debrajean

About 4 years ago we were to go on a Viking Ocean over New Years.  About a week and a half before our departure, they emailed us saying they were over sold and offered us the same cruise in June or July, $500 in a cash refund, $500 in OBC and an Explorer Suite (We were originally booked in the lowest cabin category).  We jumped at that offer!  Had the best cruise!  Our air was booked  on our own and they refunded us that amount also!  

We were on in August and got to the pier at 10:30am.   We checked in and were taken to the suite area and greeted by one of the concierge and given the freestyle daily.    They had pastries and coffee and juice available but we were taken onboard before we had anything.    Rooms weren’t ready until about 1.   

Thank you so much for the wonderful detailed posts. We got to the Embassy Suites yesterday for our cruise on the Equinox tomorrow! Forecast says rain! We don’t mind.

Thanks so much again for your pictures and reviews.

Deb

Standing at check in I see at least 10 men from where I am with short sleeved collared shirts - a mix of polos and button ups.

 

 

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Great! Thanks so much! Enjoy your cruise.

Love all the work you are doing! Remember to watch for men in long or short sleeves at supper. We leave next Saturday on this cruise and my husband and son are worried they will have to park only long sleeve shirts!!!

Thanks again for the wonderful pictures and reviews!

If you get a chance please take a picture of the Martini bar.

I see it says long sleeve shirts for men for dinner. I know there has been lots of discussion on this. Did most follow this or did any where short sleeve shirts?

SamFritz... so sorry for your loss. I prayed all night for you and your family.

Eternal rest grant to him O Lord; and let the perpetual light shine upon them

Yes I think it us worth getting. Just for signing up you get 10,000 points which you can turn into $100 of onboard credit or $$ off your next cruise as the points grow. I signed up for mine onboard and got $50 onboard credit on the spot to use on the cruise I was on. On a different cruise My friend signed up and got 2 for 1 at specialty restaurant. Not sure what the special is now. Usually something though. I know there is a list of other things to use it on but I don't know what they are. Also it is free.

What do they do if you bring a bottle or two on the ship after you were at a port (St Thomas, Cozumel, etc)? I have done this in the past. As I usually just buy a bottle while walking/shopping and bring it back onboard.

Has anyone done this recently?

LGA on 1/27 not worried about price just convenience in morning near terminal. Two people.

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We have never cruised out of the Manhattan terminal before and I am looking for suggestions of what area is most convenient to stay. We will be flying on the day before from Minnesota and cruising in the NCL Gem on 1/28-2/6.

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St Maarten is such a nice stop. Get off the ship, grab the water taxi to town. Grab an umbrella and a couple of chairs and a bucket of beer. Get tired of laying on the beach? Get up and do some shopping directly behind you. Head back to the ship for lunch and then take the water taxi again and head to the beach in town. Repeat the morning's activities. What a great way to spend a day.

Agree 100%. St. Maarten is one of our favorites!

I can't remember the name. I have been searching for the card he gave me but can't find it. If you were to walk from where the water taxi would drop you off (in the center of town), go straight until you came to Front Street and take a right. It is on the left hand side of Front street a ways down going kind of towards the ships. It is past Little Switzerland but before the Guava-berry place. When you walk into the store, there is liquor on the left side and jewelry on the right. If I find my card with the name I will post it here. Good luck!

St Maarten for sure! We just got back a couple of weeks ago and compared at both islands. The guy in the liquor shop onboard said they would match the price you just had to take a picture of the price at the store and they would honor it. In St. Maarten we purchased 2 one liters of Crown Royal for $34 and got a 375ml for free. Not all stores had that offer but we remember the store from our cruise in December and picked up these again. They said they would deliver to the ship but we carried them back with us. Everything was cheaper in St. Maarten.

Thank you all - guess I'm going to have to figure out something to get the rings off, cause I definitely want to try the drop slides.

 

Have a great day!

Sheila

Windex will take your ring off or any glass cleaner stuff that your room steward will have. Worked for me when my diamond fell out of my ring on a cruise. I hadn't had my wedding ring off in years and my sister mentioned windex one time so tried that and sure enough it worked.

Meant to type obc

What has been CC's experience convincing NCL to extend the buy onboard deals?

 

We paid $200 on board for a deposit. We get $150 OBC with that but we have to sail before January 31, 2016.

 

If you saw my other thread, nothing looks all that interesting to us right now.

 

However, we are planning a two week trip to Hawaii in 2017 (I know; it's a long way off but that will be a very expensive vacation of a lifetime). We expect part of it will be a sail on the POA.

 

When I spoke to NCL the rep said if we book & pay for a trip, then call & ask if they will apply the credits, they might do so. Clearly they don't have to.

