mkbnoc

Great review! Looking forward to more, I will be boarding in 12 days. Can I ask a question, what time was the muster drill? I'm guessing you set sail at the new 7pm time.

Thanks,

Mike

Since May, we have been on two cruises with the improved service and it is great! You still have the latency of satellite internet. And you are still sharing a limited bandwidth with a whole ship full of people, but it is a vast improvement over the past.

Were those two cruises on the Escape or another ship?

Thanks for the info!

Mike

No problem, Mike. One of my biggest concerns was not having Lounge access with a balcony, but I couldn't pass up the balcony deal. It ended up working out fine. They obviously realized a bunch of us are not staying in the Studios.

 

If you like coffee, it might be worth trying to get Lounge access added to your key card because there is a fancy coffee machine in there.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Funny I hesitated for a few mins before upgrading to the balcony from a studio for the same reason. It's great they allow access for all solos.

While not a coffee drinker I might sneak in for some pastries. Haha.

Mike

Part 2

 

It might have been nice to be able to pop by during the day to see if anyone was free to grab lunch or go to an activity. Aldean opened the studio lounge at 5:45 every evening for the solo gatherings.

Great review! I'm going solo in a few weeks and upgraded to a balcony after the rates dropped. Thank you for breaking down how the solo gatherings work for non studio solos. Looking forward to the reading rest of the review.

Mike

Thanks dreamr and mkbnoc- I am going to check with them then 7-10 days before my sailing as that is when I have had the most luck in the past.

You might want to check almost daily once you get within those last few weeks. I saw on Tuesday of this week the Escape sailing for this coming Sat had balconies down to $649 for an 8 day cruise. The next morning that rate was gone. Anyone that jumped on that rate got a great deal!

For those of you who updated from the studio to the balcony- (both for upgrade and upsell)- did you keep your original promos when you booked

My studio came with just 1 promo when I booked in April, I went with drink package. When I upgraded this week to a balcony I was able to get 2 promos, drinks and dining. The dining promo came with just 3 meals, not 4. Not sure if I was able to "keep" the promo and add on or if NCL considers it a new booking and your promos are based on current offers.

I do see the current promos end in 3 days.

I just upgraded from a studio to a balcony on the NCL Escape. Net cost was $100 more.

Before I start looking -- was this pricing recent -- for Sept 17 and 24? I've been wanting to try NCL, but I have to go balcony. Thanks!

I just checked the pricing this am and still $974 for a guaranteed balcony, for either Sept 17 or 24th. I'm on the 24th sailing.

Nice. I know it's weird but I prefer the studios and the lounge when I'm solo.

 

Did that include any free at sea perks?

I almost didn't give up the studio, my first time on NCL and was looking forward to it. But in the end I couldn't pass up the extra room and a balcony.

Yes, because they are still offering the perks I was not only able to keep the one I had, UDP. But was able to add a second since the balcony qualifies for 2, Dinner perk. I'm traveling with another couple and we had some dinners planned that I would of paid for. Now they are free.

Mike

For the NCL studio fans, I'm seeing some fall Escape sailings that are actually nudging just under $1000 (base). Slightly better than what I've been seeing this year.

While not waiving the solo supplement completely, NCL has reduced it for the Escape the last 2 weeks of Sept. Going solo a guaranteed balcony room is $949, $150 less expensive than the studio suites.

I just upgraded from my studio to a balcony.

Mike

 

-disembarking sucked as the line was a mile long. I had an NCL transfer to FTL for my 4:10 flight and it actually took until 1 pm to get dropped off at the airport from the bus.

 

Hi, thank you for your thoughts on the ship. Can I ask what time you disembarked from the ship? Just checking to see if I can make my flight.

Have a great trip and thank you for the updates. I am on the Conquest in 21 days. Would love to hear what time you arrive to check in and how boarding goes.

Mike

I remember reading one of them was getting Guys. Do you know which one, if they did already...or will be be mid February? Thanks

The Inspiration is in dry dock now in Oregon for 3 weeks and will be getting Guy's Burger. Due back in Long Beach on Feb. 8th I believe.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6751

I have used the new WiFi packages twice this year. Once was the value and once the premium. The premium is a bit faster, I was able to stream a music app for periods of time. If you just are answering emails or posting a couple of pics on FB the value package will work fine.

You can sign onto any device but only one at a time. Say you are signed on your iPhone and log on to an iPad, the system will log you off the first device.

Carnival has the new system on quite a few ships now from the last update I saw:

The ships that already have the faster Wi-fi include Carnival Freedom, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Victory, Carnival Elation, Carnival Pride, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Glory, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Magic, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Liberty

Hope this helps.

Mike

Hi,

I have used a couple.

Fat Fish Adventures a few years ago was great. 3 stops, Stingray sand bar, reef for snorkeling and starfish point.

Ebanks Watersports a year later. They were good, just stops at Stingray sand bar and starfish point.

Hope this helps and let me know if I can provide any more details.

Mike

Mike.

