 2023.

Assuming you embark in Miami at the NCL cruise terminal B, look for the Haven signs when you arrive at the cruise port immediately after the first escalator and go to the left and not the right for general check-in. Someone will check your cruise documents against a list to confirm your name and cabin number are on the list of suite guests.

 Do not go to regular security as you will miss your chance to go to the Suite area which has its own security.  They will have some treats available like cookies, fruit and sandwiches with juice, tea and coffee. The concierge should be there to meet you and provide an advance copy of the Freestyle Daily. The butlers do come to escort you on the ship. 

23 minutes ago, rnr4thatsme said:

Would Cruise Next or Cruise First be considered "stacking discounts"?

No. You should be able to use them with the discount. I have had success using them to make deposits with the military discount. 

It took about 30 minutes to get verified. I had an ID.me account but only used it for military verification. 

Thank you so much for sharing this information! Wonderful news! 

I just submitted my info in ID.me and it asked if I had a license number that could be verified by my state which I do so that is what I used to submit my info in ID.me along with my school name and school district.  I'm waiting to see if that worked or not. I am not a teacher but I do work at a high school and am licensed by the state.

Being a military veteran, I do get 10% off cruises with that discount and assume this can't be combined with the teacher/school employee discount of 5% plus $50 OBC. We will see.

2 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

@ceilidh1

I found us summer jobs!

#retirementgoals

On 5/1/2024 at 12:57 PM, Travelicious said:

Can’t find anywhere onboard that makes them.  Not even the whiskey bar.

Oh no!  Hoping they can be found soon. Maybe Belvedere or Metropolitan?  

6 hours ago, PartyPlannerLady said:

Wow!  I am not sure if before now I ever saw anyone complain about being goven $100 they were mot due ang did not deserve/  1st time for everything.

The dissatisfaction arises from the removal of Tortola and the reduction in port time at St. Thomas, with the original arrival time shifted from 11 am to 1 pm, affecting five sailings.

The exclusion of Tortola isn't due to weather or safety concerns but rather appears to be part of NCL's standard messaging for skipped ports, which seems dishonest. Many passengers, including ourselves, would have reconsidered booking had we known about these changes before final payment.

The $100 onboard credit is insufficient for a 7-day cruise now heavily reliant on sea days, potentially extending to 4.5 days if Great Stirrup Cay is skipped due to weather. Numerous comments reflect the frustration of loyal NCL customers seeking transparency and truthfulness, as ongoing itinerary alterations erode trust in the company's integrity driven by cost-cutting motives that happened after we committed thousands of dollars for multiple cabins to cruise with family members who have never been to these ports. 

4 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

The next time you're in the Local, see if they can make you a Matador. They had them at O'Sheahan's on the Jade, so they probably make them at the Local. It's a bourbon drink, but a little sweeter.

 

If you order it and don't like it (highly unlikely), send it my way and I'll finish it.

I agree.  This is now my favorite NCL drink as was recommended to me last summer by @bluesea777 when I was on the Spirit.
 

But now, I’m super picky about how this drink is made and I have not found a bartender in the Local or O’Sheahan’s who can make it just right.  I usually need to go to the whiskey bar like Maltings on the Pearl or Gem to find the bartender who could make it just like it was made in Henry’s pub on the Spirit.  I won’t be on Prima until later this summer but if you find a bar that makes a great matador, please let me know and thank you! I’m not a picky person but it’s something about the ginger or orange bitters that makes or breaks this drink. 

Have a wonderful cruise! Loving your live review and photos. Congratulations on the retirements. So excited to read about your adventures on all three ships! Thank you for taking the time! 

Loving your review and I’m so happy to hear that you and your Dad are having a great time and making wonderful memories! Dad’s comments are priceless and I’m sure I’m not the only one who misses their Dad or Father-in-law when reading about him. 
 

In case you hung out at Magnum’s on the Spirit last summer, the amazing bar server and singer, Jane, is on the Jewel in Magnum’s/Shaker’s martini bar.  She has the biggest smile and has such a beautiful voice to enjoy when she is invited to sing. 

Can’t wait for more of your review- have a wonderful cruise! 😀

4 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

I have the same configuration today. I wonder if at housekeeping they have photos posted on the walls showing the pillow configuration for the day, just like they have photos of the food posted on the walls at the galley. 

 

You might be right about that. When I made a comment to the cabin steward on the last cruise about the changing pillow arrangements, he said it was the “pillow talk” for that day. 
 

