MrsTocko

On 5/25/2022 at 7:43 AM, John Bull said:

 

No coach excursions to Stonehenge from Southampton, but very easy to DIY..

 

Take the train from Southampton Central station, 10 - 15 minute walk from Moxy.

Buy return tickets for the direct half-hourly train to Salisbury about £12.

Journey time about 35 minutes.

Avoid saturdays or sundays if you can

 

The Stonehenge Tour bus leaves from the station forecourt - small station, very easy to spot it. Catch a train that ties in with the Stonehenge Tour bus times

Because independent travellers have to pre-book a timed arrival slot at Stonehenge, buy your Stonehenge tickets on-line with your tour ticket, or from the driver - their tickets have no arrival time restrictions, you just walk straight in. NB If you pay the driver on-the-day you'll need cash due to contactless card limits.

 

Expect to spend about 60 to 90 minutes at Stonehenge.

 

On the return journey to Salisbury there's an option to visit Old Sarum on the edge of the city - a hill fort that was the original city. Needs about 45 minutes. Then go back to the same bus-stop. You don't have to wait for the next  Stonehenge Tour bus, your ticket is good for any Salisbury Reds bus - I think from that stop they all go to the city centre, but double-check with the driver. Old Sarum is uphill and rather exposed - not worthwhile unless you have the time, you're tolerably fit, and the weather's decent.

 

Salisbury  is a super little historic & laid-back city. Visit the magnificent cathedral - it has the tallest spire in the UK, one of the four original Magna Cartas, and the world's oldest clock. Entry by donation or combined Stonehenge/cathedral ticket. Cathedral not open for visiting on sundays.

 

Make you way back to the station, a 15 minute walk or bus or taxi hop, for a train back to Southampton.

 

https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk

https://www.thestonehengetour.info/

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge

 

JB 🙂

Thank you for all of this, I have already booked my tickets for stonehenge through the link above. Yes we are going on a Saturday, but we are fine with that.  That is our ONLY thing planned that day so we are good.  From what I understand from your post and the site itself, we do NOT have to make a  timed reservation (other than our tickets for the actual day), is that correct?

I booked the Ibis Southampton Centre (not the budget), because of the proximity to both the train station and Horizon Cruise terminal.  Rooms look small though.  It is what it is, which is 2 nights, so we can make it work.  Yes, we could walk it, but wont.  I am not one to be hauling my suitcases through a town.  Just get me a taxi/ride, and I am happy.  Friends booked into the White Star Tavern, so we will take a taxi/uber to grab a drink with them on Saturday night.

Any recommendations for dinner on a Friday night when we arrive?  We prefer local over chain, and like supporting independent restaurants. Where do the people that live there go?  We SHOULD be arriving around 7:30-8pm, but we can always go on Saturday.

Thanks again

We embark on a Sunday in Southampton.  The earlies we can test is Thursday before.  We are in Southern California, and Thursday is our travel day.  We have tests scheduled for 10 am (our time, 6pm in Southampton)  Do we need to be concerned with the TIME our tests are administered (proctored), or is the bigger concern the DATE? 

On our recent cruise (in April), the embarkation staff, as well as the gate crew at the airport when we were returning home made note, and mentioned the TIME of the test.

I think we should be ok, because of the time difference, Im just wondering if I should reschedule a little later in the day.  We decided to try and do it in the comfort of our own home before we get on the plane.

Any knowledge you have would be appreciated, and direct NCL knowledge would be GREATLY appreciated.

on this laundry topic - we will be using the first time on our cruise next week...are there any items that we CAN'T include?

someone on my roll call, heard from someone else that underthings were not washed anymore in the laundry service and should be included in the bag.  I certainly hope that is not true, and not wanting to start a big bruhaha, just trying to get an answer for us all...

