Starrgazer50

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Agree with @reeinaz's experience. Each night different folks may choose to dress up and wander around in search of photographers, who are very much present around the ship. There wasn't a designated night though, and I've heard through Cruise Critic posters this went away, possibly pre-pandemic. 

BTW - howdy neighbor! 

Howdy neighbor 👋 

3 hours ago, reeinaz said:

I do believe I saw photographers almost every night on my last few sailings (getaway, Prima, breakaway). But there was not a designated night for "dress up or not" listed in the daily as there was in the past. Or maybe I missed it. I recall seeing people dressed up several nights and not one night stood out to me as having significantly more people dressed up than other nights.

Ok..Thank you. 

Been a few years that I haven’t cruised and now first time cruise post COVID. 
I like also the answer of MKing8288. I can understand where photo nights would be put away for isolating and protecting.  I will set up a photo session when on board the ship for date we want to celebrate. 

I always wore cocktail dresses for dinner on NCL either way. For me FreeStyle says I can do whatever I choose.😃.  Thanks for everyone’s response.🙂
 

Going on the NCL Escape 7 Day Caribbean cruise in July to Celebrate 1st Anniversary.
Someone just came off that cruise and said there wasn’t a Dress Up or Not or Norwegian Night Out evening. It’s been a few years since I’ve been on a cruise and wanted to know if things changed. I know they’ve been cutting back on ship activities, but hard to believe they don’t see this as a money making opportunity anymore.🤔

There is no sale. Figured out that the price says ex. “now” $1339.00/pp

That’s what each person pays. The 2nd guest free is based off of the original price of the cruise, not the “now” 1339.00/pp price. So you’re charged the full fare price. 1/2 is removed and the balance split between the two passengers.  Rep. said “It’s just a play in words.” 
So each person is still paying $1339.
The only difference, for me, is that now I get double Latitude Points for this cruise.  My cruise was already booked a few months back. 

We picked up our car at Hertz at the airport since we were staying for a week in Grand Case. We were never asked about an international drivers license. Just gave them our US one and we were set.

As I investigate more, it seems more like a suggestion according to AAA. Here is there reason they think it's a good idea:

Why Carry an IDP?

Your IDP is a valid form of identification in 150 countries worldwide and contains your name, photo and driver information. It translates your identification information into 10 languages — so it speaks the language even if you don't. Most countries highly recommend an International Driving Permit.

An IDP gives you peace of mind while you're out exploring the world - even if you're not planning to drive!

Me: It's probably a another way of tracking you. Who knows, with the things going on in the world nowadays.

Since the cruise pier is on the Dutch side I would suggest renting a car at the pier. Our Canadian drivers license is adequate as would be an American one as well. We always rent from the Dutch side even when vacationing on the French side. PJ airport that we fly into is on the Dutch side so we just rent a car and go.

Thank you, Karysa. Good to know there were no problems.:)

I've been looking on the St. Martin Tourist Office dot org and it states, in the "Getting Around" section, that in order to drive there you must have a French Driver Licence or an International Drivers License.

Have anyone run into this problem at car rental agency's?

Driving on St. Martin / St. Maarten

On St. Martin, French traffic laws are applied and driving is on the right side of the road.

Drivers must hold a French or international driving licence, which covers them across the territory.

I also found it on the AAA dot com site.

http://www.aaa.com/Vacation/idpf.html

You are right, NCL Gem would have mostly couple and families. I have done NCL Gem and Breakaway. From my experience if I want to be lest alone during my cruise I would chose Gem, but if I want to be around other solos I would go with Breakaway. On the Gem its extremely hard to find other solos and there are very very little of them. But Breakaway attracts solos because of the solo lunge and host, and studio rooms.

 

I love Breakaway, on the Gem I felt alone, and didn't have that much fun. And its coming form someone who is an introvert. :)

I'm quite introverted as well so I know what you mean.:)

I've never tried the solo cabins yet. I did book one for a Bermuda cruise for Sept. 2017. I look forward to comparing the experience.

The Breakaway Holiday (Dec) cruises for 2017 aren't listed yet, but for 2016 they're only going to Florida and Bahamas and I don't care too much for those ports of call. I guess I'll start looking at the other NCL solo friendly ships.

This is something I was thinking about earlier today actually -- that I would love to spend NYE on a ship, preferably doing a southern Caribbean cruise. I'll definitely be looking into this for 2017, as 2016 is probably way too expensive already.

I've also been desiring to do a NYE cruise for Dec. 2017.

So far, NCL Gem has one out of New York City from December 23, 2017 to January 3, 2018. Ports: Puerto Rico, ST. Thomas, St. Martin, St. Kitts and Tortolas. All ports arriving At 8:00 am.

I'm a little uneasy about going alone on this one because I feel there will be mostly families and couples. :-/

Regarding not being able to take food out of the restaurants, that is true. I went to Blue Lagoon for some Buf.Wings to-go and was told they are no longer able to do that. Food had to be eaten in the venue. What I eventually did was sit, order a 10 piece, ate 4, covered my remaining wings with the napkin, left a tip and walked out with my wings. In the buffet I asked for a tray and took food from the buffet to my cabin. They don't know if you're taking food to someone who can't leave the cabin or if you don't feel physically well to sit and eat.:rolleyes:

Recently off the Dawn. Ordered room service 6 out of 12 days and there was no room service fee, except for the tip I offered.

They have been having a glitches in the system.

