luv2gonow

They've changed the way they process UBP orders since sometime last year. They used to cover the 18% UBP service charge and make you sign for your drinks, then zero it out. Now they charge you the 18% for the package and don't bother charging and zeroing out the drinks.

 

The 18% supposedly goes to the bartenders, but I don't trust the auto grats on any cruiseline and just count them as part of my cruise fare. I always get a couple hundred USD in small bills and use it to tip people throughout my cruise, then at least I know they've gotten something. As a bonus, I get awesome service and never wait no matter how crowded the bar is.

I must admit that it certainly was easier without signing and made service quicker, but I don't really trust NCL to give them extra now. Bartenders seemed to not understand either.

Anyway I just hope ncl is not screwing over there help... With a these new fees I hope it Dosent just go to stockholders.

Kerri

You have paid for tips in your service charges with your package. The bartenders will get a portion of this with their salaries. If they didn't they would have quit. No need to tip extra unless they give you extra service, but not necessary.

I hear you about them quitting. But front desk seemed unclear if they get some of beverage package she seemed to think it was just tax.

And bartenders seemed to think they didn't.

I did tip extra amazing how they remember my drink and name after 1st order.

Kerri

Hi,

How do bartenders get tips?

I had UBP and I never signed a receipt. Last year on Epic with UBP I had to sign for all drinks and there was the auto 18 percent added.

I did not sign for a drink... I asked bartender how do you get tipped? I asked if they get part of taxes added to UBP package.

He said no. So I said so if I don't tip you in cash you won't get a tip???

They said yea pretty much!

Who carries cash on a ship. I gave him some cash at end of week but that is ridiculous. Most people won't do that I don't think.

Anyone know if I am wrong and the bartenders get some gratuities? From $13 per day??

Thanks

Kerri

Not a fjord - just lots of little islands and waterways. Here's a time lapse I did two years ago leaving Stockholm:

 

[YOUTUBE]XKnEfs4i3Xk[/YOUTUBE]

Wow that is so cool!!!!

Thanks

Kerri

Good luck to everyone!!

I will be on the july 22nd sailing... I hope this ship is ok!!!

Flying to Amsterdam for 5 nights before home I would hate to miss that flight....

But the flight home to USA would be worse to miss!

Kerri

Edit

Also is the sail into Stockholm thru a fjord? I heard very scenic

Thanks

I also received email regarding free air and hotel but it was direct from NCL.

Don't know about CAS.

I am booked on the NCL star and final payment was already made. So I am not calling to see how much it would be. I'm hoping not same price I paid.

I would be nervous about it though....I would be flying out of JFK which you would think would guarantee direct flight. But they don't guarantee it.

I was considering booking air for my med cruise on Epic(last summer) but they would not guarantee direct.

Although I did book a land/sea tour(thru NCL) that spent the 1st week in Venice, Florence and Rome....then boarding in Rome. They used 3rd party tour group which was Gate 1 travel. Seriously was worried turned out it was the most amazing trip ever!!!

Happy planning

Kerri

Thanks everyone.

I did take the hotel night it also includes transportation.

Although I would like to have upgraded to Ocean view but not possible.

Seems like not a bad deal Hawaii seems to have not many promos available and never beverage!

Can't wait for Hawaii!!!

Now to just decide if I want to go to Aulani for the whole week before cruise

or break up into more Waikiki and add on to that hotel night.

Or possibly a night on north shore.

Want to spend as little time in traffic as possible.

I might to Pearl Harbor on that free hotel night in Waikiki. But not sure how I would return car in Waikiki....don't want to go back to airport

Thanks

Kerri

We're leaving on the NCL Epic in a little over two weeks and I am very excited. I've read a ton on these boards and appreciate all of the information. I'm also getting a little nervous about some of my plans and would appreciate any/all feedback. As background, I studied abroad in Siena and speak limited (read: bad) Italian. The rest of the group has not been to Italy previously.

