BubbaBoat

Glad to see this topic. We're sailing on an 11-day cruise in May on Escape and don't plan on hopping off to see all the ports. We'd like a day pass to the Thermal Spa for two or three days. Is it possible, or do you need to book a pass for the entire cruise? Also, if a day pass is available, what's the daily rate? Thanks!

I'm such a goofus...I did not mean disembark as in the cruise is ended.  I meant, as well float into the port to visit.  We are scheduled to arrive at 6am.  Can we walk right off the ship at 6am to catch a train to Saint Peters?  My bad.

We will arrive in Civitavecchia at 6am. We've never been early risers on our cruises. How early can we hop off the ship? We were in the port 18 months ago and took our time heading to Rome. This time, we're heading to the Vatican. It's been 20 years since our last visit, and we want to get there as quickly as possible.  Thanks for the help.

Bumping this up with a new twist.  We, too, would like to visit Taormina.  We want to take the train.  Booking one way from Messina Centrale to Taormina Centrale gets us to the heart of town by having a booked spot on the bus from the Taormina train station.  However, when we tried to get a proper return, there wasn't a good option utilizing the bus/train option.  We either had to leave too early and not get sufficient time in the village, or too late and watch our ship sail away without us.  

Looking at a one-way return, there are plenty of departures leaving Taormina station that get us to Messina in time. So, it appears that the crux is getting from Taormina central to the Taormina train station.  Are taxis readily available to take us from the central village of Taormina to the station?  If so, do you have any idea about the cost?  The train and bus combo to Taormina is just 6,30 PP.  The return train is just 5,50PP.  It's pretty cheap ...depending on the taxi, that is. 

Also, I do not know what to expect. Is Taormina anything like Cinque Terre? We were at the five tiny villages 18 months ago, and it was worse than Disneyland. It was a major turnoff due to the flood of cruisers visiting the little towns all at once. I'm sure the villages are other worldly after say 4p but otherwise it's a humanitarian crisis.  Thanks for the help.

We will arrive in Livorno on May 8th via the NCL Escape. We plan to drive up to Lucca and then, on the return visit, Pisa before returning to port.  We are looking for a car rental recommendation in Livorno.  Something that isn't too far from the port.  Thanks for your help. Bubba

I've looked at the site and it's almost cryptic.  No ship information.  Regardless, why buy when you can sail on plenty of cruise ships for more than likely LESS.  Looking at NCL, I can bag as a single cruiser, a 10 day Panama Canal cruise for less than $60 a day, in a balcony cabin.  

We will be stopping in Le Havre on October 2nd and would like to find a car rental that's close to the cruise port.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I'll hit the bar every day, I'll dine or have room service from the Haven dining room almost every meal outside of my 3 Specialty Dining credits. I'll hit the gym every other day.  I'll hit the dance club a few times. I'll hit the casino a few times. I'll hit the Thermal suite a few times.  I'll take the Behind the Scenes tour once. I'll play putt putt once. I'll hop on the carts once.  I'll hit Syd's once.  I'll watch DS once.  I'll watch Price is Right once. I'll watch a comedian once.  I'll hit the virtual thing once.  I'll probably dip into the Infinity Pool. I'll probably take part in some of the informal activites. But most of all, when I'm not trapsing around the port cities, I'll be laying around the ship.  Seems to me that I'll have a great time...Pretty much 12 days of no worries.  Perfection doesn't exist.  People just need to Take a deep breath, inhale peace, and exhale happiness.

We arrive in Motril on October 9th via NCL Prima.  We are looking at hiring a car at about $65 (plus cab fare from port to the marina to pick up the car, unless we can walk 🙂).  We're headed to Frigliana which is only 30 to 40 minutes away and a great alternative to the long haul to Alhambra.

We hopped off our ship last year and drove straight to Tossa de Mar.  Absolutely beautiful.  So much so that we're going to hop off our ship in October a meet with a real estate agent there.  It does start to get sleepy there in October but there's still plenty to see and do and theirs tons of shops and retaurants that I'm sure will be open even in later October.  Cadaques is another town on the sea we visited.  It's a bit further north but still dreamy.  

I'm sure I am missing something but is there a page for each specific ship in addition to each cruiseline?  For instance, NCL's Prima.

Hi Roger,

Last year you provided advice for our day trip on Mallorca.  Absolutely loved visiting St. Elm!!  We want on to Deia and it was nice, as well. 

We are headed back on October 11th and really looking forward to it.  Should we rent a car to visit Valldemossa and Soller?  Considering we have 10 hours in port are there any other sites we should stop at along the way?

On the Thermal Suite...Is it only available for the entire cruise or can we purchase daily passes?

27 minutes ago, Grimix said:

To tamper expectations, the food is great, but it doesn't match up to an equivalent meal shoreside. By that I mean the service will match or exceed a high end dining establishment, but the actual meal won't. It will be great, but don't want you to go in thinking it will be the best food you've ever had and then be disappointed!

