richmke

Is Biosteel, or other hydration drink currently available on the Epic? I would bring a mix if not. Thanks.

9 hours ago, surfclam2003 said:

 

I have 1 or 2 a night!

Helps me stay awake so I can enjoy more drinks.

Cruising on the Epic in a few weeks. Starting to look at fun drink experiences. Mixology classes are nice. Does the Sake Bar have any events, specials, etc?

3 hours ago, JCJCM said:

I do not have a travel agent. I booked my own flight to Haifa with a discount. That discount is not available for such a late flight booking to Athens. As much as I was looking forward to this cruise, I am going to have to cancel. Any insight or info on my ordeal is appreciated. I already miss it.☹️

I believe ncl will reimburse up to $300 for increased air cost.

On 10/18/2023 at 9:06 PM, sjane39 said:

I would expect any cruise line to stay away from ports where there is extreme, dangerous,  protests such as this!   

"The USA embassy recommends that US citizens assess their travel arrangements, steer clear of locations with ongoing demonstrations, exercise vigilance when near sizable gatherings or protests by chance, stay informed through local media for updates, and adopt a discreet presence."

Hard to avoid ports where there are protests anywhere in the city/country. In Athens, they seem to be protesting Greece's Government support, and not tourists of other countries. Stay away from Syntagma Square to Israel's embassy, and you should avoid most of the "demonstrations".

Note: "Demonstrations" is much different from attacks on tourists of certain countries, or random terrorist attacks. The former is much easier to avoid than the others.

Kind of like saying: Rough areas in your city are not a reason to avoid the city in its entirety.

20 minutes ago, 8920 said:

Simply skipping the Israeli ports and going directly to Athens may have been too far to sail without visiting a port where fuel or other provisioning services are available and thus needed to rearrange what days we visit those ports. 

The Epic can trans-atlantic for days at sea. The ship can carry enough food to last for weeks. Going from Limassol to Athens in 2 days would be a cake walk for the Epic. I doubt Ashod was a large re-provisioning port. They have all the other stops to take on extra food and fuel if they needed it. First stop at Athens, and Instanbul, in particular, since those are Embarkation/Debarkation ports where major reprovisioning occurs.

For those not following along in the Roll Calls, the Nov 8 and Nov 20 Epic sailings will debark/embark in Athens. Other changes to the itinerary.

On 10/14/2023 at 9:29 PM, RD64 said:

Nobody really knows at this point

1) You don't know either.

2) NCL won't cancel if they don't have to. A minimum level of revenue is better than no revenue.

2) NCL has book a berth at Athens for the Epic on 11/20, so that is a pretty BIG clue. Not that I would know anything.

38 minutes ago, RD64 said:

The cruise is cancelled - that should be obvious! It is not going to be rescheduled.

Changed, not canceled. 

I assume you are retired. I would buy a last minute cruise, and just get a high limit medical policy, including evacuation. Lots of last minute deals. Apply the $700 towards the higher air fare to get to the port.

https://phillipscruises.com/26-glacier-cruise/

3 hours ago, Oil said:

Did the cruises visiting Israel get cancelled or are they modifying it. They disappeared from the booking site

At this time, all cruses through the end of the year are modified. They probably took down the Epic until after they change the Debarkation/Embarkation port in Haifa. NCL has not yet officially changed the port for the Epic cruises.

3 hours ago, Oil said:

Did the cruises visiting Israel get cancelled or are they modifying it. The November cruises of Epic disappeared from the booking site

At this time, all NCL cruses are modified. They probably took down the Epic until after they change the Debarkation/Embarkation port in Haifa. NCL has not yet officially changed the port for the Epic cruises.

5 hours ago, soungl said:

 

Norwegian Cruise Line

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Israel. Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this time. As always, the safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. As a result, we have made the decision to cancel all calls to Israel for the remainder of 2023. We are currently working through alterations for affected itineraries and will communicate changes to impacted guests and travel partners as they are confirmed.” 

Source:

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/what-the-israel-and-hamas-conflict-means-for-cruise/

4 hours ago, allegrocontadino said:

Piraeus Port Authority tends to be quite reliable, therefore I am confident this may be the final choice. Considering that the cruise is from today no more bookable, I guess official announcement is due soon.

 

Regardless of the reliability of the Port Authority, it is only reporting that the berth has been reserved by NCL for the Epic. If I was working at NCL, that would be the first thing I do. Heck, I might have booked Istanbul too, and any other reasonable port (Rome, if they cancel the Cypress visit and do two sea days). Then figure out the logistics. If the other pieces fall into place, then make the official change to the cruise. If not, then cancel the reservation(s).

NCL is working Athens as an alternative port. They have reserved a spot.

On 10/10/2023 at 5:08 PM, arxcards said:

Isn't asking others to do the work for you also forbidden? 

I think the prohibition is causing another person to sin. If it is not a sin for the other person....

6 hours ago, Cruise_Context said:

Until NCL stops selling the cruises from Haifa (which they are still selling - check for yourself), everything else is either opinion, gossip, or misinformation from someone who is making an assumption.  NCL has not yet issued any official statement on itinerary changes for November cruises to/from Israel on the Epic, Gem, or Dawn.

I think it is a pretty good assumption that Haifa is off the list if NCL, in the travel summary,  has removed Tel Aviv from my air itinerary purchased as part of the cruise package. I take the change in the travel summary as an official itinerary change.

6 hours ago, exm said:

 

The Mediterranean, even the Eastern around  Cyprus,Turkey and Greece should be fine. Not sure why you think there's a potential issue in the Mediterranean? They really need to stay out side of rocket range, but even so: chances of an unguided rocket hitting a moving cruise ship is pretty much zero.

Actually, the chances of an unguided rocket hitting any specific target is pretty much zero. The odds of it hitting something is pretty high.

12 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

I've never been able to understand that rule. My understanding is that it's a 'do no work on the Sabbath" rule that has been in place long before electricity was discovered. 

Exodus 35:1-3 "Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day." Mechanical light switches have a spark (internal) when the wires make or break contact. Some interpret that as "lighting" or "kindling" a fire. 

On 10/9/2023 at 9:57 AM, Eli_6 said:

Has anyone heard how far out these are being canceled or itineraries being changed?

NCL has cancelled the debarkation/embarkation in Haifa for the Epic. No info on alternative, or if they will cancel the two cruises.

I mention to the NCL Rep that I can book through XYZ, and they will give me ABC. Sometimes they can match (or do a little better). I'm torn between going direct and using a local TA. Sometimes it is easier to get stuff done directly with the cruise line. Sometimes the TA knows stuff I don't know.

On my Vacation Summary for the Epic on Nov 8, the return flight has a blank origination point. Looks like NCL has cancelled the flight from Tel Aviv. But, they haven't cancelled the shore excursion for Ashod (probably happens automatically when they update the itinerary). Waiting to see if they can substitute a Debarkation port, or cancel the cruise entirely.

11 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

 I wonder what policies will be adopted concerning passengers who may now wish to cancel their cruises.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, any cruise with a stop in St Petersburg could be canceled with a full refund. In general, if they change the itinerary, you can cancel with a full refund.

I get that Haifa is an embarkation / debarkation port. Unless they cancel the cruise, they have to figure that out. Cairo is a major city nearby where they may be able to rebook flights. Two ports are about 60 miles from there. That would allow NCL to keep the rest of the itinerary unchanged. 

My air is through NCL, so that is on them to figure out too. I wonder if they can increase the air fare.