njkate

@Seas2mountains Thanks for photos! I have the studio booked for our cruise next month! Now fingers crossed weather/wind doesn’t prevent us from tendering 

12 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

I would prefer to be able to cancel it than go to Canada and New England but I know that is not an option.  Obviously I’d prefer not to sail into a hurricane but this cruise would be a pretty big waste of money to go to those ports.  I know it is always a risk to get re-routed on any cruise, it does not mean I have to say I will enjoy it.

I think the odds are in your favor as prime time for Atlantic hurricanes is late August through September! That’s not to say it can never happen in June but statistically odds in your favor!

They did a similar switch on my cruise next month of course after final! Switched Key West for Cozumel and they had to know Key West has been limiting cruise ships!

Switched Ocho Rios for Falmouth and they had to know a Carnival ship took out a dock in Ocho Rios back in February with repairs taking until at least late May

5 hours ago, pkt1976 said:

I will ! Lots to say still . It just really didn’t like me trying to post 😑

Looking forward to your follow up! I’m on 6/15 and there have been so many issues with the swapping of ports, 30 days out and still ports with no excursions listed. 

2 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Seems to be a common experience---having a problem uploading the picture, finally getting it done, and then they end up retaking it at check in.

Yep so I no longer waste my time trying to upload photos

14 hours ago, UKstages said:

it's not up to the guest to remember to proactively change the information.

 

proper programming will ensure that the data gets changed... you will be requested to provide new data when the old data has expired or is invalid. just like if you enter an incorrect zip code or fail to select an appropriate country for your telephone number. 

 

if the site is designed properly, they wouldn't let you proceed until the data is updated. in the case of your passport, they know the expiration date. you'd get an error message and would not be able to check in if you don't update the data.

 

ever try to check out at an online merchant if you have a saved but expired credit card on file? they will ask you to update.

I’m with you! IT’s especially aggravating when you have 3 or 4 in your party and have to do for all.

I have the kids and grandkids passport stored in my photos so I have it and don’t have to wait for them to resend to me! 

14 hours ago, LatinaInTexas said:

I'm on the Jade in August. A few weeks ago we were notified about itinerary changes and all excursions were pulled. The other day there were 3 total excursions offered then it jumped to 4. Yesterday it showed 16 available but only for Cozumel. 

I like to plan ahead so this is driving me crazy.

I’m on Jade 6/15 and itinerary was changed as well 3 weeks ago, no excursions except for Cozumel and we are 33 days out. The excursions listed for Cozumel16 of them are repetitive just different vendors.

At this point if I could cancel and not lose all my money I would and book something else

13 hours ago, cruisinginmay said:

Be aware that the US Department of State has issued a level 2 travel advisory for Germany. This may or may not affect your desire to visit tourist locations or transportation hubs.  We are scheduled to dock at Warnemunde and Kiel in September but have not yet decided what to do. We do not plan to go to Berlin, mainly because of the transportation time.

Just need to use your head! Truth if Chicago or other cities in US were foreign countries they would be a level 3 or 4

Sounds wonderful

1 hour ago, pkt1976 said:

Corporate became involved with the bed bug situation and it’s been resolved for him. They are supposed to deep clean/ treat any room found with bed bugs. Another person found a bug that was not a bed bug . Now I’m paranoid and strip my bedding off to check it. 😬there is bug spray you can buy but really anywhere I check for any signs of bugs on beds. It can happen anywhere. 
 

Another person had gunk blow out of the air vent onto the bed and had to fight to just get them to change the bedding for safety 😑

 

there have been so many customer service issues I’ve heard of and experienced. 😞 I am easy going but getting very frustrated with the lack of customer service, and some flat out rude crew. I’ve had mixed experiences in the past, 3 really awesome cruises and 2 I was ready to get off of. Im thankful I met some amazing new friends this cruise, we are keeping it fun 

Problem is until the bedbugs were noticed anyone that was in the cabin can now be a transport to carry the little demons elsewhere on the ship

59 minutes ago, pkt1976 said:

Corporate became involved with the bed bug situation and it’s been resolved for him. They are supposed to deep clean/ treat any room found with bed bugs. Another person found a bug that was not a bed bug . Now I’m paranoid and strip my bedding off to check it. 😬there is bug spray you can buy but really anywhere I check for any signs of bugs on beds. It can happen anywhere. 
 

Another person had gunk blow out of the air vent onto the bed and had to fight to just get them to change the bedding for safety 😑

 

there have been so many customer service issues I’ve heard of and experienced. 😞 I am easy going but getting very frustrated with the lack of customer service, and some flat out rude crew. I’ve had mixed experiences in the past, 3 really awesome cruises and 2 I was ready to get off of. Im thankful I met some amazing new friends this cruise, we are keeping it fun 

Guest services are useless you need to speak with hotel manager! I believe on most ships there is a box by guest services to drop note/complaint in for hotel manager 

Any update on that bedbug situation? I sail on 6/15 and it’s making me itchy

11 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

If that was on the Star in 2013, I was on that cruise with you.  We were back from Hamburg for hours before the train from Berlin arrived.

It was August of 2018 on Breakaway

Ditto to what Traveling Man said! Try calling! 
I did a tour to Berlin with NCL because of distance and glad I did as there were issues with the train and we were two hours late getting back! Ship was supposed to depart at 7pm we didn’t get back until after 9 pm

On 5/8/2024 at 7:17 AM, yoolykeme said:

Successfully disembarked in Le Havre, a day early and on the train to paris! 