 

I know my plans for the stops in Civitavecchia/Rome and Livorno/Florence are ambitious, but I'm hoping that they're not impossible. I was hoping that anyone with any experience could chime in. Here are my current plans:

 

Rome:

1. Dock at 6 am - We will leave the ship ASAP (have priority disembark) and, assuming we're in Dock 12B as the Epic has been listed for the June dates, walk to the train station or take the shuttle bus then walk

2. Train to Ostiense (either 7:02-8:07 or 7:44-8:36)

3. Metro to Colosseo and catch 9:30 am tour of Colosseum & Forum

4. Self-guided tour of Rome, ending either at Spanish Steps or St. Peter's

5. Train back to Civitavacchia - Either 4:57-5:39 from Termini or 4:32-5:13 from St. Peter's

6. Walk back to ship

7. All aboard at 6:30

 

Florence:

1. Dock at 7 am - Leave ship ASAP, Get a taxi (**Any recommendations on this step? Any phone numbers or suggestions to convince them to take us to the train station?**)

2. Train to Florence (either 7:30-9:07, 7:43-9:22, or 8:12-9:32)

3. Catch 9:30am private tour of Accademia/Duomo

4. Lunch & self-guided tour of Florence

5. Train back to Livorno (3:28-4:48 or 4:28-5:48)

6. Preferably a taxi back to ship, but we could do the bus route

7. All aboard at 6:30

 

Sorry for such a long post! I really would appreciate any input. Other than my broken foot (oops), we're all in good shape and are very fast walkers even with my very attractive walking cast. I'm probably overthinking the timing but would rather know it's unrealistic now than miss the ship in two weeks.

Hi,

I was wondering what tour of academia and Uffizi did you get?

Does this include tix and guide? Also what is the cost?

Thanks

Hi,

trying to help a friend who is going to Italy.

So if you order tix for accedamia and Uffizi you do not wait in line?

Same for Vatican?

Also she is leaving in 2wks would that be hard to get?

Also for these museums are the audio guide sufficient?

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

I am booked July 2017 on POA:-)

I booked last summer on board the Epic and there were no promo avail besides

Credit I received on board.

With new promo I called and was able to get the free hotel night. 2 rooms

I have 2 cabins 1 balcony 1 inside)Almost went for the 2br suite Wrap corner aft( all promo inc)

But would have been 2300 more and promo only good for 1st 2 passengers, and 1 hotel room.

Also being so port intensive and sailing with other people non suite I didn't think I would utilize suite perks.

But the Napoli coast sail would have been suite;-)

Anyhoo..... What is the best deal you have seen on Hawaii cruise.

Have you ever seen beverage package or more than 1 perk available.

There is two avail now but NCL said only 1 for Hawaii unless the suite now.

Thanks:-)

Kerri

We were just on the Regal. From CPH to pier was DKK 418 and from pier to CPH was DKK 482.

 

Worth it for us: 3 people and our luggage. Nice clean mercedes taxi with very nice drivers.

Thanks for the info.

We will be 4 people with 4 bags(max size airlines allow)

Do U think another person and more luggage would have fit in your car?

Also anyone know if hotels can call for taxi to port. I am flying in day before.

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

I was looking at taxi from airport to hotel. Looks reasonable well under $100.

Looked at private car service and it was like $300 ... Is this possible.

Also was looking at maybe a private tour before boarding cruise including transfer.

Private tours seem to be $400 ish for a 3 hour walking tour!

Wow!!!

So it seems the dollar sign was on the price. Is this possible?

I am getting a private driver(found here)

In Amsterdam for whole day for like $300 euros.

Am I missing something or is Copenhagen more expensive than the normal?

Also any recommendation?

Thanks

Kerri

SHip docks right in town.

Easy port to just walk around by the water and look at the shops and have a nice lunch.

Happy planning

In looking at Tivoli's website, I think the basic ticket - the one that's around $16.50 USD as mentioned earlier - is only for admission to the park; tickets for the rides are extra. Or there's a combo ticket that's admission plus unlimited rides that's more expensive. So, double-check that, if you're interested in rides vs. no rides.

Ahhhh that makes more sense... Admission just to walk on gate then the "extras"

Kerri

Great pics!!!

I can't wait to go. We are arriving in Copenhagen day before cruise.

We are big Disney fans so excited to see his inspirations.:D

Your pics inspired me to just spend the day into the evening there!

Also.... $16.50 :-) admission....clearly Walt wasn't inspired by those prices.LOL

Kerri

I arrived at the port around 1:00. Checkin was a breeze.

