AuntieBarb

My profile is intact, but I still can’t access the boards via my CC mobile app (iOS). 

Dear Admins,

I haven’t logged in for a long time. First I was greeted with invalid credentials and forced to reset my password. Now  I am unable to login at the forums using my mobile app. Help!

AuntieBarb

Same thing happened to us in Tampa port Saturday. It was just my sister and me w/ 3 pieces of luggage. She was going to Southwest and I was flying from Jet Blue.

We got in the cab, he started driving as we told him where we had to go--he freaked out saying it was more money because he had 2 stops at the airport and it had to be treated as such because " S.W. terminal was across the street from J.B. and further out. ". I was p..ssed!. My sister "negotiated" a price for $30, instead of the $25. (Left him no tip.) He had wanted more. I got out 1st---she said she was the next terminal!

She said he just dumped her suitcase IN THE STREET in front of the terminal and took off.

This has never happened before and sure left a bad impression of the Tampa cab system.

I am very sorry to hear you experienced the same. It is still a flat rate of $25. I am in the process of filing a complaint.

There are two taxi services handling that taxi queue at port. We didn't have time to pull out our cells to get a picture, but we did record the taxi number and just confirmed it with Yellow Taxi. It may be too late to hope for a refund, but at least they should know which drivers are probably pocketing extra money!

Taxi Companies Yellow (813) 253-0121 United Cab (813) 777-7777

If he insisted on $100 would you have given him that much? I would have handed him $25 and walked away. Firm but fair goes a long way in this dog eat dog world.

OMG. Seriously? NO. We would have gotten out of the van before he even left the port! :rolleyes: But we did throw up our hands on the matter, simply because members of our party were on the verge of missing their flight as it was. Next time (if there is a next time) we'll know better and be less victim to aggravating circumstance.

Just stopping by to provide feedback from our Tampa debarkation experience:

First off, debarkation was probably unusual, in that Tampa Bay was closed due to fog and didn't reopen until 6AM the morning we were headed back from our cruise. Subsequently, we arrived 1-1/2 hours later than expected.

Naturally that rolled downhill as far as travel arrangements for many passengers; not just NCL but other cruise lines as well. Albeit due to late arrival or the debarkation of choice in general, it appeared as if a very large percentage of passengers chose to walk-off with their luggage.

Unfortunately we were affected too, because our flight was scheduled to depart at 11:25AM. Since Priority Debarkation didn't commence until 10:30AM and TSA requires luggage to be checked no later than 45 minutes before departure, we knew right off the bat we would have to alter our air travel. However such had to be deferred until 30 minutes prior to our scheduled departure. By the time all was said and done, we ended up with a direct flight at 6:09PM. Made for a long day at the airport!

That said, we were the first passengers to debark with yellow tags. Despite following a vast amount of passengers, our debarkation went very smoothly, especially with a porter in tow for all 4 in our party. We located our luggage quickly. The porter line through customs was short. Then once we reached the taxi queue line, there were only 3 groups ahead of us and we were on our way to the airport by 10:45AM. So in summary, Tampa debarkation did indeed appear to be well organized.

The key information I want to leave you with regards the taxi rate. Yes, the sign at the taxi queue line clearly stated $25 flat rate to the airport. However, once inside the taxi, we advised the driver we wanted to go to the US Airways terminal and the United Airlines terminal. He immediately said, "Then the fee is $10 per person". We shook our heads in dismay, but weren't about to jump out and seek alternate transportation. Then even though both airlines were side by side at the SAME TERMINAL and we all exited the taxi together, the driver still insisted upon $10 per person. RIPOFF! So since we usually tip the driver as well, we simply gave him $40 WITHOUT a tip.

Since they were both in the same terminal, side by side, just have the taxi drop you off at one then walk over to the other, since it was so close. No need to reward a greedy taxi driver.

That's exactly what we did. All 4 of us got out of the taxi together. He still insisted on $40. :rolleyes:

Just stopping by to provide feedback from our Tampa debarkation experience:

First off, debarkation was probably unusual, in that Tampa Bay was closed due to fog and didn't reopen until 6AM the morning we were headed back from our cruise. Subsequently, we arrived 1-1/2 hours later than expected.

