mypleasure

Quite a few years ago I left a ship and was loaded onto an ambulance. My sister was grabbing some breakfast in the buffett prior to packing our stuff, finalizing a few things, and getting our luggage and herself to the hospital. She found it hilarious listening to the speculation about my condition. So glad I was able to make some peoples day.

Another great review by The Bird. Jam packed with information. Thank you for doing this.

12 hours ago, DaggoB said:

Bailey’s included in premium plus. In the duty free shop on the Bliss last week it was $26 for a liter. Amazing. 

Here in the UK it seems all of the major supermarkets are selling Baileys at £10 per litre in the run up to christmas. I get a bottle every time I go (2-3 times per week). At current $ to £ exchange rates that is approx $12 per litre.

I book dining then go to muster station, then go to get a coffee or a drink, then go to lunch.

Have a great cruise. Looking forward to hearing all.

On 11/8/2022 at 12:23 AM, rochelle_s said:

The exchange rate on the day of booking carries through. Any payments or pre cruise purchases are charged the rate of exchange at time of booking. 
 

 

 

Thank you for highlighting this. You along with @ziggyuk have told me something of great value to me that was passing me by. I am not sailing until sept 2023 on the Prima but can add a couple of 100 dollars each month until I get to the $1000max. It can pay for some extras and mean I am not really looking too closely at my account.

Thank you for this great post Gary. I am not sailing until Sept 23 but I am going to use a lot of your tips. I have already used a lot of your Haven Lite advice. I will skip Vibe this time around as we are going to Iceland and Norway in what will be autumn. I have got our Premium Plus bought and paid already. I really like the way you explain the reasons for decisions. Keep up the good work.

Star 2008, 2015

Pearl 2009, 2010

Jade 2009, 2014

Sun 2010, 2017

Epic 2011

Spirit 2011, 2012, 2013 (x2), 2014 (x2), 2015, 2017, 2019

Dawn 2016 (x2)

Gem 2022

37 minutes ago, DEBBO1012 said:

Thank you. What about floors? From my reading, it seems like we should chose a floor above 9?

I am not familiar with Bliss but I always select a floor with cabins above and below. Then look at where you want to be on those floors that tick that box. Next decide near elevators or away from them as sometimes being near elevators can result in noisy people walking past against long walk to elevators/stairs. In the middle of the ship or towards front or back? These are the criteria I use.

I sail with my husband and am a very sociable person. My husband however is not sociable at all. I make friends quite easily thankfully. I sometimes feel like a solo cruiser except for at meal times when he will eat with me LOL. On my last cruise I made friends while waiting to check in and then we found each other again by frequenting the same bar where we made more friends.

I loved your review and the pictures. Not sailing on Prima until next September but the information you gave was invaluable and made me laugh at times.

12 hours ago, mearsfansinboise said:

(We were in the Haven, not sure if that makes a difference or not.)

 

 

Being in a Haven cabin makes a huge difference regarding what you get in your room.

17 hours ago, Starr2015 said:

Hi and thanks for your thoughts.

 

Regarding the mobility, it is my mom who is in a scooter (or walker) and cannot walk steps. She also does not gamble because of my late father's addiction. 

 

While smokers are a minority, which I completely understand, it feels like there is no isolated area that is both accessible and outdoors.  I completely understand the 2nd hand smoke and odors. Believe me I do, despite being a smoker. But if there was a smoking area, instead of up a set of stairs but accessible, absolutely no complaints. 

 

For me personally, I do have the addiction issue and want to stay out of the casino. I can walk up stairs but it becomes an issue at times with pain flare ups. I just feel it could have been better thought out as the minority is still a customer.

 

 

 

Hope you are enjoying your stay as well.

 

 

I am not a smoker of cigars, pipes or cigarettes. I vape and fully accept that NCL wishes to treat this the same.

I have a gambling addiction so the casino is a no go.

I don't smoke cigars so the cigar room is a no go.

I show respect to other people and their choices. I totally understand and respect that there are those who would wish to be nowhere near smokers and their views on this.

So Deck 18 for me.

I have arthritis in my hips and a knee that collapses with no warning. Steps are a problem for me especially going down.

This ship which I am booked on next year is concerning me. I would like to hear of a change to an enclosed area that is accessible too. I have invested a lot of money into this trip and want to be able to enjoy it.

