Sandyshore

1 hour ago, kh6275 said:

The butter in the Haven is whipped and served in ramekins. I will see if I can figure out what it is. 

I was on Getaway last week. All the places I ate served butter in ramekins -- the Haven, Taste, Savor, and Cagney's. Didn't see individually wrapped pats of butter anywhere. I avoided the Garden Cafe in large part, but maybe there?

17 minutes ago, cruiserbear55 said:

No.You'll be visiting guest services to obtain another one!

Okey dokey. Message received loud and clear 😆

Thanks!

25 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Yes, it is correct.  You can not get a hole punched into your card.

6 minutes ago, HuliHuli said:

Buy a clear sleeve that can be attached to your lanyard.  Now that the cards are basically RFID's, holes are out.

Thanks for the info. I do have one of those clear sleeves, and it's mighty hard to get the card in and out of it. Do the new cards work from inside the sleeve? The old ones had to be swiped...at security, the restaurants, and...IIRC, inserted to open your cabin door. Is there no corner where I could punch a hole myself? 🙄

I'll be on Getaway next week and in the past, have always asked Guest Services to hole-punch the card for me so I can wear it on a lanyard. I thought I read somewhere that they don't do that anymore -- something about a chip on the card making it a no-go. Is that true? Thanks!

Has anyone been there recently? In the past 6 months? I'm interested in knowing if there are beach chairs & umbrellas for rent (or natural shade instead of umbrellas), decent bathrooms, and ease of getting a cab back to the cruise terminal. I've been to Barbados several times and always went to Carlisle Bay -- usually Lobster Alive -- but have read that it's getting more and more crowded there, and that Brandons is less mobbed. Thanks in advance for any insight.

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Nevertheless, being careful ourselves these few days to not catch anything "foreign" & ride along unknowingly - home tested using soon-to-expire test kits - 1 line or negative, our pre-cruise "baseline".  

FYI, the expiration dates on home tests have been extended by the FDA. You can Google the manufacturer and find links to both the CDC and mfg sites, allowing you to check the lot numbers and see the new expiration. The ones I've checked from FlowFlex and QuickVue in my stash all extended at least 6 months.

Thanks for your thread! I'm following along as I pack for my Feb 6th Getaway 12-day. Have a fantastic trip!!

The link is active now for eDocs. Thanks to all for your replies ☺️

On 1/14/2023 at 7:40 PM, dbrown84 said:

And even if they never show up, no biggie.  Just show up.  I didn't complete online check-in for my last cruise, so I didn't have any edocs to download.  No problems at all 

Don't you need the eDocs to be able to access and print luggage tags? I checked in about 28 hours ago. Still waiting for the eDocs link to be active. The page says my check-in is 100% complete. I like to have the tags printed and attached to luggage before I leave the house. Too hectic at the pier for my blood pressure!

7 minutes ago, OhJinkies said:

I enjoy Splenda‘s brand of Stevia, but I order it in liquid form. It dissolves so much faster!

I didn't know Stevia came in liquid form. I use powdered Stevia at home in smoothies, but the Splenda packets are very convenient to carry with me.

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I'm not partial to the Splenda brand, so I'll be fine with the generic version of sucralose on board. I'll bring some decaf tea bags "just in case" -- that's my motto for cruise packing and everyday life anyway! 🙃 I appreciate your input.

I'll be on Getaway in February.  I can't remember what was available onboard my last NCL cruise (and even if I could, things might have changed). I'm picky about my artificial sweetener and will happily bring a supply of Splenda (sucralose) packets along if the ship doesn't stock them. Also wondering if I'll find decaf tea bags -- not herbal teas, but plain old Tetley decaf black tea. Thanks in advance! ☺️

On 12/24/2022 at 5:36 PM, SunshineGal2022 said:

Does it matter if you smile or not? 

I know passport photos are no open smiles.

I'd like the answer to this, too. I haven't cruised since 2018, before this was required for online check-in. And my passport is nearly 10 years old -- from a time when the photo truly had to be a mug shot -- no smile of any kind allowed. DH just renewed his passport and now the photo can be a neutral, natural expression, which can include a close-lipped smile. Does the expression matter to NCL? I seem to remember back when we would have our photo taken at the check-in desk at the pier, it was okay to smile.

