kristi195

On 6/11/2022 at 8:42 AM, Hlitner said:

We have long warned that predicting weather and sea conditions is very iffy.  Over the past 40+ years we have done dozens of crossings (east and west bound) most recently this past March-April on the relatively small Seabourn Ovation (27 days from Miami to Monte Carlo).  Seabourn, like most cruise lines, subscribes to a private service that carefully analyzes forecasted weather and sea conditions and forwards course suggestions to the ship.  In our case, when we left Miami (at the end of March) there was a major storm causing all kinds of problems in the Atlantic in the region not far from Bermuda.  As a result, our ship modified their origintal plans and took a more southerly route most of the way across the Atlantic before turning Northeast towards Funchal (our first port of call).  Since the itinerary had 9 sea days for the crossing our ship had the ability to take this longer routing.  As a result we enjoyed relatively good weather (it stayed warm for nearly a week) and the rocking and rolling was certainly tolerable.  Probably the biggest bummer (for those who do not like ships to move) was that the angle of swells was close to the bow which caused pitching for much of the voyage.  Unfortunately, stabilizers do very little to counter pitch so there were a few unhappy passengers.

 

I will add that we love March-April crossings since we get all those delightful sea days and find its a much more civilized way to get to Europe :).  

 

As to the OP's questions, keep in mind that although ships will try to choose the best routing in terms of weather and sea conditions, this is mitigated by the need to keep to their schedule and minimize the use of fuel.  IMHO one of the best spring crossing routes would be from Florida to the Canaries, but that is not a very common route.  If your first port is Funchal, that would be my 2nd best option (i.e. Funchal is further North).  The worst routing we ever had was on a RCI ship that went from Ft Lauderdale to Cobh...the problem being we had to take a more northerly route and a major storm stayed with us all the way across the Atlantic.  DW and I still call that the "cruise from hell" because it was so rough (20-30 foot seas nearly the entire way) that they could not fill the pool or some of the spas.

 

Hank

 

Hank

I love your quote.. A much more civilized way to get to Europe.. Do you mean instead of the hectic airports? lol I truly agree. I used to love flying but as of late it is much less desired than a relaxed cruise across the pond.  I usually fly to Europe and return via cruise, but I think my next trip will be cruising both ways as flying has become quite the inconvenience..

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

I just looked at your itinerary and I suspect that this is will be much ado about nothing for you. Bermuda is on day 8 so it will probably be canceled like the other NCL transatlantics unless Bermuda drops their testing requirement. 

That's what I am hoping.  

53 minutes ago, princeton123211 said:

You could just take the guess work out and switch over to the Queen Mary 2 for the transat-- get to New York in half the time and no stop in Bermuda (irony being that she's a Bermuda registered ship). 

I could but this is a quick cruise. Only 9 days on the Epic, and 2 ports, one being Bermuda so we're fine there. Thanks though

13 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

The ship is still in Bermuda if you don't get off.  Your choice. Not getting off in beautiful Bermuda makes no sense but it takes all kinds.....

I'll survive without seeing Bermuda.  I'm just using my cruise as a way home from a month in Europe.

12 minutes ago, princeton123211 said:

Then pick a different country to visit. You did in fact pay a fee to enter those 8 countries-- it just may not have been a separate line item like this-- just baked into your port fees or airfare taxes. 

I like an upfront fee. I in fact leased a car, no hidden fees, and drove around Europe for 2 months. No hidden port fees on my cruise home either, or no hoops at any port, which there were many.  

On 9/3/2022 at 6:39 AM, schmoopie17 said:

Our November 1st TA just changed the itinerary, dropping Bermuda for an additional stop in the Azores.

 

A number of people from our Roll Call page (as well as the site that cannot be named) conducted an email campaign to the CEO of NCL asking that Bermuda be dropped, due to their inane rules.

 

Bermuda was the final stop on a 16 day cruise, one which would have been only seven hours, and would have required a lot of hoop-jumping. It was an afterthought to most of us, as we booked this cruise to see Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. Bermuda was just someplace to break up the sea days.

 

Now we have no testing requirements for our entire cruise (we would have been required to be tested before embarking in Rome, three weeks before landing in Bermuda). That was followed by an additional test (at $95 per person) to be done two days before landing there. Not to mention the ridiculous $40 money grab.

 

We are breathing a sigh of relief. Christmas has come early. 

