Fogfog

https://news.sky.com/story/heathrow-strikes-to-cause-disruption-to-flights-full-list-of-dates-and-airlines-affected-13121938

"A Heathrow spokesman said: "We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers. There are no job losses as a result of these changes, ..."

🤪

OK 2 things

1- Yikes-- so this could spill over to Gatwick couldn't it. 

We don't fly til later in the week yet this is quite a wrinkle and could impact/move folks over. 

Thanks for the heads up

2- 

@Sugar Magnolia   now I have an "ear worm" of Creole Lady Marmalade... 😆  

2 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Stones is a good start. 

 

Wish you were joining us on this one

 

Tina Turner, Proud Mary?

I saw her as the Warm Up act for the Stones Tattoo Your Tour.

Amazing concert.

Creole Lady Mamalade? 

8 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

 

I'm afraid if I can't get motivated to pack I won't make it.

 

This reminded me of an NCL sailing we did--saw a family and the older teen-maybe young college age boy had a kitchen trash bag with him at embarkation lunch for his carry-on. And a shirt or two on hangars. I was thinking-- even using a knapsack- bookbag would have been a bit better than the kitchen trash bag. 😆

The pressure is on now and when I said that to my better half this am-- the response was "its only Wed. I have tom" 😲

20 minutes ago, DorothyB said:

New question - We will be sailing on the Prima.  One of our party has mobility challenges so we may do more meals in our cabin than normal.  Usually we only do maybe one or two room service meals during dinner.  I really LOVE the fried rice at the teppanyaki style restaurant which is Hasuki on the Prima.  However, since that is the one restaurant I go to every cruise, the show is a bit old.  I wonder if we can order from Hasuki to be served in our suite?  Obviously it would come already cooked 🙂 

Meaning - ordering specialty dining for take out?  Do you typically order specialty dining for take out-sent to your cabin? How does that work?

38 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Plan to, but haven't really look at Windy App to preview sea state and waves ahead - if the going gets tough, just rock and roll with it, minding the stairs and hold on (loosely, at least) to hand rails.  

 

Folks: remember, the triangles on the carpet, look closer, are pointing the way - Fwd/Aft)   

We have a lot of TA "veterans" on this sailing's roll call, many sailed NCL x times and more, and some with other lines and changing up their pace & sampling to compare.  

 

Those non-refundable OBC - head for the duty-free shops and spend it down to zero ... cosmetics prices are usually fair ... LV bags are for sale onboard, "tax-free" and that should "fix" or solve anyone with too much OBC, not sure how to zero it out.  

 

Wait, I do wonder if one can refill those Starbucks gift cards and pay for the reloading using OBC.  

 

 Probably have a better idea by Thursday as to how bad things could become for Prima's day in NY - my gut feeling is that hailing the taxi from the doorsteps of the hotel is probably the best, fastest, easiest and it's going to be like $15 for the short ride, $20 at most with tips added.  

 

I feel and think we have a fun & diverse group of cruisers onboard this weekend, the M&G will just be the kickoff for 2 weeks of informal & random gathering ... maybe, I should propose, on sea days, we have a daily (PM) roundtable inside Indudge Food Hall for CC'ers to hang out & shoot the breeze.  Close enough to the nearby bar at "The Loca" and the Haven elevator/lobby.  It was under-utilized on our last TA except during meal services & keep this low profile - just a thought, of course.  

 

Too bad the notion of a sailaway didn't materialize and the slot pull is a bust, but at least Peter is gung ho for a bar crawl and maybe surprise us with a scheme for cabin crawl.  Nor is there interest for LCR / LCR game on sea day (not that we play) fading away with the newer demographics ?  

You have reminded me of when we had BIG swells between Madeira and Lisbon on a TA. My spouse slept through the night--I held onto the mattress for dear life--just terrified. It was more than I had expected. We were aft and had an amazing deep balcony and upper deck. I had gotten up in the middle of the night to throw towels down on the floor in case the toilet sloshed on the floor. Hangars and all banging in the closets in our stateroom and next door. 

Crew slept fine in the lower decks and thought I was hilarious.🤪

We'd be up for CLR/LCR-- I just dont have a set here to bring. If someone has a set, happy to join.

