Blueberry89

We did the TA last year on the Epic from New York to Barcelona.  We had great weather and I found I didn’t bring enough shorts! Especially for the European ports. It was last two weeks of April, first week of May. We sat by the pool most days as the sun was shining and it was warm enough to lounge at least. 
 

I recommend lots of layers just in case!

We did our one and only carnival cruise in 2012 after 4 NCL cruises. 
 

Keeping  in mind that a lot has changed since then, the thing I remember most is not having as many free dining choices on Carnival. I remember liking their buffet selections after getting bored with their main dining room. 
 

Entertainment wise I remember it being quite comparable. But, again, that was years ago …

We’re boarding the Prima in three weeks so I’m looking forward to your review.

sorry your mom wasn't able to join you! 

Canadian here 🇨🇦 flying into IAH three days before our cruise. I just checked Expedia to get a price for a rental and drop off. They were all around C$700 🙀 Is there a different site I should be checking? We fly in Tuesday, cruise leaves Friday. Although we plan on doing a lot of walking, a car might be nice to explore the island. 

Ok now I’ve got all this music rattling around my brain 🎶😳

Thanks for the review and photos. We’re on the Prima in an H5 in 60 more sleeps and I.cannot.wait!!

3 hours ago, complawyer said:

i believe you get 3, mixers, and they're free, what could be better than that

The only thing better is that we could get Clamato for Caesars!

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

750 ml.

Thank you! 

Enjoy your cruise! 😀

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

I just checked with our car service and they're good to go to.

Who are you using? We’re cruising in April but I think we might just Uber from IAH

49 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Yes I don't think this ship is different in that regards.   The bottles have gotten smaller over the years but you still get them along with the sodas in cabin.   You also get a bottle of real champagne and not sparkling wine.

What size are the bottles nowadays?

Any Canadians able to get Clamato as one of their juices in an owners suite? We sail in April- I’m wondering if this is something we should ask for in advance?

We stayed in the Encore’s 17726 on our Panama cruise last year. Sorry I don’t have any pictures but the balcony was large enough for two loungers plus the original two (fairly large) chairs and table.  Diners close to the window in the Haven outdoor restaurant look down onto the balcony. We were seldom out there during main dining times so that didn’t bother us. 
 

what did bother us was the aforementioned constant slamming of the crew door. We loved the room and its location with easy access out the door to the rest of the ship but I would not book that room again because we found the noise disruptive. 

Our first cruise was in 2003 on the Dawn when she was still fairly new. I remember her having coin laundry for passengers! Chocolate on the pillows. DSC was $7.95 pp and the charge for the specialty restaurants was $20 (no added gratuities!) The service was amazing! After having napkins placed in our laps all week, the joke was who was going to do it when we’re back on land 😹

Good times! The following year was The Dream with the same amazing service. Another dozen or so cruises since then. The differences are striking …

12 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Why  thank you. I wasn't aware there was such a thing there.  That will save me a lot of standing in line time at Guest Services.

No need to ensure you have a ton of small bills before embarking either.  
 

it was a little tidbit I picked up reading these boards! We used it often on our last cruise and will utilize it again when we board theEpic next month 🛳🍹

2 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Bring ones or get change at Guest Services.

The bill exchanger in the Casino works too!

I’m cruising on the Epic in April - booked Sep/21. When this thread started I checked my reservation and it did say in the summary that six cartons would be included. It no longer says that.  There’s also no option to purchase packages of water as there has been in the past. I’ll keep checking back as it’s nice to have a few cartons in the cabin. 

50 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Assuming you are pre-final payment. It is cancel and rebook, so you get current perks. I would keep your current reservation if the perks are better. 

Definitely past final payment. 
 

19 minutes ago, zqvol said:

Call NCL and ask, sometimes they will upgrade you without a cancel and rebook and let you keep your perks. 

thank you.  I will

I booked my upcoming April TA about 18 months ago before a number of changes were made to the Latitudes program and the Free at Sea perks. 
 

If I pay to upgrade to a different room, do I lose all my original perks?

20 hours ago, fox02554 said:

we had a huge price drop with one of the holiday sales , was offered FCC or upgrade , after COVID i am sick of dealing with FCC's we took the upgrade 😄

I’m looking at upgrading as well but I’m concerned about losing some perks. My cruise was booked 18 months ago when Platinum Plus was still a thing (and before they reduced some benefits) It’s a 15 day cruise so I think I get 5 specialty dining.

Do they still consider an upgrade a new booking?

We just got off 15 wonderful days on the Encore. I usually get Baileys in the evening to put in my morning coffee. I was more than happy with the substitute but they ran out and I got the Baileys anyway - no surcharge!

On 3/25/2022 at 3:22 PM, ceilidh1 said:

I've looked at the NCL site but I can't see anywhere that they state that specific tests/providers are not acceptable. It seems that they "recommend" certain ones, but doesn't say that these are the ONLY ones. Am I missing something? I'm in Canada, cruising next month, and was planning on using the same telehealth monitored test/provider as I use to fly into the US. Is this going to be a problem? What even is NCL looking for when verifying? The certificate that is issued has all the info NCL asks for (I just did it last month to fly to Miami)...I find the US providers recommended by NCL are way more costly once you factor in exchange rate and shipping to Canada.

I too am sailing next month and have purchased the Switch tests to enter the US (for a two week vacation) and to board the ship. I’ve seen comments that they are acceptable but I’m still a little nervous about this whole process. I guess plan B would be spending $$ at the pier if they don’t accept it. 

I’m really enjoying your review as well. We’ll be first time haven cruisers in 46 more sleeps and all these food pictures have me salivating lol. 
 

did you request birthday room decorations specifically? My hubby is turning 60 this cruise and am considering doing the same. Although I’d be the one eating that delicious looking cake 😋

8 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

I received the cancellation email twice for just one booking.

Thanks! I was able to confirm that was the case for me too!

1 hour ago, Sand and Seas said:

I'm so sorry for those of you who have had your cruise cancelled.  

Is there any language in your cancellation notice that gives us a clue as to why?

From the letter …

As a result of ship redeployment, all Norwegian Epic sailings from May 7, 2023, through and including October 29, 2023, have been canceled. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

14 minutes ago, shhhhh5 said:

I got the cancellation notice too (was booked for May 7, 2023) 😔. My family is talking about doing a land-based trip to Italy in May 2023 so I might have had to cancel anyway but I don't have high hopes that that'll actually happen, so I guess it's back to the drawing board.

We are booked on the TA and then on the May 7th as a B2B. I received two notifications of cancellation- I’m not at home to check my paperwork- did they cancel the TA as well?