JC5240

On 12/19/2021 at 4:27 PM, Ocala Cruisers said:

We cruise end of January and I am confused about NCLs Covid requirements.  We cruised Royal in October and just did Carnival and for each we were tested for Covid two days before the cruise and showed the negative result oi the cruise line.  We assume that will be enough for NCL.  Is that correct.

You’ll be tested at the pier and will be required to show your vaccine card. You only need to have a negative pcr test beforehand in the event you test positive at the pier to be reimbursed for any expenses for quarantine/cruise refund. 

LOL - this is one of my all time favorite gifs.

PS - any announcement for District Brewhouse yet? That has become one of my favorite venues. Between having the DBH and HATM on the Escape (as well as ropes course, H20, amazing thermal suite, and the list goes on), Escape has been bumped up to my favorite NCL ship. Since HATM isn't on any of the newer ships, I'd be happy with DBH since they (usually) have a piano player/singer with crowd participation. It's one of my favorite things to do on a cruise - sit, drink, laugh, sing along, etc...

Wow, I went on a tangent. Summary: any news on DBH? LOL

3 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

 

Calling NCL for accurate stateroom info?

Hey all! Please see below for responses and comments:

• CVS barcode will be generated when you check-in for your cruise (21 days out) and complete the Covid check-in (there will be a link on NCL's website). I suggest downloading their app too when asked (I believe it's called My Chart). You'll get your results a lot quicker if you sign up for all of the alerts too than when they post your code on the screen

• Great Stirrup Cay was AWESOME. Such a nice, relaxing beach day with drinks and food included as if you're still on the ship. Plenty of loungers, and lots of little places to relax as well as get hyped up. Tenders were smooth going there and back. They had live music, a DJ, and everything was basically open. They also have a straw market, which was nice. I didn't do any excursions here, but I know a few people that have and they said they were awesome. I rented a paddleboard though, and it was fun. Everything was up and running, and everyone was having a great relaxing time. I honestly don't like having an island on the last day - I need a sea day buffer to accept that it's coming to an end, this way I don't have to get back on the ship and do the dreaded thing: pack 😞  but that's a personal preference lol

• Ocho Rios - I've done the Dune River Falls the last time I was here, and it was fantastic. However, don't underestimate it - it can be a challenge, and if you have some people in your group that aren't prepared, it could hold things up. This time I did one of the exclusive beach resorts through NCL  because I was looking to relax more so on this particular trip, and it was amazing. The staff was incredible. No problems, only solutions! 🙂

• Entertainment was on par to pre-pandemic levels in a lot of ways. I think the only downfall (for the entertainers) was that since the ship wasn't (anywhere NEAR!) full capacity, a lot of venues were empty the first few days - which was great for an intimate experience, but at times could feel a bit awkward for the entertainers but they were incredibly professional and still entertained everyone as if it was a packed venue. As the week went on, though, certain venues started to fill more (specifically Howl at the Moon and Choir of Men the last day). I HIGHLY recommend seeing Choir of Men - early in the week, and then again towards the end of the week if you have the time to see it twice. SO WORTH IT

• Can't comment on WiFi - I'm fortunate enough to be able to completely disconnect while on vacation. Hopefully someone else can shed some light for you

• Show times usually run for about 75 minutes or so. I think comedy may have been a bit shorter. The only shows I made reservations for was After Midnight and the second showing of Choir of Men (only because word was getting around, and everyone was booking). Other than that, I was basically able to walk into any venue for whatever show was going on and sit right down. It was really nice with the reduced capacity - so nice that I'm itching to go again before cruise lines open up fully again 

I'll hit Platinum after my next cruise in 2022 (Prima, baby!). It took me seven cruises (six seven day cruises, one three day cruise). 

I received double points for two out of the six seven-day cruises, and received triple points for the cruise I just took (also seven day). 

I know we "paid" for the perks, but that's what loyalty is all about. I'm looking forward to some of the extra perks from Gold to Platinum!

I was also on this cruise. I wrote this in the roll call, but I figured I'd bring it here as well. I don't want to hijack the OPs thread, but if you have any questions I could try to answer.

This was an amazing cruise, the staff was incredible (as always, but there was something magical this time around), and I walked off the ship with new friendships (shoutout to Rose, my adopted grandmother, who I vow not to reveal her age, who told me to come to the solo meet and greet...and if your "grandmother" tells you to do something, you do it - and boy oh boy am I glad I did...if only my name were Jack. My heart will always go on with you, Rose ❤️ )

Well, it's taken me (still taking me) a few days to come back down from the high that I've felt from last week, and the emotional rollercoaster that occurs when you return from vacation... however, for me, this was more than a vacation. It was a life altering experience that I oh so much needed. "I took my soul down to the water, and I came back a different man."

It was my first solo cruise, and I feel as though I walked on the ship knowing nobody, and walked off the ship with 2,000 friends. 

I had the time of my life, and I met so many amazing people throughout the entire week. Words cannot express how thankful I am. 

"There are good ships, and wood ships, ships that sail the seas...but the best ships are friendships, and may they always be" 

I miss everyone so much already! Now to think about booking the next one...

Sailing along with you - literally! See you there 🎉 

3 hours ago, Katie H said:

A few days ago, I registered for my covid test for an upcoming cruise through the check in process.  I didn't know about setting up My Chart until I read this thread.  I just set up an account and it shows "no upcoming visits".  Should it show the test scheduled for embarkation day?  Am I doing something wrong?

