lixogab

Before they implemented the "once a day" cleaning policy, our cabin was cleaned by the time we returned from the breakfast (unlike most passengers we do use the red/green dial )

Last week it was a different story though. It looked that our steward was not only cleaning more cabins but also worked in the laundry (we met him there on the behind the scenes tour).  And his schedule was somewhat complicated. Some days he started early, other days didn't show up until noon or so.

There are 3.5 options for beaches in  St Kitts

- As suggested by Port Royal, get Marriott Day pass. Most expensive, AFAIR $50 pp for the pass, some snorkeling, even though it's located on the Atlantic side

- South Friars bay. About 1/2 mile of pretty nice beach. No off beach snorkeling. Taxi costs $7 pp each way (minimum 4 people, so you may have to share or pay $28) and leaves you at Carambola beach club ($30 for 2 chair and umbrella or $5 pp for use bathroom and showers).  Quiet place, usually get crowded pretty fast.  There is another bar called  Shipwreck with some Rasta vibe. Drinks less expensive than in Carambola, no umbrellas, chairs look to be rescued from an actual shipwreck.

Lots of Terds betweeen Carambola and Shipwreck.

- Cockleshell beach, Taxi $10 pp each way. Several bars, some of them noisy

The 0.5 option is to go to Nevis, but without tour it requires plenty of time and good coordination. Probably will do that some day. 

There is some shopping in the port area. The owners and workers  don't look like locals though.

On 11/25/2023 at 9:41 AM, Cruising to Retirement said:

Did they take Credit Cards or just Cash?  

The bus doesn't take credit card. In fact, the bus ride is just EC 2.25 equivalent to US $1 

Now, be ready to be the only non-local in the bus.

Answering my own question

- The taxi from port to Playa Dorada is $35 each way and it's per car

-  You can walk to the downtown Puerto plata. It worth a 1/2 hour  visit: Parque central , Paseo de doña Blanca, umbrella street)

- From there you can call Uber. However, Uber is different from what you are used to: uber gives you a price (in my case around $2), then the driver will text you with a different price (in my case around $7), Uber uses Google translate (but I speak Spanish). Ended up paying what Uber took from my card + $5.

The car that came was an actual taxi.

The driver gave a card and was waiting for me on the way back for the same price, but I gave him $10.

- He left me on the public side at the "El pueblito" ( the village called "The village" ) by the restaurant "Le petit François". That part of the beach was not the best (some seagrass, most likely because of  the recent tropical storm ), so we walked west about a mile.  It looked pretty safe to leave our stuff .

Hello.

I'm sailing on NCL Sky this week.

I usually don't use internet packages (unless it's part of FAS) but this time there is a good change my DW will have to work while we are on cruise.

Q1. How is the quality (Speed, ping, jitter, stability )  of the internet connection on NCL Sky?

I started looking the packages on the NCL app and website and it shows several similar packages (I don't have FAS this time):

Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi: 1 Device – Unlimited use throughout the cruise  - $295

Unlimited Wi-Fi: 1 Device - $299

Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi: 1 Device - $399

Q2. What's the difference between first and third  and why the first one is the cheapest one despite being "Premium"

Q3. I'm platinum, so I should get 15% discount. It looks to be not included in the above prices (the numbers are "too round" to include the discount)

How do I get the Platinum discount? Only calling or talking to the Internet guy on the ship ?

Q4. If I get the internet package let's say the 3rd or 4th day, will I get prorated price ?

Any feedback is appreciated.

Our cruise will dock at Taino bay and I’m looking for a beach day.

Cruise excursions looks to be somewhat expensive and limited to 4 hours.

- Is it possible to taxi Taxi or Uber to Playa Dorada and ( most importantly) back? How much it will be? 

( I read that someone paid $ 35 each way but it looks pretty expensive for a 5.5 miles / 15 minutes drive )

- Are there beach bars at playa Dorada where I can rent some umbrella and chairs and get couple of beers?

- Is it safe to leave stuff? I.e. if we leave our towels, clothes and  beach bug with iPhone while soaking at the seawater, what is the risk that someone steals our stuff?

Got NCL platinum and in 2 weeks sailing for the first time as Platinum 

From what I understand, the main platinum perks are:

- 2 dinners at specialty restaurants and 1  bottle of wine

- Behind the scenes tour 

and

- Wines around the world tasting

The dinner vouchers are being heavily discussed here, but not the other two.

Is the wine tasting offered on all ships? The cruise planner doesn’t show it.

When I try to book the Behind the scenes tour via Web site/app it shows that it costs some money. Is it a website glitch or are there some small letters that I’m missing and tour is not actually free?

