johnjovi

thanks for these posts!  I will be on VL on Feb 25th for the 8 day.

Can you tell me about St. Croix?  Does the ship dock there or is there a tender service?

11 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

The canal pictures are captures from the Panama Canal webcams:

https://multimedia.panama-canal.com/

 

The others are from the Princess bridgecams:

 

https://www.princess.com/bridgecams/

Jamie's pictures are much better...if you are there.  But these help us to follow along. 

 

Don't fret if you can't get captures from the PanCanal cams.  I will be doing captures for that cruise for another forum that concentrates on the Panama Canal and can post on CC, separate thread if you are not doing a Live from...EM

 Thank you so much - I would greatly appreciate that!  I am not going to be doing a live review 

On 12/29/2022 at 8:47 AM, Essiesmom said:

Canal Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passing Pedro Miguel

 

 

 

 

On 12/29/2022 at 3:01 PM, Essiesmom said:

Leaving via the Agua Clara locks

 

 

These are awesome pictures - can you tell me the webcam links these were taken from?  I am doing the Jan 2 sailing on the Emerald (back to LA) and would love to grab pictures like this during our transit.  thanks!

I was on this same sailing as the OP.  The service on the ship was pretty good (we had a great MDR team and our stateroom attendant was also great).  The ship was really busy - something like 2700-2800 passengers from several crew we asked - with a good number of kids - one of the higher passengers counts they have had.  The sailing after ours was only 1200 passengers.  Food in MDR wasn't always hot (we commented to each other on that during the cruise) and some things overall with the cruise just seemed off.  Entertainment in the Liquid Lounge was standard, but enjoyable for us.

For me, I really wasn't a fan of the Sunshine - especially the flow of the ship - it just feels choppy getting around.  I understand the age of the ship so that didn't bother me.  It's pretty interesting though seeing areas they clearly updated with the refurbish (dining rooms, buffet areas) and areas they didn't, in my opinion (staterooms).  One thing I do love about Carnival ships - even the older ones - is the size of the stateroom - we had an oceanview deck 1 - really great size and bigger than other cruise line balcony cabins on their newer ships (ahem, NCL, cough)!  Oh and the internet is HORRIBLE.  I even upgraded to the premium plan and had so many issues getting to websites, having email work, VOIP wouldn't work, etc.  Pretty frustrating when you're needing to get work done.  I would gladly pay more for internet and have it actually work consistently!

And while I have always wanted to sail from Charleston (first time visiting there) - until they get a new terminal (which may never happen) - I just have no desire to deal with the process getting on and off the ship.  From the parking, the shuttle to the terminal building, then the bus to the other building to finally be able to get on the ship - it's just a PITA.   Since I have to fly or drive to any cruise port, I won't choose to sail from here again.

With that said, we still had a good time - with more enjoyable highlights that distracting low experiences.

Yes, Alvin is leaving on vacation on the 16th.  not sure who is replacing him.

there isn't a Mexican restaurant like the Blue Iguana on the Star. I think the nachos in O'Sheehans (and occasionally in the MDR at lunch) are really good - I order them with extra cheese and extra sour cream - the chips almost taste "homemade". The fajitas aren't bad - it's a small portion - they don't come out sizzling like in a Mexican restaurant or anything. In the Garden Cafe (buffet) they often have a build your own nachos section and quesadillas or burritos - it's hit or miss so you just have to be on the look out for it.

I left something behind (power strip and phone charger) - not super expensive or anything - and did all the same things OP mentioned and never got anything back or heard anything further.

BUT - interesting experience on Carnival Miracle this past July - when I was attempting to disembark (you know that final sad moment at security when your cruise vacation is officially over) - well, the security guard had a message come up for me and said I needed to go to guest services - I was so confused and said why (as I knew my account was settled) and he said - something for you at lost and found. And sure enough, I had left my wireless headphones in the desk drawer and my room steward had returned them. I was very thankful!

Thank you for the great review - I appreciated your honesty and can tell you are pretty easy going! Going on the Dawn (for the 4th time I believe) for the repo in October. Also, congrats to both of you on your weight loss - AND - bigger congrats for weighing in and getting back to your healthy lifestyle after the cruise - I have had several good weight losses ruined because I did not face the scale and get back to healthy life after the cruise. Keep up the great work!

We are Platinum Latitudes members. If we book one of these 'free cruises' do we still get our platinum benefits?

yes! :)

It's not a "free" cruise - as the other poster said there are fees you pay - probably about $300-$400 per person for an inside cabin for 7 days. you can also pay more to upgrade to a higher category.

You generally will have 3 months to book the reservation (calling NCL Casinos at Sea) and 1 year from date you pick up your cruise certificate to sail. Holiday blackout dates do apply. You will be limited to select from the cruises (ships/dates/itinerary) they provide you - no telling what your offer may be for.

