Glamourgal

15 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

We all need this right now.  The right to the place is a little long especially when all you have is coffee in your stomach.  The right back seems short however lets say you have some adult beverages that make the time pass faster.  If it was not for this excursion, I would have this port as a ship day for sure.  

So, you were absolutely right, the 3rd and 4th person are $199 each so instead of renting just one for the extra money we decided to each get our own...thanks so much for the heads up!!  Can you tell me, did you have any problems with sand fleas?  I did hear that was a bit of a problem...I get eaten alive.  I'm so excited for this...I've always wanted to do an over the water bungalow so this will give me a little taste of it!!

Yes, you are absolutely right, we ALL need peace and serenity in our lives right now.  I'm glad to know about the ride there I will definitely have a small breakfast before I go.

We want to try to get near our friends if possible, did you have a choice as to what bungalow you were given.  We'll request it at the shore ex desk on ship when we get  there for sure...If you have any pictures to post I'd love to see them...if not, no worries, I just appreciate all the info you've given thus far!!

12 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

When I wrote this post, the "All Inclusive Over the Water Bungalow" was $499.00 for two.  I asked on board how much an extra person was and was told $199.00 per person.  If it is $25.00 per person now, that is the bargain of the century.  Please remember, when I went on the Getaway that Thanksgiving, 2019.  So much has changed between now and then.  I hope you enjoy this excursion.  Remember, even though it is private, engage with your neighbors.  If you drink, careful, the sun, water and unlimited shots can get away from you.  I would be lying if I told you a few of the folks with us, could not keep up but tried.  All I can say is you make your own time on any aspect of a cruise.  Got at it to make it a story you can tell your grand kids.  Vacations are so important especially now.  Enjoy. 

Hi, Thanks so much for your words of wisdom.  I will definitely call back to make sure, as in all honesty, I thought $25 seemed to good to be true.  This does sound amazingly wonderful...just what I need right now!!  Thanks again.

On 12/7/2019 at 7:08 PM, Sthrngary said:

Ok, let me be clear, I was on the NCL Getaway.  This "All Inclusive Bungalow for Two" was located on Rotan.  The excursion started off rather rough.  The Getaway could not dock so we had to use tenders.  This also forced us and other to get up an hour earlier which effected how late we stayed out the night before.  The tender ride was awful. It was way longer then it needed to by at one hour.  The tender back to the ship was 10 minutes.  The ships crew seemed to be take by surprise not being able to dock.  So this update would not be fair unless I shared that with you first. 

The ride to the resort is 45 minutes.  There is a tour guide in the air conditioned bus with you.  This guide is attempting to share history with you on this island that is kind of run down.  The guide really pushed her enthusiasm a bit to much to compensate for the negative attitudes of the folks on the bus after this rough start. Not her fault but everyone wished she would just shut up.  

The resort is nice, not great, nice.  We were escorted to a section right off the beach where the Bungalows were located.  Only those with Bungalows were allowed in this area yet we could go to the beach anytime we choose.  That was a plus.

The Bungalow were very nice indeed.  About eight of them lined up.  Lovely basket of fresh fruit waiting and a chilling bottle of Champagne. Met the butler and bar tender. It was a full bar of nice brands. The shrimp cocktail followed which was very nice.  Lunch was Caribbean Lobster tail with steak.  I rate the food 6.5 to 7.  

I got in the water with the provided floating tubes because that is really what I love about this excursion.  Then after five minutes it was time to get the party rolling.  As my neighbors came in the water I introduced myself.  As more joined I waited until 8 or nine folks were in the water.  My was reading her book on the bed.  Then I sprang.  I got the bartender to get the 8 of us in the water shots of tequila.  More folks joined us in the water including my wife.  7-8 shots each later, everyone was having the time of their lives.  No one was feeling any pain I assure you.  

When it was time to take the bus trip back to the ship (45 minutes), everyone was singing and happy.  We offered the bus driver $100.00 to stop at the only Popeyes Fried Chicken place on the island so we could get a bucket for the bus.  Seems they only have to fast food places on the Island, Popeyes and Pizza Inn.  The bus driver would not take the bribe.  

I had a GREAT time but I always do.  This or any excursion as well as cruises are what you make of it.  You make the determination for you and your guests.  Please remember if you want a 3rd of 4th person, each one is $199.00.

I hope that helps your decision.  Wish I was there with you.  Be well. 

I called and booked this for my upcoming cruise in December and I was told that the extra people were only $25 per person.  Where did you get the $199 per person rate??

blue_water, I do agree, it is a long way and for us that was the only draw back.  The water at that beach was the clearest and cleanest water that I've ever seen.  Would I do it again...if I had enough time, in a heartbeat.  I think every beach lover should experience it at least once...just my opinion.

We just went and arrived at Trunk Bay about 10:30 and the beach never got crowded at all.  We were only there until about 2 but never saw the crowds that everyone on here talk about.  Maybe we got lucky!!

With your time restraints, you may not have much more time at Trunk Bay doing it on your own...I just did this from  Red Hook to Cruz Bay on my own.  I would give myself at least two hours each way...just to be on the safe side.  I do not have any info on Crown Bay. Chair rental was $6 for a sand chair, $10 for a larger chair and $15 for a chair with a shade protection attached, there are no umbrellas.  The drinks at the trailer there are good, but a little pricey, didn't have any food there.  The beach was AMAZING!!  Good Luck!!

