Polos12

Hi, Just did the NCL Jade in May; they say/market or common misconception is that the whole section is devoted to Indian. Its a joke and pity that they project that as Indian food; in fact only 1 dish is Indian; Daal (lentil curry) that was repeated (with green/yellow: moong daal) 3 times on 9 day cruise in Greek Isles cruise. 1 day was Rajma Masala ( that was awful with raw spices overly sprinkle); and a butter chicken (with bones in) not supposed to; lol; taste and flavours of Indian food were no way close. They did not even have pickels. For what they call Roti; it was small pita (of white flour). Raita was made by using sweet/sugary Breakfast yogurt containers. For the Indian vegetarians, options was limited. Saw some mature Indian families who were desperately looking for alternate options. My experience of NCl Jade on Mediterranean itinerary for food served in Garden cafe was below average although their Sous Chef and Staff were working hard to accommodate the serve the pallet of ethnic foods. They went above and beyond in their capacity and the fault is NCL management not provisioning them with options and ingredients. Carnival from Florida to Bahamas had a plenty of options. NCL reps has been misinforming during booking that they had a whole section devoted to Indian food. We can continue to keep this thread updated with feedback of cruise lines carrying proper Indian food.

Hi, This is urgent/panic situation...The NCL website says visa is not required if Turkey is in transit by a cruise, but when I called NCL...she said if you don't have visa, they could not allow off board/deny. can someone clear. NCL agents when I called back were totally helpless..just kept asking me to refer to site....I did not expect this form NCL. We are sailing next week, jade from Athens. Can someone please confirm. Thanks

hi, how do you plan to execute this route…bus taxi etc from cruise port Tourlos..? …..We are leaning towards Psarou beach, walking the path and roadway the short distance over to Platis Gialos beach. There are a couple of recommended restaurants there….

Was the Free shuttle provided by Jade cruiselines or Myknos port to go to Town Chora. I am looking for reliable ways to get to Chora and any closer beach from there with boardwalk meals and some beach time for 3 hours. Thanks

Does anyone know which beach & where NCL Jade docks for May 12

Hi so where does NClJade docks on Mykonos…can it by DIY to port town and Polaris beach.

Hi Senga, Are you guys on Jade cruise by chance..our flight is through Toronto..

We finally decided to booked all via AC (better connection): for booking van rides, now deciding between: i) Welcomepickups: they keep on increasing the quote LOL for (May pickups/drop off: interesting?) - they quote for van with 6 people/6+2 suitcases 115 Euro ii) Georgtaxi (have not responded yet) iii) Athensairporttaxi (there are many companies with same name but there is one that is original): so far they have 70 Euro I think its good to prearrange ride from Airport and Cruirse Port but from Athens city center, we can just ask Hotel to hail taxi for us (should we worry about prebooking those in advance: we will be leaving downtown hotel at sober times: 7AM and 2PM weekday) Any ideas, thanks.

Thanks @marazul - you seem to have quite a kno👍wledge! Any pointers to arrange excursion or DIY (all passenger all 5-10 walkers, as of now :) in Myknos and Santorini when big ship arrives at port. Cruise company is charging $300US each passenger for day excursion but I heard...DIY by Gandola to go up in Santorini, or through Viator but line-up could be long and stairs to top of snatorin could be filled with donkeys/poop :). Any pointers on excursion safely/budget wise in Mykonos, Santorini, istanbul etc. TIA

I was thinking more from Airport to Hotel (around midnight) - once we are at hotel - there will be breathing room 🙂 Thx

So do you have their cust service phone# to contact...how you plan to communicate with their drivers when you arrive (meeting point etc)...app, phone etc.? Thanks

Amali or Elia Ermou or Athen Utopia Ermou? Any good/bad experience? I understand they are close to city but after the hotel - we have to catch flight and cruise (is it easy connection in terms of finding taxi etc) Thanks

Thank you pghflyer! The only thing is that they don't have any easy means of contacting them by phone (except for urgency) - no customer service number; however they do want people to download their app and communicate to driver by app - but I may not have my phone data-plan activated or connected to wifi as soon as I land - as you know it could be chaotic/busy to collect our baggage than looking for wifi 🙂 ....what if I need tp reach them as for us its in middle of night 🙂 - by the way another question, how long it takes at ATH airport from landing to come outside the airport - should I give 1 hour (is the airport arrival are quite efficient, I heard they are) myself from landing time to setup pickup time. Thanks and regards for your guidance,

Thanks pghflyer for your updates. By the way, did you have to pay welcome in advance & what happens if the flight is delayed - do they wait for you or still be honoring the quote? Thanks and regards.

We thinking staying close to Athens city center (pre and post) and use taxi service. Deciding between Wyndham (bit farther), Divani, Hyatt, Intercontinental and wthether to book from Hotel site or Expedia?