Naturally that rolled downhill as far as travel arrangements for many passengers; not just NCL but other cruise lines as well. Albeit due to late arrival or the debarkation of choice in general, it appeared as if a very large percentage of passengers chose to walk-off with their luggage.

Unfortunately we were affected too, because our flight was scheduled to depart at 11:25AM. Since Priority Debarkation didn't commence until 10:30AM and TSA requires luggage to be checked no later than 45 minutes before departure, we knew right off the bat we would have to alter our air travel. However such had to be deferred until 30 minutes prior to our scheduled departure. By the time all was said and done, we ended up with a direct flight at 6:09PM. Made for a long day at the airport!

That said, we were the first passengers to debark with yellow tags. Despite following a vast amount of passengers, our debarkation went very smoothly, especially with a porter in tow for all 4 in our party. We located our luggage quickly. The porter line through customs was short. Then once we reached the taxi queue line, there were only 3 groups ahead of us and we were on our way to the airport by 10:45AM. So in summary, Tampa debarkation did indeed appear to be well organized.

The key information I want to leave you with regards the taxi rate. Yes, the sign at the taxi queue line clearly stated $25 flat rate to the airport. However, once inside the taxi, we advised the driver we wanted to go to the US Airways terminal and the United Airlines terminal. He immediately said, "Then the fee is $10 per person". We shook our heads in dismay, but weren't about to jump out and seek alternate transportation. Then even though both airlines were side by side at the SAME TERMINAL, the driver still insisted upon $10 per person. RIPOFF! So since we usually tip the driver as well, we simply gave him $40 WITHOUT a tip.

I just got off of the Sun last Sunday (balcony room). I brought my own hairdryer; there is a US 110v plug by the desk/mirror area. There is a EU 220v plug too if that is what you require.

 

The box hairdryer, the Kronous 2000, is in the bathroom and has very poor output/power to dry hair. I have thick hair so it would have taken me forever.

 

IMO they have not replaced them because there is nothing wrong with them because no one has used them. :D

 

Hope this helps! :)

Thick, "fat hair" here too! I must sit at a vanity and style my hair. So no way would I make friends with that box dryer! LOL

Does your hair dryer have a small "brick" (plastic box) on the cord? If so, check the fine writing on it. If it says "input voltage 100-240vac", then it is dual voltage, and you can plug it into either the US 110v outlet, or the 220v European round pin outlet (with a plug adapter, but a voltage converter is not required).

 

Generally, unless all the ladies in the 3 cabins that are on the same circuit fire up their 85,000 watt (just kidding) hair dryers at the same time, it won't blow the circuit. However, IIRC, the outlet in the bathroom is marked for shavers only, and won't handle a hair dryer.

Thank you! I have the entire kit thanks to sailing the Spirit and as well the Jade on the Med. I will pass this along to my friends. Much appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

I am getting confused by the archives here. So please pardon a redundant question.

I understand that balconies and below have one of those box/hose hair dryers in the bathroom. Okay...despise those...bringing my own. But I've read to bring a dual voltage or dual wattage. Is the situation on the Sun the same as the Spirit? Do I need a plug converter too (international) or is it just that a high wattage hair dryer will blow the circuit breaker?

Confused. I am in good shape either way because I bought one special for cruising on the Spirit. But our travel companions need to know.

We've always been offered two VIP disembarkation options:

 

(2) Escorted off a bit later by concierge, having put our bags outside our cabin using whatever color tags are being used for suites. This has always been done when the self walk off cattle drive was slowing down, and before any colors have been publicly announced.

That was our experience as well. We only had our "carry-on" in tow.

I will reflect on one such debarkation though, which didn't go very smoothly. Despite being VIPs, navigating to our meeting place was greatly obstructed on the elevators and walking areas, because color coded passengers were already waiting in the atrium (and on their way) rather than waiting in their staterooms. What a madhouse that was!

