rslinky

Wondering what the time frame is for getting the “visa” or tour ticket needed to exit the ship. We sail in a month. I understand it will be emailed to us in advance. I have emailed our guide but it is generally a 24 hour response time so thought I would ask here as this community is quick to respond and be helpful. Thanks.

About a month ago, all my paid show reservations disappeared. I had confirmation emails for them but when I talked to show reservations they could find no record. Credit card had not been charged so something happened but have no idea what. Luckily I was able to rebook as we were sailing with other couples. I check in about once a week now to make sure it looks like it’s in order. Hoping for no surprises at check in. But shows are far less concerning than the entire cruise reservations.

FYI Read about the pin situation prior to our Iceland trip last year. The US now works off the chip system and not the pin so unless travelling abroad frequently, most of us won't have one. The pin was needed when using the unmanned gas pumps in the less populated areas.

Pins are easy to get. Simply call the credit card company and get one established for your card. If you need it, it will be in place.

Hey, 300dtc, did you need coin or bills for the toilets in Berlin?

Thanks for the review. Sailing on her sister ship, Breakaway, in about a month and have been concerned about the crowded aspect and slow service in dining room. I hate lines. And love to eat in the dining room. Thanks for the hint to use one of the other free dinner options. We use the buffet only for a breakfast. Reviews have been very consistent in those two things. Hoping since we have reservations for the later shows that the service may be better as dining rooms less crowded.

Lamb616. I feel the same as you. Tallinn is the port I am most looking forward to visiting. Maybe that is because we are doing tours in all the others and Tallinn we are doing on our own. Maybe its the old world charm. While I am sure the commercialism of tourism will be visible, I think Tallinn will seem a bit more natural and give the opportunity to experience "a slice of life". Now I just have to hope for sunshine.

Thanks for your thoughts. I will relax and enjoy our day in Tallinn.

We dock at 9:00 and hope to be off ship as soon as we can and catch a taxi to the top of the Old Town and walk our way back to the ship. We sail at 4:30 so I am figuring we will only have about 5.5 hours to tour, look, shop and enjoy a local lunch. It looks like a fantastic place to wander and there is so much we want to see. So can anyone who has done this give me your opinion on if it could be enough time or will we really be rushing and looking at the time all day? Thanks.

I am with BostonGal. Cartagena is a great place to spend some time. The modern city seen from the ship looks like Miami and then there is the Old City. Beautiful narrow streets, flowers, small parks and squares with fruit markets and local music and large local craft market. Look at the doors. Huge, ornate doors on homes. Most have elaborate door knockers - lizards, lions, turtles. On our Panama cruise, Cartagena was our favorite port. Our hint is to take a cab from the port to the gate near the big Yellow Clock tower. Twenty bucks. Then when you want to go back to the ship, there will be taxis all over to take you back. Seems like it was about a 20 minute ride to the Old City. Enjoy your cruise whatever you decide.

I look forward to our first Breakaway cruise in June! Had to laugh at your attempt at seltzer with lemon. The first Amaretto and cream I ordered on a HAL cruise, came with my Amaretto poured and a dollop of whip cream on top. I didn’t day anything either, just laughed and drank it. It came correct every day after though.

Ellie, this is my big concern. What we can do on line and what they tell us when we call are two different things. I was told on the phone that there no availabilities at all and yet when we went on line, I could rebook. And another huge concern is that I actually have confirmation emails for which they tell me they have no record. Don’t feel very confident all will be in place when I board the ship.

We booked shows for our Breakaway cruise. Received an email that their main shows had a schedule change and we had to rebook them. We were able to do that without problem. I then went to reprint my booked items which are under the vacation summary. When doing this, I discovered that the two shows we paid for were no longer listed even though I had confirmations for them and was told there were no availability remaining. Checked the credit card and they had not been charged. Then went to NCL site and all three couples were able to rebook on the site. All three of the couples booked these shows on March 5th. So thinking it had to be some computer glitch if three separate reservations were not recorded. So check yours to be sure.

We did both in our 11 day Ring Road Drive. Definitely skip the bridge and go for the National Park. Much prettier, waterfalls, views. And if you are into buying souvenirs, the gift shop there nice and reasonably priced. Try to see as much of the Golden Circle as possible.

My thoughts exactly, Danish Viking. Too much revenue to lose from World Cup.

No Kukla, this group requires you meet at the corner near City Hall in Copenhagen. You could take a taxi from the port. Other companies or other tours may offer port pick up but not this particular castle tour.

We have booked but have not yet done the Castle tour through Shore Excursions Group. Visits Frederiksborg, Fredensborg Palace and Kronborg(Hamlet’s castle). They have central meeting place near the city hall. Recommended by friend who has done it. Hopefully you will get more responses that will help you make a decision. We always hope we make the right choice.

We obtained PINs for credit cards for visit to Iceland last year. Call your credit card provider or go on line and get a pin prior to your trip, even if your card has a chip. Pin not needed when used in restaurant or retail store. It was needed at the unattended gas stations.

I think the only inconvenient thing about money on a Baltic cruise will be the small change needed for restrooms. Found we frequently needed that change in Iceland and it sounds like it could be necessary through this itinerary.

Anyone here take one of the two post cruise tours of Copenhagen after the cruise? They are promoted as four tours, leaving the port at 9:45 and 10:00. Which means if they get to the airport as scheduled, it would be 1:45 and 2:00. Our flight is at 3:40. Is this cutting it too close? Members of our group have booked this and I have encouraged them to rethink it due to arriving at airport less than two hours before flight? They are convinced it’s enough time. Since I have no experience with Copenhagen airport, I am here asking the experts!

That would explain it. Even though everything I look at on their site says 90 days. Was happy to be surprised by the option to book.

We are sailing on NCL for the first time so have no status. We are in a regular balcony so no suite or Haven perks. Everything reads we can book 90 days out. A few weeks ago the when I pulled up the entertainment choices it said booking not yet available. We got on the NCL website the other day, about 105 days out from sailing and we were able to make all the reservations for the shows and make payment for the two with additional charges. Not complaining. Just curious as to how we would have been able to do this.

I posted the same question a month ago. Like you we love the Crows nest. But all the answers I received were outside options which are ok if weather is good. Or in the spa. We will be on the Breakaway in June so hope we can find someplace but I am not hopeful.

Before. It has to be added to your card prior to purchase.

 

 

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Thanks for the answer baseball fan.

Have already paid cruise in full. So to take advantage of this, do I apply the offer to my card before or after I purchase the OBC?

I don't know if the cruising world is quite ready for Bubba and crew.

We love Bubba. Lived next door to them before we both built houses in different neighborhoods. Their son is in college now. Next time we see them, we can tell them the cruising world is calling them.

OP did not complain about chair hogs. He complained about people using the area that had not paid for the area.