Manchester is blue

Does the gym still have the chilled filtered water machine where I can fill my water bottles for free ?

The legal age to consume alcohol in Europe is 18.

13 minutes ago, 9tee2Sea said:

i would just go back to the hoel you stayed at pre-cruise and ask the concierge to hold your luggage while you explore the city ) of course tell them you had stayed 4 nights pre-cruise).  If you want a quirky tour of Seattle, do the Underground Tour.  Buy tickets in Pioneer Square.  It takes you underground, to the original streets of Seattle.  The guide will talk about the history of why they abandoned the ground floors, and rebuilt above.  You will see soon of the original store fronts.  I believe hey also take you into one of the oldest restaurants in Seattle.  It's about 90 min long tour, not wheelchair accessible.  You can take the Light Rail from Pioneer Square directly to SeaTac ( about 30 min ride).  Nice Seattle skyline views on the way out.

Thanks for taking the time to respond 9tee2Sea. I hadn’t actually considered the underground tour so thanks, I’ll be sure to take a look at that.! 
We are staying in an Air BnB pre cruise, so am guessing it’ll be a no-no to ask them to hold our cases for the day.

Cheers mate

4 hours ago, Linsuesue said:

Did you check Seattle Express? Their shuttle service offers post cruise tours and private tours can be arranged. 

I hadn’t heard of that company Linsuesue.  Thanks for the suggestion, I shall certainly check them out 👍🏼

I’m sorry, I should have mentioned I’m staying in Seattle for 4days pre cruise, and flying home with BA. BA do not offer Portvalet. I was hoping for a more “off the wall” , or off grid, kinda excursion,.. stuff I may not have experienced in my 4 days pre cruise….?  Perhaps I’m asking for too much, I don’t know, just wondering I’d someone has experience of interesting excursions after their Alaska cruise ?

We are cruising on the NCL Sun, from Seattle in August this year.

Our flight does not depart from Seatac until approximately 7pm. I thought it may be a nice idea to do an excursion as a way of killing time pre flight. Do NCL offer excursions on disembark day from Seattle and if so, does anyone have experience of these excursions that they may share please.?

3 hours ago, Ellis1138 said:

For Europe and a cruise, I would so NOT bring vitamin gummies at all. You could be denied boarding if they suspect CBD or THC. 

I disagree.

If there are sniffer dogs, and they do not indicate the presence of any prohibited matter, you’ll be absolutely fine. 👍🏼

I’m from the UK where we don’t have such a developed tipping culture. Honestly, I’m completely confused by some of the comments here regarding tipping people. Are there any staff onboard that I shouldn’t tip, or should I just walk around giving money to everyone? 

I live in Europe, have done so all my life. Ive taken holidays throughout the continent over many years. I can’t recall ever being troubled by mosquitoes and would suggest to others that they needn’t have any concerns when visiting . 

Just now, www3traveler said:

Questions:

  (1) What ship?  

  (2) Are you traveling Solo?

         If traveling Solo and there are Solo Balconies available (fairly new classification of cabins),

         what's the price?  Sometimes might be better and sometimes not.  Might be worth checking

         out.

In fairness it’s an Alaskan itinerary, so I guess balconies are particularly sought after thus the high premiums for the cruise.

its the NCL Sun, and  we are sailing as a couple.

We would most certainly have preferred a balcony, but quite simply did not want to pay the asking price.

I’m with ye all the way. I  booked an outside room, as a balcony was virtually twice as much. Like you, can afford the balcony but don’t want to be ripped off.👍🏼

Has anyone been on the Sun since it came out from its recent dry dock?

Im sailing on her soon, and am curious to learn of recent reports.

Thanks

6 hours ago, S1971 said:

 

Why not share your thoughts and experiences.

 

As I said its "perfectly acceptable" this covers most of what I've experienced, some excellent meals, some good and also mediocre, but there is plenty of choice and variety for all tastes.

 

 

I was simply agreeing with your sentiments,.. Thought you summed up perfectly succinctly within that phrase, thus my quotation.

Had I have wanted to share my experiences, I would have done so, but thought it unnecessary given your summation.

Cheers

The food is “acceptable “… That’s about right. 

