ihopfar

Hi,

 

Should I have any worries about making a 12:25PM flight after disembarking the NCL Dawn in New Orleans in January without taking off our own luggage?

 

Thanks!

Brad

Hi All,

 

We are sailing on the Dawn for New Years at the end of the year and would love to hear from people who just sailed NCL (especially the Dawn) for New Years.

 

It is our first New Years cruise and would like to hear about any special menus in the MDR and/or specialty restaurants for New Years Eve or New Years Day. Also, what kind of parties did they have on New Years Eve?

 

Anything else different on a New Years cruise than other cruises?

 

Thanks!

Brad

I know the Hilton Riverwalk is convenient to the port, but is it a safe area?

 

How safe is the walk to/from the French Quarter at night from the hotel?

 

Thanks!

Brad

I assume my credit was $30 as that is what I spent. If I'd have spent more then I would have been credited more.

 

I went to guest services this morning about it, more to let them know there is a problem than anything else. They're going to look into it. It is almost certainly an error rather than some secret charge, but as has been said, it shouldn't happen.

 

 

Sorry you had this math issue.

 

Has anyone said what the limitations are with the UDP in the newly a la carte restaurants? Is there a limit to the apps, sides, desserts? Are all entrees included or are some "premium"?

 

Thanks!

Brad

Our Allure cruise is later in the year next year, so show reservations are not open yet for our cruise.

 

Would really appreciate it if someone whose spring 2016 reservations are open could please post the show schedule. Know there might be differences for our cruise, but this would at least give us an idea for planning.

 

Thanks!

Brad

I would think that would apply to cabins on deck 14. Decks 11 and 12 are not too badly affected by pool deck noise.

 

That is what I have read as well. That although there can be some noise from the pool deck, it is less on decks 12, 11 (and below).

 

Besides pool deck noise, I would like feedback from folks who have stayed in one of these cabins if there is additional noise from this particular crew area. Looking at old threads some say yes, some say no.

 

Thanks!

Brad

Hi,

 

Can anyone tell me if the Allure Central Park cabins 14229, 14629, 12229, 12629, 11229, 11629, etc. by the "white space"/crew area are noisier than other central park balconies because of noise from the crew area?

 

Thanks!

Brad

Thank you both very much.

 

We like to get to the port early. The last trip out of Baltimore (not in Suite) we saw them open a VIP security line after we were already on board. Not sure who qualified (we would not have) so I am guessing we will probably be there before they open that line again this time.

 

This is our first time in a JS so just curious if the roped off area is the same as the rest or if there is anything special besides first on -- do they put out pastries, coffee, etc.?

 

Thanks!

Brad

Planning a trip on the Grandeur in a JS.

 

I am still looking for information on the JS/Suite waiting area in Baltimore from recent cruisers.

 

We like to get there early so curious what RCCL sets up in the terminal for their suite guests.

 

Also, do we get priority through security?

 

Thanks,

Brad

Hi All,

 

We went to Labadee last year on the Independence. We had a great time -- really enjoyed Columbus Cove with the buffet right there.

 

We are planning a trip next year where Grandeur is the only ship scheduled to be there. With about half as many people as on the Independence, will the buffet by Columbus Cove be open or just the buffet by the dock?

 

Thanks!

Brad

Thank you very much for your review! It was a great read!

 

It brings back memories of our trip on the Breakaway to Bermuda. It also brought back memories of Kev. He was scheduled on our Breakaway cruise before he passed.

 

for the main course...sakari had....a pb&j and chips. Only at the mdr on ncl will you see someone eating a pb&j for dinner! What is this world coming to? I just think it's so weird. I would never feed my child that for dinner...but i guess it's her vacation and when on vacation, i let her eat whatever pleases her for some reason. Still doesn't seem like dinner to me and i'm sticking to that!

 

I found this very amusing. We had PB&J (DW and I) the other night for dinner in our dining room. Can't say we do this often, but we are in the midst of a kitchen renovation, so easy meals like that are a lifesaver instead of eating out every night. :)

 

By any chance, do you still have the part of the daily that shows the times for the various dinning venues for the Dawn? If you could post a sample of that, or two (sea day vs port day) that would be great!

 

Thanks!

Brad

Thanks All!

 

For those who have cruised out of Baltimore in a Suite or JS, what is the Suite/JS like?

 

Brad

I see that effective August, NCL is changing the dinning package from UDP To SDP.

We booked a cruise at the end of December (last year) with the CHOD promotion. But, the cruise is not until the end of next year. Will we be given what ever dinning package is in effect next year?

Since we were not looking to eat in the a la carte, I don't think the UDP and SDP plans are that different for us -- especially because as part of the booking I assume they will give it to us for every night of the cruise. However, I we have a long time until our cruise and I am afraid they will keep making changes that may diminish the value of the promotion.

Thanks,
Brad

We are sailing in our first JS next year and as such have been reading the threads on the (limited) benefits of a JS over a balcony with interest.

