42CruiseCrazy

On 1/25/2019 at 11:53 PM, Grburkart said:

I realize this thread was written in 2013. You’re dead wrong when it comes to what you said about roll calls. 

I’m very new to cruising and I joined a roll call for my upcoming Princess cruise in October. I’ve made a few posts to introduce myself and I’ve made an attempt to talk to people but they are so cliquey they wouldn’t give me the time of day if I asked. They talk amongst themselves and have zero interest in newcomers. It’s really a turn off and I almost regret booking this voyage. 

On the brighter side, and I haven’t read all the thousands of posts in this thread, but there seems to be a better comradery on this thread. People actually talk to each other. What a treat!

 

Glenn

 Hello Glenn. Sorry to hear that your experience on the Roll Call was poor.  It can vary a lot depending on the people there.  It’s a matter of luck. This thread has been very popular & enjoyable over the years because of its people.  There are a lot of very nice, friendly people out there.  Before you book your next cruise you might like to join in and select a cruise  recommended by someone from this thread.  Happy cruising!  

First time solo traveler here...NCL Breakaway April 21-28. Definitely stepping out of my comfort zone; however, excited about what lies ahead.

Love the Breakaway. My favourite ship. Does it still have the Fat Cats lounge? If not, how is the new venue? Anyone been on the ship recently? The Breakaway class and NCL are great for solo cruisers. Have a great cruise.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe, I was on the Escape in a solo cabin, everyone on the ship had access to the lounge, the kids trashed the place on a daily basis. Management did NOTHING even after repeated complaints. Good luck with that.

I find that story hard to believe. Been on the Breakaway numerous times & the Getaway and the Escape each once. I have never heard of kids being in the Studio Lounge. Since kids are obviously not Solo cruisers they should be kicked out as soon as they are discovered there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can think of an occasion where mixed nuts were left in a bowl openly on a bar for people to help themselves and the nuts were replenished a few times

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

It’s one thing to carelessly refill a bowl of snacks at a bar and something quite different to purposefully recycle “leftovers” from uneaten plates at the buffet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think you are absolutely right. It would be ridiculous to risk passengers health and the cruise line’s reputation to save a few dollars worth of food.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

But that’s more expensive than parking at the pier, which is $40 a day.

OMG. I made a mistake! It was $280 for the week which is $40 per day. At the time parking at the pier was more like $55 a day. Has it gone down? Perhaps they charged more at Christmas time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Gang. We’re looking for any of you that have sailed out of Pier 88 in the city and didn’t park at the Terminal, if so which of the off site parking companies did you use that are nearby (there are several in the area that do this) and how was your experience? Would you recommend, tell us to stay away, and what was the cost?

 

We’re estimating one week at appx 350ish at the Pier, and although we all agree it’s so convenient, we’re looking for a more cost effective option. We drive down from CT.

 

Thx!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Last Christmas cruise on the Breakaway we parked at the corner of 51st and 12th Ave. just up the street from Pier 88. Cost us about $60 a day. Got it through ParkWhiz. I downloaded the app for my iPhone. It was so easy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes I remembered after I posted that it was a Burger King, not a McDonald's.

 

Globe@YVR looks promising but it is before security. Still it seems really well situated for us to have dinner and then check in for our flight.

 

This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos.

Global @ YVR looks like a very nice place to eat. It’s quite expensive. I wanted to go but my wife did not want to spend so much. My view was - “What the heck” you’re still on vacation until you actually get home. [emoji16]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Our luggage will be with us on the city tour, in the hold of the tour bus.

 

 

 

This is my preference. If we can get it from the tour bus to baggage check-in, then we can get it from the hotel restaurant to baggage check-in, and I know bell services would prefer to get tipped for watching our luggage, but I don't like the idea of being separated from our luggage so soon before we have to catch our flight.

If you are dining at one of the airport hotels (shuttle bus or short taxi ride to get there) the hotel can hold your luggage in the check room while you dine in the restaurant.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We'll stick with the packaged tour, but thanks for the insight into how long it needs to be to not be stiffed in time on-site.

 

 

 

Great to know. Thanks again.

 

 

 

What we would really like to do is have a really nice meal at the hotel. We've gotten various feedback vis a vis whether that would be doable given our luggage situation. Is 4 hours is enough time to check luggage, walk from the US terminal to the hotel, have dinner, get back, get through security and immigration - and will they let us do that, i.e., check luggage, then go to the hotel, etc.?

