sailingships

1 minute ago, kitkat343 said:

If I understand the schedule correctly, the Gem sailings do not originate or end in Israel - Israel was just a stop along the cruise.   It is unlikely they will cancel cruises that simply stop in Israel altogether.  They will attempt to find alternate ports, but if that isn't possible they can simply replace them with sea days.

 

The NCL cruises that actually originate or end in Israel are a more difficult problem logistically, since passengers have to reroute their air travel.  Hopefully those will be resolved quickly so the passengers can get new flights asap. 

No but for both our cruises we go to Israel, Egypt and Turkey. If NCL takes out those ports the cruises will be gutted. We do end and start in Istanbul. (Nov 11 and 22) As long as the Gem starts in Athens on Nov 11 as she is supposed to we might be OK . We fly into Athens.  I think NCL is deciding what to do on each cruise as it is due to sail. If our state dept gives out a travel advisory for the whole area the cruises will be cancelled. I would just like to know ahead of time so that we can make other arrangements etc.

Some of these cruises might be cancelled as the US Navy is now in the area and the ships were due to go north and south through that part of the Med. The Eastern Med is now part of a war zone. I just wish NCL would tell us something.

The Gem has 3 more cruises this year that included the ports of Ashdod and Haifa. Nov 1st, Istanbul to Athens, Nov 11th, Athens to Istanbul, and Nov 22nd, Istanbul to Civitavecchia (Rome). Has anyone been able to find out which ports the Gem will visit instead, or will these be sea days? We will be on 2 of those cruises.

We got those fanny packs on the Magic in June

1 minute ago, Jetstreamer said:

The Jade has added 2 Turkish ports instead of Ashdod and Haifa on its current cruise. 

I wonder what NCL will do about the Gem. Our Nov 11 and Nov 22 cruises already have those ports in Turkey. Santorini and Mykonos would be nice

55 minutes ago, yakcruiser said:

My uneducated guess is that you're going to visit a lot of Greek islands.

This wont be ending any time soon. The toothpaste is out of the tube. We're on the Gem Nov 11 from Athens to Istanbul including Israel and then Istanbul to Rome again with Israel.. The Greek Islands would be nice but arranging those ports at the last minute might be difficult. Still the ports/countries might have pity and need the tourist dollars. We'll see. Just be ready for whatever. Check with your airline in case you have to change some flights.

3 hours ago, Traveling Fools said:

Azamara has cancelled port calls in Israel and is in the process of finding replacements.

Along with every other cruise line going into those ports for the next few months. The Gem was supposed to go to Ashdod and Haifa a few times in Oct and Nov. Also Turkey and Egypt The Epic has been mentioned too. Because of the difficulty in arranging other ports in such a short time, some of the cruises might be cancelled. 

No unlimited laundry on NCL and a corkage fee of $15 is charged for every bottle of wine brought aboard. But the specialty restaurants can be free. Plus a couple of other goodies. Veterans are treated much better on NCL and the solo groups are better organized. 

40 cruises with Carnival. Several with NCL.

Ive seen people in their PJs at the breakfast buffet of nice hotels

🙂 

2 hours ago, laudergayle said:

As mentioned, show e-docs on airport arrival.  Departure you will get a letter with your luggage tags night before departure.  It says show the letter to board the bus…but we’ve never been asked.

When we arrived in NYC off the Gem last December, we were just waved onto the right bus without being asked for our letter. We looked out the windows watching the other passengers outside. More than one waved their letter at the disinterested staff. One lady chased a man around as he placed luggage on the bus trying to make him read her letter. Finally, one of the other passengers suggested she just get on the bus. LOL

The word Transfer with the price is last on the list of items right before the Gross total on the Cruise Confirmation. We went out of NYC in April.

6 hours ago, Markj said:

We are sailing on Prima tomorrow and of course when I checked in we watched the MANDATORY safety video.

 

You can't continue check in unless you watch it.

 

NCL has now emailed me 16 times requesting me to watch it. I mean come on, I've had less emails asking me claim £30million from the late King of Togo.

 

Give it a rest NCL!!!!!

 

Anyone else beat that???

You win !!!

Usually only once a week after 21 day check in...

Click bait

I was excited and ready to book .

15 hours ago, hallux said:

and I'm wondering if you even reached the correct audience.  I wonder if someone from another social media page made the request feigning that they were doing it for a CC roll call.

Wouldnt they have to identify themselves with a cabin number etc to request an M&M or M&G ? Before the covid we could join the upcoming M&M by registering online in CC with the ship, then our names and cabin number.  

