Blondie008

20 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I'm not a NCL expert, but we have sailed NCL about a dozen times, most recently including Epic, Breakaway, Jade, and Getaway. For me, the EPIC wins this battle hands down. Instead of the sweeping forward views of Breakaway and Getaway, the Epic offers sweeping aft views including an outside aft balcony with about 7 or 8 lounges/couches. To me, this makes Epic the best thermal spa at sea (and I do thermal spas on just about every ship that offers them). After awhile, the chlorine smell of the interior spas gets to me a bit. On Epic, you could lounge outside, on a covered balcony, in the fresh air. Huge plus. Epic may lack in some areas, but IMO she excels when it comes to thermal suites.

Ditto!!

Have been on Epic (5 times)  +  Getaway, and Jade, all of them have done +14 night transatlantic so Spa is a must.. for thermal suites.. Epic wins.. 🙂

The ONLY reason to book Aquaclass on Celebrity is Blue restaurant -  The thermal suites are a joke compared to NCL - sorely disappointing. 

Googles youtube to compare - wont take more than 30 seconds to tour Celebrity's spa... 

Blue is amazing and worth Aquaclass for that reason .

Thanks all, it wont let me enter card details at all - just click pay and it goes to o.oo  I will give them a call - Thank you very much :)

Hi

As a long time NCL cruiser one would think I would know ..but..

I am not cruising for quite some time,  however shore excursions are now showing for my cruise, one of them is a bucket list must do, so I added it to my cart and thought I would secure that dream now'

But it wont let me pay?

Do I need to wait to the 90 days out? ie after final payment is made?

Just seems odd its showing available and allowing me to add to cart but not pay?

Thanks!

Greetings from Scotland to you & your ever patient and very beautiful Sue.. 

Thank you so much for taking us along with you 

Our daughter & Son in law were on board, as they were on the Bliss 18- and for us, who live 6000 miles away from "our weans" , your "live froms" have allowed us to share a little of their adventures. (I'm sure they call it MIL stalking!)🤣

We have also met Alad along the NCL Epic Road (s)- 🍻

Been cruising NCL since 2000 - we have tested the waters with the others - but its back to NCL in 2020 and and finally looking forward to meeting "Escape" on the 2020 TA ..

Thank you again.. and hey.. keep us all posted on that river cruise ;) 

Wherever, whenever...bon voyage!

Thank God kilt days are over - My husband owns full regalia, family tartan kilts/trews/plaid etc - all hand made (by my ex sister in law) - and sure, he has the legs and wears it well... 

I have matching accesories - plaid also, bag/purse and even shoes... 

Beautiful - yes.. but...

I was seriously going to rent him out to the photographers - great prop - If I had a £1 for everytime he was asked for a photoshoot by European/American women I'd be awealthy wummin! Jeez - I would have been as well wearing a bin liner..Waste of time me getting dolled up 😆

I've decided the full on formals are being left at home - 😜

And thankfully - I no longer have to worry about the "what's up yer kilt" cartwheels in the nightclub in the wee sma' hours... 

I can relax now and enjoy "dress to impress" night - in smart clothing - sans le kilt! 

Will save it for weddings and Hogmanay! 

Not the same, however, add a splash of Chambourd -  Also good to add to the cheap champagne/prosecco 🙂

You're welcome 😉 

Good grief - who would even want to iron on holiday 😮

I have never known any line to allow irons - even travel irons - so this is a first for me.

Nope - not happening - ships laundry does a great job.

Aside from getting 3 items each free (actually hmm might just send down 6 linen shirts) - having met the laundry guys on many ships over the years, wow - the work they do is just amazing - Remember you are keeping someone in work and probably feeding a family, just by using all the "pay for" facilities on a ship.

If I remember I take everything home laundered and pressed - as much as I can before the "last call" for laundry.

Love coming home with a clean pile of laundry!! 🙂 And - I recycle the hangers as they simply go back in the suitcase for the next trip 🙂 

On ‎8‎/‎4‎/‎2019 at 8:02 PM, nancyneptune said:

Worst thing I saw was a woman who had her kids in Celtic football tops for most of the week. Not that I know anything about football, no interest whatsoever,  but I heard a few people talking about it. Football tops should be kept for football matches.

Neds!!

Tui/Marella accept paypal at checkout - so even if you don't have a UK credit card -you can checkout with paypal.

I link my Amex to Paypal to pick up the avios - I was delighted to see Tui accepted Paypal when paying the balance of our cruise. 

Travel Irons and cruising??? OMG - just too scary!!

Explorer 2 does have a laundry and pressing service right?

Its cheap as chips - inside cabin or royal suite... just use the ship's laundry....

On ‎7‎/‎12‎/‎2019 at 8:40 PM, don't-use-real-name said:

You must be on board a cruise before expiration - you can cruise into the expired period.

Posts previous to this one are offering options.

