texastennis

On 4/17/2024 at 6:51 AM, sicness4x4 said:

We sailed the Norwegian Joy transatlantic this last February. Our route was the reverse of yours, sailing from Southampton to Miami. We didn't have any port stops, but we did sail to Ponta Delgada for a medical disembarkation. We followed a southerly route to avoid low-pressure systems across the North Atlantic. The temps were cool, but not as cold as I had expected and prepared for. Highs were in the upper 50s to low 60s for the 11-day crossing, warming the further south we went. The last couple of days were mild and temps were close to the 70s. We had a mix of sunny, foggy, and rainy days, with a consistent wind of ±50 knots. Sea conditions were rough with the Atlantic swell at 10 meters on most days, sometimes higher, sometimes lower.

 

Being a mostly indoor cruise, I wore shorts and flip-flops every day. Indoor temps were a little cool for me, but a hoodie was enough. I did pack jeans and wool socks though in case we were able to enjoy the outdoor areas. When we left home to go to Southampton it was snowing, so I had a bubble jacket and beanie. We fully expected this crossing to be cold and rough, and it was not as bad as we prepared for. If we sail the Bliss next February from Southampton to Miami, I will prepare the same and hope for fair weather.
 

Thank you so much. This is very helpful.

On 3/14/2024 at 1:03 PM, Crazy planning mom said:

Getting the Priority Pass would be a good investment to avoid crowds at embarkation, disembarkation and tendering.

I have not sailed NCL in a long time, and did not know about purchasing a priority pass. How/where can I do this?  Thank you.

Hello,

I am taking my first Transatlantic in February from Miami to London with a stop in Azores/Portugal. I am at a total loss about how and what to pack for the weather? Can anyone who has cruised this route in February provide some help and guidance?

Thanks so much!

I only cruise solo.  I’ve cruised with just my daughter, my family of 6 and my wonderful husband.  Love all of them dearly, but I now only cruise solo and they are fine with that.  Solo cruising has become my personal rejuvenation program.

I don’t like to get to the ship early, but I do so that I can make unlimited dining reservations. I’m just wondering if I get to the ship later and have a more relaxed embarkation will I not get the reservation times I’d like to have. Anyone have any thoughts?  

I’m cruising to Cozumel in January and have no idea what to pack. A light jacket? Sweaters? Athleisure? I will not be going going to the beach, so will it be warm enough for shorts! Dates are Jan 8-12 so early winter.

Where is the closest restaurant from Deck 5 to make dinner reservations after boarding Voyager on the first day?  

Thanks so much!

1 hour ago, taglovestocruise said:

You walk straight into the center of the promenade. Deck 5

Thank you.  This is very helpful.

59 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

 

Thank you so much for this!

My husband and I will be on the Allure for the May 28th sailing.  Can anyone tell us on what deck we will embark?

Thanks so much!

Thanks to all of you who have replied. It looks as though I’m in for a different kind of cruise experience — cruising without seeing the ocean. Hum. Well, looks like after this it will be Radiance or Vision from now on. Booked this cruise because it’s out of Galveston and we live in Katy and the date coincides with my retirement from teaching and birthday. I’ll make the best of the experience no matter what.

Thank you so much.  I will take a look at the video.

I've been looking at pictures of the Allure and most seem to be of the ship's interior.  Is there an outside promenade deck to walk around the ship and enjoy the ocean breeze? Are there any lounge chairs on a deck that is not enclosed so that you can enjoy looking at the ocean if you do not have a balcony cabin and do not want to be by the pool?

This has been helpful.  Thank you.

Hello,

It has been quite a while since I've sailed, and it looks as though many things about cruising on RC have changed.  My husband and I will be on the Allure out of Galveston in May, and our questions are about the Junior Suites.

First, are those of us in Junior Suites able to board with the other suites?  I know that in the past sometimes the Junior "Suite"  was in name only, and did not come with some of the suite privileges. 

Are there any Junior Suite amenities?

Thanks to those who respond.