Same for your idea of am afternoon gathering as folks can.

I am hoping to see Bridge on the dailies in the AMs.

On OBC--I think the Starbucks was a No for the stockholder OBC. The list from the Haven concierge advising us on what we can not use it on was rather "unfortunate". I will see if I can post it later.

Guess tom I have to get serious about packing.

Did some errands today including some grocery shopping for the house sitter. 

Worked on things like "dog" info (vet/shots records/emergency vet info" etc today. 

No plants to worry about here 😉 

@snorklinbarb

Thanks for the clarification  🥰

I was thinking that maybe my first world problems whining about NCL and the stock OBC was a downer...NCL doesn't show much love do they. Just a bit miffed with NCL and some of this. And its not like we haven't got a lot of skin in the game with Haven etc too!

I do think NCL didn't serve the folks on the Prima right now very well-- could have made adjustments. It's not like this marine migration and shipping lanes isn't watched and known. I am all about respecting it all. Would love to see some whales. Haven't seen some since we were in Kona.

Hoping for the best on Iceland-- and wonder if they'd move us to Akureyri if need be...?

Fingers crossed for nice embarkation weather and as Henry reminded us back on the RC- bring your patience and sense of humor. 

Henry

So for those of us "in town", taxi is best from hotel to the port? (staying S/near the park/W of 6th)

Plan had been cab or Uber

Yet your Uber surge pt is well taken

17 hours ago, Musicdream said:

Are they strict on holding the stock until the day of embarkation? I usually do short term/day trading so don't know if I have to keep those locked after I submitted the form.

You are asking-- "can I claim to own something when I am sailing that I don't own"...

which would be fraud.

You are submitting a Statement that you OWN something.

And, the stock is not moving nearly enough to make it a day trade thing...right?

We did buy it closer to the 52 week low so has little to no impact in terms of our global portfolio picture. Our purchase of RCC back in 2020 when everyone was running around like their hair was on fire (as well as a lot of other really good buys when people were panicking) have done far better than NCL. 

Point being, your 100 of NCL isn't going to change your financial picture. And there is no benefit to buy more than 100 with respect to OBC. 

Also, FWIW, you cannot used the stock owner obc for Daily service fees, grats certs, cruise next certs and a bunch of other stuff... NCL makes it not very attractive to own stock imho. We just got a list from the Haven concierge on what we cannot use the stockholder obc for....and it's pretty discouraging. Just fyi

Hello All

Hope all celebrating have had a blessed Passover. 

Good cruise friends of ours (we met on a eastbound TA several years back) are in French Polynesia on a ship at the moment. They said that over 100 were gathering together on the ship to celebrate Passover. Warmed our hearts to hear about it.

On Iceland -

Found this site which I find helpful. See the tabs on the left.

At the moment the gases are very centralized and it looks as though touring in the northernly region we will be fine.

Lets hope that not only we have smooth sailing, yet also make port and have drier spring weather to enjoy the sites.

https://en.vedur.is/volcanoes/fagradalsfjall-eruption/volcanic-gases/

A friend's son lives in Iceland and he recommends layers, to expect cold and winds for those of us out on the Golden Circle. We are really looking forward to this sailing as we had hoped to make Iceland and Greenland in a westbound crossing from Dublin in 2020 which didn't go. 

Got yet another reminder of the delayed embarkation.

I suspect NCL is expecting it to be messy on Saturday.

In other NCL news,

-still no Haven luggage tags (so absurd)

- the stock ownership credit of $250 is basically good for nothing: we got a long official list from Haven concierge on things it cannot be used for....1) can't be used for Cruise Next etc, 2) can't be used to Daily Service Fees, 3) Can't be used towards Grats certs for crew  etc etc... 

We will do some upgrading onboard to capture-use it and some other OBC from TA

As for the $$$ from the price drop on the cost of the cruise-- I suspect in then end it will be money left on the table as we have to spend it on a 7 day sailing within 365 days of disembarkation of May 12... and we don't yet see anything to choose...

With the delayed embarkation which maybe they could have adjusted the sailing PR/DR and then started northernly route earlier?  Wouldn't that have had had less impact on current pax disembarkation and their travel plans/connections. Also less impact on Embarkation.

