amygutman

So excited about Venice - we go next year. I'll bet pictures do not tell half the story of that city's beauty.

@dexddd and @david_sobe Loved the staff of the Getaway Haven but 100% agree re: disliking the open Haven deckplan. There is something magical about sailing out of NYC in the winter with the snow hitting the roof of the Haven's enclosed pool-deck. Plus - enjoying the pool for the 1st two days on the Caribbean sailings out of NYC in the winter that the rest of the ship misses. Winter in Bermuda is wonderful - but the Atlantic is rocky and having a covered area is perfect for those cold, rainy, windy sea days. And guessing from @JIMESOPUS CC name, as a former resident of Kingston NY, we can happily both do without snow on a warm cruise ship! Warmest, Amy

@EODHorn Encore Sept 24th Seattle-Glacier Bay 7 Night. 71 days, 3 hours from now (and yes...I most certainly am counting down!)!!!

@Grimix you are SO correct. Let's just say, there will be at least one of us enjoying the trip - travelling from three different countries, three planes, three different jobs, travel insurance, and wrapping ourselves in bubble-wrap (and...PPE for the 2 A&E docs / nurses in our party) should ensure happiness for us all. Plus...crossing fingers, salt over shoulders, no hats on beds, (+) wishing on stars, praying and doing happy dances to ward off evil travel spirits. Whatever works!!!!

@complawyer Not sure if the question is directed at us, but my two friends are sharing the 2nd bedroom / attached bathroom, my 14 yo son taking the living room / hallway half-bath (and sharing our full bathroom), and my husband and I taking the master suite. We are treating our friends to the trip so we don't feel bad about snagging the master + amazing en-suite. The 2 bedroom would have been fine as well with the same sleeping arrangements, just one less 1/2 bath, less space, smaller balcony but this is definitely a "once-in-a-lifetime" (of course, until we win powerball tonight)😄 Warmest, Amy

@CDR Benson Thank you for your Service to our country. As a daughter, grand-daughter and great-grand-daughter of vets, we truly are a grateful nation. And looking at a map of Australia, the population density maps explain your experiences well. It's like saying "New York" and everyone thinks Times Square and forget about the Hudson Valley. Would love to try the Joy after reading on the Haven Boards about yours and other's positive experience. I've got my MegaMillions and Powerball tickets primed and ready - who knows...that Aussie Haven trip may be just 5 numbers away! Warmest, Amy

@mking8288 That's not just a "no" on the possibility of cancellation...that's a "hell no"! 😁 I've had the countdown on my computer for almost 2 years, one friend coming from England and one from Bermuda. Neither have been on a cruise, and none of the five of us have been to Alaska. We've inhaled every YouTube video, trip report, CC Board and review. I swear, 75% of my recent Google searches have been "Cruise to Alaska", "Packing for Alaska", "DOS Encore", "Haven Encore", "Alaska Whales from a Cruise", "Northern Lights on Cruise Ship", "NCL Encore Tips", "Cruise Port Recommendations Alaska Cruise"...single-minded much? All of us are flying in 2 days before, and have back-up plans for travel. Hotels and flights booked for a year. Travel insurance galore. Passports, Visas for our friends. The pre-concierge is our new best-friend and soother of all potential problems. It's ridiculously fun and slightly stressful. The one thing we did not want to worry about was "the perfect room" - and from the second I saw a video of that DOS, I knew that's the one we wanted. Good luck to all of the folks bidding for upgrades and I truly hope the fairy comes through for you but come hell or high water...WE WILL BE ON THAT BOAT IN THAT ROOM!!!!😘 Warmest, Amy

Weird upgrade offer today. Our family and friends (4 adults, 1 teen) are in the DOS on our September 2023 Encore Alaskan cruise. Today in my email was an upgrade offer - I opened it thinking it was for our next NCL cruise post-Alaska in Feb 2024. Nope...it was for a DOS on the September Alaskan cruise. Same room category. Now, there are only 2 of these rooms so I frantically checked our booking (which we've had for almost 2 years). Still golden. Called our TA who also confirmed fully booked, paid, ready to go. So, it looks like even if you have the highest category booked, you still will get an offer to upgrade. Considering the price of the room is a third higher than when we booked it 2 years ago when it was last available, I am pretty sure we will not be bidding! 😁 Warmest, Amy

Oh the fjords! Definitely bucket list!

Fantastic attitude. The Youtubers "Cruising With Wheels" highlight the difficulties in cruising with a wheelchair especially with rooms listed as "accessible" that barely meet accessibility standards, and even then, have so many obstacles that it can terribly affect the cruise. It's interesting that they and other differently abled cruisers often find much better layouts in interior rooms than supposedly larger balcony rooms. Personally, cannot wait to see Venice and thank you for your rec! Warmest, Amy

Sorry! The photo didn't attach properly on the first post.

@Dollysmom123 Here is a photo from April when we were on the Getaway. There were no loungers "full time"; However - there were at least 2 times where there were 2 loungers specifically set out by the hot tub areas - I suspect related to the same situation you have with families who could not take their children up on the top deck. There are also the loungers in shallow pool itself and plenty of seating by the sides of the pool. I also saw families turn the chairs to face the pool and used the pool edge as a foot rest and the staff brought them pool towels for extra chair padding. Hope that's helpful! Warmest, Amy

@thedoc29ca Thank you so much for the informative review. What a great insight into the ship and the sights. It is very appreciated and am so glad you had a good time. Warmest, Amy

Was curious as so many CCers have this ship listed on their signatures so I used the Google. What a lovely ship! The style is beautiful and has a great "old Hollywood" look to it (if that makes sense).

Good to know...though, seeing photos of huntsman spiders in Aussie bathrooms seems like it's an everyday occurrence.

Amazing!!!!! What a wonderful way to spend your anniversaries!

San Juan for food (oh…. Mafungo), St Thomas for beaches. But taste is always personal! Callaloo soup everywhere we’ve eaten in St Thomas has been universally amazing. warmest, Amy

@Sthrngary You are a terrible human being. Honestly...I just got home after a 12 hour shift and all I really want to do is go to bed but now I am compelled to go to YouTube and at least start your series of videos. How dare you further interrupt my already limited sleeping hours by teasing me with this offering? You, sir, clearly do not have my best circadian interests in mind by selfishly producing and posting these videos. Sigh...off I go you bookmark your channel. 🥰 Warmest, Amy

@NCteacherlovescruising Tortola! You know it's one of the only Caribbean ports so far mentioned on this thread. Which actually is interesting - the Caribbean is one of the most popular destinations by # ships / # cruisers but does not seem to be the most "favorite" according the the replies on this thread so far. I wonder what to make of that? Statistically it may be sample size. Perhaps due to the price of these cruises, the convenience (at least for North American residents), or something perhaps completely different?

@Red-Sol Let's leave the explanation to cruisemummy 😄 https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/pineapple-on-a-cruise-ship-door-what-do-pineapples-mean-on-a-cruise/

@justhappy Oh...that sky on that sea!!!

Any port in Bermuda sounds like heaven to us!

Wow! Looks amazing...now we may have to stay longer just to eat at all of the recommended restaurants.

That sailaway from the harbor always chokes me up too. It amazing.

Australia...ya know...sounds wonderful except it seems all of the wildlife wants you dead. 😆 Now - a Garden Villa is something to dream about as well!