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On a recent cruise we, a party of five, often discussed the salt an pepper mills.  After I gave a tutorial the first night on how they worked two of my companions figured them out.  Two others contunued to fight with them every night, making it much harder than it needed to be.  

Well, the good news is that I did not get covid, the bad news is that I got a viral infection.  I had a previously scheduled doctors appointment this morning where he confirmed it.  What a great time!  I'm planning on doing it again next year, just not the viral infection!

6 minutes ago, SightCRR said:

NCL Bliss on the Juneau webcams now. 

 

I'm watching them dock.  One week and it will be us!

I have friends visiting this weekend and we are going to a live performance tonight.  Brunch for 8 in the morning.  I have a new boss starting on Monday.  Breakfast meeting, manicure, pedicure on Thursday.  I fly out with my traveling companions on Friday morning, transportation arranged.  Luckily everything I need to pack is ready (clothes, medication, money, passport, phone and chargers) and sharing a room  with my luggage. Documents printed. I have gotten my travel money broken into the denominations I want.  We are staying near the airport and I have our shuttle scheduled.  Our arrival at the pier time is 9:30, I will be awake at 3am (time difference). This will be both the longest and shortest week.  Okay, now what? 

I take $500.  50 - 1's, 20 - 5's, 10-10's, 5-20's, and 3 - 50's.  I use a lot of 1's and 5's.  What ever I come back with goes into the envelope for the next cruise.

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Just took a gander at some of the weather predictions (difficult given we’re still 2 weeks out from sailing…NOAA, National Weather Service).  Looks like it’s going to be highs in the 30ºs-40ºs.  Lows will be teens to 20ºs.  Precipitation doesn’t look out of the ordinary, but again, we’re two weeks out.

We had 80+ days in Alabama this week and I had my air conditioner running.  I am SO looking forward to this Alaska weather!

We bought the salty licorice when in Sweden.  I did not care for it.  I'm not sure how I feel about the chocolate covered but I will try it.  I look forward to trying a variety.  We have 3 stops in Iceland so maybe buy some at each to decide what to stock up on to bring home.

We have 3 stops in Iceland, so I guess I will buy all different kinds to try them. The cruise is in May.  I may save room to bring alot home!

I was telling a friend about my upcoming cruise to Iceland.  His stemother is from Iceland and they visited right before covid.  He got all excited about the licorice and said they visited a candy factory near Reykovik and had the best licorice ever.  I have tried to google it but have not found it.  I have found that licorice is popular and available everywhere so I will be bringing some home.  Any suggestions on the best place to buy and/or the best brand of licorice?  Thanks!

8 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

NCL releases 20% of restaurant bookings in advance and the rest can be booked on the first day of your cruise or throughout the cruise as space allows.  On which ship are you sailing (asking so we can let you know where to go on embarkation day to book specialty dining.)

I enjoyed reading your recent review to learn more about the Bliss, I got many great tips.  We are on the Bliss April 22 (Alaska.)  My plan is to make our reservations first thing after boarding while my group waits in the Observation Lounge.  Where was the reservation desk on the Bliss on the first day?

I will be on this cruise with a small group of friends.  I just signed up for the meet and greet.  It's my 5th Alaska cruise but everybody elses 1st.  I get to be the guide, "we're walking...we're walking!"   I have been packing for weeks now and have the days numbered on my calendar.  See you there!

I have used the sam PCC since I started cruiseing on NCL.  He has been fantastic, he knows who I am and my situation.  He has been accessable and promptly returns phone calls.  He has been of great help when the situation warrented it, such as assistance with how to manage our first booked post covid cruise  when my husband passed away.  Recently I booked an Alaska cruise alone with 4 friends, 3 cabins.  He was helpful to all parties.  On a spur of the moment decision I called to make a reservation on a transatlantic cruise to Iceland.  I left a message and got a call back from another PCC.  My PCC had gotten a promotion.  When I spoke with the New Guy he told me that My Guy was right beside him.  I feel comfortable with New Guy and if he doesn't work out I will call My Guy.  I will stick with PCC.  