Feels like some of these things where NCL dropped the ball (Embarkation, Haven tags or NCL makes it hard to spend your Stockowner OBC), NCL takes a little sparkle out of things, don't they?

We are looking forward to this sailing and hope the onboard experience is more smiles instead.

@mking8288, so true about the germs and having to be careful about being around those with active "ick". Years ago an officer was telling some of us at a loyalty event how some bugs come onboard..and how traceable some of this is. Was fascinating. Icky yet fascinating. Makes me wish we had bright flashing lights and noise when people skip hand washing---bawahahah 🤣

10 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Watch out for Prima's chair hogs if not going ashore next Monday. 

Something about global warming and Europe being another hot summer ahead ... Ripley's, believe it or not. 

🤣

"down to just 4 green plants.  They are strong and required minimal moisture, a bit of "natural" light daily to be happy ...  going in the Home smart app to set the daily schedule, switch on/off UV plant light as the window blinds will be closed. "

@mking8288  Back  in the day my mother and I would put all of her houseplants into the tub with an inch or so of water..african violets, spider plants, ferns etc. They would do great  while gone for a couple of weeks. 

My style of gardening is "survival of the fittest"...if possible they are outside/shady area that will get rain and if they survive, voila. You'd be surprised how hardy orchids, christmas cactus, prayer plant etc are. 

Our house sitter/dog sitter will be watering the tomatoes and is going to trim the fig tree that should have been trimmed earlier in spring. May have mulch delivered to be spread too. Need to make the "to do list" while we are gone. My better half joked that maybe I should ask to have him paint the house ! ha

@cruiseny4life

orchards and acreage sounds divine.

good luck with the Edge 😉

5 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I'm excited for all of you on this cruise.  I love sailing with CC friends.  

Inside open right now $1200... according to ncl dot com

And know you are going to know a few folks  😉 at the M&G

57 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Every time for us...it is always split $50 to me (shareholder) and $50 to DW....Of course DW successfully use all $100 every time with a pedicure on embarkation day! LOL!

On a recent sailing I was putting my card on the onboard acct and the concierge asked if I wanted my spouse's charges on my card.. Gave them a funny look.🤣 Meaning after more than 30 years you are asking me...

@mking8288

Your post just reminded me to charge y earbuds and that they re noise cancelling. Clearly I don't make use of them nearly enough! They were not even on my "pack list" so THANK YOU!

Just did a bank run here for US$

The Halifax stop. Private tour/tour guide prefers being paid in cash US or Canadian. 

We have Euros from a last trip that will help us make due for tips and odds/ends when not using cashless.

Plan to do UK cashless as possible. 

It is looking cold for Sail Away Saturday. I'll take that over rain. I remember when we have had snow in late April. Right now wunderground is calling for cloudy and 53. Haven't met a reliable weather service yet Ha!

9 minutes ago, WickedRed said:

I've had it happen a few times.  I'm the stockholder and do an annual cruise with a friend of mine who is not a stockholder.  In the past they would give both of us a $50 credit.  That said, in our next sailing NCL has given me the whole $100. Maybe that is a sign that they are changing their format.

It would seem that the status of the stock relationship to the pax is the issue NOT the relationship of the pax in the cabin

So whomever holds the stock--lets say in an IRA--the whole credit goes to that pax acct.. regardless of who else is in the cabin.

Right?

In our case--we hold it jointly. 

One would think it is ripe for a class action lawsuit to transfer-split a stock holder benefit just because there are other occupants in the cabin. If the occupants use the same account credit card--that is not germain to the stockholder benefit in question.

Again--not a lawyer here-- but see this as an issue 

5 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I've read that they always split the OBC, no matter if they shares are held jointly or not.  

hmm

Not a lawyer here-- but are you suggesting they give/transfer a stockholder benefit to Non-stockholders? 

22 hours ago, 7Contraveler said:

Good morning all, does anyone know if you submit the stock holder form a week in advance, will it be honored? I know it says to submit 15 days in advance. Thanks in advance

Worth a try

Ours was turned around in about a week.

Since the 100 shares holding is jointly--NCL split the credit between us (husband/wife) for the cabin, $125/125 as its a longer sailing instead of just putting the $250 on the cabin. Same things for us yet they were attentive to the legalities I guess.

