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. 

12 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

This has been a major discussion in other forums on CC.  It is well established that many with mild symptoms will NOT step up for voluntary testing because they are afraid of being isolated and losing their freedom.  This is pure selfishness and disregard for their fellow human being.

 

We sail on December 29th and start our travels on December 26th.  We will be PCR tested before leaving home - required or not - and we will be masked except when in our cabin.  

 

This is not the time to trust anyone that they will do the right thing.

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. 

58 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic.  Just wanted to mention that the Thermal Spa is not always quiet.  I did a Caribbean cruise on the Escape in February and that Thermal Spa was the noisiest one I have ever been in.  I like going for the peace and quiet but many of the passengers in there that day (it was the afternoon of a port day, which is usually empty) thought it was there own private party area.  The pool was packed, heated tile lounger 'hogs', lots of yelling back and forth. It was just as bad on a sea day. I had a spa balcony cabin and this was the least amount of time I had ever spent in the Thermal Spa.  Hopefully if this is what you chose, the passengers will be better behaved.  And before I get flamed, I am pretty laid back and realize that everyone who pays for it can behave as they want but I had just never experienced this on any other ship (and I know it can happen on any ship).

Whatever you decide, I hope you and your family enjoy your cruise.

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. 

40 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

 I don't think you can cancel your upgrade request.

 

I tried 5 days ago when an aft balcony became available and my Haven bid was pending. Wouldn't let me.

Next day my upgrade email came thru.

I am sailing with you.

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

On 10/2/2022 at 1:22 AM, BirdTravels said:

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.

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.

On 8/25/2022 at 10:10 PM, Travelling2Some said:

I've always found it a bit curious that cruise lines seem to put their most expensive cabins in the poorest locations.  The suites are frequently just below the pool deck and the haven is way up top and forward, as you said.  We have always been picky about a quiet location and we are prone to motion sickness.  Were once upgraded (last minute surprise) to one of Celebrity's better suites and found the noise from the pool deck very annoying.  Would have definitely preferred the cabin we picked in spite of the added perks.  I don't like spas and who could possibly need afternoon appetizers with the insane amount of food on a cruise ship? 

I agree.  We usually do Celebrity's Aqua Class just to eat at Blu.  On one of their cruises we were under the pool deck.  The noise from attendants moving the chairs around late in the evening and early morning was horrible and it constantly disturbed our sleep.  I'm very careful now about cabin placement.

On 8/30/2022 at 11:27 AM, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I'm not sure of your date, but I just ran October 12, 2022 numbers. There are approximately 1,400 cabins on the joy. Only 519 are booked.

-87 Inside

-15 ocean view

-334 balcony

-50 club balcony

-33 haven

 

The October 12th sailing of the NCL Joy is currently 37% booked.

 

We're on the Encore's October 23rd Panama Canal sailing. Do you have any idea how close to capacity it's booked?  Trying for upgrades to various Haven categories and see a few available. Also worried about too many people on a 3 week cruise.  Thanks, Lia

1 hour ago, Mallow said:

We were going to pick up the spa pass for this sailing as well but decided to use our FCC on a spa balcony so that it was included.

We're currently in a midship balcony and are bidding on Haven Courtyard and Penthouse suites and a Haven Spa suite.  Had the option to bid on a spa balcony which starts at $150/person but am concerned about potential noise since they're below the spa and fitness area. One of our Celebrity Aquaclass rooms was below the pool and we were woken up evenings and mornings by staff moving the furniture.  Never again!

17 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

 Great money spent with amazing views off the aft of the ship for the heated loungers. There are no special days just buy it pre cruise.  

We've been on Celebrity's Aqua Class a few times with free access to the spa and its heated loungers. I'm going to physiotherapy and need to apply heat to my shoulder area, so the loungers, etc should help since otherwise I'd need a microwave to heat up my hot pack.

We're doing the 21 day Panama Canal cruise on the Encore which has a lot of sea days.  I'm interested in the Thermal Suite Pass but it's US$399 per person which I'm not sure is worth it. It would just be for me.  Hubby's not a spa person.  Any advice would be appreciated.

1.  Is there special on day 1, 2 or some other day?  

2. I have a lot of joint and muscle pain that I hope would benefit from the Thalassotherapy pool and possibly hot tubs but I can't tolerate very hot water or saunas.  How hot do they get?

Thanks,

Lia

17 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Have you posted this on the NCL board? Here you are talking to people with a wide range of cruiseline preferences, whereas on the NCL board most people have an interest in NCL. Also, you say that "you've heard" that you can sell/transfer the coupons, and posters there will be able to provide additional details on the process.

Thank you for replying.  I tried that first but it didn't work.  Then I saw NCL's notification that "Posting CruiseNext Certificates for Sale is Against Guidelines".  My post was automatically deleted.

Also, if a fellow Canadian purchased them, it would be much easier to make a banking transfer.  Not sure how it would be done cross-border.

Lia

Anyone???

We've used two of our US $250 Cruise Next coupons and still have two more $250 coupons valid until September 8, 2024. We've already done most of the sailings that NCL offers and would rather sell the coupons than spend money on a cruise we're not that interested in. I've heard that this is possible and then we'd just transfer them.  

Has anyone done this? How much do you get for them? Where do you sell them? 

Thanks,

Lia

1 hour ago, BatchawanaBabe said:

Everyone talks about NCL's great air prices. We found them to be more expensive.  We were charged $349.50 each for the one way flight by NCL. I managed to book a direct flight from Miami for $267.60 (which includes a $60 uncharge for premium economy seats with more legroom). The other flights from south Florida all had one or two stop-overs which would compound the risk of delays.

Sorry but spellcheck must have kicked in.  I meant to say the flight was $267.60 including the $60 surcharge for premium economy, not $60 uncharge.  

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

If you can pay a deviation fee to fly in/out on different days than the cruise  I would do that

Also you can usually pick your flights  so look for Non stops  which is doable from YYZ

 

Not sure how NCL works  but their sister Company does it this way  

We choose  to pay the deviation to pick our flights & also arrive a day or more early

JMO

We have the 21 day Panama Canal cruise booked from Seattle to Miami.  We originally booked NCL's air from West Palm Beach, Florida and were charged $25 each for flight deviation to get there a day earlier by our Personal Cruise Consultant.  NCL's policy has now changed to a credit of $25 each.  Due to all the issues with flight delays and cancellations, it made more sense to arrive early rather than flying in the day of the cruise.

Everyone talks about NCL's great air prices. We found them to be more expensive.  We were charged $349.50 each for the one way flight by NCL. I managed to book a direct flight from Miami for $267.60 (which includes a $60 uncharge for premium economy seats with more legroom). The other flights from south Florida all had one or two stop-overs which would compound the risk of delays.