Any recommendations on taxi pickup; I read Welcomepickup. Do you mind sharing which hotel you stayed - we are finding Hyat in terms of budget/standard but its a bit far...not sure about most small boutique hotels (because of mixed reviews) unless someone can chime in here for strong recommendation, please. Thanks

Thanks for the reference but its not available for those dates...any other that you guys think of nearby.

Hi, Looking for advice on any hotel (4- 4.5*) in Athens city center safe area (where taking taxi/cab will safer/easy) and close to restaurant ; staying for really 1.5 days before cruise: for 3 adults guests Did some quick research: - Elia Ermou (sold out); - Athensgate (no availability) Not sure where we should focus our search on: Monastiraki, Plaka area etc..? Thanks for your earliest possible guidance.

Hi to all helping out fellow passengers, We are expected to arrive at ATH airport near midnight (could be late depending and checked out no metro-train after 11:45PM and sofitel hotel at airport is but expensive and only allows 2 guests (unlike USA hotels) so thinking of staying in Athens City center (downtown i guess) since we need place for 2 nights before cruise. From above discussion, it seems there are 2 options: 1. https://athensairport.taxi/faq/ 2) https://www.georgestaxi 3) www.welcomepickups.com It seems georgetaxi provide custom quote and athensairport has fixed quote Any advice which one to select (6 adults; and their cabins) and any experince with delays when picking late/midnight? Do both 1 and 2, need credit card in advance and will charge in advance. 2. Also any hotel recommendations please and in safe & central area-( to get there from airport at night and leave for Piraeus port during day time) --we just have a day for sight seeing; budget for hotel is $250-$300 approx - should we look for hotels with breakfast included or just have meals outside. - We were thinking of Grand Hyatt (but i think its far from core downtown), Novotel; AthensGate is sold out; Amalia; Wyndham - not sure which area to search/focus on hotels - using expedia: Is plaka area, Monastiraki better...? - should we look close to highway 56 or 91 (looking at map) - hoping to find that we can do most central area by walk for seeing & resturanat and perhaps taxi to something closer downtown (acropolis) and something within 3-4 hours of total drive+sight seeing. Many thanks in advance!

Just updates that we decided to not take Emirates & EWR long layover connection. Thanks

Our arrival ETA in Athens airport is late at night (summer 2023) and need a hotel for group of family of 3 adults, for 2 nights before cruise, and a night after cruise; need guidance on; 1. Hotel recommendations (4/5*): should we stay at Sofitel right at airport, or close Athens center, if that is doable and safe to reach round midnight (if flight lands on time); Sofitel site not letting book 3 guests in one room, unlike USA hotels…and neither do most downtown Athens hotels. …..the site makes us book 2 rooms…? Even if we book Sofitel and use their restaurants for meals, the day of our cruise, we like to b3 close to Piraeus port hotels…or at least in Athens on green metro line. any thoughts are appreciated…hotel recommendations and location close to transport, safe and restaurants…need only for a day 2. If we are in Athens downtown, how do we get to Piraeus port; taxi or metro..( we just have cabin with us) I realized Cruise terminals could be far from train/metro link….how do we get to cruise terminal from train if we do indeed take it…as per reviewing the terminal maps from E1-E11 3. how do we know on what terminal ( there are 3) Norwegian JAde docks for Greek isle. I could not find in NCL confirmation email. Please advise. Thanks in advance and feel free to DM!!

Our arrival ETA in Athens airport is late at night (summer 2023) and need a hotel for group of family of 3 adults, for 2 nights before cruise, and a night after cruise; need guidance on; 1. Hotel recommendations (4/5*): should we stay at Sofitel right at airport, or close Athens center, if that is doable and safe to reach round midnight (if flight lands on time); Sofitel site not letting book 3 guests in one room, unlike USA hotels…and neither do most downtown Athens hotels. …..the site makes us book 2 rooms…? Even if we book Sofitel and use their restaurants for meals, the day of our cruise, we like to b3 close to Piraeus port hotels…or at least in Athens on green metro line. any thoughts are appreciated…hotel recommendations and location close to transport, safe and restaurants…need only for a day 2. If we are in Athens downtown, how do we get to Piraeus port; taxi or metro..( we just have cabin with us) I realized Cruise terminals could be far from train/metro link….how do we get to cruise terminal from train if we do indeed take it…as per reviewing the terminal maps from E1-E11 3. how do we know on what terminal ( there are 3) Norwegian JAde docks for Greek isle. I could not find in NCL confirmation email. Please advise. Thanks in advance and feel free to DM!!

I saw that and heard however trying to reach their contact/customer number from last 2 days - they just play a VM msg and hang-up! thats horrible - no call back option; no wait...what if I need to reach them for anything...? Chat folks cant do much other than scripted messages 🙂

No, its NCL. Thx

I dont think there is much option from YOW, so next will be YUL. One ticket you mean, deal with only one airline all the way (AC or AF or Emirates or Delta) and not combination of AC/EMI, AC/Luft? or you mean one booking reference# so I dont have check-in each leg/segment. No Westjet and AF bus is very expensive now :). I think baggage will be checked through to ATH. Thanks