Hope the packing is going well.

Was thinking of you all as I am piling things on our guest bed (we are on Prima) and wondering if you were already packed/flown and in NYC

Your trip sounds fantastic. Some great ports. We loved our Baltics sailing and its one I'd do over for certain. 

PS Re "snake away"?  and does it help?

We did have a pool at one time (another property) and  near wetlands.

We got a baby gator in it once. And my bigger worry was water moccassins. Had one once that was sunning itself between the pump and the wall of the garage!

As avid MSC YC pax I thought we’d give some firsthand insight into our first NCL Haven experience and I will update this thread from time to time during and after sailing.

We completely enjoy the MSC YC experience from embarkation day, lounge, dining, pool deck and stellar service.

We feel that the MSC YC experience both in its culture on the ships, to the menus, and the YC perks makes it a win for us every time.

We selected a Haven sailing only after exhausting every avenue to get on an MSC ship for a TA this spring. It was to be a surprise trip for me and my better half had researched various sailings and then watched and verified (on the selected MSC sailing more than 18 Y1s available on a Fri afternoon). On Sat am when it was announced we were going on this trip—and went to book-they were all gone.  Boo. We think an agent had secured them, just don’t know.

So, having to choose from competitors we landed on NCL Prima in Haven; Choosing a 2 Br, 2 Ba suite. Having a second bath seemed like a good idea for a long sailing.  The stateroom looks very nice and we will know in a week.

We are looking fwd to the sailing, the ports, and seeing what the Haven experience is like compared to MSC YC.

We have “met” several nice folks here on CC with whom we are doing private excursions and/or are keeping up with them here on CC – and we expect to do the same on the ship. That’s the beauty of CC, the community.

This post is about comparing two different products/services – How we see Haven stacking up against MSCs YC

To compare the MSC vs NCL pre sail experience and what we know so far

1-       MSC YC is far more inclusive. Including premium bev package, water, proper espresso, some included minibar in the room, and included wifi. YC Lounge offers small plates/small bites all day and into late evening.

With Haven we have “Free at Sea” like every other pax on the ship that bought under that promotion. We must pay to upgrade to a premium package. Anything in the minibar in the room is charged including water. We can ask for all of that to be removed and for “pitchers of water and juice” to be left in the fridge.

From everything we read, there are no small plates/snack offerings in the Prima Haven Lounge.

Wifi “included in the “Free at Sea” is limited to 300 min, so we will have to upgrade. (15 day TransAtl sailing.

2-       On NCL -Haven: Butlers and Concierge are NOT included in gratuities. So in spite of the high daily service charge for Haven, pax are told ahead that your butlers and concierge are being left out of the mix. This seems terribly unfair to the Haven pax. Where is the higher daily rate fee going? Daily service charge fees are distributed to those eligible by contract – so seemingly front of the house servers/dining/housekeeping. NCL charges grats on the bev packages so the bartenders are covered. And when you get a “free promo” bev package, pax are charged those grats separately on top. We Do always tip our Butlers, Waitstaff etc in YC and expect to do so in Haven. We find this policy to specifically leave the Butlers out of any portion of the Daily Service Charge dubious. My guess is those funds are shuffled elsewhere (subsidizing something else)

3-       NCL Haven pre cruise Concierge. We are hoping that things go as seamlessly onboard as the preboard concierge has indicated. Prior to embarkation we have been able to make specialty dining reservations as well as make requests for the stateroom (remove for charge items from fridge, etc)

MSC YC: On our two recent MSC YC sailings we did get contacted by MSC prior to sailing asking about preference for daily newspapers and choice of liquor for the room. At embarkation our Butlers did verify with us our choices and asked about preferences in the fridge.

4-       In Haven, the Beverage package is NOT applicable to your Haven Room. If we ask the Butler to bring drinks to the room, it will be charged a la carte and not included in our purchased bev package. On MSC, we enjoyed having cocktails sent to the room while dressing for dinner (such a lovely perk). Won’t be doing that in Haven.

5-        Smart Ship/Wristbands. MSC’s smart Ship YC wristbands were a great feature for room access/elevator control. As we understand it, NCLs Prima (even as a new ship) does not use that technology even in Haven.