Can you share the email you used? I am on one Dec 7 and they still haven't dropped Bermuda from the Epic.

On 6/22/2022 at 8:45 AM, moposh said:

I do think it's ridiculous.  I was just complaining about it to my daughter.  Isn't the cruise ship paying Bermuda money per person to dock a the pier?  Then cruisers are spending money in Bermuda.  

 

I don't like it, but I don't have an option, unless I stay on board.  I was limited in the cruises I could choose from.

You have to pay it even if you stay onboard.

On 6/21/2022 at 7:02 PM, njhorseman said:

If Bermuda had raised their port taxes by $40 per person you would have never known the difference. If the cruise line's fares were $40 per person higher you would have still booked the cruise. If an airline raises its fare $40per person you would still book a flight to somewhere you wanted to go.

I visited 8 countries last fall by cruise, car and plane. I have never once been charged a fee just to sit on a ship and not even get off! I resent it!

On 6/20/2022 at 8:48 AM, 1025cruise said:

You must not have searched hard. There is plenty of screaming.

However, please remember, the $40 fee is to ANYONE entering Bermuda by ANY means. It's not limited to just cruisers.

At least cruisers no longer need to submit their vaccination results. Bermuda is relying on the cruise lines to validate results prior to boarding.

Yes but we have to pay it even though we refuse to leave the ship. $40x 4 is quite a high fee to pay just to stay on the ship! It's outrageous! 

How do I just find the ship I am interested in without going through this entire listing?

On 2/27/2022 at 7:26 PM, mking8288 said:

@mscloyd We haven't gotten the official NCL email about getting our CruiseNext extension, but ... just checked into one of our several accounts, I can confirmed these 3 were given 2 additional years to use/sail by 2025, instead of Jan & Dec 2023.  Purchased them onboard in 2019 with every intention to use them, had booked them for 2020 ...  Kudo to NCL, thanks.  

 

 

Where can you find this?

Mine were not extended. They were cancelled by NCL before the 4 years were up! I feel they really ripped me off! And you cannot get in touch with anyone from the Cruisenext dept. NCL rep said only they could send an email. I had to contact Guest relations and am hoping someone can fix this mess. I will NEVER buy one again after being treated like this. 

I wonder if anyone is getting the run around from NCL. I purchased a CruiseNext certificate and did not use the OBC. Instead they gave me a second CN cert for a total of $500 (2 vouchers) I used them and then canceled a cruise. Used them on another and NCL canceled the cruise and now they say my CN certs are expired. I was told when I purchased mine they would be good for 4 years and it has not even been 4 years yet. Also, there is absolutely no way to get in touch with the CN department. They are not taking calls, and they are not accepting emails except from NCL reps. I had an NCL rep tell me tonight that NCL has nothing to do with CruiseNext!!! I will never, ever purchase anything like this again from NCL! It seems rather crooked to say the least!

10 hours ago, coffeebean said:

All the more reason for 100% vaccinated cruises. No masks anywhere. YooHoo!!! I'm doing a happy dance hoping the mask restrictions will be completely lifted.

Yes. I am also.. But even if we have to wear them, I am still happy to cruise.

3 hours ago, Laszlo said:

She can't stand all the fanfare, she has been on CNN, FOX, our local news but she is not comfortable in front of a camera. I don't think she would have done any press but she kind of had to. She is a workaholic, and would rather be at the "Bench" (Lab) She, her husband and her daughter Susan are wonderful people. At the end of the day she is a typical nerdy scientist. My wife is also a scientist, between them my head starts spinning about 2 minutes into any conversations Lol

 

We are headed up to your part of the woods next week. I need to get my turkey sandwich from Harts Lol

Thank you for sharing.. So interesting.. I also wonder why in the recesses of my memory (I have raised show dogs for many past decades) I remember giving my dogs corona vaccinations if this is such a new thing, as many anti-vaxxers purport. 

Now that the CDC has lifted its mask orders on vaccinated, I believe that on vaccinated cruises, we will not have to wear masks at all.  Vaccinated folks don't have to wear them outside or even inside anymore! Yay! 

8 hours ago, winterbliss said:

I didn't read the article, however, I think at this point, if you choose to take this injection because you believe it is effective and not concerned about side effects, your choice. If you choose to take it JUST so you can vacation..or so that you can get back to a more normal life... I believe that shows an unwillingness to make a stand for something.....if you are forced to by employers to take something that has not gone through the usual process to determine efficacy and safety, so that you can work, and side effects are ultimately determined to be of great significance to your health, I hope that class actions reign on any and all said companies.

