olemissreb

OMG Now I'm even more excited to board her in 536 days! She'll be so majestic sailing by El Morro.

15 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Because only licensed (vetted) taxi drivers with fully insured vehicles, are allowed through security at the Port gates.

In addition, only licensed taxis are permitted to deliver a fare inside the secure port area.

 

 

 

Thanks for that info. Good to know if we get something in the port area we have nothing to worry about. So if we book a taxi in the port area to take us to Maho Beach, how do we detemine licensed taxis when we get ready to head back to port?  Or will our original driver meet us there at a designated time?

11 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Do not use an unlicensed carrier.  Bandit territory.

 

 

If getting a taxi at the cruise ship pier, how can you tell if they are licensed or not? 

20 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Some. They pride themselves as being a whisky bar. If you ask them for a mango meltdown, they will look down their nose at you and refer you to the atrium bar a deck below. 

Thanks Bird! I do like a strawberry daquiri poolside (of course those are out because my boyfriend is allergic to strawberries), but usually have wine while relaxing or having dinner.

On 12/11/2022 at 9:12 AM, BirdTravels said:

 

 

OMG I think I just found the place where my boyfriend will be. He LOVES Blantons and has been wanting to try Elmer T Lee. Upgrading to the Premium beverage package will help lessen the sting a little I guess. 🙂

Can you get other libations in there? If not, can you bring them in? I'm mostly a wine drinker, but I do also like Blantons and sure wouldn't mind trying the Elmer T Lee.

Of course we don't sail on the Viva till March '25, so prices and selection are subject to change...I just hope it won't. 

8 hours ago, blue_water said:

 

Hard to say since it depends on when you can disembark. Viator is a 3rd-party operator and states they will update you with confirmed meeting times. But when taking non-cruise line excursions,I prefer to book directly with independent excursion outfits rather than Viator. 

Try emailing Ground Sea Adventures for their advice…

Thanks.  I still have plenty of time to plan and I guess there is still time for NCL to change port times. 

I can't speak to the advantages/disadvantages of HAL vs NCL, but after 7 cruises I can truly say I book for the itinerary and ship/line/amenities is second.  My sister and I will be on the Viva in March '25 and while I get to cruise out of my favorite port, I also get to experience 4 new ports on a very port intensive cruise (7 ports in 7 days).

The Viva is brand new. I'm excited about that, but I'm also hoping that we won't be cruising with a bunch of families...we're all in our 60s and just enjoying our empty nests before grandkids start coming. 🙂  Just couldn't beat the itinerary though, so we'll make the best of it.

Found a Magic Mangrove Paddle in Beef Island Lagoon excursion offered through Viator (more expensive) or Ground Sea Adventures.  Has anyone done this excursion?  How rigorous is it? I've never been kayaking before - is it easy to pick up? The ship is in port from 8am to 5pm and the tour would start at 8:30am - can I make that?  The only other tour offered is at 1:30pm and would finish at 4pm which cuts it a little too close to all aboard time for me.

Also found a Taste of the British Virgin Islands excursion that is 3 hours long.  Has anyone done this excursion or one like it?  Was it worth it at $140pp?

On 6/30/2023 at 2:04 PM, lindacat said:

I will be in New Orleans December 1 for two nights prior to the Glory 14 day Panama cruise.  I will be cruising with two friends.  We are looking for a hotel in or near the French quarter where it will be easy to get around.  The difficult part is we would like three individual beds,  either two doubles and a fold out couch or a hotel with two beds and a roll away bed.  I can't seem to find any.  Our budget is up to 350 per night.  

 

We currently have a hampton inn and suites booked but it is in elmwood/clearview parkway.  We think it is a little further away than we would like.  Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts

I've stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites across from the Convention Center with my sisters...2 full beds and a pull out sofabed. I've also dtayed at the Embassy Suites in the same area. Sorry can't remember the names of the streets. Neither are actually in the Quarter, but the walk there isn't too bad.

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We stay at Harrahs or the Hilton New Orleans Riverside on the river (next to Harrahs). There is a small outlet strip mall at the port and we start the day with beignets and chicory coffee at Café Du Monde in the mall.