 

Option often overlooked EXCHANGING Certificates with another Latitudes member to extend the period.

 

The certificates are good for 4 years from date of purchase.

Booking a cruise is limited to about 2 years away - routes - ships - port stops subject to change.

 

There are no taxes fees or otherwise with a transfer between Latitude members merely a phone

call and it is done - payment methods agreed between members not an NCL concern.

I have emailed them and tried all day to call them but no answer in the UK although the lines are open..

I gave up and will try again Monday

There is a cruise I want to book for May 21 - just hoping they will accept at least one of the two certificates - each worth £206 or $250 deposit...

Thanks for your help 🙂 x

2 hours ago, bones774 said:

They are easily sold/transferred. Payment would be whatever buyer/seller agree to e.g. Paypal. If you are gonna sell them at a good discount i'll take them. thanks

For sure if I can sell them and you direct me to the "how to" - then yes, I absolutely will sell them at a low price - I categorically loathe waste - and would rather "pay karma forward" 🙂

Thank you both so much!

I have emailed the Lattitudes Dept as NCL UK is so hard to contact - there are very few email addresses

If they extend it then we will use it

If not - I would hate to see $500 be wasted and would sell them very cheaply rather than "garbage" them..

Will wait to hear from Lattitudes who may well tell me to contact "XYZ".. 

The UK site is awful - every time I try to even search for a cruise it reads "error we need a vacation blah blah"

Many thanks and will let you know 🙂 

I have two cruise next certificates which have an end date of October 2020

Is this the date I must book or sail by?

If its sail by - we are loused and cannot use them

Any advice on selling them welcomed - dont really want much for them if I do have to sell them

We are in the UK - does that make a difference when it comes to selling them?

I am thinking of booking Alaska for May 21 - and remembered about the cruise certs..

Just not sure I can use them that far ahead now?

Many thanks

B

HI - I don't know about getting off the ship in Koh Samui but just in case you weren't aware there is a board on here for Scuba and Snorkelling (all over the world) which is very helpful. Look for "Scuba and Snorkelling" in the list of boards. 

I was able to plan dives with the help of the experienced guys over there.

Don't forget you will need a refresher if its been more than a year since you were PADI certified - but both of you can probably do a discovery day if its means you get a chance to dive! 

Enjoy! 

Thanks, tbh I am not keen on idea of British cruising and prefer big monster ships..

But who knows, this might change my mind, I know my husband would love it if we didn't have to fly for cruises..

This is for my Mum... making a three generations trip happen.. Life is short, making the time happen :)

Thanks so much for the help![/quote

 

Really disappointing that they weren't more helpful at the admin department. Still, as I said before we've always found the organisation excellent both at ports for ex-UK departures and on arrival at airports for fly cruises. Hopefully it will be obvious when you get there what the procedures are.

 

Hope you have a wonderful time - I'm sure it means such a lot to your Mum and you will want it to be very special for her. Which cruise is it you're doing?

 

Aw thanks :)

I don't think any of the cruiseline's admins tend to be great, from my experience the on board experience is always better than pre cruise admin -

Thanks for the re assurance.

I don't think I would be fretting at all were it my husband and I .. as long as my wee Mum is fine then that's all good.

The cruise is just in Europe but my Mum has never been on a ship ..not ever.. my daughter lives overseas, so she is flying in to meet us.. and we are just grabbing that special time to treasure.

Having lost my Dad, and then nearly losing my Mum earlier this year, I made a pact with her pre surgery..get through this..we make a trip happen.

She did, and doc has given her the go ahead.. our needs were UK departure, no fly of course and anywhere that we can fly her home in a matter of hours should there be an emergency..

She will love all the Brit stuff ie Yorkshire Tea etc and I hear Bacon Butties are even on offer :)

I am sure it will be wonderful.. We will take her to all the shows, and enjoy our time out.

Hopefully there will be some shore excursions which are wheelchair friendly

If not, I am sure there are taxis around which can accommodate us.

Thanks so much for your kind wishes.

Hi blondie

just make sure you enter the docks at dock gate 10 normally its 8 because of boatshow the road is closed,

any way sounds like your parking with the port operator A.B.P and they will be very helpfull look after mum enjoy your cruise PS have done two cruises on discovery very easy to get around enjoy.

Thanks, tbh I am not keen on idea of British cruising and prefer big monster ships..

But who knows, this might change my mind, I know my husband would love it if we didn't have to fly for cruises..

This is for my Mum... making a three generations trip happen.. Life is short, making the time happen :)

Thanks so much for the help!

I'd definitely ring the Customer Welfare number and get them to talk you through the arrangements for your Mum. It will put your mind at rest if you can picture what you have to do.

I was on the phone to them when I posted the message here..

She was bit hopeless actually.. she knew nothing about Southampton at all, she kept having to ask her supervisor..

Better info here from the folks in "the know" :*

Thanks all,

you have been so helpful!

