luv2gonow

Can you bring wine on POA?

thanks

Kerri

Thankyou for your detailed review.

I was booked on the Sun July 2018 one way Land/Sea from Seward to Vancouver.

NCL switched ships to Jewel.

Dosen't matter what ship I know it will be amazing, all the ports sound so awesome!

Kerri

Fun thread.

Yea find a good bartender 1st thing. Let em know you like em strong! I like Baybreezes. I order absolute on rocks with a splash of pineapple and cranberry. They figure out quick you like it strong.

I don't have a big breakfast so a couple of cocktails before lunch should do the trick:-)

Happy cruising

Kerri

Hi,

I think you have received some good advice.

My last 2 NCL cruises were the Epic (med) and the Baltics(Star). Next one POA in Hawaii:-)

I thoroughly enjoyed both cruises. If I had to pick I would pick Epic for better ship.

But so what they are both great!! With busy itineraries you will not be bored on ship.

I booked the Sun next year for Alaska and they just changed to the Jewel. I was all psyched for Sun and now I am psyched for Jewel. For me if the seas are smooth I am having a great cruise!

Happy p lanning

kerri

Loving your review.

I don't understand why I can't see your pics now. It tells me I have to update my account?

Photobucket? I don't have that.

I know I saw the pics when you 1st posted.

anyone else having a problem?

thanks

Kerri

It amazes me how different opinions can be. We sailed POA from June24-July1. We had a great time. We had the 3 night specialty restaurant package and ate at La Cucina, Moderno and Cagneys. I thought each night was spectacular. Would have liked to try Teppanyaki, but we waited too long and all reservations were filled. We have sailed on several cruises and thought the food on this trip was the best we have had. That included the main dining rooms, buffet, and the Cadillac Diner. We ate very few meals when not on the ship. Breakfast at the Cadillac Diner was my favorite because it was never busy and they had outside seating.

We did not think the comedian was funny and actually thought that the staff talent show was better. The Oh What a Night is not to be missed. We thought the Las Vegas show was a bit cheesy.

Bring your binoculars for the lava sail by if you are going to be out on the deck or a balcony. It was an amazing sight.

We liked having cocktails on the top deck at the back of the boat, but this was also the smoking area so we had to select our seats carefully. The bar that was like a saloon had some great live music and free popcorn. They also did beer and margarita tasting sessions there. We didn't participate, but it looked like fun. We purchased the soda card for my husband and water bottles for the cabin for me. Without a bar set up or drink package it was pricey to have cocktails.

We never felt like we had to search for deck chairs by the pool. I guess without sea days people are out and about on shore. It was a nice change from what we are used to.

I am sure you will have a great time. Don't take other people's opinions to seriously. Yours may differ greatly. Just go and enjoy. It was the trip of a lifetime for us.

Yes we are not picky people and so far every cruise has been amazing.

Great idea with binoculars.

Sounds like you had a wonderful cruise! Can't believe a week from today I will be in Disneyland:D

Hope the comedian is funny we love that! There is certainly no lack of material lately in the news ;-)

Thanks :-)

Re: the lava sail by: If the lava is not actively flowing to the sea, then the ship will not sail around the island that way. They will go around the north side instead.

 

Food is such a subjective thing. We've always loved Cagney's (including on the POA) and always avoided the Teppanyaki after several very disappointing dinners at that restaurant on different ships.

 

The POA cruise is so port intensive, and you'll be so busy that when you get back to the ship, you may only want an MDR or buffet diner and then straight to the cabin to crash!

Yes, we booked Cagneys and Teppanyaki only because my daughter has begged to go there every cruise. LOL.

I was going to buy the 3 package but I figured I am gonna want to just chill and run to the buffet at night.

Will they announce if there is lava flow?

thanks

Kerri

Hi Kerri,

I also have a 3:00 PM flight at HNL in October. Please do reply back to let us know how the excursion worked out.

 

Thanks!

I definitely will post about all my excursions here and write a review on NCL boards.

Kerri

OP back. I booked this excursion through NCL on the POA.

I can't believe I am leaving next week :-)

I will post back when I get home.

Kerri

Wow I hope u feel better soon!! I can't imagine thexruise being worth it being so sick afterwards....

Were u sick on cruise?

On my 1st cruise I felt like I was walking zig zag after for a few days.... never happen again.

So wierd because I am a wuss with any rides... roller coaster.... domt like my stomach dropping.... but knock on wood so far cruises ok.

Kerri

Thanks for your detailed review!

Sailing Alaska next year so the research has begun lol.

Ok so tell me more about why u didn't like menenhall glacier tour?

City tour boring or glacier?

Thanks

Kerri

I am booked on the "sun" 7/26 Land/ sea 12 day tour southbound.

Ok so now it's the Jewel..... no worries.... lil better amenities.

So I finally call to get my rooms yesterday. I changed my deck to 2 decks above lifeboats which is higher on Jewel. I wanted a lil higher than where they put me... But to there credit same port side aft location....

However my mom OV room was moved to starboard.

I'm sorry we are on a 1 way Alaskan cruise booked well over a year in advance...

So I managed to get last port side OV in aft location.

However I look today and I see my fate is higher and he nobody mention that which pisses me off.

So people call and make sure your cabins are where u want it.

Kerri

About to go on our dream vacation booked 2 years ago on our Epic Med cruise. (Also a dream cruise):cool:

Off to Hawaii POA with a stop in Disneyland for 3 nights on the way. Followed by 5 nights at Aulani(Disney resort) Oahu and 1 night precruise in Waikiki.

So yes research, answer other posters questions. Set your itinerary, change it and go back to original plan a few times:')

I have Alaska booked next year so I will be getting some OBC when I get the cruise next.