20 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Don't be hard on yourself.  I read it the same way initially. 🤣

Was thinking I could be way smart and impress my husband by picking out our room, and not tell him how, for those balcony pics…

33 minutes ago, hallux said:

I think what the OP is asking about is photos where someone has overlaid the numbers based on the deck plans, not that the numbers were painted on the outside of the ship/balcony.

I got ya - I obviously understood it a completely different way!

Thought I was missing an OBVIOUS thing on every cruise...

We take a "balcony" photo (if possible) on every cruise. At the end of a port day, I head up to our room, step out on the balcony and wave to my DH who is still on the dock, and he takes a photo.

You can understand why it is not always possible I am sure.

I just looked at the balcony photo from our April 2022 cruise....No numbers on the outside of our cabin to identify our room.

Hope this helps.

4 minutes ago, ByThePond said:

I am looking at the current Sail Safe requirements and do not see a previous positive result with recovery letter as an option for boarding. 

its in the FAQ

10 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

My NCL cruise consultant informed me when I booked about the airfare so no surprises.  He said we may or may not sit together and that it was up to me to go into the airlines website.  Fine.  I'm not going to complain about details when the both of us are flying to Southampton and from Iceland for $900!

Agreed.  We are flying the same route from LAX…700 total for both of us, including deviation…she told me everyone on our reservation would be on the same flight, but up to us to get seats together.  

This is my understanding of the USA rules.  The credit is applied to each excursion for the "lead" passenger only.  If the cost of the excursion is less than the $50 credit, then the amount of the credit is reduced to the cost of the excursion.  For example: Excursion cost is $39.  The value of the credit is reduced to $39. The remaining passenger(s) pay full price of the excursions in their name.

After the credit is taken off, then the latitudes discount is applied, if you are entitled to a discount.

So in the case of my DH and I on the above excursion. My excursion is free (I'm listed as the lead passenger).  DH is charged full price of $39.  Deduct 10% latitude tier discount = 35.10. Regular full price would be $78. Total Savings = $42.90.
 

Make sense?

3 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Do a spring break cruise on Carnival.....you'll never want to cruise again. 😁

I started on Carnival...So I hear you...

I actually just booked 2 spring break cruises....

I keep booking cruises...

Is there a cruise addicts support group that I can join? 

Please send help...

Do the ArriveCan before embarkation…it is a pain to fill out…but a bigger pain to fill out at the pier (as the people in line behind us could attest)

Your still fill out the paper health form.

have everything else ready when you enter the terminal.

They needed our arrive can at the Vancouver airport when we flew home, but as that was our only Canada stop, I am not sure what others experienced.  We have to fill out the standard customs declarations form.

I LITERALLY just recommended your 2016 sun review to someone that is booking an NCL Alaskan.  Cant wait to finish your review.  We had the Breakaway book in July 2021, that was cancelled - and havent yet made the timing work for another go at it.

Anyone know the category code for the Penthouse Balcony on the star?  I have seen it as both SC and SG.  I am thinking about bidding for an upgrade, and I want to be sure that I know where I COULD end up (want to stay more midship).  For my vacation budget, that is the most friendly.  Balcony is a must (according to DH).  Currently in a regular ol midship balcony. Not even the family balcony.

28 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

In these situations, as soon as I realize that I'm about to start losing my temper with the poor soul on the other end of the phone line, I TRY to remember to stop, and then say:  "I'm sorry.  I am NOT mad at you.  I may be mad at your company, but obviously, you had nothing to do with that."  (which is usually true at that stage).  I've found a lot of reps suddenly get very helpful, once that has cleared the air.

I'm sure they are treated like "the enemy" so often...  It can't be pleasant.  (And I'll refrain from commenting about the times the phone rep *IS* the problem, ahem...!)

 

GC

Yes - I flat out said, on the return call.  "I'm sorry, i know i was short and abrupt with you and it is just my frustration with the issue.  and that is the last thing you need. I know that you guys are all dealing with so many other things with cancellations. I apologize."

my letting my frustration out, got it out of my system, and then I could be productive in finding a solution....I type a TON of work emails....that never get sent...but it gets the emotion out of me, and then I can send a productive email.

