Visigoth

Is this over?

We're pleased to hear that the internet connections are working well.  Do you have any idea if the ship is using StarLink yet.

On 2/24/2023 at 4:17 PM, shepherd really said:

keep telling yourself that.

Actually it should be yours until you give it up.  After all you are just taking a bathroom break, or lunch break, or dinner, or a nap or a port call, or sleep.

And please reduce the price of my buffet as I'm on a diet and will only eat 50% of my normal amount.

3 hours ago, miztressuz said:

We boarded the Bliss on Dec 2 from San Pedro. We didn't see any Latitude tiers on any signs. The CAS and The Haven lines were the first lines, then I saw a Priority Access line but it didn't elaborate if that included the usual Latitude tiers or it was the paid PA. After that it sorted by deck numbers, half in one and half in the other. Our deck line was short so I justed jumped in that and we were checked in within 10 minutes.

 

I assume that you'd use the Priority Access line for the Platinum embarkation perk. If our deck line was long I'd have tried that. 

Thank You!

Thanks for all the input.  

On 11/26/2022 at 8:15 AM, mtrancher said:

Can you confirm or put to rest whether you can order a 'mixed' shot at the bar. Some examples would be minnie beers or candy corn, B-52's, stone cold stinger, a snowshoe, kamikaze, pirates treasure, three wise men. 
Thanks and hope your cruise is fantastic!

I can tell you that when the Bliss was in Alaska a few weeks ago that the bartenders would often pour multiple mixed shots for everyone seated at the bar.  Their favorite was a "Duck Fart" (Kahlua, Baileys, and Whiskey).  Often times they would mix a dozen at a time.

Is there a priority line and/or waiting area for Platinum level Latitudes members at the Los Angeles/San Pedro cruise terminal?

1 hour ago, zelker said:

 

But then we have to add $5 to have access to Verizon in Mexico for the day so once we add that to the Uber cost, it seems about the same as paying for a taxi.

 

Actually we just returned from a 10 day trip to Puerto Vallarta and we used Uber on a daily basis.  Even though I am a Verizon customer I never payed them a cent for roaming data.  Since Wifi is prevalent in most areas, we simply accessed our Uber apps on Wifi connections.  There are certainly many Wifi cafes, shops, and restaurants close to the Cruise Terminal.  If we could not get a Wifi connection we would simply hail a taxi or catch the bus.  I would urge caution on buses unless you are certain of the route.  If you don't speak Spanish it can be difficult to select the right bus or recognize the correct stop.

Just for comparison, an Uber comfortable for 2 passengers from the cruise ship terminal to Hotel Rosita will set you back less than 80 pesos (a little over $4).  You will know the exact rate before you agree to the pick up and it will be charged directly to your credit card so you do not have to worry about exchange rates.  A 20 peso tip is considered generous and a 40 peso tip will bring big smiles.

Here is the Medicare Publcation covering your question:

https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11037-Medicare-Coverage-Outside-United-Stat.pdf

They will generally contact you by email 2 or 3 weeks prior to your sailing.  They will ask you for any cabin choices you may have such as pillow types, extra towels, extra hangers, emptying out your fridge, etc.  They will also offer to help with entertainment and restaurant reservations.  I prefer to call them but you can use the email address as well.  here is the email that I received last time:

It has a large shower, no tub.

The two beds that they push together do not equal a standard Queen sized bed.  They are slightly wider and slightly shorter than a queen.

On 2/26/2019 at 12:07 PM, dcipjr said:

When we were in Cozumel, we took the ferry to Playa del Carmen. The ferry port is right next to some beautiful beaches!

Of interest to some, that ferry is nicknamed the "Vomit Comet".  It is without a doubt the worst 40 minutes that you will ever spend on any boat.  

The terminal will open for check-in at approximately 9:30 am.  There will be early arrivals already waiting to enter the terminal at that time.  When the terminal opens, you will enter the check-in area where you will present your cruise documents & passports, get your photo taken, and be issued a sail pass.  After check-in you will be assigned a "Boarding Group" and be sent to a waiting area.  The earlier you check in, the lower your number or letter and the earlier your boarding group will be called to board the ship.  Unfortunately for early birds, there are several groups that will board before the lowest numbered boarding groups.  No one will board until the ship is voided of all disembarking passenger and the ship is certified ready to board by Customs and Immigration.  This is generally accomplished prior to the 12 pm schedule but sometimes may occur much later.  First on board will be the Haven guests, then other suite guests, CAS guests, Diamond Latitude members, Platinum Plus Latitude members, and Platinum Latitude members.  So....if you arrive at 9:30 am you will probably be waiting at least 3 hours before you board.  If you wait until 1:30 pm to arrive, you will speed through an almost empty check in area and have little or no waiting to board.

I'm sorry to jump in here but it is 17 miles from Port Canaveral to Kennedy Space center.  On a good day you can Uber it in under 20 minutes at a cost of $34 for up to 4 people.  On line tickets for the space center center tour cost $52 for an adult and $50 for military or senior.  That means it is about half the price of the NCL tour and you are not traveling with a throng.

Even though travel time is about the same, Long Beach Airport is way faster because of the reduced time required to get a shuttle or rental car.  Also Uber doesn't suffer the same surge charges at LGB as they do at LAX.

Mine works fine.  I suspect yours does now?

We have returned autos at Port Canaveral a couple of times.  We returned them early (10 am) on the morning of the cruise and they shuttled us (and our luggage) directly to the ship.  There were many others doing the same thing.  If returning the night before is imperative many hotels in that area offer a free local shuttle either to or from the rental car area. 

Here is a Layout from cruisedeckplans.  For a very nominal fee you can get access to an enormous data base of information on cruise ships.

If you chose NY in January be sure to get good trip insurance.

"No, it's an hour later than Eastern Standard Time."

Of course you are correct.  Sorry, it was a quick epilogue to my previous post and my mind was not in gear. 

Oh, almost forgot to mention, Philipsburg is an hour earlier than EST and they don't use DST.

Not necessarily.  I have been on NCL ships that sailed from Florida and crossed and ported into a different time zone and maintained the ships time.  Here is a schedule (Island Time) of expected NCL arrivals on March 8th.

All reputable shore excursion companies will ask for the name of your ship so that they can schedule accordingly.  If they know the name of the ship and the date of arrival, they will not offer or accept reservations that don't accomodate your arrival and departure.