Blondie008

Yes - we have taken Champagne on board and asked the cabin steward for some ice to chill it.

Many thanks - that's an unexpected bonus :)

You can take any drinks on board BUT only for drinking in your cabin not in any of the bars.

 

.

:eek: WOW - this is good to know! Twenty years of cruising, first time with Marella for a three generations girls cruise, we have a lovely Grand suite (Mum is elderly never been on a cruise) -daughter flying in from overseas - and we are all getting together to take that trip (have to make it happen right). We chose no fly Marella for Mum's sake, but the more I read, the more appealing it is becoming.

So. No charge to take on board our favourite champagne for the cabin? I am so used to corkage if we want to bring any on. I have never ever been one to bring booze on the cruise, but if its free to bring on our bubbles for our cabin that is awesome?

Is that correct??

Many thanks!

I was checking out TUI's drinks package today as for the first time, we are going on TUI Marella (have been cruising for +20 years NCL/Celebrity etc).. hey, the drinks package looks pretty good :eek: I was really surprised - watched a youtube (thank you fabulous youtube poster!) which went through all the menus - spot on for we three generations of girls. ( we are doing Mum, Daughter and Grand-daughter - making a memory to cherish).

Even a Pimms for my wee Mum ... perfect! If you google you tube marella bar menu you will come across it. It was on the Discovery2 but menus will all be the same I guess.

Caribbean is not stormy/rough seas in February - I spend a lot of time there between January and March and its the best time to go. Its not hurricane season - seas are calm, it will be blue sky and perfect temperatures all the way.. You might get the very occasional cloudy day on certain islands where there is more tropical vegetation.

August to November is the dodgy time, hurricane/tropical storm season. February = perfect!!

For what its worth for future Epic cruisers... We have been on Epic three times, twice in Spa Minis, and on the recent TA we had a spa balcony with a very large angled balcony. We didn't think there would be much difference :eek::eek::eek: wrong!!!! OMG it was so tight.. I'd never do anything less than a mini suite on Epic.. there is just zero room to manoeuvre in a regular balcony sized cabin.

Also we missed the huge showers (or tub if that's what you like) they have in a mini suite.

At the time we booked there were no spa minis left, so we took the spa balcony. We would have been far better opting for a regular mini suite with a spa pass.

Fantastic cruise.. best TA cruise in years..but boy that cabin was tight! For the benefit of future readers, don't let anyone tell you there isn't much difference between a regular balcony and a mini-suite..its nonsense.. For sure there is!:')

I was on this cruise and i thought it was a very nice trip didn't see all the issues mentioned above yes you always have some things you don't like but nothing worth bashing all in all i would do the same trip again!!

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Forums mobile app

Us too, we had a fab time! One of the best crossings we have had in years :) (Epic twice before) - Getaway, Celebrity etc many times... This was a fab crossing with unbelievable weather - so beautiful and so fortunate! We were also in a spa room on deck 14 (there as a little noise from above but nothing that bothered us) - we used the spa twice this trip ...twice :eek: ... weather was so lovely we didn't feel the need to use the spa. Thought the crew were great, food, exceptional - and service top notch.

Loved every minute of our trip this time..To be honest we went with fairly low expectations as last November's Epic crossing was a tad disappointing.. This one - pleasantly surprised.

Thumbs up from this corner :)

I do mornings, not often but as its one of two port days.😝😝 which cruise do you know me from?

EPIC & GETAWAY - R&V!!! :'):hearteyes::') - think M sent u a selfie last week lol

 

Turning in early tonight. Scott & Aled are joining us for a whale watch in the Azores in the morning.

Great review - Well done!! I have family on board so am so enjoying all the updates!

That aside "Scott and Aled"? I think I know these two - ;p - I thought I saw Aled in an earlier photo!

If it its them ...do they even do mornings???

We missed them on the TA this past two weeks on Epic - (well ... our livers maybe didn't!)...

I've done this cruise a number of times.... I always fly in the day of.. nothing to worry about there, lots of folks from the UK do - including everyone doing an NCL fly-cruise ☺

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Forums mobile app

I flew in from Scotland - albeit via LHR - There was fog at LHR not Glasgow.

It was bad enough being on a FlyCruise - had we been going independent and going that day, we would not have made the ship.