2 minutes ago, ljrfrm said:

I am setting up our Meet and Greet for our sailing and the exact same thing happened to me. I thought maybe it was a group from outside CC, but they insisted it was a CC person that set it up.  My concern wasn't "who" set it up, but more that she wasn't able to tell us when it was scheduled for or any details to tell our group. She agreed to reach out to the individual for me to check on things - and by the next day it was straightened out and she switched it from the previous person to me - so she was then allowed to share the information on date/time. Maybe you can ask them to do the same on your end? If they can reach out to the person it might straighten it all out also.

THIS is it precisely.  The woman I spoke to, after expressing frustration on both sides - for which i apologized, because I directed my frustration at her, and it was uncalled for - not her fault - has been very helpful since, and has assured me that we will figure it out, and that I shouldn't worry.

I did ask all of those things.  And specifically that I get you cant tell me, but YOU (NCL) has the information, and can you please reach out to them and confirm.  and I get that that cant do that to everyone.  But under the circumstances, I would think this would qualify as an acceptation to the rule.

But I should know something in the next day or 2.  She was very confident we would get it fixed.  I posted this just before she called back to discuss further and what we can do.  If we can get the person that set up the original to cancel it, then it makes it easier all around for everyone is all.

52 minutes ago, MeHeartCruising said:

It sounds like you know specific Cruise Critic members that you want to contact.  I assume you know their member names.  
 

Start a normal posting and refer to them by their member name but prefix it with the @ sign. 
 

As in @MrsTocko   
 

As you type the name, Cruise Critic will pop up a list of suggestions.  Keep typing until you see the name you want in the list and select it.  This will “tag” that person and it should notify them of the tagged message.  It can’t force them to see it, but it’s a step in the right direction.  It’s the closest thing to private messages. 

I do know specifically, I just didnt want to "call them out" publicly.

I miss the "old" days that allowed me to see who all were members...and maybe hadn't actually posted anything in the roll call.  I dont miss the auto post when joining a roll call though!

31 minutes ago, styles27 said:

You can also go to the member’s profiles and see if they’ve been posting/active on CC recently.
 

Also you may be able to message them through their profile if it is enabled. By the way I went to your profile and you have that feature disabled. Maybe turn it on for the time being so the other members can message you directly. 
 

Good Luck!

Yup Tried that - was disable.  Looked at mine, couldnt see where to ENABLE it.

4 minutes ago, hallux said:

It's not, to prevent people from using DM's to discuss TA's (or prevent TA's from contacting people directly) and exchange (in the case of NCL) CruiseNext certificates, both of which are not allowed on CC.

 That explains it....

Did you ask NCL to confirm that the party who set it up is still booked on that cruise?  If so, I would ask them for details of the where and when for the event.  If not, I would think they would allow you to take the lead.  I've never done any of this, so maybe I don't understand something.

She was able to tell me the usual, meets the first sea day around 11, I asked if they could confirm it with the person who set it up, and was told that no, they don't contact them.  Which I get.  They have plenty to do without chasing people down.

My GUESS is that it was assumed that if they cancelled their cruise, it would AUTO cancel their meet and mingle.  it doesn't.  it is a different department entirely.  Their isn't a trickle down effect...much like the DMV - at least in California - updating your address for your car registration, doesn't update your driver's license address (for renewal).  2 separate things.

Im sure it will work out.  Even if I have to just go to Guest Services on board and ask where and when...

just stressful...

let me tell you though, that first drink on board is going to be GOOD!

Ok - here is what happened.

I started the roll call for our upcoming cruise on the Jewel - Leaving April 22 to Alaska.  I have agreed (and early on agreed) to organize the Meet and Mingle for our cruise.  I sent over the email to set it up.  We are a small group but enthusiastic...anyway, I just received a call from NCL that someone else had already signed up to host the Meet & Mingle for our cruise!