When was the last time you were there? When I was in Slidell a year ago, my high school classmates said something about the mall being demolished and so the Cafe du Monde in the mall was no longer there and everyone had to go to the original on Decatur St.

My next cruise is still 18 months away. I usually book that far out so I can pay it off over time, get the cabin I want, pay for any upgrades as well as the independent excursions that I spent researching....not to mention airfare! By the time I get on board, it's just about an all-inclusive and all I have to worry about is souvenirs.

14 minutes ago, vince_g said:

Your sis may have to buy it herself, and you can give her the money. If you have any latitudes dinners, you can use one of those for them. 

No Latitudes anything as this will be my first time on NCL.

1 hour ago, Keith.W said:

9 days to go to the Viva , cant wait 

I hope you'll do a "Live From"...I've got 550+ days till I'm on the Viva.

1 hour ago, KeithJenner said:

Dining package meals, including free at sea and FAS+, are non transferable.

 

As always on NCL actual experience can vary dependant on staff, but this one is an almost certain no.

Thank you! Hate that, but oh well...maybe I can gift (aka buy) my sister the dining upgrade.

Y'all have convinced me that a specialty restaurant (probably Cagney's) for my embarkation dinner is the way to go.  Couple questions though:  How long does dinner at Cagney's usually take?  We are on the Viva sailing from San Juan at 7pm and I definitely want to be on deck for sail away.  Thinking dinner after sail away may be the way to go rather than before.

Other question - I may upgrade my Free at Sea to the Free at Sea Plus which gives us (my boyfriend and I) 2 extra specialty meals.  Is it possible to use one of those meals for my sister and her boyfriend - kind of like paying for their meal if we were on land?  She currently has the Free at Sea and I'm not sure if she'll want to upgrade.  If we are able to "spring" for a meal using one of our 2 extras, that would be nice.

Thanks for the great review.  I had looked at something like this, but since my sister can be very clumsy (she has a knack for tripping on air) and my boyfriend has ankle problems, I think we'll skip the tour this time.

We are booked!  We got the Free at Sea and paid gratuities for the Beverage Package and the Dining,  For the Dining package, how exactly does that work?  I figure we'll try to go to Cagney's, Onda, Los Lobos, Le Bistro (I've got to get my escargot) and maybe something else.  How many are open for lunch?

Oh so much to do and so little time.

2 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

In general, I do not believe in spending money on the Vibe. The Via has the most open deck space per passenger on any modern cruise ship. 
 

Open deck space is first come first serve. And it is spectacular. 
 

Yup, if you are paying for coffees, you can earn stars. 
 

Default air arrives on day of cruise. You can pay for a deviation to arrive or leave a day or two early/late. NCL is going to pick the cheapest air for you. You could arrive at 5 am on day of cruise and leave at 11:00 pm on return. Or you fl could get great flights. Personally, we don’t care if we can save some money. Sitting and reading in the airport is ok for us. 

Well then I'm glad we didn't get the air add on...gives us more flexibility.  Thanks!

Well I just put courtesy holds on 2 rooms for a sailing on the Viva.  Got a couple days to decide whether to pull the trigger or not.  It's only about $500 more expensive than our X cruise was, but we would be getting the Free at Sea deals and we get 1 extra port of call. 

My sister sailed on NCL way back in 1990, but the rest of us are newbies, so please bear with me as I pick up on the "lingo" and ask a million questions.

I did some research on the Viva on the NCL site and am wondering with such a port intensive cruise, if getting passes for the Vibe Beach Club is worth it?  Not sure I'd want a cabana, but may look into that also.

I also saw something about cabanas at the Indulge - are those first come first served or do you reserve them?

And here's a probably really silly question but...does the Starbux app work on the ship so I can earn stars?

We haven't added airfare to our cruises, how does that work?  Do we get to choose the date and times we want to fly?  Or does NCL do that for us? I figure we'll want to fly down either the Friday or Saturday before the cruise and sightsee around San Juan. I'm 90 minutes from the closest airport and I really don't want to get up before the birds to get to the airport (which isn't in a great part of town) to catch a flight.

