Devo12

Hi. We will be a group of 13 sailing on the joy over Christmas. For the complimentary dining, do we need to make reservations to sit together or can we just show up? I would think we would eat around 6:30-7. Or will they seat us at 2 tables?

thanks. Devo 

Hi. On the apex, is there a bar in the buffet area? We were on the beyond and there was one right at the back by the pizza area, we really liked it and was very handy for us! I don’t see anything on the deck plans on the apex so I was just curious. 
 

thanks. Devo. 

Hi. 2 questions. We are sailing on the joy out of LA over Christmas. 
1) we are a group of 13, we have 5 rooms total. how do I make reservations for our specialty dining packages for the group? Do I call Ncl when reservations open or can I do it online?

2) do the beverages packages upgrades to a premium package ever go on sale?

thanks. Devo. 

Is the food/snacks free in there or does a person have to pay for them?

I have a specialty restaurant package booked. I know I have to wait till I am on board to book. Can I use the app to book them when I am at the terminal or first get onto the ship? Or do I have to go wait in line at one of the restaurants?

thanks. 

If a person was only going to do one route, which one would you pick? north or south?

Hi. I am looking at booking at cruise out of Southampton in April/25. It is is a Spain/portugal/canary island itinerary. It is a 11 night with stops in -vigo, Spain/porto/lanzorate-canary island/tenerife-canary island/funchal, Portugal/la coruna, Spain. It is on the apex. 
 

has anyone done a cruise similar? We have never done a Europe/mediterrian cruise or anything and I am not seeing much when I am doing my research. I am sure we will enjoy it regardless but just looking for feedback on the port stops and if they are good/decent ones or we should be looking at a different itinerary. April works for us for timing so it might be our only option. 
 

thanks. Devo

Hi, What is chic night and what all does it entail? I know lobster is served in the mdr 1 or 2 nights.  Anything else of real importance? Do we need to bring anything extra for these nights?  We are on a 11 night panama canal/ABC island cruise in march. 

Thanks-Devo

We are doing this cruise in March. According to the itinerary we go through the gatun lake locks early in the morning. 5am or so. If I get up that early, will I be able to see anything? Any good spots to go and watch? We are on the beyond. Deck 12 in the concierge class, no retreat for us. I do have the ferry booked to go through the old locks and out to the Pacific Ocean. 
 

thanks. -Devo

I booked a 4 night specialty restaurant package. We cruise this March. Can I book times for the specialty restaurants now or do I have wait till I am on board?

Hello. I am trying to remember an excursion we did in Tortola 6/7 years ago as we have friends going and would like them to do it. 
 

It was not a cruise ship tour. 
 

we left the boat, met pretty close to the port area and we went in big rubber dingies/boats with motors and he took us on a tour around the island, we stopped at the soggy dollar bar for a couple hours, stopped at the Bee line bar on little jvd for an hour or so, showed us another island where something was filmed and then we got to swim for a bit and then he had us back to the port. 
 

i think it was an Australian man who took us on the tour. 
 

any ideas what this tour was called as I cannot find them online. Maybe they don’t exist anymore. 
 

thanks

devo

Thanks. I ended up booking a 4 pack and will take my chances. Quite a bit cheaper doing this than booking them individually 

Hi. I see specialty dining packages are on sale. Looking at purchasing the 4 pack. We sail in April 24. Can we book time/restaurant closer to our sale date or does it have to be on board? We are concierge class if that makes any difference-email someone ahead of time?? Also, if we have to wait to book restaurants/times on board, are reservations at 7-8  pm hard to come by? Maybe i should book restaurants individually to get the time/date I want. 
 

thanks. Devo

15 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

One matter mentioned but not addressed is the itinerary.  You mentioned Panama Canal, since 10 days, I assume a partial transit.  Which ships are you considering, because ship depends on whether you will transit the old historic locks, or the new larger locks.  The HAL ships doing partial transits use the old locks.  The only partial I have seen this year for Celebrity has been on Edge, which uses the new locks.    I believe this is something that deserves some further research on your part before making the decision.  EM

Thanks everyone for their feedback.  The ships would be the Celebrity beyond or the HAL Rotterdam.  

Upfront price is very similiar but HAL cruise is 2 days longer, we get some OBC ($400) and a couple meals in a specialty restaurant.  Leaning towards to the Celebrity but for this cruise, I am not particular to a cruise line.  Thanks again, Devo

Hi, We are just in the planning stages of booking a cruise and cannot decide between Celebrity and Hal.  Looking for advice from anyone who has cruised both recently. The itineraries are pretty much the same for the cruise we are looking at.  10 day cruise Panama canal

About us

-Mid 40's

Cruised NCL 6 times-enjoyed it but looking for something different

-will be booking a regular cabin with balcony-would be booking a retreat Cabana on HAL if we go that way

like to be fairly casual for suppers if possible-no set time, respectable but casual clothing

enjoy good food and specialty restaurants but not "foodies"

-not much for nightlife, usually in bed around 10-11

-fairly easy going people who just enjoy being outside, enjoying sun, good drinks and some shows/entertainment

Thanks for your help,

Devo

Thanks for all the great replies and info.  We booked room 14140-Haven spa penthouse.  

Hello, My wife and I are planning a trip on the getaway in the haven.  Not sure which Room to get and would like some help.  Ideally I want to book the haven courtyard penthouse suite with balcony on floor on floor 16.  But looking we can get the haven penthouse suite with balcony on floor 14 for approx $2,000 less.  If you change floors with the penthouse suite, it comes close to the courtyard pricing.  My question is why the difference? I see floor 14 is under the gym, is it that loud that is a deal breaker?2 floors up to the haven amenties? smaller room? smaller deck? anything else? Never stayed in the haven before but have done 5 NCL cruises in the past.

Thanks, Devo

Does NCL offer PCR testing on board? I assume if they do there is a cost? We are flying back to Canada the same day as we get off the ship and need a negative PCR test.  Did not think about this at all when booking flights.  Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the replies.  It has helped significantly. 

Devo

We are looking at going on the Eurodam over Christmas.  We are early 40's, won't have kids on this trip.  We are NCL cruisers and enjoy their cruises but I am a little concerned about the amount of kids that will be on the cruise that time of year. I know there will be kids on this cruise but maybe not as many?? I assume HA is a little more "classier" than NCL but I have nothing to go on other than some reviews I have read.  I have a few questions to ask if you would.

-Is there a set time for meals or is "freestyle"

-I am correct on thinking this a little classier? 

-attire for meals?

-For people that have made the switch to HA from the mass cruise lines, did you enjoy the switch?

Sorry for so many questions but just trying to get a feel.  We are pretty easy going people that just enjoy being away with a drink in our hand, sitting somewhere kind of quiet and enjoying the day.

Thanks,

Devo

We were on the dawn a couple months ago and it wasn’t availble till around 20 days out. Well worth it in my opinion for our son. 

We just did this a cruise a month ago.  We had 2 nights pre cruise as well.  We stayed at the Wyndham in Santa Monica.  Hotel was excellent.  Loved Santa Monica, lots to do, great places to eat and drink.  Took the Ub's to the port and it was around $40.

Use pesos. You will get wrong exchange rate back as they will give you pesos. Was just on this cruise last week. 

33 minutes ago, packer99 said:

Google the temperature at your ports

Thanks tips, never thought of that. 

Excellent.  Thanks for this.  We are coming from -40 celsius so I am sure anything will feel better than this.  Hoping the warm weather at nights carries on.

Thanks again,