We had 4 members (that I know of for sure) of our roll call cancel their cruise...Im guessing that one of them had set it up already.  I was told that it was on the books for a year already (I didnt think we could set one up until 2-3 weeks prior - but apparently you can set it up then adjust the numbers closer to the sailing date).  

NCL couldn't tell me anything about who set it up (obviously - privacy - I get that), where or when (not my event - so I can't hijack it I guess?).  and the Problem is that they cant have 2 cruise critic Meet & Mingle on the same cruise. Again Obvious.  

So at the moment, there is a Meet & Mingle set up for our cruise, that no one knows anything about, and is not likely to, if the person who set it up cancelled their cruise.  If it was one of them, just because they cancelled the cruise, doesnt automatically remove them as host of the Meet & Mingle.  NCL Special Events needs to be contacted with a request to be removed as host or in some other way inform the group event coordinator that you have cancelled.

I have posted the situation in my roll call - not sure if the cancelled members will still receive notification or even read it. Which is understandable.  But is there a way to contact them directly to explain the situation and ask them to contact NCL?

OR

If you are reading this, and this is you, please can you give them a quick call or send them an email?  They have the roll call that I am leading listed as the second one. So by you calling and letting them know, they will just let me know that we are good to go. 

Thank you for any help or suggestions you can provide.  I appreciate it.  Now I better go try to set it up for the July Cruise!

While my question isnt as, timely, as the others.  Im curious about the decor and refurbishment/refreshment that recently happened.  I am not on POA until 2024 (told you it wasnt timely) but I am still curious.

Love this... We get on the Jewel on the 22nd for its repositioning for the Alaska Season.  Can NOT wait.  I have been anxious/excited to learn of the refurbishing/refreshing.  Not that I have anything to compare to, as I havent been on the Jewel before.  But we like the smaller ships.

Where was your Meet and Greet held?  We have about 15 coming to ours. I am also organizing ours, and I always give a slightly higher count than what signed up, because I want to be sure that any last minute signups can go.  We have had 9 sign up so far.

Pictures of the refreshing would be great if you can.  If not, I will see them all soon...

55 minutes ago, cc-riderslc said:

Seems like they tried this about 10 - 12 years ago.  It wasn't accepted very well.  A few years later they changed back to rotating the menus.  I didn't like it then (I quit NCL after that experience) and I don't imagine I will like it now.  I hope it doesn't start up until after June.

When they tried this before, were there as many specialty dining options as there are now?

We started cruising with NCL in 2016, so I dont have the knowledge/first hand experience as some of you have

When I told my DH about this, his reaction was about the same as mine..."this stinks".  We do not do the specialty dining as a rule. We would rather spend our money elsewhere.  Many say that the specialty dining has much better food.  We are pretty happy with what MDR offers, honestly.  We are not "fancy" people or food eaters.  So those specialty places just don't appeal.  Combined with food allergies and reactions, we lose half the options.

As others stated, I hope it stays on the newer ships.

Will it prevent us from cruising on NCL?  Not sure yet.  Will let you know after our POA cruise in 2024!

16 hours ago, MarLieb said:

We are interested in booking a NYC to Canada cruise on NCL for August, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how the testing requirements will play out to adhere to Canada's requirements.  I read that we need to test 72 hours prior to disembarking in Canada, but the first Canadian port isn't until day 4 of the cruise.  Will this mean we will have to test prior to boarding in NYC and then, again, on the ship to disembark in Canada on day 4?  

We are in the same boat (pun intended) on the west coast for an Alaskan/repositioning. Except that it is the first cruise on the Alaskan Season, and is next month, so nothing to use as an example and no way to check what others have experienced.  Canada will be strictly a pass through for us as we are going from the ship to the airport at disembarkation.  not even a tour.  I dont know if I should order proctored tests to take with us or not.  Following closely.  So far, nothing from NCL.  I have sent an email to Transport Canada via their website, explaining our scenario - no response as of yet.