AIRBUSDRIVER

15 hours ago, DA346 said:

Thanks. I'm on the roll call as well but thought this one might be better on the thermal suite thread as it appears most on the roll call haven't been doing a lot of sailing since the pandemic. Are you on the August 10th sail?

Yes we are, Dave & Lauri, and Jim & Sue from Stonewall Manitoba.  2 weeks and counting

8 hours ago, DA346 said:

Does anyone know the current day pass price for the suite? I'm on a 7 day Alaska cruise on the Zuiderdam that leaves in a couple of weeks. Was planning to book the 7 day pass for 149USD per person but realized that we likely wouldn't get to it on at least 3 of the 7 days due to port visits. Wondering if it might be better to just pay for the days we decide to use it and hope it isn't booked up. Thanks!

Sorry, but they don't sell day passes to the Thermal spa, Only the full 7 day pass for $149.  Looks like we might be on the same cruise.  Head over to the Aug 10 roll call and see who else is on your cruise.  Lot's of questions and answers available.  

Just learned the August 10 Zuiderdam sailing is fully booked.  Does this mean the ship is at 100% capacity or do they restrict the number of passengers because of staffing issues (Covid) and limited to say 60 or 70 % and that's all they can sell?  Just wondering if we will be getting an upsell offer or not.

Thanks

Do yourself a favor and download the uber/lyft app onto your phone.  It is cleaner, safer and half the price.  No more smelly cabs or questionable drivers.  UBER/LYFT drivers are rated on their service and performance so good incentive for them to get a steady stream of fares.  Over 100 uber rides and every one of them has been 100% satisfaction for us.  

Best Pub crawl I have experienced was on Holland America.  It was organized by the cruise director staff and cost $20 per person which included 5 cocktails snacks and prizes.  We all met in one bar and were divided into two teams.  At each bar there would be some sort of game that usually involved drinking.. modified beer pong, flippy cups, balloon races etc.  During the tour of the bars our host would walk us through different venues on the ship in parade style with a volunteer flag bearer to lead our group.  The team idea was best as people tend to bond during competition.. It was alot of fun!!

We are booked Escape (inside)Nov 11-18 out of NY and Star Nov 19-30 out of Miami (Ocean view). Bidding balcony on Escape and balcony on Star. Each bid $200. Escape wide open lots of balconys available, Star almost sold out. We were notified our Star bid accepted 3 weeks ago and so far nothing for Escape. 40 days out..

Hard to understand how they award the bids.....

we've never done Ocean Blue on the away ships. considering Bayamo when we sail Escape this winter for somethign different.

 

i assume its still a $15-$18 upcharge if you have the SDP? Does this give you 1 appetizer, 1 main and any sides?

 

I assume all the fish is frozen vs fresh. Is it worth the charge on top of the charge for the SDP? We typically dont find the specialty dining meals to be any better than the MDRs. For example, the spaghetti and meatballs served in the MDR ist he same as the one in LaCucina. Will that also be the case with Bayamo? For example, is the Broiled Salmon the same as the salmon tehy serve in the MDR?

We were on the Escape in January and going again this November. Went to Bayamo with a group of 10. Overall, I wasn't impressed. It was okay and the only place to get Lobster on the ship. One of our guests had 3 main course servings of lobster. He was told at the begining there would be an extra charge but they never did. Everyone had multiple appy's and deserts with no extra charges. Service was good and we had a good time but wont be going back. Stick with Cagney's and The Bistro, rather spend the money in food republic.

Dave

I am new to cruisecritic and read the rules and thus I am not trying to sell my ticket on this forum. I am however looking for guidance. I won a satellite poker tournament, awarding me a Norwegian Escape cruise for 2 and a 1100 buy-in to the tournament. I am unable to make the Nov 11-18th trip. Since I can't use this forum to try to find someone to purchase anything, can anyone please direct me to what you think my best option would be to locate a buyer? It cruises out of NYC and I am on the west coast so likely an online option. Any advice would be appreciated as my deadline for transfer is less than two weeks away.

Also, I believe you only have til the end of August to transfer it to a new player.....

I am looking to purchase a 2018 NCL Poker Challenge package if anyone has one available. The deadline to transfer them is Aug 31st this year. Please let me know if you are looking to sell yours.

 

Thank you!

This guy just posted on main page that he has one for sale..

arc309

I am new to cruisecritic and read the rules and thus I am not trying to sell my ticket on this forum. I am however looking for guidance. I won a satellite poker tournament, awarding me a Norwegian Escape cruise for 2 and a 1100 buy-in to the tournament. I am unable to make the Nov 11-18th trip. Since I can't use this forum to try to find someone to purchase anything, can anyone please direct me to what you think my best option would be to locate a buyer? It cruises out of NYC and I am on the west coast so likely an online option. Any advice would be appreciated as my deadline for transfer is less than two weeks away.

Go to the roll call for that cruise. Several people posted they want to buy a package. You will also find them on Ebay

Bump

With great sincerity,

I appreciate that explanation and the screen shots. Very helpful.

 

I just checked the Plusgrade page again and loaded the desktop version... it shows our name at the bottom and instead of giving us the usual upgrade options, it now just says “Not eligible for upgrade”

 

Does anyone know if you get an email on the upgrade status in your NCL Messages inbox, or is it only sent via email?

Sounds to me that you got your upgrade. Once you get your upgrade you will be "no longer eligible to upgrade again" ie from Balcony to Haven as you have already been upgraded from studio to Balcony. Got the same message in Dec for the Epic 4 days out... See ya on the 20th...