6-       Embarkation. Luggage

MSC YC has always had a dedicated Tent with porters who tag the YC luggage and put it on carts together with only YC luggage. Our YC luggage has always been in our cabin shortly after embarkation lunch.

NCL supposedly mailed us “Haven” tags 45 days ago. They did not arrive. At the pier, there is no special Haven luggage drop off. And no special handling for Haven bags until the bags are on the ship with the rest pax bags. We have heard from other seasoned Haven pax to not expect expedited handling “just because we are in Haven”.

7-       Cruise Critic  M&G 

Prior to Cvd the MSC’s M&G was outstanding. Lovely small plates, canapes, chocolate covered strawberries, cake and cocktails. Officers attended and pictures were taken. Since cvd those have been suspended. Like other lines, MSC has not reinstated them.

There is a Cruise Critic M&G scheduled for the sailing (as well as many other gatherings). No canapes/cocktails expected.

MSC Voyager Loyalty- As Diamond/Black card holders we have a variety of perks including specialty dining and a cocktail party with the Captain and Officers.

8-       Dining.

MSC’s YC dining has rotating menus.

Haven’s menu is static.

As MSC Diamond/Black we get some specialty dining perks which we use.  

With this sailing and booking Haven and “Free at Sea” we have specialty dining for 3 meals which we will use. If we upgrade- we will have 5.

9-       Captain and Officers Reception.

MSC YC Captain and Officers Reception. In MSC YC the Captain, CD, HD and several other Officers come to the YC Lounge for a private gathering of YC pax. Cocktails and canapes are served. It is a nice time to meet them.

Haven. TBD. Haven’t read if this is offered during sailings.

Those are some of our initial thoughts.

Best. FOG

31 minutes ago, ellewoods said:

Why don’t they tell people about the triangles 😂😂😂 on day 5 of my cruise now and finally I will know which direction I am going. Thanks!!

On the older ships, it was the way the fish were swimming.

Funny no one told you🤣

8 hours ago, mavie said:

Can anyone suggest the best and easiest way to make the most of a stop in Warnemund Germany  to get to Berlin( 3 hours away) . Ships tours are exorbitant and advertised ones not much better! 

We hear you on the price.

It is a ride. And a whirlwind tour of sights to get an overview of the city (we got a good lunch too)

I do want to say--that on our excursion--we had unanticipated traffic/rerouting both directions due to construction on the roads.

Because we were on a ship tour that ran over an hour late (like 90 min)-- and a few buses were late--the ship had a late dinner in the buffet with a local music group performing, local food brought in etc and going late. We didn't miss out. 

We would do every port for some sort of outing/meal/culture thing- and choose carefully.

They are certainly old enough for this trip. We started traveling with ours at 3ys and 6 mos ...

August you will contend with the heat and a couple of those port stops- have longer bus rides. If you can swing it--choose the smaller bus/van excursions. Bring water bottles. Plan an ice cream budget.

You've got this!!

The one disadvantage with these roller bags is the bag weight for certain.

We have some very light "travel Lite" roller aboards and duffels that I bought years ago from a UK company. The roll-aboards were made to fit Ryanair specs. We used them for years

Just in Feb my better half said enough is enough because dragging the duffels was a pita--and we bought the hard side roller bags.

Wow--so much easier for self assist disembark this past Feb-March when we did semi B2B and had to change ports. They were great.

We have an early disemb at Southampton so we will self assist-roll off again (here's hoping Haven does what they promise)

And like you--I like packing cubes. My better half doesn't use them..so if we share bags to spread out the weight shoes 😉 ) at least shoe bags help. Toiletries/liquids double bagged.

Goal is for under 40#. 

Re the rainy weather Sat....That's really going to make it a bad hair day  😞

50 minutes ago, GrannyGail said:

I’m considering this TA next week. What kind of weather are you expecting and what kind of clothes are you taking?  I’ve done TA to Barcelona and Rome but nothing in the northern area.

Your guess is as good as ours. Check Wunderground--which only goes 10 days out for Halifax. Otherwise, sites that tell you seasonal/typical for late April for Iceland and beyond