Mizzoupoodle123

Several years ago after a Panama Canal cruise I was badly injured while in a taxi in Acapulco, Mexico.  We were young but had bought insurance in case we needed to cancel because of work.  
The travel insurance company vetted the doctor before I went in for my second surgery.  They paid for my now deceased spouse’s additional nights of lodging at Las Brisas and his food.

They also flew a doctor from Mexico City to fly back on the plane with me and get me to the hospital here in Kansas City without any problems.

We were very happy with the coverage!  I never travel on a cruise or out of the country without it now.

Sylvia

On 4/21/2021 at 1:05 PM, Summerstravel said:

I have asked this question before and was told Starbucks drinks are included in the PP drink package. 

Starbucks was absolutely included on our 11 day Holiday cruise last year on the Escape.

They did seem reluctant to offer bottles of wine at dinner.   They did it but SO slowly.

Sylvia

Excited to join you on your cruise!!!

so fun at Christmas🎄

Sylvia

Thank you all for the wonderful help!  Falstaff provides ADA shuttles so we are going with them.  We decided to come in on the 29th so we could enjoy the town.  We are staying at a resort on the Strand.

Sylvia

We are driving to Galveston for a NYE cruise on the Dream.  I will be bringing my personal motorized wheelchair.  
Would any of you be so kind as to recommend the best lot in which to park?  I would prefer convenience over cost if that helps.😊

Sylvia

On 10/11/2022 at 4:54 PM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

You are correct - you don't "need" it.   I clean my own bathroom once a week at home.   I don't "need" daily cleaning service on ships.   But I enjoy the contribution this makes to my vacation experience. 

 

I bus my own tables at home - I don't "need" that either.   We could start bussing our own tables  in the lido.

 

I didn't "need" wine stewards, but I miss their service.  I know some who are no longer with HAL as a result or had their pay cut and are now "beverage runners" 

 

Everyone has their own preference as to what they "need"  Which is why there are so many choices in cruise lines.    I sailed with Viking earlier - and I will be back on Viking if HAL no longer delivers an acceptable value to me.    But for now - I am very happy with HAL and I want to see all the crewmembers keep their jobs.

 

There are some people who enjoy "freighter cruises"  (they are not as cheap as you might think) 

 

Where's the Yum Yum man?  He's in the unemployment line....why?   No one really "needed" a Yum Yum man.  

 

If someone doesn't want the service or enjoy the service - fine.   But then more people will eventually get laid off - and I would rather not see that happen.  

 

 

Hi I believe it is the service that makes cruises so relaxing.  I fell like I have tons of fun and no exhaustion as the Mom at the end of the day. 

I booked the Hilton by the sea wall.  They do have a shuttle that goes over to the cruise terminals.  
 

We got a much better rate by using booking dot versus the company with the gnome.  We saved 50%.

Sylvia

Thank you very much!  I booked the Hilton.  I have points and got a good rate that includes breakfast.  We are on a New Year’s Eve cruise and I’m glad I booked now as hotels seem to be getting full.

Sylvia

Thank you so much!!!

Hi all,  I did search this topic but didn’t find this.  It may be buried on page 20?  We are taking the Dream on December 31st but want to arrive 2 days early to Galveston.

I am hoping for a hotel that has an option to park your car and use their shuttle to the pier (for a fee, of course).  
Any suggestions?  Any favorite hotels?  
I am a widow traveling with my 21, 19 and 18 year old daughters.  We are driving to Galveston.  We picked this cruise because we could drive and avoid airports, lol.  Of course we will probably still get on each other’s nerves on the way down but what’s a road trip without a little chocolate ice cream to soothe the soul?

Sylvia

Thank you for the great review!!! I really enjoyed all the photos you shared as well as your opinions!!!😊

Sylvia

Over Christmas we purchased the  premium alcohol package on a Norwegian ship.  I am a widow and was sailing with my 3 adult daughters.  Only one was 21 and I was required to buy the package for her as well.  Since the cruise was over her 21st birthday and New Year’s and included Starbucks (I admit I am addicted) I bought it.

Well, I felt like an alcohol pusher.  I had her try every sort of girly drink.  She hated everything with any sort of alchol.  No to beer, no to wine, no to champagne.  I was very happy that I never had to worry about her on the road or getting too drunk on a date.  
I felt like I compensated by having expensive cognacs, wines, martinis, etc.  I probably drank double what I normally would. I think 4 drinks would be the normal max for me.  The only reason I would get the Cheers is for the water and the coffee.  Since I’d be having to buy it for my non-drinking daughter I think I will probably just pay the going rate.

Any thoughts?

We are sailing the Dream out of Galveston this summer and there are 3 sea days.

thanks!

sylvia

I’m so sorry to hear that.  ❤️

I have a rented scooter on my upcoming cruise.  I normally use a walker that has a seat available.  I am bringing it along for the ports.  I cannot walk that far without pain and I can’t stand in lines without severe pain.  
I am very blessed to have a spinal cord stimulator!  Without it, my world consisted of my bedroom.  The scooter was 385. for 11 nights on the Escape.

Sylvia

Hi all, I unfortunately may need to cancel our Dec 23 sailing aboard the Norweigan Escape.  I did buy the travel insurance and the final payment has not come due.

Since I didn’t anticipate this I bought specialty dining and a drinks package.  
Would that be refunded by NCL, the travel insurance or no one?

I hate that I am acting like a worry wart.  I feel irritable around my daughters.

thank you all so much!!!

Sylvia

💖💞Breast Cancer survivor 

Mammograms save lives!!!

45 minutes ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

My issue is from a Covid perspective . Both Mexico and DR are on the Uk red list because of the high cases/low vaccine roll out , which would mean no one from the Uk would be able to sale without 10 days in a government quarantine hotel on return at cost of over £2400 😞

In that case, I’d not leave the ship.  Norweigan told me when I called today that as of today passengers were free to explore any port on their own but it could change at any minute.  I’ve not heard of quarantining passengers here in the US after a cruise but it may have already happened.

We are on the Norweigan Escape and Christmas Day we are in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.  From what I have seen of the cruise terminal built it is going to have restaurants, shops PLUS a free water park and enormous pool.  So far, we plan on hanging out there and sort of doing our own thing.

Sylvia

Breast Cancer survivor 💞

Mammograms save lives!

Thank you for the replies!!! Between the bottled water, the coffee speciality drinks and the more expensive wines I think I would break even or come out ahead with the Premium Plus.  
 

😊🍾

Sylvia

Thank you all for your replies.  I’ve cruised 11 times, 4 times on Norweigan, but all before my husband passed.  I wasn’t the travel planner.  Now after a long absence from vacations during his illness and grieving him I thought a cruise would be the simplest option.  Freestyle cruising is a bit new but I think my 3 teen daughters will love it!  
I enjoy lots of specialty coffee drinks so I will need to balance that into this port heavy itinerary.

Thanks to all!

Question?  
how do you search for topics of a thread?

I am confused.  We received the beverage package on the holiday sailing of the Escape.  They are selling/ trying to sell a package upgrade for about 383. to each person in the cabin of legal drinking age.

Is this upgrade worth it?  Opinions are welcome!😊

Sylvia