Derbie

24 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I would say day 2 and 6.

That was my guess, given day 6 is Thanksgiving.

We have been to St. Thomas several times.  This time, I swore I am going to St. John.  So, we can do an on your own excursion for $49 pp through our cruise line (3 hours) or another option for $99 pp.  I think 3-4 hours doesn't seem like very long for an excursion.  From everything I have read, there is the time to get to the ferry and then hourly leave time, etc., absorbs quite a bit of the time.  Just wanting opinions on going ourselves or sucking it up and using our OBC for the excursion cost.  I guess it would give us time to wander around the town a bit, it we went the excursion.  So, I will await your expertise!

Thanks in advance!

I am new to HAL.  Can anyone advise what days they think the Gala nights will occur?  I am thinking Thanksgiving could be one, but not sure.  We are trying to book a fancy dinner as well, so this would help.  Thanks in advance,

On 8/31/2022 at 1:22 PM, amc155 said:

Thank you.  I did actually just get in touch with Deep Blue.  For some reason my emails weren't getting through to them.

How long is the excursion and the cost?  We went on a boat for a whale watching in Cabo, but I was just curious, since we will be in port in November.  Looking for something a different to do while in port.  Thanks.

Hello to all of you experienced HAL cruisers.  My husband and I have a cruise reserved for Thanksgiving week on the Statendam.  We have been on approximately 20-25 cruises on other lines.  We were supposed to take a two-week land/cruise Alaska adventure in August 2020; however, Covid put a hard halt on that trip, on three different occasions.  We don't really need a lot of advice in regard to the ports, as we have been to all of them (except the private Island) more than once in the past.  I would like general recommendations.  We booked under the Have it all offer.  I rarely drink and my husband drinks maybe a beer, ten times a year.  I do like my "nice" coffees.  I would like to get a recommendation, on where to try to get our dinner reservation? Suggestions on where to use our excursion offer?  I am thinking perhaps St. John, as we have never had opportunity to visit.   Things to "not" miss onboard in regards to entertainment and dinning?  How is the Wifi?  Mostly used to let people know we are good, etc.  I did review the New HAL posts for a good bit of this year.  Any suggestions on this cruise are welcome and certainly appreciated.  

11 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

Is is just the kids that are unvaccinated? 

My son and his wife are being vacinnated this week.  I am waiting until my husband has visit with cardiologist on Monday,  before we decide on when and if we decide to get it.  My plans were to wait until later in the fall.  I am not, and I will say this again an anti-vaxxer.  I get the flu shot every year, but my concern lies with the rush of the vaccine to the marketplace.  That is all. 

2 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

I won't lie, it chaps my rear to think about entire families trying to get on board cruises unvaccinared this early on with covid cases rising again. These cruises I would avoid like the plague .... no pun . 

I understand, I really do. All of us that are traveling, but the 5 year old have already had Covid.  I know the variant is a different animal of sorts. We fall a couple months outiside of their rule on having Covid in the past.   I think we will probably give up on the cruise idea, until Spring.  

3 hours ago, kilkoyne said:

Some of the "excursions" currently offered on my upcoming cruise (Meraviglia) aren't available to no vaxx passengers. If you want to know about a particular excursion feel free to ask.

 

I am having some difficulty locating the cruise excursions for Cozymel and Costa Maya.  It looks like the ship settles at their private island on the other day for the cruise on departing on 10/3/21.

11 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

When are you planning on sailing the Davina as you are not clear on that? Nobody knows where MSC or any other line will be vaccine wise next year. 

We plan on replacing the cruise on Carnival for MSC, same date 10/3/21.  They go out of the same port, Cape Canaveral. I am trying to locate the cruise excursions for Cozymel and Costa Maya, as if we cruise unvaccinated, we must go through the cruise line.