Just saying.. Sure lots of people do fly in same day, and do DIY, but sh&t happens. It's happened to two of us in the thread alone.

We have flown in same day from Scotland and its been terrific (best ever to BCN - direct with Jet2). That also was part of a fly/cruise package and it was brilliant - But I would never now do any such journey without getting in a day early. Its a horrid feeling sitting in an airport hotel wondering if you are going to make it on the cruise. Its all fine and dandy that "NCL will take care of it" - It is still a lot of hassle, stress and a downright miserable time living in the clothes you left home days earlier. (They keep your suitcases in T5 and don't let you have them if your connecting flight is delayed). I don't live anywhere near Glasgow airport so for me that included a stopover in Glasgow too.

I have had numerous delays with BA - more so with domestic flights than international. Just sadly no option than to suck it up.

Incidentally, I always thought NCL would re shuffle delayed flights etc as part of a fly cruise. In reality, they don't. Its down to you to stand for hours in the queues at the airline to try and re schedule your flight. Top tip everyone in the UK - If your connecting flight is delayed - there is a small BA deck en route to Flight Connections customer services - get in THAT line, don't wait to be directed to Zone E or Zone F - get in that small desk line and sort it there it will save you hours and hours of frustration. If you do land up in Zones E and F, one of you go in each queue if you are travelling with a partner.

I am sure the OP will be absolutely fine - but this is not risk free.

OP - simple thing to do, check the BBC weather the day before - any unusual weather conditions, then be prepared and work out what the alternatives are. Airlines can and will re-route you via places such as Munich -

Safe and smooth travels and wishing you a wonderful cruise!

We were on an NCL package fly cruise last November - we had planned on arriving in Barcelona 2 days prior to the cruise - due to fog they cancelled our flight and many others, meaning we didn't get there until 10pm the night before the cruise :eek: .. spent a rotten time at a lousy holiday inn express outside heathrow (courtesy of British Airways) Sure we were compensated but missed out on our pre cruise stay. It was very tiring and not a good start to our vacation.

Had we been going DIY - and going in the same day.... uh oh I dread to think.

chances are you will be fine - But bear in mind fog can happen any time of year - its a common reason for delays and cancellations of flights.

If at all possible, I'd opt to spend the night in BCN rather than LHR.

PS - just read what Baseball Fan experienced - same thing = fog :(

In over 20 years of cruising, including Celebrity, The Getaway is my all time favourite ship. I loved everything about the public areas -

Million Dollar Quartet - amazing. We don't do shows. MDQ - BOOK IT!

La Cucina - its a massive fail on every other ship we have been on. On Getaway its right there amidst the lounges and action and I think that's why its SO much better on there than the other ships. Wee tip, if Sugarcane is busy and you cant get a seat, grab a drink from there, and sit at the wee bar at La Cucina - its a super people watching spot.

The Thermal suites are awesome.

The bad? The cabin.. :( That's the trade off. The cabin I loathed. It was hopeless.(I prefer Epic's cabins would you believe) .. That vanity area :eek: - every time, make up and hair products stored in the stool - had to tip all the contents twice a day on the sofa - to be able to do my face/hair .. there is NO vanity area storage - its inside the stool (which doubles as a mini table)

Think we had a spa mini suite.

The balcony is really toatie (Scots speak aka very small!).

That didn't bother me too much we don't use the balcony much - the trade off for that great ship was worth it.

Love it.. sadly dates/places just don't work for us, meanwhile stuck with Epic. ;p

Other than cabin - its an 11/10 ship...superb!!

I am cruising with a large lot and some of them are smokers. I have kind of taken on the role of leading this group and the smokers are bugging me about locations. I know that the casino offers smoking areas if you are playing but I'm curious where the other areas are. Any bars that let you sit and smoke while drinking? Port side? Starboard side outdoor? Just would like to know all the locations. Thanks.

Hi :)

I don't smoke - haven't done so for nearly 6 years and I don't even think about it now. I do however, still like to hang out with the smokers on a cruise ship. There is always a camaraderie with smokers - I don't like the smell - but I don't really care and enjoy the laughs. The Getaway I can tell you is terrific for smokers. The Sunset Bar, which is accessible on one of the main decks (think its 7 cant recall) - Anyway, from indoors there, you can go outdoors to the bar on the waterfront and believe me, smokers are very happy indeed out there. That wee bar is often thriving when all else closes down - I so loved the Getaway and really missed the Waterfront and its smoking bar on our next cruise on the Epic.

