srussell

3 minutes ago, srussell said:

I don't know when you are cruising but keep checking the Walgreen's site.  Our local Walgreen's was out of the rapid tests for a while but finally got them in.  The Walgreen's site will tell you which stores have which tests.  On the site it said Rapid Diagnostic Test.  There was a choice of 3 tests but the Rapid Diagnostic Test has results within 24 hours.  We received our results in 2 hours.

I see now they call it Rapid NAAT test.  That is the one we received and it was accepted at the terminal.

11 hours ago, Deadgun said:

Srussell..the only rapid test that my Walgreens offers is the rapid NAAT test..not sure if that was the one you had..all of a sudden it really hard to find a free rapid antigen test..and, again, my NCL rep said NAAT test is NOT acceptable..so much red tape!

I don't know when you are cruising but keep checking the Walgreen's site.  Our local Walgreen's was out of the rapid tests for a while but finally got them in.  The Walgreen's site will tell you which stores have which tests.  On the site it said Rapid Diagnostic Test.  There was a choice of 3 tests but the Rapid Diagnostic Test has results within 24 hours.  We received our results in 2 hours.

7 hours ago, mearsfansinboise said:

@srussell Did you just book it in the app and the results were in the app and you just showed that?

Yes to both questions.  I did print mine just in case there was a glitch at the terminal.  They check your results before moving on to check in.

Also had the results within 2 hours!

We sailed on the Sky March 2, 2022.  The Rapid Diagnostic test that Walgreen's offers at no cost was accepted with no questions.  Walgreen's requires an appt. online and it was quick at the drive thru.

3 hours ago, Lupush said:

Thanks for the report.  I will be on the Sky in an Owner's Suite at the end of the month.  Do you know if the breakfast/lunch for Suite Guests are still served in Cagneys?  Was there still a heavy cigarette smell in the Casino?

Yes, suite guests are served breakfast and lunch in Cagney's.  Very nice with ocean views.  There is a small buffet for breakfast as well as a full menu.  The small buffet includes fruit, danish, yogurts, meats, cheese, etc.  The full menu has wonderful eggs benedict, classic egg breakfast, french press coffee and many other choices.  Special requests are always welcome.  Service is impeccable.  The new lunch menu is also very good.  Unfortunately, smoking is still allowed in the casino although, on our sailing, there were not many smokers. Enjoy you cruise.

19 hours ago, Jarro said:

Thank you for your review!! We are booked for next Friday, and I am debating whether to upgrade the drink package.  It’s worth it or it’s not necessary? 

I personally do not think it is necessary but if you prefer top shelf brands then you may want to consider it.  The included wine list is extensive.  Also, they have a list of popular mixed drinks and also organic drink of the day.  Enjoy!

Sorry, I do not have any photos of the dailies.  They did have the ice carving, fruit and vegetable carving, bingo, sexy legs contest, live music at pool, trivia, late night poolside parties, exercise classes, tastings, art auctions,  etc.  Full days with plenty to do and all run as usual.

March 2, 2022 sailing of Norwegian Sky.  First sailing in two years.  The ships looks brand new!  Everything and I mean everything is shiny, very clean and looks fantastic.  Our sailing was at 40% capacity with approximately 850 passengers onboard.  All crew are required to wear masks but very few passengers did.  I really missed seeing the smiling faces of the crew.  You could tell that they were happy to be back to work.

Dining in all venues was very good.  The menus are a bit different than I remember from 2 years ago.  I did not take pictures of the menus but if you have a specific question I will do my best to answer from memory.  The Garden Cafe buffet had interesting entrees and generally healthier food.  You can still get your burger and hotdog fix at the Great Outdoors.  For suite guests the menus have changed for breakfast and lunch.  The mushroom flatbread, crab cakes, sesame fish sandwich, salads and desserts were all delicious.  Alot of variety for lunch and breakfast.  Cagney's dinner menu has been altered a bit.  A few upcharges for entrees such as the larger steaks and surf and turf if you have the dining package.  We dined at Cagney's twice and our steaks were cooked perfectly and many options for sides.  Service top notch!  The Local still has all the comfort food goodies but has added a Reuben sandwich and yes, they still have chicken wings.  It was only open for food after 6pm.  We never ate in the dining room but the menus have been elevated too as well as the everyday menu.

Entertainment onboard is alot of music, a comedian and a magician.  All very good.  I think they will add more variety in the near future?

The Sugarcane Mojito Bar is a must.  Sunil makes the best mojito's and does not mind modifications if he is not very, very busy.  Never waited more than a few minutes at any bar for a drink.

Did not make it to Great Stirrup Cay due to the wind being at 30-55 knots but they we were able to dock at Freeport instead.  Better than another sea day.

This was a very nice cruise on a beautiful ship with an outstanding crew.