If your luggage is being transported from the cruise terminal to the airport do not claim it until you have had dinner and returned to the airport, ready to go through immigration and security. If you have your luggage with you, keep it with you at dinner. (It’s awkward, I know). I believe you need to check your luggage at the same time you go through US customs & security. And once you’ve gone through customs and security there’s no reentry into Canada and dining away from the airport. Be sure to get to the airport at least 2 1/2 hours before your flight time to do the immigration, baggage check and security. Four hours is not necessary.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We've booked one post-cruise tour but we are going to switch to an alternate tour in an hour or so when the tour operator opens. However, we would still appreciate insights into the differences between the two tours - especially what we might be missing by switching. (We could switch back, at least for a while.)

 

I don't understand why I would have chosen the tour we chose originally, so I can only assume that the other tour was simply not offered. However, maybe I've forgotten something about the original tour?

 

Original Tour:

• Drive over Lions Gate Bridge
  
• Capilano Fish Hatchery
  
• Capilano Suspension Bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk
  
• Grouse Mountain Skyride, Refuge for Endangered Wildlife
  

Alternate Tour:

• Stanley Park, totem poles, Prospect Point Lookout
  
• Drive by English Bay
  
• Gastown
  
• Chinatown
  
• Robson Street
  
• Canada Place and Vancouver Harbor
  
• Granville Island
  
• Drive over Lions Gate Bridge
  
• Capilano Fish Hatchery
  
• Capilano Suspension Bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk
  

Incidentally, this is on the day we disembark from our cruise, and we have a red-eye flight home that evening from YVR, if that matters.

If this is your first (and possibly only) visit to Vancouver, choose the second, alternate tour. It offers a lot more. Vancouver is a wonderful city. Have a great time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whoever and for whatever reason this was done, I’m glad it was. They all deserve to let their hair down and enjoy the ship for a couple days! We’re leaving on the 13th and I’m looking forward to meeting this great crew, sounds like they’re a great bunch from what has been shared here.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

We will not get to meet this crew until July 8th. Can hardly wait. So glad the Escape has come to New York.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NCL staff does not rely on tips for their salary.

I don’t think that’s correct. Crew members on all Cruise Lines earn a large portion of their income from their tips both automatic and “extra” tips. Pride of America crew members may be an exception because it’s American flagged and they earn higher salaries.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are correct about increased costs for cruising if the ships were US flagged but I don't think it would be terribly expensive. The NCL ship out of Hawaii might provide a good example. Given the nearly universal 20% tipping costs it might all work out near the same if the staff was fairly compensated instead of having to rely almost solely on tips.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

Have you noticed the cruise fare for a seven day cruise on Pride of America compared to other seven day cruises? We are definitely paying for the American crew and the lack of a casino. The cruise industry could not survive without international crews. It may not seem fair but most Americans cannot afford a cruise when they are served by other Americans. That is why almost all ships are foreign flagged.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Once and we were pleasantly surprised. But if the MDR goes away then the WJ at dinner will be just like the WJ at breakfast and lunch. A madhouse.

I think most of us would agree that we don’t want that!!! Better keep the MDR for those that prefer it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They need the MDR real estate to put more cabins on the ship;p

More cabins means more passengers and add to that, less dining space. It might make economic sense but not likely to enhance the cruising experience.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

THANK YOU Bird, for this post. I was on this sailing as well. Chatted with crew from various venues, and they all expressed the same sentiment. Excited for the opportunity to have the Escape to themselves. Of course they all still have traditional tasks to accomplish prior to the first NY sailing. But every single one of them were thrilled for the opportunity to enjoy traditional passenger-only experiences. Shows, restaurants, sports deck, pools, etc. They all work so hard for us, I am happy they get this little crew-only bonus time.

It is really great that the hard-working crew gets the opportunity to really ENJOY being on the Escape.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the whole point that BirdTravels was trying to make - and I agree - is that NCL chose to sail a ship empty. They could have had a cool last itinerary that was a little longer - left Miami, visited the ABC islands, and then went to Manhattan. I did the repo from Boston to New Orleans stopping at the ABC Islands, and that was a special trip! I'm sure they could have sailed at full capacity with a cool last itinerary instead of one of the usual "Milk Runs" as Del Rio calls them. It would have been great for the cruisers and NCL. But way back when they decided to bring Escape up north, they made the choice to sail her without guests. I think that's great! :)I always make a point to talk to the crew when I cruise, and I know that they enjoy the few times that they get the ship to themselves. It helps them recharge a little.