My DH and I are cruising with my son and his family on the Carnival Mardi Gras October 3rd.  Three of the kids are from a previous marriage.  Their father is adamant about not having them vaccinated.  He is a doctor of physical therapy and his wife is an RN, so they are well read and educated folks.  Given the situation, we will have to rebook our cruise for next year. The Davina will have to be paid in full almost immediately, if we choose to go this route.  i would appreciate your suggestions on cabin placement, kids programs (15, 13, 11 and 5 year old) should we purchase the Bella program for $30 pp?  I have watched videos on the MSC line in the past.  I know the line has a different view on vaccinated vs non-vaccinated.  Would this cruise be greatly restrictive for everyone, since we will not be vaccinated?  Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

My DH and myself are sailing with our son and his family on the Mardi Gras 10/2.  We have four grandchildren.  Three of the grandchildren are from our daughter-in-law's previous marriage.  Her ex has made it very clear he will not allow the kids to be vaccinated.  They are 15, 13 and 11.  He has plenty of medical background. He has a doctorate in physical therapy and his wife is an RN. I say this, as I think a lot of people think those who don't want to be vaccinated, are not either well educated, or don't understand the science. In this case, they are both equally educated and well read.  MY DH son, and family are not anti vaxxers, but my husband and I (and most of my son and his family) have already had Covid back in the fall.  We weren't planning on getting the vaccine, unless we can't travel without it.  My issue has been from the beginning is, how fast it was brought to the masses.  That is all, and I am not here to argue its merit one way-or-another.  With the uptick of Covid growing again, I am wondering there will be any allowances for children (5%) to sail without being vaccinated?  Of course, we have alreayd paid for the cruise in full, several weeks ago.  The youngest grandchild is 5 years old.  Can we cancel if need be, and reschedule in 2022?  Anyone know if this is a possibility. This is already (like so many others) a rescheduled cruise with Carnival, with two more yet to be rescheduled. I realize my TA is not going to really know anymore than Carnival shares, but wondered what you all would recommend? I did call her and left a message, but she has not returned the call as of yet.   I thank you all kindly in advance for your suggestions and sound advice.  

18 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

First, it has absolutely nothing to do with Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks is a new addition to NCL. The beverage package for years and years before Starbucks has NEVER included specialty coffee. 
 

You do NOT have to pay gratuities on the beverage package. Just don’t select it as a promotion. 
 

Most cruise lines charge gratuities on their beverage packages. 

We had the package removed from our cruise, as I don't drink at all, and my husband may drink 5 beers the entire cruise.  It is simply not worth the $200 up front gratuity charge.  

We are in the same position.  We have two cabins booked for Mardi Gras 10/2.  My son and his wife have four children.  Three of the children are from a previous marriage.  Their father (Dr. in physical therapy and his wife RN) are adamantly opposed to the vaccine.  So, we find ourselves in quite a spot.  We are not anti vaxxers, as I get the flu shot every year; however, I am hesitant on this vaccine. Only because (and I have thought this from get beginning) it was not tested long enough.  I will take it, if it means the only means to traveling.  I just think this situation will cause us trouble, as I do believe the vaccine will be required for sometime.  We can try for an exemption, but I suppose that is a gamble as well.  I am seriously invested and interested in how this all will play out.  

Got the Oh Snap...no cruises for what you are searching for.  I hadn't even searched for anything, just clicked on the link above.  Oh well...

On 6/15/2021 at 7:35 AM, BrotherCraig said:

 

 

Hi there.  Yes.  Only takes about 45 minute to an hour for the monkey and sloth experience.  We usually spend about 4 hours at the beach.  We also stop and shop as well.  Takes about 45 minutes to get to West Bay Beach and, with a private driver, you can design the day how you want.  We usually make sure we are back at the port 90 minutes early.  

Thanks so much!  Did you arrange a private driver through Boden?  Would we need two cars, given the size our our group, or do they have van's, etc?  

We are booked on10/2 for two Family Harbor cabins on the Mardi Gras.  This is the first time, we are going this type of route. If you booked a FH cabin, did you like it?  We have four kids sailing with four adults.  Ages: 15, 13, 11 and 5.  I am hoping we made a good call. All recommendations or comments gladly hoped for.

