jls pebbles

Thank you for sharing wonderful reviews and invaluable information. We are considering same cruise December 24. Will be first time with Celebrity and in this region so lots of research to do. Been cruising NCL for 15 years. All info and opinions very much welcomed. Enjoy the rest of your cruise

Does anyone know staff going on the Viva. I have read through comments 

Did the inagural on the Prima and it's sad to read some of the not so good recent feedback.  After much deliberation I have decided to try Virgin Voyages in May. After 12 years of cruising NCL it's time for a change. Cruising is becoming so expensive and lattitudes perks add very little value even at Saphire level especially when "status match" and more.....means lots lots more. 

I'm sure I will cruise NCL again some time x

15 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

When dining in the Haven for dinner, is it possible to order from the MDR menu?

 

Tom

@Sailing12Away your response to @Tom-n-Cherylis absolutely 💯 and my thoughts exactly. I don't always sail Haven and the service can be to scripted and overboard for me. My vacation hero was a waiter in mdr as the service came from the heart. @Tom-n-Cheryl

4 hours ago, Boris5471 said:

Anyone staying in the Haven that can compare the food to the specialty restaurants? Thanks 

I sailed Prima  Haven 3rd Sept for 10 days. Only 2nd time in Haven sailing with ncl 11 years.  Lunch and dinner options didnt impress me.  2 times for lunch and 1 time dinner. We did enjoy breakfast. Lots more other eating options and variety onboard. Also we had 5 speciality meals as part of package. MDR menu has better variety than Haven in my opinion for the average cruiser.

12 hours ago, Caramel bunny said:

I got upgraded today for a sailing on the Epic tomorrow. went from inside to club balcony for minimum bid of £60. Genuinely wasnt expecting to have 'won' on such a low bid. 😎🏝️

We were on Epic a few weeks ago. Ship was 30% capacity and staff told us there was only a few inside cabins in use. Most were upgrades so minimum bids getting accepted more now due to low capacity.

5 hours ago, FlatFooted Freda said:

Another question please - boarding Sunday, May 15!

How was the weather? Deciding what to pack. All HOT weather clothes, or does it cool off in the evening?

Thanks!

Coming from Scotland the weather during the day was good for us, lovely and sunny. Certainly gets cooler in the evenings hence very little outside activities. Packed  a light fleece for out on deck at the bar in the evenings. The weather forcast mentioned in the dailies i posted were pretty accurate.

Hope this helps. 

5 hours ago, matterdog919 said:

Thanks for posting! I'm curious - I feel like a lot of the special dance parties used to be at Spice H20. Now it looks like they are all in Bliss? Did they do anything up in Spice other than adults only time?

You are correct there was nothing in H20 at night it may still be to cold in all honesty in Europe for these events. Maybe someone stateside could share if any events took place in H20 while she was in US waters as this was only 2nd cruise in Europe 

On 5/7/2022 at 11:08 PM, Cobra1365 said:

Just read something that said all of the restaurants and stores down town (all locations) only accept tap versions of credit cards now.  Did anyone else experience this?  Last time we traveled, chip cards were fine.  But, that was pre-COVID.

 

Thanks

Didn't hear or experience this in any port athough I did use contactless.

53 minutes ago, NCL_KC said:

Hey all---- 

 

Sailing June 5th on the Epic out of Barcelona.

 

So, since we don't know exactly when we can get off the ship nor the All Aboard time in advance....how are you all planning these excursions?  I am afraid to book anything for fear that I will miss the start of it OR not be back to the ship on time! Thanks!

Have a look at the Shore Excursion form on post #36 this may help with timing's. Reputable companies should be flexible but if your not willing to take the risk book with NCL.

1 hour ago, KeithJenner said:

Are there any bars or restaurants closed on any ships other than POA? I thought they were just on that ship, due to staffing, but I could be wrong.

Taste was closed on Epic was used as Art Gallery

On 5/2/2022 at 12:53 PM, Cruise Wonderland said:

 

Not true... the 3rd Sep sailing (Amsterdam to Copenhagen) and 13th Sep sailing (Copenhagen to Southampton) are still available to be booked now.

I'm on 3rd September sailing so waiting patiently for any updates. Need to make final payment start of June so not long to go. Fingers crossed it goes ahead.

I got mine declined by email on the morning I was boarding the Epic.

23 minutes ago, Seanocelt said:

Thank you!

I dont see any daytime live music at waves. Is this  true? Always had a couple of live music sessions daily.

Thanks again. 

Pool area was just music through speakers no live music apart from sailaway which was only ar Barcelona

4 minutes ago, Rusty Shacklefjord said:

You are epic and a gem and a star! Thank you for the uploads.

