mef_57

Chances are I will go by taxi to Petra for our April 2020 port visit and trying to confirm amount of money to change. Does anyone know the actual cost for cruise passenger entry?  Website states 'visit on first day of entry to Jordan' is 90 JD.  Wikitravel says rates for cruisers so the same as the normal 50 JD entry fee. 

Thanks for any insight.

16 hours ago, gerryuk said:

I will be boarding cruise ship in AB in March. Due to circumstances, I can only fly in on the day of the cruise, the flight arrives at 03.30 in the morning. Now I am aware that, by the time I get off the plane, collected my luggage and gone through customs I will be looking at around 05.00 / 05.30 in the morning for leaving the airport. Any suggestions on what to do for a couple of hours before making my way to the port and hanging around there before I can hand over my bags and board the ship? I am sure looking at the flight arrivals in this region, I will not be alone with this predicament. One option for me, will to book 2 days in a hotel with the previous day being my first although I wont use it, any body have any suggestions? Thanks.

Can't help with immediate question, but trying to figure out the reasoning for '2 days' in a hotel - unless that equates to 'one night' as well.  Book for the night you are flying and ask guaranteed arrival (and tell them it will be early morning on XXMarch) and ask for late check out....if checkout is before noon. Alternatively, are there any airport lounges on the public side of the airport? 

I like to use 'sleeping in airports' website for these strange arrival or departure dilemmas.  It is crowd sourced so tends to be up to date and more helpful than the airport websites.  Here is the link https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/abu-dhabi-airport-guide.htm

As a bird watcher, dawn is a special time for me, but not everyone feels the same 🙂  But that seems to be about 6:30, so still a long time to wait.  If it wasn't pitch black with luggage, early morning along the quay for sunrise, call to prayer, or fishboat's coming into the market would be interesting....but the luggage.....

Not sure how expensive taxis are, or whether you have been to AB before, but last thought thrown out is to doddle at the airport as long as possible (early, early breakfast?), then hire a taxi for a couple of hours until closer to dawn, then see note above for sunrise, etc.  I understand the walk from Corniche to port isn't very pedestrian friendly, so you may need to flag down another taxi.

All complicated and a lot of effort.....but that's how my problem solving seems to go.

I hope you'll loop back and let us know what you did.

1 hour ago, Jayayeff said:

If you tell your ‘greeter’ that you’d like to visit the Arrivals Duty Free store on your way out of baggage claim then they’ll take you there... It is still in the baggage claim hall before you exit through Customs....

 

Anne...

Thank you, Anne.

Independent traveler here.  Thanks for the tips.  I'll be in two of the ports.

For those wanting to see the Burj, they have Groupon options at a significant discount.  I don't think it covers the tea, because someone else handles that, but there are several options.  You can only buy them closer to the date, but worth checking out and marking your calendar for.

I'll read further, but the Marhaba service - does it allow time for a Duty Free run?

On 12/31/2019 at 12:17 PM, Tracy Po said:

 

Yeah, we're sailing in a month and the Canadian site is still showing no excursions for the trip. The site as a whole is... problematic.

Tracie, I was speaking to a Canadian agent yesterday and she stated they expect the excursions and purchases to be listed in the Canadian site in January. No exact date, and hopefully not after your departure, but at least it sounds like something a bit more solid.  Check often.

On 1/3/2020 at 9:27 PM, ilya12000 said:

It's the first time in our numerous cruises I see such inactive Roll call forums like MSC roll calls. We have cruise starting on April 26th from Venice and NO ONE answer on roll call to my starting post. Usually we use roll calls very actively and found them very useful - both for sharing information, and for organizing non-ship small tour groups. It is our first time on MSC cruise and I'm just curious why these forums are so inactive. Does anyone has any explanation?

Back to the original question 😉  I expect it really depends on the itinerary and part of the world you are cruising at the time.  The MSC Caribbean cruises draw a bigger North American clientele and so there will be more CC members and more activity.  