Thanks Charles, appreciate the quick response...I will keep my eye open for those dates to be announced.  I will be there 5/8...hoping it's open by then...fingers crossed!!

The last time I was in Bermuda I was able to purchase the transportation 2- or 3-Day ticket onboard, that was with MSC.  I am going on the Escape in May...anyone who traveled on the Escape to Bermuda, can you tell me if they sell the tickets onboard??  Thanks!!

Can anyone please tell me when Harbour Nights will begin in 2019??

Also, another subject, are they now selling ferry tickets on line??

Thanks so much

Can you get the transportation passes on the ship? And if so, will you be able to use your $50 shore excursion credit for them?

Thanks so much for this review...when I saw that you were a big fan of Celebrity I was really curious to see your take on Norwegian. I absolutely love Celebrity as well but Norwegian is right up there with Celebrity in my opinion. I've been on the Escape twice before and will be back on her with a large group next year...can't wait!!

Don't panic !! According to the Celebrity website, there is no change in the ABC Island schedule on the 10/6 sailing: Tues:Aruba; Wed: Curacao; Thurs: Bonaire

It's the 10/27 sailing that has them in alpha order.

I called Celebrity yesterday as I am on the 6th of Oct. sailing as well and was reassured by Celebrity that it was a typo regarding the swap of Curacao and Bonaire...so relieved!!:o

It's impossible to answer your question because there are times when no private vehicles are allowed to enter the cruise terminal complex to pick up passengers, requiring everyone to be picked up across the street on the northbound side of 12th Ave. or an adjacent side street. You never know until you actually disembark whether that will be the case that day. If the vehicle is allowed in they should be directed to one of the parking stalls on street level that would be to the left as passengers exit the cruise pier. That means the pick up location will be located somewhere between Pier 88 and Pier 90.

Oh boy...not sure what to do as the group is a senior citizen group, three of which are in wheel chairs for disembarkation. They will not be able to cross the street, especially with luggage. Now I'm really nervous.

I have a group of 12 people going on the Breakaway out of Manhattan in May. I am not going with the group so I want to make sure that they get accurate information on where to pick up the van that is hired to get them at 10:30 AM on the day of disembarkation. I am going to give one of the people in charge of the group a letter to be given to the group coordinator so they all get the same color disembarkation luggage tags. Once they get there luggage and then go through customs what is the best advice that I can give to them to find the driver of the van.? I did ask the van service if he could have a sign with the name of their group on it so I'm hoping that will work. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated...thanks.:)

To get tender tickets...does only one person from the cabin have to stand in line for the tender tickets or does each individual have to get their own tickets?

I was on the Divina last April with the Black Status. We had dinner at Eataly but it was a prefixed menu, we couldn't order off of the regular menu. Has that changed?

Leaving in a couple of days...anyone out there who can help me with this answer??? Please!!

;)

Hi, my status is Black with MSC. I believe that I get priority tender tickets for Cayman. I have a group of over 50 people doing a private excursion. Will I be able to get tender tickets for my group or will they have to get their own? I want to get off the ship as soon as possible and get my group off as soon as possible...any suggestions are offered....Thanks!!

Can you pay the taxi with US Dollar or do you need to convert to pesos? We have a large group going, over 40 of us total so we will try to get the bigger taxis that hold more people. Do you know if we can ask a taxi to come back for us at a designated time?

I've sailed on the Escape and the Divina and several other Norwegian ships. I too loved the Escape but I thoroughly enjoyed the Divina as well but for different reasons. If any of you have not recently sailed with Norwegian, they have really upped their menus and improved their dining since they purchased Oceania and Regent...they actually came in and re-did a lot of the menus. My last sailing with Norwegian, I felt the food was equivalent to the "good ole days" Of course, as others have stated this is all my opinion.

I do agree though that the Escape will have more than what the Divina offers for teenagers.

Regarding the drink packages if you purchase a package the Divina's are much more reasonable but as a rule you can get the promo that includes a drink pkg. on the Escape, you just have to pay for the gratuities for the pkg.

Both ships are great in their own way but agree as most stated here, very different.

Linking the cabins together does not qualify as being in a group. Being in a group you get perks and the person who sets up the group picks the perks and makes the option to add or not add the drink package. It does go across the board if the drink package is picked all cabins will receive it. There are the classic and premium and you pick one or the other. The packages, like it was said earlier are extremely reasonable in comparison to other cruise lines.

Obviously during the colder winter months cold and flu are a lot more prevalent. Some years are worse than others. This has been a pretty hard season for colds and pneumonia and many people have been sick who didn't travel. When I do get sick I never blame the cruise line, airline, hotel etc. This is just a nature of the beast and taking precautions with the hand sanitizers and such is your best bet but sometimes you are just going to get sick, bottom line!!

:eek:There most definitely are penalties before final payment. I currently have a large group on the Divina. Our final payment was for Jan 10, 2017 but penalties started 12/25/2016. Please make sure you are aware of that to avoid losing money if you are planning on cancelling.:eek:

Thanks for you input, I appreciate it.:)

Can you please tell me what cabin you would prefer V1 or V26...they are both the same category but V-1 is farthest front in the category and V-26 is back a little, still in the front of the ship.

Thanks!!:)