I took a NCL transfer from hotel in Rome.

Great cruise have a great time

Kerri

Thanks everyone for the helpful info!

Sounds like it should be fine then.

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

I have beverage package I know it is a $15 drink max.

Anyone know how much a double costs say a baybreeze?

I have the package on Baltic cruise and will be mostly touring so maximum isn't an issue. .

Also can you only get one drink per person? Or can I get one for my husband ?

Thanks

Kerr

Schiphol now eve has the floors covered with bright signing/arrows to point passengers to the legit taxi line, don't worry. Just don't accept any rides offered between exiting the arrivals hall's doors and the outdoor exit of the indoor Plaza shopping area (it's all connected).

 

All the yellow/blue is public area, the Plaza shopping area. Taxis are on the grey road, you will immediately see them when you exit Plaza.

Thanks so much!

Thanks for all the great info.

So I will be changing my room to a regular balcony room towards the aft, port side behind lifeboats. Do the lifeboats stick out?

Was thinking of the Aft but I know some ships have soot and more vibrations directly aft.

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

Help with some of my Hawaii 2017 cruise please:D

Booked this cruise on board the Epic last summer and I always get a regular balcony.

Lady at desk convinced me to book 9028 which is a large balcony said great to see the lava flow?

Is starboard the right side for that? I am concerned about being that far forward....I usually stay towards aft will movement be the same?

Also was planning on staying at Aulani for 5 nights before cruise. Would it make more sense to add on a night or 2 in Waikiki for Pearl Harbor etc?

Don't want to spend vacation in traffic.

Especially with the night before cruise promotion I wonder what price to add on extra day as well.

Since we are docking overnight twice is Starboard or Port side better for views?

Thanks

Kerri

American Hotel is right in city centre, nice location. Not nice if you rent/want to park a car however. Indeed a prviate drive would be so much easier.

Keep checking often the AF house website for tickets, difficult to tell when they will be online for August. Recently those for July were available, so August might come soon too. Almost impossible now to get in without tickets due to new regulations. Only in the later afternoon, but lines again might still be long.

Pirate cabs are those people offering their services in the arrival hall. Regular cabs are found outside more or less in front of the building.

Also this shuttleservice might be another option:

http://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/

Thanks so if the drivers are in/with their cars they are the

Good taxi? Yes I will keep checking.

I emailed the driver you recommended hopefully he is available sounds perfect!

Thanks

Kerri

If you weren't issued a PIN in the US at the time the card was issued to you, it is probably not a PIN and chip card, rather it is a chip and signature card, which are becoming very common in the US.

 

Double check with your provider exactly what kind of card you have- sometimes using a PIN on a "non" PIN and chip card gets you cash advances, which typically come with hefty fees.

Thanks, might have been given a pin which I ignored because like you said it would be for cash advance which I never do. I do have a signature on back as well.

Thanks

Kerri

Bruinisse itself is quite small, no car needed there unless you want to explore the area/locks etc around.

Public transport to it might be a bit of an hassle as Ine said; only half part of the journey can be done by train and the other half with slower transport.

 

Arranging a taxi/car with a driver for the day might be your best option. But don't get ripped off by fetching one on the streets. Pre arrange one like; http://www.dagtoertaxi.nl/services.html

 

With Amsterdam - Bruinisse and vice versa being some 260 Km, 1½ hour journey time single way by car and some driving around you should be looking at (on the safe side) 350 Km. With a total hire of 10 hour it should be 250 Euro according to the fares on his site.

 

The fare for public transport per person single way is about 22-23 Euro, let's say that would add up to 100 Euro in total.

 

Enjoy Holland!

I am really liking renting a driver. I was thinking of that last night and here I have a link:)

Thanks so much!

Kerri

Have a great time.

Thanks so much for all of the amazing information!!! :D

I am staying at the Hampshire hotel American

Address Leidsekade 97, 1017 Amsterdam?

Is this a good location?

Also Pirate cabs in airport inside gate?

Would these be the 1st cabs I would see?

How far are "good" cabs?

One of the tours I will do is to country side including Zaanse Shans, Eden and Volendam.

Now if I can snag Anne Frank Tickets. I am awaiting August tickets. Worse than planning a fastpass at Disney world LOL.

Thanks

Kerri