BatchawanaBabe

Yes, just off the Encore 2 weeks ago. Had the choice of shuttle to Fort Lauderdale or Miami for the same price. However, if you have an early flight, just be aware that you may not make it. There were several buses leaving but our driver had to repack the luggage in the bottom compartments because he had a hard time getting it all to fit. People were complaining that they were going to miss their flights because it took so long.

We just got off the Encore on the 13th. We picked an 8:30 disembarkation time but could have left earlier. One word of warning though. We booked NCL's shuttle to MIA and it took forever to load the luggage. People were complaining that they'd miss their flights, so perhaps take a taxi. We wanted to take an Uber but were warned that the driver would have difficulties finding us.

I got the Thermal Suite Pass online for $399 for my recent 21 day cruise. I have issues with sore muscles in my neck and shoulders so I wanted the jets of the pool to ease them after excursions and to relax on sea days. After a few days, I cancelled my pass. The pool's jets hit me mid-back and behind the thighs which was ok but not where I needed them. They didn't adjust. Yes, there was a waterfall feature that got my shoulders but it didn't really work for me or the other women who tried it because it soaked our heads completely and pulled away the fronts of our bathing suits. Also, I hoped to relax on the heated loungers. Every time I tried there were a few men sleeping and snoring. Listening to someone snoring is not my idea of relaxation! My other gripe was with the showers in the locker rooms. There are only rainfall showers so unless a woman wants to shampoo her hair, they're useless. You can't just wash your body. I didn't see one woman in the showers while I was there. Otherwise, the locker rooms were good. You were given a locker number, you input your own 4 digit code and had robes, towels, and hair dryer available. Note that the showers only had body wash and conditioning shampoo. As someone with long hair, I need a separate conditioner, so I had to bring mine.

We just returned from a 21 day Panama Canal cruise. Upon embarkation, everyone was asked if they were sick, had a cold, cough, diarrhea, etc. Although people must have said “no” in order to ge allowed on the ship, many were coughing in the waiting area. You wouldn’t believe how many were coughing a few days later. The medical center ran out of OTC meds and the gift shop had none. Although there were doors in front of the buffet’s shelves, they were useless because people were coughing after they entered and sanitized their hands and when they went back for seconds or another course. I didn’t realize I had brought gloves until I was packing. It’s a good idea. We don’t want to cruise again in the near future. Our ship was only at 50% capacity! I’d hate to see the spread of germs with more.

I always bring my hair straightener since not all wrinkles come out using the steam from your shower.

The $50 shore excursion credit is applied to the first passenger’s account upon booking an excursion. If you don’t take an excursion at a port, you won’t get it back as a refund. As a Silver level passenger, I got a 10% credit on my excursions. Hubby got the $50. We just returned from the Encore’s 21 day Panama Canal cruise. In some cases we found NCL’s prices to had reasonable but in others they were higher than independent arrangements. For example, the Hop On bus in Cartagena Columbia was $59 each, so $59-50=$9 for hubby and $59-10% or $53 for me. We could have booked directly for around $20.

I’m on the Encore now for a 21 day cruise. Some tiled lounger hogs but lots of older men falling asleep and snoring. Ruins the ambiance.

Actually the email gives us the opportunity to cancel so long as it hasn’t been accepted by them. We bid on the Courtyard Penthouse with large balcony. Crossing our fingers. See you there!

Our 21 day Panama Canal cruise starts tomorrow. We just flew into Seattle last night and got an email advising that our Courtyard Haven upgrade from regular balcony is pending. Now I’m worried about the dress code if it goes through since we’re here. We’re used to Celebrity’s Aqua class where men usually wear jackets in the evening and women wear fancier outfits. We didn’t bring those. Should we cancel our upgrade request and just stay in our regular balcony since we packed for that? Also, is it worth the additional money? We didn’t get the beverage package since we don’t drink much. Are alcoholic drinks included? I know we get a coffee machine. Thanks, Lia

We booked our 21 day cruise in January 2021 and got 5 specialty dining meals back then in a balcony! Happy because we have a lot of sea days. Just booked a 9 day cruise and got 2 meals but since there are only 2 days at sea, it's fine. Add-ons 1 x Shore Excursion Discount 2 x 5 Meal Speciality Dining Package 1 x Internet Package (500 Minutes) on 14 + sailings

Hubby and I are snowbirds who spend up to 6 months a year in Florida. We got a fantastic offer from T-Mobile a few years ago for BOGO iPhone 8's and we'd never think of switching. Our US$60 plan covers unlimited calling and data in the US, Canada and Mexico for both phones. One caution though, while in Canada we use our home's internet because the plan is not intended to be used full-time here. Our friends nearly lost their plan because they used the phone's data while at home in Canada. That's fine with us because we stream our TV and the kids need internet when they visit and work from here. We got great coverage in Europe and our kids were able to use our hot spots to catch up on their emails, etc. You can get the warranty thru T-Mobile or Apple, whichever you wish. T-Mobile has the best coverage in the US and we're in remote cottage country in Ontario, yet our phone has no problems, while friends with Canadian plans have issues getting signals.

Since I've only seen chocolate milk cartons at the buffet for breakfast, I bring one to my room and put it in the fridge for when the craving hits.

We'll be getting $2400 FCC back on our 21 day Panama Canal cruise. Same conditions as previous posters. "These credits will be available for one year to book and sail upon completion of our current sailing on Debarkation Day." No problems getting it but maybe because we used our PCC.

I agree with the previous comments about Costco's vanilla but wanted to bring to the attention of bakers that I purchased a bottle of clear vanilla in Curacao a few years ago in addition to the regular dark kind. It keeps the perfect white color of baked goods, frostings or sweets. IMG_6411.HEIC IMG_6412.HEIC

I recently spoke to the Shore Excursion desk at NCL and was told that this is still a tender port although my cruise confirmation says that we dock. NCL doesn't show much in the way of excursions nor do some of the shore excursion companies. I guess between Covid and the new port, things are still in a state of flux. We did a partial Panama Canal cruise a few years ago docking in Colon which was a scary industrial-looking place. Really enjoyed visiting Panama City but would love to be able to tour a few other areas in the country that retirees are moving to. Guess we'll have to fly in for a longer visit.