QuadraCatLady

I've bought passes for the Thermal Suite for my husband and myself. Just wondering if any of the areas are co-ed so we can hang out together? 🙂

23 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Having been a ship's engineer for 44 years, and a Chief Engineer for 37+, and having worked on cruise ships as well as other types, if DH has any questions regarding shipboard operations or equipment, I'm almost always here for answers.

How cool! I'll let him know. Thank you!

Thanks for the replies everyone! Looks like we'll stick to the Discovery Channel "tour". 🙂

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

As others have noted, the closest that any cruise line allows passenger access is the Engine Control Room.  All engineering spaces are restricted areas, and even 95% of the crew are not granted access to these areas.  While some compartments of the engine room may be relatively quiet, and relatively cool (about 95 in the Carribean), the actual engine rooms where the engines are running will be 130*F,  and around 130 dB of noise (standing 50 feet away from a military jet taking off with afterburners).  It would also require traversing several hydraulic watertight doors, which in and of themselves can be dangerous, steep ladders (stairs) at 60-70* pitch, areas of low overhead clearance, much tripping hazards, etc.  The tour guide would be shouting into each person's ear individually to get about 50% of the message understood.

Okay, this makes a lot of sense. Duly noted. Thanks!

2 minutes ago, Sauer-kraut said:

No, due to security concerns since 9/11 no tours to the engine rooms or mechanical areas

☹️ Aw, that's too bad.

I've seen that some ships offer behind-the-scenes tours but it looks like none get into the mechanics of the ship--engines, etc. My husband LOVES anything to do with machines and engines and tech and I know he would totally nerd out at the chance to see some behind-the-scenes stuff on a cruise ship. Is there any chance this is a possibility??? The rest of the tour stuff he would find somewhat interesting but the mechanical stuff would truly float his boat, so to speak. 😉

2

On 8/9/2019 at 10:33 PM, bearette said:

The airport is far from the cruise terminal in New Orleans. To my knowledge, no hotel does a free airport and port shuttle. Only hotels near the airport offer the airport shuttle, without a fee anyway. Unless you arrive late, you don't want to stay by the airport.  Expect around a $35 Uber to hotels by the port and $15 from town to the port.

Okay, good to know. We'll probably book something in the French Quarter so we can walk around and then take an Uber to the port. 

2 hours ago, ed01106 said:

I would ask when contacting the hotel if the offer free shuttle both airport to hotel and hotel to port and consider that as part of what hotel you choose.

Good tip!

21 minutes ago, broncofan99 said:

When you call, be prepared they will want to charge you a cancellation penalty charge to cancel transfers.   They waived the penalty since I added the deviation air coming in early.  I had to sit on hold for 30 minutes while he obtained the supervisor approval to over-ride.  

 

 If you book their hotel the price is per person so book on your own.  

Okay, good to know! 

1 minute ago, Nola26 said:

Welcome to cruising!

 

1. Call and cancel your transfer to the cruise ship, you cannot use it coming in a day early, the transfer isn't free so get your refund.

2. Book any hotel you choose in NOLA. I have had good experiences at the Marriott and it's close to the port.

Thanks, Nola26!

My husband and I decided to do the air deviation to arrive in New Orleans one night early. We also have the free airfare option and paid for transfers with NCL. This might sound like a stupid question but we've never cruised before so...

Can we book any hotel we choose in NOLA or are there only certain hotels connected to the package? Or, are there only certain hotels where our free transfers will work? 

Thanks!

Kristene

5 minutes ago, snownow said:

Here is to shots of the beach while we were there... The one family is all that was there.  The second picture is where they were doing dive lessons and reef past that. It is like 20-30 minutes from the port but worth it. My wife and other daughter went to one of the local beaches with a cruise tour and hated it. Packed, and vendors everywhere.  This was more my speed.  Dive shop was very laid back, market near by was empty, the coffee shop had maybe 5 customers. While we were there, there was 0 crowd. 

Oooo! That looks perfect! Right up our alley. Thanks so much!

1 hour ago, snownow said:

I love west end, and i would dive. We went with coconut tree divers in west end. They pick you up at the cruise port, boat is steps away from the shop and dive location is super close by. Super clear drift dive. If you don't want to dive, the beach in front of the shop also was empty when we were there.  There is a reef off the point, it seemed nice.  Bean Crazy for lunch in town as a great value, and very good. 

Thanks, Snownow! How busy would you say it is around the shop you're talking about? We really want to avoid crowds. 

Hi there, 

My husband and I are first time cruisers. We are usually independent, way off the beaten track travellers but we had lots of airmiles saved up and wanted a week of relaxation. 🙂 At first we thought we'd never get off the ship but our NCL cruise stops in Roatan and we are avid divers/snorkelers and have always wanted to explore the waters there. We want to snorkel because it's less hassle and gives us more time in the water but we do not like crowds. We're thinking of grabbing a taxi (or scooter rental if that's a possibility) and taking off to somewhere uncrowded but with great snorkeling on our port day. Any thoughts or suggestions? We have all our own gear. Thanks!