BirdTravels

Tip in cash. Be careful since a lot of non-refundable onboard credit can't be used for gratuities.

Yes. there is a cell tower on the island from one of the Bahamian carriers. You would be using your international plan from your cell phone carrier.

Upgrade at the Pier: Pre-pandemic, you would get your "reject" email 48 hours before cruise (when reservations are transferred from shore-side to the ship). Because of last minute cancellations (COVID and such), they have extended the upgrade window to departure from the pier. If the onboard team does upgrades, they are normally only focused on filling the suites that are vacant due to no-shows. The probability of an onboard upgrade is zero (or very near zero). The crew will help you pack your old room and move to your new room shortly before departure. Luggage is not "re-routed". There is no written policy on prescriptions. If it is a few tablets, then original bottles are better. Personally, between the two of us, we have a number of different tablets, vials, bottles, and syringes, and do not carry any original bottles and boxes,,, just our daily pill minders and sharps in small containers. We travel 2-3 times a month and cruise 6-7 times a year and have not had any issues.

Pre-pandemic, 10%-25% of the adult passengers on cruises were sailing as guests of the casino (and more if the ship was hosting a tournament). It could be direct comp/discount from NCL, discounts from land based casinos (e.g., CET), or free cruise certificates from land based casinos. Post-pandemic, the numbers are all over the place. A couple of weeks ago, there were only 350ish casino guests on the cruise (~7%).

So,,, both times that we were on the Prima, they were serving "fancy pizza" versus the normal cardboard disks with tomato sauce and cheese. I wonder what they grabbed.

That normally happens when there is low interest and bookings. Personally, I would prefer sailing out of San Diego versus San Pedro.

The comp'ed guest has to be registered in the room. On embarkation day, get duplicate keys for the rooms.

I signed up for the free port service in which I leave my check-in luggage outside my door the night before disembarkation. Does this mean I don't see my luggage again until I get back to my home airport? Baggage Valet. Yes, if you are approved, you will get your airline boarding passes and luggage tags in your room a day or two before the end of the cruise. You leave your bags outside your room on the last night and the next time you see them are at your home airport. I booked my trip only a few weeks ago. My first choice excursion in Sitka was not available, so I booked a 2nd choice (still happy with it, but would prefer the 1st choice). Is there a way to check if my first choice will be available in case someone cancels? You can request to go on a standby list. Go to the Shore Ex desk, Deck 6 mid-ship in the Atrium, and request to go on the stand-by list. Do this early on embarkation day since the line gets very loooonnnngggg later in the day. ===== You should immediately complete your online check-in and select your port check-in time. You can try, today, to book your main entertainment, Jersey Boys and Six (both excellent Broadway shows). If not, as soon as you embark, head to The Social (Deck 6 Midship) and make your entertainment reservations: Jersey Boys, Six, Comedy Shows (early shows family oriented, late shows 18+). You can also book go karts, Canvas by U (painting classes), laser tag - all extra charges. Once you have your entertainment booked, head across the hall to Teppanyaki (Deck 6 Midship) and make/fix your dinner reservations Enjoy your cruise. Alaska is one of the best cruise destinations.

We sailed on both the Prima and Breakaway last year. We have sailed on the Prima 2 times and Breakaway 5ish times. If things were about equal (fly versus room cost), I would give the Prima a try.

No. There are no rangers or narration for the trip up to the glacier. The best Shore Excursion is the Glacier Explorer where you are taken to the glacier on a small boat that has the time to take you down some of the side fjords and stop for wildlife (whales and bears).

My only gripe is that when their pizzas are ready, they will sit and sit and sit and sit and eventually be thrown out…. Because they are too important to wait for their order.

The Windjammer is about equal to other ships. It will be crowded at peak times. The alternate is Solarium Bistro, a smaller buffet but good for us. Usually not crowded. We like the Park Café in Central Park. Light food for a quick bite. For breakfast, only, we'll go for the complimentary breakfast at Jonny Rockets on the Boardwalk. We like sitting out and watching the ship wake up and a light breakfast.

It has nothing at all to do with the IT department. Like any travel industry establishment (hotel, airline, etc.), the cruise line determines, voyage by voyage, how much to oversell the cruise. Nowadays, people who are COVID positive don't care and go on their cruise anyways, reducing the number of last minute cancellations and giving their fellow cruisers a present from the cruise.

Yes, plus liquid soap at sink. No soap bar. Large pump bottles attached to wall.

Depending on the ride, we have always tipped $10-$20.

L'Occitane in pump bottles.

It is a great value. There is another thread where someone went and "paid cash" at Cagney's and ended up with a $109 dinner. The cost per dinner goes down the more nights you buy.

That is correct and is the way NCL bookings have always worked. Dinners block exactly 2 hours on your schedule. So if you book a 5:30 dinner, the earliest show you can book is at 7:31. The online system will not let you book a 7:30 show. You can do that onboard upon embarkation, but not with the online booking.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Plan about 1.5 hours for dinner. If you need to rush, tell your server and they will try to get you out. We allow 2.0 hours and have leisurely dinners.

Any tip would be appreciated. But, the value of your tip to the crew member would be reduced. You are on the last or second to last voyage that calls in in the UK (the ship goes to the Med for a few cruises before returning to the US after your cruise). So, the crew member is going to end up exchanging the GBP to USD (most likely) at the unfavorable exchange rate on the ship.

So,,,, it is not the cost of buying the water. It is the space and weight of carrying pallets full of water. Price per sq ft on a cruise ship is very expensive and carrying tons of water cost $$$ in fuel. NCL does include water in their beverage package. Just not the one they give for free. Seems to be a smart business decision (coming from a shareholder). Casino guests, who are a non-trivial part of the passenger count, get water, sports drinks, energy drinks with their basic drink card.

$25,000 in slot play or $50,000 in video poker play. It has a value of $50 for OBC or free play.

No

The best spot is either an Aft Haven cabin or from the Haven Sundeck. The Horizon Lounge also provides forward facing vistas. The views will be on the starboard side and it is really looking back at Seattle.

Deck 4 and below are crew areas. As well as part of 5.