suz1607

Just off the Volendam and smoking was not allowed in the casino. I was told by a casino host that smoking was not allowed in the casino of any Holland America ship now. Is this true?

Which test do I get on Thursday? Sorry to be so dumb! 

3 minutes ago, poohdreaming said:

You need to do the covid-19 test on your own or at the port (cost is unknown). If leaving Saturday, NCL said to do the test on Thursday. Then you need to fill out the travel form on Bermuda's website as well as to pay the $40 using your visa or mc credit card and to upload the result of this covid-19 test. Then once on board, another covid-19 test (this time by NCL medical team).

I was  told by NCL that we would be tested aboard ship prior to Bermuda arrival but to get the Covid-19 NAAT test and the travel authorization before leaving home as well as the test NCL requires. Is this correct?

18 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Actually, that's not quite correct...

 

The rules are as follows. EVERYONE who is vaccinated will need a pcr up to 4 days before embarkation or a supervised antigen test.

 

If Bermuda is the not first port of call on your cruise OR your cruise will take more than 4 days to arrive to Bermuda:

All passengers regardless of vaccination status must undergo a further supervised antigen or COVID-19 NAAT on-board, by the ships medical team, no more than 2 days before passengers are to disembark in Bermuda. 

Passenger Category	Cruise voyage where Bermuda is the first port of call	Cruise voyage where Bermuda is not the first port of call or ship takes longer than 4 days to arrive to Bermuda from embarkation port
Fully Vaccinated Cruise Ship Passengers	Travel Authorisation required. Application fee $40. COVID-19 NAAT test (PCR, LAMP or TMA) up to 4 days before embarkation  OR Supervised antigen up to 2 days before embarkation	Travel Authorisation required. Application fee $40. COVID-19 NAAT test up to 4 days before embarkation  OR Supervised antigen up to 2 days before embarkation AND COVID-19 NAAT or supervised antigen test up to 2 days before disembarking in Bermuda

I have to have surgery and can't go on cruise. I would like to rebook for later but will not until I receive refund

I am having a problem getting refund as well

Bidding dilemma. 1st family cruise. 4/8 Getaway. Currently Mid ship mini-suite with wife and 2 teenage girls. Have bids out H2,3,4,6 called NCL and would be roughly $1200 more on avg to upgrade from my current bid on H4/6. From what I understand still a few Haven suites available.

 

What would y'all do, roll the dice or take the sure thing? H4 or H6.

H2 upgrade a little too spendy.

I have always gotten the H4 when we take the grandchilden. That way they have their own room and bath and are not sleeping in the living room. We have stayed in both H4 and the H6 so this was an "informed decision" for me. Hope this helps and maybe we will see you aboard! Have taken the grandchildren on this same itinerary and they loved it. We enjoy this ship and actually sailed on her inaugural cruise.

Somewhere here it was stated that if you booked with a couple different big online agencies they don't pass on the upgrade offer to you. What date is your cruise? I'm booked end of April.

May 14

Is the Sky on the email upgrade bid system or is it still the call in for a deal.

I received an email today asking if I wanted to bid to upgrade.

Has anyone experienced the Mayan healing ritual excursion with RCCL or Carnival?

I'd appreciate any feedback.

Bump

Thought all posts on smoking were supposed to be on the smoking thread.

I think I'm gonna cancel my cruise to the eastern carribean. The damage from Irma could be catastrophic and I really don't want to switch to the western. My cruise is in 4 months. I have 5 more weeks before my final payment.

If you can go by past history -- on St Martin the French government helped and the French side was rebuilt in a speedy [ for the islands] fashion while the Dutch side still had obvious damage some years later. I really think it depends on the island government and how much infrastructure and shoreline damage was done. You should be able to make an informed decision in about 6 weeks. However, in 4 months you will see damage. This is unavoidable and would be the case anywhere. The main question should be the damage to the roads.

Moscow Mule!

Owners Suite -- quieter [particularly if there are children in the Haven] and more spacious ------ Haven suite if proximity to Haven amenities important to you -- service in either depends on Butler -- DOS is great but no shade on balcony.

I asked that you read the history and arguments used during prohibition. Think you will find them much the same. Did not ask to be flamed by people who have no idea what I mean because they have no knowledge of what I mean.

