pno4te

On 2/24/2022 at 12:20 AM, pcakes122 said:

You're right, the bathroom is exactly the same. However the balcony is much wider and the room is brighter with a better view from inside because you have 2 sets of "windows":

 

Accessible Club Suite:

 

Accessible Balcony:

 

Totally worth it in my opinion!

ETA:  I see on the other website that this is cabin 10918.  That is amazing.    Thanks!

@numberguy and @BirdTravels... you both make good points and things we will look into.  Thanks for taking the time to respond!

@ljrfrm... your suggestion is what we will plan on if it is necessary in July.  Takes away the concern of getting a spot my husband can get to easily.  Thank again!

1 hour ago, ljrfrm said:

We just flew home from Barcelona today. We ordered a 6-pack of tests through eMed ($150 total plus $17.05 for overnight shipping) which includes a proctored test valid to upload for return into US. It was quick, easy and cheap at just $25 per test.  This was through United - I'm sure other airlines are offering this also. We thought we'd have to pay more, make appointments, etc. but I would highly recommend going this route.  With a cruise, it may be a bit more difficult as you won't be able to test probably until you are back in port - but just sharing what worked for us. The testing process itself took us about 20 min - we used our cell phones and a few used an iPad.

@ljrfrm , yes!  I was looking at these yesterday and wondered if they might be the way to go.  We could use 2 at our Rome hotel, 2 in port in Florence the day before we disembark (unless you have a reason for thinking that wouldn't work?), and two in out hotel at the airport the day before we head back to the US.

4 hours ago, eileeshb said:

It’s probably worthwhile checking the trip adviser forums for the city you’re flying from in Europe.

I know in Ireland you can get an antigen test for about €30 administered by a local pharmacist or doctors office. There’s also testers at a lot of the airports but these are usually significantly more expensive because they’ve effectively got a captive audience. If you get a test done in the EU they will issue an EU covid certificate as your test result if it comes back negative. 
 

generally speaking in Europe you should be able to find a local test centre that’ll be significantly cheaper than NCL. if you have time pre-cruise you could check in a pharmacy to see where testing can be done. 

We are Americans flying into FCO in Rome from JFK in New York City.  The thought of a pharmacy is probably one we will explore if it becomes a necessity.  Thanks.

On 2/9/2022 at 9:28 AM, njhorseman said:

From ncl.com:

https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe?intcmp=pdt_sl_SAILSAFEVAC

 

Will NCL offer testing on board to meet travel requirements for guests flying back to countries that require negative COVID-19 test results to re-enter the country post cruise?

 

Antigen Tests

COVID-19 antigen tests prior to disembarkation will be administered on board and paid for by the Cruise Line for those guests who require a test to return home.

 

If a guest booked a post-cruise hotel, it is the responsibility of the guest to make their own arrangements to get re-tested at their own expense.

@njhorseman This link was very helpful, thank you.  We are traveling to Italy for 3+ weeks in July, including 2 cruises, and are well aware that every decision concerning COVID-19 testing is fluid from day to day and we cannot know if testing will even be a requirement in July.  However, my husband is disabled and knowing certain things in advance is important to us so we have begun the search into how best to meet these requirements if they are necessary. 

We think we have worked it out that we can probably find a place in Rome near our hotel to get the required antigen test to board our first cruise on NCL.  However, we are embarking on a second cruise on MSC the same day we disembark from the Escape.  We have been trying to determine if NCL tests, at passengers' expense, for situations like that.  Or, do we need to find a testing center in Civitavecchia.  

There is also the possibility of doing the Tele-Med tests but also wonder if they can be taken in a hotel room on onboard a cruise ship!  

1 minute ago, euro cruiser said:

There will be free port buses to move you and your luggage.  You may not be able to go directly from one ship to the other, you may need to go to the passenger drop off/pick up point and change buses there.

 

Ships are allocated pier slots based on their size and what other ships are already in port so it's impossible to say in advance who will be where.

Thanks!  That relieves me a bit.

We have booked B2B cruises on two different cruise lines out of Civitavecchia in July.  Is anyone familiar with the locations of the piers used by NCL and MSC at this port?  And what might be the best way to plan to get from one terminal to the other?  My husband uses a mobility scooter and I will be responsible for 4 pieces of luggage, probably.  Thanks for your help, as always.

On 1/14/2022 at 8:32 PM, GeezerCouple said:

 

I assume you have thought of this, but just in case... IF you are going to use ANYTHING other than what he has been accustomed to, it's a very good idea to try it at home for a while before leaving.

IF there are any untoward effects, better to have them occur at home, and with regular medical care available, than... in the middle of an ocean or such.

 

Have you considered seeing if there is some available for purchase at some store in the Port town?  Have it delivered to the Hotel?  (Arrange for it to be delivered well in advance, etc., and still have a Plan B just in case!)

 

Hopefully all will go well. 🙂

GC

Thank you for you caring post.  We have thought of this and tried Ensure+ for a week and it seems to be OK for his system.  We can't ship liquid to our hotel in Rome from the US and have tried to contact Abbott Industries in Italy for guidance.  So, far we have not received a response.  I may have go back to the US branch of Abbott for additional guidance since their Italian counterparts haven't responded.  I know that Abbott sells both Jevity and Ensure+ in Italy, but am still valiantly trying to figure out where and if we can get enough

25 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

I believe it's available only outside the United States (so is not on the Abbott USA website) and is manufactured by Abbott India (and maybe other Abbott facilities).   Ebay has it.   And check Ebay.ca  (from Canada).   

