suennorm

For my upcoming cruise in June on the Joy, to upgrade one device to unlimited wifi, the price is showing as $209.93. However, two people on the same cruise show that the price on the NCL app is $109.93. When I downloaded the app to my phone, it still shows $209.93. Does anyone know why this discrepancy?

RocketMan: no, we did not fly, we live close enough to take a limo to the port. We tested negative two days before boarding and neither one of us had symptoms until about eight/nine days later (we were on a ten day cruise). Timeline is right for getting it onboard, or in Canada. But you are correct, there is really no way to know. I was simply pointing out that you will be around a lot of people on a near- or full capacity ship.

Was recently on the Joy and it had probably 75% or more capacity. While it didn't really feel crowded, we stayed away from the small venues (which are enclosed and got very crowded). Pool area was crowded too. We tried to stay away from cramming Into elevators and I would have felt more comfortable if the staff had been wearing masks. We did at certain times; we still came home with Covid, as did lots of other passengers. Since we tested negative at boarding, we got it either onboard or in one of the Canadian ports. Not complaining, we chose to cruise, but the two previous post-covid cruises we took which were much less crowded, posed no problem, to us at least. Breakaway is a large ship (we've been on that) but have always been able to find less crowded areas. Be prepared that you WILL be mingling with a lot of other folks..

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

If you don't get a credit in 2-3 days, you should resend. Ours have been processed next-day for our past few cruises. 

Thank you--I will resend it this morning.

I submitted my request exactly fourteen days ago and also received a case number, but no credit is showing up yet. If I don't get a confirmation or see it on my reservation by early next week, I will re-send everything. First time using it, it figures I would have a problem!

A few years ago, I was in #11152  on the Gem which was an aft club balcony. Unfortunately it was under The Great Outdoors. I had no problem the first night, but the second and third nights were horrendous. I complained at the Front Desk and they told me that cleaning takes place there every night. They were able to move me to #11052, another club suite, which was actually more spacious than the aft balcony. I was concerned that because it was under the pool area, it too would be noisy. But it was not, and I think that's because it was under the chair/table area on the side of the deck, and not the lounge area.

We are scheduled out of NY on the Gem on January 9th. Still planning on going, a group of eleven. Hoping for the best, what else can I say. This cruise is already the third FCC from two previously cancelled. Third time a charm? :)

For those who have sailed on it, does it feel crowded? Are there long waits for elevators? Is it easy to navigate? The Breakaway is a large ship but lounge areas were small, certain venues were literally on top of one another, Atrium area was often crowded. Stateroom/bath was very nice however, and outdoor areas were okay. I have been spoiled by The Great Outdoors on the Gem.

I have sailed on many of the NCL ships, but never the Joy; the largest one I have been on is the Breakaway and it was "okay" but not my favorite. I prefer the smaller ships but sometimes the Joy is the only one sailing to my preferred destination. Looking for advice--thanks.

We're booked on the October 24th sailing and received an email today which is very confusing. This is because when I open it, certain sections are blacked out, but when I PRINT it out, nothing is blacked out!

The letter does state that in addition to the antigen test given to all arrivals at the terminal, a PCR test will also be taken and sent to a lab and results will be received (by the ship, I presume) before arrival in Bermuda (this is part of the Bermuda travel requirements). To me, this appears to mean that WE do not have to do our own testing or submission, since the ship is doing the testing and Bermuda is getting the results.

However, if our PCR tests come back positive, the ship will not cover quarantine expenses UNLESS we can show proof of a NEGATIVE PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of sailing. 

Anyone else read the email this way?  Anyone else print it out and have blocked out sections? So confusing...

My biggest concern, really, is the placement of the balcony cabins. I always book a cabin that is "in-between" two other cabin decks so that I am not above, or below, lounges, pool area, restaurants, etc. Grandeur does not have a large choice for that and even the suites, on Deck 8, are under public areas. I am sure I would enjoy the size of the ship--I also (like some of the other folks have mentioned) am not a cruiser who needs all the bells and whistles. I like sailing for sailing, and being on a ship. Always enjoyed Holland America for that reason, and the smaller Norwegian ships (Gem, Jewel) but they don't sail out of NY anymore (or very rarely). But I do like Barbados, and the itineraries (yes, you're right!) are great. Haven't been to those islands in a long time. Appreciate everyone's input--thank you! 

I know she's an older ship, which I like (sailed a lot on Explorer and Voyager, never on the mega-ships). Has anyone sailed on her and what are your thoughts? I like the Barbados itineraries for 2022. Hope RCCL will be sailing!

A few years ago my travel mate did not have the correct papers and was not allowed on board (ship would have let her on, but customs most probably would not have allowed her back into the country). I sailed without her and had no problem at the restaurants telling them my companion had not been allowed onboard. In fact, the wait staff could not have been kinder to me (a single, older woman) and I felt pampered. You could also try not  making reservations and simply show up at the time you'd like to eat--although it helps to be flexible--there are always tables kept open for walk-ins.

