NoobCroozer

On 1/8/2020 at 9:57 AM, JamieLogical said:

 

If you are going in May, Harbor Nights will have started, which is a street fair that happens every Wednesday night in Hamilton. 

Do you know when exactly it begins? Going mid May, would like to check it out...

2 hours ago, DinaS said:

 

The water temperature is subjective for swimming.  We've been there in late April and early May, and both times we felt that the water was fine for swimming.  Granted, my partner would have preferred a few degrees warmer, but we were both fine with the lack of crowds and the lower prices for the early season cruise.

That's good to hear......I figure if I can handle the Atlantic in Maine with low 60's, should be ok for a dip in May. Probably bring a half wet suit for snorkling though.

On 7/15/2018 at 8:37 AM, pe4all said:

While we have never used this new program ATT has, I do always use the international day pass plan they have. It is $10 a day while in port, and runs off your ATT plan, so whatever data, text, etc. you have, that is what you use. While on the ship I keep my phone in airplane mode, with data/data roaming off. I use the free Carnival hub app to keep in touch with dd on ship if I am somewhere she isn't. When I get to a port I just turn on my data and take phone off airplane mode, and get charged $10 for 24 hours. As we only go to 3-4 ports, it turns out way cheaper than the ships internet, or ATT ship plan. If I need to make a call back to dh at home, the cabin phone is $1.99 per minute, and I usually just make a fast call home - runs $2-$6.

^ This

Stayed at Dream South Beach right in the middle of the Art Deco section and a block from the beach.....AWESOME rooftop pool/bar.

5 hours ago, LovesPurple said:

Will write more about the ship and cruise a bit later. 

Thank you.

I was on her in May to the Bahamas and loved it. But that was a 4 day’r. I think I would be bored if I had to spend 21 days aboard, she doesn’t have a lot of options for a long cruise imho.

Great review, keep it coming.....

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

The connotation of the word in the way it was used suggests stupidity.  Especially in written form where so much can get lost in translation.  

Couldn't tell if it was snark or not, so I just left it alone. Plus I don't have a dictionary (/snarkoff).

8 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

No, it was harsh.  I appreciate the feedback on the experience by the OP and also agree with the fact that it sounds like a money grab on NCL's part.  It doesn't make one ignorant for trying it...naive or novice, perhaps...but not ignorant. JMO

Thank you...

I didn't want to rehash something that I stated on another post, but now I shall.

10 years ago I waited on a serpentine line for 2.5 hours for a Carnival cruise in NYC. Since then, I have been on tolerable 40-45 minutes waits in other ports (other than NYC). I asked in the other post what was the norm in NYC (for all I know there were 3 ships in port and a search taking place in the Hudson). No one responded with average wait times in NYC, so, to err on the side of caution, I myself bought P/A. I don't consider myself ignorant or naive, if I shave off an hour off of 2.5 hour wait, Ill gladly pay the $179 for that alone.

21 minutes ago, Love my butler said:

 on ignorant cruisers.  

Thats a bit harsh, don't you think?

17 hours ago, copper004 said:

Port for the City Skyline, starboard for the Statue of Liberty. After you pull away from pier, be on the port side as NYC passes by. After you pass the 1776 ft. tall Freedom Tower (former Twin Towers location)go to the other side of the ship as the S of L will be coming up on the right side. Watch for the iconic Staten Island Ferry’s passing by. Approx. 15 to 30 min after the Statue, be on a high deck as the ship passes under the Verrazano Bridge (connects Brooklyn & Staten Island). Longest suspension bridge in U.S.! Enjoy!

What my neighbor from the OC said ☝️

Is the slide on the Encore like that anyone know?

Great vid!

12 minutes ago, ReaderDame said:

The  Mini Beer is just that- a shot that looks like a mini beer. Made with Licor 43, a smooth Spanish liqueur comprised of 43 secret ingredients, and a dash of cream to add the “foam head,” this fun shot is perfect for parties, tailgating and more!  There isn't any beer in this shot... it just looks like a little beer.  Have never had this liqueur before, but have read about this shot on lots of the C.C. posts.  It is absolutely delicious!

Thats the only thing my wife will drink other than Prosecco (Licor43)....good stuff.

Good to know!

On 12/13/2019 at 12:41 PM, Kwakwa630 said:

NOLA Getaway Priority Accesa Experience today: 

 

Thank you!

2 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Correct.

Danke

25 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

The biggest benefit to this is if you want a Vibe/Posh pass.

I keep hearing everyone say that......Is that because you can only get Vibe onboard, and by boarding first (well, before most) you have the opportunity to buy a pass?

Yeah, its worse on longer cruises, its $299 per cabin. I suppose if you utilize the spa every port day its not too bad...

52 minutes ago, Sweetnspicy said:

Just went into my account today to make sure everything was still 100% checked in. We weren’t checked in any longer and I had to deny a whole host of add on items including this! I am shocked  at that the price! This is for the 11 Day Southern Caribbean on the Epic January 26th. 

Originally we utilized a brick and mortar travel agent, then an online cruise-focused website. We constantly monitor for the best deals. I recently compared a deal that I put together myself on NCL's site to a brick and mortar TA, and the price was the same. Probably all comes down to timing, specials, etc. NCL site was painless and I did it from the comfort of my couch.

3 hours ago, Zippeedee said:

That is exactly why I won't order a lobster or the fried seafood. I live just north of Boston, I know I will be disappointed ordering anything I can get superb versions of right up the street.

I hear ya.....Ogunquit ruined seafood for me. IE cant go near it anymore in NY (now that I know how its SUPPOSED to taste 🙂 ). 

5 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

are you saying that there are more up-charges than what is listed in the menu above?  thanks

No, the supplements are on the menu (as you have figured out 🙂 )

16 minutes ago, rjs3434 said:

 The woman checking us in was not familiar with it so she discussed with fellow worker.  She still didn't understand and told us we still need to board with group 18. Finally another worker got involved and indicated they never should have given us the boarding 18 tag they hand you when you walk in.  He said to disregard the boarding 18 tag and just use our cards that have "Priority" printed on the cards.  

 

The employees at Pier 88 in NYC are not knowledgeable on the Priority Access Program which made us frustrated.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you, this was my biggest fear. I have read the same is happening at various other ports, and now confirmation of cluelessness to NCL's own program now in NYC. Hopefully by May (my cruise) they get the update. Sorry for your heartache, hope the cruise otherwise was pleasant.

The Baths in Virgin Goda was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen! Absolutely incredible.

Thank you so much danak13 for this!

I just booked it over the phone, and can confirm that Priority Access is limited to 25 cabins per cruise.

46 minutes ago, yankees111 said:

I couldn’t  fathom paying $179 extra to board a cruise ship 15 minutes earlier then a non suite guest.

I would normally agree, but my one time out of NYC was a looooong wait. My other cruises weren’t bad, 30-40 minutes perhaps.... but nyc was like 2.5 hrs. Was 11 years ago, for all I know there were 3 ships in port, I dunno. For me, I’ll eat the 179, unless others can testify that NYC is USUALLY  on par with other terminals, ie average embarking times (I realize problems can always arise causing waits, and I believe my ship is the only one in port that day).