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We had a balcony on the lido on a transatlantic on the Sky Princess and we loved it.  So convenient to get to the lido pool area and bar.  We did not have issues at all with movement either.  This was a November crossing.

We have had window suites on the Grand and on the CB and we loved them!  Love the suite perks that come with the ws too.  It spoils you.  If the amenities are still the same, you can have afternoon tea delivered to your suite in addition to all of the other great perks.  Enjoy!

Been doing this a while and we book early and have rarely found prices to go down after booking.  We also don't go for inside cabins either.  We tend to always book balcony cabins.  I think it is very rare for prices to go down unless they are having a problem filling up a ship.  That doesn't seem to be an issue these days.  Just my input.

We booked the thermal suite on our Sun sailing for our transatlantic crossing and having looked into it quite a bit, I can tell you that it includes the thalassotherapy pool (pool with jets), the heated loungers, the steam rooms, saunas, aromatherapy showers, etc.  They only sell so many passes per sailing so it is capacity controlled.  

Maybe I missed something.  All persons in the room have to have Plus or Premier.  You can't just purchase it for one person on the booking.  

1 hour ago, JimmyVWine said:

Yes. Platinum too. But even PES can only book when bookings open. 

How does one know when the dining booking opens?  I don't remember having an issue before I guess.

8 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

Platinum too. 

I wish!  We are platinum and haven't been able to book dining on our upcoming Sept 2024 sailing on the Sun.  Maybe after final payment?  🤷‍♀️

On 2/17/2024 at 8:02 PM, UKstages said:

luxardo cherries are super premium maraschino cherries soaked in marasca cherry syrup and used in craft cocktails. "luxardo" is the brand; the cherries are made in italy and run about $23 for a 14 ounce jar (400 grams).

 

also: no artificial ingredients, gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher and vegan.

 

Annnd, having just spent some time in Italy last fall, and on the Viva… everything made in Italy is better! It’s true!

Enjoying this thread, but wow, so sorry to hear of your mom's injury @OrcaGirl! 

As someone getting back on the Bliss in the next couple of weeks, I'm curious about booking the thermal suite for the week.  Is there any advantage to waiting until on board to get better pricing?  The price right now to book seems a little steep for one week ($299pp) as I recall on our 15 day Panama canal itinerary it was something around that. Hmmm...Any advice?

3 hours ago, SullytheBFG said:

One last question do you need to do a physical muster now? I.e go to a particular place?

 

when I checked in online we had to watch a video each, is that it?

 

 

No muster drill.  You do have to go check in at your muster station when you get on board and they just scan your cruise card.  We got that out of the way as soon as we boarded so we could get on with our day.

On 10/19/2023 at 2:04 PM, Lvbhappy said:

Okay! Had a great rest of the night. 
 

Tried out the indulge food hall—what a cool idea. Have about 6-7 restaurants with sampling of what I assume is their best selling items, let people choose and bring it to the table. And you can order some drinks—set known cocktails/drinks or beer. 

Went up to the pool deck level after, sail away party was cancelled, my bet is because of the wind and rain. Underneath the ceiling though, beautiful spot to watch the sail away. Walked down to syd Norman’s, rocking shoe going on. People standing listening all the way out the door. 
 

we went to the metropolitan bar—good singer and good cocktails, enjoyed the rest of our night there. Early excursion tomorrow so didn’t kill it tonight. Asked the casino when they’d be open and they said about 1130. 
 

we did splurge on the premium plus package so you may get my unfiltered view of a bunch of the whiskey my hubs tries and I try that are fancy😂. 

The pad Thai in the Indulge Food Hall is great!  So is the Chicken Tikka Masala.  Those deviled eggs are really good too.  Oh, and don't forget to try the Totopos (nachos) in the Indulge Food Hall.  They are the best!

On 10/19/2023 at 5:46 AM, Lvbhappy said:

Currently on board, setting sail for a 9 day cruise. I’ll try to post things daily in this thread as we were super curious before getting on board, but I’m not a seasoned reviewer/poster like some I’ve seen, but I’ll do my best!
 

it poured today so we were water logged getting from the train station in Trieste to port— we had planned to walk it but it was raining too hard so we opted for the bus. For anyone else that does this, you’ll need to buy a bus ticket, either inside the train station or next door at the bus station next door $2.40€ for 2 people. Bus line 8 took us directly in front of the ship- had a bit of a scare when we got on and it seemed to go the opposite way but if you just stay on it, it’s only 2 stops the other way and then goes back to where you need to be. Dropped our luggage under the white tents and went inside. 

