FLConnie

We have been Haven guests for several ships, and never heard of a briefing either!  

On ‎5‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 2:15 PM, sun_lovin!1 said:

 

We booked a tour that includes lunch in Bar Harbor so we are all good there.  I have been researching on my own but I wondered what my fellow "cruise critic"ers had for suggestions. 🙂

If you did the "small group" tour in Bar Harbor that is 14 ppl, the lunch is at a restaurant in town by the ship and is very "seafood" oriented with great food.

3 hours ago, fondtravel said:

What do you think are the most important considerations in deciding between a Jewel 7-day northbound Alaska cruise and a Bliss 7-day Seattle roundtrip Alaska cruise for a family with grade school children? Both itineraries involve Glacier Bay in August, but it looks like port stops or times may be a little better for the Jewel 7-day northbound (which also includes Hubbard Glacier)? But then it’s a smaller ship than the Bliss, so probably less for children to do? The Jewel is also an older ship recently refurbed- but some recent cruisecritic reviews make it seem like the refurb was not that extensive? This would be a first Alaska cruise for the family, and there might not be another one.

We did the Bliss from Seattle. Seattle is a great city to explore at any age. We did a bus tour of the city before the cruise and spent the night after and went to Pike's Market. Bliss is an incredible ship with lots to do for kids and adults.  If you can swing the Haven, it's well worth it on the Bliss as it has it's own restaurant, pool, huge observation area to view the Glaciers that isn't crowded.....  

2 hours ago, travellingscouse said:

I am new to NCL and on the Getaway in September and have booked a 2 day tour with Alla tours in St Petersburg, which is loads cheaper than the official NCL equivalent, and also looks great. I have now heard from various forums that NCL let official tour people off first and others off later, therfore potentially missing the Alla tour. Can anybody shed some light on whether this actually happens, and has anyone ever missed their tour for this reason? Cheers all.!

The last NCL cruise we were on in April, all of the tour meeting points were off the ship and no longer making passengers meet in the theatre and be escorted off. Even ones that required a tender.  It was nice to get off on your own and not have to be escorted off the ship. I don't know if this is the new norm or not.  I realize you are on your own tour, so you wouldn't have to "wait" for the NCL tour groups to get off first.

Also, if you are in the Haven you will get priority and escorted off regardless.

Sailed in Med last November and it was fine for working.

18 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

I would mention it to your cabin steward, so he/she knows there’s no problem when he/she sees your still made up bed on the second morning. 

Yes, I was thinking we at a minimum needed to tell our Butler or Concierge.  II guess I could give them my cell number too.

We have several overnights on an upcoming 21-day cruise. Does anyone know what we need to do to be able to get off the ship at port on Day 1 and then back on for Day 2?  Do we have to get permission or whom and when do we tell them? Thanks.

On ‎4‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 2:52 PM, MHKBCrusin said:

Booked through NCL hotel and transport. I don't remember the cost, but do remember it was seemless and easy. The only thing that was surprising however, was the co-ed bathroom at a rest stop about an hour into the bus ride.

We didn't stop, but our private driver told us the stretch is known for gypsy prostitution.  We actually saw two ladies in two different locations.  

On ‎3‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 8:30 PM, MHKBCrusin said:

If you are coming in from a hotel in Rome it is a couple hour trip as I remember it. Definately too long for a taxi unless you have a suitcase full of cash to pay or have some type of prearranged transport. We took the NCL transport from the airport Hilton.

We took a private service last year and it was a bit over an hour drive -- they go very fast -- and it was $100 for the two of us. I just want one that has the special permit to take us to the ship and avoid the lines and having to take a shuttle bus to the ship.

We were on the trip from Tampa to NYC that arrived the 18th and no issues during our 12 days on board.

We just got back from the Pearl and had the Owners Suite 15000.  Definitely worth it to be in a nicer cabin.  WE did a lot of room service and the pool attendant would bring our drinks to the bottom of the stairs for us and we just had to walk down and get them (15000 is only accessible by stairs).  We did miss the private restaurant and bad like the Bliss Haven, but it is still nice to be removed from the rest of the ship.

On ‎5‎/‎28‎/‎2019 at 7:39 AM, yellowbirdtoo said:

Since no one answered you yet, I hope my interpretation of the itinerary may offer you some hint. But, best to call the cruise line/ agent to see if you can get a definite answer.

You may need to call a few times to different agents to get the right answer.

 

Based on my prior experience on another cruise line to a different itinerary:

The first night , you can check in and board the ship, use it as a hotel while it stays in the harbor. This is a good alternative to the expensive hotels in Tokyo and may suit your flight arrival schedule better, depending on where you are flying from.

Some passengers can choose to embark ship on the 2nd day of the itinerary, and the ship sails that evening.

 

Hope my input gives you a start , as you probably are looking for air tickets.

I had traveled to Narita Airport a few times. I found the train or airport  transfer bus (called "Limousine Bus")are very efficient and comfortable  to use.

Enjoy your journey .

NCL did the same when we sailed from Quebec City.  It was really nice to check into our cabin and then have basically an afternoon, evening and the next day and the ship as base.  I think it helps accommodate various flights coming in at odd times.

On 3/29/2019 at 8:41 AM, FLConnie said:

We do Pearl April 7-18 so I'll let you know!  We have one of those devices you purchased so will take it along with other connectors.  

 

We just returned from 15000 on the Pearl and we did not need any connection device.  It is all set up with remote controls.  My husband took his Ipad with his playlists and just plugged it in.  There wasn't really a need to use a bluetooth connection.  The Butler was very helpful in getting the outside speakers to work.  Hot tub is small and it was too windy to use it a few days, but the view and cabin were wonderful!  

We do Pearl April 7-18 so I'll let you know!  We have one of those devices you purchased so will take it along with other connectors.  

When do you sail and on what ship Baronn77?

Can anyone who has knowledge of the Bose System that is in the cabins, tell me what chord we need to connect our IPhone or is it Bluetooth?  Thx

The Haven And the European itenararies fit our needs for the price. We can both do an Owners Suite for what one pays on high end ships with the same ports. And they don’t have 24/7 bars😁

IF you take a taxi, make sure they have the "special permit" or whatever it is to take you right up to the ship.  The person we had booked before we left the US, dropped us off at the pier where the buses drop passengers off, and we waited in line for over an hour to get a cruise bus to take us back to the ship.  

Can someone suggest one that has the special permit? We are sailing from Rome in November again. I think we used Rome Transfers last time and they didn't have it.

There is a limit. We bought it on the Bliss before we sailed, and I think it was around $200pp and limited to maybe 150 -200 people.  I don't think we would use it on a tropical vacation, but for Alaska it was great.  We figured out the best time to go with the fewest people.  The only part that ever seemed crowded was trying to get a heated lounge chair.