pcrum

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

 

If you read the OP's post, she is talking about adding the $100 AT&T cruise plan that provides unlimited calling (using the ship's cell tower), unlimited SMS text messages, and 1 GB of data. 

 

Since I live post a lot, I would blow through the 1GB of data in a few days. So the package is not good for me. 

 

The AT&T package is the "easy button". You don't have to fuss with wifi calling and struggling through that. You pick up your phone, take it off airplane mode, and use it as if you were on land. Check email. Make calls. And if you have very low data usage, you can stay in the 1GB easily (no big emails, etc). But it is tied to a phone. 

 

 

Yes, in theory that’s how AT& T should work. In practice, it did not work for us. I received less than half of the text messages sent to us and could not reply to text messages. I also could not make calls or go online. The fact that AT&T refunded me upon our return with no pushback led me to believe that I was not the only one experiencing issues. In fact, on our cruise I spoke to other passengers with the AT&T cruise package and it wasn’t working for anyone. This was a TA cruise in the middle of the Atlantic, so other areas might have better coverage, but I won’t use it again. 

We purchased the ATT plan for our TA cruise in April on the Epic. The ATT cruise plan was useless and when I returned home I called the company and was given a refund. Next time, I’m purchasing extra minutes on the ship. I cannot recommend ATT. 

So glad to hear you liked the location of your hotel.  We stayed at Spagna Ave (Via dei Due Macelli, 31) in April, but have booked the Barberini Retreat (Via delle Quattro Fontane 171/172) in Oct., which I see is a one-minute walk from your hotel.  In April, we really appreciated being within walking distance of so many of the major sites.  For some reason, Spagna Ave was $100 per night more expensive for an Oct. booking than it was in April, so that is how we ended up with the Barberini Retreat. 

I am loving this review.  We were in Rome in April, 2024, arriving on a TA cruise on the NCL Epic.  We are visiting Rome again in Oct., to take the NCL Epic back home to FL. I'd love a detailed itinerary of your time in Rome.  There is so much to see and although we saw a lot in our 4 day visit in April, we did not hit everything, so are excited to visit again in Oct. 

Thank you.  Any idea if the price is the same once onboard?

Hi:

I have the NCL non-refundable onboard credit for owning NCL stock.  We are sailing on the Epic TA on 10/17/24.  Can I put the onboard credit towards the purchase of the Specialty Dining upgrade (purchasing two additional specialty dining meals in addition to the free at sea offers)?  When trying to purchase this package ahead of time, for payment, I see the option of a NCL gift card or credit card.  There does not seem to be a way to use the onboard credit.

If I wait until on the ship to purchase the two additional speciality dining meals so that I can use the onboard credit, are the meals at the same price or higher priced? Purchasing ahead of time, the price for two is $165.60.

Thank you!

3 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Remember I donated my mug to the original streetcar company in Skagway. Fortunately Amazon still carries my mug. $19.99.

 

 

Can it go in the dishwasher? I’d love to find one of these types of cups that is dishwasher safe.  

8 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

Yeah I know the price we paid was nice!  With your cruise being longer and a TA you should have more time to enjoy.  Re: the Epic.  I find it to be whimsical.  The artwork is quirky, there’s an escalator on one deck midship, the cabins are odd…but we loved her.  I highly recommend a trip down the funnel slide.  Even for a senior like me, it was so much fun.

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

EDIT…I reread and see you’ve sailed Epic a few times.  Have you done the slide?

Lol.  Are you referring to the "toilet bowl drain slide"? I climbed to the top with the intention of doing the slide on our 2019 cruise. Watching the people in front of me getting stuck and having to push/scoot their way to the hole to go down was too much for me.  I chickened out!  I did attempt the rock climbing wall and was quickly put in my place when a young child (maybe 4 years old) made it to the top and rang the bell while I was barely able to get a few feet off the ground!

We also love the Epic.  The room layout that people complain about doesn't bother us in the least.  I'd much rather have the shower capsule than a shower curtain any day!  We've always found the staff to be very accommodating and enjoy the entertainment.  We were sorry to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert end.  Very sad that NCL is getting away from Broadway shows.  Magicians and game shows are not our thing, but we enjoy the live music, Howl at the Moon dualing pianos and the Beatles cover band.  In April, there was a singer/piano player by the Martini Bar who was wonderful! 