The link posted by CILCIANRQTS about "preparing for your cruise" only says this about the photo: "Take a Selfie Photo: Use your computer webcam or mobile phone camera to capture your pre-cruise security photo." TIA!

Thanks for your kind remarks! ;)

 

With 4,000 fellow cruisers on the Breakaway CGB will be the busiest beach, no doubt. But that doesn't mean it won't be enjoyable. CGB is a nice, large bay with a deep beach and nice wate, and you will find areas available to rent a lounger and relax with drinks and great food at Myett's or Tony's. Here is a webcam at CGB -

http://www.resortcams.com/webcams/cane-garden-bay/

 

Nigel is reported to be back at Smuggler's Cove and selling drinks and renting snorkel gear, not sure what food he has. When Miss Patricia was there Nigel just had a cooler of beer and snorkel gear. But it sounds like he is alone now so...? There are older lounges there that are free, and I was told the portapotty in the parking lot was not there recently so not sure about that.

 

Smuggler's is a gorgeous beach and worth a little more effort and cost. But you'll want to be sure the driver returns for you there. If you do go there please report back on your experience!

Thanks for the update. I will definitely report back if I have any info :)

I've read through all the posts on this wonderful, informative thread. Blue Water, do you think CGB will be especially crowded on a Friday with only one ship in port? (NCL Breakaway)

And another question: any updates on vendors/facilities at Smuggler's Cove since last report? Thanks so much for your time on this forum. You're very generous! :)

At 3pm the entire ship pretty much shuts down as it is time for Muster drill time. Our meeting spot was B8, which was in O'Sheehan's. It was quick and easy. Scan your key card, have a seat and listen to the announcements. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Some muster photos and the O'Sheehan's Ice Cream Menu (a la carte)

 

I'll chime in here to say that DH and I tried the a la carte ice cream. You'd think "WHY" when there's both hard and soft ice cream available for free! Well, we had some dining credit and were at the "use or lose" point on the last sea day, so we treated ourselves. He had a banana split and I had a hot fudge sundae. I'm sorry I didn't take pictures. They were phenomenal! Huge, for one thing, and all kinds of toppings -- sprinkles, oreos, gummy bears, and REAL whipped cream. It's probably a good thing it was our last day. :p

One note on O'Sheehans -- we were there a few times when there was entertainment happening in the atrium. If you find the music to be loud, ask for a table all the way back in the corner. Not so loud, able to carry on a conversation.

Best of luck in the morning, JoAnn!

And the second bedroom. Melissa loved it. There is a couch that turns into a bed and also a Pullman bed that drops down from the ceiling. We asked our room steward Ven if he would mind setting up both beds so she could try and see if she liked the top bunk. Last cruise she tried it once and was back in the bottom bunk in 20 minutes.

We were down the hall from you, in 15112. Also had Ven and Flor taking care of us. So...which bed did Melissa prefer? Or did she mix it up depending on how she felt that day :D

UPDATE: The beach I was thinking of was at Lobster Alive. We just got back from our cruise last week.

 

$4 pp each way in white cab/van. We walked straight onto the beach, Boatyard was to the right. We picked 2 chairs under an umbrella. A little over an hour later an employee came over to us. We paid $15 & he put arm bands on us & gave us the password for free WIFI and 3 coupons for 1/2 off 3 drinks. We used 2 coupons together for 1 free drink. Rest room was available. When we were ready to leave there were several cabs sitting next to the street.

 

This was a nice quiet area. Only a few people in the water at a time. No toys in the water, but several times someone came to ask us if we wanted to swim with the turtles or snorkle. We had a wonderful day.

Thanks for your report on Lobster Alive. The "quiet" part appeals to me. The Boatyard sounds too chaotic. Question: did you get there super early? I'm wondering if that's why it was nice and quiet, and did it stay relatively quiet during your stay? (relative to the Boatyard, I guess!) Thanks!

