bluesea777

Seems your patience may be wearing thin, please have a bit more and wait a bit.

Bye bye Joy, see you next Wednesday, and today was a beautiful day for you ….

I would not want to stiff the staff by not paying the DSC and grats.

The beach towels are solid pale blue on the newer ships. The classic green striped towels are on the older ships.

The Haven Library is going to be removed during the Jan 2024 dry dock.

Maybe it’s an extra large wash cloth/flannel … P.S. Come on aboard the Viva in Rome for Nov 6-27 voyage! Prices now dirt cheap.

Last year we (both Platinum Plus) cruised with our DS (Gold, and hadn't cruised in a decade) and his GF (first time NCL) and we took them with us to the Plat Priority Line & we all checked in together. Family ... P.S. the Priority line was almost empty whereas the regular lines were long.

Best quote of the day!

And it must stop in a foreign port during the cruise, however, the foreign port doesn't need to be distant. Bermuda or Bahamas are okay for closed-loop cruises. For Alaska cruises out of Seattle, Victoria BC is the foreign port and all ships MUST stop in there regardless.

That was a CLOSED-loop cruise that started in Boston and ended in Boston with Bermuda as a foreign country. The US citizens did not require passports for those kind of cruises BUT the non-US citizens DO! FYI, clearing customs is NOT the same as clearing immigration. The cruise you're going on is NOT a closed-loop cruise but an OPEN-jaw cruise ... leaving from one US port and ending in another US port. And guess what? It must visit a DISTANT foreign port along the way. Bermuda does NOT fit the bill because it is not distant enough. That is why your cruise is going to the ABC islands (distant foreign port) and that requires all passengers to carry passports. You will be subject to clearing both US immigration and customs (hence, passports are required) upon return to Miami. As for NCL online check ins, they accept anything: old mug shots, BC instead of passport, old passport numbers, cash instead of credit card, etc. BUT the onus is on the passenger to provide correct and essential documentation at the check-in at the PORT. One example, on the transatlantic cruises from Europe to the USA the online check-ins do not ask the non-US citizens if they have US visa or ESTA. So it is OUR onus to bring the paper ESTA for the agents to see before they can check us in at the terminal. So sorry that this has happened to your cruisemate, but surely you both should know better, after having been on many cruises.

@LONGLEAVER in case you are interested in seeing what the Joy is like, here is an excellent live review by @BirdTravels ....

I think you need to realize that MIA airport is much zooier than JFK, especially when many cruise ships are in port. You still need 3 hours before international travel and 90+ mins for domestic. The TSA lines are so long.

Don't know as we book and sail only NCL.

That's RCL .... the deposits are non-refundable.

The sun is out and the white caps look pretty but it’s still very windy ….

Your captain made a good call …. For you that haven’t been to Bermuda before, the Dockyard (where ships dock) is the far back & middle of photo.

It’s better to stay on the big ship and enjoy the amenities and activities - both indoors and outdoors - than be docked here with rain and wind! (no outdoors!).

See posts # 44 & 57. Weather here in Bermuda isn’t joyful today, but will be tomorrow.

Your first international flight? If yes, I wish you the best of luck!!

Be aware, if you cancel now you lose everything, if not most. Wait for NCL to analyze the situation and make alternative arrangements and let you know. They will offer options. If NCL decides to cancel the cruise, you’re in luck. The Gem will NOT be going to Israel for the unforeseen future.

Yes you can.

I’m a Brit living in middle of the pond between the US and the UK. We get groceries/foodstuff imported from both sides so I need to check the origin before checking the eat by date! 😎😉🤓

You'll like the Joy! Have a great cruise & time!

No, don’t bring any plug-in night lights - they do not always work. Bring battery-operated tea lights instead.

Oh yes! We fly on AA back to Bermuda and have used AA’s Admiral Lounge several times. Both in MIA and in JFK. Your plan is the best. May I ask, which ship and when?