Why don't all of you -- smokers and non-smokers-- read about the history of Prohibition! All this reminds me so much of the arguments for and against alcohol! Guess every generation has to have something to complain or "get on the bandwagon" about. In the past situations such as this have quickly disappeared only in the face of threats to our country from outside our borders! Seems, as Americans [ or maybe humans ], instead of being thankful for the blessings we have, we must always have something to complain about or feel superior about! This is not meant to just address smoking issues but also "chair hogs", pushing in line and other forms of behavior that do not respect people or their individual freedoms with common courtesy. Maybe we should change things by focusing on what we can do to help others instead of wasting our time and energy always complaining and finding fault.Thanks for letting me rant from my soapbox!

That shouldn't be an issue on the Breakaway since Cagney's is only open for dinner!

Moderno is open for breakfast and is right next to Cagney's. It was not really a problem but I did notice the smell. We have often stayed in aft suites but always on upper floors and I have never noticed a food smell before. The balcony on 9 was wonderful!

Tmilak, thanks for the reply !!

 

Noticing this room is right above Cagney's....did you notice any excessive noise at dinnertime or after 10 pm?

Not noise from Cagney's but the occasional smell of food at breakfast and lunch.

What do you consider "tipping well" for a 1 week cruise?

A cruise is what you make it! i have been on all NCL ships [as well as many ships on other lines] and love each one because they are all different --different venues, different experiences and different people. I admit I travel more than once a year and enjoy the differences. The only thing I do not enjoy is people who do not do their "homework" and then complain about less space around pool or open casino or such things. All this is well documented on this website and others! All ships even those in the same class can be different. If we all wanted the same things this would be a very boring world.

Our cabin was 15000. Did not eat in the room at all. Can't remember the butler's name -- does that tell you how often we saw him! There was no problem with the booze, water or soft drinks. Just ask for what you want. Extra soft drinks and water are in the cabinet next to the refrigerator. Our refrigerator did not keep things very cold so you may want to ask for extra ice. There are also more cups,etc in those cabinets. Yes, real champagne! There is no separate security line in San Juan just a separate holding area in the main room but we arrived about 11:30 and boarded almost immediately. Ask the steward to leave the cushions in the chairs, etc. on the deck otherwise they are removed at "sail away" or about that time. Also ask for an explanation of the hot tub operation. Any more questions and I will try to answer. Have a wonderful time!

Just off the Gem -- had a wonderful time! For those wondering, as I was, about the 2 cabins on deck 15 -- Deluxe Owners Suite -- we stayed in one this time. It looked as though it had recently been redone. Everything was spotless. The Pluses -- VIEW -- you can be entertained by just watching what is going on at the pool as well as by the wonderful vista at sea and in port -- SPACE -- very spacious room, bath and the balcony is huge. Negatives -- BALCONY -- there is no shade on the balcony which also means it is unusable in the rain and also very windy! In other words what I thought would be the biggest plus for us turned into a negative! -- NOISE -- it could get very loud on the balcony [and sometimes in the room] with music from the pool area -- not good for napping!

The cabin steward and his helper were great, the butler was not as helpful or available as I have had many times on NCL but the concierge, Elvina, was a jewel. One of the best I have had in close to 30 cruises with NCL.

I missed some of my "old favorites' in the specialty restaurants but still enjoyed eating in them. The main dinning room food seemed better than in the past. I did not think the casino staff was as friendly or helpful as some cruises I have been on but they did their job with no chat or fanfare. All the other staff aboard was as usual -- friendly and helpful.

Would I book this room again for us? Probably not, but if I was looking for a honeymoon or anniversary suite or was younger it would be perfect -- a clear moonlight night on a huge private balcony with a hot tub -- a king bed with little lights like twinkling stars over it. Just wish we had found it many years ago! In the interest of full disclosure we are both over 70 [and no the steps were not a problem]!

All this is very interesting! I do smoke and do not like being lied to [ not saying who is spreading misinformation because I honestly do not know yet so please do not "jump" on me!].! Had a choice between HAL ships and called to see if the information on Cruise Critic concerning no smoking in casino on the Eurodam was correct. The person I was speaking with called ship services to be sure she was giving me correct information. I was told that Cruise Critic was not correct, was not an "official arm" of HAL and was quoted HAL's official policy concerning smoking. Was also told that you could only smoke if you were playing.

I am thrilled with the San Juan cruises and also the longer Spirit cruises. I have been hoping for a long time that NCL would use Spirit for longer, more exotic cruises! There seem to be many options to combine as a back-to-back as well.