may1021

3 Star Mariner and love HAL. Did a January 11 day cruise.   This is my 2nd time on this ship. Lovely ship with terrific ambiance.  HAL does have a nice feel to it for me.

We had done an RCCL cruise before this one to Cuba.  Absolutely bare bones, small  ship but one of the few choices for Cuba in January.  Have been on RCCL before.  Was not expecting much. We were very surprised that we liked the food on RCCL better than HAL this year.

I know food is subjective.  We liked the menu better on RCCL.  Did eat in Tamarind one night which is wonderful.   Also did the buffet one night to see if this would make us happier.  Service there was awful.  We had to clear our own table when it came time for dessert.  Waiter was there but skirted around us and never came near us.   Who knows.  Absolutely shocked that we preferred RCCL food to HAL because I sing HAL praises to all my friends who cruise.

Was surprised to see HAL is beginning to charge for a 2nd entrée.   We saw many people eating 2 entrees in January but don't think the charge had started then.    On RCCL they kept asking us if we wanted another entrée/no charge.  We didn't because we couldn't finish what we had.

Also not a fan of the Orange Club concept.  Probably jealousy on my part but I was not willing to pay an extra $100 a day for small dining room with expanded services.

Still a fan of HAL and will cruise with them again.

I hope so.   Thanks.  Just know on boarding day not a lot available when u first get on

We will boarding the Empress on January 13.  We want to watch the Patriots playoff game at 1:00. 

Anyone have any idea If there is any hope for this.  Usually when u get on a ship the TVs only have safety info.   Thx

THX for info.

Going on 1/13/19 cruise out of Miami.

What are the options for dining when you board the ship?  Is the main dining room open for a seated lunch.

Thx

I booked the Tropicana on our own.   How much is a cab from the cruiseport to the Tropicana.  Are cabs readily available.   How much should this cost?  Will they take American money?  Should we ask the cab driver to pick us up or will there be cabs at the Tropicana when we leave?

I ask about $$ because we met a Canadian couple on a cruise in November who had vacationed in Cuba 4 times.  They said they readily take American $$ and not to bother to change it.

THX.

THX   

I'm not doing this.  They can take my pic at the terminal like they always do!  Glad to know it is optional.

Have just gone to online check in for my January cruise.  They want me to download a picture of myself.  I have NO idea how to do this.  Plus also they have certain specifications/plain white background/ looking straight forward etc.     Anyone offer any help or suggestions for this new twist on checking in.  Thx.

I just booked Escape for next Sunday...really last minute.  Did it all online.  Booked a Guarantee Balcony.   It indicates Free at Sea on their website with all sorts of perks.   Would I be eligible for this booking a guarantee room?  In the back of my mind I recall another NCL cruise and was told only certain rooms were eligible for offers.  Will check Free at Sea again.   Confirmation email doesn't indicate anything like unlimited drinks/dining etc.    Might this show up on my card when I check in next week?  Or worth a call to NCL to check on this.

I tried to book  dinner reservations at Cagney's and La Cucina.   Nothing available for 2 people.  Might I be able to connect onboard?

Was able to book entertainment, no problem.

Thanks so much. You have all been very helpful. I appreciate it.:)

Going on Empress in January. Have read much about the requirements etc. It appears US gov requires you to have tours etc for educational purposes or some other categories.. If I book an AM tour, go back on the ship for lunch, and then want to get off the ship, I can do this? I don't need to be on a tour constantly, correct? I am assuming there will be no one at the ship stopping me from getting off. What about Cuban customs...would they want to know about tours etc. Anyone with experience, would appreciate your expertise. Thx.

Thx....will oomph us and see if friend and I can deal with this. Doesn't look too bad.

Do u take the train into NYC? Would be going in August/5 day cruise to Bermuda. Think I would opt for 6 am train if I do this. It was so much easier when they had the same day cruise bus. Getting there might be a deal breaker though.

Anyone with any experience doing this, would appreciate your comments or suggestions. THX.

If I book with their non-refundable down payment and I see a price drop after I book, can I request the lower price? Or am I unable to change the booking. Would I loose my deposit on this? Thanks.

Like the train to Newark option the best.

Summer cruise.

Flying out of Logan / by the time you get there and go through all the stuff u have to go thru now, train is by far the easiest.

Thanks all for your help.

Any suggestions on the easiest way to get from Boston to Bayonne. Years ago RCCL used to do a bus but see this doesn't happen anymore. Don't want to drive. Thx.

Thanks...good to know. That wasn't explained to me. Thought I lost the whole $500.

Does non refundable deposit mean just that. If your deposit is listed as $500 do you loose $500 if you have to cancel the cruise?

Sale prices?? I think it is Buy one 2nd person goes 1/2 off? Think this sale was supposed to be over on 5/8 but now think it is over 5/31. Prices on cruise I was going to book went up $200 each in a day and OBC was diminished. I am finding their site and policies confusing.

Haven't cruised on RCCL in awhile but sort of confused by their deposit and sale with very fluctuating prices etc.

Any help/comments appreciated.

I'll find the cruise director when I get on and they usually have info. If there is a sports bar, usually on there. And just remembered have actually watched them in my stateroom on another cruise line. Haven't been on NCL for one of these so hopefully it will be shown somewhere. thx

Going on Epic on Jan 13th and would like to see the football playoff game at 7 pm. Anyone know if/where these will be shown? Thanks

O'Sheehan's Deck 6, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Garden Café Deck 15, 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Taste Deck 5, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Great Outdoors Deck 15, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Spice H2O Deck 16. 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

 

This is according to a "past" freestyle daily.[/quote

 

Thanks...do remember eating in a dining room on NCL cruise 2 yrs ago so will check that out when I get on.

We r platinum member and entitled to 2 free dinners at specialty restaurants. Do they automatically take these off of your bill or do I have to clear this with someone before making the reservations? Thanks.

What restaurants are available to eat in when you board the ship? I prefer not to go to the buffet when I board.

Sort of thinking Sheehan's might be open but is there anything else available. Thanks.

Thanks...think they start in March...oh well. Will be in FL in Jan/Feb and would love to do Cuba however looks like it is not going to happen.