I have a Dubai to Venice MSC cruise in April and there are 5 'groups' signed up. 3 solo travelers from US, 1 US family and a British couple who introduced themselves early on and have gone silent. 2 signed on looking for others to do private tours and 2 are 'chatty'. One is doing a number of MSC cruises right now in the area on the same ship so providing ship info, tips and photos.  I don't expect enough to warrant a M&G. 

If you use the MDR and have asked for a table larger than 2, then you would be seated with other English speakers.  That might be the best way to break the ice with meeting others. 

Not sure which ship you will be sailing on, but you can read other roll calls to glean some information.  If you have a ship the same class as Lirica, you can peak at the April 18 sailing for photos and tips.

5 hours ago, Jayayeff said:

 

I think it's way too early to speculate what may or may not happen over the coming weeks/months and what impact it may have on our travel plans.   I was over near Port Rashid yesterday and there were 4 cruise ships at the terminal all carrying on as normal with their changeover day or port call day.  All the UAE international airports and airlines are operating flights as per normal too.  Most airlines have been avoiding Iraqi airspace for some time now... I have a Seychelles cruise booked in a few weeks on a very small ship that is currently still here in the Gulf.  It sailed from Dubai to Doha yesterday afternoon and is scheduled to sail out through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Indian Ocean later this week.... I'm keeping my fingers crossed nothing happens in the meantime!!!!

 

Anne...

You are correct Anne. Too soon to tell. Me being me, I most likely will look for a plan B or C to have ready in the event things get canceled, but go ahead as planned.

Aside from my 'all about me' travel angst, I hope things do not accelerate and safety for those living in the region is maintained.

Stay safe and hope your Seychelles trip happens and is wonderful.

Canada just posted increased security warnings for UAE, Oman, Jordan and Isreal which involves the first half of my April cruise and the area that interested me the most. Not much interested in a shortened cruise from Cyprus to Venice.

Not a nervous nellie for personal safety but hate to knowingly book something that mean potential loss of all the travel funds if having to pull out at last minute. Many insurances don't cover terrorism or acts of war. I am very possesive of my travel budget😁  currently hoping that by April things will have blown over.

2 hours ago, Mudhen said:

We're on (at the moment) a cruise in November that goes thru the Suez and end in Dubai. At this second in time, things look a little dicey.

I'm not a "granny", but really don't want to worry about being taken as fodder by some militant.

I am on one in April...similar route. Final payment is in next few days. I don't plan on changing things, but will ask TA what she is hearing.

5 hours ago, gerryuk said:

Good for you, its a excellent deal. I have been trying to book Costa, Dubai to Rome this March, but they are not playing ball. Cabins available for 2 in all categories (uk site) but nothing available for solos. I called them up and they said that as a costa club member I could buy a cabin for £ 1700, when the solo price on the uk site was £800, I respectfully declined the non offer. I will keep an eye for the next week to see if any become available. I have though found a interesting one with MSC Lirica  (never been with MSC), its a 14 night round trip from Dubai including stops in Goa and Mumbai, India for £1200, that's with 50% supp. If no Costa then I will probably do this cruise.

Have you seen the MSC Lirica Dubai to Venice for this April? Not sure how the UK pricing is but some cabins have opened up. Final payment for North American cruisers is Jan 17 if that opens up options. I haven't sailed MSC but I hear it is at least better than their poor North American customer service. I am looking forward to the itinerary, however.

19 minutes ago, Tracy Po said:

 

Yeah, we're sailing in a month and the Canadian site is still showing no excursions for the trip. The site as a whole is... problematic.

Eeek. That must be nervewracking.  I read there was some licensing issue to be able to 'sell' excursions on the Canadian site. I am hoping after Jan 1, the license will be dealt with and ready to go.

