olya1972

2 hours ago, BAYA said:

I just finished many hours of research looking for a moderately priced hotel for May 2024 pre-cruise. I narrowed it down to about 5 hotels and ended up booking Hotel Marques de Pombal directly with the property. I stayed at a more expensive but terrific hotel, NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade, in 2019 but we wanted a better priced option since we are booked for 3 nights. Anyway, here are the results of my research. The area of Avenida da Liberdade is flat and beautiful.

[I hope the copy-paste works!]

				$       740.00

Good info. Thank You.

We were able to take Anchorage to Seward train on May 26 th with no problems.

Any updates on this situation? We are scheduled for next Friday, May 26 th.

We did this exact tour twice ( second time because we wanted to show it to our kids). Both times it was late tour and still beautiful - enough light time to see big part of the garden and beautifully lit at dusk. I would do it again if on the same stop in Victoria.

Edinburgher, I am not the OP, but was looking for the same type of information. Your thoughtful, detailed reply is greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

Our cruise has last stop in Cadiz ( Spain) 7 am to 4 pm. The port is advertised by NCL as “ Seville”. Seville is an hour train ride or 1/2 -2 hours car ( tour transportation) ride away. This is our first trip to Europe. I am at a loss whether I should stay in Cadiz and explore the town or take a day trip to Seville? This I would do as a ship excursion or small group tour. Can someone who has been in similar situation chime in ( especially if you have been to both cities - please advise). Thank You.

3 hours ago, InfrequentPNWCruiser said:

Yes, if it is a full Starbucks such as on Encore, Prima, etc. Starbuck's app also works as well. We cashed in some credit card reward points onto a gift card and used it for the entire trip. The advantage of these is that you can buy the bakery products, chocolate covered coffee beans and other items that may be for sale. The Starbucks coffee drink package does not cover non-drink items.

Thank you.

Thank You all for the informative replies. I had purchased Cruise First certificate online the day I posted this question. I realized that to derive benefit of NCL matching my amount, I'd still have to book 120 or more days in advance.

12 hours ago, InfrequentPNWCruiser said:

An option is just buy a Starbucks gift card  and use it to pay for drinks , pastries, etc. That way there isn't any limitations other than the total on the card.

Do you mean that Starbucks on NCL ships accepts regular Starbucks Gift Card that can be purchased on land before sailing?

What is a Welcome Package? How does one book it?

6 hours ago, carohs said:

Since you've already decided to get the upgraded drink package, have you considered FAS+? This also includes unlimited WiFi, shore excursion credit, and I believe extra specialty dining. 

How does one book FAS+? I didn’t see that option when doing “ fake booking” for the cruise. 

1 minute ago, julig22 said:

CruiseFirst - NO doubleup.

Thank you. I got excited for a second here:)

I have to make a correction. It’s not Cruise Next, it’s CruiseFirst that I bought online yesterday. Does double up still apply?

Can someone clarify, please if I understood correctly that this thread is saying that Two Cruise Next certificates can be used on the same sailing currently? I just bought Cruise Next certificate yesterday planning to use it on January 2024 sailing in Balcony cabin. I think that when I read the conditions it stated that only one certificate can be applied per sailing, but you could purchase total of 10 certificates ( for 10 potential sailings/ bookings, I guess?)

It’s been a while since last NCL cruise for us. I am considering NCL Epic sailing at the end of January, 2024. It’s a sailing from Lisbon, Portugal, to Canary Islands, Gibraltar and Spain( 10 days). I usually book cruises after final payment date, however I found good price for air tickets and bought them. The ship seems to be empty - every category of Balcony or Club Balcony Mini suit I check shows almost full availability. We never cruised in Europe before. I kind of know the trends when it comes to Caribbean and Alaska sailings, but with this type of itinerary I am at a complete loss. For anyone who sailed on similar sailing, can you share your booking experience? I imagine end of January is not just “ shoulder”, but a low season for this destination. Thank You all who will reply.

On 4/12/2023 at 5:30 PM, kennystwin said:

I started out to respond to this thread but got carried away with my love of Alaska and what a wonderful, "real Alaska" town Hoonah is.

 

By all means, take the beach trail and walk into town. When I was first there in May of 2018, the whales were active and I saw many as I walked into town. Even saw some bubble net feeding just off the harbor. Definitely eat at the Fishman's Daughter. Their "locally sourced" seafood is an understatement - the fishing boats dock literally across the street. It's all fresh and great. If in doubt, just ask and they will lead you straight. Sit at a picnic table outside as you eat and observe life in Hoonah. Look for the totem carver in town for some insight into Tlingit culture. For another authentic experience, stop in at the Office Bar - a real, Alaskan bar populated by real Alaskans (unlike that "Alaska Guide" you'll meet in the Juneau or Skagway who is really a seasonal worker from Iowa who has never spent a winter in Alaska).

