tsahall01

I think we got off around 8--I know we had plenty of time at the train station. The buses I was referring to were various shuttle buses going to various places--you want the bus at the VERY END--we just asked and the people there were really helpful--we certainly weren't the only ones confused, although, being a blonde senior it didn't help! LOL! You only take the one bus--it takess you right to the train station. Be sure to have exact change for the driver--they will only take euros--I saw lots of people with either no cash or only had dollars, so be sure to save out the euros for the bus!

Just got back from a cruise that started and ended in Civitavecchia. We took the trains going both ways. We booked the faster, non-stop trains that allow for seat reservations--a little more expensive, but still cheap--try not to book a regional train as it is a free for all! When we first arrived to Civitavecchia, we were walking towards the bus stop--bus was not there yet. We were approached by numerous Taxi drivers that they would take us to the ship for the same cost. The bus is 6euros/person. Taxi was 6euros/person. It was a no brainer! We took the taxi that took us right where we dropped off the luggage. When it was time to return to Rome, it was a little confusing trying to figure out where to go--just keep walking past all the shuttle busses--at the very end there is the stop for the busses going to the station. You cannot get a taxi as they want the longer, more expensive trips. The busses fill quickly, and they drop you off at the station. I made reservations in advance for the 9:16 train # 8601 Frecciabianca--we had no problem getting to the train on time (we docked at 6 or 7). You do NOT go through customs of any kind--you will do this at the airport, so very easy to get off the ship. If you have larger bags, there are elevators at the train station (didn't know about this 2 years ago! LOL! Had a hard time lugging stuff up and down the stairs). In all, very easy to do and VERY inexpensive compared to the 100+euros to take a shuttle or taxi from/to Rome

I had a cruise that was booked thru Casinos at Sea. I got immediate confirmation of the Shareholder benefit. This was in October of 2022. The cruise was in September of 2023. The benefit was still showing when we checked in. Luckily, I had saved all the information, including the shareholder's form that I had emailed in. For some reason, they assigned the benefit to guest 1 & 2--I was guest 3 and got NOTHING! No problem, we are all friends and I figured we could sort it out once on board. About 3 days into the 10 day cruise, I noticed that the benefit had not been assigned to ANYONE. I went down to guest services--they had no record of it! I showed them my approval email, plus the form I sent in with the stockholder's report, and the Guest information sheet that I printed out upon check-in, showing the stockholders benefit. First, they said it was because we had booked through Casinos at Sea (was not a problem the last time), then they came back and told me the form was too old!! WTH? Why didn't they say anything BEFORE boarding? So I had to make a long distance call back to the states, from Italy, to release an updated stockholder report. I scribbled out all the information except the Shareholders name, the date and 100 shares of NCL stock. They refused to accept that form!! They wanted only my account number blacked out and EVERYTHING else left showing! After much discussion back and forth and asking for a supervisor, the only way that I could get my shareholder's benefit was to submit the form with only my account number blacked out. I was FURIOUS, but what could I do?? After resubmitting the form they wanted, I finally got the benefit assigned to me and guest 1--2 days before the cruise ended. I have a cruise in November--I am bringing an updated stock report just in case they pull this stunt again! I'm still angry about it!

I'm holding my breath right now!! I live in the US Virgin Islands and I'm due to fly out on Friday afternoon for a 10 day cruise on the Breakaway! Tropical Storm Lee (soon to be major hurricane Lee) has wobbled a bit north, so we are no longer in the "cone of terror", but that can change at any time. As it stands right now, it is not due to be close to the Virgin Islands until Sunday morning, well after my Friday afternoon flight. I called American to see if I could leave earlier--but the cost would be over $2,000 to change--so I threw the dice and am hoping for the best!

We are on the next sailing!! I see that Mykonos is a tender port! On our sailing it is listed as a dock port. Was yours initally a dock port as well? Have a great tiime!

If you want to, move the left end table and push the bed left against the wall, then you’ll have double end tables and more floor space at right. When I travel solo, I have the cabin stewart separate the beds--I have more walk around room, plus a place to put stuff, if I want to

We are doing the September 13th sailing. It shows Mykonos as a port, not a tender port. Was this a change for you or was it always a tender port listed on your reservation? Thank you for your observations! Looking forward to a great cruise!

Another little tip to add--put a baseball cap on and then tie the hood around that--helps to keep rain out of your eyes--unless it is sideways rain.

Try Shared Shuttle--their rates are pretty reasonable!

Maybe they should change it to Indulge Food Hall--very popular, free venue on the Prima and soon to be Viva

I had to laugh! I am the only coffee drinker in the house and I have OVER 50 Starbucks coffee cups from various cities and countries I have been. Looking forward to adding the NCL cups! YAY!

When I discussed the OBC with my pcc, I was told I could go to guest services and have it switched over to me once on board the ship (my 2 girlfriends each got $50 and I got zippo! I'm the shareholder--neither one of them owns stock. They are guest 1 & 2--I am guest 3)

I am doing a cruise with 3 other girls (I know, I know--I would have booked 2 cabins, but they wanted to share!)--I am listed as guest 3. I got my shareholders benefit, but it was applied to guest 1 and 2! You would think that they would assign it to the shareholder, but no. They also automatically split it between guest 1 and 2--if a married couple, no problem, but with girlfriends, it could be. Luckily, I'm very good friends with them! They told me I could go to guest services once on board, but it would be tricky to switch it before sailing (plus, I didn't want to mess things up and possibly have the cruise cancelled! LOL!) Just thought it was really odd that they did it this way!