 

Having said all that, leave pregnant women and children alone, which of course, we know that isn't the case either.

Who needs to make a stand for anything? My husband and I felt relieved to have gotten the vaccines. And the EU is making plans to open up for vaccinated Americans! Yay. So if that's what is required to travel, we would get it. We need passports too and in 2022 an ETIAS. So we would get that too. No difference. 

Yes we are ready to go..Vaccinated and looking forward to cruising. Our spring 2020 TA to the EU was cancelled of course, and we instead are booked on a TA coming from Rome to the US.. I don't care if they wanted us to wear chainmail to cruise. We would.  My husband and I are not getting any younger and we are so very tired of staying home. We can't wait for the "perfect" cruise as who knows how long we will be able? Or even around? LOL  Retirement was not supposed to be like this. But since our cruise originates in the EU, I wonder if the protocols will be in place as we disembark in NY. 

10 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

After a while, on social media, when someone is simply wasting your time.  You have an option. Ignore them.  Shame it has to come to that but some folks have to write books one a site that is about enjoying cruising.  

Yes I am weary of reading the long diatribes by one particular poster.. I just skim over them as they are very boring and also very condescending.. I do not want those kinds of people in my life, in real life and on boards.. I can see why he wants to be at a table with a crowd and feels forced to only have dinner with his wife. He obviously wants an audience.. Yes one of those kinds who needs to monopolize the table lol.. Happy cruising all! I am vaccinated and cannot wait to cruise!

1 hour ago, jaapie said:

Been married 45 years. In the 'old' days (first cruise as a 20 something was in 1972) had no choice as cruising was very different then and tables of six/eight the norm. But for the last several years always request a table for two, will wait half an hour for a table for two rather than share. We are sociable people and happy to chat to people at bars, poolside, etc, but prefer to eat in peace and enjoy our meals without distractions. Desperate to cruise again, we've had our two Pfizer shots in January and February, but have resigned ourselves to just doing traveling within the US for the next few months visiting family out of state. Would jump on a last minute cruise if a suitable opportunity became available, but only if all passengers/crew had to be vaccinated/tested. Have made too many sacrifices over the past year or so to screw things up now by taking risks. 

Yes.. I agree with everything you said. We like to be social WHEN we want to be, and sharing a meal on a cruise with strangers is not one of them, unless of course we met a great couple we liked and made arrangements.  And I am for the vaccine to cruise and travel, as we have been waiting a year to go to Europe again and stay for a few months, I think for US citizens to go to the EU, they will require vaccines, and I am ready, willing, vaccinated and able.. We need to begin living again WITH our vaccines..

21 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Hope your wife is grateful, it must me amazing to spend time in your company......
Glad you won't be allowed onboard & I won't risk that experience.

I know.. I thought the same thing.. Forced to dine alone with his wife. hahaha.. Actually my husband and I prefer to dine alone. We would rather relax and chat with each other than listening to a bunch of chatter. lolol To each his or her own! 

This may be true, but I am so ready to cruise that I do not care about the protocols they may have to follow. Just give me a balcony, food, drink and a good book and I will be happy.. I realize cruising will be different but I choose to be flexible and go with the flow, especially on my TA planned for this fall. I will be happy gazing out at the sea and relaxing... I guess I am an optimist. 

It seems there are enough people who want to get the vaccine to be able to travel again that it will far outweigh those who don't get vaccinated.. Even if they exclude unvaccinated people and only allow vaccinated for awhile, it is far better than sitting idly by each month.. I do believe enough people will have been vaccinated to fill the ships to whatever capacity they start with.

On 4/6/2021 at 4:18 AM, BIG POOCH said:

With the reports of them requiring vaccinations, we will never be cruising on NCL again.  Hope they realize just how much this is going to hurt their business even more than it already has been.

It will not hurt their business.  The shut down has hurt their business. To get up and running is only a positive step in the right direction.

I am in Washington state, and I still have to wait to get one even at 66. First they havent finished the medical personnel. However, my husband, who is Native American, got called for his first vaccine last Saturday as the Indian Health Clinics seem to be taking care of their elders before our state does. I am so happy for him.