Froggitt

Not done St Thomas, but I can give you my experience of last year Epic TA US immigration at San Juan.

US passengers went to the front of the ship, took them about 10 seconds to queue, be processed and be waved on.

Everyone else went to back of the ship, except the line was so long it snaked about 5 deep back to the front of the ship, way past OSheehans. The last people cleared immigration around 2pm.

I "think" there was a queue jump for official NCL tours, and people in wheelchairs.

Ah yes. I had forgotten Waterloo is now on the Jubilee line. And that its Euston Square on the circle line!!!

Public transport is always my first choice for journeys like this, but for Heathrow to Southampton it would be a long way down my list of options. It's a very long journey compared to the road (especially now they've finished the road works on the M3) and, dependant on number of people, likely more expensive.

Imagine catching the rush hour, either on the tube, or on the train. And all the connecting.....

Heathrow to Paddington. Change to circle line

Paddington to Euston. Change to Northern Line (make sure you get the correct Northern line branch i.e. Charing Cross, not Bank)

Euston to Waterloo. Change to mainline.

Waterloo (I think) to Southampton. Taxi to hotel or port.

Probably three of the five largest stations in the UK. Not great in the morning or evening rush hours. Awful if you're schlepping luggage around, up and down stairs, and trying to get onto a standing room only tube.

A minicab with capacity for four people and four cases would be about £100.

I agree with Keith, but it also depends what you mean by "USA cruises", because the answer would seem to be very clear for Alaska and Hawaii itineraries: The drinking age throughout the cruise is 21, period. No beer/wine, no waiver, nothing. At least that's what the website has indicated for many years, and I don't remember anyone saying they experienced something different on board.

New York

My understanding is that a 20 yo may upgrade in certain circumstances to the corks package with parental consent but not the ubp. Beer and wine only for 18 to 20 year olds.

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That's the thing, its technically not a UBP, however drinks are included.

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From spirits and draft or bottled beer, wines by the glass and cocktails to alcohol-free beer, soft drinks and juices in all bars, lounges and restaurants at any time throughout your cruise.

Can a 20 year old drink wine, with parental permission, on USA cruises within the Premium All Inclusive scheme?

Cant see this act surviving on NCL once Jersey Boys debuts.....was it Bliss I saw this slated for?

I got the NCL MasterCard for the points for OBC but recently found out it could not be used for the daily service charge but I know you can get cash from the casino against your account for a 3% fee. Would there be anything stopping me from then turning around and putting this cash on my account through guest services to take care of the DSC?

 

Thanks!

You can 100% do this.

I'm curious if NCL would honour the actual exchange rate or make us book using theirs, meaning paying more?

You would pay however much is USD they are asking, but with your CAD at whatever rate your credit card uses.

Remember to check it on the flight back the the US also.

There may be multiple screenings of your carryon, make sure you only give up the booze to the one on the boat, I think you get a receipt for it. If you give it up to security in the terminal, they're going to have a very jolly evening.

Yes they will take it off you when you board if its in your hand luggage, or if in your checked luggage they will take your case to the "naughty room", and you can have the booze back on the last night.

Remember, it MUST be in your checked luggage on the plane, so will need to be packed really well.

Balcony rooms are small as well. Maybe 12 inches of space between the end of the bed and the sink area. Not enough room to pass your friend between the settee and the wardrobe.

www.privategreecetours.com This was for a one day Athens tour, minibus for 12 or so.

Our driver was excellent.

There was a TV show in the UK recently that took one of those specialist cameras on a cruise ship. All sorts of invisible particulates were seen around the smoke stack, both in front and behind. More behind obviously. No way I am going to be book reading or similar downwind of that.

Has anyone in the UK bought NCL shares thru a UK broker and received the OBC?

Have any of you sailed as a solo traveler? I'm pondering the New England trip on Gem in October but that trip doesn't have the studio cabins. Is it super weird to sail solo?

Not at all weird. Lots of people, both single and relationshipped sail solo. I've done it on Jade, Spirit and Star, none of which have studios.

You need to make an effort to meet and speak with like minded people, unless you like your own company. e.g. shout out for other solos on your roll call and arrange to meet for drinks on the first evening, and maybe go on to dinner.

Also NCL have a solos meetup maybe 6pm every evening in one of the bars. That is "a broad church" lets say......ranging from 20somethings wanting to get boozed up and get laid, to 80somethings wanting company and conversation. Chat with as many people as you can on the first evening, you will probably gravitate to the kind of people you would enjoy spending the rest of the evening with. NCL will often have an official solos table in the restaurant, you may want to swerve that with the people you are getting on with.

Have a search for lara_lox 's "solo fashionista" trip reviews, she sailed as a solo on a number of ships and will give you a great feel for what its like on board as a solo.

Would you book a guarantee inside or book an inside mid ship?

Its essentially the same room. Depends on the price and the promotions/inclusions available on that room (which also vary depending on which NCL office you are booking with), and your usage of those promotions e.g. if UBP is unavailable on the guarantee and you like a drink or five, go with the inside if its not more than a few hundred more.

I usually take PG with me. However if you've ever seen waiters in the dining room offering guests something from a posh looking wooden box, that usually has reasonable individually wrapped English Breakfast in it. I think they changed the brand a year or so ago.

We did our first mega-ship cruise on Epic where *everything* could be booked. We didnt, and regretted it......like everybody else you should book up what you want, and if you later dont fancy it, dont turn up and let someone in the standby queue have the seats......theres no point being in the standby queue if you can book it earlier.

Per account.

TP250Time Plan (250 minutes)

All ships except Sky & Breakaway$125.00* USD

A lot of international airports in Europe have a "Sim Shop" in the arrivals area.

Tunnelbear

My TA checked with very good high level source at NCL before getting back to me. The Sun will remain in the fleet.

 

It will be interesting to see where she ends up for the summer 2018 season.

 

I'm happy because I booked so early for our 2019 cruise that I had first choice in cabin category...right now it looks like we'll be able to keep it.

As the World Cup is in Russia summer 2018, its not inconceivable that one of the big countries has booked it for their delegation (players, families, staff etc), rather than staying on shore in a hotel, for security reasons. Weigh anchor outside St Petersburg, tender in.

:'):'):p:'):')

 

(Sorry MrMike, I don't have a coherent answer for you as I'm laughing too hard at MrFroggie!)

:cool:

But thats the way its going. Not just round the pool but in the bars as well. Takes three seconds to pour a drink, not three minutes to make one. "Think of all the $$$$$ we will save".

The next step will be the installation of the buffet Fruit Punch and Lemonade machines around the ship.....with, from right to left......Mojito, Cosmo, Margarita, Voddy Martini and Gin/Tonic