Absolutely yes, I’d guess it was perhaps the Irish. 👍🏼

On 4/25/2024 at 8:36 PM, The Traveling Man said:

I'm not defending either NCL or the disappointed passengers, but just saying that NCL might have done a better job of studying the demographics of the passengers on that particular cruise and provisioning appropriately.  After all, they do stock up extra hot dogs and soda on cruises that have lots of kids on board.  They probably have the statistics down to a fine science about how much Bratwurst to stock when there's a travel group from Chicago, etc., etc.  It would be like sailing in late November with a predominately American crowd and not stocking extra turkeys. 

 

Yes, the "Guinness Day" celebration probably was made up by the folks at the brewery in order to sell more beer, but apparently it is a semi-official holiday well known and widely celebrated in the UK.  NCL knew in advance that the cruise included an inordinately large percentage of folks from the UK, so it truly is unfortunate that the ship was not provisioned with an extra lading of Guinness beer.  Watching those folks go bonkers over NCL's running out of their favorite beer, however, was a sight to behold.

I’m from England. I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve never heard of”Guinness day” I can assure you it is not a semi official holiday here, and as such is not widely celebrated. 
Guiness really isn’t particularly popular in England. Some people drink it, but really not very many. This afternoon in my local pub, I do not recall anyone having a pint of it.Certainly non of my mates did. 
Lager is probably the usual drink of choice in England. Just thought you may like know 

Cheers.

14 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Buenos Aires had a special "tourist" conversion rate when I was there last year. Within the city, you basically got double. So absolutely they were happy taking USD!

The Argentinian currency is in an awful state, and people there will accept any currency. The OP has referenced Euros.  The Euro is a strong and stable currency.Countries within the Euro zone do not accept US dollars, or any other currency as payment.

5 hours ago, IAcruising said:

Call me an ugly American, but if all I have is US Dollars, then you either except them, or get nothing. Tell me who won't take Dollar tips, anywhere. Seriously.

You're an ugly American 

32 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

@ready2cruzagain You are correct!

 

• 1. Who is eligible for the NCL military discount?

  Active members, veterans, spouses and surviving spouses of the following branches of the United States military with a verified ID.me account:

  • Army
  • Navy
  • Air Force
  • Marine Corps
  • Coast Guard
  • Space Force
  • National Guard

Thank you ggTexasGal,.. I couldn’t find that.

Cheers.

I just tried to register as a Veteran on the NCL website, but repeatedly get the message copied below.

I cannot find anything within the FAQs so wondered if the veterans program is for US veterans only, or are British veterans also covered. Does anyone know please ?

I’d say Do NOT miss Gibraltar.  So much history, and great views from the top of the rock.  Just keep a close hand on your belongings,… The Barbary apes will steal them. The kids will just love it.  

Awful news. Lots of news about it this morning here in the UK. We can only all pray for our friends in the US that have been affected by this terrible event.

Does the local chippy in Florida accept pounds or do I need to take some US dollars ?

Just asking for a friend. …….

This is an interesting topic for me. 
Whilst I am relatively new to cruising holidays, having had the pleasure of a few now, I have not yet experienced being charged tax on drinks whilst in, or near a port.

I am taking my first NCL cruise to Alaska from Seattle in August this year. I wonder if others that have sailed on an Alaskan itinerary ,could share their experiences with regards this matter please.

Regards to all.

On 2/20/2023 at 10:57 PM, thinblueline28 said:

Hey y'all!! Just wondering if anyone has booked this cruise yet? It goes to a lot of ports and I was wondering if anyone can recommend the must-see or must-do excursions while in port. We got a balcony midship on 10th floor but will have our 15-year-old daughter with us. I am hoping it is enough room for the 3 of us. Any suggestions would be appreciated. This is our first time in Europe. 

We sailed from Southampton a year or so ago on a Celebrity cruise, but chose to stay a few days pre cruise in Portsmouth , as it’s such a great place to stay. I’d strongly suggest a visit to the historical naval dockyard.So many things of real historical importance to see, particularly Nelson’s old flagship HMS Victory which remains a commissioned British warship manned by HM sailors…Honestly it’s a great day out down there, and the old town of Pompey is a most interesting place with some great old pubs serving good food too. Enjoy x