paradiseawaitsme

I believe Christian is on Breakaway.  Looking forward to seeing him in November.

Loving your review.  Very Entertaining and informative.  Your Dad is awesome!  Looking forward to hearing about each day and getting more excited for my first Alaska cruise first week of September!

😁

On 1/1/2022 at 8:57 AM, TNcruising02 said:

As far as testing ahead of time, we ended up ordering proctored home tests with a company that partnered with Norwegian.  We went to their site, entered the name of the ship and sailing date and the testing dates came up.  I chose two days before the cruise and then I was able to schedule an appointment time for my husband and myself.  I was surprised at how quickly the test kits came in the mail. $40 per person or 3 tests for $80.

From NCL:

For guests that prefer to test prior to travel in the comfort of their home or while travelling, we have partnered with Inspired Diagnostics to provide FDA-approved, proctored, in-home antigen testing for our guests. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Purchasing in-home testing kits takes just five simple, easy steps at: https://inspirediagnostics.com/ncl/.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with Inspire Diagnostics to provide hassle-free, pre-cruise at home supervised testing for our guests. Inspire makes it simple and easy to sail away safely with U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention approved test results sent securely to your mobile device or email.

Inspire will ship your test kit a few weeks ahead of your sail date and send you a friendly reminder when it’s time for you to take your at-home supervised test.

 

Thank you for that info currently planning on getting the tests through Air Canada, but that is a great backup plan.  
We sail on the Epic February 6th and fly in on the 4th.  We have no plans to cancel as long as the Canadian govt.doesn’t forbid non-essential travel and we test negative.  We cruised out of Athens in August and it was amazing!  Masking is unfortunate, but it didn’t ruin our cruise and we won’t let it ruin this one. I feel safer on NCL fully vaxxed and tested ships than I do at work…….and when leaving from Canadian airports, you also have to be fully vaxxed and provide negative tests to board the plane.  My Sister and I cruise this same week every year, and we are really hoping we sail without incident. We are, however, going to get the extra COVID insurance on top of the NCL essentials and company plan we have, just for our own peace of mind.  All of those sailing soon……..I wish you an absolutely amazing cruise!!!

What a great review!  Thank you so much for posting your experience.  Your attitude is amazing and it’s so good to read something honest and positive.  I’m glad you enjoyed your cruise, even with all the chaos 🙂

Canadians who have accepted the mixed dose......just sail out of Europe for now😁

On 7/10/2021 at 6:28 AM, podgeandrodge said:

Has anyone heard where NCL are vaccinating their crews that are in Europe (or are they getting vaccinated in San Juan etc. and travelling to Europe for Epic, Jade etc.)?

A crew member I speak to from Philippines will be on Breakaway and was quarantined in Bar, Montenegro and vaccinated in  Civitavecchia 

3 hours ago, sicness4x4 said:

We are actually 11 days out now. I posted this on the Health and Safety thread when we hit the 21 day mark. We had to complete a test registration and watch a safety video then check in was 100%.

 

 

Thank you so much for this info......can’t wait for our cruise August 29th!

I am on the Epic with overnight in Istanbul in November also.  Really hoping it sails this time.  

    😥    R I P Captain.....Loved the Love Boat growing up.  Gavin McCleod played a great character.

We fly out of Toronto and have taken the air promo each time in our last 4 cruises, and our next 3 booked (and hopefully sailing) cruises.  We always fly in 1 or 2 days prior and out 1 or 2 days after, depending on the Ports we are in and out of.  We usually book our own hotels though, because NCL hotels are way more expensive than we book for ourselves......we just have them remove the transfer charges.  Our experience so far has been pretty good.  The only crappy flights were from TO to Miami last February when they had us stop in Chicago going and New Jersey coming back.......(ridiculous for a 3 hour flight, but worth the $0 charge).  Our Europe and San Juan flights were all direct.    

Flights from Toronto are very expensive, so the perk is well worth it for us. 

Hope this helps.   Keeping fingers crossed that we can finally start sailing soon!!!

Just looked through them on my booked trips  Pretty cool.  Having veggies and dip waiting after a long travel day or shorex would hit the spot 🙂

Thanks for all the input.  First time I have done it this way, so all your advice is extremely helpful and I will make sure we follow your suggestions.  Looking forward to getting back on the Escape in 22 days.    :)

1 minute ago, casofilia said:

@paradiseawaitsme

 

 He told us that our excursion tickets will be in our cabin when we board, and our cabin accounts will show the already discounted amounts that he quoted us. 

 

The folio will show the cost LESS the Gold discount but NOT less the $50 Shore Excursion Perk

 

That will appear overnight AFTER you have done the shorex.   The only time it appears earlier than that is when you are doing a debark TOUR, not a direct airport transfer.

 

Also remember it is $50 per CABIN, NOT per person.   It is also the maximum, if the costs in total are less than $50 you get the actual cost; usually applicable to singles.

 

 

 Thank you for the info. 
They did give us the breakdown with the Gold % off and then the $50/cabin so we know what we will be paying.  Just prefer doing it over the phone instead of pre-paying.  We will be going to see them on board so they split it between our accounts 

Sailed her for the third time December 15-22.  I love the Epic.  The entertainment was fantastic, even better than the last time (October 2018), and it was great then! Priscilla, Burn the floor and  Howl at the Moon......Loved them all. The other entertainment throughout the ship was also very good. 
The food was great as usual. No complaints.  We did find breakfast service a little slow in Aqua though.  Otherwise service was good.  

