Catchum

We were invited into the lounge by elite cruisers on our last cruise and had no problems - we just said XXX invited us and went to join them. We were asked for our cabin number when we ordered a drink. I was a bit underwhelmed TBH and preferred the tapas at Vines.

My DH says he doesn't need technology as he has me, I put the app on his phone which he then leaves in the safe. Your dad will be fine I mainly use the app to look at the dinner menu and that isn't 100% accurate. Servers are plentiful to order drinks from.

Won't be looking at NCL for a Europe cruise at the moment. Looks like they don't have the cash flow to pay operating costs. Maybe next is "we weren't given enough notice to pay the fuel bill." (Stirring the pot)

Nothing wrong with looking like a tourist - you are on holiday, if it is warm Brits will break out the shorts and BBQ (any excuse will do when you don't have reliable weather). Maybe you will see fewer shorts in cities like Dublin or Edinburgh than at seaside towns. Don't rely on it being warm from a Florida perspective it might be in the 80s or the 60s on the same day. Though the last time we were in Orlando we had to break out the woolly hats and gloves it was freezing.

Not a port thing an NCL thing - there is a report on the Princess Forum of a ship leaving Southampton April 30, 2023, - May 8, 2023. It starts with a description of the wine ordered with lunch whist in port. No mention of problems on any of the UK centered forums (Fred and P&O UK)

I second the duct tape for the light sensor by the bathroom. Pool towel - or a flip flop works for the ones by the bed, the bed side light strips in our cabin on the crown fell off so you could turn them to face the wall. There is an additional outlet behind the TV. Hard to reach but I left a charger plugged in with a long enough cord to hang down in front of the TV so I could get at it easily. There are two sockets by the desk but they are so close together that I could only use one at a time. Fortunately we are not big electronic users.

I'm 58 days out and just picked ours - I know it doesn't matter but the QR code appears when I have picked my time and I like that big green QR code. 1. Go to Personal information & Documents in the app 2. Scroll down to Suggested information and choose Arrivals 3.Pick your cruise (if you have more than one booked) 4. Pick your time and confirm.

We always choose to travel to Southern Europe out of season. Think April / May and October / November. Partly because it is no so hot (and those stone cites bake in the summer) but because the crowds are so much less of a problem. In the height of summer you see much less because you spend so much more time in ques.

On our April Cruise the Juice bar prices were $8 for most and $12 for a couple made with coconut milk. I think we got as much value out of the juice bar as we did the coffees. Be warned take a book when you place an order as it can be a long wait especially for the veg based ones. My favorite was a mix of the Booster and the Rejuvenator over ice. A great way to start the day.

First don't carry all your cash in one place - have some in your wallet and some tucked safely away in an inside pocket or such like. If you want lunch are we talking street tacos or is a Michelin Star more your sort of thing? Same with souvenirs - fridge magnet or one of a kind artwork? Only you can tell what you are likely to need. A quick google will show you the cost of a meal in various levels of restaurant or check menus on Trip Advisor

If you are on a longer voyage you usually get two bags per person - this is not advertised but if you go to the cruise next desk on embarkation day to book your wine tasting etc then they will tell you - our last sailing 14 days in December we had two bags each. Never yet failed to get everything we needed washing into the bag.

Well I'm 50+ and a size 6 but I'm going to give one a go - though will be adding wet wipes to my packing list. Or will eat it in the shower.

I never worry if the outside of my wine bottle is clean. Remove bottle pour into glass discard icecream. Is the shot counted against your beverage package? We never get to our 15 drinks max and these would be great for the drive home

The pictures I have seen of what you get have the candy still in the wrapper - if this is the case order your two a day remove wrapped candy to pass on to kids, remove shots to enjoy later and walk away from the rest - or better still just ask for the wrapped candy and shot without the rest - honestly the only way I could safely eat one of those would naked standing in the shower.

Thank you for the information

I have princess plus for a cruise in two weeks. Looked at the app and saw under packages I can enrol for prizes onboard any ideas what this means?

Loving the Hawaii / Alaskan combination - DH lived most of his life in Salcha - we will be onboard on the 17th and seem to have similar food preferences to you - will certainly be ordering the steamed veg. Also your idea of ordering an extra starter as desert is total genius - I often choose a selection of starters for my meal but never for desert. If I am consuming sugar it better damn well be fermented.

Having done two inaugural cruises I would not avoid them or specifically choose them. Not everything will work perfectly and there may be on going work but that is also the case on cruises before and after a refit. Europe in February - absolutely we have just done a December Spain and Portugal Cruise and the weather was wonderful except one wet and windy day. Have also visited Italy in January and enjoyed eating outside in the sunshine. No crowds, no lines no baking in the sun. We spent Christmas in Florida and it was warmer in Europe than Daytona Beach!

US Dollars in the UK can be changed at Banks, Travel agents etc. BUT at a significant loss - especially for small amounts. Just like your bank charges you for buying pounds. Withdraw what you need from an ATM at the airport in local currency - yes it will cost a bit but in general travellers can afford the exchange fee much more comfortably than your driver.

I guess "self attested" is in line with the rest of the health questions. You don't have to have proof you haven't been sick or had a fever.

Nope that is a Chinese / Australian socket. UK sockets are totally different.

Taking food ashore is down to the regulations of the country you are visiting. In New Zealand you could not take any food off the ship in Norway there was no problem with taking any item off the ship. If you are leaving from the UK technically you should not bring meat or cheese into Europe (Ireland) stops in England, Scotland and Wales no problem.

Ours showed up at 58 days- just keep checking

Same cruise same screen shot - the only option is a picture of a self test, nothing to say medically observed letter stating negative result will be acceptable or the usual " document must show date and name of medical professional". I know a medically observed teat WILL be acceptable but that is not what is specifically required for check in for my cruise. Still nearly 2 months away so will hold off making an appointment for an observed test at my local pharmacy for now.

I'm on the same cruise - the wellness check on the app clearly states a self test is OK - as 90% of people aren't on cruise critic how on earth can they require anything else? - If the documentation provided does not meet their requirements then.. Any guest: who fails to carry evidence of their pre-departure test result as set out above; or whose test does not comply with pre-departure testing requirements (for example: they had a PCR or Antigen test more than 3 days before departure), Will be required to undertake a self-administered test prior to entering the terminal.  If the test returns a positive result, the guest will be denied boarding. so not having the correct test done is not a showstopper just another hoop to go through at check in.