I'm pretty sure you can! I just took a FCC that I applied to a cruise in April of 2024 (not the Getaway, but for the Viva--still don't know for sure if I'm going to take this cruise or not) and moved it to a cruise for this November. If you can only apply it to a new cruise, just cancel the Pearl and rebook! Your PCC should be able to do it!

What I would do is go ahead and book the Pearl--you can always cancel and if the TA is cancelled, you can apply your FCC to the new cruise. You would have a jump on those who didn't book an alternative cruise. Of course, DO NOT cancel your TA on the Getaway--wait for NCL to cancel!

Looking at the website, there are NO cruises for the Getaway from March 17th to July 28th! It does a R/T NYC-NYC from March 7th to the 17th--Bermuda and Caribbean and then the next date for sailing is July 28th to August 4th--Greek Islands. Maybe Chartered??? If it were dry dock, they would still have the transAtlantic.

The mini-beer is my now favorite drink--I sip it. First discovered it on the Epic TA last April. Unfortunately, I was on the Epic again in September and December and was not able to get it!! So happy to see it is available again on some ships--I will try again on the Breakaway in September and the Jade in November. I like your idea of trying a new drink everyday--I'm going to try it out. I usually stick to wine as I'm a pretty light drinker, aka a cheap date! LOL!

The Epic--you either love it or hate it! The MAJOR complaint is the bathroom set-up. When first entering the cabin, the shower is on one side and the toilet is on the other side. Both are enclosed with frosted glass, so you can tell if someone is in there, but can't really see them. I have been on the Epic with 2 people to a cabin and 3 people to a cabin. Both times we loved it!! One could shower while one used the toilet! There is a curtain that you can pull to seperate the shower/toilet area from the rest of the cabin. It would be akward for a family with teens--especially since there is no room to towel off or dress before exiting the shower. It would also be akward if a cabin attendant walked in while one of the areas were in use. The sink in the main cabin area is small, but no problems. I would recommend booking a cabin with the couch closest to the door as opposed to the bed, due to the sink position. I love the Epic and have sailed on her 5 times--3 TAs and 2 other cruises. Only draw back is no observation lounge.

This is a picture of the hole being closed up! Even with the delay and port changes, it really was a great cruise--we had lots of fun! Barcelona is a great port to get stuck in!! I would sail on the Star any day!

We were on the Star for the TA in October of 2018 (might have been November, but it was in 2018). We started out in Rome, with stops in Barcelona, Maderia, St Martin and maybe a few others--senior, blonde moment--it's a double whammy. Anyway, once we got to Barcelona, we were informed that we would be overnighting as they needed to repair the Azipod. That overnight turned into 2 overnights. They had to cut into the side of the ship to service the Azipod. The port of Maderia was missed, but we made all of the other ports. It was a fun cruise and I actually enjoyed the extra time in Barcelona!

Oooooooh! I sure hope that they do this!! I have a HUGE collection (over 50) of states, countries, and cities of where I have been. Love collecting them, but totally clueless as to what I am going to do with all of them! It's fun to collect them. I always scope out the Starbucks on the ships in hopes that they have ship mugs! I'll look for them on my next cruise!

We always pack/wear our Scott-e-Vest for our trips. They are a life saver for places like Rome and Barcelona where pickpockets are everywhere. We have never had a problem--close calls, but all my money and electronics were in zippered inside pockets, so they got nothing (escalators in the train station in Barcelona to go to Montserrat). They are pricey, but I won't travel without them! They can become HEAVY with lots of things in the pockets, LOL!! Our cousin once almost packed his entire backpack into his Scott-e-vest! Have a wonderful, safe cruise!

try St Thomas to Sydney Australia! LOL!!

That was actually one feature I liked--and I've been on the Epic with my sister, my husband, and my 2 Canadian girlfriends. I was great to be able to use one feature while the other was in use!! We even had one in the shower, one on the pot, and one using the sink. Since I have sailed the Epic for my last 3 cruises, it might be hard to go back to the usual style! Sailing with the Canadians in September on the Breakaway!

We are actually booked on the Viva TA from San Juan in April of next year. I was on the Getaway for a TA in 2019--was my worst cruise ever--that's why I booked the New Zealand cruise--if I hated it as well, I was going to start going to HAL again--LOL! Cruise on the Jewel way my favorite!! Jewel and Jade are similar, so hoping that it will be a good cruise. I have my airfare from STT-MIA-NCL air to Lisbon-JFK-STT already booked, so it will be kinda hard to change, plus my sister and BIL are joining us. I've had 3 Epic TAs, 1 Star and 1 Getaway. Looking forward to the Viva cruise!! Cheers!! Susan--on a side note, my sister and BIL will be on the Spirit with you on May 31st from Seward to Vancouver--they are doing the land tour pre-cruise. I would join them, but my husband and I will be in Australia until the 3rd of June