 

got through checkin pretty easily, had a 10am check in and was on the boat by 12. Less organized than other trips out of Seattle or Miami, but no big hassle. Our friends in the haven got through faster than we did despite not getting there til 11,and and drinks and snacks,  so if you are in the haven lucky you! 
 

went and selected our shows…icons are 2 nights beginning of the trip and beetlejuice is 2 nights towards the end. Picked our dining, upgraded the Wi-Fi… then went to find food at the buffet! They have wine on tap up there (cab and Chardonnay), have i mentioned yet that cruising is awesome 😂. 

rooms were ready by 2, and Omgosh they are awesome. So much storage and plug ins and everything was very pretty. Actual wall hooks built into the wall. 
 

layout of the ship is quirky, but honestly i dig it. My husband loves it too, it’s going to be fun figuring everything out! 
 

plan to take it easy the rest of the night, have a few drinks but we have an early excursion + jet lag so sleep will win at some point! 
 

And for those that have been wondering if there is Veuve Cliquot on board, (not a champagne drinker myself) snapped this pic outside of the Hudson restaurant I think. They do have it!

We disembarked that day in Trieste and walked from ship to the train station.  Was pretty wet by the time we reached the train station.  The line for a taxi was long so we just walked.  A little frustrating with two pieces of luggage in tow each, but we made it.  The Viva was fantastic!  So much to love about that ship!  The rooms are gorgeous and the bathrooms are so roomy.  The food was great!  We steered clear of the buffet for the most part.  It was pretty small.  There was so much other great food on the ship though.

We did the Antigua on your own tour in Guatemala (puerto Quetzal) and it was a really cool trip. The drive is long from the port and the buses park at the entrance of the town since they can’t drive inside due to narrow streets. The town is very busy and there are many shops, restaurants, sites to stop and see. The drive to/from is quite scenic! Lots of walking and not for those with limited mobility.

So are you all saying that if you have travel medical it just pays the hospital bill over the phone with a cc for you?  I haven't used travel insurance for an actual medical bill but I have used it for a trip interruption claim and it took over 3 months to pay and that was after much prodding since they were so backlogged with claims.  Also, don't they require your medical insurance to be billed first and deny it since they are your primary before they will pay?

I am looking for recommendations for a small group of 6 to get from the cruise port in Trieste when we disembark our ship (with our luggage) to our hotel (or nearby) in Venice.  Not looking to be dragging our luggage too much around walking on uneven surfaces if it can be avoided.  I haven't been to Venice before so am thinking we don't want to be having to lift our large pieces of luggage on and off of multiple modes of transport.  Anyone with expertise on this, please help!  Thanks!

On 8/23/2023 at 7:02 AM, Hollyann said:

Thank you everyone for your replies. Lew I thought I read the list of prohibited items on Princess carefully, but sure enough, flat irons are on the list just over 1/2 way down! 😱  So even though there is a Target one block from our hotel when we arrive in Athens, I cannot buy one and bring it on the ship?  It does not say anything about curling irons though.  Maybe because they do not get as hot?? 

 

Hmm, I have brought my flat iron on every cruise I've been on and it has never been taken away and I've used it on the ship (we have mostly cruised on Princess).  I've never heard they were prohibited.  Oops!

Yes, my reservations are both missing. I keep manually adding them and they don’t stay. Must be a glitch. 

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Naming of Travel Agents is not allowed.

My TA is paying the DSC on my next cruise.

She applied two cruise next certificates on that cruise.

She applied two cruise first certificates on the cruise after than.

In addition to the above, plus all the perks offered by the cruise line, my TA is discounting those cruise by 8%.  So, in the end, the fare is significantly lower than the NCL website.

Without naming names, is this an online based TA that is well known?  Just wondering if I should try switching my booking to the TA that I use that is of the same group that I might be thinking of.  That is a very good deal.

Anyone know if free shuttle buses into town are offered at any of these ports?  Just doing some planning and seeing what our options are for booking excursions vs. going into town on our own.  Thanks!

