www3traveler

24 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

A little side note about our Concierge, Lyster!  One thing NCL does is hire the best Concierges in the industry.

 

Just as an example, he called earlier this a.m. wondering how I was feeling.  He knew about my mishap last night.  Even though breakfast was no longer being served, he offered to have my Butler put some pastries together and bring them to my cabin!  

 

Side note, Adrian Bica (sp?) is generally considered the best Concierge at sea!  Lyster was trained by him, and it shows!

 

Adrian left NCL but last I heard he’s either with Windstar or Oceania..can’t remember which!

 

Lyster has been with NCL for 17 years. 

Adrian--- Oceania

2 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Captain’s Reception….Latitiude Reception and Meet and Greet were more fun.  I like our Captain, though.

Who is the Captain and Staff Captain?

1 hour ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Thanks for the tips! Definitely the first time, and for this cruiser a once-in-a-lifetime Bucket List item. And I agree that this one day transit is the most important day of the entire cruise.

 

As for Panama Canal cruises: I’ve done a LOT of research on ports, weather, EB vs WB, watched cruise ships on the Panama Canal live web cams, and checked out all of the Discovery Channel, History Channel, and Smithsonian Channel videos on YouTube. I’ve double-checked ships, itineraries, and best time of year to cruise. Narrowed it down to one ship and booked it.
 

Then completely by accident NCL happened along. Found a cruise with a LOT more dining and entertainement options, on a similar sized ship, with an itinerary that’s 9-days longer, for the same price. Now I’m questioning my decision. 

 

I’ll put a deposit down tomorrow on this new option, and spend some more time ironing out the details. In the mean time I’ll continue to research, read books, and contemplate the meaning of life in retirement. 😁

I much prefer a Panama Canal Crossing going from Los Angeles to Miami.  It puts the Canal Transit toward the end of your cruise rather than toward the beginning of your cruise.

On 3/15/2023 at 10:40 AM, www3traveler said:

Rune Myre is currently the Captain

Captain Myre will be leaving for vacation in a week or so.

(1) On other Jewel Class ships, the bow has been open during the transit.  However it is up to the individual Captain to decide whether or not to open the bow.

(2) Probably you would transit the "Original" Canal 

59 minutes ago, Katie H said:

Can you tell me who are the General Manager (Hotel Director) and Food & Beverage Manager?  We'll be on in a few weeks.  Thanks.

Errol Bailey is currently the GM but he goes on vacation on the 18th of February.

(1) Cruises will be begin to sail out of Jacksonville

(2) Redeployment of The Dawn possible to Jacksonville getting Her out of harms way. 

Three things you need to remember:

   (1) Only a certain number of dinner reservations are allowed to be made prior to boarding your cruise.  For example if you try to book before your cruise, it might say that Restaurant "A" is fully book on a particular evening.  It might not be because only a certain number of reservations for it can be made prior.  Also if you are a couple, if you go to a restaurant a few minutes prior to the scheduled opening and ask to be seated, most times you can.

 (2) Once you board the ship, you should immediately go to your "Muster Station".  It only takes a matter of a few minutes to be processed.  Look at your Key card, it will have Capital Letter (A, B, C) and a Number.  Ask the crew member who greets you upon boarding where you need to go.

(3) For shows in the theater, you may not need reservations.  The theater doors open 30 minutes prior to each show.  Seating even with reservations is not assigned, just go in and find a seat.  If I want a reservation, I usually go to the Theater Box Office toward the front of the ship on Deck 7.

If you are sailing on the 11th of February, be aware that is the last weekend of Mardi Gras--lots of crowds and lots of traffic.  Allow extra time to arrive at the port.

Most importantly enjoy the city of New Orleans and your cruise.

If this is your first time cruising out of New Orleans, try to be outside on the River side of the ship as you sail.  As the ship pulls away from the pier, She will make a "U" turn in the River sailing past downtown New Orleans on Her way South to the Gulf of Mexico.  The trip down River will take about 8 hours or so.

1 hour ago, Hilarion said:

Who are the current officers and principal staff of the NCL GETAWAY?

Getaway Officers were updated on the 12th of January 2024 and posted on the 2024 Officer List.

2 hours ago, jack300s said:

I got this email from our PCC today. It could be this?

 

Latitude Members Cruise: Join us for an exclusive Latitude Alaska Cruise, Plus get an extra 10% off.

 

Bliss - September 28 - October 5, 2024.

 

Not new   Been booked for weeks

For my cruises (37 and counting) I use the same hometown travel agency.  My agent knows what I like and do not like.  I would not travel anywhere without his assistance and advice.

I use a small credit card, put my room key in it and it goes in my pocket.