Are there any other perks that I’m missing ?

16 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

In practice, the Platinum Vouchers and the FAS Specialty Dining credits are the same (except one Platinum Voucher comes with a bottle of wine).

 

Strictly by the terms and conditions say that you should use the Platinum Vouchers at Teppanyaki and Food Republic.   

Here is what they say on https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program

Benefit is available on sailings 5 days or longer, and entitles each guest to an appetizer, one entrée and dessert of choice. Upcharges apply to certain premium menu items; Raw Bar Seafood Platter is not included. Bottle of Wine offered in all venues offering Complimentary Wine list, Palomar not included. In à la carte restaurants, coupon can be redeemed for 4 menu items per person (Sushi, Wasabi, Nama, Teppanyaki, Hasuki, Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar or Raw Bar). Additional entrées will incur supplemental charges. Dinner coupons are non-transferrable. Solo guests cannot claim two dinners. Coupons can’t be used for the same venue twice. 2 guests maximum. Dining options vary by ship.

So, no Raw Bar Seafood Platter, no same restaurant twice.

Some confusion regarding “a la carte restaurants”: Cagneys and Le bistro are a la carte restaurants as well. And what do they mean by 4 menu items? For example in Teppanyaki what can you get besides appetizer, main course and desert ? A second desert or appetizer?

If  I want to arrive a day or two early, is it compatible with BOGO flights?

If yes, what's the easiest way to arrange it (I don't have a TA, usually reserving on the NCL web site)

21 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

I'm confused why you think you can only get a balcony with Aurea.  (What ship are you planning to cruise on?) 

Opera sailing from Dubai. It says that all other "experiences" are "sold out" for that particular day. Not sure how the experience can be sold out, so my guess it's just the way they manage the revenue.

I guess I found the answer to the 1st question:

A1. Even if you are logged on, when reserving there is a link to add a voyager number.

Your number is there, but you have to do that step to add the discount.

Hi. I'm planning my first MSC cruise and have some assorted questions:

1. I did the status match and now I'm Gold with MSC. The status privileges states  a 5% discount on cruise.

I created an account on www.msccruisesusa.com, linked my new Voyager club ID, can see the 4300 points, but

when I try to book the cruise on their web site, there is no 5% discount.

Am I doing something wrong?

2. I'm hesitating about the "Free drinks and internet" promotion which looks to include Easy plus + Internet

The price is $230 pp for a 7 days cruise and we are not heavy drinkers so not sure if it will justify. Hence the following questions:

- If I don't buy the package, the drinks price ( I found the https://static1.squarespace.com/static/617ac6f28abd337ac8fc5f75/t/62264424e0a64364affa6ab5/1646674982750/MSC+Divina+Main+Bar+Menu+2022.pdf ) includes gratuities, like in Europe or like in most major US cruise lines there is a mandatory gratuity on top of the price. For example, the list states a 14 oz draft Heineken is $6.00. Will they charge me $6.00 or $6.00 + 20% or so ?

- Are the prices the same for entire world, or they can differ depending on the cruise? I know that the currencies may vary and that can slightly affect prices,  but I saw somewhere a list stating beer prices around 8-9 UK pounds!

- Does the package include freshly squeezed juices (the price is $7.50) or just regular ?

- Does the Easy plus include bottled sparkling water? The list states San Pellegrino. Can i order it and bring in my room (I'm sparkling water junkie) . Can I get a bottle at take ashore ?

- If I want to get a $10 drink with an Easy plus package that covers up to $9 drinks, will they charge me $10, $1 or $1 + gratuity ?

3. I'm little bit confused about "experiences".

Fist it looks that for balcony the only option I have is "Aurea"

For OV I see "Bella" and "Fantastica"  and it looks that the differences are that I choose my room and I can request preferred dining time.

 - If I go with Bella, do they usually assign the best available room or the cheapest (i.e obstructed view) ?

- I can request the dining time, but will they honor this request? Will I stick to the same time and  table every night like in RCCL or there is more flexibility like on NCL ?

4. What times are the shows?

Just want to be sure to choose the right dinner time to be able to attend the shows.

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Rysyonok said:

 

I will admit never going through a TA just to avoid headaches like this, even if it means missing some incentives.

 

I'd send TA an e-mail recapping estimate of current incentives' cost for the cruise and try to get their positive response saying they will cover them. And how.

Well, the choice was: book directly with RCCL and get $50 discount or book with a big box online TA and get free gratuity. Hopefully.

