SullytheBFG

One last question do you need to do a physical muster now? I.e go to a particular place?

when I checked in online we had to watch a video each, is that it?

Are restaurant’s available to book when you get onboard (speciality) as we have a couple we could not book. We are on board in three days, have placed a cheeky bid for a room with spa access have not been told no or yes yet.

very excited for new ship and your posts are excellent!

The British Foreign Office has just changed to terrorist attacks highly likely in Turkey. IF we get into port we are staying onboard!

The British Foreign Office has just changed to terrorist attacks highly likely in Turkey. IF we get into port we are staying onboard!

12 minutes ago, SullytheBFG said:

Thanks for replying so quickly! We are supposed to have Olympia and Istanbul, we haven’t booked any trips either as going to play it by ear. I think we have a different route as Santorini, Mykonos, Sicily, Naples etc on our itinerary.

 

We only booked three weeks ago so really looking forward to some fun and a break.

Just putting brain into gear! You get off where we get on!

Thanks for replying so quickly! We are supposed to have Olympia and Istanbul, we haven’t booked any trips either as going to play it by ear. I think we have a different route as Santorini, Mykonos, Sicily, Naples etc on our itinerary.

We only booked three weeks ago so really looking forward to some fun and a break.

Loving this! We join the Viva next Saturday, great to hear Beetlejuice and Icons are running.

Do you stop in Turkey? Just keeping an eye on the Middle East with the war at the moment.

We fly in to Athens from London.

Great review so far! GF, vegetarian, vegan etc is never a problem in the U.K. for anything.

Have a look at the Paddington Express to get to Heathrow it takes 15 minutes, get a cab to Paddington it’s about 3 miles from Trafalgar Square.

If you are looking for queer space get down to Soho!

One hour here. The U.K. ones are on our app and create QR codes that are valid for 30 days.

Steam from the shower helps put the item on a hanger creases drop out.

Bottles are a massive issue at the moment, I own a gin distillery in the U.K. Trying to get bottles in a timely and priced manner is one of our biggest headaches.

Not good from RC as they have massive purchasing power!

If the British and we can’t have a kettle there will be mutiny! Got to have a cup of tea.

23 hours ago, CoolChange37 said:

SullytheBFG, I am an NCL fan as you can see from the cruises I've been on and the Epic was not my fav.   I wish the POA would be changed out for a newer ship, but its understandable as you are in a different port everyday.   The Epic just does not compare to the other NCL classes.  I prefer complete privacy when in the bathroom (shower, sink and toilet) so as not to disturb my husband and visa versa.  This isn't the case for the Epic.   Toilet one side of the cabin and shower the other, and both behind a frosted curtain, and the sink is in the bedding area.   This is a real "no thanks" for me.  Very uncomfortable situation when the main door opens!   And RCCL with their higher prices and charging for everything (well the things I would normally do), makes for an expensive vacation when you can do the same on other cruise lines at a much lower price for the newer or newly remodeled ships.   And, I personally wouldn't pay the prices for the Haven or the Yacht Club or those premium rooms as I'm not in there enough.  Which brings me back to Epic.  Although I'm not in the cabin very much, when I am, I prefer those areas to be separate, but enclosed together.   

The only reason we got Haven was we taking my Mum with us. We managed to move from a balcony to a 2 bed, 2 bathroom suite 10 days before for less than $1k for all of us.it was one of the last cruises we went on before she passed away. They treated her like a princess and she loved it.

I have sailed on quite a few of the other big NCL ships. We get some really good prices for Europe, Barcelona is a cheap one hour flight.

we normally opt for an inside or balcony and flip between NCL and RC.

just happy for a holiday!

On 5/10/2022 at 1:32 AM, CoolChange37 said:

You might want to check out the Epic.   On all the cruises I have been on, this was my least favorite ship.    The layout is horrible and if you were booked in the grand suite, you are going to be really disappointed.   

On 5/8/2022 at 8:45 PM, smeck said:

Good luck on the Epic not a well designed ship, I hated it!!

I love the Epic! Americans seem to have a real hate of the bathroom set up which I like. I also think the Haven area is great on that ship. Pricilla Queen of rather Desert is also a fantastic show.

This is why there are many ships and lines so much choice 😁

35 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

National Express mentioned masks. 

As said encouraged, National Express is not public transport it’s privately owned.

My observation is that it will be very casual, busy and mostly Americans onboard.

Quite different to a Med cruise however also fun and hot!

Very little change in food onboard.

Just now, Markanddonna said:

First, it was a great last minute cruise. Cabins were selling for $307 balconies. We jumped on it! The service was phenomenal, the food good to very good, the shows very good, lounges entertainment was poor to very good. 

 

Covid starting rearing it's head around day 7 with nine cases reported by the captain on day 8. It was obvious that many were keeping their covid secret. We passed security in the hallway checking on a woman who was not allowing service to her cabin. You can't hide, folks! Lots of coughing and sneezing. These people didn't have a mask on. Rrrrrr. 

We are now on our way to London with a bus full of coughers and sneezes. If course, they aren't wearing masks even though you are required to on public transportation. Lord, protect us! 

No masks required on public transport here in London, there hasn’t been for quite a few weeks now.

I still wear one on public transport.

When you get on the ships Wi-Fi which is free for the app then it will come alive.

Once you get over 45/days you can check in add your covid vaccinations etc, then the day before you do the health test one day before you cruise.

That has been our experience anyway.

I did a 4 night cruise to nowhere from Southampton last July, I had $423.84 OBC. Absolutely no idea why, went down to guest services and asked they said it was correct only thing was couldn’t be used in the casino and needed to be spent before the end of the cruise.

already had dining and drinks so I went and spent it on cologne etc including a lovely Tom Ford one that I would never normally buy, free money!

Who knows with RC.

On 5/8/2022 at 4:41 PM, retiredgram said:

We prefer Pepsi.  Royal likes Coke.😃

I have heard that Americans are very devoted to particular brands. We met some ladies from the USA from Atlanta who said they would rather be dehydrated than drink Pepsi.

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

$3/can on board - maybe 50 cents/can when brought on board. Also, some have very unique flavor needs, which the ship may not have.

Ah ok, I don’t think I am that fussy. Water is ok and if I want to go really crazy some squash (cordial)! 😁

Odd question, why would you bring coke on a ship that has it available?

I normally take around $1k and play most nights between two or three hours, BJ at $10 to $30 a hand. Have been on four week long cruises with RCI absolutely nothing!

Maybe they don’t like us Brits 🤣

They always ask for and swipe my key card. Am I missing something?

8 hours ago, crazyank said:

Not sure where you got this info.  The booster does not have an expiration date.  If you are boosted the 270 day limit for your original vaccinations doesn't apply.

It still says it on my Cruise planner app all as clear as mud! 😊

we leave Southampton 22 May we meet the criteria whichever one it is!

We are booked in at 10.30 on Monday near Basingstoke. Do you need to download a different app or do the results come via email? We have our NHS app with everything showing.

7/7 cannot wait, only 4 days but first holiday in nearly two years!