MaryLS

Is there a shuttle or bus that you can take from South Jersey to the NY cruise terminal?

Don't know of anything direct to the cruise terminal. Years ago we took Greyhound from Cherry Hill, NJ to the Port Authority and then a cab.

In Oct. 2015, we took NJ Transit out of Trenton to Penn Station and then a cab to the port.

Sometimes the people directing you are clueless. We were on the breakaway 3 times last time was this past May. The waiting area for CAS is over on the right hand side. Just keep asking until you find someone who actually knows.

 

Geri

Geri, I did see that area but just figured it was for suite guests. I will ask in January for our cruise on the Gem. Thanks for the information!

You are correct. Separate CAS checkin and separate CAS waiting area for breakaway in NY terminal. The poster who said no separate waiting area was incorrect.

 

Geri

Was on the Breakaway in January 2015 out of NY as a CAS guest; Again on the Gem out of NY in Oct 2015....there was a separate line for CAS check-in but we didn't have any separate waiting area unless there was one and we weren't directed to it.

Going on the Gem in January 2016 out of NY as a CAS guest. Where do we find out about the separate waiting area?

From today on you don't have to sign any paper slips more when ordering a drink included in your UBP package. Only for drinks over $15

First hand experience from the Sun but as hey implemented it on day 3 I guess it is fleet wide.

Yay! That was a pain! Sometimes we had to sign and not others.

Have the Gem booked for a 10 night sailing leaving NYC on January 12th. Curious if this coincides with any high school or college recesses in the NY NJ area? Don't want to be around a couple thousand drunk college kids. Thanks! :D :D

We are on that same sailing. We cruise every year around the same time. The ship will be full but not with college students. No worries.

Does anyone have any idea if there will be any special deals or promotions on Black Friday?

Also, does anyone know what the December promotions will be?

Thanks.

Ditto !!

 

Although mine are from walmart however they are the $10 pair and they are black and comfy

 

However I will be doing a few dress up nights so gonna bring a pair of my danskin memory foam shoes .... they are more for walking on the treadmill but they are solid black and look nice enough you can wear them with pants and a blouse and unless someone get's right up on my shoes to stare at them they won't know any difference than if I brought my dress up shoes - not to mention we are stopping in paris and amsterdam after the cruise so i needed some sort of regular shoe to wear out and about

Been on enough of the cruises where we dressed up. I'm so past that! Capri's, a shirt and comfy flip flops.....I'm on vacation!!!!

good to hear because I plan on wearing them too, everywhere. they're not the cheap rubber ones from walmart or old navy though.

Same here! They are mostly the leather strap ones (Clarks).

Already horribly over packing, and after reading the dress code info on NCL there is no mention of sneakers not being ok...only flip flops

My husband and two sons have huge feet and if I don't have to pack their HEAVY dress shoes it would free up a lot of space for me and my daughter to pack more "necessary" items... as a bonus I won't have to force the boys into 'fancy" clothes... I'm already pushing it with the Khakis and polos

We are sailing on the Breakaway

No flip flops in the dining room???? I've been wearing them for years in the dining room! That's all I bring with me.

Has anyone been on a Thanksgiving sailing in the past that can report if they have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner? I know not everyone will be from the USA on board (and I love that), but the vast majority that sail from the US ports are from the US. I would love to hear first hand experiences if possible, not what you think might happen (but if you can't help but give your opinion I understand too). We are sailing the Escape this Thanksgiving and just curious what to expect. Also, do they decorate for Christmas this early? Might try to get our Christmas card picture taken if they do! TIA :D:D:D

Don't know about NCL and Thanksgiving. However, I was on the Gem in October and ordered the turkey dinner.....YUCK! It was absolutely horrible! The turkey was an oversalted turkey roll and the stuffing was even worse.

Why? We've always stayed in Mid Ship mini-suites near the elevator....never any noise. What was her take on those cabins?

Has there been a definitive announcement on the specialty restaurants going to a la carte pricing?

Short story shorter - sprained my ankle this trip. Have a $400 bill.

 

What hoop will travel protection stick in front of me? Submit to regular health insurance first or?

I was treated for bronchitis in the ship's hospital in October. I know the protocol is to first submit the bills to your health insurance. Then submit the denial or any balance to the trip insurance. I'm currently waiting on word from my insurance company.

