JandC_Cruising

2 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

As for entertainment, I'm shocked that nobody has mentioned "Choir of Man". Probably the best NCL production show...until they replace it with some inane game show (but hopefully not before September when we're on the Escape again).

Good pull!!!!!

Yes..."COM" is  great and not to be missed.  We have seen it 3 times now and it is always fun.  

In fact it is playing locally in Chicago right now and I've told all my non-cruising friends that it is a must see.

37 minutes ago, CarnivalCruiser875 said:

Hi!

 

Have only cruised with Carnival since 2008, doing a 12 day sailing on Norwegian Escape. With the trip a few months away, I've had a list of compiled questions I'd rather ask the experts (those reading this thread) instead of getting a sales pitch from NCL. Greatly appreciate answers, feedback, etc!

 

- Free at Sea+: With my booking I received regular Free at Sea, but have been offered Free at Sea+ for an additional $350. Between the full internet package (to check in with family), premium drinks (not a huge drinker but love a fancy glass of wine at dinner or a cappuccino in the morning), and two additional specialty dining meals, it sounds worth it. Question - Is the upgrade worth it?

 

- Breakfast Dining: Straight to the point, not a breakfast buffet fan. For Carnival cruisers, I'm a regular at the MDR for the yogurt parfait and fresh pressed juices 😁 Question - What are the breakfast options on the Norwegian Escape/what is your favorite place to eat breakfast?

 

- Coffee Shop on Escape: I've read some ships have a full Starbucks, but this one does not. Question - Does this coffee shop also offer pastries, hot teas, etc?

 

- Evening Dining: I've booked Teppanyaki one night, but wondered what other specialty restaurants are a can't miss. Also wondering about the complimentary/main dining room dinners. Question - What is your favorite specialty dining venue/what is your favorite meal in the complimentary venues/main dining room?

 

- Evening Activities/Entertainment: Some folks have shared to not miss The Newlyweds Game and other theatre productions. Question - What's there to do after dinner for activities or entertainment?

 

- Port to Airport Transfer: Straight to the point, never used this with Carnival either. Question - Is this a good/viable option to get back to the airport after debarkation? It's currently $37 from NCL.

 

- What Else?: Any other tips, tricks, secrets, or comments to share for my first time on NCL? Thank you!!

 

 

 

Free at Sea plus...Lot's of opinions, so I'll just give ours.  We upgrade all the time.  We enjoy higher shelf whiskeys and more expensive wines with dinner.  We get bottles of aqua pana with every meal.  We also enjoy getting the extra two specialty meals (on top of our platinum status meals).  We have starbucks every morning and take advantage of the Wifi upgrade and extra $50 shore excursion credit it gives us.  So it is definitely worth it for us.  We make heavy use of the benefits.

The Escape does have a Cafe in the atrium that sells specialty coffees.  The Free at sea plus will cover the coffees but not the pastries.

The two smaller MDR's (Taste and Savor) will be open each morning for breakfast.  O'sheehans also serves breakfast each day (except disembarkation day)  We typically will eat there each morning.  Except for one morning each cruise so I can have eggs benedict in the MDR.

Favorite specialty dinners will also get a full range of responses:  We love Le Bistro and Bayamo on Escape (Ocean blue elsewhere).  Pinchos tapas is also very good, but we will often do that for lunch on a sea day when it is open.

We've always had good success with the NCL transfers.  If we are going directly from airport to port or vice versa, we will usually book the transfer to make it simple.

The Escape is one of the many ships with a great Thermal Suite with therapy pools and saunas, steamroom, Iceroom, etc.   Loungers and great views.  If that's your thing consider getting a pass for the cruise.  We use it every day (even on port intensive cruises).  It's a great place to chill after a long day on shore.

We are on the Escape this upcoming Christmas and cannot wait to enjoy her again.

@rbxlady

Based on the above pricing chart, each cabin would pay a net $78 per day.  (Adult at $49/d and minor at $29/d)  

That nets to $546 total upgrade cost for a 7-day cruise for each cabin

With this upgrade you will receive

- Premium Plus Beverage package for the adult

- 2 extra specialty dining meals each  (adult and minor)

- upgraded WiFi for both (adult and minor)

- Extra $50 ShorEx credit

Compare to purchasing upgrades a la carte:

- Upgrading adult only to Premium Plus - $243.60 (7day @ $29 + 20% per day)

- 2 extra specialty dining means for adult and minor - $82.80pp = $165.60

- Upgraded Wifi for both adult and minor - $109.93pp = $219.86

Total upgrade of $629.06  and that doesn't include the extra $50 Shorex credit (if planning on using )

Looks like Free-at-sea plus is the better deal if all the perks are desired.

