GamblingMommy

We were also booked on the Aug 7 Joy and very disappointed.  It really annoys me that there is not a "valid" reason for canceling this cruise that I have heard.  We have so much tied up in FCC at this point and have already used some for 2022 and 2023 bookings.  They are giving us nothing extra.  It was just a lot of empty promises that this cruise will happen, and then they make the decision to pull it.  We will complain and argue, but don't really expect to get far.  They should at the very least allow us to move to the Alaskan cruise for the same price/perks and include the airfare.  

I’m wondering how we will know what the protocols are for each port. 

It is really annoying, we are in the same situation.  Had a canceled July 4 cruise, booked the Aug 7 Joy from Jamaica the very next day.  We had used 2 Cruise Next certs on the July 4 cruise 2 years ago when we booked.  Now they will only allow us to use one for Aug 7.  The Aug 7 cruise wasn't even an option 180 days out from sailing.  Since we book through Casinos at Sea we are seeing if they can intervene.  

If you have to book excursions from NCL, will that eliminate pier runners???? Oh no,  will I not have any entertainment at the end of each day?

Thank you for the info shared from other experiences and lines.  We booked the air through NCL and are flying in the same day.   Now let’s hope the flights are not too bad, but life’s an adventure.  

1 hour ago, All-ready2cruise said:

@GamblingMommyGreat that you'll be on this cruise with Sid, however, you might want to ask your questions now.  A lot has changed since cruises ended last year so some answers may be difficult to find answers for.  

 

Congrats for booking this cruise. 

Good Luck

Oh I know things have changed. We cruise every year. I don’t think there are answers yet, but here are a few in case anyone knows:

1- what time can boarding begin since it’s the first cruise and sail away is 8 pm?

2- what time will everyone need to disembark?

3- when will tours be published? Do we really have to only book through NCL?

4- what is contactless dining? Buffets having servers for the food or is it something more?

5 will there be shows in the theatre?

6 will dinner be served on the first night since sail away is 8?

im sure there are more, but here’s what I’m wondering now.

We will see you on board! I have so many questions for this cruise and the new protocols. I’m trying very hard to take deep breaths and go with the flow. 

We are booked in two connecting balcony cabins on the Pearl.  Does the door in the cabin take away any storage space or is it just a useless wall?  Also, does anyone know if the balcony dividers open (and are allowed to be open) on the Pearl?  The traveling configuration is myself (48), husband (48), daughter (15) and parents (mid-70s) so we don't need access to both rooms, and can't decide if we want it or not.  Thanks for any advice.  

My DD age 13 cruises about once a year since age 4. For the past 3 years or so she exchanges cell numbers or Snap or Insta profiles with friends she meets on board. Then she contacts all past cruise friends to see if anyone will be sailing on the next cruise. So far she either meets an “old” friend or someone knows someone who is sailing. I find it all so odd, but it does seem to work well with knowing at least one person on the ship. As an only child she’s very social and needs some parent-free time too.

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We have Verizon and have sailed out of Manhattan 7 times. Our rule is all phones off once we go under the bridge. Haven't had any problems with this guideline and our family.

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Just returned from Gem, cabin 9624. Quiet floor where we were.

Beverage package is good at Great Stirrup Cay. Only thing to keep in mind is you will be charged some tax on drinks while in NY and FL. It's about a dollar a drink. You'll know because you will have to sign a receipt for these drinks, but not any other time.

There were some spa specials, but I didn't really pay attention.

Favorite thing is the bridge viewing room on deck 11. Just a fun activity to watch the ship controls and not visible on most ships.

We bid for an upgrade from inside to balcony and got it. I think all minis are on deck 11 which is below the pool, kids club, and buffet. Noise is possible, not sure if I'd bid.

No parking suggestions, we take the train from NJ.

Have a great time!!!!

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We did go to Saunders last week. It fit our needs very well. We asked how to find jitney 10. It is about a 10-15 minute walk from the port gates to the stop in town. The ride took about 10 minutes or so to the beach, depends how many stops. There is some shade on benches under trees. It is along a main road so there is traffic noise. There are very clear Sandy areas in the water and then there are grassy areas. We did see fish in the grass and by the rocks. It wasn't covered in fish, but enough to satisfy us.

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It worked the same for us. Just place your bid and wait.