On 3/14/2022 at 10:28 PM, Colorado Buffalo said:

Anyone stay at the Novotel near Brickell 

I would like to know this as well.  I just reserved this hotel on Hotwire for $179 for one night before a 6/11 cruise.  

Yes.  Thank you!  I also just found out that the transfer information is in my e-docs!  

I have booked NCL airport transfers for the first time and am unclear how the process works.  I cannot seem to find the shuttle times or where to meet at the airport or after the cruise. My TA has been of no help, i.e. "just try to get to the airport before noon." 

Can someone guide me to where to find this information?  Or better yet, tell me a little about your experience using the NCL shuttle service?

I am arriving into and leaving from the Orlando airport.  I will ask this question on the Florida board as well, but since this is specific to NCL I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks!

I will be attending a conference in Lake Buena Vista and staying at a hotel there the night before the cruise on July 22.  What is the least expensive way to get from Lake Buena Vista to the cruise port?  I've already booked my airport transfer to the airport after the cruise.  Thanks for your help.

On 5/6/2019 at 9:38 AM, texastennis said:

My husband and I are officially one week away from our cruise on May 13th, so I've started seriously watching and waiting to see if my Royal UP bid was accepted.

 

Background: I received an invitation to bid around the first of April.  Currently, we are in an oceanview and was given the option to bid on a balcony and/or suite.  The minimum bid on the balcony was $75 and on the suite the minimum was $150. 

 

Since I am happy with our current cabin, I decided to take the "it can't hurt, let's see what happens" attitude and bid just slightly above the minimum, yet still considered in the "weak" category.  Also, given the cost of the balconies and suites my bids would be considered pretty nice deals (for me), and probably not worth accepting for RC.

 

As of today, all of the balconies and suites for my cruise are showing "sold out."  They have been for a little while, so I'm not sure if that really means anything.   I've gone on other cruise booking sites and have seen that a few cabins in these categories are still available. 

 

I am expecting to receive the rejection email from RC any day now and will be absolutely fine with that.  However,  if either of my bids are accepted I'll be thrilled!  I'll come back here to let you know what happens on Saturday which will be the 48 hour mark.

 

Stay tuned!

 

Just officially received the email from RC stating that my bid offer had not been accepted.

Ah, well! Happy to be sailing no matter what!  

Another update.  Still no word from RC about my bid for the oceanview or the junior suite aboard the Enchantment of the Seas on Monday, May 13.  Expecting the 6:00 p.m. rejection tomorrow, (but still hoping).

22 hours ago, CasinoCruzGirl said:

Any news yet?

Update today: No news yet.  Still waiting with bated breath three days away from sailing.

My husband and I are officially one week away from our cruise on May 13th, so I've started seriously watching and waiting to see if my Royal UP bid was accepted.

Background: I received an invitation to bid around the first of April.  Currently, we are in an oceanview and was given the option to bid on a balcony and/or suite.  The minimum bid on the balcony was $75 and on the suite the minimum was $150. 

Since I am happy with our current cabin, I decided to take the "it can't hurt, let's see what happens" attitude and bid just slightly above the minimum, yet still considered in the "weak" category.  Also, given the cost of the balconies and suites my bids would be considered pretty nice deals (for me), and probably not worth accepting for RC.

As of today, all of the balconies and suites for my cruise are showing "sold out."  They have been for a little while, so I'm not sure if that really means anything.   I've gone on other cruise booking sites and have seen that a few cabins in these categories are still available. 

I am expecting to receive the rejection email from RC any day now and will be absolutely fine with that.  However,  if either of my bids are accepted I'll be thrilled!  I'll come back here to let you know what happens on Saturday which will be the 48 hour mark.

Stay tuned!

My tradition is to dine in La Cucina with a nice glass of Merlot and a pasta dish. It is typically not crowded at 5:30, and I receive excellent service. This is on the Jewel class ships and I’m excited that on Monday I will continue this tradition on my first B2B cruise. This one on The Jade.

I have a B2B on the Jade January 2019. I have aft balconies on both and they are showing as OX.