nvaccaro

Are you sailing from a city where you could do some sightseeing before boarding the ship? When we sailed from Athens a few years ago, we checked our bags with the concierge and walked up to the Parthenon for a few hours. We then caught a cab at the hotel and boarded the ship around 3 - so we were able to walk on with no waiting. The ship sailed at 6, so we could have stayed in town longer had we wanted to.

I imagine it varies by port, but how many hours before departure can you check you bag? This sounds ideal

Spoke to a native Pensacola resident today about "Sea Lice" versus Bed Bugs. He said they would sting and burn as you'd imagine little Jelly fish to do and leave tons of welts. They would not cause spots on sheets as described in the article, in his opinion.

I agree that your plan is too close to comfort.

But, for what it's worth, I did call NCL yesterday to discuss the seeming discrepancy with Embarkation time and Departure time.

With a Departure Time of 3:00, they say All Guests MUST be on board no later than 1:00 (2 hours before Departure)

But, on the other hand they've allowed me to select an Arrival time at the pier for embarkation between 1:00 - 1:30 and tell me they will turn me away if I arrive earlier than my arrival time. But, 1:00 to 1:30 is clearly AFTER the time they want everyone on board.

I asked AJ @ NCLto explain this discrepancy to me.

From what I could gather, asking specific questions of AJ and hearing his replies, is that they really, really want everyone on board on time so they draft it in this confusing way to make sure you get your butt there. I said, will I be OK arriving at my Arrival Time even though I am already supposed to be on the boat by that time? He said yes. I asked, would I be OK arriving after 1:30, say closer to 2 (since 1:30-2 is also an option at check-in). He gave me the impression that I was running into dangerous territory the closer I got to 2 oclock cutoff.

I suggest you call and get an impression for yourself. I also suggest you get an earlier flight, I'd be stressing with that time table. I am stressing with my 3 hour cushion (taking a bus... what if it breaks down?)

Best of luck...sorry if this is rambling.

How long ago did you submit? I submitted $150 per person today on a whim. I’ll be ok if I don’t get it, but was curious how long it’ll take them to get back to me being it’s so close.

I submitted it last week and then fiddled with it nearly every day. Moved it up, then down, then back up. They probably just got sick of sending me the "You modified your offer" emails.

Gem on July 14th to Bahamas. Bid 160 per person to upgrade from inside room to a balcony. It was accepted today. Very excited. Didn't tell my girlfriend that an upgrade was even a possibility and was able to give her the surprise good news today. We're all smiles.

I also had this problem booking dinner reservations. I was on the phone discussing, trying to map it all out and took a little too long discussing/deciphering the dining plan ... this led to my losing my cart a couple of times.

Finally I quickly booked standard meals for most of the trip and came over here to have my dining plan questions answered before booking the last three nights.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

I was on a VPN on my work computer (shhh), maybe work pc has a setting that doesn't agree with the site 100%.

WOW, mking8288

That response takes the cake. I am going to print it for onboard reference, if only to make sure I turn off all the background nonsense on my cell.

Thanks so much.

Just a FYI - GSC can be skipped due to various weather conditions and it does happen.

Thanks, I have been reading a TON and I have seen this. I will keep my fingers crossed.

New question: Is it advisable to disembark in Nassau WITH your passport? Or should you just bring cash and credit and cruise card?

You're quite welcome. One other thought -- as a female, I don't have experience with this, but do you have an option of swim trunks with a zippered pocket or any sort of secure pocket? Just throwing that out there . . .

My current trunks don't have a pocket, I don't think... but I'll be shopping a bit this weekend. I bought the alligator wallet on Amazon this afternoon with the plan to find a way to really secure it during swim times. But, factor in a couple of tropical drinks, and the best laid plans might go astray.

Still very glad to know what I am working with (no lockers) so I can lay all my plans, so I thank you again!

Been trying to figure it all out myself. Found this post when I was looking earlier. It seems that maybe you can use NCL's app to connect to the ship's intranet and contact each other:

Prices are subject to change at any time, upon notice. Info herein as a general guide.

 

Texting is among other registered App users as an option, connect via WiFi inTRAnet only, no additional charges. But there is no group messaging function and delivery is often delayed, especially when devices are not active.

 

These are from the Breakaway, similar on the Gem recently. Be sure to turn off background data update & roaming, and stay in Airplane Mode, see iCafe manager for help, unlikely your Concierge can do much.

 

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Turtles06 - Thanks so very much, Alligator Waterproof Wallet and its ilk will be researched and purchased. I feel nervous having to cart all the important information into the water with me, but I will just have to be careful. Beach towels is also a great thing to hear... saves some packing room and holding nasty towels in the cabin for a week (or the $ to wash 'em). And I was aware of the optics of shoveling food into a tupperware, but I worry about pitching over in the hallway with a plate of food... and I can envision days where I will want to avoid crowds before I've had to time to have coffee and get food in me... maybe just suck it up and do room service breakfast on those days.

trivimp - thank you as well. I read everything I could and saw no mention of the apps/desert at the a la carte places. This really bugged me, so I appreciate very much having it cleared up.

Has anyone tried WiFi calling? I bought the 250 plan and will adjust as ncessary on board, but simply looking to manage expectations. My wife has little ones with their father that week, and we dont want to be too out of touch. (Yeah, we're partying without them, don't judge!)

Good Afternoon,

I am hoping that the fine folks of this forum can assist. I've searched for many hours and received a number of tips, which I am grateful, but I do have lingering concerns and would appreciate if anyone can offer clarification.

Passport/Document Issues

• One forum poster mentioned that passports are collected at embarkation (this was on a trip to Canada). Does this happen, should I expect it?
  
• At Port stops - like the Stirrup Cay - how do you handle bringing cash, cruise card, credit cards, etc ashore and protecting them while you frolic in the surf/windsurf/parasail etc.? Are there lockers? Do you carry them with you in water proof bags? Any tips/suggestions?
  

Dining -

• The Dining Pass (looking at the 3 day). I assume that the cost of a meal at the Brazilian Steak house, having a flat fee, will be covered. How does it work with the a la carte pricing at Cagneys Steak, the French, or Italian place? Does it cover one entree a person regardless of price? (I think I saw a thread on this, so I'll recheck the forum).
  

WiFi

• Want the 250 minute package ... can you make WiFi calls (VOIP) voice over internet protocol over the WiFi with this (or any package)? I am not interested in streaming or web browsing so much as making WiFi calls
  

Items to Bring

• Should we bring Beach towels or expect that the Ship and the Stirrup Cay will have some to use? Based on the answer, we may bring more than 1 beach towel, so trying to get a handle on that as well.
  
• Would it be useful to have a tupperware to raid the buffet and bring some snacks back to your room? Or a travel coffee mug to get your morning joe and walk around?
  

Thanks so much for reading and any and all replies!

-Nathan