 

There is one benefit I accidently came across that I have not seen mentioned: If I do a mock booking for our sailing and select a Balcony cabin, Early Traditional Dining is not available (wait list only). However, if I select a JS, then Early Traditional Dining is available (no wait list.)

 

I do have one question I am confused about. I know JS gets priority check-in, which depending on the lines may not be quicker. However, do we also get priority boarding? We like to get to the port early, usually before they are boarding the ship, so being able to board first with the "real" suites would be nice. We are sailing from Baltimore if it matters.

 

Thanks!

Brad

Overall a great cruise. We had some issues with our aft JS cabin :mad:

 

 

Can you please elaborate on your issues with your aft JS? We have our first aft JS booked for our next cruise on the Grandeur, so you got me curious.

 

Thanks!

Brad

A JS gets you a Silver Card on Royal, which does not get very much.

 

Does a silver card get you anything? I have never seen anything mentioned. ..

 

Thanks,

Brad

 

Cruise was way overbooked. Close to 3,000 pax. At double occupancy, ship would hold 2400 pax and not the normal 2,000 pax. It was like putting 10# of sugar (you can change this word, if you like) into a 5# bag.

 

 

I was on the 8-night cruise as well and I thought there was closer to 2400 pax not 3000. We did not feel it was overcrowded. What areas did you find crowded?

 

Roy -- I take it there were probably fewer folks on the 10-night with less spring breakers, etc. filling up the 3rd and 4th berths. Did you notice a difference in how crowded the ship felt between the two sailings?

 

Brad

I know this doesn't answer your question directly, but, we were recently on thr Grandeur and had a standing MTD reservation for 8PM, the same time as late traditional. The 7PM show and then into dinner worked very well for us. We don't like eating early and this way we did not feel rushed through dinner to make the show.

 

BTW, no matter what the wonderful website shows, I can confirm Grandeur traditional dinning times are 5:30 and 8:00.

 

Brad

We are considering an NCL cruise over New Year's.

 

Does the MDR or specialty restaurants have special menus for NYE and/or New Year's day?

 

I presume regular menus the rest of the time.

 

Thanks,

Brad

I am currently on the Grandeur and in a cabin that shows indications of having been one that housed an infected person. This is Day 5 of the cruise, I am healthy and not worried...because:

 

this crew is amazing! They are working around the clock to make sure that no virus can exist on the ship. Every one of them, from dancers, to Loyality Ambassador, to concierges, etc. are out and about sanitizing. They are working in cycles in the food venues to make sure that no guest touches serving utensils. They are pulling very long hours but always have a smile on their faces.

 

I am so very impressed by them and proud of them.

 

Glad to hear they are taking precautions. Have you heard of anyone having Noro on this sailing?

Maybe Royal will give us a credit or money back on the fuel they will be saving. LOL

 

I would not spend any expected windfall back from Royal just yet. :D

 

Actually, I am wondering why they think they can get us to Coco Cay by 10:00AM if we were not supposed to get to Nassau to 1:30PM. I know it is closer, but I did not think it was that much closer. So, they might be taking the fuel they would save on switching the order of the ports and using it to go faster on the way to Coco Cay.

 

Brad

If you previously were going to be at Coco Cay with two ships, and now will be there by yourself, that could be the primary reason, as many people have complained about the overcrowding when there are two ships at Coco Cay. We were there with Enchantment over Thanksgiving, and the Captain recommended everyone get over as soon as possible as there would be close to 5,000 people on the island.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

That's a very good point.. I am very happy we appear to be the only ones at Coco Cay! It still begs the question why they did not plan that in the first place since they should know one ship at a time is better without people complaining about the overcrowding.

 

Brad

Hi Brad

 

How can you tell how many ships will be in each port with you?

 

Tracy

 

Tracy,

 

I like http://www.cruisetimetables.com

 

I find it to more accurate than some other sites... but none are 100%.

 

Brad

Thanks to my roll call, I just discovered this week that our 8-night Bahamas cruise on the Grandeur has a change of itinerary. It seems the Coco Cay and Nassau days have been reversed on the rest of the sailings for this season.

 

No, I am not complaining. :) We don't care about the order, and in fact the port times appear to be better!! Also, it looks like we will be in port with fewer ships. Overall, a win-win situation. Not to mention the savings of fuel because I believe the ports are now ordered "in a row" instead of having to double back to get to Coco Cay after Nassau before going to Key West.

 

My question is: Anyone know why this change was made relatively close to sailing? I am just curious why they did not schedule it this way in the first place.

 

Thanks,

Brad

The last time we sailed on NCL, you could not make reservations in the MDR. I believe last summer that policy changed and they started taking reservations for certain times.

 

We are considering planning another NCL cruise and are wondering how well the reservation system is working.

 

Does anyone have any feedback?

 

Please do not turn this into a debate on whether reservations are needed or not. :-)

 

Thanks!

Brad