bedfordmom

49 minutes ago, GizmoCat said:

Could I ask if the ship changes port at the last minute, does NCL put on any excursions? 

In 2017 on the Dawn Repo  after Hurricane Maria, our ports were switched several times up to 24 hours for arrival in St Croix was changed to St. Thomas (which we were their first ship) . There were limited excursions and those who had them booked prior had first priority and were sold out before we were able to book something.  Ended up at my favorite St Thomas Jeweler instead  and spent way more money than if we had taken an excursion lol  Our scheduled St. Croix private excursion was immediately refunded.  Not sure how this trip is handling it.  

14 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Scheduled 12 noon to 8 pm, all abroad 7 pm for off-duty crew & passengers at 7:30 pm to sail at 8.  Just took them 35+ minutes to get cleared & everything ready. 

 

Terminal building with duty-free shops air conditioned and good WiFi with crews off the ship phoning home & even GM super Mario was in the shops area. 

 

Tonight's MDR menu, folks slowly making their way back to the ship & Tropicana starting to get busy ... ordered & waiting for our starters, soup & salad.

Whats for dinner tonight?

If you don't have the unlimited drink package how do they charge the $15 corkage fee?  If I hide it in my checked luggage wouldn't it be picked up in the scan and have to go to the "naughty" room to retrieve (thats what it used to be called.  

Thanks for the tip for the $20 buses. Been to San Juan numerous times and generally shop and self tour but those are limited in the evening. 

Also will pack some decaf tea bags and a couple more prepackaged snacks. DH is diabetic and generally pack some for longer day trips but it looks like may need to use them at night. Prepacked trail mixes and energy bars best for him. We generally take an orange back to the room just in case of a blood sugar drop. 

Where do you find the $20 bus tour?

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Getting dark soon, plan B, air conditioned mini.bus tour, $20 per person, 90 minutes to 2 hours. Deal !

 

 

Trying to decide between Aagansi ATV tour and one of the mountain hikes.  We are active 60 somethings and enjoy both activities as we are not really beach people.  Has anyone taken this ATV tour or one of the hikes?  I am trying to do one on one island and similar activity on another.

Any suggestions of hotels close to

port?

Thank you. 

Thinking of taking a TA from cape Liberty. Coming from Boston but returning from Rome so don’t think I can leave the car there. Any train or bus suggestions?

Thank you

Does anyone know the cost of a taxi from the port to either Runaway Beach or Zdickibdon. Which one do you prefer?

I believe cruise day stops always goes into Old San Juan and embarkations from Pan American. It makes sense as can you imagine 3000 plus trying to get taxis into the old city and back for the day?

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

According to Ms Google’s sources, it costs $138 per berth to transit the Canal. So if you want to figure out how many berths there are, there you go.

 

Now, with regards to the free laundry perk one gets with booking a Club Balcony. I was just told by Guest Services today that they are now (as of today) treating this cruise as a single cruise which means we get 1 free bag of laundry per stateroom rather than 1 bag per person as told to us by CruiseNext yesterday (after correcting the erroneous amount of 2 free bags per person told to us by a new CruiseNext employee two days ago). 
 

As far as access to free laundry services, there are no laundromats on the ship. So you can either use your sink in your cabin or pay NCL. Here is the current laundry price list.

 

 
FWIW here’s a link that describes what you get with Club Balcony suite. Fun fact about the treats. You only get them on day 2 (candy) and day 4 (cookies) regardless of how long the cruise is. I tell ya, we’re not impressed. 
 

http://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/minisuites-and-balconies

 

They used to have fill a bag partway through the cruise for 19.99 it’s probably more like 29,99 now maybe they will do that. 

15 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I agree…not a good look!

 

Mentioning it?  Once?  I’m OK with that, as a reminder.  But, putting it in a letter?  Specifically pointing it out by either a Butler or Concierge?  Not good.

 

Last time I sailed the Haven (Getaway last summer), the Butler did nothing for me, and I asked for nothing, other than for him to remove the chocolate strawberries as they’re too sweet for me, and to remove the Prosecco, which I don’t drink.  He did neither.  I also did not want the afternoon “snacks” which I asked him not to bring.  He brought them, anyway.

 

Didn’t see him much during the week, which was fine with me given I didn’t need him.

 

But, he hung around my cabin, and rang my doorbell the day before disembarkation, asking if I needed anything.  Nope.  Can’t remember who it was, but someone here in CC said I should have tipped him anyway.  My reply…why?

 

If either the Concierge and/or the Butler did nothing for you, moreover they didn’t even take care of the few things requested (as in my case), I don’t care what a letter says, I don’t tip for doing nothing.

 

Concierge(s) helped me a lot.  They both received a good tip.  As did the Haven Bartenders.  So, I’m not against giving tips.  I just don’t tip for nothing!

 

Give me a letter?  Live up to us giving tips, and you’ll get them.

