misha1

4 minutes ago, Sauer-kraut said:

Why not post this on the ALASKA BOARD you might get a lot more local information there.

Good point

Hello fellow cruisers.  We will soon depart on Jewel for our Southbound Alaska cruise.  Prior, we are spending a few days in Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Seward.  What does anyone know about the air quality and visibility, not to mention the feasability of travel to the areas mentioned?  Hoping that everyone in the areas affected are safe.  Julie

DH and I and our 2 DF will be embarking on our South bound Sept. 2nd, and like you, we have fashioned a DIY pre-cruise agenda of Anchorage, Talkeetna and Seward.  Keep it coming, reading with enthusiasm!  

Can any one confirm if there are or are not coffee pots in ocean view, specifically Jewel.  If there are not, can you request one and if you cannot request one, can you bring one?  Thanks in advance, Julie

We have both Skagway and Icy on our itinerary Sept. 2nd

I have experienced suite class on Celebrity and it sounds like Celebrity offers more significant benefits such as a "free" Premium drink package, unlimited WiFi, Suite class only dining, on board credit, and of course the embarkation and disembarkation help, as well as designated seating in the theater.  What Celebrity dose not have is round trip to Hawaii.  For the price of a suite on Princess, I would expect the drink package and WiFi.  Hmmm, more ponderance is required

Hello fellow cruisers.  Princess has enticed me with a round trip from Seattle to Hawaii in 2020.  I am looking at a suite.  What are the Suites only bennies?  I do not see anything on the Princess site about drink packages.  Is there such a thing?  Does the Ruby Princess have a 2 bedroom family Suite?  Thanks in advance.  Julie

On 4/13/2019 at 8:08 AM, bluesea777 said:

 

I think you meant in one week's time.

 

The Bliss repositions to Alaska cruises from Los Angeles in 2 weeks' time so the last Mexico cruise is next week.

 

We are on the Pacific Coastal on April 28th - can't wait. Will see the OP on Bliss.

 

 

Yes you will!  I actually, and out of my norm, started putting clothes and jewelry together.  It was actually quite relaxing and fun.  As long as I don't put them in cases yet, I will be fine.  I have a fear of packing over and over again, so I wait until the afternoon or evening before travel.

6 hours ago, marktwothousand said:

) sandled feet are much dirtier than hands - not sure why you would think otherwise. the loungers in the obs lounge aren’t the typical kind of loungers you’re thinking of like at a pool. They are essentially couches and sofas. It’s ok to put your feet on the end of them as long as you use the blanket provided on the loungers to rest your feet on so that the loungers don’t get dirty. (I‘d recommend COVERING your feet with blankets too, so people don’t have to see them in such a classy area of the ship)

I misspoke...of course shoes are dirty, but if my tootsies have been in shoes/sandals, and I kick them off for lounging, I would thing they are the cleaner of the digit-ed extremities.  Can anyone address the who, what whys of of where to go to book shows and can I book 3 or 4 of them at one time (with a live person, not TV or Kiosk).  Thank you all for your information.  It was very helpful.  Julie

Hello everyone...just a couple of weeks until I embark on Bliss out of LA.  It is 1030 pm my time, alarm is set for 6 am, and I cannot seem to settle my brain into slumber so I thought I would jump on CC and ask a couple of questions I have been mulling about...so here goes

1.  Past cruisers talk about the Waterfront space.  Deck photos show outdoor seating for some of the restaurants.  Is there like lounge seating out there and what deck is that on?

2  Speaking of lounge seating, what is the big discussion about feet on the Observation loungers?  Isn't that why they are called loungers?  I am guessing my sandled feet are cleaner than my hands.  How is one to relax if you cannot put your feet up?  Is this the case with the loungers by the pools or other outdoor decks?

3.  Where exactly can one book the shows and other entertainment venues that cannot be done on line?  (Not counting the kiosks by the elevators mentioned)   Additionally, I read you can only book one show at a time.  What does that mean?  If I am in line and book Prohibition, Do I have to go to the back of the line to book adult comedy?  (am not interested in Vibe passes FYI)

4.  What dock does NCL use in San Fran, and if I were to have someone to pick me up outside the dock, is there street parking?

5.  I understand the buffet is forward, I assume there is outdoor seating? 

6.  Of the 3 MDR choices, which is considered the more upscale?

Well, I think those were the thoughts going through my head tonight, besides my outfit and shoe selections, and which jewelry to bring, and whether I should purchase a travel W/C for DH (we rented a scooter for the ship), and trying to figure out which travel service to use to get to our local airport at 4 am (don't really want to use local taxi as that is just after bar closing...if you know what I mean). 

