Ruminant

When are you sailing? My husband and I will be on March 5-12.

Thank you. Good to know.

We are on the same cruise! It's our very first. This site says the Encore will be at Amber Cove on March 7. https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/puerto-plata-amber-cove-port-1936?tab=schedule&month=2023-03#schedule

My husband and I are on the March 5th sailing too. It's our very first cruise.

Thank you so much for this! My husband and I are sailing on the Encore March 5 and it's our first cruise. We've been rabidly researching and soak up all the info and advice we can get. Thankfully I prebooked excursions and specialty dining - just hope we can get into Choir of Man. Love the info and thanks again!

Highjack away!! I still have lots to learn about photography. 😊

My mother always did this when traveling! Not gross and a good idea.

Amazing photos! Thank you!

Beautiful. I'm getting excited about what I'll get to capture in photos

Amazing photos. We're doing Ocean World in Puerta Plata, Sky Ride and Scenic trip to Magens Bay in St. Thomas. Tortola is a beach trip.

I think that is probably what I'm going to do and maybe one port where the beach won't be involved.

This is very helpful. I have a Canon EOS 4000D with an additional telephoto lens. This sounds like a good set up and a good way to do it.

Beautiful pictures and thank you

Thank you!

What gorgeous photos! This is what makes it hard. Do I want to try and photograph new surroundings or just enjoy it the first time.

Good point.

Thank you! All very helpful in helping me decide.

This is where I'm at - I photograph birds, animals, sunrises, sunsets, the moon and nature scenery and would be lost without my telephoto lens. The cruise is to St. Thomas, Tortola, Puerta Plata and Nassau. We have brief beach excursions in the first three combined with site seeing - Nassau probably going empty handed - just phone since we're going to just walk about and visit a few popular spots. I know I'm going to want to jump in the water though.

So much good info. Thank you! I already have a cruise spreadsheet going with schedule, deck plans, etc ... adding an excursion page now. (I'm a tad OCD) I already purchased the waterproof phonecases on lanyards and even waist packs just in case. I guess my biggest decision is if I'm going to take my camera.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but first time cruiser here on the NCL Encore in March. I'm trying to figure out what to pack. For example I do some ameteur photography and have a modest camera and lenses and am wondering if its worth taking my camera on the cruise or should I just use my phone. We're wondering about how people manage their possessions on excursions - like what do you do with your stuff if you jump in for a swim? I'd love some tips and advice.

So I'm learning. 🙂

True. Someone metioned that while in Nassau port, there are taxes levied on drinks on the ship while in port? Is that true? Seriously not a cheapskate, but just want to be careful of extra charges since its our first time. I'd be game to sit on deck and drink for the day but figure I've never been to Nassau so might as well check it out, even if just a couple of hours.

Thank you!

Same with us. We have our first Cruise booked for March 5 and Great Stirrup Cay was a major draw for us booking this particular trip. It was swapped out for Nassau also, which we really aren't that interested in visiting. We paid for all up front and were notified about a month after booking the itinerary has changed. We are hearing that it's because the Prima is scheduled the same day and takes precidence over older ships, but not sure how true that is. Not to whine, but it also increases the cost of our trip because we'll have to pay for food, drinks, excursion in Nassau now and had hoped for an "all inclusive" day at GSC for the budget. We are pretty disappointed but are just going to roll with it since it is our first cruise. May impact what Cruise Line we choose for future cruises though.

Thank you so much for the info. We were looking at excursions or even a day pass at AA's admiral's lounge at the airport.