We cruised in aft suites on the Jewel in 2012.Since we are pretty low maintenance, there wasn't much we wanted from our butler. However, one day we were playing cards in the cabin when she appeared to see if we needed anything. Asked her for a snack of some cheese and crackers and she did bring a nice plate.

Interested in other's opinions as I have put some thought into this topic now that we're sailing in 2 weeks.

 

This isn't the same cruise experience we booked in early January at the invitation of our friends. Since then, we have watched in amazement as the FDR revolution has taken hold including:

 

1. No included room service (nearly cxld over that one since we use RS every day on a cruise--opted not to when they made coffee and pastries complimentary.)

 

2. Increased gratuities--twice...

 

3. Complete "overhaul" of the dining program. Originally our plan was to eat exclusively at specialties but the increase in costs and a la carte pricing make that much more expensive. (opted for 3 meal specialty dining package instead now)

 

4. Global increase in fees of 10-30 percent (shows, VIBE, internet etc)....

 

As a frequent business traveler and world tourist (land and sea) I can't recall another hospitality brand making the number of changes NCL has in the past year. If Marriott tried to all of a sudden remove or change the amenities I've become accustomed to as a premier customer, I'd "jump ship" to another brand.

 

This is our first NCL cruise. We're elite on RCCL and Celeb and we are giving NCL a try because the price was right at the time of booking and we have good friends who have invited us to join them. Basically we're exactly the kind of customer NCL is trying to attract.

 

I can't help but have a little sour taste this morning as my wife and I are about to head out to the mall and get some new cruise clothes. I can't recall ever feeling this way 2 weeks before a vacation....

 

Wondering if others feel a little jerked around too?????

Well said; my sentiments exactly. Been cruising with NCL since 2004 and have loved the line. However, lately, I can only say I am less than happy with the changes. Seems like every few weeks there are more upcharges and no upgrades. Over the years I have seen a decline in service yet an upcharge (several times) in the DSC. The MDR has become a "take it or leave it" mentality. I recently (in October) requested a baked potato....guess what?...not on the menu tonight so it was a "no go".

I remember cruising over Thanksgiving on another line. On Thanksgiving night, we ordered the traditional Thanksgiving dinner but there were no mashed potatoes offered. The waiter asked if we were willing to wait a little while so that the chef could make us mashed potatoes! Wow!

Might just be time to move away from NCL and go to a line that offers the traditional "cruise service".

After going on the Breakaway, I'll stick with the Jewel class ships.

I don't travel on holidays or summer especially Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas/New Year's because got to make a appreance at family 's mini reunion - in NYC, no less... But the week after Thanksgiving is perfectly nice for since it's low price, my birthday week and no Christmas songs/carols shove down my throat, lol.

 

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Sorry you have such disdain for Christmas carols.

We had spa mini suites in January. Yes, the balconies were extremely small. The cabin was also smaller than mini suites on the Jewel class ships. We did find it crowded. Felt like the common areas were no larger than on Jewel class ships yet many more passengers. The pool area was also very crowded.

The Grand Pacific MDR was open I believe until 1:30. Boarding began around 11:45am. I know the bar in the Atrium was open but I don't know what other bars.

How many shrimp are included in the shrimp cocktail now that it is a la carte. Under the $30 pricing, it was only 3 shrimp per cocktail.

I did get the water in the casino.

I'm with you Maxwell! Cruises used to be very close to all inclusive vacations with most costs being incurred upfront. We knew exactly what we were paying for. Now, not so much! Really disappointed in NCL's way of thinking and even more disappointed in the lack of communications!

That is what I would like to see! Just up the price $50pp and forget all these additional charges! The additional fees just tick people off. I would think in the long run it would be more profitable just raising the cruise cost since not all take advantage of all the upcharge items anyway. Raise the price and do away with the room service fee and the upcharges for the MDR items. Also, raise the price of the specialty dining rooms and do away with the a la carte menu. This will bring us back to knowing what our price is before we board without having to be concerned with additional charges.

I agree. I was on the Gem in October and Platinum dinners were the same as always. However, who knows what is around the corner with the a la carte dining going into effect!

I did have both the UDP and the CAS drink card. I noticed on my final bill that I was charged for water about 4 times! I didn't dispute it as I wasn't interested in standing in line at Guest Services.