Also, Spice H20 has plenty smoking tables, and you can smoke at the casino.

To be honest, I felt smoke was by far more evident on the Epic as I could smell it from Taste dining room and as much as I love to enjoy the craic with smokers, I don't want to smell it when I am eating. I never noticed it on the Getaway indoors.

Your friends will be more than happy .. honestly ..

Oh and there is also a cigar bar indoors - I think that too is by the sunset lounge -

I didn't go in there - I do have my limits haha!

Have a super cruise - would sail the Getaway again in a heartbeat - got to go on Epic (again) next cruise - so wish it was an Away ship :(

Have fun!!

Sorry but the Celebrity thermal suites are a total let down after having experienced NCL ships.

The trade off is BLU. BLU is fabulous - and is the sole reason many choose Aquaclass on X. The SPA - ugh - what a let down. We were on both Solstice and Equinox - sister ships to Reflection. All there is, around 8 of the tiled loungers, one small steam room - this stupid shower thing which was a waste of time. NO tubs, NO thallosotherapy pool - no big loungers to laze on. It is tiny compared to NCL ships. We were sorely disappointed and cant believe X could get this so wrong.

We had a total meltdown on days when the band was practicing in the deck directly below the spa - it took several attempts with the spa staff to contact guest services to have something done about it.

There are loungers in a separate area from the SPA - which people use anyway even although they are not supposed to. It is a distance away from the actual spa and is at the end of the corridor of the cabins.

Just preparing you - the UPSIDE is BLU - its amazing - you will love it - That's the trade off. BLU breakfast and dinner is similar to Haven style restaurant - very personal, intimate dining and you do get to know your serving team looking after you. We absolutely loved BLU.

Celebrity of course have the indoors covered pool area - so that's a bonus

Reason to cruise Aquaclass? For sure BLU - I am afraid to say don't expect the SPA to compete with NCL ships - it doesn't ... NCL wins by a long chalk on that one.

Epic Mini Suites have ample storage and a great vanity area in which to store cosmetics etc,. It also has a hairdryer which is great -

I had much bigger issues with vanity storage on Getaway - there its a case of storing everything in the lidded foot stool. Epic minis are much better

I am "high maintenance" - lotions and potions lol - You wont need the over door thing - plenty storage throughout.

There is also a vanity stool which I guess you can double up as a footstool although Epic sofas are not very comfortable for sitting back.

The counter top runs almost the length of the cabin. We used the tray either on a towel laid out (one we kept for this use) on our bed - or on the footstool indoors or outdoors.

We've taken 3 cruises in our life, all on Celebrity and all Aqua Class. We loved the Persian Gardens and spent a lot of time there. We're cruising Getaway next June to St Thomas, Tortola and Nassau. We're booked in an Aft Balcony room( next to our friends Haven Suite). Its a very large balcony( we spend a lot of time on the balcony). Of course, I'll try to "bid" when I can for a Haven. Frankly, after our 3rd cruise with Celebrity, I was totally bored with the food and entertainment. We also don't have kids, don't drink or smoke. The menus in aqua class were the same every single year. I'm excited to try NCL, although upset that I'll lose our priority boarding status.

Celebrity's persian gardens to me were one mega disappointment - they dont even touch the thermal suites on NCL. (How could Celebrity get this so wrong) . If you loved the persian gardens you will absolutely be over the moon with Getaway's thermal suites. In an aft balcony you can, at 90 days in, buy thermal passes online - worth every cent!

We did love BLU - it worked for us - (especialy breakfast!) but in 2015 - 2016 we did 2 x Celebrity, 3 x NCL, NCL wins hands down - Getaway especially - its probably our favourite ship ever so far :)

Please please take lots of pics of Bliss and do us a full review on your return!

We took a trip to Seattle and Alaska on Celebrity Solstice (May 2016) for our 20th wedding anniversary. Every five years we celebrate our anniversary with something special. We thought Alaska would be a one off. Wrong! We loved Seattle so much - cannot tell you how special that city was for us - but for sure we want to return. We had four days there pre cruise. With NCL now having Bliss there - we would for sure be going on her. This time though we would book Seattle before and after the cruise - making a total of two weeks out.

