debenson0723

I just take a cab or Uber from my hotel to the port. No way would I drag luggage thru any city to save a few bucks.

No, I'm sorry I do not keep them past the day they are relevant.

Haven't been on a ship with Wheel of Fortune but both Price is Right on the Prima and Press Your Luck on the Viva were free to play for the audience. And no cell phone or internet usage necessary.

Hard to compare what entertainment was like 14 years ago vs. today. I am just off the Viva and there were multiple venues with entertainment...Beetlejuice (the Broadway production), Icons, a Las Vegas style review, the Fleetwood Mac Rumours show in Syd Norman's and various singers/duo in the Metropolitan bar and Atrium area both in the afternoon and evening. There might have been more but that is what I saw. Not sure what you mean by "cruise ship performers' as all of these acts were performing on a cruise ship. Having sailed the Prima on a cold weather cruise, I was not a fan of this ship configuration but with the Viva in warm weather, it appeared to be much less crowded as people were spread out more on the ship.

You might want to check the East Coast departures board on this forum for lots of information about leaving from MCT, hotels, transportation options, etc. There's really nothing to dread as it is not much different than sailing from other ports if you are informed and prepared.

You can also watch them in your cabin if you care to do so.

Upgrades typically start the Monday before the cruise. But with so many cruises selling out or being at capacity, I think those upgrades are few and far between these days.

This was a few years ago but Gothenburg was a commercial port with NCL busses to take you into town and pick you up. Copenhagen was in town but a ways into the center of town (we disembarked there and I took a cab to my hotel as I stayed a few days but you could use an excursion bus or city bus). Warnemunde we walked off and on the ship. Best to check the Ports of Call board for more recent information.

No to the Local and for dessert, it depends. I personally have taken my dessert back to my cabin often but others have not. Depends on the ship and GM.

I think it depends on how you want to cruise. You always mention you cruise in the Haven or a suite and that's great. But that is never going to be an option for me, especially as a solo traveler on a budget. I personally would rather cruise more often in a smaller cabin. It's great that sometimes there are upgrades available and I can take advantage of them but if I can't, I am happy on the waterfront or Observation Lounge. Booking last minute also helps to take advantage of lower prices (again, I really don't care that much about my cabin). We all have different cruise styles and cruising is still in my budget but sometimes it takes a little more time and effort to make it work.

There are a couple of good YouTube videos that show exactly how to do this, including the walk to the port. Enjoy your cruise!

Did it last month. Actually used the app but saw many people using gift cards.

But it's not just continental breakfast now...you can get multiple hot items also (see post #21 for menu).

The reason I use packing cubes has nothing to do with overpacking. I use them so when my clothing and personal items go thru TSA, I don't have strangers touching my stuff with their grubby hands. Before cubes I used jumbo zip lock bags. And yes, I am OCD.

It is the whole show. Quite expensive on the West End in London when you can see it for free on a cruise ship (multiple times!).

I used my NR OBC for an additional tip at Onda on the Viva 4 weeks ago so still happening on some ships.

Viva's capacity is listed as 3099 on the NCL website.

Do you have your confirmation email from when you booked the cruise or made the last change? If you are more comfortable printing something out, take that with you. You cannot download edocs once you hit the 72 hour mark prior to your cruise. You aren't the first person not to have them and you won't be the last.

No, on my cruise earlier in December no one even asked to see them. I always just save the screen shot on my phone. As long as you have your passport, they can find you on the manifest. Relax and enjoy your cruise.

Huge difference in the dining venues on the Star vs.the Prima.

Prima MDR dinner menus change every night and you won't know which menu the chef has chosen for that night until later in the afternoon when it is posted. Maybe those that prefer to eat in the MDR can do that on some nights and those that want the Haven can eat there. Or if it's just an MDR dessert, go there after your Haven dinner.

You never know. I have spent most of today working on my January-June vacations and once I figure those out, will work on the 2nd half of the year. I have 6 States left to complete my 50 and would like to knock a few more of those off the list. But I am thinking Alaska will be in there somewhere in the fall.

I am looking at this cruise but plan to do what I usually do...book refundable hotel and airfare and then watch the prices on the cruise until it comes down to what I am willing to pay, typically about 30 days out. If it doesn't get to that point, then I cancel the hotel and take the airfare credit for my next vacation. I enjoy the ship and walking around the ports plus Alaska is a nice place to get out of the heat in September.

Totally agree. I consider myself a 'normal' tipper but the 2 times I overtip is the airport skycaps and the porters at the cruise port. And (knock on wood) never had a bag lost.

Yes, the porters who work at the port will take your luggage and it will appear outside your cabin sometime in the afternoon. Some people prefer to keep their carryons with them (you should always keep a bag with your docs, medications, jewelry, etc with you). I was carryon only once and took it on board with me...it was a pain so I never did that again, just took a small tote onboard. It appears that most of the ships now have a drop off for carryons onboard but if I was going to do that, I would just give to the porter.