1 hour ago, Steve in Omaha said:

We leave Vancouver on Monday for a 7-day Alaskan cruise.  Via a site with a webcam, I've noticed people in the absolute front/point of the ship while in Glacier Bay.  I've only been on 2 cruises, but I believe that front/point area was reserved for crew.  So does NCL allow passengers out to that viewing area while in Glacier Bay?  What deck is it and how do you get to it?  Thanks!

Same with Jewel's sister ship the Gem in the Panama Canal The crew will direct you and let you out there at that time.

Its much the same between Civitavecchia and Rome For both trains if you go online and purchase your tickets before you leave the US you should be able to book a seat.

8 hours ago, laura85 said:

Recently got off our first NCL cruise aboard the Encore, overall a great trip. I knew to expect 1x day cleaning. We had 4 in a cabin, with a Pullman bed. I figured we’d reuse towels for a few days, then ask for a new set. I asked the steward for the new set on day 4. We didn’t get new ones until day 6 and had to pick up our old off the floor to use because the steward never showed up to swap them out like she said she would. The Pullman bed was left down for the entire first 6 days (we tried and COULD NOT put it away ourselves) so the closet was super hard to use with the bed in the way. And yes, we had asked the steward to put it up during the day. Finally on day 6 she put it up… and never put it back down. So on the last night my daughter had to sleep with us, because no one would come to our room to put the bed down. None of this ruined the trip, but the cabin was much less pleasant/usable with the Pullman down all week. 

You could have gone to the spa/gym and got clean bath towels from the shower rooms. Or chased the steward down out in the hall. Or just taken some off the cart.

9 hours ago, Mac4YYZ said:

When I was on Jewel earlier in August I am pretty sure the Cruise Next staff where taking bookings on any sailing, any cabin with up to 2 Cruise Next certificates but I can't find any trace of this online anywhere. Anyone have any up to date info?

Usually what is offered on board is not the same online when you get home.

30 minutes ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

Anyone know if free shuttle buses into town are offered at any of these ports?  Just doing some planning and seeing what our options are for booking excursions vs. going into town on our own.  Thanks!

 

 

Naples

Palermo (Sicily), Italy

Valletta, Malta

Messina (Sicily), Italy

Corfu, Greece

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Split, Croatia

Zadar, Croatia

Naples, Messina, Corfu the port is right across the street from the city. Dubrovnik used to have a fee for the shuttle bus. Valletta I dont remember, but I think it was close to the city The rest I dont know. The HOHO bus in Corfu is right by the port and used to be 14 Euros, 8 stops at all the main attractions. 

3 hours ago, hernando52 said:

 Does anyone know if this will be necessary for anyone cruising in 2024?  In the year 2024, citizens from the United States of America will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle for Europe, and this includes travellers who will only be transiting in Europe en route to other destinations.

If it is required, you apply online giving personal info passport number etc. New Zealand started requiring them about 5 years ago. I applied online and paid about $30 for the 2-year visa which could be used unlimited times. In about 10 minutes I had the visa with instructions to download and print the page and take it with me. Using that I had no problems when I visited NZ.  Hopefully the UE will have much the same easy program.

5 hours ago, riviera said:

Planning to book the Sun for December.

Have not sailed NCL for several years. 
I will need unlimited wi-fi ( 12 day cruise)

Best option? Any other advice for dining etc greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance 

For unlimited internet check with your provider. It will be cheaper than onboard. You may also have unlimited cell phone and texting. Depends on which company you are with.

1 hour ago, Smitheroo said:

True, but other people are saying that people with luggage get in line and cause problems, bumping into people etc.  Unlesss a self assist passenger gets up early and makes an attempt to get off early that passenger will get caught up in the masses

Oh you mean later in the morning ? After the self-assist people have already gone  ?  We get in line early and everyone has luggage with them. Everyone is polite and chatty and theres no shoving. Most people in line are old hands at the self-assist game. As to this cutting the line and shoving problem. Thankfully we're already on the plane or on the road home when that happens 🙂 

47 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

 I dont recall seeing people in line with their luggage.   

probably because they were already off the ship and on their way to the airport or driving down the highway.

51 minutes ago, mapleleaves said:

People who are taking a cruiseline transfer to the airport will NOT be walking off the ship with their luggage.  

I do it every time I cruise whether I drive to the port or I have a transfer to the airport.  

59 minutes ago, Djptcp said:

DH and I are Diamonds and on ou r last two Carnival cruises (Paradise in late June and Freedom in late April) we attended both the Captain's Diamond cocktail party and Platinum/Diamond party on both cruises. We had open bars at both parties on both ships. The Diamond parties are always better because we are also served a wonderful selection of appetizers.

Are you referring to the Diamond event the first sea day which is usually a lunch ? If theres only a few Diamonds they have a cocktail party instead.