ang293

Hi

We haven't sailed on NCL before but on other cruises the ship has normally physically arrived at a port of call and been cleared prior to the published arrival times. Just wondering how accurate NCL's times are (particularly for Livorno and Naples) as if they're correct and then we still need to wait for clearance I need to make some slightly different plans to if the published arrival time really reflects the latest expected clearance time. Sailing on the Viva out of Athens 13 July 2024

We're on the 13 July 2024 sailing of the Viva out of Athens and I was hoping to use my shore excursion credit to book a ships tours in one of shorter port calls or tender ports (like Kusadasi or Santorini) but there seem to be very few available through the app at this point for most ports, and particularly those ones. Does anyone know how long before the cruise NCL opens the whole range up for booking? TIA

Thanks everyone...and particularly Hank with your crazy good memory!

Hi

Can anyone post a recent(ish) photo of the area where the power outlets are in a standard cabin on Eclipse (deck 7 aft balcony if it makes a difference). I have a couple of different travel adapters but which one is right for the job depends on how the plugs are set up vs switches or table below.

Also do they have any USB plugs?

Thx

The only cruise specific extras for me are a battery tea light 'candle' for the bathroom at night cos it's pitch black and I don't want to jolt myself awake with the cabin light, big magnetic clips (so many uses) and a lanyard (no pockets in most sun dresses)

We've been cruising since April 14, 1912 and take all that we suggested and much more AND only pack and take one airline approved carry-on a piece. But that's another thread.

LOL and how was your cabin on the Titanic?

Just booked our second cruise and having another look on here the best tip I got from last time was taking a little battery powered tea light (fake candle) for the bathroom cos they're pitch black at night and turning the main light on is just a nasty shock to the system

We're on the Eurodam with you Denise. 35 hours til we jump on the plane for Venice.

Angela and Zane

As for blocks of non-smoking balconies, this has been raised many time over the years with little traction due to the many obstacles.

I'm curious what the obstacles to this kind of approach would be? HAL already has mechanisms to classify cabins differently when booking. I'd have thought even a simple 'port side' no smoking and 'starboard side' smoking allowed on balconies approach would have been pretty easy to do....as long as my lovely stern balcony sits in the no smoking section 😉

This might seem like a stupid question but how do they fill in the spare day before the next port? Do they just snail crawl to the next scheduled stop or go to some other more sheltered port in between?

You haven't lived until you've gone on a shorex to the Great Wall of China and go to a "comfort stop"/road side gas station/store along the side of the highway

:cool:

The Great Wall was positively civilised compared to the pyramids - more flies, more heat, less 'clean up' facilities of any kind. Purse packs of tissues are the MOST important travel accessories anywhere you go

Thanks Vickie and Fishin musician - unfortunately for us we dock in Salerno not Naples so we lose a lot of time taking the train :(

In China and Egypt there were often 3 or even occasionally 4 ships rafted together. It was always a guessing game if you went to bed on the outside of the raft if you'd have a neighbour or not by morning. Like others I used to love having a peek at the other ships on the way through

Thanks gmh and Bill. It looks like we'll get out extra bit of venice time then :)

Hi - newbie question sorry.

We're going on the Eurodam in September, embarking in Venice. Embarkation is 1pm and sail away is at 9pm so we're considering checking in, dropping off our carry on and going back into Venice for the afternoon. I was wondering if the muster drill is after the all aboard time or do we have to make sure we're around at a specific tim e prior to that? Thanks

Thanks everyone. It's one of those days when it's going to be a bit of a mad rush so it's good to get some help round the timing. Euro cruiser - thanks for the details on the Pompeii gates relative to the train stations. That's very helpful

Hi

Has anyone been to the Naples archeological museum? Just wondering how much time it needs to give it a decent go?

Also has anyone done a DIY on the train from Salerno to Naples to Pompeii and back to Salerno? The train timetables look viable but just after any advice or gotchas

Thanks

Great photos of Kotor - I take it from your photos that you docked instead of tendered? Was that what your itinerary originally said you'd be doing? Just wondering as we have a quick turn around in Kotor in September to get on a private excursion and it's looking like Eurodam is increasingly docking there even if the itinerary says tender which is great.

Thanks gmh - it looks like Eurodam is alone in port on 6 Sept when I'm there too so we'll see what happens. I'll post on here at the end of the day as it looks like it should be a good indication for what will happen for you in Oct

gmh could you please post a link for where you found the port schedule. I haven't been able to find the one for Kotor. Thx

I'll be waiting to see the responses you get with interest as I'm also looking to take a private tour in Kotor off the Eurodam and have some concerns about the turn around time given the very short stop over

Thanks JB.

Yes the prices are extortionate! I can buy the New Zealand, Australian, French, Italian or Spanish wines they have on the wine list at between 1/2 (best) and 1/6 (worst I found) in the bottle shops here in Australia and much of what's on the list I'd consider to be little better than cooking wine! Paying up the corkage fee will definitely be the way to go

Thanks Hank and navybankerteacher. Good to know about the open bottle storage option....but I'm pretty sure we won't need that :-p

Thanks Shmoo - that's just what I was after.

Reading your name gave me a laugh - I haven't seen or heard anything about the shmoo since in was a kid 😆

Thanks Kamloops50 but HAL explicitly allows BYO wine to brought on at all ports of call for consumption during the cruise as long as the $18 corkage is paid. It's just what you do with it when bringing it into the MDR that I'm unsure of.