In Seattle we took an Orange cab the first day, and the driver was very friendly - He was Nigerian and we kind of took to him. His English was not great but his smiles went a long way! We took his cell number and he became our direct driver for our trip. He was even waiting on us in one chaotic port, after the cruise to get us to a location in the city where we were picking up our glass art we had made (from our late dogs remains - long story) and then on to the airport. (It was so busy I literally climbed up on one of the bollards to wave to him and he saw me haha!) He was brilliant. We would text him from wherever we were - and he would make us his next call - what a star he was.

We stayed at the Warwick Hotel - it was super friendly - great wee bistro too. Our first time there - and yet they had a bottle of bubbly and some hand made truffles in the room for us to wish us a happy anniversary - big wow - they didnt know us...

I have yet to decide on what our 25th anniversary will be - but I cannot help think it may well be a return to Seattle & Alaska trip.

Would be great to see some pics and review of your trip!

Have a fab time!

Heh, you got the full spa 'upsell' treatment in the medical center.

Loved this description - spot on :')

Hi please can I asked did you friend go on to book, and does it show premium AI included.? I am so confused with this, I asked an agent she said it does include drinks etc, however I did dummy booking and rate showed noweigan rate" not premium all inclusive.

Sorry no he didnt - he went for an assigned balcony.

But we did ask the question and were told yes, premium inclusive.

Best to give them a call direct and ask to be 100% sure.

We were at the Novotel Barcelona Cornella. We were in an upgraded suite with separate bedroom and they broke in while we were napping in the early evening after we had been traveling all night from Toronto then toured Barcelona all day until we could check in. Some type of alarm either fire, smoke or emergency door alarm woke me up but I think this was the decoy used so we wouldn't hear anything...it was a grab and go for sure but they came back in later when we were at the police station reporting it and took a few more things from our luggage...the hotel denies entry and says it was our own cards which was impossible since we weren't even there.. they are such liars

 

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Forums mobile app

This is awful - really horrible

Hope you put it on their Tripadvisor page -

Some low life in the world - :mad:

Yes the Spanish army is planning to invade ...now what ..

I dont want to be there if thats whats happening

I hope we skip Barcelona ..no need to go where trouble is brewing ..we are there Nov 8 ...too close for comfort

Hey NCL time to move ports ..how about Gibralter , Tenerife, Palma ...get awAy from Barcelona

 

Michele

N00000oooooooooooooo :') - We board in Barcelona - Now dont go wishing that on the Epic's TA Michelle ...

And hey - forecast for next week is 71 !!:D

Be very careful in Barcelona..we were robbed in our hotel room 2 weeks ago tomorrow while we were asleep.

They took my purse with all our cash, credit cards and most importantly our passports....BEWARE!

 

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Forums mobile app

Good grief! :eek:

Which hotel were you staying in - please do let us know so we are on our guard?

Using the Pullman hotel as provided by the cruise line.

We were allocated the Pullman for our pre transatlantic overnight in April. After flying from Scotland to Miami via London - the Pullman ticked every box! Warm, friendly welcome - terrific bar with great martinis. We ate right at the bar. Nice vibe. We had a stunning corner suite - really nice surprise for us, super choice by NCL.

We took a taxi early morning to the port instead of waiting on the transfer - wasn't expensive and we were on the ship done and drinks in hand - by 11am :)

Happy days - :)

We said we would happily stay there again perhaps extending it to a few nights pre cruise instead of just the one.

Hi all! We are down to 80 days to sail away!! (January 13th) I am looking at booking shows and possibly dining and wanted to get your feedback. We have sailed 3 times in the last few years, all Celebrity Aqua Class. This will be our first cruise bringing our teenagers, hence the reason for trying something different. We have the specialty dining perk. I am thinking our boys may not care much for this, so it may be date night for those 3 nights. Which of the 3 would give us a similar experience to Blu on Celebrity? In regards to the shows. We grew up in the 80's and the Brat Pack looks interesting, as well as After Midnight. The entertainment on Celebrity was just so so. Not sure what expectations I should have for these two shows? Any input would be much appreciated. In an case my wife and I are super excited to see how we like Norwegian!! Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi

Since 2015 we cruises twice with Celebrity and three times with NCL.

