travelswithK

Thank you all for your insight. Once again this board has really helped with my planning. 

Here's the plan so far: We will be taking the train down Sunday afternoon. I have a reservation at a restaurant a short distance from the pier, so we will taxi there and enjoy some food and drinks before heading to the pier at 4 p.m. and hope for the best.

I have been in touch with the Access Desk and they were wonderful. My dad is signed up for wheelchair embarkation/disembarkation (and a salt-free diet, though tracking his sodium intake has become a kind of hobby for him😁). He has a heart condition and neuropathy in his feet, so while he can shuffle around short distances, he usually has to make multiple stops to rest. And some days are better than others. I have already printed out the deck plans and mapped the various places we can hang out and take a break on our wanderings throughout the ship. For this reason, my sister has nominated me to be the one to accompany him during his accessible boarding.

Anyway, I'll try to write about how the trip went when we come back in case anyone else is facing the same logistics in the future.

My May 14th cruise on the Joy from NYC to Bermuda has check in times beginning at 4 p.m. and going through 9 p.m. I was lucky enough to score 4 p.m. for me and my party of three, but I have heard that they can be lax sometimes about enforcing it. I have the day carefully scheduled to minimize a lot of effort on the part of my dad, who has some mobility and stamina issues, and I worry that it could be a mob scene there at 4 p.m. I received this notification today from NCL, and I am encouraged that they say the times will be strictly enforced, but I'm wondering if this is the same letter that they send for every boarding or not.

Just now, wolft927 said:

Just wait in the line, those without reservations will either be seated or given a pager just like on land

Thank you!

I have reservations at the MDRs on my cruise for every night. I am wondering what the protocol is for checking in. Do we stand in line and wait for our turn, or do we walk to the front and approach the maître d' to let them know we have a reservation?

57 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

This is a glitch and you shouldn't be freaking out.

Just checked and it seems my itinerary has me going to Bermuda again. Yay!

1 hour ago, craig01020 said:

I just logged in and looked at my 9-day Europe cruise. It now shows every day as a sea day! Anyone else have this issue?

 

It happened to me too. Mine is still showing as all sea days, but if yours has been resolved, I have hope mine will too.

Just now, shof515 said:

 

Glad to see it's not just me. I hope they straighten it out soon.

3 minutes ago, dw86419 said:

We were on the Sun Transatlantic cruise that ended Friday in Miami (before the mechanical problems started) and the post-cruise survey listed nothing but Japanese ports and shows that were not pertinent to our cruise.

 

Their IT department is perhaps the worst part of the whole company.  Our account before the cruise would randomly show $500 due today, $500 credit tomorrow, and a zero balance the day after.  It was very frustrating.

This is only my second cruise, but I've learned to be wary of their website. It really is hard to believe that a company this big has such quirky site.

Just now, Two Wheels Only said:

If you want to explore Bermuda......you might have to be a strong swimmer. 😁

🤣 

OK, so I have finished my online check in, and am 18 days out till my May 14 cruise on the Joy from NYC to Bermuda roundtrip. I have downloaded my e-docs, booked dinner, entertainment and a shore excursion. I usually check my account once a day because it is fun to think about my coming vacation.

And then I log in today to this -- my itinerary is showing all sea days. Please please tell me this is a glitch. Does anyone know anything about this?

1 hour ago, jimsig said:

We just disembarked the Epic Saturday in NYC.   We walked off the ship at 945a and the porters were already accepting luggage for those boarding that day.  You might be able to check your luggage early and then head to the Intrepid.   

 

From the Intrepid site.

Does the Museum offer bag and coat check facilities?

The Museum does not offer bag and coat check facilities. All belongings, including bags, strollers and luggage must remain with visitors at all times. Strollers, large bags and luggage are not permitted in the submarine or Concorde.

 

 

Good to know about the Intrepid. I think there might be a private bag check company so I'll have to keep doing some research.

Just checked in online at the 21-day mark for my cruise and the earliest boarding time is 4 p.m., which I selected. I am sailing on the Joy out of New York May 14, and I understand the later departure of 11 p.m. is because the ship will be coming up from Miami without passengers and docking in New York around noon.

This is only my second cruise, but from what I understand, a later boarding is not typical. I am travelling from Upstate and was able to change my train tickets until later in the day but still not cutting it too close.

My feeling is that there will be a mob of tired, luggage-schlepping tourists converging on the port at or before 4 p.m. (despite their assigned time) because they no longer have the energy or interest to kill time in NYC anymore, which I totally get. Has anyone had any experience with these later boarding times?

I’m a big planner, but I am kind of a go-with-the-flow kind of gal when it comes to waiting in lines. This time though I will have my elderly dad with me and he has stamina/mobility issues. I’ve secured wheelchair boarding for him (despite his grumbling that it makes him “feel old”), but I’m just wondering if there is anything else I need to be aware of to make things easier on him.

Follow-up question: Does the USS Intrepid have a coat/bag check where we could stow our luggage while enjoying the museum?

5 minutes ago, DorothyB said:

I'm traveling with two others and we were able check in individually and each put in our own credit cards.  

 

If you do the check in for them, I recommend that you have each of them send you at least three photos.  