Captain Marvin's was great. Price was $45 pp, included stingray city and 2 snorkeling stops. Crew very friendly and safe.

I was on the same sailing, taking part in the Poker Challenge. I agree that the Epic Beatles were excellent (and I'm not a huge Beatles fan). Priscilla was just ok in my view. Comedy trio was very good. Dining room food (Manhattan and Taste) was good to very good (french onion soup is a fav). I like the speed of O'Sheehan's for freshly made breakfast, much quicker than the main dining room. Buffet selection for breakfast and lunch were similar to other NCL ships, decent choices, not great. Gym was a good size, larger than the Breakaway.

 

Ship layout is not great. As mentioned, the lack of a center staircase is inconvenient. Elevator waits were not terrible though. Casino layout creates too many bottlenecks in my opinion. There is one point where the hallway narrows and there each wall is lined with slots, along with the middle of the aisle. Poor design in my view.

 

The poker events were handled well. The Bliss Lounge was turned into a poker room for the duration of the cruise. I'm sure some folks missed having the late night dance parties in the Bliss though.

 

I disembarked close to 10am (though I had chose walk off) and it was about 45+ minutes from cabin to curb. Long line to get off the ship, then a 15 minute line at customs.

Hey Mike, I was on the Poker cruise as well. Question for you.. Any idea how we can get copies of the pictures the photograher was taking on the beach with the pros?? I've contacted NCL and they just say that I will be emailed a link as it was a private contract photographer... wondering if you have heard anything??

Dave

Does anyone have pictures to share?

Has anyone received the link to access the Beach Party Pictures the photographers were taking??

Are they posted anywhere?

Thanks

Thanks for the information. I'm going to call CAS today and see what we can get. Maybe we'll meet on the Epic, I plan to spend a lot of time in the casino this cruise lol. We signed up for the Slot pull and Meet and Greet on the Roll Call page.

We are doing the Dec 2 and Dec 9 B2B. I see you are on the Dec 9 cruise. Will cya in the casino!!

Thank you. I only have a little over 1500 points. We sail again On the Epic in December and may be at 5000 during that cruise. I hit two jackpots on our last cruise totaling just over $5200 (on the same machine) so my interest has peaked lol. I put a chunk of that money away for the next cruise.

Also cruising on Epic in December.. With 1500 points you still get 20% off your next cruise. Try calling CAS and they should be able to credit your account...

I believe the cutoff to register is 10/31/17, so satellite tournaments at some point in October will be for a seat in NEXT year's Poker Challenge.

Even better! Thanks for info.

Looking to buy a poker challenge cruise package 2017. I have the cruise,

But need the poker seat. If you have won and cannot go for some reason, I will be more than glad to buy your package! I can be contacted at pkz1957@yahoo.com. Thanks for looking!

I already have my seat but will be playing for another one on nov 6 Jade cruise. Will let you know how it goes...;p

Airbusdriver do you happen to know what the payouts were for the $500 and the $240 tournaments last year? I would think that the $500 would have paid about 40K. Thanks again

 

I am signed up and ready to go. I may also be bringing another 8-10 players with me. 3 are already signed up. See you there.

Sorry no, just passing on what I found online.

Hello fellow poker players. Can someone who has played in the 2016 event confirm what the main event prize pool was? For 2017 it says 350K but is that the guarantee or expected guarantee? I have a voucher, but before I commit I would like to know what the actual numbers are. The CAS folks are all pretty vague about it. I can find all of the info on the tournament except the actual amount of the ME from last year. Thanks all

First year 186 entries, year two 215 entries and last year they had a $250,000 guarantee and drew 337 entries to the main event for a prize pool of $337,000. First place was $84,250 (Jimmy Hu from Canada). It has increased in size every year. Expect in excess of 400 players for the main event alone.. Micheal "the Grinder" Mizrachi and Joe Cada are two of the featured Pro's this year.. Can't miss it!! CYA there!!

We have been lucky enough to stay in the Haven and loved it. We have booked a b2b on the dawn sailing from San Juan. Right now we are in an aft balcony and considering upgrading to an aft ph. Are they worth paying twice as much ? I have looked at YouTube and the cabin looked more like a mini suite and the balcony looks the same as a reg aft. Any input is appreciated.

 

 

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We were on the DAWN aft penthouse and our friends were next door in regular balcony. Very little difference between the two rooms other than a little more space in the penthouse cabin.. like an extra 2 foot width the length of the cabin. Other than the butler and access to the concierge for reservations it really wasn't worth the extra cost for us. Hope this helps

Cabs are lined up, BUT, it's going to be a high cost to MCO. I take Coco Beach Shuttle, which for my April Magic cruise started at 7:30a. BUT I did walk off and was first off the ship as Diamond. I did make a 9:30a flight but, was flying standby with reservations not be an issue.

 

Another significant issue is security. There are always lines, expect waits.

 

 

what time is your flight?

Flight leaves at 11:25am. I figured we could check in on my phone on the way their and we are only bringing carry-ons so no need to check luggage..

How easy is it to get Uber or a taxi in Port Canaveral after getting off the Epic? We are cutting it close with our flight out of Orlando but if we get off at 8am and can get Uber or a cab by 8:30 we will be fine. Looking at early flight as its Direct to our home, as opposed to leaving in the afternoon and not getting home til next day with layovers.

Thanks