2 hours ago, laudergayle said:

We got POSH passes in Feb ‘23…when they were $59 each.  Even at that price we didn’t enjoy the experience.  We were on a southern Caribbean cruise and the umbrellas were not allowed, even when docked, due to wind.  Most of the space is in the sun.  There are a few seats in the shade, but they are very deep barrel back so if you’re not really tall they are not comfortable. But, if the ship is moving it could be nice even the sun.

 

 

It does have a very nice bar…small, but covered and goid drinks.

You got a great price!  We paid $299 each, but our cruise is 13 nights.  It may be a one and done for us too, but I have always wanted to try it and this is the first time I have been successful in finding passes available to purchase.

13 hours ago, cruiser1961 said:

Hi there.

 

We are on the Epic TA in October this year, heading west from Rome to Cape Canaveral Oct. 17 - 30.  We did the eastbound trek (Cape Canaveral to Barcelona) on Epic in April 2018 (seems so long ago...). 

 

We didn't know about POSH then, but experienced the Vibe (POSH equivalent) through the Panama on Bliss this past December.  The staff are AMAZING and will work with you to make your journey the best ever!  However, the umbrellas didn't come out a lot, due to wind, but the staff would make whatever accommodations they could to make your cruise more enjoyable.

 

Unfortunately, the Epic POSH doesn't have hot tubs, which is a thumbs-down for us.

 

In any case, "shots-o-clock" happened frequently and a good time was had by all.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Leets

 

 

We are on the same cruise in October on the Epic.  We also have sailed eastbound TAs on Epic, both in 2019 (Port Canaveral to Barcelona) and in April of this year (Port Canaveral to Rome).  I'm looking forward to gaining an hour each day for 6 days instead of losing an hour!

I understand there is no hot tub, but having a sundeck with a hopefully guaranteed seat and good bar service is a plus for us.  I'm hoping for some shade; I feel like the seas should be calmer the closer we get to FL, so hopefully getting an umbrella will not be too much of an issue.

I'm ready for "shot o'clock" and to have someone bring me a cocktail while lounging in a chair enjoying a good book!  I've tried for Posh passes on every NCL cruise we have sailed on (all have been on Epic most recently) and this is the only time I was successful.  I had to call to order them, as online it was showing as unavailable, but when calling for dining reservations I asked if they were available and lo and behold, they were!  It made my day!!

On 8/23/2024 at 9:30 PM, Saint Greg said:

Im so fast I beat my own prediction 

 

Might be a stupid question. But when you live less than 4 hours away, why go the night before and pay for a hotel room? We live in Orlando and when we cruise from Miami, we wake up early and drive down the morning of the cruise, about 3.5 hours. We are in Miami by 10 am. We feel that is a good buffer in case of traffic jams. Just curious as to why you go down the night before. 
 

I haven’t sailed Carnival since 2013 and have no intentions of sailing Carnival anytime soon, but I never miss your  or @TxTeach79reviews.  
 

Have a great cruise!

4 minutes ago, genealogyfan said:

I couldn't get my post to edit. The umbrellas were stored in the corner and the crew will bring them out upon request and set them up for you.

That is great news! And, thanks for the photos! I am really excited. 

I’m so excited! I was able to purchase 2 Posh Beach Club passes for our eastbound TA cruise on Epic in October. We did the westbound TA in April and were unsuccessful in being able to get Posh passes and there were days when Spice H2O was filled to capacity. 
 

We have enjoyed the Yacht Club on MSC, but Haven has been a bit out of our price range, especially for a TA cruise, so we are taking Gary’s advice and going “Haven Light,” lol.  Hoping to establish a relationship with the bar staff and get good service. Do they still do shots? Are there any other special services provided?

How much shade is there?  I’ve watched videos on YouTube, but the umbrellas seem to always be folded up. We are very fair skinned, so appreciate shade. Hoping that’s not an issue. 
 

Any insight on Posh would be most appreciated!

Thank you!

Thanks for the reply.  We were in Rome this past April and ran into some jubilee events.  I was just shocked at the increase in prices from April 2024 to October 2024.

