Turtles06

Check out the British Isles and France Port of Call forums https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/148-british-isleswestern-europe/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/462-france-ports/

Welcome to Cruise Critic! I'm pretty sure that NCL did not provide any shuttles in Cartagena when we were there in 2017 and 2020. There are plenty of taxis. But if this is your first visit to Cartagena, I would highly recommend a private tour with the wonderful Dora de Zubiria. (You'll see many posts about her here in this forum.) Get a small group together on your Roll Call! http://www.cartagenatour.com/

Yes. The Jade's sun deck on Deck 14 forward and the Spinnaker Lounge (Deck 13, forward) are open to everyone (not only in the Canal but at all times). That's one of the things I like about the Jewel-class ships -- they have forward-facing outdoor and indoor spaces open to all. So many new builds (not just on NCL) are "unconnected" to the water, and/or have restricted areas like these to suite guests. Also, during the transit of the Canal, the bow area on Deck 8 (normally off limits to guests) will be open to everyone (see my photo in comment 3 above).

I’ve only stayed in non-Haven suites on the Jewel class ships (both forward and aft-facing penthouses). I’ve seen the Haven area, and it didn’t grab me. (Obviously, I can’t opine on what it’s actually like to stay in Haven suites on those ships.) But if you can book one of the forward-facing non-Haven penthouses for a Panama Canal cruise (especially on Deck 10, the two middle suites), you’ll have the same awesome views as the Captain. 😊

In fact, Newark is actually in New Jersey. 😊

Or Santa Marta, Colombia. (We’ve had a port call there.)

To clarify— a 6 hour flight from Montana to NY (or NJ) is a 6 hour flight; it will arrive 6 hours after takeoff. But the actual local time in NY (or NJ) will be 2 hours later because of the different time zone. (Unless I’m completely mistaken, Montana is in the Mountain Time Zone, which is 2 hours behind the Eastern Time Zone, not 3.)

Just to add to this: when you get to the Amtrak station, ask for the Red Caps. They'll take your luggage, sit you down to wait, and then escort you to the train when ready. They will bring your luggage onto the train and put it onto a rack in your car. When you are on the train, let the conductor know that you'll need Red Cap assistance at your destination station. They will call ahead and arrange this. Sometimes in NY, you'll get off the train and find that the Red Caps are so busy they will have to come back and get you. Just wait on the platform for them. (You'll need to have taken your luggage off the train.) In NY, we've had Red Caps take our luggage up to the street and put it and us right into a cab.

I think it would definitely help to avoid the buffet. But you still have to be aware of other "touch points" -- handrails on stairs, elevator buttons, public restrooms, bar counters, you name it. Wash your hands often, and do your best not to touch your face.

Yes, perhaps the "elderly" in the OP's group don't realize there are Red Caps to assist with luggage. (It's a free service, but tip them generously.) Also, I would think the "younger" folks in the group could help with the luggage too. OP: what's the objection that your "elders" have to Amtrak?

Really bad. The odd thing is that it's from Getty Images. I'm surprised they have such a terrible photograph in their stock. (Of course, that doesn't absolve the person from Forbes who chose to use it. Plenty of pix of just the Dawn out there.)

Looks like the Breakaway is on the port side of the Dawn (with the Breakaway’s starboard side closest to the Dawn). Obviously a terrible image to have chosen.

I sincerely meant what I said.

I’m curious. How is it “easily prevented” if there are guests who don’t practice basic hygiene? How does a cruise line know, for example, when a guest hasn’t washed their hands after using the bathroom and then proceeds to transmit germs to whatever they touch? And even people who are scrupulous about handwashing can still get noro, especially in the close quarters of something like a cruise ship. You touch the wrong thing at the wrong time … And I’m not sure of the relevance of your reference to a post-covid world. Covid is a respiratory illness, noro is not. I don’t see the connection. If your husband were running a cruise line, what would he “easily do” to prevent a noro outbreak? I’m sorry that your embarkation has been delayed and hope you enjoy your time on Mauritius and your shortened cruise.

@fordgal34 I agree with all of this. If you've ruled out the train, you can't beat parking at the cruise terminal for convenience. At the end of the cruise you'll be on your way home quickly. And if the older folks in your group have vetoed the train, I presume because of the schlep factor, then parking at the port avoids the schlepping involved with the other options you are considering. I know you said you don't want to drive farther than New Jersey, but it's not very difficult to get to the Manhattan cruise terminal from NJ. Or, given the cost of parking at the port, and the concerns of the older folks in your group, maybe bite the bullet and do the private transportation from Philly. (All of this assumes things don't work out with your friend in South Orange and Uber from there, which seems to be your preference.) Good luck!

Precisely. I wish folks would stop posting rumor and speculation from the media (or elsewhere).

Wow, thanks for that interesting factoid. While I always check the rules of countries I’m visiting re bringing in meds, it would never have occurred to me to look for a rule about CPAP machines. I wonder what their concern is.

Old news. The current cruise was supposed to end today, Sunday, Feb. 25, and as reported much earlier in this thread, guests were told it will likely be Tuesday before they disembark, because of testing being done by Mauritius.

You do realize, I hope, that noro is not confined to NCL, or even to cruise ships. It’s an illness that easily spreads in close quarters, including schools and nursing homes. But the media love to go nuts when there’s anything negative to report about a cruise. I’m sorry your cruise wasn’t what you’d hoped it would be.

The linked article does NOT “report” that it’s a cholera outbreak. It says this: ”While on the ground in Mauritius, USA TODAY and a group of journalists scheduled to depart on a press itinerary Sunday, heard the stomach illness was suspected to be cholera.” Let’s not get ahead of things!

I was on the Celebrity Summit not long after she was “revolutionized.” The upgrades included actual handwashing stations at the entrance to the buffet. Almost no one used them. I couldn’t believe it. Even before Covid, I was Lady Macbeth when it comes to handwashing, and I was glad to have more than a Purell spritz at the buffet. Ships with handwashing stations should not allow people into the buffet unless they have washed their hands. It’s not a total solution to the spread of germs, but it would help.

I hope those on board who are ill recover quickly and that everyone else remains healthy. I hope you all are able to get home without major hassles. And for those waiting to board, I hope that adequate accommodations are found for you asap. Some guests on the Dawn are posting on this Reddit site: @mking8288 apologies, I hadn’t seen that you’d posted the above link when I put up this comment

It’s a really long and tiring haul down to Buenos Aires from the U.S. (I’ve done it, and as much as I loved Buenos Aires, it’s not a flight I’d be eager to repeat.) And these particular cruises are not cheap.

I don’t know if this is too late for the OP, but Amtrak is having an incredible sale right now, including some very cheap fares (on the Acela) that aren’t even advertised as part of the sale.

I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Expedition ships anchor off shore and the guests take zodiacs ashore. (photo by turtles06)