pehlibaar

We leave the 24th

Anyone been before and can guide me towards the best excursion, especially want to know the difference btwn the first and third options. How difficult is the walking? We have some older family members (70+, some fitter than others). Any tips and advice are much appreciated!

16 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

In the past, if you have linked reservations, and your port arrival time was different, it MIGHT be possible to arrive together, but DCL would suggest that you arrive at the later PAT.  These days, I'd say they're probably pretty strict about PAT, because of the testing protocols.

 

If the two families are arriving TOGETHER (via same transportation) then both families would be denied boarding if one person tests positive.  If the two families are arriving at the same time, via separate transportation, only the people on that reservation will be denied boarding due to a positive test.

 

 

Thank you so much! We will be in separate vehicles, I would hate for them to miss out on their first ever cruise if someone in our family was positive

We are joining friends on our upcoming cruise. We booked separately but have our reservations linked so we can have dinner together. Had a couple of questions.

We are Castaway Club members so I think we get priority boarding(?), if our friends have a different PAT, can they come with us if we are earlier? 

Also, if someone in our family or their family, tests positive (my biggest fear) at the port, will we all have to cancel even though our bookings are separate?

I will be cruising with my two children, my husband will not be able to join us. Will passports be fine for them or will I need any other documentation?

I know that I will need to upload some documents and info to the safe passage website when I do online check in. This is 30 days before sailing, correct? 

I will be out of the country at that time and wanted to be prepared. What info and documents will I need? Can I upload photos from my phone as far as vax card copies and such? I want to be sure I have everything for the online check in process as soon as it opens for me. Thanks!

How is the snorkeling experience? How are they handling the sharing of equipment post covid? Good for all ages? Is it deep? Is being able to swim a requirement? Is the water pretty calm? Would love any and all info! Thanks!

So I just found out the Straw Market is closed due to covid. Are there other things open? What about Senor Frogs? Also, I heard you can't get off the ship unless you are booked with an excursion. What if you just want to get off to shop? Anyone gone recently that can answer these? Thanks!

On one of our previous cruises, I think NCL, we were able to go to an area and view the "cockpit" where they steer the ship. You couldn't go in but you can watch from a little glass window area. Do Disney cruises, specifically the Dream, have anything like this? 

Thanks!!

We are planning to join friends in their cruise,  they booked through their agent and we plan to book ourselves, can I call DCL and request the reservations be linked so we can dine together? What info would I need? 

Also, I know they used to give silver lanyards for Castaway Club members when you board l, do they still do that and is it one for each person in your room? Just wondering if I should just plan to bring my own or not. 

Thanks so much!!

Are they still doing the Castaway club gifts? Anyone know what the silver level gift is currently?

On 11/14/2021 at 6:48 PM, Shmoo here said:

1.  For me "best" location is midship.  Beyond that - a room is a room.  Within a category, all rooms are basically the same.

3.  Depends on your daughter's age.  Oceaneer's Club/Lab is for ages 3-12, Edge is ages 11-14, Vibe is ages 14-17.  A child in the overlap age can go to both clubs they are eligible for.  During Open House times, anyone can attend.

5.  If you link your reservations, you should be seated together.  If that doesn't work (you can check once onboard), ask then to be seated together.

6.  Take half the clothes you think you'll need, and twice the money.

Thank you so much!

Planning to book the Disney Dream 4 night. We have only cruised Disney once and this will be our first post-covid cruise. Had several questions because I know a lot has changed.

1. Looking at a verandah room, any suggestions on best room/location? I read deck 7 is best for the least noise?

2. I know character close ups are no longer a thing, thankfully my kids got to experience that last time so no biggie, but are there any unknown secrets or special things we should look out for?

3. My kids did the kids club together last time and loved it, this time my daughter will be in the tween club, but can she still go to the kids club with her little brother if he's anxious going alone? 

4. Are the kids and tween clubs still a lot of fun? Is it hard to reserve times?

5. Our friends may be on this cruise but book separately, can we somehow request to be seated together for dinner?

6. January cruise to Bahamas, weather?

7. Anything else we should be prepared for or know ahead of time. What to bring/not bring, etc. Any additional info is greatly appreciated!

This may be a stupid question, but if you pay for the spa pass, is it good for every day of your cruise? So $199 and I could use it as much as I wanted on all 7 days of my cruise?

2 hours ago, adline1 said:

The second you get on the boat, go to guest services and book posh lounge, an exclusive less crowded area. They only sell 20. I didn’t do this but met someone who did. It was only $59, we were solo travelers. I booked the thermal spa pass, $199, unlimited use, and it was worth every cent. I cruised last week, also during spring break.

We will be travelling with 3 adults and 2 children. Can we book Posh lounge with kids? What all is included in the thermal spa pass?

We are sailing the Epic soon and I also am anxious regarding the bad reviews, plus with it being Spring Break I'm worried everything, especially the pools, will be super crowded. Following!

Thanks so much for the replies, very helpful!

Thank you all so much, I don't know what made me think I could do it online! Does anyone know if they have those awful pillows that pretty much disintegrate under your head? Can I request firm/foam pillows?

I could have sworn there was somewhere on ncl.com that I could request that the beds be pushed together as a queen rather than as two twins. I have done online check in, checked everywhere and cannot find where that is/was/could be done. Someone help me out.

Glad I stumbled upon this thread, I had no idea there may not be a straw offered with frozen drinks. I totally understand why, but it never crossed my mind that they would not be available. Guess I'll add that to my packing list!

We will be sailing Epic in a couple of weeks and our stops are GSC, Tortola, and St. Thomas. We will probably be spending a lot of time on the beaches and I was wanting to take some beach toys for the kids. DH is not too keen on having more stuff to carry onboard with us, which I agree to an extent, but it would be nice for the kids to have some beach toys to play with. Can anyone recommend a bag or something to easily carry these around without carrying all the sand along with them? Also, are floats available at GSC? How much are they to rent? If we bring our own, is there a pump or anything available to inflate them? Thanks!

2 hours ago, Paelos said:

 

We did Teppanyaki on the Epic in early Feb.

 

You should be fine making reservations on board when you get there. We moved around our reservations at Headliners where they had two staff doing both entertainment and dining reservations.

 

I believe you can order off the kid's menu for free, otherwise the full experience it's the same as adults. They do serve miso soup.

 

I thought they were entertaining, but I do miss the fire tricks you see elsewhere, they will know how to entertain kids for sure.

 

Yes there are vegetarian options. My advice is to try one the filet. It was better with the garlic butter they use than other restaurants we went to. Also don't be shy about asking for more rice.

Thank you! Great info! Did you try Wasabi at all?

Just wondering what everyone's favorite food or drink item was on the Epic that was not at a specialty restaurant? 

Thanks, I'll give them a call!