Sheesh, does anyone else get this hyper before they travel?  I guess I am being a little Type A tonight.  Thanks in advance, Julie

On ‎4‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 3:34 PM, mdsgu said:

Taste or Savor will be open.  Staff will try to turn you around, telling you "lunch is being served on Lido."  Ignore them and proceed on.  The only downside is that what you see on the menu on embarkation day for lunch will be the same thing you will see every day for lunch in the dining room -- it never changes.

 

We, too, have cruised with elderly parents, and it is a lot easier to relax in the dining room than to try to navigate the hordes at the buffet.

Sheehans it is for us

DH and I are also on the 4/28 Bliss cruise, we opted for West Hollywood...Farmer's Daughter Hotel by the Grove to be specific.  A block from the HoHo bus stop, Farmer's Market, and it is in a good neighborhood, plus the price was right.  Only downfall was the driving time from LAX (45 minutes) and Cruise ship pier (over 1 hour) but we aren't doing the driving so we don't care.  Ordered a limo to take us to the pier, will sip some champs on the way

I read something on a recent thread that indicated there is a higher level of drink package then what is included in the promo for booking the cruise. That thread also discussed the pricing differences. I know the promo drink package includes any alcoholic beverage $15 and under but this was the first I heard of a higher level of drink package. What I want to know is if I order a drink and request a top shelf liqour, do I pay the difference ( the amount over $15,) or would I  be charged entire price because it isn't " covered" under my promo drink package?  Thanks in advance... Julie

1 minute ago, Wendy&Grumpy said:

 

I called the pre-concierge Friday and was told not yet. Some on recent cruises have reported being quietly moved from their small cabanas to Haven Lagoon Villas for "testing" purposes, and another reported being told the Villas were available for booking. Pre-concierge told me no, the Villas are not available for booking yet. 

 

I'm honestly wondering if in the 2nd case there was confusion between cabanas & villas. The cabanas on Harvest Caye are called villas, while on Great Stirrup the regular (small & large) cabanas are called cabanas and the ones in the Haven Lagoon area are called villas. 

 

 

If there are any available for your cruise, they'll show in your cruise planner under port excursions. They go fast.

Thanks, we visit GSC, and I would really like to book a cabana, how far out before the cruise do they usually show up?

May I ask a sightly off topic question please?  How does one book a large cabana?  

On 2/24/2019 at 2:42 PM, erdoran said:

I'm April 28 sailing and no one on roll call has even been offered an upgrade, in spite of availability in most categories.

On this sailing and we were offered 6 Haven and suite category options to bid on.  Not even holding my breath as we bid the minimum for an upgrade on 4 of the options.  We recieved an e mail as well as seeing this bidding option every time we check in to My NCL. 

4 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Seems like the outdoor loungers and the chaises in the Observation Lounge would be pretty impossible to use then....

Agree!  

I am curious...why is it so bad to put bare feet on the furniture?  I would prefer that to shoes, and when one thinks about all of the surfaces those bare feet...and yours come in contact with, not to mention your hands, it all relative really.  Much ado about nothing.

What is the incredibly ridiculous looking milkshake like thing I see on TV commercials?

Can anyone tell me how large the bed is in the non-master of the 2 bedroom Haven cabin on Jewel?  Thanks, Julie

8 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

If you're a seasoned RCI cruiser, then you obviously have not sailed on any of the behemoths of the seas known as Oasis class.  The Oasis was the first to start doing this simply because of the basic issue of supply versus demand because of the sheer number of cruisers on board.  NCL continued this trend with their Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes.

You are correct...we have only sailed Radiance Class...once on Explorer and that will never happen again, for many reasons.  We usually sail Celebrity and have never reserved a show, so I wondered why one needed to do that.  Thanks for the info,  Julie

I do not understand why one must reserve a show that is complimentary.  Can anyone explain this?  I am new to NCL (seasoned cruiser on RCCl and Celebrity)

Hello fellow CC members.  DH and I are sailing on Bliss in April and as part of our booking perk, we got a 2 Speciality restaurant offer.  So I made our reservations for Los Lobos and Cagney's.  When I printed the reservation confirmation, I noticed it said ala carte.  So, in regards to our 'free' speciality dining, what are we actually able to get?  In other words, should I rebook a restaurant that charges a fee to get better use of my 'free' dining?  Thanks, Julie

13 hours ago, Paul Bogle said:

the beverage package covers all alcoholic beverages up to $15. Beverages above that price you pay the difference.

Good to know...thanks

DH and I will for sure be giving the Bushwhacker a try, we were also told to try the BBC, and the cucumber Jalepeno mohito sounds yummy too.  Are any of these not included with the UBP?