I was told I can use that on a cruise I already booked for 2018....Is that correct?

thanks

Kerri

Thanks for all the great info!!

Ok so looks like I will have time for another signature dinner on the Volcano sail by.

I'm so psyched!!

Looking forward to your review zerooveride:-)

Is there a luao type show onboard?

Kerri

see answers in red

Thanks so much!

Map looks like goes out to sea after kona so I thought it was sail between Hilo and kona.

Kerri

Hi, I can't believe I leave in 9days for my dream vacation.

1st DL for 3 nights on way to Oahu.

Then 5 nights Aulani followed by 1 night precruise in Waikiki.

Ok so trying to plan dining

What time is the N'apoli coast sail by and for how long .

Also same question for Lava flow sail by. Is this from Hilo or Kona.

Also which shows are not to be missed and which nights are they.

No beverage package:o

Best bars for views? Fun?

Is Cagney and hibachi place best for fee restaurant?

Any other tips?

Thanks

Kerri

What ship?

Thanks so much for your amazing pics and detailed review!!!

I am reliving my trip from the star last year.

Funny because when I booked the cruise I barely heard of Tallinn and that was my favorite port. I agree warmunde was beautiful and for me a very nice surprise:-)

Question did u have to get a visa in Russia? We didn't with the ship tour. I know some private companies would get them as well.

Did I read correctly your son had a night on the town there? Was your visa including that?

Thanks

Kerri

So I called NCL last night and they did not want to cancel and rebook me for July Alaska.

They said they are in the process of moving everyone to their old locations.

Should I have just canceled and rebooked?

I'm thinking I should call back today....Should I just call and rebook now?

Kerri

I'm still trying to find out what in the world the Sun will be "doing" during those months. It's too long for a regular refurb (unless they are planning to polish every little nut and bolt!).

 

Also, it seems there are still some sailings posted for June, 2018, but I'm not sure if those are mistakes (should have been removed from active sailings) or if those are really happening.

 

Anyone have any info about where our little favorite Sun will be heading for summer break? :)

I am happy to hear good things about the Jewel!! We love the spa so happy it is better! Also front observation for Alaska is very important.

Will be calling ncl when I get home to check on my cabins.

Kerri

We were on the Star July 2016 in the Baltics. Weather was hot. Full tour days but pool area was busy when back on ship.

Seas were like a bath....so weird for days not even a ripple on the water. Especially nearing Talinn and St.Petersburg.

I did not use my sweater once during the trip. I am usually hot though. Everyone was wearing shorts though.

I really enjoyed this cruise more than I thought. The ports are amazing, I didn't think I could top my Med cruise, but the Baltics held there own for sure.

Happy planning

Kerri

Interesting, I was just about to book the Sun for a 7 day Alaska, Glacier Bay cruise in June 2018. I still can book that cruise but maybe I should wait and see what happens with the Jewel. But who knows how long it could be before NCL updates their booking system.

 

I've never been on the Jewel or the Sun but I've been on the Gem and I liked it. I was disappointed by what the spa looked like in pictures on the Sun, it seems the Jewel has a better spa so that is good. Either way I don't really care which ship it is, I just want to get a cabin in the location I like and I don't want to be moved around by NCL.

Exactly. I am on a one way sailing from Seward. I want my cabin sandwiched between cabins. I have to have PORT side for this one way sailing(my fav anyway).

I haven't sailed Jewel or Sun so shouldn't matter. Spa better nice!!

I was psyching myself up for the Sun though LOL

Hopefully I don't have to wait on hold with NCL later during my whole commute home.

In fact I should probably wait till I get home so I can look at deck plans simultaneously.

Kerri

Kerri

 

If you are in the time frame, you might want to be pro-active and call NCL to see if what cabins are available, before they all get re-assigned (or requested by others calling).

 

Not a good way for NCL to handle this at all.

(But then... it's NCL, alas... when the cancelled two other cruises of ours about 2 years ago, they offered us puny discounts for two SPECIFIC alternative dates when we couldn't possibly do that... holiday sailings switched to regular late winter. We went on a holiday Oceania cruise instead. Of course, that's now the same umbrella company...)

 

Yes I will be calling them on the way home from work.

I don't like total Aft cabins generally......I usually book Port side Aft. Few cabins aft of "aft" elevators.

With Alaska I might switch if available.

Have you stayed Total Aft and are you an "aft lover" LOL

Kerri

And you received no specific notice from NCL about the switcheroo?

 

No warning and no notice. Found the change by mistake. Checked the messages NCL has for our cruise after I logged into the NCL site and there were three. All three were in regards to selling drinks, gifts and shore excursions. Not one word about the change. Then I just happened to notice over on the far right side a small info block that told me I am on the Jewel, 5/26/2018 and our new cabin number. Surprise, surprise.

 

I can't even see my cabin number. Says default itinerary....then says Oops when I click on it:mad:

 

Funny showing aft cabins avail now and last week they were not. Is there more aft regular balcony cabins on Jewel?

Kerri

I'm rather picky and have sailed on a few ships over the years that I would never sail on again (can you say Epic?). But, I've been on both the Jewel and the Sun and loved them both. The Jewel is obviously slightly larger, but the only thing I can think of that was significantly different was that the Jewel had a far superior buffet. Both have that nice big observation lounge (Spinnaker on Jewel) which is perfect for sightseeing when you get too cold out on deck.

OMG I am booked on the Sun next July for a land/sea tour in Alaska.

Now I have to search new deck plans and get my room squared away.

Will they move cabin to same location?

Thanks

Kerri

Any other better things about the Jewel than sun?

That's terrible, I use these reviews all the time.

They prob wamt to sell the less popular tours.

Kerri