Great! Enjoy

On 4/27/2024 at 11:48 AM, The Traveling Man said:

That's true, but that really isn't the subject area of this discussion.  Rather than an "oops, I missed my ship" issue, the main thrust of this discussion has been the possibility of planning in advance to depart a cruise prior to its final destination.  If you simply fail to return to the pier by the "all on board" time, most of your belongings will still be in your stateroom, although the ship's crew will attempt to retrieve your passport and turn it over to the harbor master.  If you plan to disembark early, though, the assumption is that you will pack your bags and take all your belongings with you, an entirely different kettle of fish.

Yes departing early you usually have an escort, leaving with all your bags and no escort or paperwork would be a huge red flag and I’m sure security would detain you and not let you off 

8 hours ago, pkt1976 said:

You are welcome!! I’ll post some more along the way 😁

Ugh yes please update us! I’m on Jade 6/15 and this gives me qualms!

To top it off Ncl canceled Key West and replaced with Cozumel, canceled Ocho Rios and replaced with Falmouth, this was 2.5 weeks ago, we are 37 days out and no excursions available yet!

At this point if I could cancel without losing all my money and rebook something else I would and Jade is my favorite ship 

11 hours ago, Panhandle Couple said:

I recommend not using this link.  10 seconds in I got several virus attack warnings.

 

That’s odd as Boston 25 is a legit news site 

https://www.boston25news.com/news/trending/man-accused-stabbing-3-people-alaska-cruise-ship/PWVGSPTKJRCKFOEGE4WSKJGTLU/

14 minutes ago, QuestionEverything said:

Greetings njkate:

I have done the great DD beaches 2x - once on a part day excursion from Le Havre off a Celebrity, and the other from Paris, a drive trip.

If you Really want to see the DD beaches and Normandy area, which is gorgeous, - DO THE DRIVE TRIP.

Rental vehicle easy, drive north on freeway to Bayeux, many hotels, inns and great restaurants. Hire Over Lord tours. They will drive you to each of the beaches, the US cemetery. The guide is full time with you, the guide has a customized book for each beach with photos, historical presentation etc. Very important to get to the DD Museum, it is the essence of understanding what happened....

https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/en/memorial-museum-battle-of-normandy/

Our tour was 2 full days, outstanding and our guide took us to the Canadian cemetery as well. Was not expensive at all. You see what you want on your time not on a tour.

After DDay beaches, go to Mont St. Michele, OMG, a total amazing castle on top of a hill in the tidal flats, built 1,100 AD. No cruise line takes people to this amazing place. 

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/unmissable-sites/the-mont-saint-michel/

 

Can drive to Honfleur which is a wonderful spot with an amazing harbour and then go to Le Havre, wonderful location and stay at the newish Hilton Garden Inn on the waterfront, great hotel and great restaurants.

Hope you find this helpful.

 

 

 

Thank you!! Very helpful and yes as far as touring the DDay sights I would go with Overlord have already researched them! Many don’t know Overlord was the code for the operation 

37 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Just to add what has been said (including earlier by me), Gate 1 is great at efficiently following details. Plus, you really get the sense that their employees and local guides really give the impression that they love what they are doing. They also rotate seats on buses. Everyone gets headphones so as to make sure they can hear the guides.

 

As for your cruise from Southampton, we did the same cruise last summer. And even though we missed Isafjordur (like everyone else) and Brugge (low tides) we had a great time. You will read both positives and negative review of the ship, especially because it is different than earlier NCL ships. Go with the attitude that you will have a wonderful cruise as opposed to looking what could go wrong, and you should have a wonderful time.

Thanks for info. I’m going to check them out! I was looking at Northern European cruise that had Le Harve as a port as DDay landing beaches are on the bucket list! I’m not comfortable plunking down thousands of dollars on a cruise with no guarantee I’d actually get the port. 
A nice Paris/Normandy land tour is looking better and better 

20 hours ago, LLCoolDoc said:

Yes....there are certain areas with smoking receptacles found throughout the island. In 2022, we rented a cabana and the smoking area was in between the restrooms and one of the food trucks. Last year we rented a Villa and smoking was allowed outside the back door. 

Thank you so much! This will make the smoker in my party happy! When we have a smoker we do follow the rules and I’m so hesitant to ask sometimes as I can do without the judgy snarky comments so again many thanks

27 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

They can change itineraries any time they want for no reason given nor are the obligated to provide any kind of compensation.

 

Apparently, you have not followed the news. Tortola, British Virgin Islands may not be all that safe.  In the past month 5 passengers from two separate Norwegian cruises has gone MISSING in Tortola.  As of a few days ago NONE of them have been found.

It’s still unknown if they went missing due to some nefarious reason or because it was on their own volition, Have read articles that say in the case of one group all personal articles were not in cabin and none of the families are looking for them or concerned, 3 were Colombian nationals so who knows, until they surface on their own or found it’s speculation on what happened. Cruises after the disappearance up to cancellations have stopped there 

I’m sailing on her mid June so look forward to your reviews 

Asking for someone in my party, if you can’t answer please keep your pitchforks at bay and keep scrolling lol

Does the island have a smoking area?