The main differences on this cruise was the late leave time from San Juan, but we were well informed, so not too big of a deal.   Also, the main passenger count was from Puerto Rico and we found that the late night venues catered to them.  
 

Btw, on return to PR, taxes are charged on drinks when the ship enters Puerto Rican waters. Just be advised.  We were charged from 7pm on

Enjoy.  Your cruise is what you make it

On 1/8/2020 at 9:18 PM, julig22 said:

Probably not.  Although the reps tell you that, I have yet to see it happen.  You need to get a print-out from Guest Services and look at your charges to verify.  If your excursions are booked at full price, just let them know and they will fix it.

I just noted that you are from Canada - maybe the Canadian booking system is better and your discount will be there!

Thanks.  Will do 👍😊

Hi Kim,  love your review as usual.  I read all your NCL travels (still only cruising with them😁).  Hope this year is going well for you so far and your leg is healing properly

Quick question: do you remember who the cruise director was?  My Sister and I are Escaping on February 8 and we’re just wondering if it’s still Tyler 

Looking forward to the rest of your review.  So excited about ours, so hanging on your every word. Lol

Just  booked our excursions over the phone with NCL's Shore Excursion department. 

 The Rep, Jake,  took no payment when we booked and told us the total dollar amount per trip for the two of us  (with the $50 promo and our Gold discount already taken off)    He told us that our excursion tickets will be in our cabin when we board, and our cabin accounts will show the already discounted amounts that he quoted us. 

Hope this helps.  Enjoy your cruise   :)

On 3/20/2019 at 4:53 PM, snirpville said:

I did this through NCL and loved it. We started with the Catamaran tour which stopped for a 45 minute swim before arriving in Soufriere (free beverages including booze). The view of the Pitons from the boat was amazing! We arrived at the estate for a tour and lunch and then a drive to the waterfall. We were there about 30 minutes. Then a long, windy drive back to the port with a brief stop for photos and bathroom. All in all, I loved it.

Hi, will be doing the Southern Caribbean itinerary in December for the first time.  NCL has had to change the itinerary unfortunately, but we are still going to St Lucia 👏👏.  Due the the change(I think🤔)  we still have no excursions showing for our cruise, so was wondering if you could tell me what the tour was called and the price you paid (in CDN$ if possible as that is what shows on my site).  It looks like exactly the kind of excursion we would be interested in. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks for your time,

Angela

Loving your review.  Haven't got any cruises booked on Dawn or Canada/New England itinerary, but may have to rethink it.....maybe for the fall.   I have been out east a few times, driving through Vermont and Maine, but I think cruising it would be fun.

(I live close to Toronto so it is a nice road trip for us).  If you go again, try to get to Peggy's Cove, it is gorgeous there.

Hope your leg has healed up and you were in better shape to enjoy your latest trip.  Thanks for posting.....I have enjoyed all your trip reports and pics....especially of the ships and itineraries I am cruising after you.

Take care

Angela

On 12/30/2018 at 12:02 PM, Indyopie said:

Have not used the promotion but did some research last evening and want to give folks a heads up to check the transfer fees added. One cruise qualified for free airfare to New York but a $70 per person transfer fee was added.  Checked another cruise, airfare to MIA was $149 and a $32 per person transfer was added. Terms and conditions say "Guests are responsible for airport transfers at an additional cost if selected", didn't realize it would be added at time of booking.

You don't have to use the transfers, just have them removed if you want to do your own.   We have taken them off for now as we arrive a day prior and can probably cab it cheaper to the hotel.   Although we may add the transfers later from the ship to the airport depending on the flight NCL has us booked on, at this point we will probably just cab it both ways.  

Thanks for the Great review.  Going on the  October 6th Star out of Venice and you have given us a lot of info.  Your pictures were awesome.  Can't wait for this cruise!!

We always go in day before so just requested it when we booked originally.   Sister is TA and had to call to get air promo added in first place......would't give it to her on her agent site.  :/    We fly into  San Juan December 14, so hopefully air will be decent.

Following.....Thank you for taking time out from your cruise.   We are on this ship October 3rd with this Itinerary and very excited.  Sister and I cruised the Epic from Barcelona last October but this will be our First time on a smaller ship(all “away ships so far) and first cruise my Son will be joining us on.  He is super excited for the Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik as most young adults are. 

Looking forward to your posts.  Have an awesome cruise!!!

Angela

If I remember correctly there are 4 squares.  70’s, 80’s, 90’s and top 40.   It was quite fun........different but fun.  Enjoy

Thanks for the review.  Have only been on NCL Mega Ships and absolutely love them.  The entertainment on the Mega ships is awesome.  They have multiple comedy shows at different times for adult and family friendly through week.  The productions are always very enjoyable as are the bands and howl at the moon. 

 Give NCL another try on the Away or Away plus ships and you might have a better experience.  We have been on Breakaway, Escape (2), Epic (2) and leaving on the Bliss in 2 weeks.  We have loved every single cruise..........service, food, entertainment and amenities.    The Perks are awesome and another reason we book..... LOL   We are currently also booked on Star for the Med/Greek Isles cruise out of Venice in October but don't have any doubt we will love every minute.

Again, Thank you for your honest review..