AK Dreaming

Started last week on the Escape.

4 hours ago, zqvol said:

Curious who you think you could pay extra? The staff works their shift and then they are off, there is no one to pay. My guess is that they are having staffing issues. 

It was meant as a joke.  However if offered I would pay.

Anyone know if this has happened yet on the Escape.  Leaving Saturday and I'll pay extra to have extra bed put away.  

We acutally did the thermal suite on the Jewel in Alaska.  Watching the icebergs go by while looking out the big window of the Sauna make it very cool.  It is however much smaller than the bigger ships.

We went to Nassau instead of Bermuda last September and I got to swim with a Sea Lion at Blue Lagoon.  It was amazing!

4 hours ago, J0Y0US said:

 

The roll out starts with Epic as of the 1/8 embarkation cruise. This will not be fleet wide until the end of March.

 

So your cruise would 100% not have had this policy.

Does anyone know the roll out schedule?   I will be on the Escape in a few weeks and It's my first time with 3 people in a cabin.  

I''m on the Escape 1/21 and was hoping we would get rerouted like they did this week.  Since this schedule has us on the right day I feel like my chances are increasing!

I read they are introducing the new once a day policy througout the fleet starting with the Epic in January.  I'm on the Escape in January and it is my first time in a cabin with 3 people, so I'm concerned about setting up and taking down the extra bed.  Does anyone know which order the ships will do the change.  This will be my first and last cruise with more than 2 people in a balcony I guess.

I don't really mind, but this is my first time in a cabin with 3 people so it may change my mind.  My last cabin steward skipped my cabin several times and I had to call for towels on the Getaway in September, not a big deal.  Is there details on which ships are in January.  I'm on the Escape in January.

I just asked this on anther site and was told you can choose 4 items.  I am looking forward to that as Food Republic is one of my favorites on the Escape.  What amout the American Diner?

I am traveling with 3 of us in one cabin for the first time.  I am curious how some of the Free at Sea benefits work.  I've tried looking at the site but was hoping for some real world experience to answer these questions.  

1.  With Free at Sea we get 2 specialty Dining meals.  So I believe that is for the first 2 guest.  If we get Free at Sea Plus and get 2 more meals, can we use those meals for the third guest to dine with us and basically have 2 meals for all three of us?

2.  I know you can get upgraded cocktails and bottles of water with the upgrade to Plus.  Does this include cans of Soda.  I like to keep a couple cans in my room for sitting on the balcony and I usually buy them.  This would make the Plus much more valuable to me.

3.  With Free at Sea Plus does each guest get unlimited wifi.

Thank you for help with any of these questions.

I used a cruise consultant once and this happened to me too. Never again. I book myself online. No need to involve others. 🤷🏻‍♀️

20 minutes ago, NYFirstTimeCruiser said:

room and balcony size is exactly the same. the bathroom is bigger with two sinks and the jet shower. Mini-suites are now called club balcony suites in other ship but are the same.

The coffeemaker varies per ship as well.  In Joy, we got a nespresso which was super cool. In Bliss, just a pathetic drip coffee that we saw in the cabinet.  It wasn't even set up.

Other than the bigger bathroom and 1 free laundry bag for the suite, it's just a regular balcony room.... but others book it primarily for the big bathroom since they have 3 or 4 pax in the room.  and oh, we didn't eat the chocolate strawberry treats that came with it.  If it's your first time cruising, you'll most likely be out and about and spend less time in the room :).  Have fun!

I’ve cruised many times. Been on the Escape several times and have stayed in everything from a solo cabin to the haven. Usually cruise  alone in a balcony, but going with family this time. Only reason I picked a Club suite was I wanted to pick a deck. Balcony was only guarantee and I really dislike being on the higher decks away from the fun stuff on 6 7 and 8. 

We booked a Club Suite for three of us for a girls trip.  I am under the understanding that Club Suites are the same as regular balcony suites but I picked it because the all the balcony suites were guarantee only and I wanted to pick my deck.  Now that I have this booking I am starting to wonder about a few things.  I've never stayed in a balcony suite with 3 people.  Where dose the the other person sleep?  Does the couch pull out to a bed?  We are in Cabin 9240 on the Escape.  I cannot find any reviews of that cabin and just realized I don't know how we will all sleep.  Also, what is the difference between a regular balcony suite and a Club Balcony suite on the Escape?  I looked at the website and really cannot see any difference.

I've disembarked in NYC before and it was quick and easy to get off and get a cab to the airport.  However, this month we got off the ship on a Monday and could not find a cab.  Felt like half the ship was standing on the sidewalk waiting for a cab to stop.  I ended up dragging my luggage several blocks and luckily finding a cab that got us to the airport just in time for our 11:50 flight.  We disembarked at 8:25am.

I'm on this cruise too!  Looking forward to sailing again. 

Yes.  Epic, Escape, Getaway and Breakaway all have Howl at the Moon.

Just to make sure, Tuesday is ok for the PCR test if you are boarding on Saturday?

I am so happy I do not have to retest!!  2 Port days on a ship is way more relaxing than worrying about a false positive all cruise!!  

Cruise date 8/29 received yesterday

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

That only applies to vaccinated passengers on cruises arriving in Bermuda more than 4 days after embarkation. For cruises arriving in Bermuda 4 or fewer days after embarkation no additional on board test is required for vaccinated passengers.

So If we are vaccinated and our cruise arrives more than 4 days after we leave NYC and I choose to not get off the ship, I do not have to retest on board.

On 8/20/2022 at 10:41 AM, adolfo2 said:

I see no mention of what the Bermuda TA protocol is for Fully Vaccinated & Boosted cruise passengers.

 

UNVACCINATED need a Rapid Test 2-days before embarkation...  Fully Vaccinated & Boosted can't possibly be the same?

I read on the new update that you only have to test on board if you are vaccinated if you plan to disembark in Bermuda.  

It is a bit confusing as it says clearly if vacinated you have to test to get off in Bermuda.  I was very excited about that as I have no desire to visit Bermuda.  However when reading down it does says supervised test?  Howevever it says "mandatory" test for unvacinated, so I am hopeful that as a vacinated guest I can remain on ship without an additional test.  I'm sure it could change before I board in September, but I have a glimmer of hope that I can start looking forward to my cruise without worring that a false positive will ruin my trip.

59 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Do you also try never to drink there?

Yes!  Have you ever tried to get a drink at that tiny bar in the buffet.  

15 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

The MDR will be open earlier for breakfast. However you will probably have to get off the ship prior to your friend.

Yes, I know that for sure.  I just won't be tring to get off at 6:00 am like I usually do and standing around NYC with my luggage does not sound fun.  I was hoping the Atrium Bar or something would be making drinks up to 8 or 9 am?