Enjoy!

48 minutes ago, farkell said:

Does anyone know what time the spa is open on embarkation day? (Breakaway)

For all our past 6 cruises with the Thermal Suite pass, the Spa (and Thermal Suite) have been open upon boarding on day1.  

On our last Getaway cruise, day 1 hrs were in the daily as 11am to 11pm

We've never run straight there, but have been there as early as 1pm on Embarkation day.

The spa is fully staffed with people trying to provide tours and book services.

If you have a Thermal Suite pass, you can use the area right away.  Just be aware that the first afternoon will be a bit noisy from all the sales pitch tours that get walked through the space.  So it will not be as "chill" as it will be for the balance of your cruise.

The therapy pools and rooms however feel just as delightful!

All other days were 8am to 11pm...we often go there just after breakfast for a bit if we are not getting off ship early.

Enjoy.

4 hours ago, UKstages said:

this one is a little different, in my opinion.

 

yeah, they booked an independent excursion. mea maxima culpa.

 

but, here, i would side with the couple. they notified the ship they were running late and indeed they arrived very shortly after scheduled departure. if i read it correctly, just ten minutes.

Sorry, have to disagree...they arrived 40 minutes late.   All on board was 5:30.  They arrived at 6:10

They failed to call their relative until 5:45pm....15 minutes after all on board..At best, that call was placed 15 minutes late.  Why didn't they call the ship, port, relative much earlier?

They knew they were running late well before the all on board time since the rainstorm delayed their bus by "over an hour".  They must have known way earlier they wouldn't get back to the ship by the 5:30 all on board posting.  They failed to take any action at that point.  

This is all on the couple.  

2 hours ago, JamesIowa said:

Yes, but having checked every day since the time joy cabanas were announced until 2 minutes ago, the option has never appeared. It’s mentioned in “explore ships” but nothing listed under “entertainment”.

my PCC said they would be available for reservations “some time after” refurb…but nobody seems to really know. 
 

it’s not that it’s sold out, they haven’t been sold yet.
We’re literally trying to throw more $ their way and can’t? Very non-NCL like.

I would buy the standard passes for the time being just to insure you have the passes.  If you see the cabanas appear suddenly, then just call and have them update your booking.   If you want the Vibe, buy the passes as soon as possible.  Don't risk getting locked out (literally and figuratively)

2 hours ago, cruiselover19811981 said:

Does NCL still offer lunch in one of the MDR on embarkation day?

 

Does the NCL Escape still have irons available for use by asking the room steward to borrow one?

 

Does anyone have current pricing for the laundry service?

 

Yes.  Taste and Savor will be open on Embarkation day.

You will need to ask your steward, and they will bring one to you and then come to take it back.  They want to be sure you do not leave it plugged in.

Mid-week they will provide a laundry special (put all you can fit in the bag) for $34 (it is 50% off if you are Gold, Free if you are Platinum or above)

1 hour ago, cruiselover19811981 said:

Another question regarding the Mediterranean cruise would be the port fees on drinks when still in port. Wondering what they would be.

Some will tax, others will not.  Spain taxes, while France did not last summer.  Our experience with any taxes on drinks is that they never seem to amount to more than $0.75 per drink or so, but it varies by port.

2 hours ago, vacation44 said:

Thank you very much for posting this link.

 

Still trying to figure out how to obtain a cabana.    Anyone have any experience?

If they are available (still not fully booked), they will have the Cabana option in the same area as they show booking a vibe pass, usually right below.  The Cabana booking includes (2) vibe passes.  In the past it was priced about $110 more total than the cost of  two individual vibe passes.  

If you do not see the ability to book, then in all likelihood, they are sold out already.  But keep looking back regularly in case they open up.  

39 minutes ago, G-DawgMN said:

I’m actually surprised they’re giving you a $100 credit. I haven’t seen any compensation for missed ports in a long time. 