On 5/10/2021 at 1:45 PM, BrotherCraig said:

Daniels is great but there are others on the island.  We prefer Bodden's Monkey Business for sloths and monkeys.  It's on the way over to West Bay Beach.  If cruising into Mahagony Bay and no interest in West Bay Beach, then Daniel's.

There are going to be 8 people in our group.  4 adults, 2 teens and two younger kids.  I would like to do a sloth, monkey trip, but would like to spend a little time at the beach.  I thought Roatan had some of the most beautiful water we have experienced, while cruising.  I wanted my family to enjoy it, as well. Did you get any time for the beach with Bodden's?  Any details or information is Most appreciate.

On 6/11/2021 at 6:46 PM, CaptainWoody said:

I've purchased airfare through NCL once, and that was one time too many.  IIRC, we had no choice in when or how we got there.  They scheduled us for a ridiculous plane switch at LAX that almost didn't make it (this was one of those running through the terminals situations) and the flight back from Hawaii left at something like 7:00 at night.  The sun was up before we got home the next morning.

Oh goodness!  I hope we don't have the same experience.  May I ask, what airliner did they book you on? 

Would not cancel-absolutely not.

59 minutes ago, ShelleyQT said:

DH and I LOVE to eat at Le Bistro.  We usually eat there twice in a 7 day cruise.  I've been really looking forward to eating there again in our next cruise, coming up for New Years.  I watched the NCL videos for the return to service after Covid, and they spent a lot of time talking about how much they are changing the menu at Le Bistro.  In the same breath, they talk about how Le Bistro is the most popular specialty restaurant in their fleet.  If it's so popular, why do they want to change the menu so much?  I understand refreshing it a bit, but I hope they don't change it too much.  I still haven't gotten over the time that they removed the cream from the "cream sauce" in the mussels appetizer.  😕

Oh my!  I hope they are not making huge changes.  This is hands down, my favorite speciality restaurant.  My DH and I eat at least 2 times during our cruise at Le Bistro.  I dream about this place.  Hard to find a really good French restaurant in the area I live in.  

I am glad you all got great prices.  I contacted my TA and she got me Nashville to San Juan for the both of us for $799 for the two flights.  So, it is at less than half of what I tried to book through Southwest. So, I am pretty happy.  $400 pp is a good deal.  Does anyone know who NCL usually use for flights?  The TA didn't have any idea who we would be flying with.  Thank you all for all the great advice and comments!  

Currently, myself and DH have a 7 day cruise out of San Juan 12/18-12/25/21.  We booked when the BOGO air wasn't offered.  We have been looking at flights out of Nashville, to get an idea on our cost to get there.  Southwest doesn't have the dates out this far, as of yet.  So, we are considering cancelling and rebooking, with the  same cabin grade, etc.  I priced it out on  on NCL website, and it was approx $200.00 more than our current booking.  Of course, this didn't include the one ticket that has to be paid for out of pocket. So, my questions to you all are...have you booked with a BOGO, and if so, did you find it worth going this route?  Did you find the cost of the one ticket to outweigh the cost of booking a flight on your own?  Flights have gone way up, as I am sure most of you already know.  Just looking for a way to save a dollar or two, if possible. Whew! I will say this dang...the port fees were steep on this cruise!    All suggestions and comments are welcome!  Thanks in advance.

Thanks, hopefully this will pop up in one of Am Ex cards.

Thanks everyone!  I do see where someone else posted a similar idea a little after this post of mine was loaded up. We had the package removed, and I think next time we will do the Sailaway rate and call it a day. Thanks again

My husband drinks about 15 beers a year, and I don't drink at all.  I had the TA remove this option for us on our December cruise, since I didn't feel the $200 standard tip was a fair trade on what probably will be 5 beers during the cruise. I wish the line would offer another option for non-drinkers, such as possibly a port excursion or a dinning experience, coffee bar trade.  We are good solid tippers, so we will gladly tip on anything my husband drinks while on our trip.  Just curious if anyone else was ever able to get an alternate offering on the ship; rather than, the open bar?  Thanks in advance for the valuable input!