Totally agree. The concierge on the Dawn spent her entire time working the suite guests for tips did nothing except erroneously delivering transfer tickets and got nasty when we did not immediately return them.  Now the butler was outstanding and we tipped him well. 

BTW, does anyone think that the Apple Blossom desert is identical to Trader Joe's frozen desert of the same name. My husband had it and swears that it is the same dessert.

2 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

We made it home around noon today with no flight delays and with all our luggage.  The Air Tags worked great and confirmed our luggage made it onto the second flight.  We departed SJ at 6 am, first half hour was fine, then I guess we were over that tropical disturbance because it was very, very bumpy for about an hour.  Things smoothed out finally and then we had something of a medical emergency onboard.  An elderly gentleman about 4 rows in front of us passed out.  I didn’t see what happened but I believe he stood up and passed out on the floor.  Someone rang the FA’s who came running and another one made an announcement asking for a Dr or nurse onboard to assist.  The FA’s also had a blood pressure cuff and an oxygen canister ready if needed.  He came to, they assisted him back into his seat and the nurse stayed with him a while and they got an ice pack for the back of his neck.  FA’s checked on him repeatedly and I guess he’s fine because he deplaned on his own in Baltimore.  But boy those FA’s sprung into action when it happened.  Our flight from Baltimore to Providence was uneventful.  
I started jotting down notes to summarize the review so I can do it in a somewhat orderly way.  
I also want to go back and reply to several people who’ve commented.  
Thanks for the anniversary wishes and thoughts for our safe trip home.  
Stay tuned for the final chapter!

Interestingly on my flight to Baltimore yesterday afternoon, the FA were looking for a glucometer for a passenger. Not sure what happened but they did find one.  

20 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

I was very excited to get into the app today and see MDR menus listed.  I have all my meals picked out already!  The only one I’m  not excited about is day 5.  Maybe we’ll check availability at one of the specialty restaurants or just hit the Windjammer that night.  Or we could go to the MDR and I’ll order the Chops filet for the up charge.  Have done this in the past and it’s been very good. 
We selected 1:00 pm check in time. I usually try for earlier but youngest DD who’s driving us to the port has a Halloween party tomorrow night.  I figured we’d be considerate and not require her to get up too early Sunday morning!

Agree day 5  menu us lame unfortunately it’s a sea day as port days I am usually so tired  that I just eat at WJ, oh well. Day 6 is lobster and I’m sure some folks will still be on St Thomas and won’t make first seating. Funny my daughter who is driving us is also going to a party tonight. I guess we have no heart as she is supposed to get us there by 10.30am but we are only 1/2 hr from port. 

Next time get in line first. It’s not the cruise line’s fault that morbidly obese bought the tour and got on first. Always have a plan B. 

18 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Pretty sure the zipline excursions have to go out the gate to the top of the mountain.

I have done jet ski excusions twice and each time, locals have kayaked out in primitive kayaks to us  to sell their wares. Of course, we have no money on us as we are out in the water and it felt so heart breaking.  

26 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

Lisa, I am not on this cruise. Bur will see you soon on another one. We have to use up all the NCL certificates which they have been extending for us very generously. 
All is good with us and I hope same with you.

Sorry you aren't on this cruise. Feeling well, even better cause I'm cruising in a couple of days!. This is the first one in almost five years as my 2020 TA was cancelled. Made the jump to RC as I couldn't resist another Boston departure. Have my eye on the  NCL Feb GEM or Getaway so maybe see you then.

1 hour ago, Arzeena said:

Hi there! We have cruised with you before….few times on NCL.

Hi Arzeena,

of course I remember you,  hope to see you on board and hope all is well with you.

Hi I am also on this cruise with you. Thanks for doing a live review. I won't have internet as I am seriously unplugging for the week.  I have already learned something from your post. I didn't realize that you could have one alcohol plan and one soda plan for adults on RCI.  The last couple of New England cruises have been on Norwegian.  My husband also doesn't drink and NCL's alcohol plan requires that both adults take the package. Since they usually only charge  for the gratuities, I did it once but even the gratuities  are pretty high if one doesn't even drink. Something to remember for next time though I really don't drink enough to make a package worth it. I will be bringing the two bottles on (all mine) and most likely won't drink that either. I do like the really sweet drinks like Pina Coladas.  Will just buy a couple. 

Be careful of robbers. I saw a mugging last time I was in Cozumel. An elderly women handbag was ripped from her person. It was in the main shopping street. Shop keepers said it happens all the time. 
 

There is a large grocery store at thr port. Saw lots of crew there stocking up. I enjoyed just looking l. Great prices on vanilla and candy. 

Believe the silver line train is near by which goes directly to airport

On 9/16/2022 at 6:57 AM, Sianli said:

What activities do you suggest for San Pedro? Or what restaurants/walks?

For San Pedro we hired a car and drove to six flags for the day as we had annual passes. We then drove back to LAX, dropped off the car there and spent the night at the airport Hilton for our early am flight