queenschick9b

@Georgia_Peaches  This was really great and thorough.  I can't wait until I can finally sail in February! 

8 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

It should just be another option you decide when ordering.

Thank you! That is what I was hoping 🙂 

I booked Le Voyage and Eden for my upcoming Ascent cruise, but now when I go to the app I see they both have times for tastings that are the same times as the dinner, is there a way to switch to have tasting in advance or is that something I can do on the ship or am I just out of luck? 
 

I tried to search, but nothing seems be addressing this question on mobile. 
 

Thanks in advance for any help! 

On 10/25/2023 at 2:42 PM, doghog said:

If you don't have the CBP or the PBP the Elite style breakfast is great for Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and Bellinis.  And for those that like specialty coffees. 

I'm not a huge drinker, but I love a bellini, so between this and happy hour, I chose to just get the non-alcoholic refreshment package.

On 6/6/2023 at 4:16 PM, Karengeorgelaf said:

Hello, we have book d this cabin for transatlantic crossing in October- how did you find it? Do you have any video/photos? Thank you so very much

I ended moving rooms, so we didn't have that issue in the end and my cousins who were also on the 6th floor also moved. Sorry 😞

I saw the $43.99, hesitated and missed it. So annoyed at myself, but I was at work and didn't have my card on me when I looked and when I revisited last night it was $63.99.

So my answer is I am hoping to love it! Booked my first Celebrity Cruise in years and as a solo traveler today on a whim and I got one of the solo rooms with an IV.  Usually cruise on RCL, where I have never managed to get one of their 4 - 6 studios per ship on the quantum class with a balcony and just end up getting double priced ocean views and double priced balconies  or on NCL - where I started solo cruising in their inside-inside studios and now pay double occupancy for a balcony, I am excited to try this out.  I am hoping in this case the extra space will be useful! And I love the idea of the floor to ceiling window! 

I did the class on the anthem Christmas week and we got to make 3 cupcakes, the frog, a chocolate one with chocolate icing and a red velvet one.   We felt it was worth it, especially for something to do on a cold sea day. 

@footzz Thank you! I'm not cruising until August, but I'm very excited because 4 drinks is probably the perfect number for me, but I need my coffees/milkshake and have a diet coke problems, so I'll still get refreshment because I definitely got my money's worth on that last month! 

33 minutes ago, ccletzgo said:

Our navigator cruise last month we opted for NO drink package.  I wanted to put it to a test with our 4 ea. diamond drinks a day.   I told myself I would not do anything different.  I sent back a drink I didn't like.  I ordered what I wanted the entire cruise.   I did order the bottled water case delivered to our state room.    We stayed on the ship the entire week.  We were sure to tell servers that we are paying when we order a beer vs a fancy drink we told them to use our vouchers.  We also took advantage of the BOGO beer and wine. I was shocked! 

After the test, lets just say, I'll never buy a drink package again.  We came out WAY ahead and didn't change our consumption.  We did cruise as a couple alone and I know hubby drinks more with friend pressure.  But we came out so far ahead even cruising in a group I would never buy it. 

I just made Diamond after my Christmas week cruise and of course booked a cruise on the ship for this summer.  Can I ask you two question about the 4 drinks -- can I use them any time of day?  Do you think if i have the refreshment package (non-alcholic) they will try to use the free drinks if I use my card to get a virgin bloody mary, etc, so I'll probably need to say something right, like don't use my free drink for that? 

On the Joy and the surprise of seeing Coke can I almost came here first thing to post.  The first few days it seemed like it was still Pepsi at some of the restaurants but in the bars it was coke and it was from cans so you knew.  Not sure what is in the guns everywhere, but in the garden cafe it clearly says coke and sprite etc. 

We went on the Windward a million years ago and at every dinner there was a cold fruit soup option in the dining room.  My dad loved them and misses them as an option

21 hours ago, brianz09 said:

The Joy doesn't have studio cabins (Prima does) so if you were hoping to meet other solo travelers, there may be less of a chance to do so on Joy.  I'm assuming both will have solo gatherings, but you may want to check.

 

I agree with this -- on ships with studio lounges there is an actual solo host that helps arrange meals and shows, etc.  On the Joy it is self-led, so it's not as good for solos if that is something that matters to you.  For me, it depends on why I picked the cruise if that matters to me - like if there isn't a lot of sea days or down time I don't care, but if there is a lot of time on the ship I prefer to go on one with studios (even if I am not staying in the studio itself -- they let you into the lounge for the meet-ups).

Thanks @phillygwm! I was going to get WiFi also so this sounds like a good way to go! 

