Norseh2o

In 2023 we travelled on the Regatta, Insignia and the Sirena. We stayed in bow cabins on the Regatta and Insignia and on the Sirena we changed from a port side cabin to a bow cabin as we were unable to book the bow cabin for the first part of the back to back trip. The cabin sizes seem to be the same. On the Insignia and the Sirena, we experienced rocking and rolling seas and woke often during the nights. We spend a lot of time on the water & have never been seasick - if we were prone to seasickness or uneasiness while at sea, we would not choose a bow cabin.

We returned to the USA after 6 weeks across the pond. Our October cruise on NCL Star was our final cancelled for Covid make-up cruise. Nice to travel with sister, brother & in-laws and DH. The food and service on the Star were better than expected. The best part was the tour at the end of the trip- a coach excursion with a dozen others, we traveled from Southampton to London with an outstanding tour guide and driver! We stayed in London 3 more days and thanks to the tube system, visited museums, enjoyed fine outdoor lunches and a peek at Westminster Abbey (which seems to be getting ready for the coronation! 👑). We flew to Lisbon and used the subway system to explore the city (in between rain showers!). We boarded Oceania Sirena for b2b, Lisbon to Barcelona, Barcelona to Miami, home for Thanksgiving. Hopeful that the transatlantic trips can continue for years, nothing better than days at sea! Thanks to all for The Daily, I missed many days, hope to catch up. Happy December!

A copy of “all itineraries” chart, found onboard near Ambassador’s desk. .

Enjoying our last full day in Lisbon between our NCL Star cruise (nice stops in Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal) and boarding Oceania’s Sirena for our cruise to Florida. Pleasantly surprised with NCL’s food, service and best end of cruise excursion that took us from the ship to stops in London and finally to Heathrow. We stayed on for three days in England and traveled by Tube for long walks in London, visits to museums and Westminster Abbey. After nearly a week in Lisbon (and a bulging suitcase of laundry), we are ready to be back onboard & on the water! Missed a few days of reading The Daily, am sending prayers to those in need and thanks to all who add their posts filled with pictures, recipes and news. Lisbon, October, 2022

When i requested a look at my bill once after 4 days and again after 8 days, the charges of internet and daily gratuities were dutifully posted and subtracted from total onboard credit. Of the $800 total onboard credit, cash back of $75 and no bill on cc after disembarking, seems as though gratuities were paid from non-refundable money.

Traveled on NCL Star earlier this month. Our onboard credit was a good value from our TA plus NCL stock. Boarded with $650 non-refundable onboard credit and $150 refundable onboard credit. Used all of the non-refundable to pay for better internet package $299 (as Platinum members, we received .25% discount from $399 cost), paid 18x2x10 ($360) for Club Balcony gratuities, $29 for a bag of laundry, bought a few drinks and collected $75 cash the evening before leaving the ship. I requested but never received a receipt at the end of trip.

Yes, the view out the window was decent enough. The 7006 cabin inside space was really good, but when we repeated the cruise in September in a balcony (A2), we decided that balcony and above are our favorite cabins.

Stayed in 7006 on the Regatta 4/2022, our first time in a non- balcony Oceania ship. Chose 7006 as all balcony and above were waitlisted. When balconies became available we decided to stay put. So sorry that I have no photo to share. The bed is nearer the cabin entrance, the seating area near the window. The window is small with a large ledge. The bad: no concierge privileges. The good: huge sitting area, great cabin steward. We asked for an additional chair which we set next to loveseat for more comfortable seating. Ledge at window was good storage for paperwork, maps and the like. Oceania could replace loveseat with PH type couch & raise the price!

We had the same downgrade offer on Sirena 10/25/22 cruise. It would be a 4 level downgrade. Like janecambridge, we have favorite cabins. As we will stay onboard the Sirena from Barcelona to Miami, not interested in cabin change AND deck change.

After final payment, our TA asked about cabin upgrade or onboard ship credit for price drop on our October, 2022 cruise. NCL offered fcc good for 1 year after cruise ends. With many (non- NCL) cruises booked between October 2022 and October 2023, the fcc is pretty useless.

Thanks, HAL4NOW for the updates on the fires. We drive from Southern California to Seattle often and appreciate knowing about travel conditions. Lenda, thank you for the comments regarding my DM. Sisters and brother and SIL met with staff yesterday to "refine" what services are promised and actually available to DM. 🤨 @kochleffel, I appreciate your news about the NCL ships. Sure hope that the Star has an area like the Crow's Nest for water watching, reading and coffee drinking...

Not necessarily true. Last week on the Regatta 8 day Coastal California Vines trip, we cancelled a dining reservation for our 3rd evening. We had booked all of our dining reservations on the day bookings opened. We were unable to rebook. We were open to fine dining at any time @Toscana. We did not want a shared table. On the last night we managed to secure a 7:30 seating. The meal was definitely worth the wait if not the hassle.

Thanks to all who contribute to this great morning read! We will celebrate Maritime Day with a final check on our packing for our October 6th cruise. It is the make-up of our final cancelled due to Covid-19 cruise. We meet a sister and BIL, brother & SIL in Southhampton to board NCL, The Jade for 10 days in Northern Europe. Haven't traveled on NCL in years, it will be interesting to see how NCL compares to HAL... After a few days in London and a week in Lisbon, we board Oceania's Sirena for a transatlantic to Miami in November. DM is adjusting to her new spiffy living place, she and staff still working out some of her daily schedule.Thankful for our large family who visit often, write letters and keep her in their prayers. Hopeful that the storms in the south ease up. Gerry, bad hotel news, but thank you for sharing. I will recheck our reservations this morning. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.