 

Back in the ISP port area, check out the cannery for intersting info on the history of the salmon canning industry in Alaska.  Take the trams up the mountain for some great scenery. (As an added benefit, there's a cell phone tower on the top so you will get as good coverage as you can get in the area.) If you're hungry or thirsty after all that, stop in at the Duck Point Smokehouse for some smoked salmon dip and a beverage as you watch the fire or water from the deck.

 

And yes, this is all doable by foot. This 71 year old did it last year (though the Office Bar was closed).

 

 

Thank you so much. This is a great day itinerary. We are looking forward to ISP stop!

48 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

iF you book a cabin at the top of a particular category you will be billed for the cheapest in that category.  If I book any veranda from VQ though VF and I add Club Orange I will be billed for a VH (obstructed) veranda and the Club Orange upcharge will be added.  If you add Club Orange after you have been billed for the higher category veranda you should ask to have the stateroom fare adjusted.  

Do they reprice to the VH price at the time of your booking or to the currently available VH price? Do you know what happens if ship is sold out? They don’t reprice then? 

5 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

I wonder if it depends on how many ships are at HMC? If there's only one, both island tenders can go to just one ship.

Our ship, Rotterdam , was the only one there. BTW, in December 2022 we were on HMC on Rotterdam as well. At that time we had Neptune Suite. There were no special notifications for priority tender at that port as far as I remember. I do think there were announcements about tender tickets but Neptune Suit guests could go without tickets in one other stop, Boneair.

3 hours ago, MO7 said:

We're waiting for the ship to be cleared to use the tender to go to HMC, but the passengers with Club Orange can go directly to the tender where non CO's need to get a ticket for the tender first, so there is a priority system at HMC, at least at the Rotterdam today.

We were on HMC 3/28/23. We were in CO. We did not receive any notes in the room.

Thank you, all for the replies. We just returned from the cruise. There were no tender ports except HMC, and tenders there were large boats as stated above, no priority ( neither was it needed). Overall we were very happy with purchasing Club Orange. The cabin we upgraded to was great ( from VH to V with 109 sq ft balcony midship, Rotterdam). Club Orange restaurant was excellent and was worth the money we paid for us. Club Orange concierge was at the general Customer Service area, but separate, very short line. Few times that we went there, there was huge line circling the atrium for general Customer Service. 

We just returned from the cruise with a stop in St Lucia. We went to Viggie beach. We walked from the port to the beach. The walk was not pleasant and though was not difficult for us, one should be a walker to try to walk there. The first part of the walk is in fact about 20-25 min, but it’s along busy road and not all of it has sidewalks along the way, neither is it pretty to look at. Once you get to the beach area, you are at the beginning of the beach near some resort and the cemetery next to it. Then the second part of the walk along the beach starts to get to the area with some local bars and shops where beach loungers can be rented. This area is at the end of the beach and is about another 15-20 min walk from the entrance point. This walk is much more pleasant even though first part of it is along the cemetery. The loungers rentals are not expensive, $15 for two chairs and a shared umbrella. There are vendors on the beach, but they are not very pushy, so that is not an issue. There is an airport all along the beach ( right behind), so if someone is looking for full tranquility, this is not the place. We liked it, though. Airport was not busy on the day we were there and we saw fewer then half a dozen plains take off or land in three hours that we were there. It’s interesting to watch planes close overhead. There is engine noise associated with that activity, of course. The beach itself is beautiful. It’s not straight and goes into partial semicircle so one can see vegetation and hills and mountains across the bay. There are trees along the beach line, so there is shade if one doesn’t want to rent chairs/ umbrellas. The day we were there it was drizzling and water was not calm, but even so we were able to go into the water without any problems. Entrance into the water is flat. Sand is soft, no rocks. Water was clean and warm. Taxis back were readily available and charged $15 for shared van ( I believe it was not per person but for both of us). Taxi from the cruise port to the beach was $10/ride. Ride is short, under 10 minutes. We liked the experience overall and would do it again if in St Lucia.

16 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

On Rotterdam last fall I used the throw pillows from the couch for the seat of the balcony chairs.  I was able to see above the railing while seated that way!!  Without the cushion the railing was right at eye level.  I covered the cushion with a towel and took them inside when leaving.  Worked for me!

 

~Nancy

 

P.S. I will ask for padded cushions next time in case they are available.

Thank You.

On 2/9/2023 at 2:55 PM, CruiserN1 said:

Apparently yes, there is a limit. I tried to add it to our Mar 18 cruise on Rotterdam and TA said it was sold out.

You should try again. I purchased it yesterday for that same sailing. There are cabins availability now showing for this cruise. Might have to do with last minute cancellations. Some of those must have been CO.

Just now, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

It's a great benefit for guests 

Yes, I purchased it to upgrade from VH obstructed veranda to unobstructed balcony room. The CO restaurant is great. We used it when traveling in Neptune Suite. I view that as an extra perk. My main reason for buying the service was room upgrade.