 

Has anybody gotten NCL to extend the 4 year deadline? How?

Isn't it $250 and get $100 Inc?

First question is how much can my wife and I take home with us from our cruise. We will be on Oasis of the Seas later this year. Also can anyone give me some recent prices they paid for liquor? Mainly rum, Kahlua, vodka, etc. Trying to figure out what I want to buy and what I'll be paying.

If you are going to st. Maarten get your booze there. Way way cheaper then st Thomas. We always bring back 6 bottles from there. Just bubble wrap them in checked luggage.

Thanks for the quick replies on the Cabana folks! I kind of figured it was two... and did know my son would not be allowed in, but was hoping we could mix and match so that someone could be with my son at all times! :) My daughter bailing on us really messed my plans up! :eek::(

 

Oh well - I will check out the other area and hope for the best.

Just wondering... Was there a problem changing your reservation by adding your sister in your daughters place? What hockey team??? I'm from Northern Minnesota. Section 8A

Would love to hear a report of the Jade's experience at the Olympics. Has anyone heard which country or countries are staying there? I'd think this would be a great alternative to building expensive structures for events like this. It sounds like they should have chartered more cruise ships from the bad hotel reports. Hope whoever is on the Jade takes good care of it as we have our fourth Jade cruise coming up in April!

I know 2 couples staying on the jade. Waiting for their return to see how it was. Both are from Minnesota. One has daughter on hockey team, the other are just fans who never miss any olympic event.

Date: Jan 14

Planner: Island Bliss

Location: Lindquist Beach

Photography: Island Bliss

Cake: Island Sweet Stuff

 

We were picked up at 11:15 island time. The ride took quite a while due to traffic. Kimberly was great at telling us about the island and eased our anxiety. We got to Lindquist and were met by Janelle and a beautiful boquet. They had forgotten we had our own minister but it was not a big deal. I met up with my dad, walked down and had the ceremony. Voila!

 

The photographer, Kate, was great at giving direction and had a nice shot list. It took about 45 min plus 15 min before and during the ceremony.

 

After that Janelle told us she had the cake delivered to Sunset Grille so we'd have more time to hang out there.

 

Sunset Grille was amazing! Jessica and her staff were great. The rum punch was yummy and omg I loooooved the calamari was to die for!! They had burgers for my nephews as well. We had the cake and sparkling lemonade as well.

 

After we ate/drank we all split up and hit the beach. The dive shop next to the restaurant gave everyone half off snorkel gear and we got ours for free! We snorkeled for a couple hours and headed back to the ship. The driver had fun music playing and stopped so we could get pics at a neat lookout.

 

Everything from the ride to the wedding to the transportation was great! It's a blur now but it was wonderful. Janelle/Cynthia/Jessica you rock!!!

I saw in October you posted about possibly doing a catamaran reception after the ceremony. Can I as why you decided against it. We are planning on doing that!

Sas does not pick up flights that arrive after 6pm

hmmmm... We used them last January (2013) and we arrived in FLL at after 6pm... maybe they have changed that should maybe check their website!

Normally, I would agree with you about deals that sound too good to be true, but I have dealt with the travel agency in question that's offering this deal. I have probably booked 10 or so cruises with them over the past decade (and friends and family have also booked through them). They are not a fly-by-night operation and also advertise on CC. As far as the Getaway, I will be very happy if my experience on the Getaway equals my experience on the Breakaway. I sailed on the Bway back in November and had a very nice cruise experience. As far as the deal, yes, it was a great deal but it's not like they were offering an unlimited number of bookings. It was limited to 50 per sailing for each of about a dozen sailing dates. And the promotion was only offered for 72 hours. I don't know anything specific about whether the promotion makes the TA any money. For all I know, it could be a loss-leader type of promotion that they feel is worthwhile in order to generate buzz for the company (which it did) and solidifies loyalty in their current customer base (which it also did).

I total agree. I have booked many times (and family and friends also) with this company over the years and have never had a problem. They often offer so called "to-good-to-be-true" deals that we have booked and have worked out perfect.

I got the same email today and just had to book the March 29th cruise. Should be fun. Now have to see if I can get off work HAHAHA!

I wanted to book the Island tour with Royston for April 12. I emailed Royston a week ago using hotmail address. No response yet. The 'adventure' email address that is on Trip Advisor bounced back my message. I will keep trying but I wonder if I should just look elsewhere. I booked a trips previously on other islands and usually heard back within 24 hours. I guess there is still some time. I will try again.. see what happens..

Anyone had problems with getting in touch with Royston? Did he respond eventually? I wonder if I should just move on..

I would try him one more time! He got back to us in a day or two. We are excited to try his tour as I have ready nothing but good about it!