JennyM75407

Any recent updates to this experience?

13 hours ago, bassmaster150 said:

So we are on Escape (11 day cruise)…just docked in port canaveral as cruise is over.  The quote above is the same as our experience.  Masks indoors unless eating or drinking (you can keep mask off for entirety of your dinner or drink…no sip and put mask back on).  Outdoors you could take mask off.  In ports of call, they were mandatory and enforced in some ports.  Also on excursions you had to wear them.  Now if your excursion included a boat ride most kept them off.  But onboard everyone complied and they would remind you to put your mask on. Hope this helps.

@bassmaster150 someone on FB said they were among 50 cases of C19 onboard your sailing. Did you hear anything about that? 

On 1/1/2022 at 12:24 PM, pcakes122 said:

What Haven category is that bid for? Is it for a Haven Spa Suite (not located in the Haven) or a Forward Penthouse (also not in the Haven and one of those cabins - the accessible one - only has a cove balcony (makes a difference if they want to get sun.)

 

Not sure if your mom is in an accessible room now,  but the only Haven cabins that will accommodate a scooter would be the Forward Penthouse I mentioned above or one accessible Courtyard Penthouse cabin.  Both of those have electronic doors so she could drive in and out herself. For the other cabins she would have to give her scooter to the Butler to find somewhere to store it. (Which they will gladly do.)

We're 3wks post Escape, Haven Spa Suite 1612x. Our neighbor's scooter was parked outside the doors with no issues. Where were you at?

1 minute ago, mking8288 said:

 

Short answer, AFAIK, is no - not suitable for cruise ships to dock, anything in the works for a variety of eco-reasons, not financials.  

 

We were 0 for 2 on our two most recent planned full day stop at GSC ... seas were calm but too windy and for safety reasons, cancelled and turned into an extra fun day at sea.  

 

 

Thanks for the info! We were keeping track of ships that had plans of GSC prior to ours; only one of like 12 made it in that particular December. 

A day at sea is "nice", but since we've lost Grand Cayman, I'm kind of already thinking, "Yay...another sea day (not!) LOL

But it is what it is, right? Just keep my drink full and set me in a sunbeam!

2 hours ago, pbenjamin said:

Someone in the roll call for the 11/27 sailing of the Escape reports that the Grand Cayman stop has been replaced with a sea day.  The removal of Grand Cayman has been assumed for some time, but this is the first official confirmation from NCL.  We are on a 1/22 sailing with the same itinerary and haven't heard anything yet.  This reduces the itinerary to 2 actual ports, one private island and 3 sea days.  Has anyone else with Grand Cayman on their itinerary received any information from NCL?

 https://www.exploregov.ky/faqs/covid-19-travel-reopening#pre-arrival-testing

Yes, 12/11/21 on Escape as well.

And the last time we sailed in December, GSC was unattainable due to seas vs tenders.

Did NCL build a pier for GSC? Hmm.

<whines a lil>

So can anyone snap a pic of their ship card?

You can redact it :D

I'm curious about the 'new' ID card. I've read about how we can't punch holes in them any more; so, since you've been, what's the skinny? :D

Thank you for your great post, btw. Certainly appreciated!

Jenny

Boarding was the easiest and quickest We have ever experience. This was our 8th cruise. First out of Seattle, most from Florida. The time that was available for embarkation was 12:30pm. We got to the port at 11:27am and had a drink in my hand on board before 11:50am. Very easy. We walked right on the ship. No waiting whatsoever. We never received a boarding number nor was there a line for security. There was no line to do the paperwork. They don’t take photos for your keycard anymore. They use the photo from your passport.

 

After that we walked right on. I recommend booking dinners/shows online. And go straight to the booking area on deck 6 in the Social for the dinners if you don’t see your time available online. They fill fast and prepare to wait in lines there. Be patient, your already on the ship instead of waiting in the lobby to board. I believe NCL only opens 20% of dinning times online before the cruise.

 

Also if your traveling with someone maybe have them go to Q and book Go Carts, Laser, and Prohibition, and the other shows if you didn’t get them booked online.