15 minutes ago, TPgal said:

We are just back from a mostly fantastic trip on the Bliss to Alaska.

 

I'm back at my desk avoiding work like normal and running through the receipts and whatnot and need your thoughts & expertise on two "issues".  Both might be lack of experience.  

 

Item 1: Latitudes Reward Discount Failure

In Juneau opted to stay on board because the lines for the busses in Sitka took 90 minutes, we've been there before, and what a great way to experience the ship with many people off doing something else.   After breakfast, the Spa ladies got me and I accepted the "port day spa special".  The service was great, and the push to buy the special bath tea wasn't too hard to avoid.  Then, she had me sign all the sheets and said, as if she was doing me a favor..."I'll run this after we leave so that you don't get charged taxes".   Sounds great right?  Well, imagine my frustration today when I was on my account searching for the cruise next certificate information (wait for item 2) to see that as a Latitudes Silver level, I was entitled to a 15% discount if she had ran the charge while we were in port (which we were for another 3 hours.)   Obviously, this is my fault for not knowing the insides and outs of the rewards program, but I'm left with a terrible taste in my mouth and feel like an idiot for tipping on top of the mandatory tip.  I feel like a mark.   There's nothing to do...but am I out of my mind for feeling like I was duped?

 

Item 2: CruiseNext Deposits

Actually, as I wrote this up, I think I figured it out, but the cruise next math is kind of nuts.  I bought one, they gave me one by issuing $250 onboard credit to the current cruise, then they applied two credits to the cruise we had booked.  For a first time purchaser of CNDs I think the information about how it works could be better.  I see that many of you are fans and repeat customers and the math works but it took me a moment to validate it.  So, in short - this wasn't a scam. 

 

With that said...what about the spa thing? 

I can agree with you when it comes to the spa services.  I had a voucher for a certain $ off from our travel agent on a spa service and was told after the service that I couldn't use it since it was already discounted.  It seems like they make up the rules as they go.  I don't like feeling deceived.  That tip situation is complete dishonesty though.  She should have been honest with you as that will stick with you.  That might make me avoid giving an extra tip on subsequent services when I feel like I'm being taken advantage of by the overall "system".  Sorry that happened to you.

3 hours ago, Red-Sol said:

Please bring me one back! (But don't let it melt 😄) Those sundaes on Prima in the Local really are good.

The carrot cake in the local is really good too!

On 8/13/2023 at 6:53 PM, OneTwoThreeFourFive said:

We are setting sail on the Bliss soon, and the kids are very interested in the included ice cream options.  I had assumed the free ice cream was limited to a soft serve vanilla/chocolate machine in the buffet, but I ran across a video talking about an included hand-scooped ice cream bar as well.  Can anyone has been on the Bliss recently clarify what options are available so I can set realistic expectations for the kids before we get onboard?

Was on the Bliss in January and yes, they have the soft serve option and hand scooped ice cream in the buffet with different flavors throughout the trip.  There are also toppings that included sauces and sprinkles, nuts, etc. that you can add yourself.  The choices were quite good.

Going to be on the viva in October. Is everything in the indulge food hall complimentary? Is it basically the buffet just reimagined?  Is there any complimentary room service or is it all for a fee like on the rest of the ships? This will only be my second ncl cruise. Mostly sailed with Princess. 

Our family went to Q one night just for dessert and everyone but me had the brownie thing. I had the banana pudding and it was delicious! Their desserts are huge. I couldn’t finish it by myself. I guess the brownie thing was pretty awesome too. 

14 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

Don’t be too excited; it’s StarLink in name only..they didn’t pay for enough bandwidth to satisfy all ships needs.

imagine upgrading to a cable modem, capable of speeds up to 10Gig!…but you paid for their cheapest package..10Mbps (yes, 1000x slower)…that’s what princess has done..Paid for the StarLink name..but they’re absolute cheapest offering possible. 
times are tough; those shareholders demand results! (We want our CCL back to $40 a share!)

Yes, shareholder here as well.  From the looks of their marketing and the latest in ship designs, they are looking to attract more cruisers than they have in the past and in order to do that they are really going to have to put their money where their mouth is, so to speak.  I mean, we sure are in higher prices!