bedfordmom

Actually I am traveling from Waterloo London to Southhampton. Is there construction between? Perhaps I will take the National bus instead to the port. Is it hard to get from the Mad Hatter Hotel to Victoria to get the bus?I planned my hotel to be close to the train. I was really looking forward to taking the train but sounds like hassle and expensive.

Hello again, I noticed that advanced ticket purchases ae not available on the Weymouth Route Oct 21-22. My plans are for the 22nd of October to Southhampton for a cruise. Does that mean that they will not go on sale for 22 October or that they will go on sale later. I wonder the reason for the blackout? Another strike?

Agree with others that the differences are small. I enjoy the itineraries more on NCL that is why I have had double cruises with them. I also feel that their loyalty program is much better on NCL. The free laundry and 2 specialty dinners can't be beat. I know that free drinks for Loyal members is a big pick for RCL; however the FAS $20+ day alcohol perk is even better. It seems much easier to reach the platinum level than the high level of Royal. That being said, I don't think that the entertainment is that superior anymore. We enjoy the main dining room reserved dining (probably the only ones); and love the pizza for RCL. I also appreciate the ability to bring on a case of soda and two bottles of wine as we do not get the alcohol package as DH doesn't drink (again maybe the only ones). I have even heard that on Royal, if you can prove that one party does not drink, they will let only one person buy it-they should its like $80 a day. NCL is very strict and makes everyone in the ropm get the package if they choose that perk. Now I know its only $20 but totally not worth it if someone doesn't drink alcohol or even soda. NCL won't let you brink on any soda or wine (unless you have the alcohol package. So they both have their plus and minus. I wish there was a cruise line that would have all the positives!

Thank you so much most helpful

Hi, I am staying at the Mad Hatter near Waterloo in October. I am planning on taking the direct train from Waterloo to Southampton on 10/22 around 10:30am I noticed that the fares became available today and surprised that they were 41 pounds as I thought that I had read that the earliest fares are the cheapest. Does this mean that they will rise closer to the date. Also I noticed that there is a Waterloo London and a Waterloo East London. Which one do I choose. I believe the end stop is Southamptom Central. Thanks in advance

DH is a recovering alcoholic of 35+ years and NCL has always declined the request for only one drink package for me. The only time we had it was when they didn't charge gratuities and it was truly free and even then he did not even drink the mocktails just soda so not worth it. Luckily I don't drink so much and really respect his recovery. Its a shame that NCL does not and insists that all pay regardless of situation.

If you have time, want to save money and can manage your own luggage, hop on the Silverline (free) which makes a stop at the port. Don't know the time but if the traffic is a disaster which it often times is, could save time. I also don't recommend flying in on the day of departure not even direct.

Thank you very helpful information

My husband loved the pizza on the Promenade Cafe on the Voyager. Thinking of booking out of Baltimore in February and noticed that the Vision is an older ship w/Park Cafe instead. Does the Park Cafe have pizza?

Also noticed the severe cutbacks on the Getaway in February. As one that likes to make their own fun, we try to bring books, cards, games etc. (I know I am boring). But there is a limit to how much self entertainment. Its not like we can get off the ship to see a movie like on land so I feel like the cruiseline has responsibility to provide some entertainment. I don't understand why they can't do more movies on deck or in the theater. I remember Carnival did that years ago and even provided popcorn which was a lot of fun. I was told that the cruiselines only want to provide entertainment where they can make money like in the bar, bingo etc. .

Even with two ships (before our cruise) during February vacation there were still parking. spaces available for our cruise. I wouldn't show up at 8am bur rather 9:30-10 to make sure that the cars parked on the previous cruise have time to leave.

I would not tip for the laundry; and it is your steward that generally brings the clean laundry back. Ii wouldn't tip our last steward. He gave us wrong information saying to put express on our platinum laundry (they probably would have charged us extra, I checked w/ the guest services). He took 2+ days to get it back to us saying it was because it wasn't express. Then said that laundry is finished at 5pm and that his shift ended at 6pm so had to wait another day for it. Funny that the second laundry came back by the second day. I know that the steward was overwhelmed but feel that tipping if for people that make an extra effort which he did not even attempt.

I actually read of someone who was able to cash their voucher on another cruise.

The Irish stew was gone by my late February Getaway.

Fantastic review and I love your suggestions. They are simple cost little to nothing and would enhance the experience.

It was for me! Another example. Mountain top in St Thomas was $25 on site. 35$ through NCL So I got one for free snd the second was bought for $10 less on site. Example 2 biking on St Martin 49$ online and 75 through NCL. Yes it evened out with the $50 but it was inflated Thant he but e online pride. It was a last minute change so we had to buy excursions as most did not have internet on the ship to book privately I also wonder if they get a discount from the vendor tour guides.

This will make for great discussion at the Captain Q and A. One can bring on wine if have the beverage package. Wonder if you could "pour your own" so that NCL doesn't break any laws, just a suggestion.

Yes that happened to me on my last cruise. My excursion was cancelled and when I walked away, I realized it and there was a huge line. The cruise next (next to it) advised me to wait until the last sea days to address it. I was so glad that I didn't listen to them as shore ex wasn't even open then (why would they), I basically got back in line to get my discount.

To make it more interesting I have found that they add on $25 onto the excursion to make the free $50. Before you flame me, I have direct experience. On RCCI, I did the waterfalls in the Dominican Republic which was like $75pp. Now NCL has the exact same excursion at least $25 more, (maybe more) so with my husband it would be $50 more, but whala with the free at sea, it was almost the same as RCCI. Now thats Norwegian math.

So different from when I was last in Barcelona in 1992. Park Guell was open to all no admission fee, Lagrada Familia is more finished but still incomplete. One could just enter for a small fee and no need to prereserve. I was wondering when you split the 2 Spain Day tours as when we were going inn 2020 we were going to do the city tour and Montserrat in one full day tour.

What tour company did you take today. Barcelona Day Tours? Those companies Spain and Barcelona Day Tours were very receptive and prompt returning our money for our cancelled 2020 tours.

Remember being in Barcelona and my high school Spanish didn’t cut it back then. No one spoke English and most spoke Catalan a derivative of Spanish and French. No google translate back then.

I remember Moderno being used as an overflow to the Garden Buffet, think it was the same food but presented better and less crowds, I am guessing around 2014/2015?

Thanks, you don't happen to remember the name of the store. Those shoes will be worn frequently and be a nice rememberance of your trip. Also let us know what you should have left at home and what you wished that you had brought in terms of clothes etc. I continue to really enjoy your trip report.