Please feel free to ask me questions and I will do my best to answer.

My apologies if this has already been asked.  Does Norwegian accept the Walgreen's rapid diagnostic test (IDNow}?  Thank you!

Update:  I called Norwegian and asked about this test specifically and the answer was yes, they accept the IDNow test.

It said FROM $49. When actually booking it for my specific cruise it is $119. I think different ships have different rates hence the FROM $49.

Sign in public bathroom: Women, please stay seated for the entire performance. Men, please step up, it is shorter than you think.:D

QuattroRomeo....great minds think alike! We posted the same thing 2 minutes apart :)

So in other words that cruise cost him an arm and a leg?

Sorry..... :D

Please explain exactly what cabin change you are trying to make. Going from a suite to an inside cabin is much different than going from and inside to a suite.

I personally would not spend that much time and aggravation over $11.80 especially using OBC.:D

Sorry to disappoint you, but you will NOT know if someone is using an E-cig because there is NO smell or odor. It is purely water vapor which disappears in two or 3 seconds.

 

So, no need to worry yourself in advance. Best way to ease your concerns is take an oceanview or inside cabin. No worries about anything.

 

Have a nice cruise.

I have been a e-cig/pen user for over 2 years. I agree.....no one will know if a person is vaping in the cabin or on the balcony.

How will you know if someone is using their e-cig or pen in their cabin or on their balcony?

We were on the Jewel for her first stop in Trujillo and I can tell you that it is not a "pitiful" place. There are shore excursions offered by Norwegian, very nice beaches within walking distance of the port with bars and restaurants, a quaint town square with a small souvenir market, the immediate port area is brand new with bars, shops and a restaurant. Above all....the locals are very nice and very happy to have tourism come to their small town.

I personally found it to be very refreshing to visit a port that has not been so commercialized by the tourism industry.

I forgot to mention the pillow fight this family had when they took over the bed in the Haven during the Captain's Cocktail party! The mother could not get off her phone long enough to notice and the father was participating in the pillow fight.......It would be nice not to have children at the cocktail parties but then I guess the mom and dad would have had to have the pillow fight alone:)

Chloemonkey....I was on the same cruise and I know the family that you are talking about because their kid was running around at check-in and ran into me and almost knocked me over. The mother apologized and the father just gave me a dirty look. This family also "took over" the suite/vip area at check-in. We saw them several times on the ship and they were always causing a stir somewhere. Luckily, we were only in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch a couple of times when they were there. Changed the mood of the whole dining room so I can only imagine what the Haven was like. Lordy, lordy and I think she was pregnant with another. The father just seemed oblivious.

The Suite/VIP check in area is right after security check. A very short walk and then you will see the signs to your left as you enter the main check in area. There is plenty of seating in the Suite/VIP area. Depending on what time you check in there may be a line at security and there are no chairs there. I would check with an employee at the terminal and see if there is a way to perhaps go thru security more quickly if you have a member of your group that has a hard time standing.

We sailed on the first Norwegian Jewel sailing out of Houston Bayport and the porters would NOT take soda or water cases at check-in. Three ladies carried 2 cases of water and several 6 packs of soda into the suite/VIP check in area and then wanted to know who was going to carry them on the ship when the porters would not. Pack them as luggage and there will be no problem.

Great port and great ship!

If you have any questions about Trujillo or the Norwegian Jewel I will be happy to answer.

Trujillo…..since we were the first large cruise ship to tender at this port there was a lot of media attention and local attention. The port area is brand new and beautiful. This is a tender port and Norwegian uses lifeboats. It only take 10 minutes to reach the port. The port area includes shops, bars, restaurant, information center and bathrooms. Taxi's are located outside the port gates and is about a 5-10 minute walk. There are tour vendors outside the port gates but I highly recommend using Norwegian's shore excursions at this port. They use a company called Banana Coast Tours and include a nature preserve, kayaking, a starfish snorkeling tour and a couple of others. There are 4 bars/restaurants along the walk into town with beach access. You can rent a chair for $5.00 and get 3 beers for $5.00. I recommend the bars/restaurants that are further from the port gates because they have more shade. The walk into town takes approx. 15 minutes but there is a steep hill. A taxi will take you to the center of town for $5.00. In the town center there are souvenir vendors, a wifi area, drinks, ice cream and the fort is located here also. There is a shortcut path up the hill to town but unless you are a mountain goat or a kid I would not recommend using the paths. I used the path to come back down and I got more than a few giggles out of the kids. Oh, speaking of the kids....do not give them money if they are begging. We only encountered two but we were quickly told by the locals not to give them money because they do not want to encourage this behavior. The locals were very friendly and very happy that tourists are coming to their small town. It was so nice to visit a port that has not been commercialized yet.