Cruise Mama

25 minutes ago, Outerdog said:

I've seen it all now.

Everything I posted is true. 

No spreading of “disinformation” at all - 

(there will be carpets and furniture making their way into cabins, the pool may not be filled or open due to weather or seas, there are no ports to take on provisions) what “wrong” information did I post?

btw - try to book the cruise right now and you will find the studio, inside, and oceanview cabins are SOLD OUT - if you want to call that “disinformation” by the cruise line - I guess I’m in good company. 

Enjoy life and every cruise - book any you want.  Book the Encore - I’ll buy you a drink!

No wonder CC is losing steam. 

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

........having worked for decades in the maritime industry.........since I worked for NCL at one time.....

Chengkp75 you are an absolute buzz kill!

There is a group of over 400 CC aficionados sailing on the Encore out of Southampton. Several are concerned about too many more people choosing this sailing - new ship repos are traditionally lower capacity - we were just trying to keep it that way. 

When was was your last cruise? - me thinks you need a dose of vitamin SEA!

8 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Not quite correct.........  The ship has to be delivered to the owner completed by the shipyard.

 

Most ships don't take on fresh provisions during a 7 day cruise, and even longer ones, they normally take provisions only at turn-around day, so even 10 or 14 day cruises will only pick up provisions at the start.  Unlike your refrigerator, where the fruits and vegetables hide in "crisper" bins where one grape going bad can cause everything else in the bin to start to go off quickly, the provisions folks have people assigned to go through all of the provisions, daily, and remove anything that is even starting to go off, so it does not contaminate the rest of the produce.  There is also better air circulation in the walk-in boxes, and ozone generators in the boxes that retard spoilage.

The SHIP will be complete - steel, engine room, exterior paint - but she will NOT be complete - the shipyard has very little to do with anything other than building the ship!  This is NOT “The” inaugural sailing - she’s a ship being shipped -  

just a repositioning - nothing special

And about provisions - have you never seen what is brought aboard at every port?  

Your statement that one bad grape can cause everything else to “go bad” - sounds like a movie plot 😂. 

and seriously - Ozone generators in a walk-in? 🤣 

There are so many other cruise options out there - why take this one - the carpeting won’t all be laid, cabins won’t all be complete, entertainment will still be in “rehearsal”, not only will the weather keep the pools from being filled - but there’s rough seas in the Atlantic in November, there’s no port to take on fresh provisions (9 days of “fresh” fruit and veggies?), no shore excursions, shopping, for what? 

I don’t think so, definitely not!

Hi! I have a 10:55 flight booked the day we return in Jan, 21st. If you also leave same day as returning to port, can you report/describe taxi status leaving port and conditions at airport. We will do self assist debark to make it speedier, barring any actual delay in returning. Thank you so much! Enjoy your cruise!!

Here at La Concha Renaissance now - a breeze disembark today - in the terminal make use of a porter - we were out and directly to a taxi in less than 15mins! Porters are happy for the work and truly valuable to get you through the customs line!

Resort is fully functional - 4 pools open 24/7, Internet, beautiful ocean front room. Lots of shops and restaurants.

Enjoy your vacations!

We have 2 confirmed (phone calls from the hotels directly) reservations post cruise for Sunday 26th. La Concha and Condado Renaissance. Have time to cancel so TA will be in contact with them (and us) and I'll know where I'm staying after we disembark.

As soon as possible I'll post any and all info I can get.

Good luck to everyone - this has definitely been the most interesting cruise planning I've had in 26years.

We have 2 confirmed (phone calls from the hotels directly) reservations post cruise for Sunday 26th. La Concha and Condado Renaissance. Have time to cancel so TA will be in contact with them (and us) and I'll know where I'm staying after we disembark.

As soon as possible I'll post any and all info I can get.

Good luck to everyone - this has definitely been the most interesting cruise planning I've had in 26years.

TA booked us at Condado Vanderbilt - looking on website shows no availability through all of November though - wondering if there's any accuracy to any information about hotels, reservations, availability -

TA booked us at Condado Vanderbilt - looking on website shows no availability through all of November though - wondering if there's any accuracy to any information about hotels, reservations, availability -

Following. So far we are booked at the Courtyard Marriott Miramar and I spoke with someone a week or so ago and they are running on generators. I am very nervous about this whole hotel situation. sigh.....

Our reservation here was cancelled. We didn't get notice - just found it in my cancelled reservations on my Marriott app. Reservations at Marriott confirmed they were not accepting guests - booked us at another Marriott. I just got an email from that hotel 5 days ago cancelling that one. Marriott now confirmed NO Marriott properties are taking (honoring) reservations.

Following. So far we are booked at the Courtyard Marriott Miramar and I spoke with someone a week or so ago and they are running on generators. I am very nervous about this whole hotel situation. sigh.....

Our reservation here was cancelled. We didn't get notice - just found it in my cancelled reservations on my Marriott app. Reservations at Marriott confirmed they were not accepting guests - booked us at another Marriott. I just got an email from that hotel 5 days ago cancelling that one. Marriott now confirmed NO Marriott properties are taking (honoring) reservations.

Getting ready to board at LAX - Air France, take us away. See you all soon!

