eser1174

You will pay taxes in US ports, I don't remember there being a sign to indicate the tax.  When we were in Spain there was a sign at the bars to let you know about the tax.  

5 hours ago, Tuckster said:

Any recent NCL Escape (Port Canaveral) times clearing customs ??? We have a 12:30 flight out of SFB (Sanford/Orlando) which is an hour from the port. It will be Christmas Eve so we're a little nervous taking an Uber. I've "booked" a ride with them but not much experience booking an Uber in advance. Hopefully they are trustworthy. Anyway, what time do you think we can get off the ship and thru customs ??

Hi I have had mixed results pre booking a ride with uber.  Our drivers have told us, Uber just sends out the ride request when it is time to get your ride to you, so technically it isn't booked until that day when a driver picks it up.  We just got off the Escape at Port Canaveral Saturday and used a private shuttle with cocoabeach shuttles.  We exited the terminal and turned left.  Our driver was waiting and we were off.  If I sail from there again, I'd use them.  It was really seamless and we had our driver's name and telephone number if we needed to reach him.  I believe our ship was delayed clearing customs but from the time we exited the ship to the airport was about an hour.  

My favorite ship is the Sun.  I loved being in a forward cabin and being able to go down a few flights of stairs and grab drinks at the atrium bar.  We have sailed a couple amazing itineraries on the Sun so the Sun holds very fond memories for us.  

They booked us in the HCC Montblanc in March 2018.  I really liked the location it was easy to walk any where we wanted to go.  We had a street view room and didn't notice any street noise.  Our rate included a basic breakfast.  There were some really amazing coffee shops a block or two away.  The only downside to me were the bed pillows.  They were seriously the worst pillows.  

1 hour ago, Pugs said:

Did you get any info on Distilled Water, I also need distilled water.

Have you contacted NCL? Here is the number my friend called and NCL provided him with distilled water.  He did have to provide his own extension cord.  

You could also check out the NCL Accessible Cruising page at https://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising for additional information. 

It has been a few months since I completed my Visa application, but I believe I checked the group travel option.  We took an excursion with NCL and then I met up with a guide and we had an amazing walking tour just three of us.  We passed all the large cruise ship groups walking around and I was so glad we had booked an evening walk with Victor.  

For shore excursion credit, I call and book my excursions with NCL prior to sailing and then pay for them on the ship.  The credit is deducted from my account on board.

As for the CPAP machine, I believe you need to contact the Accessible Assistance area.  https://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising  This link has lots of useful information.  You should also ask about outlet placement.

Have a great cruise and enjoy Cuba.

We had to pay taxes on drinks when we we sailed from Barcelona and also while we were in any Spanish ports. 

51 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

I don't see how keeping all your bags with you would speed up checking in. When I've had a bag to leave with a porter, one was always immediately available. (If you are trying to avoid tipping a porter, I guess I understand that.)

I am not sure what the porter meant by it would speed up checking in.  This porter encouraged us to keep our bags with us and not use a porter.  He was immediately available when we were dropped off.  That day we didn't see as many porter as normal so maybe there was something going on with the luggage.  I have no idea.  Just sharing my experience.  So we just carried our bags with us and left them at the designated bar until our cabin was ready.  I absolutely do not mind tipping the porter for taking my bags.  And while we sat in the lounge we actually discussed we should have just given the porter who told us to keep our luggage the tip we had for a porter to take our luggage.  

I just did this in Miami.  We only had our carryon bags from our flight.  The porter there actually told us it would speed up our checkin process.  He must have known what he was talking about because we were the only people in line to check in when we arrived. Had no wait in security and enjoyed the vip lounge for awhile just us!  Once we got on board, we could drop our luggage at of the bars until our cabin was ready.  I really liked being able to unpack as soon as my cabin was ready versus waiting to unpack until my luggage arrived.  

In March we arrived in port around 5 AM and were off the ship by 5:30.  Made it easily in a taxi to the airport for our 9:30 flights.  Husband was flying United and had to wait for the ticket counter to open.  I had to go thru extra security checks at the security check point and at the gate, for some reason, and we will still had a couple of hours to just sit there.  

We were anxious because our concierge acted surprised we booked such early flights, but she also said others had booked earlier flights.  If I had it to do over, I’d book the same flights we did.  Good luck with your decision!  

Just off the Sun this morning and paper straws were available.   We got them in the champagne bar and the atrium when frozen drinks were ordered.  Can’t speak for other bars on the ship.  Also saw them in Four Seasons.  

Embassy Suites at the airport is where we stay.  Shuttle from the airport to the hotel, manager's happy hour, and breakfast is included.  They offer a shuttle to the cruise terminal, believe it is $10 or $15 per person.  I like to take Uber so I can leave earlier than the shuttle, I can't remember what the cost is.  Last time we were there, Carnival had a really large group staying there.  The pool is nice, too.

I find that I get a system error depending on my browser. Switch browsers and I can access what I need. Issues seem to happen with Chrome and Safari. Hate to say I have more success using Explorer. At this point I am only keeping Explorer on my computer so I can access ncl.com.

Sailed on the Spirit March 2018, and took advantage of the laundry bag special. We were very pleased with the results and will certainly use the service again.

I sailed on the Spirit in March 2018 for ten days and found the ship to be really dated. Our stateroom needed a makeover sooner than later. Carpet was coming up at the seems and the furniture was stained. Fixtures in our bathroom were broken or missing. We found the buffet to be more limited than that on the Jewel (sailed on the Jewel March 2017). Entertainment was lacking on our Spirit sailing.

We did find the crew to be very accommodating, but there was little they could do for the older fixtures and issues with our room. For us specialty dining was much better on the Jewel.

My husband liked the casino on the Spirit over the Jewel. The bartenders were great on both ships. I liked to hot tubs better on the Spirit, but thought the pool bar service closed a bit early That probably had more to do with our itinerary, Europe versus Panama Canal on the Jewel.

Overall I would sail on the Spirit again, I just would set my expectations a bit lower.

Thanks to this thread, I remembered to complete my Amazon purchase. Getting lots of paper straws for all my upcoming cruises!!