Mine said the same thing until today and I checked in a little past midnight when I was able to at the 21 day mark - now it’s listed three times in three consecutive days like OP stated. I board Saturday if that helps. 

Since you were on the first sailing of the shutdown, I’m sure within the next couple of weeks the kinks will be worked out. Especially since this is NCL’s first cruise out of Port Canaveral (I believe). 
 

Traveling during these times has made me realize one thing: patience. Try to have it, as NCL will adapt and find their stride. 

2 hours ago, BULLOCK said:

Upsplash,  the bar code you are referring to, is this the one beside your check in time on your edocs?

 

I do see the link to preregistration with CVS, I have clicked on it where my name is visible but being Canadian, it advises we need to register at the pier.     We do have  bar codes beside our check in time.

I’m on the upcoming cruise on the Escape this Saturday. The barcode on your eDocs is not the CVS barcode. The CVS Covid test check in takes you to another site, and the barcode is generated after you register (I also believe it begins with CVS on the barcode). 
 

hopefully you were able to acquire an early check in time (which will be on your eDocs). 
 

1 hour ago, Ruskincruiser said:

We scheduled it for 900am to 930am. I saw a very long line for the COVID tents around 100pm so I would say the earlier you schedule the less wait you’ll have. 

awesome to hear - I also have a 9am check in! 

Woo!! “See “ you next week as I’ll be boarding as you disembark!! Have an amazing trip and thanks for the tip! What time was you check in scheduled for if you don’t mind me asking?

I definitely sympathize with you. I had to cancel an entire honeymoon because of the pandemic basically twice (in hindsight it was a blessing, as we decided to dissolve our relationship). 
 

Assuming you’re okay with vaccinating your children if/when the time comes vaccines are available for their age group, I’d “wait and see” how the world looks in January, and if they’d be eligible for vaccinations. I think we can safely say that indefinitely means exactly that. Could be 5 months. Could be 5 years. Could be our lifetime. 
 

if you’re hesitant about vaccinations, I’d think about canceling with NCL and perhaps seeing if another cruise line is sailing around the same time/region that you booked so you don’t have to scrap the entire trip altogether. 
 

Either way, I think I’d wait until final payment before making any real decisions. 

LOL to the both of you (sorry, a “reaction” just wasn’t enough). 

Sorry, OP. But I would consider looking further into your Plan B. Just take it in strides and hope for the best.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/10/30/1050690655/parents-should-be-patient-about-getting-covid-vaccines-for-kids-white-house-says

Time to start getting excited, Escapers. Our girl is officially on the move. 

I totally understand where OP is coming from. I have the Breville electric loose tea brewer, and you'd be surprised how much a difference the temperature of water makes for the blend of tea (green, oolong, white, herbal, black, etc). 

In any case, I'd do what the first response stated, and contact your concierge. It would be amazing if they had something like the Breville so your water gets to the temperature of your liking depending on your blend of tea!

Thanks for the information everyone - very interesting (and exciting!).

Any word on the progression of Escape when it comes to crewing up and preparing for relaunch? I'm on the November 27th sailing out of Port Canaveral, which I believe begins her third customer paying sailing (besides the TA, which I don't think will have paying customers on). 

TIA!

Honestly I stay on as late as possible - usually until they start the "EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE OFF THE SHIP NOW" announcement lol (don't worry - I've only physically been the last person off the ship once!!).

However, I am completely out of the cabin by 8/8:30 the latest, head down to either Taste or Savor because I'd like to have a sit down breakfast to avoid the rush of the buffet, then go to whichever outdoor area is still available and sit and wait until the last announcement (when they announce the color code for the latest disembarkation). By that time, it's usually just around 10/10:15A. 

However, just to note, I'm never where I'm not supposed to be or alone (usually with other travelers in eye view), and I've never (and hopefully, WILL never!) been called over the PA. I think my heart would 'sink' if I was the person responsible for holding up anything. 

1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

 

You're responding to a post that's almost three years old....and welcome to the forum.   lol  🙂

Hahah thank you for pointing that out bc I’m reading it like it’s todays news 😂

.. what’s outlined in this thread still applies though, yes? LOL

Very cool information!! Thank you!

As others have mentioned, pre-covid, this happened to me - I was upgraded to the Haven Spa Suite, but already purchased the Thermal Spa pass. I was refunded the cost of the pass.

Finally reached double digits baby! 99 to go! 

28 minutes ago, knitlady037 said:

I was vaccinated in NY in January 2021 second shot in Feb. Have my vaccine card and cannot get an excelsior pass. Site says no record of my vaccination. 

I noticed that on mine, the date that they wrote when I got the shot is wrong (they wrote 4.21.21, but I actually got the second dose on 4.19.21). Maybe try that (the date on the back of my card that says "return for second dose" is the date that I inputted when I got the first error that it didn't exist). 

TBH, I wish I would have noticed it then - hopefully this won't pose a problem. Either way, I added it to the Excelsior Pass and everything else matches. 

2 minutes ago, AlanRRT said:

Looks like a beautiful pool area.  My first thought on seeing these loungers is that they'll be popular places for someone to sleep all night in order to save for the day.

Not gonna lie, that sleep all night out there sounds wonderful LOL.

I'm aware, I wasn't speaking speed though, I was speaking strength. It's amazing to me that that little tugboat can tug that motherload of a ship! Thanks for the info though!

9 minutes ago, SliderNc said:

Tugboats aren't built for speed, but for power to move large things at slow speed and maintain control of them.  I wouldn't want a brand new billions of dollars ship going more than a knot before it's first sea tests while it is being floated out either... 🙂