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I've never been seasick and I grew up sailing on our family boat every summer. I cruised about 5 or more times with no problems. Then, BAM. We left the ship in NY, took the train home, started laundry and then it hit me. I was so confused and I could barely walk. I realized I was feeling like the friends and family I'd seen over the years on our sailboat. I now take some Dramamine and try to sleep it off. Most importantly, don't take a shower unless you have a seat! It's always worse in the shower. It's lasted anywhere from 2-10 days. I have cruised about 4 times since this started. It hasn't stopped me, and I'm always hopeful that I'll "grow out of this"!

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Our family of 3 is looking for a relaxing beach day while in Nassau for the day. Has anyone been to Saunders beach recently? It sounds like it has a bathroom, some possibilities for food/drink if desired, and not many vendors to hassle with on the beach. Can anyone confirm this?

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We are on the same cruise for July 22 and our upgrade was accepted yesterday too. We were moved from an inside to mid-ship balcony for $110 each ($220 total). Well worth it to us as when we booked in April the cost was around $1000 more to book a balcony.

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Thanks for the information! Traveling with my 5 you in october who has a peanut allergy! Makes me feel a lot better about things...particularly since you have been 8 times on NCL -it sounds like they do a good job. Thank you.

If you use Splash Academy, they will note the allergy on the wristband. They also have you drop off the Epi Pen each time your child is there. However, there has never been an unplanned food activity there so you really don't have to worry. There is rarely any food activity there, so it's easy to avoid.

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We've been on 8 cruises with our daughter who has peanut, tree nut, green bean, green pea, chick pea and lentil allergies. If you notify NCL before your cruise, they should contact you when you board. We've always received a call or letter to our cabin the first day from an officer/director of food and beverage. They will tell you some general foods to always avoid (for example, we stay away from all cookies on board). The bread they bring in the dining room sometimes has nuts, if you tell the waiter they will bring a new basket of nut-free breads. Of course, this might not be an option with the egg allergy. If you are comfortable eating out in restaurants at home, it will be the same. When you don't feel like making a "big deal" for every meal, just stick with obviously safe foods (piece of meat, fresh fruit, etc). Most importantly, bring extra Epi-Pens and remember to not leave them baking in the sun by the pool.

My daughter, age 12, has gone to Splash Academy since age 4. She's been on 7 cruises. She looks forward to it each trip. I've always been very happy with the program.

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My daughter has been on 6 NCL cruises between the ages of 4-11. She's now 12 and cruising again this summer. As an only child she LOVES Splash Academy. Some cruises have been better than others, depends mainly on the group of kids, but she always looks forward to it. I do wish they would change the activities more, but she said it's really ok. She loved being able to sign herself in/out last year. We were nervous, but with set guidelines and some trust all went well. She's made some nice friends that she keeps in touch with via texting and social media.

Zip line was closed our entire cruise last year. No reason given to us. If they do let her on the ropes course she will have trouble in some areas. My daughter was 11 and 56 inches and struggled in some areas where you have to reach up high on your lead rope.

It depends on the staff member, some measure everyone and others do not. However, the drop slides do also have a weight requirement. Last summer I saw many children turned away for not being heavy enough for the drop slide. My daughter is pretty sure the minimum weight requirement was 60 pounds for those two slides. If your child is expecting to be able to go on everything, I would not book the cruise this year. Personally I would wait until she was the correct height to avoid any disappointment.

Can bus and ferry tokens and books of tickets be purchased in St. George's? I have heard they don't sell them at the dockyard anymore. If we pay in coins to go to St Georges, I'm hoping we can buy tokens/tickets once there so I don't have to carry a few rolls of quarters with me.

We usually bring 2 12 packs of soda. I put them in a wheeled carry on along with toiletries. I checked it once and several cans were damaged and one exploded, never will check it now. At the end of the cruise the space in the bag is perfect for 2 bottles of liquor.

Actually, when departing the ship, there is a BIG GIANT SIGN with the time for crew and passengers to be back on the ship.

Seriously, it's a BIG GIANT SIGN.

Which exit did you use on this ship this week? Forward or middle? I'm only curious because there always is a sign and was looking for it. I saw the numerous signs about what not to bring back on board, but no time sign. I spoke with many people that day and they hadn't seen a sign either. Maybe they put it by one exit and not the other?