2 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I am also surprised that they gave you the $100. This past summer we had an e-mail that they were dropping the port of Zeebrugges for Brugge due to an extremely low tide

Actually we received $100 each OBC last summer for missing two ports due to weather (Le Verdon and Zeebrugges) on our Getaway cruise in Europe.   We also received a 10% discount coupon which we applied to a cruise later this year.  Surprised you had issues or got nothing.   

January of last year we missed the DR (before they started going back to Taino Bay).  They gave us the notice when we all checked in to Miami.  However, in that case, they altered the itinerary and sent us to Jamaica for the day.  We were fine with that since we've been to DR enough.  However, many were livid, because they had 3rd party excursions they couldn't cancel.  

As mentioned, they are obligated to do nothing, but at least they are notifying people early so they can cancel independent plans. 

26 minutes ago, jchaluh said:

2 people

Based on your original listing, we would choose 15100.

While the forward facing unit (9106 in your case) is a big room with the extra living space it is down low and we've never really thought those balconies (in front port or starboard) are all that sunny and "open" to views.  But, if you want the extra lounging area of the living room, then that is the choice.

The standard Haven Courtyard suites on 15 will have cabins above you and the bridge below, so it will be quiet with great views.

The suite on 16 will have a bit of noise as it is just below the entrance to the Vibe and lots of deck chairs moving.  

Just our opinion

@JamesIowa Thanks for finding and posting.  

We were on the Joy last March and this shows they really did a nice job with the re-furbish by outfitting the upper level exceptionally!   The laser tag was wasted space.

Also, they tripled the number of Cabanas.  The old layout only had 3 or 4 on the starboard side.  

That will be an awesome place for the Panama Canal cruise!  Enjoy

Just now, jessed said:

We will be on the Joy out of New York. We have the beverage package - does it start while in port at New York the first day?

TIA

Yes.  It starts the moment you board.  While in Port of NY until you get out into Int'l waters you will be subject to the NY State sales tax on the value of any drink.  The taxes will be charged to your onboard account.

10 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Your return trip may be a little more of an issue, so be prepared.  You will need to go through US immigration/customs at your first point of entry into the US. Which means you will need to collect your luggage at some point, then re-check it if you have another flight

In fact, if their return is exactly the opposite, you will actually pass through US customs in the Toronto airport.  

I live in Chicago and have flown to Toronto many times over the years.  You actually go through US customs at Pearson International Airport and are then do not pass through any more US customs once back at the US airports.

Honestly, we've never had an issue.  There has always been enough options on each of the menus (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) that we can vary our eating over the 7 days.  

Add in the 4 specialty dinners we typically have, then there are really no issues even on a 10 day cruise IMHO....

I'll add, since becoming platinum and with an upgrade to Free at Sea plus we get 6 meals on a 7-day cruise so we've actually stopped pricing Haven rooms.  We do Haven Lite for the most part now.

47 minutes ago, doolfan said:

I received airfare confirmation for my cruise and I am happy with the flights!  I do have a question about the logistics as I have only ever flown direct flights overseas. Our flight travels from the Midwest to Chicago, then Toronto, then Athens. Our layover in Chicago is an hour and 20 minutes and in Toronto is 2 and a half hours. Do we need to do anything with luggage or international customs at the Chicago or Toronto airports?  I’m hoping especially in Chicago we just go directly from one gate to the next, but I’m not sure since the next flight will be out of the country. And then in Toronto do we have to go through Canadian customs before boarding the next flight to Athens? Thank you!

This is assuming that you are booked on one airline (or alliance) for the entire trip.  

If so, your home airport in the US should be able to check your luggage all the way to Athens.

Therefore you will not need to pickup your baggage until you get to Athens.

You will do nothing in Chicago other than move from arrival gate to the departing gate.

In Toronto however, you will need to go through Canadian customs, even though you are not planning to leave the airport.  (Keep in mind, the authorities cannot "rely" upon that).

But again, all you will need to do is go through Canadian customs and then proceed to your departing gate for Athens.  

Have fun!

We've been in connecting cabins in the past and have never had issues.  The double door insulates just as well as the walls.  

3 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

If you don’t officially cancel, but don’t make another payment on final payment date, will they cancel the reservation and re-deposit the credits automatically?

No....If you simply walk away and never contact them to cancel or make final payment, you will lose your CN certificates.  It works identically to if you had simply paid cash as the deposit and failed to cancel or make final payment.

