sherylc

We had the same issue but with 5 pm flight out of Narita. We booked a trip through viator where we are just paying for van and driver (about $500 for the day). No guiding, but better than sitting around airport all day and about the same price (for 4 of us) that the cruise would have charged for the transportation with a couple preset stops. 

Thanks for the directions with pictures -- appreciated! My biggest question, though, is how travel is WITH luggage. Is there a place for it on these trains? (We are planning on doing a train from Hiroshima to Shinagawa but are going to try for the green car back row to put luggage behind us.

30 minutes ago, monkey@cruise said:

if you can tell me which Tokyo district you will come from, then I can answer better.

We will be coming from Shinagawa Station.

6 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

Expecting ¥6200 (¥4200 cab fare + ¥2000 toll roads)

 

If you can manage your luggage, I rode the train to Shin-Koyasu, navigated 500 feet elevated walkway (have elevators access) to WEST EXIT taxi stand  ¥2700 to Daikoku Terminal. Train from Yokohama station to Shin-Koyasu station is 5 min ride and cost ¥170.

 

Yokohama map for cruise passengers

https://www.yokohamajapan.com/cruise/terminal/Yokohama Map For Cruise Passengers.pdf

I will also be leaving out of the Daikoku Terminal next month. How is traveling to Yokohama by train WITH luggage? We will each have one large suitcase or duffel and a single carryon. Just not sure how the trains are carrying luggage (we will be coming from Tokyo)

25 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

 

I read an article a few weeks ago that said that the cancellations for Japan sailings were because their government was requiring reduced capacity on sailings departing Japan. Anyone else read that? 

Not in this case. Celebrity told some of those affected that there had been a computer glitch where inventory wasn't reduced when the ship changed from the Solstice to the Millennium. Many groups were split up where one or two cabins of a 6 cabin group were told they were cancelled -- no options at all. What's worse is that there is now quite a bit of inventory available (final payment date just passed) and these "cancelled" people would have to pay the new price if they wanted back on.

2 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

My point was inventory is managed so there is room for everyone.  Even though there are no rooms showing as available it doesn't mean there are no unoccupied rooms.

 

In very rare situations there are cases where they overbook a category.  I suspect it's more some sort of mistake rather than a "plan".    I personally had it happen to me where I booked pretty last minute in AQ.  I had booked an assigned cabin, not a GTY.   I got a call offering me CC instead with a 25% refund and retained access to Blu and other AQ amenities.  If I didn't take it they would have moved on to the next person.   I was able to pick a great C1 cabin with oversized balcony.   I felt like I won the lottery.

 

I think I have read 1 time in 20 years that someone booked a suite and were informed days before the sailing they couldn't be accommodated.

You might want to read this (this is for our upcoming cruise -- luckily we weren't "cancelled" due to the cruise being oversold but many were --  so it definitely does happen)

13 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

You spend thousands of dollars for a cheapo MDR meal?

It's the problem of having the Haven on a "non-Haven" ship. We were in the 3 bedroom garden villa, so yes, we did spend quite a bit on the suite (2 week cruise). But only included dinner option was MDR. We ate in the Specialty restaurants several times and sometimes in our suite. But the times in the MDR (except for one exceptional night) were unimpressive. But the SERVICE -- OMG! We could barely tie our shoes without someone trying to do it for us! Escorted us everywhere (even to dinner no matter where we ate), escorted off ship, then found if we ever got in line for tenders and escorted back on. So the service was great. They just need to figure out a Haven restaurant for these older ships for dinner -- they have it figured out for breakfast and lunch. 

34 minutes ago, zqvol said:

Over 50 cruises and I have never seen food sent back in the MDR, ever!

Wow, they have always gotten it right and served hot? Our whole table actually finished our food while waiting for them to serve a steak to our 4th that was anywhere near mid-rare (first was well done and then just took forever for a replacement). Maybe the people around you are willing to spend thousands of dollars and then just accept whatever comes, regardless of quality.

38 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

Wow. Just, wow. Are you sure you should be cruising on a mass-market cruise line?

 

LOL. The specialty dining was very good as were the breakfast and lunch in their "modified Haven option", but the quality of the food in the MDR was disappointing. We have done several Celebrity cruises and got used to Luminae level food, but even the MDR food on other cruise lines seemed better than NCL this last August  (and unfortunately it wasn't just us -- many diners sent food back around us, which we didn't do.) 

Thanks all for the responses. I didn't realize they changed the MDR menu back to the rotating menus. That makes a big difference. We had the rotating menus on the Star when staying in the Haven (no Haven dining room) and we struggled to find anything good most days, so it looks like we will be doing a combination of the Haven Restaurant and Specialty Dining.  

We will be sailing in the Haven on the Prima in a few weeks. I've seen both the MDR and the Haven dinner menus and noted that the MDR menu has a lot more options although both seem to stay the same the entire week. Is it possible to order perhaps an appetizer and a dessert (or any combination) off the MDR menu while other items off the Haven menu while eating in the Haven restaurant (We do this on non E-class Celebrity cruises all the time while in their Retreat). If yes, can they handle these type of orders when we sit down to eat, or do they have to be made in advance (and if so how far in advance)? Thanks all -- we have some pretty picky eaters who would do better with the MDR menu, but hate to miss the Haven Restaurant experience or that menu for others in our party. 

