jvalentine

Taking a test before you arrive is an added precaution, not mandatory per NCL's website. Also, if by chance you do test positive at the cruise terminal while embarking in order to receive any type of help from NCL you need to provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen 96hrs prior.

"Please note for cruises with embarkation dates through January 16, 2022: If a guest receives a positive COVID test at the pier testing at arrival, they will be denied boarding and will likely be required to quarantine by local officials. Norwegian Cruise Line will assist with expenses related to any mandatory quarantine that are not covered by their travel insurance only if the guest provides proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 96-hours of their travel date. Guests who are unable to provide proof of a negative test taken within 96-hours of their travel date will not qualify for reimbursement should the applicable expenses not be covered by their travel insurance.

• Proof of negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 96-hours of travel date must show guest name, date of birth and date the test was taken in order to be eligible."

thanks for all the replies, it helps! 

Hi all! I'll be sailing with Celebrity for the first time on the Millennium on July 5th. I was wondering if anyone had a photo of the new (or even before the recent dry dock) of the Millennium's thermal pool? Or if anyone could advise me what to expect as far as the spa goes on that ship. I appreciate the help! 

Morgsmom...we sailed YC in an inside cabin. First timer for us in the YC. We've sailed in aft suites on other lines (love the views of the wake)...so it was a test for us to see how we'd like it. We did miss the balcony a little bit, but to be honest, there were tons of spaces up on deck where you could have peace and quiet most of the time during the trip. We had a smaller budget to work with on this one, but it was well worth it to be in an inside in the YC vs a nicer cabin outside YC. My favorite time to be up there was after 6pm...most of the time we had the whole space to ourselves except for one or two folks. As far as interior space in the inside...it was small and if I were to do it over again I would probably pack less (major overpacker here :D). I would sail one again though...it forced us out of the cabin more. (hope that helps!)

The ship was very full this sailing and there were times I walked through and saw kids in the adults only area.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

A great review! We are also on this sailing in the YC. Everything you’ve said...spot on!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We try and get the aft wraps whenever possible...this cruise you'll have a little bit of open water, but a majority of your time you'll be in what should be fairly smooth seas as others have said. And...you'll love the balcony in Alaska. Did the same itinerary a few years ago on the Noordam in a wrap. It is amazing!

Last time we went we did self disembark, took a taxi, checked bags and were waiting for our plane by 10am. Would have been great if United remembered to schedule pilots that day. (sigh) Gotta love that.

There were no hiccups that day, aside from the whole United pilot scheduling issue...but I still probably wouldn't book anything before 11:30/12pm.

I've done both a Seattle and Vancouver sailing...much prefer Vancouver for the smoother seas and better scenery. The Seattle itinerary isn't bad at all, but I think HAL's would be my preference!

Happy sailing!

I'll help!

For the NCL Pearl:

Sun Seattle, Washington (EMBARK)

Mon At Sea

Tue Juneau, Alaska (2:00-10:00 pm)

Wed Skagway, Alaska (7:00am-8:15 pm)

Thu Cruise Glacier Bay

Fri Ketchikan, Alaska(6:00 am-1:30 pm)

Sat Victoria, British Columbia(6:00 pm-11:59 pm)

Sun Seattle, Washington (DISEMBARK)

HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam:

Sat Vancouver, B.C., CA

Sun Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage

Mon Juneau (1-10pm)

Tues Skagway(7am-9pm)

Wed Glacier Bay(7am-4pm)

Thur Ketchikan, Alaska, US (10am-6pm)

Fri Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage

Sat Vancouver, B.C., CA

I think the formal..err, "gala" nights were 2 & 5 when we were on. You're reporting on the Dutch seems fairly spot on...lol. Made me chuckle since we had experienced it ourselves as well. Enjoy the next leg of the cruise!

Thank you for all the nice comments on the pics!

Have a great trip!

Bobalink...it was our first trip to the Norwegian Fjords. Let me know how you liked them. A little jealous you're doing the 14 day! :) We thought they were stunning!

We just got off the Koningsdam not too long ago. Sure there were things that could have been done better, just like on other HAL ships. I've yet to take a perfect vacation! We did have a great time though...it's really what you make of it. Koningsdam's food was probably some of the best we've had across the fleet...and it really was a beautiful ship.