1 hour ago, D1829 said:

Would anyone be interested in sharing a private van from port to Florence and back?   A 16 person private van service is much more reasonable than anything I have found thus far. 

Did you look at the trains?  Livorno to Firenze is about $11 Euro each way and only 1-1/2 hrs or so?  Schedule usually has a couple of trains per hour in each direction. 

8 minutes ago, Warm-Water Diver said:

Well if I order 2 extra apps and I have 3 meals this coming cruise, that's a total of $90 extra! I don't think that's a small charge for something that used to be free

And hence the change....if you realize it's not a "small change", then it's reasonable for NCL's accountants to feel the same way.  Remember...they are trying to make money.

I think they could still just allow diners to have any combination of two soup, salads, or appetizers to best cater to people's tastes. However, I'm not overly concerned with limiting it to the two...

3 minutes ago, ScottT2000 said:

My sample size is next to nothing, but at Cagney's in October I ordered an extra app and the server said, it only comes with 1, I said that I would gladly pay extra for the second and it took him a couple beats to understand what I was saying, but then wrote it down as I ordered it. Bill came, and the extra app was not on the slip. Of course YMMV

I think this is the perfect way to handle it...you let the server know you understand the rules and then let that server make the choice.  Just don't be upset if you get a small bill for and extra $15 or so....

2 hours ago, Fogfog said:

hmm

Not a lawyer here-- but are you suggesting they give/transfer a stockholder benefit to Non-stockholders? 

Every time for us...it is always split $50 to me (shareholder) and $50 to DW....Of course DW successfully use all $100 every time with a pedicure on embarkation day! LOL!

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

A couple of weeks ago at GSC, we were told by the ShoreEx desk that clam shell could no longer be pre-reserved and that you had to do it on the island.

 

"o.k." says The Bird.

 

When we got to the island, there were people with their yellow ShoreEx tickets for clam shells there. 

Well I bet that ruffled the "Bird's" feathers!!!!!

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

The Kayak or a Clam Shell is considered a rental and the $50 does not apply to rentals. That change was made after the pandemic. 

Thanks for confirming Bird...I knew that something must have changed at some point since I knew things like Clam Shells used to qualify. 

36 minutes ago, 9tee2Sea said:

I have a cruise that ends in Miami.  Flying out of Fort Lauderdale around 7pm on disembarkation day ( a friday, in 2025).  Does NCL still offer the Everglades tour with drop off at Fort Lauderdale airport?  It's too far out to find it on the shore excursions option.  If not, then I can get an earlier flight ( 3 hours earlier) out of Miami, but it costs more.  Dont want to rent a car ( driving is not a vacation for me).   Thanks

Yes.  They still offer that excursion on their website. 

https://www.ncl.com/shore-excursions/MIA_03/Everglades-By-Airboat-Ft-Lauderdale-International-Airport?destination=Bahamas+Cruises%2CCaribbean+Cruises%2CExtraordinary+Journeys%2CMediterranean+Cruises%2CNorthern+Europe+Cruises%2CPanama+Canal+Cruises%2CTransatlantic+Cruises%2CWeekend+Cruises&port=MIA&sort=searchWeight&sortOrder=asc&perPage=12

14 minutes ago, genealogyfan said:

I was told by someone at the excursion desk that "rentals" don't qualify for the $50 discount.

Based on what I am now seeing online, it seems that is the case.  Kayaks and Paddleboards at Harvest Caye do not get the discount.

It is funny, however, that I can do a 1hr guided Pedalboard Manatee Watch at the exact same time and they will apply the $50 credit.  With our Platinum discount, it is only $17.10 pp.  

I guess we will do that, rather than spend $31.50pp for the Kayak...

2 minutes ago, Ellis1138 said:

For something like this, where the glitchy website is not doing its job, I would call it in and have a human being do it, so that they can book it for $0 or they could tell you why that excursion isn't allowing for the FAS+.

We actually have a very good PCC that we just hooked up with so I may just message him.  

As I said, it's not a big deal if we end up with OBC.  

Just now, purplecow15 said:

Not sure if the kayaks would be considered an excursion. I know that at Great Stirrup Cay rentals of umbrellas etc not considered excursions. 

Hmmm....We've gotten clam shells and things (day of) for free with the $50 ShoreEx credit at other sites.  However, now that I'm looking online, the Kayaks and Paddleboard rentals do not indicate that they will give the credit, while all the others do indicate it will be applied