 

The Beatles shows are first come seats. I recommend getting there 45 min early, Cavern Club is small and fills fast. Don’t sit in back, people will stand in front of you. Plus front row is better.

 

We also got to the main shows about 30 min early. And we’re always able to get good seats. We like isle seats.

 

Remember to be patient. Elevators can get crowded but if you are capable of using the stairs, I would. Specially if your going down or up only a couple flights. We are a younger couple and always try to use the stairs. I saw many people push their way on when someone with a scooter or broken foot was waiting and were not able to get on because people jumped in front of them. Specially little the kids.

 

Let me know if you have anymore questions. Safe travels. Enjoy!! It was one of out favorite cruises.

 

 

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This is important for us non-smokers to remember. Our sensitivity is enhanced because we are not used to smoke any longer.... Where were all those people when I was a kid and every public place had hundreds of smokers?

When I was a kid, my Dad smoked Winstons like they were free. I grew up allergy free.

There is a marked difference in the amount of crap that goes into a circa 2018 cig vs a 1970 cig. It's not just burning paper and tobacco; there is a whole lot more going on, and adding to 'noxious' fumes. Nowadays? Second hand smoke gives me a migraine. Go figure. And it stinks! Old smokes used to kind of smell good; not a chance in Hell that I'd say that now.

But as you can already see from the remarks, a totally non smoking ship will result in loss of passengers. As long as smoking is legal ships should have a place or a couple places for smokers. BTW, I am a non smoker.

Nita, I bet if all of the smokers said BS! and cancelled, NCL could post that 400 non smoking 'slots' were available on a 100% non smoking ship and they would be slammed with business.

****

NCL Bliss Feb 23 2019

NCL Dawn Feb 24 2018 **

NCL Epic Feb 24 2017 *****+

that doesn't make sense about no self walk off???

We did on mar 4 as well as friends. Zero issues for us. Too bad for those who got off at the same time but had luggage since the first group was a natural flow to immigration/customs.

Our big problem was the 25+ non us who completely disregarded the pages for the names for over an hour. Imo there should be a couple hundred dollars added to their account. If not for those rude people, it would have been a non issue

** a p p l a u s e **

The embarkation process was pretty quick for the Feb 25 sailing, up to getting on the ship. The lobby was packed and people were standing by the time they started calling boarding groups. That was nothing compared to the nightmare of disembarking the ship. It took us literally 1.5 hours to get off the ship, standing and snaking our way through the ship in line. All 6 of us gold and platinum members, with priority disembarking and the first color luggage tags. The communication was pretty nonexistent from the crew regarding disembarking. The Hotel Director had addressed the issue at the Meet & Greet, specifically telling the group that disembarkation doesn't start till 9:00 am, and the port is not big enough to handle the volume. We knew going in from that conversation that it most likely would be a nightmare, and not to plan to get off until well after 9:00 am. Not sure, but part of the hold up were some of the non US citizens that chose not to follow the calls for them to report to US Immigrations and Customs PRIOR to disembarkation. All of them had to report to the Bliss Lounge I think before they would let anyone leave the ship. This port is really a nightmare, and we personally will not sail from here again.

1) Re: 2/25 embarkation, that was not our experience.

2) Re: Meet & Greet/Hotel Director, so unless a 'guest' had attended said event, it would be a big secret?

3) The Non US citizens were repeatedly requested to report to Guest Services, while the rest of us who were capable of following directions waited in the Bliss Lounge, not so blissfully ;-)

So what’s a good game plan for Dawn? Stay in cabin until hear if they are tracking down international pax via announcements? Only go to holding area if NO calls going on by 8am?

 

 

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I'm going to avoid the Dawn in the future. That's my game plan.

Fellow Cruisers and Boozers... :)

 

Came across an absolutely AWESOME new drink. My wife had this last night at Houlihan's restaurant as part of their new Happy Hour menu. It's called "She sells sea shells" and I thought it was awesome enough to include on this list, especially since NCL bars stocks the Cruzan Rum line.

