Levanah

4 hours ago, mking8288 said:

I echo your summation:

The fault lies with management. 

 

One of the Asst Mgr (they're been servers & know what's involved before getting promoted) said if they see guests returning & coming in, they are expected to AND should let them in and provide the services. 

 

We're wondering how The Local could possibly handled several bus loads of hungry passengers coming back to the ship after a long tour - the other option being Room Service for a fee, and possibly something in the Haven lounge.  Casino used to have a late night snack at 12 PM, but I heard it's been scaled down 👎 as well.

Have been enjoying your “lives” along with the other pax who have been doing lives as well. Particularly interested since we embark Prima Sunday as you depart.  I hear we will be sailing FULL.

I have always believed that when there are operational issues, they usually flow directly from the top but I don’t know if this is the case on a passenger vessel with so many hotel-like departments. From NCL?  From the ship’s captain?  Both?  We are looking forward to dining in Hudson from a window whenever possible (We are Sapphire), and we have always been told to head to the desk and past the line.  We’ll see how that works.

I can understand the changed cookie policy but many other operational issues feel like inexperience on the part of staff.    I’d be curious about your view on the overall cause of the issues you’ve experienced during this cruise.  Enjoy your upcoming ports!

1 hour ago, QuestionEverything said:

Greetings njkate:

I have done the great DD beaches 2x - once on a part day excursion from Le Havre off a Celebrity, and the other from Paris, a drive trip.

If you Really want to see the DD beaches and Normandy area, which is gorgeous, - DO THE DRIVE TRIP.

Rental vehicle easy, drive north on freeway to Bayeux, many hotels, inns and great restaurants. Hire Over Lord tours. They will drive you to each of the beaches, the US cemetery. The guide is full time with you, the guide has a customized book for each beach with photos, historical presentation etc. Very important to get to the DD Museum, it is the essence of understanding what happened....

https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/en/memorial-museum-battle-of-normandy/

Our tour was 2 full days, outstanding and our guide took us to the Canadian cemetery as well. Was not expensive at all. You see what you want on your time not on a tour.

After DDay beaches, go to Mont St. Michele, OMG, a total amazing castle on top of a hill in the tidal flats, built 1,100 AD. No cruise line takes people to this amazing place. 

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/unmissable-sites/the-mont-saint-michel/

 

Can drive to Honfleur which is a wonderful spot with an amazing harbour and then go to Le Havre, wonderful location and stay at the newish Hilton Garden Inn on the waterfront, great hotel and great restaurants.

Hope you find this helpful.

 

 

 

I really appreciate this information as the DD beaches and Normandy are also on our bucket list.  Instead of cruising to Paris, we’ve decided we can easily fly to Paris and do a land-based trip.  Thanks so much for this info!

Mary, in addition to Reykjavik (and Isafjordur), we are also scheduled to port in Akureyri.  I sure hope the Akureyri stop happens since Isafjordur seems doubtful!  Whatever happens, we WILL enjoy our cruise.  Fingers crossed for all of us. 

I have not heard any updates and am eager to know since we depart on the Prima 12 May.  I expect the first news may come from the current Prima sailing now headed to Iceland.

We have declined the beverage package several times during the booking process with no issue.  We do not use a TA and book on our own,

1 hour ago, QuestionEverything said:

Morning Jordan61.

Both Trafalgar and Globus are upper middle level companies that focus on North American guests, so they know the expectations. Their tours are comparable in itinerary and close in pricing.

I have done Globus extensively. The buses are Not full, so not crowded, they rotate seating every day so no one hogs the front. Your main luggage is picked up at your room and taken to the bus. About a 1/3 of the time, you remain 2 nights in one location, so it is not moving every day.

Always free afternoons or mornings in the schedule and depending upon location they may include a regionally specific meal with 2 included drinks. All one's attraction admission costs are included in the price. 

In June, we are doing a 24 day Globus tour of all of Great Britain, all 5 countries including ferry to and from Ireland. Once back to London, going to Southampton, doing the Ise of Wright, then taking the QM2 back to NY!!!!. A most fabulous trip. This itinerary is very complete in terms of seeing the main cities/towns and attractions.

I know that many cruise addicts diss bus tours, however, if you want to Really see and experience the world, it is the only way to travel.

Bus travel and vehicle travel is by far my favorite way to see the world, cruising not so much. There are some places best seen by ship, South America/Panama/ Alaska etc, but not everywhere.

Hope this is of assistance to you.

We are not guaranteed our next breath, so Get R Done indeed whatever mode of travel works best for You - it is all about You.

Great to hear first hand about the Globus and Trafalgar companies although I was somewhat aware of them.  Your trip in June does sound MOST FABULOUS!  

Several years ago, we did a bus tour of Scotland from the Little Red Bus company.  I’m not sure if they are still running.  It was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had and the kilt-clad guide was entertaining and informative.

Yes, our senior years are ALL ABOUT US and we will make the best of them with or without NCL.  While it may be my imagination and sensitivity that often comes with aging, I get the feeling that NCL is willing to write off senior travelers even those in higher priority Latitude groups.  If that feeling persists backed up with their current policy, changes, we won’t hesitate to jump ship (so to speak).

We did a Gate 1 trip to Rome about 15 years ago and were very pleased with the value and quality.  I find myself looking more frequently these days at what Gate 1 is offering.  No - not a luxury product, but perfectly fine and they seem to be consistent over time.  Have been loyal to NCL but following their changes and missteps much more closely now.  After following the current live Prima thread, I can’t help but feel a little wary about what we might experience after we embark on her in Southampton 12 May.  

And from yet another senior couple, we are watching these port cancellations carefully.  We have cruised with NCL exclusively, but there are still destinations/ports we want to see.  We are still healthy, but as seniors, our cruising window is closing.  If we have to move to another line to see the places we want to experience, we will do so.  Even as we have made it to Sapphire.  