I am looking for a good Puffin tour.  We will be in Iceland May 22, 23, 24 & 25.  Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik.  Any suggestions?

I was recetly on my first Carnival Cruise in 5 years.  My traveling partners were first timers.  I LOVED the seaday brunch in the old days.  My favorite was Hey Porkchop!  I also liked the eggs benedict with salmon which they still had.  Is it as great as it used to be?  No.  Did I enjoy it?  Yes.  Did my friends like it?  They loved it.  The skillet cake was yummy.  Next time I'll try the french toast.  

Thank you.  I was pretty sure it was one beach area.  They have to pay their own transportation so I plan to just take a taxi with them and get the Chankanaab entrance along with the lunch.  From looking at their website it looks easy.  10 years ago I was with a group and 1/2 went there and the other half did a different excursion so this will be my first time there.  I'm not much of a beach person, but  I am a big spend time with friends person!

Friends recently invited me to join them on their 1st ever cruise.  They booked with an online site and included their excursions.  I booked thru Carnival and received  $200 in onboard credit.  In Cozumel they have booked Chakanaab,  I can book an excursion to Chakanaab on the ship to use some of the credit, but it includes the sea lions which I don't really care about.   I can book just the excursion with the site they used but can't I just pay the much less expensive entrance fee and end up at the same place?  Just trying to make sure we will be on the same beach.

46 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

What is this "Doctor's note?"  Doesn't NCL just need to see the PCR results?

When I called on Monday to cancel, they said they could give me FCC but to get my money back I had to go thru insurance.  I called insurance and they sent me a form for my doctor to sign saying I could not cruise for medical reasons.  I was able to schedule a PCR test for Tuesday last week when the home test was positive.  

Two of the three of us traveling on the 1/16 Breakaway cruise tested positive for covid last week.  I have been trying to get all the back up I would need to file for insurance.  Just got my PCR results and dropped off the note at the doctor for him to fill out.  I got the letter of cancellation when I got back in my car.  This makes everything so much easier for me.

I am booked on the 1/16/2022 Breakaway sailing.  Unfortunately 2 of the 3 guests have tested positive using home tests.  Very few symptoms!  We are doing the PCR test tomorrow.  I really wanted to go but will probably have to postpone.  I look forward to living vicariously thru your posts!

Osso Bucco in La Cucina.

Both my husband and I got vaccinated, at different times. He is on Medicare and got it in February/March.  I have insurance thru my employer and got it in March.  Neither of us has a record of receiving the vaccine or a charge on our accounts.  The only proof we have is the card.

Le Bistro the escargot.

La Cucina the osso buco.

From 2009 to 2016 We took 6 NCL cruises.  One 16 day which we received double points for and several more longer cruises. We went from gold to platinum on the last one in 2016, a 9 day cruise which took us from 73 points to 82 points so the change was a moot point for us.  We are up to 113, and like the rest of you, it would have been more if not for 2020.  

I agree with those above,  I am not impressed by the additional benefits in platinum plus.  In order of importance for us:  complimentary dinners, laundry, priority embarkation.  

21 hours ago, Diane67B said:

My sister and I are booked on the Encore, leaving Miami on January 16th 2022.  We both only want to go on a fully vaccinated cruise. Do you think we should rebook from another port now because of Floridas vaccine passport ban, or do you think I am jumping the gun and I should wait and see what happens. I REALLY want to cruise and I am so scared that it will be canceled because it leaves from Miami. Thanks so much for any advice you can give.

I can't answer your question, but I can say that DH and I are booked on the Breakaway Jan 16, 2022 out of New Orleans.  NOLA is our favorite port to sail from.  Come join us!

26 minutes ago, SCBarker said:

I didn't realize that about New Orleans.  Is the trip different before you hit international waters there?  That was a big money loser for the time they were sending cruises out of Houston because they had to serve Texas tax stamped alcohol and could not open the casino for the longer time it took to get out vs Galveston.

Last time we cruised out of NOLA, early 2019, neither of those was an issue.  Lots of twist and turns as you sail down.  You can tell when you hit the gulf, the feel of the ship changes.