In 3 weeks will see how it goes 😉

On 10/27/2022 at 6:05 PM, taglovestocruise said:

Nothing shows on your account, if you see that no gratuities are added on day one then they are pre paid. Take a copy of the TA perk just in case.

On 10/27/2022 at 5:41 PM, Rysyonok said:

 

I must have mis-read your post.

 

If TA is the one paying the gratuities, you can count on them being added at the very last second possible. Same loan principle, but in reverse.

 

Oh, do have everything in writing. 🙂

Thanks.

I have the TA invoice stating "Complementary gratuities" . Obviously it doesn't mean anything for the cruise line but I hope I will be able to verify it on the boarding date and if it's missing I still have time to call to  the TA. But I hope I will not need it.

Unfortunately there is no decent beach near Coxen hole. 

Thanks.

That adds little bit of anxiety but hope it will work.

I can't find any free cruise parking statement on the hotel website.

I'm used to freestyle dining on NCL but our next cruise will be with Royal Caribbean. We sail with my DW and another 3 couples (4 separate reservations).

What would be the best and easiest way to handle the dining times so we can get to the evening shows?

From what I understand there are two options on RC: traditional or fixed time and "My time dining"

If opting for traditional we have 5:30-6:00 or 7:30-8:00.  With the second option we'll definitely miss all the main shows, right ?

But with MTD, how long will be the wait time considering the  ship is expected to be full ?

Will MTD + daily reservations help  or even with the reservation the wait time will be significantly longer than with traditional dining ?

On the other hand, if opt for traditional dining, are the tables assigned each day and we can just show up together or the tables are preassigned on the day 1 and we have to take care on the 1st day to get a designated table for us ? 

Thanks

Thanks! I do see the OBC there.

No prepaid gratuities yet. Perhaps will have to call the TA.

The point of the prepaid gratuities was that the TA offered them for free (halyava, sir)  😉

Now, will it work or it was a "bite and switch"? Will see.

I applied for $100 OBC as RCI group shareholder and got an email saying it was applied to the reservation.

Also, the TA (big box company) is supposed to add prepaid gratuities to the reservation.

Is there a place in the application or on the website reservation to see the OBC and the prepaid gratuity ?

I'm little bit concern about the later and want to ensure it was added by the TA.

Thanks.

Followup question:

Does it get too crowded ?

There will be 6 ships in Cozumel with max capacity 25000 passengers (and most likely it will be close to that number).

Is Chanknaab a popular destination?

Should we expect crowds there or it should be ok ?

3 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

The question is how much more than $500 would a regular room be?  Is that net cost worth it to be able to choose your cabin?  [I would never book a guarantee rate because there are far too many unacceptable cabins on every deck plan I have examined.]

 

[And BTW, I didn't pull your first post because that would be the entire thread – but, you aren't allowed to hint at travel agents as you did.  In future, just say 'my travel agent' and leave it at that.]

No, it doesn't make any sense for me to pay for a regular cabin on that cruise. Basically, I'm on OV GTY, next category is obstructed OV, and the price for non-obstucted OV is close to balcony GTY and for port intensive cruise I prefer to spend money somewhere else.

Sorry for mentioning the details about my agent.

Quick update:

Called Azamara and as expected, they told me that I have to deal with the travel agent.

Called the travel agent, they called to Azamara and clarified that my booking doesn't qualify for the $500 Onboard Credit since I have a guarantee stateroom. An upgrade to regular room was more  than $500  so it doesn't make any sense.

I did a mockup reservation and effectively the onboard credit is valid only for _some_ categories and it looks to be "up to" even though the main page advertisement doesn't mention that the credit is just for some rooms. It sounded too good to be true from the beginning but since I didn't see any disclaimers I decided to try.

7 minutes ago, CYNSport said:

If you book through any type of TA (including “Big Box”), it’s my understanding that  they must make any rate modifications for you, so I don’t think you can deal directly with Azamara yourself. Also, sometimes travel agencies book “special group rates” that are difficult to get modified under some of the OBC offers.

Right... that's why I  was surprised by the "contact us".

I booked my Azamara cruise couple of months ago via a big box online agency.

Couple of day ago I saw a "$500 Onboard Credit" advertisement and apparently it applies to my cruise as well.

Now, the Azamara  best price, best offer guarantee ( https://www.azamara.com/cruise-with-confidence )states that

 You’ll always get the best possible price—even after you book.* If the fare on your booked sailing lowers or a better promotion is offered, contact us and we’ll honor that better price right up to 48 hours before you sail.*

Is my understanding correct that I can contact Azamara (even though I booked via an agency) and they will add the $500 credit to my reservation ?

Did anybody use that before ?