JIMESOPUS

@dmwnc1959 PR release from NCL, the Aqua will be 10% bigger https://www.nclhltd.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/573/norwegian-cruise-line-opens-for-sale-the-all-new-norwegian#:~:text=Spanning 1%2C056 feet long%2C 156%2C300,any new contemporary cruise ship.

@dmwnc1959 You could be right but once the Prima and Viva left the Marghera shipyard, and completed sea trails both ships ended up in the Trieste shipyard for the final touches. Both ships sailed the Mediterranean before heading over to the US.

We are booked on the TA from Southampton, I won't be shocked if we end up in NYC or somewhere else. The Viva TA was changed from NYC to Miami. Once she gets here, there will be several PR cruises plus the godfather/godmother cruise. My question is what's going on between the shipyard in Italy and Southampton.

@schmoopie17 I am glad to read about Jade, we had a wonderful time sailing on her back in January. Shane was starting when we left.

We love the sideway oceanview cabins ( OK ) located on deck #8 midship on the Jewel and Dawn class ships. There is plenty of room to move around, close to O'Sheehans, and cheap.

We have sailed on the BA four times, our first was back in 2015. The last cruise on her, 1/23 wasn't great. Our cabin steward was demoted and given more cabins, her attitude wasn't the best. Waiting for a table at Taste only to find a large area inside the dining room not being used, short-staffed? And maybe, after years of working, I can't tolerate folks who have an entitlement attitude, why stand in line and announce to everyone around you that you are a diamond and shouldn't have to wait We did have a good time and will sail on her again but it has to be a TA or a one-way cruise, this would, I hope keep the passenger loading down.

But as with most of the stuff coming from NYC, there is no way to fund any improvements to make this happen except for an increase in port taxes. Like with so many other businesses leaving NYC for greener pastures, I wouldn't be surprised to see more cruise lines going across the river to Bayonne.

another nail in the coffin for all cruise lines sailing out of NYC https://council.nyc.gov/press/2024/03/07/2568/#:~:text=City Hall%2C NY – Today%2C,and practicable to do so.

The latest PR clip from NCL, I read somewhere that NCL has picked out the next ship's name.

@KKBWe snagged a $750, called the number and the agent said it could be used on one fare ( mine ), so DW is on her own on this cruise. Also inquired about any hidden fees since this is a CAS offer, none - the only time the " administration " fee is added is when it's for a free cruise

@ChiefMateJRKWelcome back Chief !!!

@boffoboffo Thanks for taking us along .. safe travels home

Still can't believe this thread is still alive, the original poster and I were on the same cruise, and most of us on CC knew that the port wasn't going to happen on December 29, 2022, not informed by NCL but by a post in the roll call. Since then it has happened countless times on this cruise line and other ones. It even has happened to us twice since then, ever gone to Alaska and not seen a Glacier?

Want to compare the cost of a cruise from the past to today, I have been using this interesting ( sad ) online calculator. https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ When we started cruising our daily cost was around $125 PPD, all the taxes and of course, the DSC. FAS wasn't even offered then. Today's number is around $168 but add in the increase of the DSC over the past 10 years ( $12 to $20 ) and the introduction of the surcharge to FAS we are lucky to keep that cost at $200 PPD today. On the flip side, not defending NCL how much does it cost to have one passenger on a sailing? 2023 was a good year for NCL with over 400% gross profit, guess they made some inroads in recovering from COVID-19, at what point do they start thinking of us as customers and not cash cows?

@Outlaw Cruiser 400U Welcome to Cruise Critic, we stayed on deck #11 on time, portside, somewhere near the galley for the buffet ( can't find the cabin number ). Some noise while cleaning, moving / dragging of equipment but the biggest issue was the hot water or the lack of it while they were cleaning. Quick question, how nimble are you? Getting in and out of that bathtub was a killer, especially for my 5-foot wife. Jim

@Red-Sol Joe, If we didn't have a date with Aquaman in March we would jump back in the pool.

@boffoboffo Great start to the " live ". Here is a picture from our sail away last January 23, the sun was to the far left, I like yours better.

@Stowaway LFC Last October it was $75 per person to Heathrow and I believe Gatwick was the same price. Jim

Agree, things have gone downhill in many areas but they are having no problem in filling those ships. As with any tourism business that survived Covid they must ultimately answer to the stockholders. Will I continue to sail with them - yes, am I happy - no. https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-cruise-line-shows-growth-forecasts-strong-2024/124705

@idocdlw Welcome to the Norwegian boards, took us a while for TA's but we love them. Our last one was a B2B on the Viva starting in Rome and ending in Miami. While " Freestyle " has taken a hit in recent years we still enjoy NCL. Hopefully, the ship isn't full and you will find plenty of room in the Observation lounge. A must for us is Onda, they have a killer filet, dare I say better than Cagney's. Our next TA will be on the Aqua. Jim

@Red-Sol Next year for us, only 10 days but we are back in the Yacht Club, inside cabin this time. MSC also will match the tier level.

@Red-Sol Joe have you ever thought about Amtrak? We met a couple from Greensboro NC last year, they travel down to Miami or Tampa to get on a ship every year via Amtrak Jim

@Red-Sol Joe here is one reason, wouldn't be surprised if other lines drop NYC in the future. https://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/nyc-bill-aims-to-tackle-pollution-from-idling-cruise-ships/ Also in Manhattan, it's getting harder to resupply ships using tractor-trailers, https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/description/commercial-vehicle-restrictions MSC itineraries usually have Port Canaveral as the first stop to resupply Jim

We had the unfortunate experience of sailing with Noro on the Pearl TA ( 5/19 ), on the first sea day those little white gift bags made an appearance, the next day we noticed several cabin doors with red tags. It took several days later for the Captain to announce what was going on, he also gave a warning to those in quarantine found wandering around the ship - taken off the ship at the first port. To see housekeeping entering cabins fully dressed in PPE was unnerving. The WHO was the reporting agency and unlike the CDC we never really found out how bad it was. It still amazes me that after COVID folks still don't understand or even care about hygiene.

@david_sobe Guilty of booking too far out. On our last cruise ( B2B on the Viva ), we had a DSC of $20 and $15