I will be on the Sunshine which has the new plan. So are you saying if I get the $60 package I can use my textplus app on my iphone to send and receive texts via wifi during sea days? I understand the cheap plan $25 is just for Facebook and could use messenger but I have to keep in touch with people who don't have Facebook. Would you mind explaining what kind of surfing you can do on the $60 plan - can you google - got to your normal websites like news etc. Is it faster if you get the premium plan? Thanks!

Hi,

The only difference between the top 2 plans is the speed so both should provide access to all websites and allow apps to work. Just one person in the cabin needs to sign up, then you can access the wifi from any device. You can alternate between phones or tablet by just logging on/off, but only one device can be logged on at a time.

The TextPlus app will access your Contact list and allow you to text message direct to their phone number. So they do not need the app. The app does use a different phone number than yours so you will need to let the other person know who you are. The app is free but will have some pop up ads occasionally, small price to pay if you need to stay in touch with someone. I delete the app when was not getting ready for a cruise to stop the ads. I would recommend downloading the app before you leave so you can create the log in and get it all set up. Even send some test messages. If it doesn't work like you want you have time to research other options.

Since the new wifi plans are unlimited access you can leave your phone logged on and will have access to text messages through the app. Anyone wanted to reach you would need to text you at the phone number the app provides you.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Mike

Hi,

I was on the Freedom in March and purchased the Premium plan, needed it to access work computers. I have Verizon for phone plan and if you use their Message+ app you can text over wifi, the text just count against your regular plan. I am not sure of any of companies that allow texting over wifi without a third party app.

In the past before I had Verizon I used a third party app called Text Plus (+). Gives you free text messages and a very few mins of talk time. The only downside is the app assigns you a generic phone number. It does access your Contact list so sending is easy. Just have to let the recipient know who is sending the message as they will not recognize the number.

Mike

You can come and go all night long. We get in at noon and back on board by 2:30pm. You change your clocks on the way down so you are the same as local time.

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered. Does the ship stay on west coast time or does it change to local port time?

Love your review, thank you for sharing!

Since you are flying in a day early, you need to decide where to stay near the airport. Of course, it depends on what time you arrive at Hobby airport, too.

 

We saw several people arrive for the shuttle who had stayed at local hotels overnight. It is done. As I recall, there were several all around the airport.

That is what I am doing. Flying in to Hobby on Friday, most hotels near the airport have free shuttles. Take the shuttle back to Hobby the next morning and get the Carnival shuttle to the port.

PS Robin, I think I am on the same sailing as you, Freedom Feb. 28th. Love your Grand Canyon pictures.

Mike

Do they have Live dealers in the casino? if so what is the min. on black jack?

They will have live dealers on all games except poker. In the evenings they will have $6, $10, and $25 min tables. On the $6 table you can bet $5 on the hand and $1 on the bonus bet to get to the minimum.

Is it a keypad or a magnetic card slider access?

Thanks a bunch

I was in a Junior Suite about 4 weeks ago, the safe was in one of the closets and it was a key pad.

Great question! As others said you can definitely just keep walking and not take the picture. I just say no thanks with a smile without even slowing down.

I second this. I have been on five cruises now and still not a picture taken Except the security photo attached to your sign and sail card. Just a quick smile, no thank you and keep moving. Having your photo taken is totally optional.

I stayed 2nts pre-cruise this past April at Crowne Plaza....highly recommend it!! Lot's of eating choices close by...shuttle to port & just an all round beautiful hotel...I booked using reward points & ended up with a 2 room suite with a view of the harbor...got to see my ship waiting for me in the morning!:D

I'm sailing out on Carnival in a few weeks. Just checked rates at the Crowne Plaza. Either they have some really high room rates or they have a database issue. $1,540 for one night seems a bit high. lol

PARK AND SAIL

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Hello,

I am going solo on the Glory in August. I have most of the ports figured out but I am stuck on Belize. I think mainly because none of the excursions are standing out to me if you know what I mean!

 

Also, Taking a taxi solo in grand Cayman or

Cozumel is safe, correct? I have no idea why I am worried, I travel for work by myself all the time and have taken a taxi in several big cities some not so nice all the time by myself. I am thinking both may be safer then some parts of the US. Lol

Hi,

I am a solo cruiser as well and have been to these ports a few times. I agree with what everyone has already added.

Belize is a beautiful country once you get out of Belize City. The cave tubing and Mayan ruin excursions are the best. I would book with a company or Carnival before arriving so you can do some research on the best ones. The port area is pretty small and has the usual suspects for stores and bars. I would not wander around the city alone.

The bar hop on Cozumel is a great time and have made some good friends both times on it. By the third stop everyone is both drunk and one big group of friends. I have been twice now and can't wait to go again. Usually the meeting spot is the mall downtown. When you leave the Carnival port area make sure you let the cab driver know you want the mall. Last time I got grouped with a few others to share the cab and the driver took us all the way to the far end of downtown and I had a decently long walk back to the mall.

I have never felt in any danger, just being alert and doing some research in advance helps. Hope this helps.

Mike

Hi All,

I asked one of the crew members taking sign ups on the drink programs in May but wasn't sure I was given the right info. If you purchase the Cheers or Soda program while still in port, are you charged taxes like regular drink purchases?

Thanks!

Mike