 

So the recipe:

.5oz Rum Chata poured on bottom of glass, add ice

Mixture added to above:

2oz Cruzan Black Cherry Rum

.75oz Pineapple Juice

.5oz Lime Juice

.5oz Simple Syrup

.5oz Blue Curacao

 

Added to the list and attached is a pic of the drink

So, do all bars stock the Cruzan? My husband loves the Key Lime rum, and I swear he wagged his tail when I read your post for him.

If we just wanted the Cruzan on ice, can we get that on UBP? Sailing on Sunday. It CANNOT come soon enough.

We were on the Dawn 3 weeks ago and had dinner there. We didn't have the dining plan but it seemed reasonable. The guacamole was wonderful. The chips, salsa, @ guacamole were filling enough that we didn't want any other appetizers.We shared the cactus salad which was interesting. I had enchiladas which was also good. You can just come to the bar for their specialty margaritas and get chips/guacamole there if you don't want dinner.

 

I live in Texas and imo it was so much better than your average Tex Mex restaurant. People at our Meet & Greet recommended we all try it.

 

 

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Better than Taco Cabana? ;p;p

:)

I'm north of Dallas, thought it was neat to see a 'neighbor'!

Thank you, Jenn!!!

 

Oh, what is PA?

Pineapple :D

You can sit at both bars mentioned and drink without eating.

 

There is a very quiet spot at the front of the ship and we were there every day. There is a hot tub there also no one was ever in. Deck 13

 

 

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<3 :hearteyes:

My questions are directed to those who have cruised post-refurb :)

• With the UBP, are we able to sit at the bar and drink at Los Lobos? And perhaps pay for apps?
  
• With the UPB, is the a bar at Moderno that we can do the same, without eating? I'm all about being a carnivore, but I'm a huge strawberry Caipirinha fan :)
  
• On NCL Epic, there was a very quiet sun deck on 18 forward. Any idea if such a place is on the Dawn? (I mean like crickets quiet.
  

Okay....go!

Margaritas are included. I think the question was if the guacamole was complimentary. That I do not know since we ate there for a meal! Awesome!!

Yes, that was the question. And yes, I'm revisiting this again, now, as he's got ants in his pants with 47 days left to go. And yes, LOL, we are totally aware of the differences in guac.

With Scott, there are few elements of discovery at times.... :)

Someone had told MrJenny that guac and margaritas were comp if you were UBP when visiting the bar at Los Lobos. False? Sounds too yummy to be true. And golly, it is hard to imagine someone not being able to find something to like on that menu... *swoon*~

Sorry for the delay...work beckons. Will post more from home tonight.

:*

Finally meeting you and the rest of "Our People" was such a blessing!

From our perspective, it was great to experience the Epic firsthand to be able to dispel so many of the things we had read about on CC. But then again, I'm pretty easy to please for the most part. Have a great day at work, hah! XOXOXO!

On the Escape in aug/Sept, we put the UBP to good use. Here were the things we experienced:

- several times, we gave them a tip and a challenge. Make something bkue, frozen, no pineapple nor coconut. A couple ladies in the atrium bar and cowboy in the 5 o'clock somewhere bar were Gung ho to do it.

-Ok one more thing... if you keep ordering WooWoo shots from cowboy at 5 o'clock, he starts turning those shots into full size plastic glass size!

Oh how I hope the Epic has "a cowboy" in 10 days! LOL! I'm scrolling like crazy to find something that I read (newbie alert!) they charge sales tax on the drinks at embarkation? Not like 25 cents is a big deal, I just found it curious :-)

I loved the Epic ......outdoor area to have meals

Great show ..Cirque, Priscilla and Burn the floor

Wonderful staff ...Pedro CD was awesome

Epic Beatles

Great comedians

Fun casino

Great restaurants ...try them all ..my favorite Cagneys

Big Atrium

Loved O Shehans ..go get wings ..the best

Go have a great time

 

Went on 5 diferent cruise on Epic ...yup love it that much

You seem so upbeat! Love it! So, I'm going to ask...

...yes...Karoake?! Anywhere?