Aquaclass we did for 14 nights on Equinox, 7 nights (Alaska) on Solstice.

Norwegian, we cruised in spa cabins on Epic and Getaway, also did Sky in those 2 years but that was a "girlie cruise I did without my husband). Sorry I havent been on Escape (*sighs).

BLU - there is nothing to compare. Its a personal space and unless cruising in a suite, you wont get that personal attention which makes BLU so wonderful. You are dining in a fairly small restaurant, but with the same team every night - It is the ONLY feature of Celebrity's aquaclass which makes it worth the extra $$$s.

Le Bistro & Cagneys seem to be the winner on all the ships. Just dont compare it to BLU.

BLU you had breakfast and dinner - Its basically your main dining room. You wont have that direct personal touch in any of the ships restaurants - simply by default.

Norwegian is a totally different experience. For us, for the moment, we prefer Norwegian to Celebrity. Norwegians speciality dining can be pretty awesome - Pre book reservations rather than just "turning up and waiting for a table" -

Try not to look for a "similar" experience - Think of it all as new - and enjoy it :)

Thermal suite passes if you are interested will go on sale for you 90 days prior to sail date. The thermal suites on Norwegian BY FAR out rank the Persian Gardens on Celebrity - I was so disappointed in Celebrity's persian gardens - such a major let down.

Also good to note that on Norwegian every day - not just sea days, you can dine in a main dining room as well as the buffet. "date lunches" can be nice too :) There is so much more choice on NCL. Celebrity have the buffet, or the $10 pay for lunch bistro/sushi bar. It is very limited.

There is also O'sheehans.

You need to not look for "similar" - There is no "BLU". (unless you are in the Haven). Go with an open mind and look for whats best in Norwegian. Its a super line for a family - You can find plenty spaces to enjoy time out with your wife - and your boys will love it -

Have a super family cruise - Norwegian can offer the best of both worlds :)

This means it is an up sell rather than a (free) upgrade?

Yes, I guess. Its not a free upgrade - but people are getting bargains from the bidding process.

I have always been a believer in booking the cabin I am happy with - anything else would be a bonus. There is a "meter" comes with your bid email showing poor to strong - so its up to you where you bid on the scale. I think its poor, fair, good and strong if I remember rightly.

Shows the minimum bid in ££s

our cruise has changed ports and as a result not sure which route we will take northern or southern for transat in Nov

How is someone supposed to pack light if we dont know more than that ?

I have a bit of everything but its adding up to lots of stuff in 2 suitcases ....suggestions ?

I.m starting to look like apack mule ...plus I like pretty clothes

 

Michele

I am doing precisely the same right now. I am thinking I will pack all my heavier jeans, sweats, jerseys etc into my carryon. They fold up easy and I can fit all the heavier clothing in there.

It wont be exactly winter though (I hope!) - and the inside of the ship remains the same - I am however cutting down on beach/pool wear. I love all my nice clothes too - My evening outfits will remain the same. Need all my shoes :D

You will still be heading fairly south - I dont think the Star route will be as bad as Epic. Aside from Marseille your weather may well be pretty nice. We have always had great weather in the fall TA cruises.

Take your nice clothes, check in the bags, life is too short not to enjoy your pretty "feel good" things :)

OK I'm intrigued tell me more. Is the idea to book an inside stateroom for example then bid for a "better" cabin? Is the system available when you book the cruise or is it a separate web site? Lastly is it invitation only?

Not everyone is invited so basically you book what you are happy with - (an inside is fine if you are happy enough with that should you not be able to bid or your bid is unsuccessful ).

If invited to bid, you can bid on categories up to two higher, so for an inside you could bid on a balcony and on a mini suite. (I think I have that right).

I've no idea how they decide who gets the invites - we are platinum but I am sure there are new NCL cruisers who have had invitations to bid.

Who knows.

Once you bid, your bid remains active up until up to 48 hours prior to cruising. At any point during this, you can go into your bid and tweak it or withdraw it. If successful your card is charged and they let you know.

Hope this makes sense :confused: