JaynBNA

Really enjoying this trip report. Thank you for sharing. I'm on Escape in August, stopping in a number of the ports (Naples, Messina, Valletta, Corfu & Split) you have. In general, does NCL suggest taking your passport + shipboard card ashore, and to get back onboard? I'd like to leave my passport in the cabin, use my American driver's license as ID. Thanks!

Will be docked in Naples for the actual holiday. Have been to Capri, Pompeii and Amalfi, so wanting something not offered by the cruise line.  Considering an on our own train trip and guided tour of Reggia de Caserta. I'd would like to know should we expect hordes of tourists, or will it be quiet since it's not a beach resort.  Hear Italian cities are packed in August, but I've also heard it can be quiet on the actual holiday. I have experienced the Naples metro and train station in March, never summer. Grazie!

I'm on the second leg of a cruise on Escape in August (cruise begins in Barcelona) we're boarding in Rome, along with many others I'm sure...for the seven day cruise.  Port schedule shows the ship docks early that morning, and I'm wondering if anyone has knowledge as to when they allow the new passengers on board? My airbnb in Rome has a 10am departure time, so ideally I'd like to head to the port then to hopefully board at 11:30 or so. Grazie!

I'm on this cruise arriving Trieste on 21 Aug. NCL has transfer for $50/each from port to airport, which seems reasonable for two travelers. We're on the 2:50 AA departure to ORD. Any reason to avoid the NCL transfer?

On a seven day Navigator cruise last week, we had the unlimited dining package. Agree with others re: enough venues / variety for the duration. We enjoyed the burgers and onion rings at Johnny Rockets and the chicken tenders and onion rings at Playmakers almost as much as any dinner meal.  Best thing at the troubled Jamies was the braised short ribs, which were perfect on both dinners.

How does one attain diamond status and not know about tipping onboard?

Enjoying your trip report...do you or others happen to know which specialty restaurant is open for lunch on boarding day on Navigator?

Related to the UDP -- I have what I believe is a courtesy reservation at 6pm on embarkation day. Ticketed solo, and have another solo traveling. He also has a 6pm courtesy reservation the first day. Tried to get RCCL phone rep to change his courtesy reservation to the second day, to no success. Have any of you all been in this situation?

Is it the case that no specialty dining reservations can be made until you get to the ship? Thanks for the info; it's been a while since I cruised Royal.

13 hours ago, Linsifer said:

How was the Bliss?  My daughter, son-in-law, 4 year old son and his family are sailing her to Alaska in August out of Seattle.  First cruise for my son-in-law and grandson. 

Bliss is a great ship, enjoyed the smoke free casino, Vibe Beach Club and among other things. I'm a more frequent NCL cruiser. 

I'm on this cruise in late September and am looking forward to your review. Did the same route on NCL Bliss in 2019.  

Reading these replies on Harmony make me wonder how 'tired' Navigator will be when I sail in October. She's 15 years older than Harmony.

Price of my cabin has dropped about $300 since I booked, and final payment is not until July. I'm in an inside room for the first time ever and would like to move to a balcony. Does RC allow these changes with a call to an agent? Thanks in advance for the help. I'm a longtime NCL cruiser taking a peek at RC.

On Joy from NYC to Bermuda, October sailing:

- phenomenal Indian, every day, lunch and dinner services. Try everyting! 

- a surprisingly delicious and pretty well executed Beef Wellington. I went back for seconds!

- delicious and well executed salmon "Wellington" with salmon, sautéed spinach.

3 hours ago, mpcaruth said:

We are 100+ days out from sailing.  I had booked a BF guarantee cabin and received my cabin assignment 2 days after final payment for a cabin super-close to the District Brewhouse. A few days after that, I received an upgrade bid offer for a Club Balcony Suite. (I feel as if they gave me the worst cabin they could, as early as possible, and then immediately offered an upgrade). I don't think I want to bid.  If I ignore the offer, will other offers come my way closer to sail date? And if so, has anyone had better offers waiting?

 

 

The cabins on 8 forward are not a bad location. Unless you are directly adjacent or in the second cabin forward of the DBH, you might consider staying put. Very convenient location to 6 - 7 - 8 activities.  I'm staying on 8 forward of Food Republic on Joy next week.