Yesterday a cruise I was already booked on was showing a promo code of CHOBD which included both the Unlimited Dining package and the Unlimited Beverage package. When I called to take advantage of this great deal I couldn't because my cruise was 51 days before sailing and I would face cancelation penalties so it wasn't worth it. Plus the PCC said that code was a possible error and would check with her supervisor. When I went back to see if it was still there, it was gone.:(

FYI: I'm booked on the NCL Dawn from NOLA to Boston. This was strange because NCL was not even offering the Drink package on this sailing, only the dining and OBC.

I asked for a fruit platter and vegetable platter snack on alternating nights instead of cookies.

I even brought microwave popcorn for movie nights and the butler took care of that for me.

Ok..Thank you so much, again.:)

We rented right at the port. I emailed than and told them I needed that location. U definitely have to reserve ahead of time they only bring over the cars with reservations. At least that was the case the day we were there. If u search back thru this thread u will find the directions that a fellow cc member did for me.

Thank you so much. Ok..I found the website and address to Avis Rental Mega Pier

http://www.avis.com/car-rental/location/details.ac?LOCATIONCODE=WM2

This is my new favorite place! We rented a car from Avis. You must arrange ahead of time as they had no cars available the day of. We had rented a 12 passenger van for $113. This included insurance. The van was interesting! It was a manual-thank goodness hubby knew how to drive one. It had seen better days but it got us where we needed to go. One note: when we arrived back, the office was closed. We just followed what the other renters had done and left the van there with the keys. Really wish they would've told us the proper procedure when we rented the van that morning. I didn't ask because I have never had a rental office close before the ship's all aboard time. We went to Playa Porto Mari. A very kind cruise critic gentleman had provided me with written directions that were spot on. Roads were well marked and we had no issue reaching our destination. Playa Porto Mari was AMAZING!! Can't wait to go back. The husband dove here-$102 for both of them for two dives. One guided and one on their own. cheapest dives ever! They enjoyed the dives tremendously! We enjoyed the beach and the bar. I can't remember the fee breakdown. Umbrellas are free we did have to pay for chairs and the entrance fee. I think I paid around $15 for the three of us and two chairs. There is a lady that will walk the beach and collect the $$ and give you tickets. We had a pitcher of sangria-$18. Also had chicken nuggets and fries. Very yummy and not too pricey. Great snorkeling! I would recommend water shoes as it is rocky going into the water. The water is some of the prettiest water that I have seen in the Caribbean! So peaceful! This is my new favorite spot! Worth the 30 minute drive. We did need to refill the van on the way back, we stopped at a gas station on the left right before the port, you need to stop at the building first, pay for your gas, then proceed to the pump. Took us a bit to figure out this process! A very friendly local gave us step by step instructions!

Thanks for the information. Sounds like you guys had a great time. I can't wait to visit. I declined the visit last year because I thought it was too far, but this year I'm going for it!:cool:

Question: Did you pick up the car from the airport?? Trying to locate online an Avis rental close to the cruise port but I can't locate one.

Excellent choice. I was just there and it is now my favorite beach in all the islands. I liked it better than Cas Abou.

 

I remember about $6 for the chair. Go early, if you can, to get your choice of spots, plus when I left around 2:30, it was getting crowded. They also have nice strong wifi at the bar.

 

$45 per person is probably about right on the high end, the price goes down with more ppl. I was traveling solo, so I waited a bit at the cab stand till we found 4 more people to go, I'm pretty sure we paid 25 each. Worth every penny.

 

I saw lots of people with picnics and coolers, so if you wanted to ask your cabbie to stop to pick up some refreshments on the way, it would be no problem. Beers were 6 or 7 bucks there at the bar as I recall.

 

I did not snorkel, but many did.

Hi,

What time did you leave the beach? How long did it take you to get back to the ship? Our ship leaves @ 5:00 pm. What do you suggest to be a safe time to leave? Did you pay your taxi driver on the return trip to guarantee a ride back to the ship?

My NCL PCC is awesome. She will answer the phone or get back to me within and hour or two. I can even reach her outside of the office/home on her cell phone. If it's an immediate response I need due to a price drop or cabin upgrade, I will just speak to "any" NCL Rep.!:p

My reps. Ext. 7324.

Thanks for the info.....sailing her in 2016!

That's great. Your going to love the Breakaway!

I sailed on her Jan. 2014. I had a blast. I love the setup of the ship. There were so many people on board. In order to explore the ship I decided to get up in the wee hours of the morning and do my rounds and she is beautiful.

I had an aft balcony on deck 9. The balcony was huge..almost the size of my room!

What channel on cablevision?

I think its 163.

I typed in that question and that's the answer given on a question board.

Or use the link Mrs. H provided.

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/tv-schedule

All you have to do is put in your zip code and it will show which cable service is available in your area. Then pick the service you have and it will tell you which channel Smithsonian is on.

NCL doesn't offer this, but I had a great view of stars from my aft balcony one clear night. It was beautiful.

What channel is that on Verizon Fios??

Trying to find it now for DVR'ing tonight.

 

Thanks so much!!!

Verizon channel 134/634 HD

Time Warner Channel 131 HD

:)Have fun watching.

MEGA SHIPS!

We were in the sideways inside cabin #12039 on the Dawn. It's in the new deck 12 block so the bathroom and furnishings are new.

 

As you enter the room, the bed is on your right ...

 

 

The front door is on the right ...

 

 

Looking left ...

 

 

The front door is off the picture on the left ...

 

 

Thank you very much for the pictures. I'll be in my first sideway cabin on the Dawn and this info was very helpful. I see that I'm as nuerotic as others, searching like a mad woman, craving to see what the cabin looks like.:o

I can see myself comfortably enjoying this type of cabin. Thanks again.