How sweet thanks for the lovely feedback ❤️ I did the easy hubby did the scanning 😃 

More dailies, Shore Excursion list and Farewell for now.

freestyle daily Thursdays .pdf freestyle daily Friday .pdf freestyle daily Saturday .pdf shore excursions form.pdf farewell for now.pdf

Sorry folks for the delay in posting the dailies. Here's Sunday to Wednesday. Will follow up with the rest shortly.

Enjoy the read.

freestyle daily sunday .pdf freestyle daily mon.pdf freestyle daily Tuesday .pdf freestyle daily wednesday .pdf

3 minutes ago, Schlinger said:

I saw plenty of people getting challenged by staff in all kind of places. Most often at the places were you'd take it off immediately after being asked to wear it (MDR, Starbucks, Chinese restaurant...). At the Chinese restaurant, I even overheard a staff member mutter "masky masky"  to a couple that just came in and had almost reached their table. 

Good feedback. Hope you enjoyed the cruise!

1 hour ago, Valentin53 said:

Do I understand correctly that during the cruise wearing masks is mandatory inside the ship. What happens if someone is not wearing a mask.

 

I didn't see anyone being challenged for not wearing masks. Majority of cruisers wore masks 😷 

2 hours ago, Cobra1365 said:

If I may ask.  How early did you get to the port in Barcelona?  We’re on the 15 May sailing and we fly in a day ahead of time and I signed up for a 1030 AM embarkation time the next day.  But, someone in our group heard from somewhere that they won’t let you start boarding until 3:00 PM! (sounds very odd).

 

Also, I heard the Pompeii and Amalfi coast excursion might cancel due to closures at Pompeii.  Though we have no heard anything official from NCL and it’s still showing on our paperwork.  Did you hear anything?

 

Thanks!

We arrived at 1230 and boarding was well under way. Ship departs at 5pm so everyone has to be checked in and on-board by 3pm so maybe misunderstanding. Didn't hear anything about Pompeii excursion cancellation 

Ncl Tours on Epic

Corsica - Imperial walking tour

Cheep and cheerful tour if you have the $50 credit. Informative tour guide.

Naples - Sorrento and Amalfi Coast. Unfortunately 3 visits to factories reduced the time you had on your own. Only 40 mins in Amalfi and 45 mins in Sorrento. We have done sorrento on our own many times so really took this tour to see amalfi. Was disappointed and provided feedback to shore excursions desk.

Florence - David and Florence. The best tour out great guide called Sam and driver Maximus. Fab walking tour and 3hrs own time in Florence was absolutely worth the money.

All Ncl tours requires masks while on their buses and guides do enforse this for everyone's safely

Palma we organised our own 1hr tour with Segway Palma located a 5 min walk where the shuttle drops you off. You have to pay $15 for shuttle if you have $50 credit it will be added to you bill and deducted.

Segway was amazing 1st time we experienced also got to see alot more than on foot.

I have the dailies and will scan and upload at home.

1 minute ago, jls pebbles said:

Shows we're first come first served. No reservation prior to embarkation or once on ship. Face masks 😷 mandatory inside when walking around N95 for Italy ports they leave 2 in your cabin but you can ask your steward or reception for more. On my way to airport disembarking was easy. I did 3 ncl tours and organised own segway in Palma which was so much fun. Will feedback on these if I have time after checkin 

No issues turning up for shows due to low capacity

On 4/29/2022 at 11:40 PM, FlatFooted Freda said:

Thanks for the info!

Were you able to reserve a show prior to embarkation? If not, any trouble getting a reservation? 

Also, please comment on excursions. Easy-peasy or any sticking points? Did you do any NCL Excursions, and what did you think?

Shows we're first come first served. No reservation prior to embarkation or once on ship. Face masks 😷 mandatory inside when walking around N95 for Italy ports they leave 2 in your cabin but you can ask your steward or reception for more. On my way to airport disembarking was easy. I did 3 ncl tours and organised own segway in Palma which was so much fun. Will feedback on these if I have time after checkin 

28 minutes ago, lovetoholiday said:

Can I just ask to clarify,  if you have not tested are you then able to do it at the port?  Thanks.

Sorry lovetoholiday I can't confirm as no experience. I understand ncl policy mentions testing at port will be at your cost in your situation. But policy can change frequently and I'm not following any changes.

Currently on the Epic. Boarding in Barcelona was a breeze. They have health check desks outside the terminal and ask for passport covid test certificate and Vaccination certificate. They also take your luggage. If tested within 3 days no requirement to test through Eurofins.

Entertainment is Burn the Floor  Prescilla Queen of the Desert Howl at the Moon Juggeler and Ariel Duo. I asked how many was on board and was advised 1500 so approx 33% capacity. Will try and take photos of dailies and upload over the next day or 2

Happy to answer any other questions.