grammy c

Re: Escape 2015. Looks the same, only the chef will tell the tale. We got lucky and had 14 days to try it all. Conviencse plays a great part when booking a haven with the restaurant. Take that into consideration as a new haven cruiser. And also don't forgo the specialties, because they too are great. The whole concept of Haven is great. It is only as good as you wallet can afford. Go for it at least once. A totally unique experience. Going one more round 3/8/2020. See some of y'all then! Happy cruising!

Which ships were above average with flu cases this week? Yearly for more than twenty years we have traveled several different lines on both large and small ships. Consistently my DH has left with at least an upper respiratory condition. Last yr. I actually got the flu even after having the shot. My point being it seems to be getting worse for the cruise lines, and more importantly its passengers. This last horrific episode on Allure has me petrified to the point of bringing a whole pharmacy full of meds for all ailments. Really is sapping the fun out of it. I really would appreciate any word on the Vision as we are B2B on Saturday. I truly feel for all passengers that have suffered this ordeal. May tomorrow be a better day for all

Just my two cents on valley church. After 25 yrs. on and off the beach itself has not changed, except for the aminities as explained above which are excellent in my book. But, the never changing beach line which is a two foot drop off onto more stable bottom is the Getya if you have ANY mobility issues. Going down, or sinking down a piece of cake. Climbing back up hill through sinking shifting sand is only for the very mobile. Very deceiving also, as the beautiful water is very inviting and you just know you gotta get in it. Over winter was there and knew better, but only by crawling hands and knees was I back to my lounger. It's a great spot, but if you are a diehard water baby better have two strong young guys to lead you out. Going back in September. Really think hard on this choice. But enjoy. Antigua is a beautiful island!

Has anyone used this offer? Came in an email with proper last four didgets to our number and had to use password to open our site. So am guessing it's legitimate. Sounds too good, but will call the number tomorrow to see if my recent online booking is transferable. And yes, have nice perks I don't want to loose. Any info. Here would be appreciated.

Did you organize this trip yourself, as in getting a gang together and then booking? Or just contact the website and be booked. Would like to know how long the shuttle trip really was, have heard its long. Have read trip advisor and now your review, so really getting geared to do this, but we'll be there late Nov. and the rainy season. Last yr. in nov. when we were there flooding rains made for road wash outs and mudslides. Glad your day was a hit! Thanks for the review!

Thanks for posting.

In my case it was availabllity of particular cabin, so worked for me. But then transd to agent to have the less hassle effect for the duration. The key here is to find an agent via a big box agency to work with. No mean feat, believe me, but you have to start somewhere. Two or three over 25 yrs. you will not get ahead with the cruise lines unless it's a last min. Cruise good luck!

I guess this wasn't the week to try and book online in the middle of the night Ha! Have done this, but not Rccl. Booked a corner aft mini 8088 on Vision and was super excited until I realized it's that NR deposit thing and I REALLY did not mean to. Can I get my reg agent to take over this booking? I know she can't get me out of this, but I now know I just don't want to handle anymore obstacles with Rccl. I hate their site like the rest of you, so just trying to get a bit more info.

You have to truly get away from the terminal, preferably another cay which touted trips to Hol chan. Flying is the ticket! Do a search, as I'm not sure who does it now, but have done this many times in the past. Eco something. They book on line, get you to airport, fly you there, guide from dive shop picks you up, out to the marine park for maybe four hrs. No food or drinks for our trips. Return trip to terminal included in price. Only thing I can say is our trips were all spring, fall is more often than not, rainy. Good luck! It was truly a great adventure. Could cost $ 150pp upward. It's been a few years for us.

Just gotta say! You had to be there to get it!!! Things have changed so much, but I wouldn't change a thing! The old days were FABULOUS. Today's sailing is modern. I still cruise for the magic of the sea. Enjoy All!

In Dec 2017 we were there with Allure, Celebrity, and us on Pearl. My DH noticed that at the end of the pier they seemed to be setting up for an expansion. Lots of pertanant equipment and at least a dozen workers. Not sure on any of this, but would be a thought since this port is getting its far share of cruise ship activity.

I too was there mid nov thru mid dec on the Pearl b2b and each visit there were two other ships and no shuttle. It was obvious to me that with all the port chgs, that this port will be very popular, and the days of the shuttle are gone, till the eastern port get back to normal. It's a long walk if you have ANY difficulties. Love the port but missed it both times this trip. The actual amount of passengers on the pier was staggering. Not worth the hassle for us, though we have been here many times. It is worth it if you have not. Check Cruis TT for your cruise to see how many ships that day. Then plan accordingly. Good luck. Also, anyone out there actually seem the shuttle after we were there 12/9/17? Just wondering if its gone for good.

If you had a suite in the Haven, you were in a Haven suite. That’s why you got the Haven perks, aka use of the Haven area. Suites outside the Haven (except the Owner’s suites) do not have access to the Haven area on the Pearl.

Well, thanks for the clarification. I guess I totally missed the fact that I had a haven suite. Non of my paperwork acknowledge this fact. Guess I was just lucky! Sorry to have misinformed anyone.

Was your upgraded penthouse located IN the Haven?

Yes. Last cabin starboard. Ten ft from courtyard door entrance. Very quite! Used all the amenities of the haven, but it was deffinitly called a suite, not a haven suite. Those cabins were more forward of the courtyard. Two in particular were up a short flight of stairs, just across from the ele.

Well, for what it's worth, I upgraded to a one bd pent. On the pearl 11/2017 and it being a suite, got full use of the haven, and breakfast daily at Moderno, with both butler and conceigere. Was great! Was a BIG anniversary. And they REALLY did us right. Love the Pearl. Hope you do to!

