farjar

21 hours ago, phillygwm said:

Really odd.  The only thing I can think of is that it's a sort of "soft opening."  I heard about it in this thread and immediately called to sign up.  For me, since I always get Premium Plus, Internet, and Specialty Dining anyway, it makes a lot of sense.  

NCL recently changed several benefits to their Latitudes program.  They are no longer giving free internet.  Instead Platinum members gets a 15% discount, Sapphire 20% and Diamond 25%.  😡

NCL was always out "go-to" cruise line until they began offering their "Free at Sea" package.  We are non-drinkers and get 2 free specialty meals because of our platinum status.  You are lead to believe if you decline the dining & drinks you are somehow "saving money" due to not having to pay the gratuities. You're not.  We now have to book a "sail away/guarantee" cabin to avoid the hidden increase.  Since the restart we have sailed Carnival twice and Holland once plus have two upcoming Carnival cruises.  In all cases we were able to pick our cabin without having to buy a drink package.  We do have an upcoming NCL cruise but only to use up a FCC due to our last January Getaway trip getting cancelled. We also just learned NCL is no longer giving latitude members free internet only a discount. 😡

Too bad, we really liked them.  Our situation is a bit unique so I would still recommend them to others. 

Our final cruise payment is coming up.  We can buy travel insurance at that point or wait until up to 10 days before we sail.  Is there an advantage to buying it early?  I know there is a sliding scale for reimbursement from CCL if we cancel but does travel insurance cover anything prior to the "vacation dates" that are entered when you take the policy out?  Is the policy in effect as soon as you buy it or only when your actual travel begins?  If we buy the insurance now and then cancel the cruise prior to sailing is the insurance cost refundable?  Thanks.  

3 hours ago, greenie082756 said:

We will check our large suitcase with the porter. 

We each take a carry-on suitcase.

Hubby has camera and electric gear and I take medicines and

extra clothing incase our large suitcase goes missing.

 

I think that people should do whatever makes them feel comfortable.

 

We do the same.  Carry-ons with essentials and a couple changes of clothes along with one large suitcase with everything else. We check the big bag at the airport then give it to the porter at the port.  At least if the airline or ship loses the big bag we could survive with our carry-ons and still enjoy the cruise without having to wear a ship's robe to dinner.  

Slightly off the subject but just a reminder that you can again order another 8 FREE Covid home test kits from the US Postal Service.  Go to USPS.com and type Covid tests on the search line or just do a web search.  They are not a substitute for verifiable pre-cruise testing but can be taken with you to self-test on a cruise or when your return.  Stay safe.

On 6/30/2022 at 6:03 PM, KyloRen said:

I found the 6 pack of emed tests a great deal. Sucks that yall can’t get it covered from here on out but at least they aren’t super expensive though emed

Free Covid testing is still available through the County of San Diego.  Just search for County of San Diego free Covid testing and click on the schedule link.  They do both types of tests.  Some locations do walkups while others you can schedule an appointment.  No problem with the results being accepted on our last cruise.  Kaiser only does PCR tests but if you get a rapid test elsewhere they have a reimbursement form.  We received payment in about two weeks for a different cruise.

Reminder 8 home test kits are still available through the postal service at USPS.COM.  They can't be used for precruise testing but they can be used when you return for peace of mind or if you are exhibiting symptoms.  Travel safely!

I know Platinum and above members receive a voucher for one appetizer, one entree and one dessert as part of their specialty dining reward.  What is the current price limit for an entree in Cagney's or Le Bistro?  It has been several years and I noticed the prices have gone up considerably.  Thanks.

On the Panorama in January we had an assigned table for two the entire cruise.  The problem was the table was very small and the table next to us was only about 4" away.  It was like that for four tables so basically it was a table of 8.  There was not enough room between tables for the wait staff to walk so all the serving was done over your head or you had to lean to one side so they could put your food in front of you.  Fortunately we were one of the ends but the people in the middle were bumping elbows with those on both sides to them.  Very uncomfortable!  Hated it.

It was a totally different experience on the HAL Koningsdam in May.  Our table for two had plenty of room around it for the wait staff and you didn't feel as if you were eavesdropping on you fellow cruisers' conversation.

The Gelato at lunch in the Lido buffet on the Panorama was wonderful.  They had two different flavors each day with lots of toppings you can add yourself.  The best part was you could go back as often as you wished.  Don't know if they have it on all ships. 

10 days before our Jan. 2022 Caribbean vacation on the Getaway the entire cruise was cancelled.  Within about 2 weeks our credit card was refunded every cent we had paid (cruise fare, taxes, port fees, excursions purchased through NCL and prepaid specialty dining.)  The only additional compensation we received for the inconvenience was a 20% FCC.  We just rebooked an almost identical itinerary on the Dawn for Jan. 2023.  Using the 20% FCC we just about broke even.  

We did not book our airfare through NCL so the nightmare was not our reimbursement from NCL which was hassle-free but with the airlines due to the problem caused by the cruise cancellation.

The final payment date for our upcoming cruise has now passed.  I'm assuming Carnival now knows who is going and who is not.  Any guesses how long before upgrade offers might be sent out?  Thanks.

We're doing a 16 day Panama Canal cruise in Sept. and were wondering how many formal/cruise elegant nights there will be.  If there are 2 for a 7 day cruise will there be 4 for a 16 day cruise?  Any idea when they might be?  We have lots of sea days and only 4 ports.  Also are the MDR menus apt to repeat every 7 days or so?

Thanks!

We just leave the Do Not Disturb sign out on those days we don't wish to be bothered and bring it in on days we want service.

