? about teens, ? about wifi, ? taxis and best place to get cash?

[leusch_austin@hotmail.com]

Hello, A few questions and cruise details: NCL Star to Norway

 

1. If I leave my 15 year old on the boat in her room, is she allowed to go to the dining areas to get her own lunch? Or does she need to be escorted by us? (She will not want to join the teen program)

 

2. Is there any time that there's free wifi on the boat?

 

3. We'll need cash as soon as we land in port ... is it cheaper to obtain cash at an atm in country or on the boat? (Assuming one can get local currency on the boat)

 

4. Are there taxis waiting when cruise ships pull in? Or should we not count on taxis being available?

 

TIA:)

[Illyria]

Hello, A few questions and cruise details: NCL Star to Norway

 

1. If I leave my 15 year old on the boat in her room, is she allowed to go to the dining areas to get her own lunch? Or does she need to be escorted by us? (She will not want to join the teen program)

 

2. Is there any time that there's free wifi on the boat?

 

3. We'll need cash as soon as we land in port ... is it cheaper to obtain cash at an atm in country or on the boat? (Assuming one can get local currency on the boat)

 

4. Are there taxis waiting when cruise ships pull in? Or should we not count on taxis being available?

 

TIA:)

 

1. She can go around the ship by herself, she doesn't need to be escorted.

 

2. No free internet. Ever.

 

3. I always prefer getting money out of the ATM in port...easier and a better exchange rate.

 

4. Don't know that one...haven't to anywhere in Norway besides Oslo. But as a general rule it shouldn't be a problem (taxi drivers around the world know very well when cruise ships are in port!)

[paul929207]

#. Cruise ships do not offer money at favorable exchange rates. Use an ATM

[cb at sea]

A 15 year old can go about on her own...if you allow it. I wouldn't let my kids "roam"...I would allow them to come and go to specific things for specific reasons.

 

There is never "free" wifi....in port, you may be able to pick up signals from land...and most ports have free wifi spots...ask a crew member...they know all of the hot spots!

[Essiesmom]

Ask on the Ports of Call board here on CC for Norway as to whether there might be taxis available in specific ports. Here is the board for Northern Europe/Baltics:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=192

EM

Edited May 28, 2015 by Essiesmom

[lisiamc]

We found wifi in Norwegian ports, in places like cafes, where you can buy a drink or a sandwich and use the wifi (with password). Given the price of even a soft drink in Norway, it wasn't exactly free! McDonald's is probably your best bet for using wifi without having to take out a mortgage.

[TruckerDave]

It's a ship not a boat. :D

[spookwife]

Hello, A few questions and cruise details: NCL Star to Norway

 

1. If I leave my 15 year old on the boat in her room, is she allowed to go to the dining areas to get her own lunch? Or does she need to be escorted by us? (She will not want to join the teen program) she has the run of the ship until curfew and excluding any designated adult only areas.

 

2. Is there any time that there's free wifi on the boat? never unless you are a high level loyalty member and perks include access. when in port you MIGHT be able to grab a land signal

 

3. We'll need cash as soon as we land in port ... is it cheaper to obtain cash at an atm in country or on the boat? (Assuming one can get local currency on the boat) at the airport or at any ATM in trown. on board is often out fo money and charges hefty fees on top of what you bank charges

 

4. Are there taxis waiting when cruise ships pull in? Or should we not count on taxis being available? almost a guarantee

 

TIA:)

 

 

it's ship, not boat. semantics. but necessary

[Langley Cruisers]

4. Are there taxis waiting when cruise ships pull in?

 

Taxis go where the money is, and a ship filled with disembarking passengers means MONEY. I have no doubt there will be cabs and all kinds of transportation when you disembark. We have never pulled into any port and not seen cabs waiting. Cruise ship days are HUGE for them.

[Cuizer2]

Taxis go where the money is

 

If that were true, the taxis would hang around banks.

 

The NCL Star will have over 3000 people on board (between passengers and crew). Your daughter will be able to "roam" the ship unescorted.

 

The question you need to ask yourself is, would you let her "roam" around a town with 3000 people in it? Even is only 1% are bad, then that thirty people she has to watch out for. Unfortunately you cannot tell what is in someone's mind just by looking at them.

 

Set up some basic rules. Three that I suggest are:

 

1) NOBODY comes into her cabin unless you are there.

2) She does NOT go into anyone else's cabin unless you are with her.

3) If a crew member wants to show her around - RUN!

[Cruisin' Chick]

 

Set up some basic rules. Three that I suggest are:

 

1) NOBODY comes into her cabin unless you are there.

2) She does NOT go into anyone else's cabin unless you are with her.

3) If a crew member wants to show her around - RUN!

 

And add, don't leave any beverage out of your sight. Else, get a fresh drink.

 

Never been on NCL (and don't intend too), but yes, teens can go get meals on their own, without the parents. She may want to go to the teen area the first night to meet other teens. Even if she doesn't intend to hang out there during the cruise (but you never know, she may want to), she'll make some friends her age to hang with.

[cruisead]

Knowing teens like to text, just realize that texting on the ship is not free, and can add up to a lot of money. If you have smart phones, turn off data roaming or put the phone in airplane mode, or come home to a huge phone bill.

 

If your daughter at any time, wants to leave the ship alone, while you're off doing your own thing in port, she will not be allowed to leave on her own.

 

I would not allow a 15 year old girl to wander alone on a ship when you're off on tours. You have to realize there are unsavory characters on every ship, even crew members, and the crew will have access to your cabin via their pass key.

[kerryincork]

Norway is very expensive a cup of coffee and a pastry will cost over $10. Also the towns you will visit are on the whole very small and ships when I was there very close to towns and an easy walk in. Why don't you take your daughter with you? It seems a shame to bring her on a cruise to Norway and let her stay on board where she won't get to experience the culture. I travelled all over Europe with parents and grandparents and though I was a typical teenager I did enjoy the experience overall.

I wouldn't be too concerned about leaving daughter alone on ship if she is a sensible girl. There really isn't a paedophile hiding behind every corner ready to grab her.

[leusch_austin@hotmail.com]

Many thanks for the responses! Your time and experience is greatly appreciated.

 

I did have a little chuckle at the last response;). We have lived 5 of my daughter's 15 years overseas. She has traveled to 14 countries and countless cities in her short life span ... dragging her feet every step. I liken dragging my daughter off on our travels to trying to give a cat a bath ... they become all limbs in a fury.

 

We tell her 'she will appreciate this when she gets older' at least once a month;). So, rest assured, we're not depriving my teenager of anything (much). :D. Sometimes, for the sanity of all, it's best to just leave the child behind ... especially when an excursion would cost us $200 for one angry teen full of incessant complaints and angst;).

 

We have a rule of 25/75 ... must participate 75% of the time:). On that 75% of the time, complaints will lead to a faster pace on a hike, more time spent reading more placards at a museum, or yet 1 more street to be explored ... She'll appreciate this when she's grown;)

 

Glad you look back on those travels in fondness. There's hope for us!