 

Plan B       original Ensure in powder form which is readily available in the United States.   

 

Plan C      Or another brand of a similar product in powder form.  

Thank you.  We will either haul all that Jevity or try a Plan C as you mentioned! 🙂

On 1/2/2022 at 6:23 AM, Longstockingpippi1 said:

NCL does not provide Ensure but allowed me to bring Jevity and Ensure for my daughter’s Gtube. 

Thank you.  MSC has finally answered and they do not provide it so we will have to take Bob's regular Jevity for that week.  Interestingly enough, the Access Desk person I communicate with has said she is asking the ship if they will purchase the Ensure for him.  Let's see what they say.  I will come back here and update when I hear something more final.

On 1/1/2022 at 12:39 PM, kokopelli-az said:

You mention Ensure Plus.   Have you considered getting the Ensure Plus Powder?  It would be a lot lighter.   

 

https://www.navafresh.com/products/ensure-plus-powder-400g-vanilla?

 

I have never seen that product before!  It is not listed on the Abbott USA website.  So, I am assuming it is coming from elsewhere?

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

Is this something you really want to risk?

Not what I asked about, however... if the risk is not ameliorated by July we would not go.  Pre-planning still has to take place.  

32 minutes ago, CarolinaMamma said:

Can you buy it in Europe? Is there a powder version that can be mixed with water? 

We have reached out to Abbott nutrition both in the USA and Italy.  USA says ask Italy what formulations are available there and Italy hasn't responded yet.  Hoping we get an answer from someone over the next few months!

My husband requires a liquid diet due to a G-tube.  Hauling his containers of food is very heavy and cumbersome.  We are headed to the Mediterranean for 2 weeks of cruising in July.  We would like to have the option of not carrying all that with us (over 65 pounds of liquid!).  Celebrity offers Ensure+ if requested in advance.  Our TA has contacted NCL and MSC and we have also reached out to the access desk without getting any response other than to say that they had approved him bringing 48 containers onboard the ship.  Has anyone here on CC been successful in having Ensure+ provided for them onboard? 

(I also posted this on the NCL Forum but opted to come here directly)

My husband requires a liquid diet due to a G-tube.  Hauling his containers of food is very heavy and cumbersome.  We are headed to the Mediterranean for 2 weeks of cruising in July.  We would like to have the option of not carrying all that with us (over 65 pounds of liquid!).  Celebrity offers Ensure+ if requested in advance.  Our TA has contacted NCL and we have also reached out to the access desk without getting any response other than to say that they had approved him bringing 48 containers onboard the ship.  Has anyone here on CC been successful in having Ensure+ provided for them onboard? 

On 11/4/2021 at 12:07 PM, kwokpot said:

Thanks for the review. I'll be on the Summit in 2 weeks for the Thanksgiving cruise. 

Your observations regarding poolside activities are correct, Celebrity doesn't do many poolside activities. That's not the atmosphere that they want to project. Generally the poolside activities are dance lessons, trivia, name that tune, volleyball, beanbag toss, Jenga, aquafitness, and that's about it. 

We'll be on that cruise also!

3 minutes ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

Yep. Remove your CC# and state and see what you get. 

Went back to the +/- $1450pp I had been seeing.  Thanks, again!! 🙂

1 minute ago, qwertyuoip said:

How much do you suppose the "Cruise Only" fare would be if it really only included getting you from one point to another? 😀

Hadn't given it much thought as I was just surprised that the cost had dropped significantly.  My question was as to why. It never listed it as a Cruise Only price as is usually the case on the X website.  It was a simple question that has been simply answered.  Thanks, @Jeremiah1212

1 minute ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

That's a non-AI fare. The LOYATY NRD code means it's under the Loyalty/Resident Rate which does not have any inclusions. 

 OK, thanks.  Maybe because I put in my Captain's Club number?

This is a screenshot

I do know the difference between a Cruise Only price and an All Included one if I am looking at anything Concierge and lower. 

My question is about what is and is not included in what appears to be a new cruise only quote for the very last SS available on a Summit sailing next month.  I have been watching to see how pricing changed in case we decided to bid on an upgrade and saw this particular cabin pop up this morning.  We need an HA stateroom and that is what is available.  It doesn't say Cruise Only however as I get further into the booking process I see that I can prepay gratuities.  That was the flag that brought me here.  I have looked everywhere to try to find the answer.  If we opt to book this SS will drinks be included?  Wi-Fi?  It's a tad confusing and I am not looking to "get anything" I am not entitled to, just curious since I thought The Retreat included everything (including gratuities).  Thanks for shedding some light on tis for us fairly new X cruisers!

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

I assume you're not talking about November. I'm on the Summit Nov. 22nd and that's a 5 night cruise. Key West has been replaced by a seaday, then Costa Maya, then Cozumel as originally scheduled.  

We are on this cruise with you too!  Had hoped to go to Key West, actually, but we love sea days, so we are not too disappointed.

On 9/24/2021 at 11:06 PM, TravelBluebird said:

We experienced this menu last nigh on the Equinox! Darling show and a good menu too! We have not experienced the original yet; this was our first Le Petit Chef experience.

 

I have posted some images on my Live Blog; I did not take videos because I loved that the entire experience was “new” for me and think others should be surprised at what will take place.

That's the same one we saw on the Epic last month.  We both thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the menu.