Hello,

Will be taking NCL Gem and be in Tortola on 12/20 - NCL Schedule is from 7.00AM to 1.00PM. Would like to go to baths - is this even an option? Are there other ferry services other than Speedy's? What other options other than baths are good for this duration. Traveling with 2 small children - 3 & 6.

 

Thanks,

NVS.

I've been in Tortola on NCL with this same time frame. Yes, the Baths are an option, but I'd strongly recommend you do it with the ship's excursion and not have any worries about getting back in time. Having said that, you might want to research more on this forum about others who have done the tour with small kids. There's a lot of walking -- steps down to the caves -- and then crawling through some interesting spaces before getting to the beautiful beach. Then the return climb back to the top. Obviously your kids won't have an issue fitting thru tight spaces, but as I recall, there were some narrow ledges with rope handrails. Be as informed as possible about what you'll be facing. You can always book the tour and then ask more questions on board the Gem, and cancel if necessary. Don't get me wrong -- it's an amazing excursion! Just be sure it's ok for little ones. Good luck!

I just spoke to my PCC. He said NCL has a "dedicated team" working on the January changes. First they are moving all the CTN bookings to a December date (for pax who can make that move, obviously) since there will be no more CTNs in 2016. THEN they are changing the existing 12-day bookings to 14, and only then will they open up the ship for new bookings. He said the target date is now Aug 24th to have all this in place.

Why were cabins changed? Upgraded? Downgraded? Or just IT stupidity and they just can't figure out that pax actually choose certain cabins?

Why? I have no idea. The 2 pax who reported it both said they called and had their original cabin choices put back in place. Even of more concern though, is that one saw her UBP disappear, and I don't know if she's gotten that resolved yet. Stupidity? Incompetence? Maybe a little bit of both. :rolleyes:

I'm booked on the BA January 3rd sailing that grew from 12 to 14 days when the in-between CTN had to be canceled (not NCL's fault; a federal govt decision). The IT dept is behind not just on updating the site for new bookings but also on current bookings. Meaning, my ncl.com account still doesn't show the new dates or itinerary. I DID get an email July 24th informing me of the changes, so I'm not completely in the dark, but I'll feel better when it's visible online. Especially since a couple people on the Roll Call who HAVE had their profiles updated also saw their cabins changed. I don't think there are any real sinister motives here, but the IT dept sure is a mess.

My myNCL lets me view the new itinerary. No shore excursions or anything listed, but I seem to be "back to normal" after a week or so of being unable to view anything. So the Jan 3rd is good to go.

I'm on the Jan 3rd sailing. My NCL account hasn't been updated yet. Still the old dates, and NO itinerary at all shows up. Just a message that "We could not complete your request at this time. Please try again, or contact us at 1-866-234-7350 for assistance." That's been the case for a couple of weeks now. (I got the e-mail from NCL on July 24th as many others did, informing me of the change. And I'm thrilled!! :D)

Out of curiosity, I keep trying to do a fake booking for B/A in January 2016, and the only cruise NCL shows as available is the Gem that month. I do wonder what is taking them so long. Wouldn't you think they have a decent-sized IT department to maintain the website??

On another note, why anyone would fly to NYC in the dead of winter for a cruise stumps me. If you are getting on a plane anyway, you should sail from FL- guaranteed better weather!

I can't tell you how often I've said this! WHY fly to NYC when you can embark from a warm port?? That first day sailing south & last day sailing north can be very rocky and definitely not warm on January/February itineraries. It stumps me, too. :confused:

Are the extra days because they had to cancel the CTN?

Must be. Would have been silly for the ship to float around empty for those two days. I half expected them to add only sea days; getting 2 new ports is great, and I don't care about losing St. Lucia and St. Kitts. Happy sailor here :D

Count me in among the disappointed if there's no more brownie sundae, but my waistline will be much better off. Here's a question: reading this thread, I just told DH about Blue Lagoon being replaced by O'Sheehans, and he, not a CC member, thought I was just saying "Oceans" funny, having only heard it, not seeing the name. I said, No - it's the CEO's last name -- but he insists it's an intentional pun. Any truth to that? It never occurred to me before!