MagnoliaBlossom

Yep, we e seen them all, too, but at least is a mostly feel good show. Except for the drama, but, whatagonnado? Last night we rewatched the Viking xxxx (forget the ship) but it was the Norwegian Fjords and the scenery was beautiful. Saw some places we will see in 2025.😃

NCL is returning to Galveston this fall. We are booked on the Prima in February.

For those of you who love to watch the Smithsonian Channel’s “Mighty Cruise Ships”, there is a marathon today. At noon, CDT they will air back to back episodes until 9:00 pm. If you’ve not discovered this program check it out. Of course you will be on the phone with your PCC before the. Ishtar is over. 🤣. One of my favorite episodes about The Royal Clipper is n and it is very interesting

The usual offer is 20,000 points so when the 25,000 pops up, you’d be wise to take advantage of it as they don’t come around that often. I think the last one was last fall.

I have six cards.

Ah, I misread it. You are right. Thanks for the correction.

You are just charged the overage plus the gratuity for that portion.

There have been a few reports on this board of people who checked in at CN desk to make reservations,etc. on the first day and had a CN staffer who pushed through their upgrade to zplatinum. But that is not the norm. As vacation44 said above, points are rewarded after the cruise.

My PCC at NCL of 14 years has always told me from the first day they started booking air, not to do it. Last month she said she tells ALL her customers not to do it because it’s rare she has a happy customer when they have insisted on doing it anyway. She told me there had been talk at corporate of discontinuing the program since it’s turned into such a PR nightmare for the, I’m way too controlling to allow someone else to book mt air, it’s just too important.

I hope the Ambassador pins have a better clasp than my Diamond pin. It is a pushpinback with a rubber stopper on the end, kinda like a stud earring but not as good a grip. Since they are not personalized you can get a replacement at CruiseNext.

We had such a terrific guide the day of the Golden Circle, he made it extra special. By the big hot water lake we walked on the shore and saw these strange markers, he told us the bakery next door bakes their b read buried in the sand. While we were seeing the sites and testing the water with our hands, he showed up with a slice of bread for each of us. It was maybe the best bread I’ve ever eaten. Then we were admiring a flock of small Icelandic horses and he pulled in to the driveway and got us each a horse treat to feed them if we wanted, and pet their furry little noses. We chose the option without Blue Lagoon as we thought it just made the day too long. of the three, if I had to delete one it would be the northern peninsula, whose name is unpronounceable to me. We saw some very nice things and had a great seafood lunch but of the three I would skip that one.

NCL is a bit closed mouth about dry dock dates, which seems ridiculous to me, but so does much of the world we live in lately. There are sites where you can check pier space and see who’ docking, where, when. Google is your friend. We have a Star cruise booked again but not til 5/25

Our family will be sailing from Southampton next June. Previously DH and I have always stayed at HI, and found it fine. In house bar and restaurant after long travel. This time our DD and family will be with us and would appreciate input about Premiere Inn. We have stayed at a PI at Heathrow and found it fine. Any thoughts? thank you, MB

NCL is notorious for not applying their own rules. The TnC about new bookings only is a perfect example.

The Dawn is another wacky ship for upgrades. I had to book the highest inside cabin in order to get to choose my balcony. Anything below, I don’t remember if their top inside is an IA or I4, is a balcony guarantee. Be sure to check with WP before you book so you don’t get in the position of having to amend, and pay more for that first level cabin to get to the balcony you want.

I have not, but give them a call and see what they say. Let us know what you find out.

So glad to hear you overrode the negative reviews. So many people slam minor faults with cruise ships, especially younger, newer cruisers who have unreal expectations for a mainline ship. We have so many cruises under our belt and I would say only one was awful, and those things happen, but it never for a minute kept us from booking another cruise. Cruises, like life, are what you make of it. So glad you had a joyful experience.

Wow, you got the conductor from the North Pole station! 🤭

We have an 8 day cruise in October free courtesy of WinStar Casino, and we hardly ever play there. But free is good and 8 days of “free”dom is great.

Thank you for that information. I had read bits and pieces of that but a first hand recent perspective is always helpful. I think the canal tour would be special to the family, I know we have loved them everywhere we’ve been in the past. MB

Philly, did you do a tour in Bruges, or do it on your own. We are doing the BI with our kids and grandkids, all Brit Ish Isles rookies. We have been to all our ports except Bruges and wondering how to best see the sites. The grandkids are 14 and 18 and very academically minded kids. Not your average teenagers and very interested in architecture. Any insights are appreciated. Thank you for all your marvelous photos.

True zebra hunters are talented diagnosticians and to be commended. I hope she can find the help she needs. maybe a diagnostic center.

I’ve seen some pretty good reviews for the Dawn, but the Star is not faring as well.

And doctors who do deep dives into a difficult diagnosis are zebra hunters. It can also be used derogatively for a doctor who goes off on an obscure diagnosis before looking at the most common cause. Worked with a few over my career and they cause so much fear and expense for patients.

We have an excellent medical evac policy that covers the really has excellent coverage. Fortunately we’ve not needed it but for about $200/yr it’s worth the peace of mind. Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.