KarlChilders

Here is a nice video tour of the island.  Water is not as clear as Bahamas but not bad.

24 minutes ago, sunsetsoon said:

So happy to be able to contribute to your learning skills. I learned what HEA meant by reading too many romance novels on Kindle Unlimited. Oh my - that's probably TMI.

Hey, gotta do something to keep the furnace burning! Maybe that is what's keeping you young! 😉

Well, you and Uncle Google taught me something today.  I didn't know that an HEA was a Happily Ever after.  Keep up the good work.

19 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

You can take full refillable bottles off the ship. When you come back on board, they must be empty. I just fill mine in the sink. The water in the bathroom sink is the same as the water in the buffet.

actually, I believe the water in the buffets and bars passes thru a carbon filter before serving, which could remove some chlorine taste, if that bothers you.

Never ate there except for breakfast and the one time we ordered the Volcano nachos (which were decent) from the barman, but I will miss the Incommunicado and Don't stop the Carnival drinks from the bar.

You are a hoot. You make me miss my Mom, she wasn't as funny as you, but she had her moments! 

We did this in early December. I highly suggest grabbing your bags and walking a block or two to the Hilton or Courtyard and calling an Uber/Lyft. This worked great for us. If it’s like our cruise, we were docked by 5am.

Probably the same as Getaway and Escape, a couple of news channels (BBC, MSNBC), a European sports channel (lots of soccer, cricket etc), several ship related channels (shopping, ports, navigation, shipboard activities), a movie channel and maybe a kids channel. No network stuff.

13 hours ago, waterjock said:

I hope they have a landing area on a deck. I was on the Jewel when they had to evacuations they had to drop a bed down to the deck and lift the person up to the helicopter.This was at midnight so i am not sure if they could have landed during daytime.

If you take a look at the bow cam, you will see a large "Winch Only" sign on the bow deck.  This indicates that a litter must be winched up to the helo and that it is not a helipad.

The ferry was either 20 or 25 per person, and yes, the excursion credit covers it.  We felt very safe, and I struck up a conversation with the Tourist Policemen on the dock as we were waiting on the return ferry, they said the worst problems they have are with folks staying there leaving their doors or windows unsecured and folks stealing their electronics (cameras/tablets/phones). Several nice little beach bars within a 10 minute walk from the pier.  Others we heard rented golf carts or bikes and went exploring.

On 1/23/2020 at 10:29 AM, MAUGUWI said:

How Long is the Ferry Ride to Placencia?

 

It is only about 4 miles, took maybe 15 minutes or so, the loading and unloading takes the most time.

When we arranged Infinity, they arranged a cab for us, told us who to ask for as we walked out, and they were expecting us.  I think it was $20 per person.  They did try to upsell us for additional touring, but we told them we just wanted to go to the hotel and that was fine.  Ride took 15 minutes or so.  And for Tweety33 asking, Bananarama to the snorkel area is a few hundred yards, 1/4 mile at most.

Just for grins, I just priced out 2 cruises for comparison, RCL Mariner of the Seas (4nite) Vs. NCL Sun (5nite), sailing from Port Canaveral late April, Nassau and the respective private islands.  Each in an oceanview, Royal was a guarantee, no drink package $75 OBC, Sun was pick your room, drink package and specialty dining.  Royal 1650 vs 1450 for the Sun.  I know which one I would pick.

You can order continental breakfast delivered at no charge (croissant/muffins, fruit, coffee). I assume the one in the package would be a full hot breakfast.  As I said, we got the regular package rather than the deluxe because we figured a 25 min massage might be too short, and as I am always up first, I run up to the buffet and grab coffee and croissants so she gets breakfast in bed everyday 😉

I can tell you I ordered the  regular romance package for our 25th annv. cruise.  We didn't really care about the massage or breakfast in bed, the rest was great.  We sailed out of Miami and the roses looked as fresh at disembarkation as the day we boarded.  My wife hated to leave them behind.  Le Bistro was great!

Which ship, if it is away class or away+ class, you will be able to make show reservations at 120 days out (130 if in Haven). Buffet and MDR will have at least one vegetarian selection. Oh, and no bottled water on the standard drink plan

We saw decorations on doors on the Getaway in December. 

I doubt they have diet juices but they do have flavored vodkas 

18 hours ago, Nebr.cruiser said:

On our Getaway cruises in the Caribbean, we didn't book even one event before sailing.  We booked several things about the day before or even an hour or two before.  We also just walked up and into the theater a couple of times.  The Escape room we booked on the morning of the day we went.

 

Possibly if you want seats front and center, they would be gone, or perhaps early shows?  We usually prefer later shows.

 

I of course can't guarantee that this would work on all cruises.

Actually, even for those with reservations, the seating is first come, first served, there are no reserved seats other than those saved for the Haven folks.  However if it is full, those without reservations aren't allowed in until a few minutes before showtime, so the "good" seats may be gone by then.

6 minutes ago, jgoodm said:

Am I understanding this thread to say that if you use any non-refundable OBC to purchase certificates to be used against a future cruise fare, you will be credited an equal amount of non-refundable OBC's to be used on the same cruise?  Why wouldn't everyone being doing this for a massive amount of money every time they cruise (assuming you have the $ to do so) and do not buy anything in advance of arrival on the ship?  Thanks.

Not quite, so here is the deal.  NCL offers cruise next certs valued at $250 each on board.  If you purchase 2 or more, they are essentially half price, as they bill your onboard account the full price of the certs, but then credit you back half of the price.  IE you buy 2 certs worth $500, they bill your acct $500 and give you $250 OBC.  Leaving you with a balance of 250.  Now if you had other OBC, it can be used against the remaining 250.

8 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Their cabin wasn't unsold.  The OP paid in full.

right, but the OP was looking for a refund or a future credit, which would negate that

11 minutes ago, cashmeremypuppydog said:

Thank you again for the great replies.

 

i have another question.  With HAL, if you own at least 100 shares,  you receive free OBC depending on the length of the cruise.  Does NCL have something similar?  Is so, where could I read all the details.

 

i think a Mediterranean cruise in November is “low season” and I will take my chances in buying after final payment. 

 

The Canadians!😎

They do  http://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/static-files/91699aad-cb30-4ff6-8e40-4dc290cb03b5

2 minutes ago, cashmeremypuppydog said:

Thank you everyone for the great replies.

 

We were planning to buy our cruise last minute (Sept or Oct) after final payment.  

When can you start booking your shows, escape room?  As soon as you have a booking?  That would really penalize us to book at the last minute...  Any idea what I can do to solve this problem?

 

The cold Canadians!😎  

all prebookable items open at 120 days out (130 for Haven guests) so if you book after final, it will be as soon as you book.  Dining reservations only release about 30% of capacity for pre booking, so should have plenty available at boarding.  Not sure about the shows, but we have never had a problem getting them even when we booked after final payment.

We have just always used a CC, but I believe I have read on here somewhere that the cash deposit is around $300.  If you have room under your credit line on a card, I think the easiest method is to give a card at check in, then if you wish to settle with cash, you may do so on the last night with the Guest Services desk.

There are touch screens on each floor near the elevator lobbies as well as in the Atrium.  I will add it is a good idea to download the NCL app as this can be used as well. In Miami, I was able to connect to the ship wifi network while still in the boarding waiting room and make some reservations.