5 hours ago, jxtgreek said:

I'm sure this has been asked before but I didn't want to review so many messages....I have a cruise credit for an upcoming cruise.  Can this be used to pay the gratuities or use in the casino, or is it only good for shopping and drinks?  

We just used some of onboard credit to book an excursion online we were afraid might sell out before our Sept. cruise.  There were only 10 spots left and we couldn't count on a later time being offer if the first time sold out.  When we got to the "pay now" page it told us we had OBC and asked if we wanted to use part of it.  What I'm assuming is if we cancel within the proper time frame the amount will be returned to our account.

We have cruised Carnival before on the Legend and the Panorama but never on the Spirit or the Magic.  We have upcoming cruises on both and would appreciate any information or hints about the ship that might be more unique to either of them.  What did you like or not like about them?  Thank you.

Our upcoming September Panama Canal cruise was originally booked on the Freedom.  Several months back CCL switched ships to the Spirit.  We are now glad they did even if the Freedom is repaired and back on line by then.

31 minutes ago, groundloop said:

I'm an experienced cruiser but have not been on HAL yet.  I'm curious how debarkation works on HAL, everything from picking up luggage zone tags (if that's even a thing on HAL), luggage pickup by the crew, what order passengers are called to get off, etc.  (We'll be on Eurodam Jun 11th).

 

 

Since you will be debarking in Seattle look into Port Valet.  It is a wonderful free service provided by the Port of Seattle in cooperation with most cruise lines.  You put your luggage outside your cabin the night before, it is taken directly to the airport and you pick it up at your final destination airport.  There is no hassle having to search for your bags once you get off the ship.  You can sign up online before your cruise or forms will be provided about the second day on the ship.  We debarked the Eurodam two weeks ago and it worked perfectly.  If you have an early flight it allow you to be first off the ship. Best part, it is FREE.  

I tried submitting my original request by email on March 8.  On March 27 they emailed they weren't able to open my information in the form submitted.  I am not tech oriented so I snail mailed the information on March 27 and received an email on May 22 we were accepted for both our upcoming cruises in Sept. and Dec.

Don't know about high tea but on the Eurodam the Lido and the MDR had a very large selection of Bigelow teas including Earl Grey and herbals.  I would have Darjeeling in the morning and English Teatime Decaf at night.  Don't recall seeing Tazo but I wasn't looking either.

7 hours ago, mxschwartz said:

Is it true there aren't chocolates or towel animals?

Last week on the Eurodam we did not get towel animals.  We did get 2 milk chocolates on the first dressy night and 2 dark chocolates on the second dressy night. Ours was an inside cabin so it may have been different for higher levels.

16 hours ago, RD64 said:

But were dressy nights actually dressy or was it shorts, tanktops, sweats, and flipflops - because it is my vacation and I will wear what I want.

Most women wore dresses, skirts or dress slacks with a fancier top. Some men worn coats and ties while others wore nice pants and shirts.  Didn't see any real "formal" wear except for a few who used the cruise to have professional photos taken. 

On 5/19/2022 at 12:58 PM, Petrocelli said:

Thanks for the video.  I'm heading up to Alaska in July.

 

Question:  When was your second gala night?  Was it in Glacier Bay or Ketchikan?

 

 

On our May14-21 Eurodam cruise (Sat.-Sat.) our Dressy nights were night 2 (Sunday, sea day) and night 6 (Thursday, Ketchikan).  First one included rack of lamb, duck breast and tenderloin.  The second had halibut and prime rib.  

On 5/21/2022 at 1:56 AM, Looking-for-a-cruising said:

We booked this cruise and looking for info about this ship, since this our first time using this line.  Would anyone provide us info about their experiences, such as embarking,  shore excursions., covid requirements,  etc.?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were on the Eurodam May-14-21.  Did our rapid antigen test for free through our county health department 2 days in advance.  Had the results in 30 minutes.  Downloaded all the information to Verifly, which I HIGHLY recommend.  Went through security in less that 2 minutes while others using printed documents were waiting in long lines.  Used Seattle Express to pick us up before cruise at the Hilton Seattle Airport and then from the pier to SEATAC afterwards.  ($35pp + tax round trip, $74.20 for two).  Excellent service.  Suggest you use Port Valet if it works for you.  Can sign up before online or once you get on board.  Put our bag out Friday night and picked it up at our destination airport Saturday with no problem.  Dressy nights were night 2 (sea night) and night 6 (Ketchikan)  Rack of lamb, duck breast and tenderloin the first one; halibut and prime rib the second one.  All food in the MDR was delicious. Did no organized shore excursions, just walked around town.  Did enjoy the National Park Service Discovery Center in Ketchikan.  One block walk from berth 1.  Took our National Park Senior Pass and saved us each the $5 entrance fee.  I believe it can also be used at Mendenhall Glacier and the Sitka National Historic Park.  Did fill our ArriveCAN but never got off in Victoria nor had to show it to anyone.  Will try to think of more.

We were on the Eurodam May 14-21 Saturday-Saturday.  Dressy nights were the second night (Sunday, sea day) and the sixth night (Thursday, Ketchikan).  There was rack of lamb, duck breast & beef tenderloin the first one and prime rib and halibut on the second one as I recall.  Everything we had in the MDR was very good.  Unfortunately there was no creme brulee.  

On the Eurodam May14-21 the Pinnacle Grill was only opened for dinner 5:00PM-9:30PM.  Lunch options were the MDR 11:30AM-1:00PM on sea days, Lido Market 11:30PM-2:00PM , Dive In 11:30AM-6:00PM and New York Pizza 11:30AM-11:30PM.