Well said. I think you are right on the money (good employee management instead of profit).

Have a look and see if you find any. They either have to begin or end in Canada (Vancouver), or else they have to be round trip Seattle (with a stop in Canada along the way). Stopping in Canada is not enough to make a one-way itinerary between two different US ports legal.

I did check and it seems that all the one-way Alaska cruises are from Vancouver. All Alaska cruises that depart from the US must stop in Canada (usually Victoria BC)

I suppose that American law is good for Canadian businesses.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not saying NCL doesn't deserve some kudos, but they could not have extended the Miami cruise and had it end in New York, that would have violated the PVSA. That's why they have a "passenger-less" repositioning.

Are there not some “one way” Alaska cruises between Seattle and Alaska? As long as they stop in Canada on the way, I thought it was OK.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like to be served. I've eaten dinner in Windjammer once in 20+ cruises and while it was okay, it was still a buffet. I'll stick with MDR.

I agree. When I’m on vacation I like to be served my dinner. Maybe I’m old fashioned. To me, Buffet is just a fancy name for Cafeteria.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, 42CruiseCrazy. I was already aware of that. Bliss is the only NCL ship with Studio cabins in Alaska in late May/June, and fares for one week start at USD 2,234 (for an inside cabin, June 2 sailing). That is a lot more than I was hoping to spend. Inside cabins for one-week or nine-night cruises on the Jewel or the Pearl during this time period are significantly lower (for example, USD 1,238 on Jewel, June 18).

The Bliss is a brand new ship and quite different from Jewel & Pearl. I consider the ship is the destination as well as Alaska and have booked it for 2019. If you want to visit Alaska without spending a lot, then choose Jewel or Pearl. I have been on two cruises (Breakaway once & Getaway once) when an inside room rate was less than half the Studio rate. Go figure! Needless to say, I booked the inside room.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm looking at Alaska cruises at the end of May (on or after May 29) or in June, but I haven't seen any with low or no single supplements. In fact, I've seen some solo occupancy fares more than double the advertised double occupancy fares.

 

Any tips would be appreciated. TIA.

Sometimes an inside room is cheaper than a Studio on NCL. Twice I have cruised (by myself) in an inside room for less than studio would have cost. Go for what’s cheaper.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So glad that I found this thread as I will be on the Escape 4/14!! Also glad to hear that the MDR is open on embarkation day as I really don't enjoy eating at the buffet. When I cruise I want to be waited on and really don't want to serve myself. This bit of news really made my day!!

 

 

I am debating on spending $99 on Vibe as I like to sit by the pool for several hours and read. When I get hot I like to cool off in the pool and since Vibe only has hot tubs that doesn't sound very refreshing. But I do like the idea of having only 70 people (hopefully no kids) in that area and having your own bar. Can someone tell me if the pool area is close to Vibe? If it is then maybe I will buy the pass and then walk to the pool to cool off.

 

This will be my first solo cruise on NCL and my first cruise on the Escape. I did sail on the Epic but that was with a friend several years ago. And since the Epic is a totally different animal than the Escape I' m really looking forward to exploring it. You all have helped me out with different places to explore so thank you.

Spice H2O is adults only and has a waterfall fountain for cooling off as well as hot tubs. And it’s FREE. The pools have kids (sometimes lots of them). IMHO your best bet is H2O (more $ for drinks [emoji483])

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On Carnival Pride do they have solo or singles activities? I’m going with family but technically I’m a solo I’m 39 .I’m taking my teenage daughter and her friend , as well as my parents and my sister and her husband and their daughter and her boyfriend, I’m just wondering

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Been on Carnival Pride several times. It’s a great ship! Other than a solo meet and greet on the first or second evening, don’t expect any solo cruiser activities. Enjoy your independence and alone time. Just be friendly and open to meeting new people, If and when the opportunity arises. Join the Roll Call and participate in activities that interest you, such as slot pull, pub crawl, cabin crawl, etc. Even if you’re on your own most of the time, you can always have a great time, when you’re on a cruise.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk