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On 6/8/2024 at 8:03 AM, 14ersco said:

I will need to look for USB in our cabin. There are still broken things in our cabin and in the restrooms. Soap in public restrooms is in short supply. Enclosed areas of the casino are by Shanghai Noodle (aft / starboard corner) and port / forward corner. Slight background smoke smell other casino areas, at least I am no longer gaging crossing deck 7.

 

Entertainment is like decades ago cruise ships, small localish acts. Europhia singing duo from Liverpool and violinist David Kovacs from Hungary are performing many nights.  MDQ nights are pushed back to a couple nights towards the end of the cruise.  

 

{snip}

MDQ is probably a new cast and they typically schedule those sorts of shows to the back half of the cruise so the cast get a chance to rehearse in the theatre.

As for the background smoke smell the only way to get rid of that, quickly, would be to rip out and replace all the soft furnishing and carpets. I'm hoping by the time I sail in January there'll have been enough cleaning rounds to have reduced it. 

The studio lounge on Escape is nice and open on a single deck unlike the Getaway/Breakaway/Epic. There are usually some snacks there, and a coffee machine the coffee addicts seem to adore. You can get hot water from that machine as well to make tea or hot chocolate. There is usually a chilled water dispenser and some fruit. 

The first day you will probably bump into other solos who are checking out the lounge, then there will be the solos meet up. It seems like there is now a standardised program across all the solo hosts with some of them adding other activities. The one gotcha about the solo meet ups is that they will be at the same time every day regardless of the port times. The meetup on embarkation day may be a different time to the rest of the meetups and may clash with sailaway or other activities on the ship. 

No matter how busy the ship there's a good chance you will come across other solos from the initial meetup throughout the sailing. It's good to get to recognise the faces so you might spot them on excursions to sit beside on buses, etc, or when the buffet is super busy you can ask to join them. 

My very first cruise was as a solo on the Escape, I am still in contact with 2 of the other solos from that trip and I booked my second cruise within a week of getting home. The Spice H2O over 18s sundeck & bar area on Escape has a synthetic stone grotto with cold water to allow you to cool off from time to time. 

I am hoping some folks here have had experience with either/both of these hotels, Eliza Jane (Hyatt) and The Saint(Marriott) . My travel agent is recommending these two for pre/post cruise. I’ve just succeeded in persuading my mum to come along for my trip in January. We are not looking for a place in the French district as we’re both well past the party hard stage of our lives. 

Having experienced the tender process to Great Stirrup cay I prefer to avoid itineraries with tenders if possible. I know I won’t do the Greek islands on a breakaway/+ class of ship if I ever were to do that itinerary.  In some ways my work schedule actually works in my favour for avoiding crowds.. I normally cruise in January but have done cruises in early October for itineraries that are not available in January. 
There are many places that want to cut back on tourist numbers or set additional requirements to help the local area. In my local area there is the most popular natural landscape attraction in Ireland, the day trip bus tours are required to stop in the locale for a meal or a stop for their passengers for 30mins+ in one of the nearby towns. We sell a LOT of our shop t-shirts to tourists. The local residents of Dun Laoighaire in Dublin blocked a proposed cruise ship pier development to discourage cruise ships including it on their itineraries. Right now it’s a tender port and given the weather in Ireland it’s a high risk one. 
Videos of the tour buses causing chaos in Cobh appear quite regularly and that’s with only 1 pier in operation, there are plans to upgrade a second pier to accommodate cruise ships as second ships have to go to the commercial port in Cork harbour. Tourism has always been a big industry in Ireland, my grandmother and mother both ran B&Bs in their homes at various times due to our proximity to a number of tourist attractions and big festivals. 
Those housewife run b&bs have practically disappeared from our region now because bus tours day tripping from Dublin have taken over so there isn’t the same demand. 

6 hours ago, PelicanBill said:

I wonder if the ships are doing trash/recycling separation or just compacting all trash.  People are REALLY bad about properly using recycling receptacles when offered. Cabins don't have a recycling bin or didn't 2 years ago. We still have large regions in the US that don't even offer household recycling so those people don't think of it at all.  I think most of these cans will be put in trash.

I’ve done the behind the scenes tour on a couple of the NCL ships and they stopped at the recyclables sorting area. The crew are financially incentivised to sort recyclables from the trash collected around the ship. If their storage area hits capacity they then burn the cardboard as it’s the lowest value recyclable material on the ship. I try to keep recyclables in the bedroom area bin and non-recyclable in the bathroom area bin.

19 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

you've also done it with a CF or are you only speaking about CN?  Also, have you had a problem in the past just applying the cert as the deposit?  was just wondering why you use the credit card then call in to use the cert if it's already sitting in your account

I’ve only used CNs as I’ve never seen CFs advertised on the EU website.

the very first time I used a CN as a deposit it was possible to use it, and in my case that deposit was about half the value of the CN. Somewhere along the way something changed in the back end such that if I try to use one now it throws an error because the CN is worth more than the deposit. I’ve always had an issue trying to use a CN for a partial payment and that issue has changed over time. Initially it was a currency problem, the website only accepted $ amounts  for partial payment but you had to guess what the value was of a € CN. They then fixed the currency issue but now it rejects anything less than the entire outstanding balance. Hence, phone calls whenever I want to use a CN. For the first time ever I’ve had a PCC that has stayed the same for my last 3 bookings. She can’t pronounce her own (Irish) name correctly but at least she hasn’t disappeared into thin air the way her predecessors did. 

I’m waiting to see when they’ll jump onto reusable plastic glasses for the outside bars.

they’ve just introduced a recycle deposit on plastic bottles/cups and metal cans in Ireland. My local stadium now requires a €1 deposit in addition to the cost of your drink and you get the €1 back when you bring the cup back to the recycle desk,  I can’t understand why the cruise lines are not already doing this as the cups are heavier and less likely to blow off the ship into the water. They already use plastic glasses at the buffet beverage stations.

6 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I am glad for the change (I guess).  Plastic hurt the environment and they said takes too long to dissolve and break apart in landfills.  But would not metal be worse and never break down?  Plastic toxins in the water killing us softly. Now we have metal toxins to look forward to 😲
I could care less but just curious.

The metal is easier to recycle than anything else and those sorts of bottles are safely reusable as they can go into a dishwasher for cleaning. 

25 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I have.  Of course, sometimes with NLC things fall thru the cracks so it could very well have been a one time gift, but honestly, I haven't seen anyone post that they actually tried and it didn't work.  Folks seem to concentrate of the term that says it's for new reservations only, but the CN has the exact same term and we all know that you can apply CN anytime up to final payment.  Honestly, I think we're all probably confusing the term "new reservation" with "at time of booking"  Just my opinion.  anyway, I can say that at least one person (me) was able to add a cert after booking

I suspect the reason the “new reservation “/“at time of booking” terms are effectively ignored on the vouchers is because their website can’t handle them properly, it has a fit if you use one for a deposit as its not the same amount as the required deposit and it’s hit and miss at handling them for a part payment. I usually end up paying a deposit with my credit card and then calling the support line or PCC to get the Voucher applied. Also I contact my PCC to add the extra voucher when a double/triple up promo is running. 

New item for the packing list then .. lid opener .. 

and if there’s a chance of a taste issue I’ll bring hydration sachets to flavour it. 

ItalyTours will take signups directly with them, but you need to say it on your roll call that you are booking with them so people know it’s available to book. Unfortunately on my cruise it was just after the Covid resumption and there just weren’t enough people so they had to cancel the tour. Also at the time Italian authorities weren’t letting guests off the ships unless they were taking a cruise line excursion. I happened to be embarking/disembarking at Rome so I had tried to arrange the tour for disembarkation day. 

I’ve used the Holafly eSIM in the other direction, using it for North America trips as I’m based in Ireland. On my phone you set the eSIM to take over only mobile data but leave your normal sim to handle calls/sms. Anyone who needs to contact me when I’m away knows to use WhatsApp or messenger.

If you were to get a European SIM card you’d replace your normal number unless your phone can take 2 sims. I’ve done that in the past, but an eSIM is so much easier. The various providers offer a range of options to suit your needs. 

On 5/31/2024 at 6:52 AM, MyriamS said:

The page I quoted is about EU citizen rights specifically (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/eu-citizen/index_en.htm), so it is not about the Common Travel Area at all. 

 

The UK not being part of the EU is very relevant for EU law and citizen rights. While you may be able to travel freely from the UK to Ireland using a separate set of rules (the Common Travel Area), I have no experience with these rules and so won't comment on them. 

 

I have, however, travelled between multiple EU countries with multiple airlines with my French ID card and was never once asked for a passport. If anyone tells me that an airline (Ryanair or otherwise) requires passports for EU citizens on an intra-EU flight, I'll eat my hat. 🙂

The pair of you missed the key phrase “mode of transport”… Ryanair insist on a passport regardless of what European countries you are travelling between. That is a specific requirement from that airline, other airlines/ferries/trains may not require a passport within the Schengen area. 

On 5/5/2024 at 5:37 AM, Wvshimmy said:

Definitely official; chatted with the floor mngr on recent cruises and they were trying to decide which machines to move into the smoking enclosure..

Woohoo!!

they will have to rip out all the soft furnishings that the smoke smell currently permeates or enclosing the smokers won’t make a damn bit of difference to those of us sensitive to the smell. 
The level of smoke is very dependent on the guests on any given cruise, I’ve been on some cruises where there’s barely any and others where it has been so much that you smell it in the Atrium and outside headliners. What truly annoyed me was when we had to queue through the casino for tenders or disembarkation, stale smoke makes me physically ill 🤮

I’m due to sail on Getaway in January, so I hope the smoke situation is vastly improved from my last time on that ship. 

On 5/26/2024 at 8:48 AM, MyriamS said:

 

An EU citizen travelling to another EU country cannot be denied entry due to their passport expiring in less than six months: "As an EU national, you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU member countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (non-EU countries but members of the Schengen area) carrying either a valid passport or a national identity card (ID card). Your travel document must be valid on the day of travel." (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/eu-citizen/index_en.htm)

 

However, NCL could still deny you boarding if you do not abide by their own rules, and their FAQ says: "Guests are responsible for ensuring they fulfil all passport and visa requirements for all countries visited during the cruise and when travelling to and from the port of embarkation/disembarkation. EU citizens need a full e-passport issued by an EU member state (also applicable for children of any age). A passport is also required for all European sailings (exception: citizens of Schengen States cruising on itineraries that do not leave EU territory)." 

 

No mention of six month validity rule on the passport, so I think you will be ok but I would give NCL a call just to be sure.

That is a bit of a red herring.. it depends on your mode of transport, Ryanair will always look for a passport even just going between Ireland and the UK which have a common travel area. Legally you only need your Irish/uk driving license to travel between Ireland and the UK but Ryanair have required a passport for as long as I’ve used them. 
BTW if getting a passport for someone under 18 be prepared for all sorts of complications. One of my friends has been trying to renew the passports for her kids since January and one of them has been rejected twice despite the application having been filled out the exact same way for all 3. And these are not first passports for the kids either.  In Ireland the u18 passports are only valid for 3 years whereas the adult passports are valid for 10 years. 

On 3/29/2024 at 9:54 AM, ConnieTact said:

Looks like it was abandoned. I wonder if it was because she was enjoying herself so much?! I hope so as we are on the shop soon and I was hoping to pick up some tips! 

My Sincere apologies to all, this cruise was the first time I had someone with me, previously I'd been solo so thought I'd have plenty of time for posting as we'd have so much at sea time.

It was a great cruise but the shorter hours of daylight and the end of season nature of the cruise definitely impacted on what we could do in port. Skagway was like a ghost town with so many places closed, Juneau was dark by the time we finished our whale watching excursion, we didn't bother getting off the ship in Victoria and Ketchikan was definitely a bit of a rush around due to the short time in port

3 minutes ago, Royals Carol said:

I read where the Gem is possibly Dock port or tender port. Can someone confirm, please?

We docked when I was there in 2022 but cruising wasn’t back up to max capacity at that point. 
I honestly think NCL has taken to tagging every port as potentially a tender port for CYA reasons. I’d say try to find the schedule for the port and see how many other ships are scheduled for the same date. Generally the piers are allocated in order of arrival at the ports.

Assignment of a PCC is very random.. I usually call the main phone number and have had various PCCs reach out to me over the years, only the most recent has actually hung around long enough for me to use more than once. 
of course she has an Irish name (both first and second names) but is American and doesn’t pronounce it correctly so I have to remind myself that Ciara says Sierra instead of keer-ah. Thankfully she works Irish hours which is a first for an English speaking PCC I’ve been assigned.

I use her for my payments on the cruises and to select my cabin since the ncl website doesn’t work consistently. I normally book my accommodation and flights myself but will check with a local TA to see if they can get a better deal. My mother is considering joining me on my next cruise so I’ll definitely use a TA for her bookings. 

On 3/16/2024 at 4:23 PM, Ramblin and Gamblin said:

Thanks for taking the time to share this semi-live report.  I have been looking at this cruise and your posts have been very helpful.  On NCL's website, several of the ports on this cruise are flagged as "dock or tender".  Based on your comments and pictures, it looks like you docked at every port.  Is that correct or did you have to use tenders anywhere?

Thanks again.

