CruisnHallelujahs

Thank you! Hoping and praying you are both healthy and ready to cruise. 😊

Look forward to meeting you as well!

DH was thrilled to be having his proper English breakfast again. Which is why we book this hotel. The view for me, breakfast for him. Being vegetarian, well, I’ll just wait for lunch. Haven’t noticed Dover being a port for NCL. There is much to see in Kent and much more relaxing than London, especially while recovering from jet lag. Thankful to have a few extra days to recover before boarding so we are ready to enjoy every moment on the ship. Took a stroll down Deal pier. Sunday morning seems to be the perfect time for beer and fishing. We stopped at the cafe at the far end for lattes. Wonderful to see it hopping with customers.

Left Hever castle for our weeklong stay in Deal. My eyes were rolling to the back of my head…just wanted to sleep. Don’t know how DH could focus and readjust (born and raised here)to his English driving but we did arrive safely. Passed many serious bike riders. I think they are putting their lives on the line in Philly suburbs but this is next level. Deal in Kent, before the shutdown, was one of the top small towns in England. So many original shops have closed but on our brief walk in town we noticed a couple of new businesses since last years visit. Hopefully that trend will continue. Our regular room was disappointingly not available so DH lugged the suitcases up two flights of stairs. Our view of the English Channel is almost as good as from our favorite room.

Left last night for Heathrow. Felt like the longest wait ever and then so quickly here. DS drove us to PHL airport. Biden being in town, roads were closed, so had to back road it most of the way there. Had booked the exit row, extra legroom, window seat. Not worth paying extra for since the seat does not recline but I did manage to sleep some. Luggage was waiting when we arrived at baggage and quickly out to find shuttle for car rental. We got the short bus packed full. I stood. Picked up car and were happily on our way for a mile or two and then main road was closed. That was unfortunate…no easy run around and map me was lost. After driving well off course we finally arrived at our favorite time waster spot before our room would be ready. This one is for NCL’s SIX fans…Hever castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Later gifted by Henry VIII to fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as an annulment gift. He supposedly didn’t think she was attractive enough to be his wife.

Future goals. Just not on Princess for us. https://nypost.com/2023/09/30/retired-couple-books-51-back-to-back-cruises-because-its-cheaper-than-retirement-home/ also…18 more days till cruisen!!…9 til flight to London but who’s counting?

So happy to hear good things about getaway! 18 more days til we get on woohoo!

What berth did you leave from? We will be staying at holiday in as well and our documents say 101 but port schedule lists 46. Would like to walk. Our plan has been to stop at Duke of Wellington night before too. How was the food? Thanks for all the great info! Will enjoy following along. Enjoy your cruise!

We will look forward to meeting you at the meet and greet if you are attending. Will say a prayer that Jim’s medical issues subside and you are both able to fully enjoy this cruise.

28 days! Thoroughly enjoy reading and lurking through your live reviews so will try to contribute back. Apologize in advance for not being nearly as entertaining. Had originally planned just nov 4 Caribbean but after booking checked where it was headed before and after since we always wish we could stay longer. Have always wanted to cross the ocean so was thrilled to find it was a Transatlantic before our cruise so booked it. (Then scrambled to renew passport which was just short of the six month expire) Will fly into London a week early to visit friends and family. Our longest cruise so far was 15 days on Joy in February and that wasn’t enough. We’ve sailed the “suite life” 50% of our cruises. Was hoping to keep it that way booking the lowest cabin we’d be happy in, wait till final payment and then upgrade to haven for second leg. Well you snooze you lose. Haven prices didn’t fall and then suddenly they were sold out. Have not sailed out of Manhattan before…the price must not have been shocking to the locals there. Lol. So far all else has gone well. Booked dining 125 days out and entertainment for first leg at 26 days. Happy not having to run around booking everything immediately upon embarkation. Obviously can’t wait for this journey to begin…so decided to start writing about it in anticipation.

On Joy DH’s keycard info was all smudged from sunscreen. Showed assistant concierge and in two seconds had a new one.

Beautiful pictures thanks for sharing them!

I’m going to be on the getaway in October/November for 28 days…sure hope it’s rotating!

Ahhh I’ll have to remember to do that…order two of what’s in the flight and have dh order two….then I will have it all! And then some. 👍🏻

Thanks for posting the wine selections. Would you happen to know if you have the basic fas drink package and order the $20 flight are you charged the 20 or is it the $5 over $15 limit?

Your journey to the ship has been spectacular. Do you even need the cruise?

The bnb owners are from Buffalo? Love it.

Thanks so much for the shuffleboard info. It’s our favorite pre dinner vacation game. Is the putt putt golf still gone? Having that back would be ideal.

Not that I’m trying to bring the convo back on track but if NCL is listening please make American Diner complimentary…would greatly help crowd control and is such a cute place to eat that no one wants to pay extra for. O/T I love playing shuffleboard on cruise ships! Couldn’t find it on the Joy in feb but was certain it was there on a previous cruise. Hoping to find it on our next cruise, getaway in October.

Thanks for responding! Never saw the kids menu til someone recently posted it…when I hit the adult cruise food wall I’ll be going for the kids pizza and mac n cheese comfort food. (Hoping that’s good too) 🙃

How is the pizza off the kids mdr menu? Thought I might give that a try when I run out of vegetarian options.

Where in your account do you find these offers?

Thanks so much! I will definitely check out that resort. I always bring a pool ring for ocean vacations…nice to float but more importantly they assure my exit from the ocean. I’ve seen many people struggle getting out being whipped by waves. Me included. 🫣 Soo embarrassing losing your top.

Thanks for the info! I’m always on the lookout for a good lazy river. Saw videos of this one. Looks like they supply the tubes…will bring one just in case.

Taino Bay looks fabulous! This is exactly what I plan to do in November…a wonderful relaxing day. Did you check out the lazy river? Wondering how busy it is. Thanks for sharing all that and the pics!