Y'all have been really helpful - thank you so much!  I have a good feeling we'll end up completing our bookings before the end of the weekend and I'll get into full planning mode - even if it's 18 months away! 🤣

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

The Shore Excursion credit is taken off the cost of NCL ShoreEx. So, if you don't book any NCL excursions, there is no credit applied and the entitlement goes used. 

I suspected as much, but thought it doesn't hurt to ask either. Wishful thinking I suppose. Thank you!

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

The promo package is the PREMIUM package. You can log on to your MyNCL account (cruise planner) and see pricing for upgrading to the PLUS package or adding a coffee package. 

 

$29 * 7 nights + 20% gratuity = $243.60 for a 1 week cruise per person

 

 

$108.78 for a 1 week cruise per person 

 

 

Or you could splurge for $343 per person for a 7-night cruise and get the Free at Sea PLUS package

 

Ok you just prompted another question...I usually book independent excursions. Since I wouldn't be using the shore excursion credits, would they change it to OBC to use for other purchases? 

10 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

If you have the most common package which is the Premium Beverage Package (PBP)...

 

"Includes premium spirit brands, cocktails, beer, soda, juices, and wines by the glass up to $15 value.

Any items over $15 USD will receive an $15 USD discount and the guest will be charged the difference to their account.

A 20% discount will be given on non-select bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included), Wine and Spirit Experiences, Connoisseur Collection beverages, tastings and flights purchased on board.

 

Does not include Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or flights, Starbucks, Ice Bars, room service, package sales, bottled water, ship specific promotions, Connoisseur Collection beverages, bottled wine, mini bar purchases, fresh squeezed juices, wine dispenser, energy drinks or vending machines."

 

...long story short, most common drinks $15 and under are covered. If it is over $15, you pay the difference plus 20% on that difference. 

 

 

No. Drink as much as you can handle. The bartenders will cut you off if you've obviously had too much. 

 

 

Possible but unlikely....

 

"No substitute for package if guest cannot consume all beverages included."

 

...but your sister can have non-alcoholic versions as well as soda with the package. Some people have tried to use a doctor's note for those who cannot drink alcohol for medical reasons but those notes don't always work. If receiving the package as a promo, paying only the service charge (20%) is a good deal even if she doesn't drink alcohol. If anyone plans to BUY a package, it's better to skip the package and have them pay a la carte for drinks.

 

 

The basic/standard package wouldn't cover all that you like but the Starbucks Package (sold separately) or the Premium Plus Beverage Package (PPBP) upgrade are options to consider. 

Thank you! So if I get a promo package, is that the Premium or Premium Plus package? If only Premium, can I upgrade to PPBP?

More questions...

Drink packages...what all is covered?

What is the $ per drink limit?

Is there a limit per day?

My sister is an 18 year recovering alcoholic...does she have to get the same drink package as her boyfriend or is there a way to call and get 2 different packages for her cabin?

What kinds of bourbons do they have on board? And are they covered by the drink package?

My boyfriend and I would have gotten the premium beverage package on Celebrity. I love my vanilla lattes or cappucinos in the morning and a bottle or 2 of Evian on excursions plus some pre-dinner, during dinner, and post-dinner drinks (yup...I get my money's worth). What is NCLs equivalent?

6 minutes ago, Pitzel said:

Feel free to dress however you wish, but most passengers on NCL ships don't get particularly fancy, even on the formal nights. You may see sportcoats on men and cocktail dresses for the ladies, but rarely gowns, tuxes or the like.

Thank you! I have a couple gowns that I just love and feel so "sexy and sultry" (as my boyfriend would say) in and I just don't get enough chances to wear them. I may just wear them anyway. 

Thank you all so much.

Another question that I just thought of...

I know NCL has freestyle crusing, but do people dress up for a formal night (or 2)? I really love getting dressed to the nines a couple times on a cruise since I don't get to do it often in real life. Just wondering if my sister and I should pack our formal gowns and suitcoats for our guys.