roger001

I'd almost booked a Gem out of the DR.  I'm going to wait now  until something happens one way or another.  I'm guessing the DR booking are no where close to full right now anyhow.  

1 minute ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

That was a fabulous book!  I recommend it to people all the time.   I wasn’t aware of a fraction of the problems they encountered during the process.

it is a MUST read for anyone doing the canal.

The speaker we had on our first PC cruise was excellent and the theater was standing room only for each of his talks.  He looked and sounded just like John Bolton.  We only had a speaker on our full transit.  The other two were partials and only had someone onboard during the transit.

I've read the book twice it was that interesting.  The French sure get and A for effort in their initial attempt to build the canal.   They were just too early to have the later technology that was needed  available.  

24 minutes ago, Murph269 said:

From the information available so far, it looks like that’s just for Alaska cruises leaving from Seattle. 

I still wonder if Alaska ports can get up and running, or even want to try for such a short season remaining.  They've got to import most workers, correct?

22 minutes ago, RaftingJeremy said:

You’ll likely land in Punta Cana or Santo Domingo.  The airport in La Romana is small and has limited service.  The ship is also not sailing till late I saw. 

Yea.  I see you don't depart until 9 pm.   From some points in the US and connecting flights, and the long drive to the port, you could need every bit of that late departure to make it.  Long day.  An overnight before in DR would be worth it.  Will NCL schedule  for a day before?   I'm actually considering this cruise schedule.....if the whole thing doesn't get cancelled.  If the FLA Gov finally gives in, the schedules are going to be a whole new ballgame I think.  

1 minute ago, Seany527 said:

Yea it’s bogus and I was super confused at first too. 
 

It’s $399 per person, assuming that the original ticket price is $798. 
So instead of charging one person $798 and the other person $0, NCL splits the cost and charges each person $399. 

Hell of a way to show it.  It sure seemed to show the total airfare as $399.   Thanks.  

Also, if NCL if flying you in same day to the DR, they must be flying you into La Romana.  It has a big airport.  To land at Santo Domingo would be an almost 2 hour trip to the cruise port in La Romana.

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

I hope that’s true, we are booked on the Gem for Sept 19 and hope it sails (from there). We opted for NCL’s air promotion, so if they were to change the embarkation port, would they automatically reroute us? We are also considering a deviation which would allow us to stay in the DR before or after the cruise. Currently it looks like NCL is flying us in to Santo Domingo on the day of departure. 

I was looking at the Gem DR cruises yesterday.  I priced one out with airfare.  It showed $399 and second person flies free.  It clearly said that the fare shown was round trip.  But when it finally priced out the entire cruise, the airfare was double that.  What were your results?  

As mentioned, A Path Between the Seas is a must read before the trip. Also, a few good documentaries have been made regarding it.  The American Experience, Panama Canal is one. Check Amazon for that. About 10 years ago I took all these pictures going through the old locks.  We were traveling East to west.  They begin early morning approaching the first locks and end early evening just exiting into the Pacific.  We were on the Pearl.  
 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/V5l9FvWTTfueZGqO2

As mentioned, nothing but cabins above and below.  Here is a site that has all the ship deck plans so you can see what is there. 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/dragdeck.php?ship=Norwegian-Jewel

Apparently word is spreading about the possible Alaska cruise season returning.   My SWA points price from Nashville to Seattle and return, that I did not book last night when looking, today has tripled today since last night.  

Are otherwise the two cabins the same?  

Is there any difference on eh Bliss between the Club Balcony Suite and the Family Club Balcony (previously know as Mini Suites)?

Also, what's Seattle status regarding cruise ships in port?  Are they open to that yet, or if not, when are they intending too?

51 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Seattle may have the same issue-- many more jobs in the Hospitality industry currently available than the number of people willing to work even at a good pay scale. 

Can't say that I blame them.  I could go work at Amazon standing and sorting all day for $15 and hour....or I could not go to work at all and get $15.32 an hour.  Let me think about that one..........

Wonder if Alaska can get their temporary workers up there in time for a short season?  Here in the lower 48, businesses are closing because of no workers willing to work right now.  

I sue as hell hope they continue with the 100% vaccination and no masks.  After I hear reports on the first sailings, I'll then be ready to start booking.  But with masks and unvaccinated, no.  

And the 5 days to Bermuda doesn't give you the relaxed Bermuda time that makes it so great.  

Here are way too many pictures of the Getaway.  They are about 6 years old so some things have changed a bit.  However, they will give you a good idea of what those two ships are like.  We are Jewel class fans also.  The Getaway, we've sailed on her twice, very nice and beautiful ship.  However, for us just way too large and we just don't use all that she offers.  Also, balconies are really small, except for a few on deck 8.  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vls9lJ7ii1nmkOxq2

14 hours ago, NJGeorge said:

Never assume common sense.

A little rude...don't ya think?????

No way to know with such uncertainty with the future.  I'm same thing.  Want fully vaccinated and no masks.  I'm just going to hold off and do last minute booking when some certainty occurs.  There is no correct answer at this time.  

When the masks are gone and everyone on board is fully vaccinated.....I'm cruising (but not before)!!!!!   Bring it on!

There is just no way decisions can be made very far out.  The situations are so subject to change still. And the NCL minimum wage rep certainly doesn’t know or could even guess any better than any one of us.  There is no answer to your question.......yet. 

I happens.  I've had two cruises cancelled when the ship (Pearl) got chartered for music cruises.  

1 minute ago, roger001 said:

I cruised on the Jade once out of there.  I do remember the area around the port did not have much development.  We stayed at the only hotel near there it seems.  

Where is the port located?

8 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Yes I remember the Jade was here when I first moved to Texas.  It was actually out of the Port of Houston.  

I cruised on the Jade once out of there.  I do remember the area around the port did not have much development.  We stayed at the only hotel near there it seems.