On 10/9/2022 at 9:53 PM, mertziek said:

One lunch special was an egg wrapped in sausage and a breading then deep fried.  My husband liked it.  It is called a Scotch Egg and is very popular in the UK for a snack or in a lunch box. There are even speciality makers who add things to the sausage meat and the breading. Those are fantastic! My favourite has chopped chillies.

 

15 hours ago, Zippeedee said:

I didn’t factor in the cold temperatures in September and this ship doesn’t seem welcoming in cold weather. I love the spacious cabins and the food reviews are all excellent. Not being able to see a show or find a seat at breakfast are off putting though.
Similar summer itineraries are almost double what I paid. I still have lots of time to decide to keep this one. 

I was just going to post exactly this. I am worried about the Sept 17th 2023 sailing. I was so looking forwards to the trip but now I am concerned. If the weather is poor it could be a cruise spent in the room or searching for a seat in a lounge/bar/eating/anywhere inside area. Not to mention the no shelter open to the elements smoking area on Deck 18 that as a vaper I will have to use. I don't smoke cigars or gamble so that is all I have.

I had a balcony singer next to me on one cruise. I didn't like it much especially at 2AM. Once I managed to attract her attention she stopped and was quite apologetic.

It has been a few years since I sailed from Buenos Aires so back in 2017 there were no assigned times. I found the port to be fairly straightforward regarding check-in. No huge lines. What we did have a wait for was boarding. It was only a few minutes and was needed because BA isn't really a cruise port, it is a huge freight port. We had to be both bussed and for the little bit we needed to walk we had to be escorted.

Things may be different 5 years on and post covid. These small inconveniences are not worth bothering about when you are going on what was for us, the cruise of a lifetime.

I like to take things that I can mix and match. I also make use of laundry (We are both Platinum) which makes it quite easy to do this. I wear neutral on the bottom half and bright colours on the top. I don't do dresses or skirts. One pair of shoes for day and one for night time. Works for me.

On 5/24/2022 at 7:09 AM, KeithJenner said:

There are a few on Facebook. Apparently one person spoke to the HD on the Gem and asked why the Escape and Jade were serving but the Gem wasn’t. He told her that the other ships were breaking the law and he wasn’t going to do that. Someone else on the Escape confirmed they were serving.

Yes that was me! He said they were breaking the law and he didn't want trouble with Customs. He then seemed to find a new place to hold his staff meetings! I didn't see him until about 3 days later. I did see the F & B manager and the Bars manager. They sent me a bottle of wine. I also got a hug from a bar tender who had heard my conversation with the HD. I was in Bali Hai when they opened the bars just before we left Athens. Perhaps as we were docked right next to the Escape he went over and talked to their HD? Or did he get the red howler from Miami as I think the saw what was written here and on Face Thing groups,

Another vote for qured. I ordered and received my tests in about 3 days. They are in my carry on to do them on Wednesday morning this week (sailing on Friday) and have opted for the proctored video test to satisfy NCL. Appointments booked to do in our hotel room before we go to the airport to fly to Venice.

Safe travels

Jean

The faint line is a really good sign! Your daughter is definitely almost over it. I had a couple of days of the faint line and then I got the negative test.

I didn't have any medication as I barely had any symptoms. I have had much worse colds than this was but I am 3x vaccinated. It affects people in different ways.

I wish you all a great cruise. I am off to Venice tomorrow and then board N.Gem on Friday at Trieste.

Stay Well and Stay Safe

Jean

It was from onset of my symptoms. I actually had tested negative the day before and I now know that I got it from a contact on the Sunday.

I was around 8-9 days to become negative on an Antigen test. I was +ve from Tuesday until the Thursday of the week after. Had a scratchy throat and slightly runny nose. That was it.

On 5/24/2019 at 12:56 AM, Travel Junkie Judy said:

 

 

Carlos is an awesome Concierge.  If you get to use his services, you will know what I mean.

So is he going to be acting up as General Manager on the Spirit while Armando Da Silva is on leave?

All I know is that Armando said "Carlos" no other name specified would be General Manager/Hotel Director when we sail on 14th June 2019.  Armando is due to return to the Spirit as General Manager in August

46 minutes ago, Crown Vic said:

Hiya! Any info on the senior staff on the Norwegian Spirit, please...Captain, General Manager, Cruise Director etc? 

Would be appreciated. Thanks...CV...

Armando goes on leave 31st May to be replaced by Carlos. I don't know Carlos but I do know Armando and this was from him.

I don't know any others, sorry.

Jean