I do hope NCL is listening.

We have a Golden Circle Tour also with Iceland Everywhere and booked due to their cancellation/refund policy after eliminating other companies who would not offer this kind of policy.  They have been excellent in terms of email communication.

Following your thread with much interest and excitement - thank you!  It’s especially fun since we board the Prima in Southampton shortly after you disembark.  It will be our first time on Prima.  We will be in London three days before sail away. Especially  interested in the priority seating situation since we are Sapphire.  It may not impact us as much since we usually eat dinner early 5-ish.

Are you scheduled to port in Isafjordur?  The last I heard from the local tourism office, they were expecting (“fingers crossed”) the dredging to be complete for this cruise season.  We’ll see.  I am prepared for another sea day just in case.

Enjoy every minute!

I agree that the lack of tenders on this class of ship is a significant design shortfall.  In addition, itineraries include Isafjordur when being able to port is doubtful.

Looking forward to Southampton to Reykjavik on May 12 on the Prima.  Last I communicated with the Isafjordur tourism office a a few weeks ago, they say the dredging project in the port should be ready for the 2024 season, but no firm promises.  I am hoping we are able to port in Isafjordur and that it doesn’t turn out to be a sea day.  Anyone have any information on the dredging port project?

Seems odd that the ship did not build with boats that can both tender and serve as lifeboats.

I can’t wait to see how the sea walk works in Geiranger!

I emailed the tourism office for Westfiords about the status of the dredging in the  Isafjordur port and received a prompt reply this week.  They are currently still working on the dredging and apparently the contractors doing the work have promised they will be ready for the coming cruise season.  We will be on the Prima scheduled to port there on May 21.  I am prepared to be disappointed but this is the most hopeful news I’ve heard for quite a while about this project.  Fingers crossed - we may actually make it this year.

I have received a prompt reply from the westfjords tourism office.   The dredging project is not yet finished but the authorities apparently have promised that it will be finished for the upcoming cruise season.  My contact says it does look “very promising”.  While nothing is certain yet, this is the best news I’ve seen in awhile for this port.  Fingers crossed!

Edinburgher, thank you! I’ve been thinking of emailing the office and will do so.  By the way, we LOVE Edinburgh and have visited three times.  Our last visit to Scotland (which included time in the Orkneys) ended with a very memorable Sunday roast in Newtown not far from where the ship was docked.  My own heritage is a mix of Scots/Welsh/English and I am always drawn to visit the UK.  Take care…

Does anyone know of the status of the port construction at the Isafjordur port?  The Norwegian Prima is scheduled to call at port on May 21.  The last progress I heard was sometime in January when apparently more dredging was needed to accommodate larger ships like the Prima.  Thanks!

Thanks, dbenson and Bird!  Really looking forward to our sail away out of Athens on the Jade on September 18. After several busy days in Athens pre cruise, it will nice to board and chill for lunch in the MDR.

We usually enjoy early breakfast in the main dining room on disembarkation day, but I am wondering if it will be open.  It looks as if the main dining room no longer opens on EMBARKATION day which is a disappointment.  We may be headed to the Garden Cafe on the day we leave the ship.

Since we are departing on the Jade on 18 September, we are watching all related news very carefully.  I have checked the reopen Europa website several times and find it confusing.    It appears to reference an earlier time when NO cruises were allowed.  It just looks like sloppy wording to me. Regardless of what it says, we are following NCL’s rules.

The only different news I see as of yesterday is that there is no longer a statement regarding a required in person proctored test to board as opposed to a proctored online test such as Emed.  We are planning according to the most stringent requirements, anyway.  Will bring the Emed tests and also schedule the hotel-arranged doc to do the test in our room.  Time will tell closer to sail date.

The whole thing, indeed, is maddening.

3 hours ago, njhorseman said:

I'm not familiar with Spain's rules and haven't attempted to research them, but I do know that not every country's rules can be found easily via an internet search . Greece is an example...every cruise line has protocols for Greece that apparently can't be found by an internet search, 

I am pretty good finding technical and/or obscure stuff online, but I have been unable to find  clear, detailed information related to requirements for Greece on a government or tourism website.   I’ve searched several times. Apparently Emed testing is not accepted, so we will be looking for the closest pharmacy to our hotel in Athens for an antigen test while we are there ahead of the September 18 Jade embarkation. I keep hoping these protocol are relaxed before we leave, but not counting on it.

Hi Thera,

Hey neighbor, yes we are  on the Jade.  We will be in Athens for 6 days prior to the cruise, so plenty of time to get tested.  Will probably get a test on Saturday since we are on a day trip to Delphi on Friday.  I’m not concerned about finding a test, but it’s a little anxiety producing for the flight and days before embarkation trying to avoid COVID.  We came back from Amsterdam in April  (disembarked from the Dawn)and I was positive when I got home but it was probably from two very crowded museums in Amsterdam.  Thankfully, it was fairly minor.

Can’t wait to board the Jade!

4 minutes ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

What cruise line?

NCL

We are embarking at Piraeus on September 18 and were planning to use EMed video proctored tests (Binax Now) two days prior in Athens.  We have previously used the EMed product and it has been excellent in terms of ease of use  in a hotel room and prompt documentation provided.  My understanding is that this proctored product is not allowed in Piraeus even though video proctored.  We plan to find a test at a pharmacy in Athens which apparently is very easy to find.  

John, ‘

Thinking of you and all Brits today as everyone battens down the hatches during storm Eunice.  I am seeing that you are likely (?) in the red zone.  Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy!

Cynthia

Very true - thank you!  We’ve had to cancel so many times, it’s easy to let anxiety get the better of us.  With each day, we are more optimistic about this trip.