STAR SENIOR OFFICERS as posted by ziggyuk  21 January 2024:

Captain:  Luigi Gentie

General Manager: Manny Kampanakis

Guest Services Manager: Gary Alldredge

Executive Housekeeper:  Jose Fletes

Cruise Director:  Elizabeth Hackett

Restaurant Manager: Kerwin Miller

Executive Chef:  Nelson Fernanades

Beverage Manager:  Alphanso Fernandes

Cruise Next Manager:  Camilo Castro

May I suggest that you look into a lightweight travel wheelchair.  I have a friend who used one on several cruises for her husband and it worked very well.  It went through their cabin door.  When not in use, she folded it and put in a corner.

Most of the power scooters I have seen on cruises, have difficulty going down the passenger corridors and do not fit through the doorways.  The only place I have seen to store them is out in the elevator banks, a long way from your cabin.

For me, I would choose The Jewel. 

  (1) By taking either the bus or train from Anchorage to Seward, you will be able to see just a glimpse of what Alaska has to offer ( possibly for another trip).  If you can, you might want to add a day or two to see Seward.

 (2) The Jewel is a small ship with lots of outdoor space and an lounge space (indoor) all the way front on Deck 13 for comfortable watching the world go by.

 (3) Because you plan on going early in the "Season", Hubbard Glacier (or Glacier Bay) will be pristine white when blue edges.  Sometimes because of the weather and the amount ice flows, the large ships may not be able to get sail very close to the glaciers.

 (4) There are 3 excursions that I would NOT waste money:

      (a) Excursions in small boats or zodiacs to get closer to the glaciers.

      (b) Whale watching excursions-- should be able to see lots of whales from the ship--the Bridge staff

            is very good at spotting whales and keeping you informed on the PA system.

     (c) The "Deadlest Catch" Excursion in Ketchikan--- talks about the crabbing industry in Alaskan 

          waters.  Every year a number of crabbers lose their lives fishing in Alaskan waters.  I know 

          because I lost a brother in law and nephew in the same accident, so I look at the excursion

          differently than most people do.

The only issue I have with the Jewel cruise is the cost of 2 one way flights (one to Anchorage, Alaska and the return from Vancouver, British Columbia.

No matter whether you choose to sail either the Bliss, Encore or the Jewel, you will have a wonderful experience.  Relax and enjoy

To me, it is not worth it.  Her birthday-her way.

Enjoy a special time together with your family.

I have a friend who was on The Jewel several years ago.  He took wonderful Northern Light pictures from mid to late September.

I have done a couple of Christmas cruises out of Miami on The Getaway.  I am planning to be on The Breakaway for this Christmas out of Miami.

Be warned that no matter which ship you choose, it will be a very full house with lots of multi-generational families.  I love watching the kids wait for Santa Claus arrival in the lobby.  Lots of families dressed in matching pajamas (Grandparents, parents and grandkids).

The Hotel Management will go through the ship singing Christmas carols ending with an audience participation sing-a-long in the lobby.  There will be a Christmas program in the theater on Christmas Eve. 

The ship will be fully decorated complete with a huge Gingerbread Village display.

For me, Christmas cruises are great fun for a widow in her late 70's.

I would suggest that soon after boarding, you go to the Restaurant Reservations Desk in the Atrium (next to The Guest Desk) and talk with them.  They can make arrangements for you to talk with someone.

The information you have provided will be encoded into his Key Card.  So every time he swipes his card at a restaurant, they will have his information.  Staff   is very good at accommodating food issues of all kinds.

You would have to ask onboard about the ice cream and being able to take food off ship.

I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

GETAWAY SENIOR OFFICERS Posted by Gappleby  12 January  2024

Captain:  Luigi De Angelis

Staff Captain:  Eduarto Pelalta

Chief Engineer:  Oeystein Undurm

General Manager:  Mario Malkovic

Assistant General Manager:  Plamenko Bakic

Guest Services Manager:  Katherine Galope Reyes

Cruise Director:  Vincent Torschel

Executive Housekeeper:  Jose Omier

Food and Beverage Director, SR:  Goran Robek

Executive Chef:  Alok Komar

Restaurant Manager:  Chanda Muttam

Beverage Manager:  Eleonore Rueda

Cruise Next Manager:  Alejandra Monterroso

No, there is NO drop off Guppie program.  They do have a type of "Mommy and Me" playtime that is  listed in the Freestyle Daily.  

On Port Days, in the past, they have had special "Port Day Spa Specials".  Usually on Embarkation Day, you can tour the Spa for free.  I would go to the Spa then and check to see what the current protocol is. 

There should be a number of locations on big screens to watch the game (check your Freestyle Daily for times and locations).

It also might be available on the TV in your cabin.

1 hour ago, kmc86 said:

Hi anyone know if a new thread was started for 2024 list of staff/officers? 

Yes, just brought it up to the top of Page 1

Do you have any current information to add?

Since this is the 10th of January, does anyone have any current information for any of the ships?

There should be staff changes probably beginning this weekend.