[YOUTUBE]7Bmd8goukPY[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]Fu3l200JjDM[/YOUTUBE]

Sorry for the confusion...I took them down to make a few edits. Here are the videos above. (And thanks POA1 for the tip!)

I've been posting on a separate thread, but created a couple videos to make it easier to go through all the pics from our recent adventure.

Koningsdam ship video: https://youtu.be/1r8RnPDvMrw

Norse Legends June 12-19 Cruise: https://youtu.be/AqeKTRBVDHY

Can you give me an idea of the activities that were offered daily on the ship? Really enjoyed your photos. We did a Norway cruise last year, and I remember many of the sites.

Hi there! I can't for the life of me remember much of anything activity wise on the ship. I know there were a few culinary arts center demos if not everyday, very close to it. Lots of lectures on the ports as well, which those had some helpful tips. I think I also remember a make your own jewelry demo too. Also, up in the crow's nest...lots of board games/cards going on most every time I popped up there. Also, most everyday (if not all), the classical musicians did a matinee recital up on Lincoln Center Stage...loved going to those.

I didn't bring any of the dailies back with me, hindsight probably should have done that, so I could better answer.

Saw a couple of things I forgot to respond on.

Closet space: in the aft wrap Neptunes you have two large double door cabinets for closets. One of them has two rows of smallish sized drawers from roughly waist height down to the floor. (trying to remember...maybe 6 drawers total inside that cabinet.) Good space for hanging things up as well. I always over pack and we had a good amount of space to fit everything in. Also, another thing I really liked were in the closets...the racks had an automatic light whenever you opened the cabinet so it was easy to see everything.

Reservations for dining: We booked everything once we were onboard. It was one of the first things I did once onboard with the concierges. Initially, no issues and we got our requested times. However, later in the cruise I tried to change one of them and wasn't able to get the time I wanted...so if you do wait to do them onboard...make sure you really check over your itinerary so the times work for you. Wasn't exactly HAL's fault on that...more user error. :)

Hi Canuck!

There is a full length mirror outside the bathroom. :)

I use a Nikon D5500, and most of this trip I used a Tokina 11-16 DXII lens with it. It's been great for inside work and landscapes.

The husband shoots with a Nikon D750...he's still working on his pics and I'll post some of those whenever they're done. He's way pickier than me...lol)

Hi lahlah57,

Thank you so much for your comments on the pics!

As far as the Lido goes...I never consistently found a good time to go where it was less hectic. If you're willing to brave the crowds the food was pretty decent and there were a lot of options, just seating was very hard to find. (That's the part I found the most annoying because after you wait in line with plate in hand..the last thing you want to do is go hunting for seat.) New York Pizza had virtually no lines for a quick and less hectic breakfast option.

The Pinnacle is open for suite guests for breakfasts at no charge. Other options we didn't try for breakfast were the main dining room which, in hindsight, probably should have done just to test it out because we don't always sail in a suite.

Thank you for the helpful comments! As far as traveling through to Vancouver from Calgary, we've not decided on anything yet, so we're open to suggestions! I'll check out Kelowna...looks a little more scenic than Kamloops from the pics I quickly pulled up. (Thank you!)

Hello all,

I'm considering doing a pacific coastal itinerary next Sept on either the Ruby or Emerald Princess. I've not sailed Princess before (Holland and Norwegian previously) so wanted to ask if there was anything not miss or any major differences? Things you think Princess does better? Also, any insights on the Emerald or Ruby..which one would you prefer?

Both ships have exactly the same itinerary (Vancouver, Astoria, San Fran, Santa Barbara and LA). Planning on flying into Calgary, spending a few days up in the rockies and then driving down to Vancouver to catch the ship.

Many thanks in advance for your responses!

Agree with previous posters...I had no issues with my iPhone or iPad connecting to the intranet. It was slow and the typical pricing structure. Intranet features were pretty nice to have instant access to.

@Sunnymonkey...we didn't pre-book, just did a reservation once we were on board. Most nights traffic was pretty light in there and you likely won't need a reservation.