Do you know if this add on is available for all ships or is it just being piloted on certain one? I was going to do drinks and WiFi anyway so now I am wondering if I should call and do this instead based on feedback from another question. 

I tried to search but I couldn't find anything that answered this specific question (I have a hard time navigating the search). Is the upgrade on the drink package  a better deal in advance or can I upgrade for the same $30/day on the ship? 
 

I am still torn, so I want to wait as long as possible. 
 

thanks in advance for any help!

13 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

Actually, the thing I hate the most is when staff start singing to people in the restaurants. I’ve cruised on my birthday and anniversaries and we always make sure that we keep it quiet in case they start singing at us. Makes me cringe just thinking about it.

I agree so much.  I love RCL and NCL equally, but I hate that on RCL even when you have their my time dining you still need to watch the wait staff perform.  I have a cruise booked on the Anthem this winter and it makes me so uncomfortable and I'm already dreading this part. 

My unpopular opinion seemed similar to some others -I like watching the sail away from the waterfront.  It's a lot less crowded and you can still enjoy the great view. I would do the observation lounge but I like being outside for the sailaway even when it is freezing.

I also don't love the shows -- I did love Six, but the rest I usually skip and just go to a bar and hang out.

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

That’s not a bad thing.  It’s just the nature of their jobs.  We aren’t their friends, no more than I’m friends with anyone on Delta airlines for being a 3X Million Miler.  They know how much business I’ve done with them.  But, the most I’ll get is an extra bag of pretzels if I request them.

I once had the leader of the solo group remember me on another cruise, but I am also curious if  like every other company in the world NCL has some type of CRM that is like  Person X, sailed x times on these ships, the staff was ABC and then when you end up on the same ship again it pings and lets the CD staff know.  (if not, NCL probably should)

When I first went solo about 11 years ago I was really active in my roll call and I did go to the meet up - but there wasn't much mingling.  It was on the Epic and I was in a studio and I met some lovely people through that.  After that I would join the roll call, but I often didn't sign up for the Meet and Mingle because I go on a cruise (especially in the Winter) to be outside and enjoy the weather and they always seemed to be 2 p.m. on first sea day on mine - which is exactly when I want to be on the deck or relaxing in the spa. The good thing about the solo gathering is that they are around 5 or 6 p.m.  so I still go to those and I've now cruised with friends I met on a cruise at the solos meet up. 

My roll call for my next cruise is not active and the other group isn't active, but I'm on the one for the ship and I found out there about things like the Bermuda TA and Vibe passes being available via phone before they went online (and a lot o less of the "we don't talk about vibe" responses, but there are still some) and have actually gotten some great shore ex and beach recommendations there. 

(I do not hesitate to block anyone rude - even if it was just directed at someone else, so that might be helping my experience since then their responses don't appear:))

I haven't used the pool- but the walking is great.  I travel solo and I walked over to the bayside area (it's super touristy like a south street seaport in NYC or inner harbor in Baltimore) but it has outdoor restaurants overlooking the water and frozen drinks that make me in a cruise mood!  

I travel solo - sometimes with friends and family, but always in my own cabin - so I would love to do one cruise in a suite here or NCL, but it's just realistically going to happen because I can't afford that for myself (but I do continue to submit for upgrades because I am hopeful  one day it might happen 😁)

I prefer to cruise more often so I'll take an NCL studio if the price is right, but i just got a balcony on the anthem for an amazing price vs a different holiday week on NCL in a regular inside, so I switched cruises(the ncl inside holiday week one was 3x the price of Anthem balcony).  

Thank you! It's perfect - I know the boat will be in front but it seems like there is still some view and the blocking is on the other side. 

I have used the search, but I cannot find anything about this specific cabin.  Has anyone stayed in it and can let me know if it is okay? I used the obstruction chart someone made and it seems to between the marks showing bad rooms. 

I was able to get for my cruise on Joy next month! I usually do the spa pass bc I tend to cruise in the winter and the Joy doesn't have that type of Thermal spa.  What are the hours of the vibe?  I know there isn't as much of an issue about getting a chair but I (and my pale skin) definitely would like to be under an umbrella (wind allowing).  Any advice?

16 hours ago, 20YearsBetweenCruises said:

I read post about using an online tele-visit to get letter. Showed them the positive PCR Covid test of over 10 days old and the doctor provided the letter. From what I remember it cost $100-$150. If their doctor won’t write letter, perhaps google for that option. 

That is what I did for my return to work this winter.  I had to make an appointment when I first tested positive at home for 10 days later.  The met with me online and cleared me and I was able to go that afternoon to pick up a letter from them.