I'm staying at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City. Great views of Manhattan, a good rate, and directly adjacent to PATH station for transport from EWR, and one stop away from WTC / NYC subway system. There's also a ferry a few blocks south of the hotel to midtown, and from there, about a five block walk to the cruise terminal. 

7 hours ago, Captain-John said:

May I ask what your sailing date is and when the bidding window opened? I board Epic 10/23 and haven't had a bid invitation yet.

 

My sailing date is 3 October. I got the upgrade email on 28 June. I booked the cruise on 27 June.

I've got the same question. I have a bid in for most Haven cabins on my October Joy sailing to Bermuda. I'm thinking I'd cancel the Vibe pass if the upgrade bid wins. I don't see a reason to have Haven + Vibe.

I have stayed on 8 forward, just forward of Food Republic, and tremendously enjoyed the location. Wasn't too far forward to be above the theater, and being able to walk directly to the 6-7-8 attractions was great. The balcony cabins on 8 forward with large balcony are fantastic too, however be warned that those above can see down onto your business.

Writing this up for my mother, who is an iPad user, and it's just too much typing for her.  Active mother and traveling companion, both late 70s, have taken a total of four Viking river cruises since 2015: Romantic Danube, Tulips & Windmills, Waterways of the Czars, and most recently, France's Finest in late October 2021.  That cruise was marketed as one journey comprising of two seven night itineraries  (from Paris to Normandy, round trip + Lyon to Avignon).

Basic logistics were a HUGE miss. On the transfer day between ships, group continuing from first portion to the Lyon portion were off-loaded after breakfast around 8am, transferred to Gare de Lyon. The single Viking rep handling the group couldn't handle the group of 60 in the hectic station. The group was taken to the famous Le Train Bleu, but there wasn't a reservation, space or time for them to eat. They hustled virtually on their own to get to the TgV, which evidently didn't have a cafe car. When they finally arrived to the ship in Lyon, it was after 4, and they hadn't eaten or gotten a drink all day. 

Second major miss was on their early AM departure, when her departure group was taken, again by a single Viking rep, to the Marseilles airport. Instead of being dropped off curbside, Viking must be cutting corners by dropping off its customers at remote parking lots. This forced the group into a long walk, dragging their suitcases across a large, dark parking lot being led by a sprinting Viking rep.  It was a really insulting way for their cruise to end.  

Viking did do some things right, like COVID testing, they felt Viking was respectful of protocols. They aren't foodies, but say the food was just fine;  their cabin stewards were excellent, and the hard product is good. They upgraded cabins when checking in onboard, and were led to believe their $ covered the entire cruise, so the icy receptionists on board need to be clear.  They're looking forward to more river cruises, but won't return to Viking.

Not to hijack..but for those staying in these cabins, here's a great video (in German) showing the size and exposure of the large balconies on 8 forward. I'm staying in 9124 on an upcoming Bliss sailing.

The photo found here shows a sliver of the very first forward cabin on 8 and 9 on Bliss. Both look great.

https://www.portseattle.org/blog/eco-bliss-environmental-sustainability-norwegian-cruise-line

We did Schonnbrun (Sp) on our own during the Viking var/tor cruise just last week. The Metro was easy for an individual used to public transport and for those who like to walk. Saved lots of euros for the four of us, and we loved our English language tour guide--not sure if the Viking pax had a real guide or those hand held recorders. The walk back to the ship is fairly straightforward, but again, a sense of direction and adventure prevails.

Thank you all for the updates/info. I'm hoping, doing rain dances, etc., between now and next week in hopes of improvements.

Viking periodically updates this page -- by removing cruise interruptions on past cruises or those underway.

http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/my-trip/about-my-cruise/current-sailings.html

...but they have made no updates to future date cruises in at least a week.

Been tracking Viking ships on Marine Traffic in advance of our trip departing next Friday. Seems like ships are being held up outside of Regensburg and 60 miles from Budapest. Any recent experiences from Viking cruisers on this Danube? Any concessions made for the extended bus tours? Is Viking doing anything special?

Thanks from a first time poster!

:)