Here is the letter   
 

Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners,

The itinerary for Norwegian Breakaway's sailings from May 12, 2024 through and including May 26, 2024, have changed. Travel Partners are asked to share this information with impacted guests.

As part of our commitment to deliver exceptional vacation experiences at every step of the cruise journey, listening to our guests is instrumental. Given recent guest feedback, and to accommodate certain circumstances including but not limited to fuel optimization as a part of our commitment to the environment and sustainability efforts, as well as global maritime regulations, we have adjusted the original itinerary as shown below. We apologize for any inconvenience these adjustments may cause. 

We recognize the importance that destinations play in our guests' vacation decision-making process and assure you that these modifications were made with an optimal guest experience top-of-mind. While we will no longer be calling on Tortola, British Virgin Islands, we are pleased to share that we have extended our visit to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; affording you with additional time to explore all our exclusive private island has to offer. The modified itinerary is as follows:

Original

DayDestinationArriveDepart

SunMIAMI, FL5:30 pm

MonAT SEA

TuePUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC7:00 am4:00 pm

WedST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS11:00 am7:00 pm

ThuTORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS6:00 am2:00 pm

FriAT SEA

SatGREAT STIRRUP CAY, BAHAMAS10:00 am6:00 pm

SunMIAMI, FL7:00 am

Revised

DayDestinationArriveDepart

SunMIAMI, FL5:30 pm

MonAT SEA

TuePUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC9:00 am5:00 pm

WedST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS1:00 pm7:30 pm

ThuAT SEA

FriAT SEA

SatGREAT STIRRUP CAY, BAHAMAS7:00 am7:00 pm

SunMIAMI, FL7:00 am

As a gesture of appreciation for choosing to sail with us and as a genuine acknowledgment of the inconvenience caused, we have arranged a $100 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom (restrictions apply). This will reflect as a $50 non-refundable onboard credit for each of guest one and guest two on your onboard account.

SHORE EXCURSIONS
Shore excursions booked through NCL for Tortola, British Virgin Islands will be automatically canceled, and a full monetary refund of the fare paid will be returned to the form of payment used at the time of reservation; no further action is required. Shore excursions booked through NCL for Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and St. Thomas, Us Virgin Islands will be automatically adjusted to coincide with the new times in port; no further action is required. If you are interested in booking new excursions for your upcoming vacation, please login to your MyNCL account or contact us directly at (866) 625-1167. Guests residing outside of the U.S. or Canada should visit www.ncl.com for local contact information.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Depending on nationality, guests may require a passport and/or a visa to visit certain ports of call. All necessary documentation should be printed and available to present at check-in on embarkation day. Guests who fail to obtain these documents will be denied boarding. For more information on the necessary documentation to sail and for all ports of call, please visit www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents. Requirements and policies are subject to change.

YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY 
It is the responsibility of the guest to be aware of, and to satisfy, any local protocols and/or travel restrictions in place at the visiting destinations at the time of sailing to avoid denial of boarding. For additional information on our health and safety protocols, please visit www.ncl.com/sail-safe.

Please note that destination specific travel requirements supersede any NCL embarkation protocols. As such, we strongly encourage you to visit www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country to ensure you are in compliance and avoid any chance of being denied boarding. We encourage you to check these sites often, as regulations change frequently and with very short notice.

As always, we are at your service and look forward to providing you with a truly memorable onboard experience!

Sincerely,

Norwegian Cruise Line


This also impacts June 16 and 23 sailings. 

 

Earliest St Thomas excursions start at 1:45pm and all seem to be modified with the later arrival time. 
 

It’s a mystery as to why Tortola was canceled. Yes, they can do it, I know. 

Each person can decide if $100 OBC is generous or not. On a social media platform, some report having multiple cabins booked for family. We are cruising with some family members who have never cruised.  I’m sure we will have a wonderful time no matter what but it is disappointing but better than being told when embarking.  
 

Hoping we are able to tender at Great Stirrup Cay as scheduled as otherwise it’s a 2 port cruise over 7 days. 

1 hour ago, www3traveler said:

If NCL has reason to believe that a port of call is unsafe for passengers, YES they will cancel it.  They have canceled calls to Acapulco on a number of occasions.  I have been on Panama Canal cruises where Acapulco was canceled.

I understand what you are saying but if it is unsafe, why was it okay for the Sky to dock there today and with the Breakaway planing to go there on May 2nd?