8 hours ago, petuniaflower said:

We were on MSC in the summer shortly after the Canadian site had launched (was awful)..I hoped the kinks would be worked out by now but still terrible.  It wont let me add voyager club # on the US site (which is where I get my quotes since our site is awful and usually book thru a US TA).  So I tried to get some quotes on the Canadian site but it wont let me add more than 4 people, we will be 7 (wanting the super family plus)..it lets me add a second cabin (but not a third)..but regardless nothing comes up offered for super family cabins because it forces me to request separate cabins (and I know they are available, cause it shows available on the US site).  So odd that the sites differs so much:(

 

I have other issues with the Canadian site, but it does seem to be a dog's breakfast.  Is this a time you would consider booking with an agent and leave them to do the headache work?

My 2 cents (Canadian 2 cents at that)....

This is a return trip which I assume is a week.  And you are flying from PA to FL which means you don't even have to show the passport - so the 6 months prior should be irrelevant. 

Nowhere does it state you require 6 months prior to expiration on your passport.

A valid passport is one that is not expired.  For example, if you wanted to drive to Canada today, as long as your plan was to return before March, you would be entering with a valid passport.  

You may consider looking at the countries you are visiting on the itinerary and see what their regulations are for entry for cruise visitors, but given that my cruise last year was little more than a cursory glance to see I looked a little like the photo on the page,  and many didn't even have their passport at port, I am not sure I understand the concern.

But, of course, if you can get it returned expedited service and that will put your mind at rest and most likely be worth the cost. 

In the meantime, search up your birth certificate, as that is a valuable document regardless of cruising.

Are you loaded down with bags? Dubai Mall has luggage storage if you want to drop luggage for a while. You can check other places using  annay Bag, even google maps can find luggage storage in cities. If just rolling carry on, you could maybe check out the souks and 'old Dubai' near the port until a reasonable time for embarkation. Grab lunch and maybe a nap then jead out latered for Glow Garden or Global village....both a good choice for eveni g cool temperatures and light shows.

12 hours ago, oakridger said:

gerryuk.  I see your point.  It's too bad so many people are so rude and uncaring these days that it even becomes an issue of chair hogs and such.  I use the sign and I do come "right back" because I am considerate and honest towards my fellow cruisers and waiters.  That's why I didn't even consider the possibility of bad behaving passengers using such signs.  Sad.

 

~Nancy  

I am like you. No suspicious mind. Keep up the glass half full and trust your fellow man. It pays off in my experience.

48 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said:

Yeah, unfortunately some don't have your good attitude and they rarely read the Guest Contract which includes this:

 

(b) Upgrades/Errors: Carrier reserves the right to collect the fare in effect for the accommodations selected by the Guest. Carrier shall be entitled to, but not obligated to, upgrade any guest free of charge to higher priced accommodations, at the sole discretion of Carrier. Carrier shall not be obligated to honor any booking resulting from, nor shall be responsible or liable whatsoever in connection with, misprints or errors of any kind, whether in brochures, advertisements, on the Internet, during the booking process or otherwise, that result in Guest being undercharged for the cruise. Carrier reserves the right, prior to sailing, to collect the correct fare or cancel the booking and refund any payment made by Guest. Carrier reserves the right to cancel any booking and/or deny boarding to any Guest that maintains an outstanding balance in any amount owed to Carrier.

 

I've been scouring the itins. too, looking for something to book using my 2 CNCs.  Still looking.

Hope you find a nice reasonable cruise you can be happy with. 

Cheers

I've stopped reading the facebook page where I learned about this as even the moderator is trying to get compensation for their time (what, 30 minutes!??!) and 'disappointment'. Too much sense of entitlement in my opinion.

Last year I had 2 cruises in 6 weeks that were either good sales or a typo that was honored. I wasn't particularly looking to cruise but they were too good to pass up. I considered them gifts and will always be thankful for that opportunity. Otherwise, I'll just keep looking....guess I like the adventure of the hunt 😁

Hope you find a good cruise for yourself.

Happy Holidays.

Sigh. They cancelled all these bookings. It was fun while it lasted

4 minutes ago, Jldevlin said:

You can use it at all bars and restaurants ...That is just for Harvest Caye the private island ...you are good to go !!!