That's good to know. The only other time I cruised was with my husband and kids so one credit card was fine, but I'm not sure I want to be responsible for anyone else's mid-sail cruise indulgences but my own. 😁

Just now, AVLTravelers said:

If you are all on the same reservation and in the same room, it is my understanding you can complete the check in for them.  At time of check in, you will need their passport number and expiration date.  You'll select your boarding time too, and also upload a photo of each of you for security.  You'll need a recent photo with a plain background, no other people in the photo and you must remove glasses if you wear them.  I tried to upload a photo with glasses and it wouldn't accept it.  If I recall correctly, you can put an individual credit card for each person.  In addition to above, you need contact info for each, along with an emergency contact (someone not traveling with you).  I think that's about it.  You have plenty of time to check in once they open it up.  Your e-docs for boarding will usually be available about 24 hours from time check in is completed, that was my experience last week. 

That's great information! Thanks for the help!

Just now, ggTexasGal said:

Check-In is 21 days prior to Cruise  (available to do at 12:01 AM EST).  

If you are going to be the person doing the check-in for everyone, yes you can do each check-in.  However, you will need a recent photo (Similar to a passport photo, with white background, NO glasses on, Head-shot).

 

Yes, one credit card for the cabin, but you select that option during the check-in &/or at the pier.

Thank you! I will just have them get all the info ready for me beforehand so it's all ready at 21 days.

This board has been so valuable to a semi-newbie cruiser like me! In preparing for my second cruise – on the Norwegian Joy May 14, I have a couple of questions (and probably more in the coming days). I will be cruising with my sister and dad, and I want to make the process as seamless as possible for them.

When it is time to check in, what information do I need from them? Can I have them send me their passport info, etc. so I can enter it myself. They live across the country so we won’t all be able to do it together.

The only other time I cruised on NCL, there was only one credit card attached to the whole room. Are we able to have each individual use their own credit card for on-board expenses when we check in?

Oh my goodness, thank you so much for your answer! I think I will reach out to the accessibility folks. And I feel a little better knowing the bed situation, too. I will probably take the convertible bed since it looks a little lower than the other one.

We are all so excited for this trip. The three of us haven't been able to get together since before the pandemic. My dad loves to travel, but like I said, he's slowing down a bit so we want to get in as many adventures as we can!

I have my second cruise ever scheduled on the Joy for May. My sister and I are taking our dad to Bermuda, and we are all in one stateroom. I had originally planned that my sister and I would share the main bed and Dad would have the converted bed, but now I'm wondering if the third bed is comparable to the main one. Does anyone know if it is of similar quality? I don't want him sleeping on something crappy. I'm not fancy and would be happy to sleep on it and let my dad have the main bed (assuming they can split it and let my sister have the other one).

Another unrelated question: I've been hearing a lot of embarkation horror stories, and I have some concerns about my dad having to stand in line for hours. He was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and while still fairly spry, he no longer has the stamina he once did. I was thinking about getting him a cane that converts to a seat, but I was wondering if I should pursue accessible boarding. He does not need a wheelchair as long as he can stop and sit every once in awhile, and he might even be embarrassed if he had to sit in one. I just didn't know if his is a condition that would grant him accessible/priority boarding.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Ship - Epic

Deck - 13

Stateroom # - 13165

Stateroom Category – Family Balcony

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – very quiet

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - no

Balcony View - No obstructions. Angled balcony, aft-facing, so view did include some of the balconies on the forward facing bump out. Not really a problem. Overall a fantastic view of the European ports during approach and sail away.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Angled and oversized. It fit two chairs, side table and lounge chair. Family of four could relax on it comfortably.

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - NA

Any specific problems with this cabin? - Inside of cabin was as described. No problems. It can be a tight fit when the bunk is pulled down.

Any other comments? - The extra balcony space was wonderful. Just a short walk up one flight to spa and gym, and up two flights to Spice H2O.

My family just returned from the most amazing Mediterranean cruise — our first cruise ever and our first time abroad. I can’t emphasize enough how much the CC posters helped with all of my first-timer questions! One thing that ended up being unclear was the stuff the bag laundry special that I had heard on CC was offered sometime mid week. I told my family to be on the lookout for the bag and it never came. We eventually called down to the laundry service, and they told us it was not available to our room (family balcony). I am unsure if this was a miscommunication on their part or the deal is only offered to past cruisers, but I thought I would share. It was certainly not that big of a deal — I just hand washed a couple of things and called it a day!

It depend on the port. Some people have reported being able to do so in some places, Miami springs to mind.

 

From a quick look at your posting history, I think you may be referring to Barcelona. I have boarded there many times and have never been able to connect to iconcierge before boarding, although I haven’t tried every time.

 

 

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Thank you for the info. I guess I’ll give it a try and report back!

I downloaded the iConcierge app for a cruise I am taking in August. It looks like you can’t really do anything with it until it connects to your ship’s WiFi. My question is, will I be able to connect while I am waiting to embark and start booking any of the shows or amenities that can usually only be booked on board?

Flax and Kale on Career del Tallers

and

Veggie Garden are good options.

 

Most places we found to be very accommodating if you can get the message across. They do have liberal definitions of vegetarian :)

 

On Las Ramblas by the market there is a Walk to Wok where they can specify exactly what they would like.

 

The market is a great place for fresh fruits and veggies.

 

There is also a Carrefour market on Las Ramblas to pick up snacks etc.

That gives us a lot of options. Thank you!

Barcelona airport is always busy, I would highly recommend you to get there at least 3 Hrs before your flight!

Thank you for your suggestions. I always prefer being early over being late! I'm flying Norwegian, and I have heard that the desk doesn't open until two hours before departure so I am not sure if getting there at 5 a.m. would give me an advantage. Also, if it makes any difference, my flight will most likely depart from Terminal 2.

My daughters are also vegetarian (not vegan). We've eaten a couple of times in Teresa Carles, which I heartily recommend. We also ate at Vegetalia in Raval (3 locations).

Those are great suggestions. Thank you!