We did a TA cruise in April, 2024, Port Canaveral to Rome and paid 150 Euros to get from the port of Civitavecchia with a private car company (Cab Roma) and 50 Euros with the same company to get from our city center hotel to FCO airport.  For an October transfer, the same company is charging 95 Euros to go from the airport to the city center and 159 Euros to go from the Rome city center to the port.  The hotel that we used in April, Spagna Ave, is also 100 Euros higher per night in October.  I thought October was low season, so I am surprised at the price increases.  Is something happening in Rome around the second week of October that has prices inflated?  

I know the standard taxi fare from the airport to the city center is set at 50 Euros.  Has anyone had experience with using a taxi from the taxi stand?  In April, we used the white Rome taxis frequently throughout the city and only had one bad experience of the driver trying to increase the charge.

I can deal with the 9 Euro increase in the Rome city center to port transfer, but I'm also looking into shared shuttles.  I know there is a train, but we have luggage and that just seems a bit complicated with having to take a bus from the train station in Civitavecchia to the port.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Sorry for the double post. I see this has already been addressed.  Really enjoying your review. We have not been to Alaska since 2008 and your review is making me want to do another visit!

21 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

5G is back which means I can stream the Mets and hopefully post faster!

 

Yes. Supercharged uploads!

 

 

 

 

Im trying something new. Shakshuka

 

 

when trying something new its good to also have something you know you’ll like.

 

 

How was the shakshuka? Spicy? Looks interesting!

21 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

5G is back which means I can stream the Mets and hopefully post faster!

 

Yes. Supercharged uploads!

 

 

 

 

Im trying something new. Shakshuka

 

 

when trying something new its good to also have something you know you’ll like.

 

 

How was the shakshuka? Spicy? Looks interesting!

4 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Oh I requested and received a coffee setup for the room.

 

 

 

i brought these but they also gave me Columbian

 

Good to hear. I thought coffee makers were only available in balcony or higher rooms. 

6 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

I’m trying to order some different items. I know I had the cottage pie last year. It was good but I’m trying the risotto today. Also got Cobb salad, hush puppies. For dessert I asked for the server recommendation. It was the mouse 

 

 

Orange chocolate mousse is my favorite NCL dessert!!

Great review. Wishing you safe travels. How do you like Iberia Air? We are considering a non-stop MIA to BCN. We live in Orlando but there are no non-stop flights from MCO. With the Brightline, it’s pretty stress free to get to MIA.

Also wishing a good start to the school year for your kids. I remember those days! Jam packed for sure!!

On 8/9/2024 at 11:16 AM, Saint Greg said:

Last year I didn't eat dinner in the dining room much because I had the three specialty dinners and I ate ashore a couple times. This year I have just one specialty dinner since I didn't do the upgrade. I'm probably going to do that French restaurant since I did Cagney's all three times last year. I believe the Asian restaurant is free. Doesn't count as a specialty.

 

So for the experienced people if you have any recommendations for MDR items, the French place, the Asian place, nights not to miss in the MDR, etc...feel free to post them. 

 

Le Bistro is our favorite. Did it 3 times on our last cruise. I’ve tried both the lamb and filet for the main course. Both are fantastic. I asked for mint jelly to accompany the lamb. 

6 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

One of the things I like about Norwegian is the $50 off excursions. While they may hike up their price a little bit to make up for some of it, they are a good deal overall. There are a couple of hardcore Carnival people who will dispute this. I doubt they’ll be on this thread but here it is for everything I booked this trip. Norwegian first, Carnival second.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could not find a comparable tour on carnival that only included a salmon bake but I don’t think the have any tours anywhere under $30.

 

You will never convince the Carnival cheerleaders. Once we found NCL with the free at sea, we’ve never looked back at Carnival. Since we don’t gamble enough for any casino specials, Carnival costs more for an inferior product. Like you, I’ve done the side by side comparisons. NCL wins!

6 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Thanks. I'm booked on Encore, Prima, and Epic so I'm going to be around here more often starting next year.

What is the Epic cruise? That’s our fav ship. Have been on her twice and considering another TA on her. 

Happy birthday! That glitter Moët looks delicious!!