Okay.....reread it.  Now it makes sense. Thanks for that confirmation. Thanks!  Not usually so dense. too much multi tasking today 🙂

2 hours ago, ColeThornton said:

To find information on what the perks include/exclude, click on the promo.  On the next page scroll to the bottom and click on Terms and Conditions.

So, I finally found the promo rules and regs.  It all looked acceptable until I got to this line.....

Offer is not applicable at Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues

So, do you think it means you can't use it in the ships MDR?  or specialty restaurants?  that would be a deal breaker for me.

37 minutes ago, robin13 said:

I can't help you with the location of the cabin but as for the drink package you can have as many as you want.  I always take the drink package as I love to drink when I cruise.  Mind you I never really get drunk as the drinks are pretty weak but I do like to be able to order what I want without thinking about money.  If you don't drink very much you might not want the drink package as you are paying the beverage service charge per day.  That is a total of $217.80 for 11 days.  Just a thought.

I did consider the service charge, but even with Cdn dollars (so SC is $298Cdn), that is maybe 3 glasses of wine a day.   Thanks for reminding me though.

40 minutes ago, Greek Boss said:

They were discussing this sailing on the NCL Latitudes Group facebook page. I would keep an eye on your reservations because people were saying that NCL acknowledged it was an error and aren't honoring the prices. 

I do have confirmation of financial deposit.  You think they will renege on those?  Well, if they do, there is no loss other than disappointment....at least this far out.

43 minutes ago, halberd7 said:

11102 is indeed under the buffet, however, I'm not certain if seating is placed there. If you go to cruisedeckplans.com, you can actually drag deck 12 on top of deck 11 and see just what part of the buffet is over that cabin.

Thanks.  That is helpful.  I was able to find a number of reviews on cabins nearby and it doesn't scream out 'noisy cabin'.  A comment about hearing kids running down the corridor at 8a.m. and occasional chair scrape.

34 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

To find information on what the perks include/exclude, click on the promo.  On the next page scroll to the bottom and click on Terms and Conditions.

'kay. The site was down, or running slow, and hadn't found my way around to the perks. but will give it some time then.

I have only done one other NCL cruise - on Dawn last November.

There was a website flash sale or error this morning with super prices on solo bookings on  a 11 day Panama cruise on Pearl Feb 2021. I jumped at it and booked 2 cabins.

Minisuite Deck 11 (11102).  this one seems to be a noise gamble.  It is under the big void area on Dec 12 aft of the teen area. I have heard it is 'nothing' or 'the buffet'.  I am hoping for some feedback whether this is part of the buffet seating, or whether there would be crew noises early or late?  Or deck noise transfer to the balcony particularly when in port?

Alternative is Balcony Deck 9 pretty much guaranteed to be quiet, so a reliable alternative.

I only need one cabin, so need to decide which to cancel.  If the Mini suite won't be noisy, I would most likely choose that.

Also, I haven't been eligible for perks before.  Are there limitations on the drinks perks? As in drink price limit or where I can use it?  I am not much of a drinker but do like a glass or 2 of wine with dinner and perhaps a beer at the pool.  I expect I could stretch to a fourth drink if I put my mind to it 😉  Can I use the package in the dining areas, or just the bars? If only bars, can I carry my drink into dinner?

Thanks for any insight.

27 minutes ago, oakridger said:

I sail solo  most of the time and made myself a sign on a neon colored 3X5 card that said "I'll be right back!".  When I found a table in the buffet and left to get my food I left the card at my place as well as when I got up mid meal to get extras or dessert. The waiters all loved the idea and I've not had my food removed or chair taken since.  It worked great at the bar for bathroom breaks too!!! 

I even lent it to a couple other solos at the bar when they left for the bathroom.  It makes a great conversation piece too 😊!

Happy solo sailing,

~Nancy

Great idea. I often leave my glasses case, but I jad been thinking along simolar lines. Thanks for sharing.