Au revoir Los Angeles!

There have been delays on three consecutive mornings this week. Not heard of any delays this morning. Also not sure if this was affecting the cars more than the passenger trains. These take slightly different routes in France outside of the tunnel.

 

On the most recent they expected normal service from around 08.30 - which would be fine for your journey.

 

I am sure all will be fine for everyone.

And if not, we just might be visiting with you after all - we'll have 10 days at our "disposal" :)

Message from my TA this morning.

Regarding the Eurostar I am not finding any information on their website, Rail Europe, The London Times or BBC that is talking about any significant delays or disruptions regarding service. I am sure, however, that NCL will take action to get all their passengers in place for the cruise should there be any delay.

So..........

Woo hoo! Surprise confirmed!

He's now reading these threads so I can't elaborate - just know that he's going to LOVE it.

Oh my gosh - ONLY 4 DAYS!

I better get packing -

Hello King,

 

Catherine and I booked the Thermal Spa Package early on. It's sold out; was limited(on-line) to 100 pax(?),

and the Thermal Spa may still be crowded since it's also "included" for those who have a Haven or Spa Cabin...

and have nothing else to do but PARTY on this Transatlantic voyage.:p

Michael

When we've stayed in the Haven the thermal spa was not included - yes for spa suites but not Haven guests.

I also don't know if they sold out online - there just may be a few passes available on board - so King of Me, don't give up hope, yet.

Tammy,

I totally agree !

How fortunate we are to even be on this voyage !:)

 

Even though we do not eat much, I plan to crash your World of Chocolates event to give you even more.

Thank you for organizing the Chocolate Extravaganza.:)

Since there's not too many choices to eat on the ship......

Any opportunity to get together and enjoy the company of other wonderful travelers!

RE posting from another thread...

(Of course, WE don't believe the TA cruise is sold out.):rolleyes:

Me thinks we are "locked in" to our Escape Paris Package and it would be too difficult or, not worth their time to give us an upsell.:)

We have been told - upgrades for us package people can only be done ON the ship.

Since we will most likely get to the ship after most of the other cruisers - be happy with what you booked.

I found that one too but then I looked at Viator and another one and they were much more expensive. On the "official" one I didn't see the lock on the top bar to show it is a secure sight.

Yes but I believe it can be purchased at the airport.

I found 2 days for 99e

According to the website it is from the "official Paris convention and visitors bureau"

http://booking.parisinfo.com/z6200e2x26827m466g3514_uk-paris-city-pass.aspx

some of the reviews for the hop on off buses are not good. The people complained about the traffic and construction. One man waited for over an hour for his bus to arrive while other buses from different companies passed his bus stop. There were other complaints but you would half to read them yourself. One man wrote buy a daily pass for the public bus for 5 euros. L' Open Bus received a favorable review.

Thank you for sharing what you've discovered.

I've been SO busy ClearwaterFlorida it seems overwhelming to me too!

I do think the ParisPass works out to be a bit of advantage as it does give access to several means of transportation as well as access to several places we want to see. Allows us to choose as we go.

Gary - we tried to get viator - they were sold out! :( so we looked around and found Fat Tire had either day - we are not taking chances that there are flight "issues" so we are doing walking or hop on hop off or "whatever" arrival day. Pushing it all onto Wednesday - again if the 1/2 day tour is in our way, oh well, we don't want to miss out on the Eiffel Tower at sunset! It is our anniversary trip after all - last time we were in "Paris" it was the hotel in Las Vegas. (Paid 59.00 each since that's what you asked)

My husband is rather adventurous and figures we can just do whatever - he says to get the Paris City Pass which gives us transportation, one day hop on hop off bus and one Seine River cruise along with entrance to 60 museums (including Louvre, Orsay, Arc de Triumph, Notre Dame, Pantheon....)

http://booking.parisinfo.com/z6200e2x26827m466g3514_uk-paris-city-pass.aspx

Donna - been so busy here - I'm running a countywide workshop on the 18th (250 or so people) SO ready for this vacation and thrilled I'll have a week to get suitcases out and packed, organize the care of our 14 yr old with his sibs, explain to the dog we aren't taking him (again) - oh and there's Halloween, chocolates, beads, euros, contact the CC companies and tell them we're going.......

I did get our Sunset Eiffel Tower Tour booked (using Fat Tire Tours) for the 28th at 5pm.

Thought about contacting the hotel regarding the 1/2 day tour - as they are the ones holding the info (according to NCL) - just can't hold our breath anymore.

Hop on hop off should be just as fun.

Depending on your likes, you may want to just spend time in Paris.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/3-days-in-paris-go-to-versailles-or-not.cfm

Thank you - point taken. Husband has been encouraged by coworkers to make the trip - once he reads your reference I'm sure he'll adjust his list of "places to see"

We arrive 11:30 on 27th as well (from LAX). The information on our edocs indicates the 1/2 day tour is at the discretion of the hotel. Maybe we should contact our hotels? (Since neither 12 or 13 day and Melia or Mercure know when the tour is to happen)

I'm really looking at other ideas - like the tower tour mentioned by Gary - hoping to get that arranged as well as Versailles or Louvre.