I have done 7 or 8 of these - not too good to be true - but not free either. I have found that the rate I pay for these is still usually a good reduction from what I would have paid directly.

Also, you are able to use a Cruise Reward as a deposit (if you have one). The full balance is due at the time of booking.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your posts. Question: since you are Platinum could you tell me what day and time they had the VIP Cocktail Party (Silver, Gold, Plats)? Thanks.

On the 6/8 sailing they had one on Tuesday and one on Friday, both at 7:30 in Fat Cats. You are invited to one of them (just a crapshoot based on your package in the room). We talked to the cruise consultant and had our Friday time changed to Tuesday with no problem.

Arvin and Emily are on the BA - I believe they are going to be there the rest of this year until their vacation in Dec/Jan. We spent many hours on our BA cruise a couple weeks ago enjoying them! They are splitting the time in the Atrium with Fire and Ice, so you really need to check out the FreeStyle Daily. Some nights they performed in Shakers Lounge (which is really small) - so plan accordingly if you want a seat.

Very interested in this sailing - any experience from someone that has taken this before - is there a preferred way to go (east to west or west to east) - or does it not really matter? How about the flights to/from - is it better to fly into one vs the other (I am flying from Chicago).

Hope this question makes sense!

thanks,

My partner is from the Philippines - "Bong" is a common nickname that is used there!

I wish I would have saved that document so I could post it here - I should have been thinking ahead - sorry.

It said that the laundry bag special was going to be offered twice during the cruise and platinum members were allowed to take advantage of it both times. It struck me as strange as I had never seen that before (have been platinum for 2 years now). I have seen variations of give it during the laundry bag special day or give it any day you want - but never called out as being able to do it more than once.

Since I have not seen this on another ship and no one else has brought it up either - I think this is unique to the Jewel sailing at this time.

As I said in my response on the other thread, going forward, I will not assume I am getting the free laundry service more than 1x on a 7 day cruise.

John

Am I reading your post correctly? Just wanted to confirm since it sounds to good to be true. Are you stating that a platinum member is able to get the free laundry service twice with just one coupon? That would be great since my son and I are both platinum members, we would be able to have free laundry service four times during a 7 day cruise. No need to overpack.

That's what it said on my sailing - you technically don't turn in the coupon, you just write Platinum on your order form. Myself, I am not planning on being able to do it more than once for future 7 day cruises as I wouldn't want to not have clean clothes.

Which ship did you experience this on?

I was on the Jewel last week and noticed the change with the increased price.

On a separate laundry note from the Jewel - as a Platinum on the laundry service "coupon" that I received the first day in that folder, it specifically said that laundry service will be offered 2x this cruise (7 day) and the laundry service is available to platinum both times. I thought that was great they specifically called it out in advance - even though I only used it once.

We had luck going a little bit after 7pm (this was at the suggestion of the Maitre de) - lots of sections open service lobster and practically no wait! We also went further to the back of the buffet (same stuff just further down - everyone tends to cluster more towards the front).

The madhouse is definitely when it opens (5pm or 5:30pm).

OP - hope you had a wonderful cruise!

thank you so much for taking the time to scan these in and post them! Very exciting as I will be sailing the Jewel in a little over 2 weeks!

I am preparing for my upcoming cruise and I see on myNCL that I can pre-order a Carlo's cake to be delivered to my cabin. Has anyone done this? Are the cakes good/worth the pricetag? Dd is a cake boss fan, so I thought she would get a kick out of one of the fancy decorated ones. Or maybe I'll order one of the bon voyage celebration packages, which is less $$ and comes with decorations and a cake.

 

Or maybe I'm just a sucker who wants everything she see's... :o

One of the crew members (bless her heart, she is such a sweetie - been on 6 cruises with her) ordered us the Oreo cake from Carlo's Bakery - I think this one is the least expensive. I thought it was delicious - no fondant - buttercream oreo frosting, with chocolate cake. YUM!

have a great time Kyle and Ben! Really enjoying your trip so far!

john

Thanks John! I think your countdown is off. Will see you in 44 days woohoo! Are you doing the Mardi Gras parade aboard the ship? We need warm bodies! I'll bring music, masks, beads, and throws.

Kyle - I think we will, still waiting from the group to give me an answer on the parade and the slot pull! Have a great time on the Getaway - can't wait to see you and Ben next month!

yeah Ben and Kyle - so excited to read your review again!

John

Haven't been on the Sky for a couple years, but since then have had honey mustard on other NCL ships. Just ask if you don't see it.

very enjoyable review with a very fair synopsis of positives and negatives - I also liked the format (which I hope you won't mind if I borrow!)