Roatan and Cozumel can potentially be tender ports if there are too many ships in port on the same day and they run out of piers. A rare occurrence.

there’s also the chance of piers getting damaged and reducing capacity as happened in the past at Harvest Caye and Roatan. Harvest Caye currently only has 1 pier but NCLH controls the schedule there so unless someone wrecks the pier again you shouldn’t be at risk of having to tender there. 

On 1/30/2024 at 9:01 PM, ken8631 said:

Thanks - didn't know you could do that......  Been on over 20 cruises and have never done it.....

It's become more commonplace since the reduction in housekeeping staff. Previously most staterooms would be ready by 1pm but now it could be be 3 or 4pm on the larger ships.

On Bliss in October the drop off was outside Q restaurant and on Escape last month it was in the Casino, crew told me the location when I checked in at my muster station. 

On 1/8/2024 at 6:34 PM, SRQMom said:

Which cooking excursion is that??  I looked online (booking Cozumel excursions today) and can't find an actual cooking excursion listed.  Your posts are so cool and full of useful info.  Thanks!!!  

I saw a salsa & salsa excursion listed for next week that also mentioned margaritas in the description. 

1 hour ago, kbonasch said:

I called Celebrity- 5 cruises with them. Not at all helpful- said if they weren't listed on the site they weren't available - didn't seem interested in me remaining with them. Had some issues with their air and they didn't pick me up at the airport on a March 2023 Cruise- Some points that should have been awarded to me were given my husband's instead of me after he passed away. They refused to work with me so I didn't move up to Select which was the plan by taking the cruise.. Went on a very nice Norwegian cruise to Alaska 10 years ago. I was SO excited to chat with a someone at Norwegian yesterday- nice and informative.  Now to decide where to go several ideas in mind- Norwegian here I come!

Be careful about booking air through NCL, it is a bit hit and miss judging from comments on this forum. I’m international so I deal with air and hotel myself as I’ve had fun explaining where my closest airport is even with business travel in the past. 

9 hours ago, Elsammo46 said:

Absolutely insane waves overnight. I’ve been in lots of cruises and NEVER have felt anything quite like this. 

I felt the rocking increase but it was pretty mild by my standards.  There has been one person cry off from the m&m due to sea sickness though.  

There is a bit of a swell running but it only feels and looks like a couple of meters.  

Unfortunately the rugby didn't go our way as the irish men's team crashed out of the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage... Again! 

Anyhow,  checked in with my muster station and then started showing AC around the ship. We dropped our carry-ons at the storage area near Q.

AC was starting to feel overwhelmed by the crowds so I introduced her to the waterfront area on deck 8. 

About 20 minutes later they announced that staterooms on ACs deck are ready. In bringing her to find her room we collected another lost solo . While there are plenty of signs with arrows and a big sign on the wall near the entry to the studio area it was not glaringly obvious to the newbies.

From memory I think the older ships have the sign on the actual doors as well as the wall. 

Anyhow, we found ACs room and our lost friend who also hadn't experienced the card slot for power  setup before. We then came across 2 other novices asking how they could get the lights on in their rooms. 

By the time we had done that exploration my deck was declared ready for access. Off we trotted to reclaim our baggage and get it squared away in our rooms. 

I discovered a few treats waiting in my room as the coordinator for this sailings meet and mingle. 

after we unpacked AC and i went to check out the thermal spa 

I found a note on a group page that apparently the hot tub and a bunch of the pool jets weren't working for last weeks sailing. I tried the button for the hot tub but nothing happened.   So I guess that hasn't been fixed today. 

The ship started up her engines as we went downstairs so we had our drinks on the waterfront. ..

More to come but I am crashing into sleep right now. Even the fancy chocolate tart in La Cucina couldn't give me sufficient energy to keep going.

Safely ensconced in the Local with a view of the TV for the rugby World Cup quarterfinal Ireland v New Zealand. 

the weather this morning was dry and clear when we came to check out of the hotel so we walked down  to Pier 66

nice little downhill stroll to the pedestrian bridge. Took a minute to figure out whether to turn right or left when we came out of the elevator. We had to go left to drop bags with the porters and then back past the elevator to go to checkin.

We had to split up for checking as they had 2 areas split up by batches of decks. I was in the 5-11 area while AC had to go to 12+. 

She wound up on board thr ship way faster than me and grabbed a table at the local for us. They're definitely keen to get everyone to go straight to their assembly stations the moment you board the ship. I ignored that to get to the local in time for kick off. Ireland had the lead at halftime so I made my dash to check-in at the muster station. 

Now watching the second half of the match ..