I am concerned traveling with my elderly Mum -

I have never known no tags, always have everything tagged up pre cruise, and just a wee bit worried about having to get from a car park to the terminal with a wheelchair and our luggage (and husband not coming its all about we girls for this one).

From what I can gather its City Cruise Terminal, Solend Road, Western Docks.

Go there first, see staff, drop my Mum and luggage off, park the car, and go back

Valet Parking? That would be great if that's available..that would be a huge help..

Happy to tip generously for that service ..

Thanks for your help.

Hi

We have been cruising for 20 years. Never usually do British cruising, and never from Southampton.

Never experienced not having pre cruise documents and luggage tags etc.

All I have is a pdf "ticket" no information. We booked via our banks travel service.

We have a Grand suite and chose our cabin number when booking.

When/where do we get luggage tags?

What is the situation for check in at Southampton?

Travelling with very elderly mother who is wheelchair bound

Have booked the car parking - how do we get from car park to the embarkation point etc?

All advice most welcome

and how come no luggage tags?

Hairdryer - is there a 110 volt plug at the vanity area ?

Many thanks.

Just noted a couple of other things I can help with sorry no concierge lounge free wi fi , this may have changed from earlier in the year. The destination service team are very good with info for wheelchair passengers on excursion's and we have seen many going on them. You can now book the premium drinks package online but this has to be done when you book not sure if you can do it retrospectively, that's a big word!!!

 

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Thanks for the info!

Hi and welcome to Marella can't help with boarding as only ever flown but can answer a couple of your other points, you can order breakfast every day, including a light one, but receive a free one each week also one floor up at the snack shack you can get a take away bacon butty to have on the balcony its great. Think the only restaurant you may have a problem with is the surf & turf has a few steps. Show lounge and entertainment will be fine they do have areas for wheel chairs, we have been on the deck you will be on and its a great position with lots of lifts. Sorry can't help with your other requests but am certain you will all have a great time, enjoy.

 

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Okay - you had me at Bacon Buttys!! :hearteyes::*:hearteyes:

Many thanks!

Hi

We are taking my elderly Mum on a ladies only trip. (three generations). She is 88 and well - we are just "making that time happen".

We are long time cruisers, but new to Marella - our line of choice being NCL & Celebrity.

We don't want to compare - we know for sure Mum will love the "British" aspect of Marella, and the main goal was no flying - (and that yorkshire tea kettle we know she will love!!).

We have a Grand Suite. How is boarding etc (Southampton). We are travelling to Southampton, stopping off two nights before - one half way, one in Southampton - This trip - its all about my wee Mum. Having lost my Dad in 2016, and nearly losing my Mum too - we want to spoil her rotten at every opportunity. Got to just make it work right :) I did think about the Easeway coach - but it might be too heavy on her, anyone who has done this from Carlisle down - how was the journey? Many stops?

What is the set up from car to port to ship at Southampton. We are told we have priority boarding with the suite - any other perks worthwhile? How difficult/easy will it be for us to get from car to ship etc? Any advice warmly appreciated.

Its more about the nice space for us than perks - but ease of getting Mum around is really our priority.

We are bringing on a small portable wheelchair. She can get around with her walking stick on very short distances, but we are happier, on a moving ship to wheelchair her around.

How were the restaurants for wheelchair access etc?

Any issues we are likely to encounter?

Shore excursions and buses into town? Does anyone have experience of booking any shorex with a wheelchair? How was the set up? ie can we get a wheelchair on the shore excursion coaches?

My Mum would not manage up steps on a coach. We are travelling only in Northern Europe so as we are always within a quick emergency hop of home (hopefully never need that) - but still would love to get Mum out and about to do some sightseeing if we can find wheelchair friendly options.

I have to say that Marella shore excursions seem a great deal cheaper than what we have been used to paying ..wow!

Shows? What are the shows like? Suitable for an elderly lady? Does anyone have any "dailies" from Marella Discovery?

Salon - anyone have a list of products/hair/beauty/treatments from the salon?

Upgrading the drinks package. For the sake of only £50 think we will upgrade the drinks package if it gives us nicer wine? Can we do this beforehand or must we wait until we board?

I know being in a suite we get one complimentary breakfast - are we able to order a light breakfast for my mum to the room every day? Like pastries/toast? Just a small bite? Happy to pay - is there a room service menu? Anyone have a copy?

I read somewhere about a concierge lounge with free wifi? Is that correct??

Many thanks in advance for any information/dailies/menus etc

B:*

You will have a fridge in your suite, nothing like chilled champers on the balcony[emoji483] [emoji483] [emoji483] enjoy

 

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I Know :hearteyes: - lovely times to cherish - nearly lost my wee Mum earlier this year, got to just make life happen, we will treasure every minute of every day.

I never considered Marella - took a bit of hunting around - but hey, so far so good!!! TUI Marella has been so helpful so far -

Looking forward to the experience :)