We had the exact same thing happen for our group of 6. Sailing in January. Even the Concierge line couldn't do anything until we get on the ship. Hopefully will be able to take our parties of 4 and turn them into 6 once onboard!

Ship is offering a combination sea lion and manatee experience at Chankanab. We will be there is January and I'm a bit concerned that the water might be too cold to really enjoy the experiences. Also wondering if it's only a few minutes in the water. Has anyone done these experiences? Any experience with Chankanab in the winter? Thanks

Has there been any priority on return to the ship or only FROM the ship?

I really enjoy a virgin Miami Vice (pina colada plus strawberry daquiri). Have had it with and without alcohol, but I think it actually tastes better without.

7 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

The port I am most excited about, Longyearbyen, is tomorrow.

 

I had booked a private full day excursion through Hurtigruten. Just received an email that the excursion is cancelled because their boat propeller is cracked.

 

I can’t get internet strong enough to book a private tour and the ones I would have been interested in through NCL are sold out.

 

Big sigh and big hope I can arrange something for this once-in-a-lifetime port.

You might try https://svalbardadventures.com/en/adventures. They have several summer activities so you might get lucky with last minute availability. Good luck!!

Such a shame they couldn't do a dinner option with the Haven menu too. Disappointing to pay Haven costs on the Star but have MDR food every night for dinner. Really would have liked to have my "Surf and Turf" option!

I am curious what snacks/appetizers/etc people have gotten from their butler. We are going to be in a 3 BR Garden Villa on the Star so no Haven lounge or restaurant I believe. (kinda bummed to miss out on the Haven dinner menu!!) This is my first NCL cruise so I am wondering what items are reasonable to ask the butler to bring to the room. (some thoughts include potato chips or popcorn to munch on during the day, maybe shrimp cocktail or spring rolls, cheese and crackers in the afternoon, are chocolate covered strawberries only a paid extra?)   Wondering what people have found to be "reasonable requests."

Have to say those in Haven suites without a Haven restaurant do seem to miss out on any lobster options. It seems they give an option for breakfast and lunch with an upgrade suite-like menu, but stuck in the MDR for dinner with no special menu. Bummer since I would have done the "surf and surf" most nights!

I am expecting to have an absolute blast and know about all of the other amenities. Just trying to get an answer very specifically on the "Special Suite Menu" that they are marketing. 

We are going to be on the NCL Star in their 3 bedroom garden villa later this Summer. I saw the following on their website:

With up to 6,694 sq. ft.*, you have space for up to eight guests. Dine together as your butler serves a meal from our special Suite menu. Then watch the moonlight dance on the waves from your private terrace. Champagne, custom selection of liquor, fruit, bottled water and sodas. Complimentary private transfer from pier to airport.

I have searched quite a bit online and can't fine any reference to a "special Suite menu." Has anyone ever heard of one? I was a bit disappointed to realize that we only get the Haven menu at breakfast and lunch, but at dinner it is only dinner the standard MDR experience unless we pay for a specialty restaurant. I kinda liked the idea of being able to have Surf and Turf every night if I wanted it as part of the "Haven Experience," but I guess with no Haven restaurant, no Haven dinners? Was hoping this special suite menu might offer a higher end selection to have in our suite.

33 minutes ago, UKstages said:

yes, it would be wrong to assume that.

 

the higher daily fee is generally presumed to be because the haven rooms are larger and require more extensive service and more frequent service.

 

butlers and concierges do not participate in the tip pool administered by NCL from the proceeds of the daily fee.

Thanks for clarifying that. It has been difficult to find a clear answer on NCL's website. Is there a specific site that I missed that goes over who does and who doesn't benefit from the daily service charges? (newbie about to go on my first NCL cruise -- all my experience has been with lines that are a bit more transparent on the issue!)

I am new to NCL and a bit confused. For our sailing there is a $5 per person/per day difference in the "Service Charge" for Haven vs non-Haven guests. Everyone keeps saying that the Butlers are not included in the service charge distribution (used to be called gratuities or tips), but if not, where does that extra $5 pp/day go compared to a non-Haven's guest. Some might say to the other behind the scenes Haven staff -- but we are sailing on an older ship that doesn't have an actual Haven or Haven restaurant. 

I am happy to tip additionally for exceptional service, but just trying to get a baseline for where to start (who I have already given as part of the Service Charge and who might have been left out). 

10 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

There are no standard gratuities to be paid.  You are talking about the daily service charge which is in the NCL FAQ.

The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional.

Other than on certain FAS items and certain purchased items, tipping on NCL is 200% optional.  However, I do think that most people do opt to tip.

I understand the concept of a service charge, but I am specifically addressing the different amounts listed above for Haven vs non-Haven guests and wonder if that difference is to support the Butlers which the former group benefit from and the latter do not. I am NOT trying to open the tip or no-tip bag of worms - just trying to understand how NCL Haven vs non-Haven Service Charges work. 

I've seen other posts that say the Butlers in Haven are not included in the standard gratuities that are paid. With a $5 per person/per day additional charge between Haven and non Haven cabins, is it wrong to assume that the additional gratuities would be for the Butler?