Every NCL ship I have sailed on, in the last several years, has the muster drills indoors. Yes, if your location is one of the lounges, get there early to get a seat. If it's in the theater, there is usually plenty of room.

When you check-in at the restaurant you will show either your Platinum dinner certificate or tell them you are using the dining package (on your keycard). And what you can order will often depend on your server--technically it's one of each (appetizer, often the salad, entree, and dessert). But I have told a server that since I will not be ordering dessert, may I have two appetizers, for instance. I don't think any will give you two entrees, but many are accommodating for the apps or desserts (even if you are having both, might bring you two).

Three weeks out of four the Breakaway docks with port facing Royal Navy Dockyard--when we were on her the third week of May, that was the week she docked starboard. When I asked one of the officers why, he explained that they have mandatory lifeboat maintenance once per month, and that was the week they had to do the other side. We had calm seas and great weather (one day of rain).

Horseshoe Bay is beautiful and has amenities (chairs, snack bar, restrooms) and if you walk further along the beach it is much less crowded. You can take the bus, or a taxi--there is a hill going down to the beach, but I believe there is a shuttle for a dollar or two. Warwick Long Bay is easy to enter, and is next to a calm swimming "hole" called Jobson's Cove--no amenities however. Also easy to take the bus (just tell the driver where you want to get off).

And yes, if two of you are platinum, each of you can "take" another person to dinner--the voucher allows the platinum member to "take" another person, so two of you can go twice, or four of you can go once.

We were four in a stateroom with two on the SDP; when we arrived at Cagney's the maitre d' said, "this is only for two of you" which I knew. Yet when the tab was figured, they used four of the credits towards dinner (we were of course, charged for drinks) and that was fine with me. I think it will depend on who's writing up the check that night!

I just checked the BA deck plan and 13808 IS a mid-ship balcony--very good location. I was on the other side in that type cabin in September, and it was fine. Also was in a mini-suite on that deck last month, and enjoyed that too--it is larger than the balcony, with a very large bathroom, very well appointed. Had no problems sharing that cabin with three granddaughters!

You will feel much more motion in the forward section of the ship than in the mid- or aft sections, so you should be fine being in the back. I am not familiar with the Fascination so I don't know where Deck 4 is in relation to the engines. If it is a lower deck, you may hear or feel some vibrations but the "noise" is more of a background hum. If you are on a higher deck, you will probably hear nothing. I'm sure you'll be fine!

If you and your husband, and your stepson, all have the same last name, and he has his own passport, security and check-in reps will assume he is your son. If you are using a birth certificate, with his birth mother's name on it, there is probably a "parental consent form" from the cruise line that will have to be filled out. You can call the cruise line. I have traveled with my grandchildren, whose last names are the same as mine, with no problem; when one of them brought a friend along, with a different last name, we needed to have her mom fill out the consent form, and turn it in at check-in.

I am considering booking a cruise on NCL Dawn out of New Orleans in November. I have yet to cruise NCL and don't know a lot about that line or the ship Dawn. In the past I've cruised RCCL and Carnival. I tend to like the medium sized ships like Carnival Triumph or Conquest. What I'd like to know is what I can expect to be different on a Norwegian cruise as compared to Carnival and RCCL. I would be especially appreciative of any comments from fellow cruisers who've cruised all 3 lines in the past...thanks for any feedback y'all can give!

While the Dawn is an older and smaller NCL ship, many of us love her. I am sad that she does not sail from NY anymore. My family has sailed many, many times on both NCL and RCCL; I have always found the food on NCL to be much better than on RCCL; lately service on RCCL has deteriorated too. Carnival is better than it used to be, since taking over HAL--I think it has gained some prestige, but still gets a very young crowd. Depends what you are looking for. For the price, I would sail NCL over RCCL.

The Gem has always been one of my favorite ships and I am happy to know that, for the most part, you had a great cruise on her. One cannot do anything about bad weather or rough seas, and I really dislike when people say they had a bad cruise because of that; remember, a bad day at sea is better than a good day anywhere else! Having lots of kids aboard can be a problem, and I have learned to check US and Canadian school holidays to try and stay clear of that. It is worse when the parents don't supervise the kids, too. Shame on them.

I was glad to hear that the MDR food is still good--I have always been happy to eat there. As a platinum member, I do get comped in Le Bistro, but wonder how that will work now that it is a la carte? Perhaps the $20 voucher will have to be used toward whatever I order. Living in North Jersey, I have plenty of Japanese and American steak houses to choose from, but always head to Le Bistro on board a Norwegian ship.

Again, thank you for an informative review!

You're very welcome--we were on the Breakaway in September and were very impressed with the food in Taste and the sister DR, Savor.