Not expecting that at all.  

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

Has the pre-boarding concierge desk contacted you? Usually by email.

If they have not, here's their contact information:

855-625-4283

norwegianconciergedesk@ncl.com

I would suggest calling them.  Hold time is usually less than a couple of minutes.

They can help with your reservations.

If there are none available, they can contact the ship and get you to the top of the list.

They were able to get me reservations when none showed on line.

They can also help with any pre-cruise requests. They have quite a list for you to consider.

This is super helpful!  I'll give them a call.

16 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

The concierge has some pull, but can’t perform miracles.  They will do their best to accommodate any reasonable request.  I’ve never been on the Prima.  I don’t know if they even have a Syds.   Syd Normans does not take reservations. When I was on the Breakaway, the concierge did escort us down to Syds before they opened the doors and we were able to get great seats, but that’s not guaranteed.  As far as shows in the main theater, there is a section for Haven guests and you will be escorted to them.  You meet in the Haven lounge and the concierge will take you there via the service elevators.  

 

On the dining, the concierge will most likely be able to get you into whatever restaurant you want at the time you want.  But you probably have to wait until you board to make those arrangements.

 

I'm afraid I hear a bit of anger in your comments.  Why is that?  The Haven is fabulous.  But yes, it is pricey, and there are things that you have to pay in addition to the base fare and FAS gratuities, such as the DSC and gratuities for the butler and concierge.  It goes with the territory.  It is not a cheap vacation.

 

I don’t mean to be mean about this, but these are things that you should have researched before you booked.  

No anger at all.  I just booked everything yesterday and we'll be in Europe for two months.  Actually, when compared to other cruiselines and "like" classes, I don't think Haven is that expensive.  As far as the fees, I paid them but thought I had might already had paid them through the free at sea package.  We're excited as last year we did a similar sojourn on RCL and did not like the Wonder of the Seas.  This year we're excited to have the more exclusive ship within a ship atmosphere.  Much more excited about this itinerary, as well!  I had conducted about a week's worth of research on Youtube watching reviews.  The food in the Haven has received fabulous reviews and I agree with others that there is no need to dine elsewhere.  However, with the longer itinerary I think it would be nice to mix it up a bit.  I like the escort option, very helpful and very encouraging as others have stated finding seats for entertainment have been difficult.

If I book now, can I change at Haven Concierge desk later?  Does entertainment like Syd Pour House and other shows pop up for booking online?  If so, am I screwed or do I simply hit the Haven Concierge desk?

I just gained access...So, just about everything is booked with the exception of 9pm and 9:30pm reservations.  I snagged Hasuki for the final night.  Looks like all that is left at reasonable hours is Los Lobos and Food Republic.  

Thanks for the info.  As far as restaurants, I think I'll just eat in the dang Haven Dining Room as it sounds better than anything else on board.  However, I have 3 nights to utilize the specialty restaurants...for those of you that have cruised on Prima, what are your top 3?  Thanks!

Okay...First time on NCL...I'm booked on the Prima in Haven Class for Oct 1.  Now what?  It looks like we can't check-in yet but they're already trying to upsell me on Unlimited Premium WiFi, Premium Drink Package, and additional Specialty Dining...Don't think I'm interest in any of that.  What I am interested in is booking on board entertainment and my 3 specialty dining reservations.  When can I expect to be able to do that?  Excited to deploy all of SthrnGary's tips!

Also, what's with the "Prepaid Service Charges" they are asking for...I thought my tips were included in the Free at Sea package.  $600 bucks for what?  Is this in addition to the tips?

On 7/25/2023 at 3:45 PM, jlowe420 said:

What does everyone think about this scenario.  A solo traveler in the haven.  Should they be allowed to bring a friend or someone they met on the ship to dinner in the haven restaurant? 

What cruise will you be on?  Can I meet you and share dinner in The Haven, while my wife enjoys the buffet?

19 minutes ago, Grimix said:

Like me! Cheaper to take the 3 with us, and less hectic because most other kids are in school. We always sign them up for Independent Study through the school for the week (Always, as in the second time in two years..) I may sound hypocritical about liking to sail when kids are at school with my kids, however I find I am able to control my kids, but other peoples? Not so much.

and that seems to happen on European cruises...parents tend to let the boat do the babysitting and kids are running rampant everywhere

Exactly.  The only thing worse are INFLUENCERS and their pesky YouTube Channels

It's not the littleist ones...it's the one's that love to run all around.  It seems to happen a lot on cruises in the Med...I'm hoping school, the ship, and the itinerary keep them at bay.  Nothing against them...I have 2 myself and 5 grand children.  Hopefully those that do sprout up will hang around the Go Kart, main pool, and the little splash area.  

Thank you for the advice.