Well, just have to say, that as a long time land and sea video poker player, I haven't won on either for a very long time! Talking about big pay outs. But, on my 50th anniversary, on the Pearl, on a return sea day after a b2b western, hit a royal diamond flush on dollars. Almost fainted. It's been that long! Felt good tho. Yep, inspired me to keep on playing. I know, tho. That $4000 will only last so long , Lol :halo:

Thanks for your replies. I remember vaguely that quiet a few people that traveled on our Escape cruise were ecstatic not to have to do the stairs to use all the amenities. All I can make out is that the BA &GA are set up totally different. It seems they got it arranged properly for all ages by the third try. The elevator is literally in the courtyard of Escape, so after entering the key card hallway you walk to the haven bar, out to the courtyard, pass the pool enter small elev. go up to haven rest, or the covered sun deck and then out the door to the hot tub and outdoor sun deck. Pool butler circulates taking drink orders or you just hop down to haven bar. BA is coming to our area this fall, so I guess we'll just have to adjust! LOL

Is there an elevator to get you to the haven rest. And also sun deck, after you pass key pass door? Only done the Escape, and they have this. Is it only stairs? We're good, but possibly traveling with mobility impaired

It got us the first time we sailed NCL also. It has been that way on NCL for a very long time, at least 7 or 8 years. I'm sure they have the information buried somewhere, but it's not in the "Money Matters" FAQ where they discuss the service charges. And even then, why would you look for it if all the lines you have sailed let you use OBC pretty much for anything you bill to your onboard account.

 

I think this is one way that NCL gets the reputation of "nickel and diming" because it is an unexpected charge for those that get OBC as a perk when booking.

I recommend your answer become a sticky. Not being ugly, just saying we had this happen to us on Pearl last mo. And ran around half the night trying to spend $500. My post was not really very good, but I too was trying to save the next person. You can believe we now have it down pat what NOT to count on!

i know it’s still a ways out, but the 15 day forecast for our cruise in the Caribbean shows 60-80%rain and thunderstorms everyday. Also 10-20 mph north winds. I’m not worried about the weather, but my husband is. He’s afraid of getting seasick. We usually take Bonine everyday. Will he be ok? Or should we look into another preventative for him?

I know you won't like my reply, but just to let you know that if and there's always a big IF with the weather, you have cold fronts come down from the states to MX. As we did the last day of five this wk.on the Fantasy . We had 69 mph winds, cold rain, and cabins, no heat, heavy seas, and major seasickness in the halls. We had a carpet blower on our deck, just off the atrium, that was there,different spots for 48 hrs. I personally do the eastern Carib. Mostly, but took a chance on western and everything was great till we started back. Will not be chancing that again! But good luck and do as others have suggested above.

Since Alabama plays Georgia 1/8/18 on ESPN Monday night, what are the chances of it being shown on the Fantasy? I don't remember that ship having a sports bar. I get that it might not be on the cabin TV, but I sure hope the Casino isn't the only big screen showing it. Anybody got any best bets? Roll Tide!!!!!

We were there late nov. cabbed over met Irene, payed 15 us pp for chair, mats for chairs, unlimited local beer only and various mystery cocktails. No recognizable hard spirits, stuck to beer which were good. Paid around 12 us for guacamole and chips large order and very good. Water and beach view, PRICELESS! The later is the apparent choice for us. No seaweed, no crowds beautiful sandy beach. Not a party spot! Pictures from pics. Posted are spot on. No trouble with cabbing back. Trolley might be an easier walk. We did a cab, but will trolley next week.

Stop calling them gratuities! It's a service charge...meaning NCL pockets the money. If the staff was getting even 1/2 of that 20% i'd be perfectly fine with it but the so called "incentives" NCL says they give out amount to maybe 1/3 of that 20%. This increase is just another way for them to get money.

DITTO! Just returned from Pearl on a b2b. We had great service everywhere we went. After the first leg we did one on one extra tipping and honestly these people went into shock when receiving it. Ncl if off our list for this very thread. Like their ships but the way they do business and treat their people is not our style!!!

Look at your folio. It will show how much you have that is NON-refundable. That will be used first for most things on board but, as has been said, not for the DSC. Keep looking to make sure it is decreasing.

Believe this or not, we had 925.00 obc and we still had to pay 315.00 to Not lose them. This was on the Pearl, and because of the timing of their acct. dept. actually crediting our acct. there was no way to track what was being taken from either non ref. Or refundable. Not a new cruiser, but not a big NCL cruiser, so it took me a while to get the gist of what was happening. Also it took calling TA from the ship to actually get the promised invoiced obcs from ncl. Then at the end,had to get the concierge to navigate the bill and talk directly to accounting. The biggest deal, was that with all the delayed action from the ship acct. dept. they started actually charging our credit card daily for DSC only to have to re credit it in the end. A major mess. Was told later that quite a few people involved were new. We came away very flustered. Other than this business we had a wonderful 50 anniversary, on a great ship, wonderful crew and delicious food. Superb attention to our celebration and would like to commend all involved. This whole post was started, only to say that do not wait till the bitter end to really read the bill. One other point, is that this was a b2b which further confused the situation. Lessons were learned this cruise, just passing it along.

We are looking at cruises for 2018 and considering one that stops at Harvest Caye. Although we are veteran NCL cruisers, we've never been to Harvest Caye. We've read about it online and see that there are beaches, a large pool, some bars and restaurants, and some activities. And, we see you can take excursions to the mainland. However, what is the shopping village like? Is it basically a straw market selling the usual trinkets and souvenirs or are there also jewelry, arts/crafts, clothing items, and other stores? Much appreciated.

Yes, basically. But just not that many shops. Not more than four that I recall.