Okay, so I gather from everyone's feedback that Priority Debarkation is the first color-coded group to be called and that I might possibly acquire additional tags to share with our travel companions (if the general consensus is NOT to carry off our own luggage).

Thanks everyone!

Barb, there is a que line but it is very, very efficient. You'll gather your bags inside, and exit the terminal building (either handling the bags yourself or grabbing a porter if they're too heavy for you to handle). Right outside the terminal building there is a drive-thru area; cabs will be lined up immediately outside the drive-thru & are waived in as needed.

 

It is very smooth and simple; highly organized & very efficient, time-wise.

Thanks for easing my mind! :)

Forgive my wording, but the vans are used by shuttle services too. Thanks for the info on the van-taxi flat rate of $25 + tip, because I believe the shuttle services are about $17.50 per person.

We've only been in this predicament once before (directly from port), because we usually had a private driver picking us up or we stayed in a hotel post cruise. In Miami, we were transported to Ft Lauderdale airport by shuttle reserved in advance. They were literally standing there waiting for us. It went like clockwork.

So how does this work at the port terminal? Is there a queue line outside the terminal for everyone waiting for a taxi? Does it take forever? Timing is an issue.

Thanks for the replies. Walk-off would do the trick, but I'm not so sure how easily that will go. I am familiar with being escorted off the ship with the VIPs, but we aren't in a suite this time either. So where does Priority Debarkation fall into the order of announcements? Do we actually get any priority over anyone?

We will be cruising in the near future with friends who never have before. Trying to coordinate debarkation, so we can share a shuttle to the airport.

We are Platinum with Priority Debarkation. Who do they announce after VIP's? And then?

Years ago it seemed the best fares were obtained by booking way ahead; like 1 year or more in advance. Not seeing much of that anymore. I think they're on to us! :eek: Seriously though, there are many methods to this madness with fares; to entice bookings to certain ships over others, to fill ships last minute, to keep that revenue coming in during slow seasons. It's a gamble sometimes. One simply needs to be content with the fare they get and be thankful for any type of credit they receive thereafter....if any.

I too have the same question/concerns. We have an upcoming cruise R/T through Tampa. It'll be our first cruise from this port. Not knowing how smooth of an operation they have going at the Tampa terminals, and traveling with friends who may not be able to disembark as quickly as we can, has me concerned about the availability of van shuttles at the time we want to be picked up. (10AM)

CC mentions "Super Shuttle" and their website states they have reps and vans stationed at the port when ships are in. But I am trying to imagine a swarm of passengers disembarking (possibly from multiple ships) at the same time and having the same transportation needs.

Can anyone recommend a shuttle service that can be reserved for a specific time/location? I sent an inquiry to Tampa Shuttle, but have yet to hear back from them.

Thanks for your response. OK, the wine is one per room, and anybody knows about the dinner and the laundry bag? is also 1 per room? is not clear on the NCL website.

Laundry and Le Bistro is per member.

Unless things have changed in Ocho Rios, you really should stick to a group excursion. I have no idea if this excursion is still offered, but we did a combination excursion for both Dolphin Cove and Dunn's River Falls which we enjoyed a lot. When you go to Dunn's River Falls you arrive at the top of the falls, where there are an abundance of lockers and various vendors. Those who plan to climb the falls are then escorted to the beach below. It's quite a climb but doable and definitely refreshing! Definitely wear enclosed water shoes if you do simply because of the small pebble-like stones in the water. Others can navigate down a series of stairways and platforms that run alongside the falls. There are areas where you can take a dip too.

Wow am I late; 10 pages later....

Great review, Angel !!! Loved the detail, loved the pictures, loved the honesty - everything! :)

Question: I know you indicated that you did not go to Ensenada after all. How did they manage to get around the foreign port requirement?

What happens at Quest stays at Quest! ;)

Absolutely!

I can't say that we've known about it on every NCL cruise we've been on, but for several years we've attended every one since and have pictures to prove too! :D

Warning! Beware of the ship's photographers paying a visit to the event. On the Spirit's Oct/Nov 2007 Repo, several of us found ourselves scurrying to the photo gallery to buy up the evidence! LOL

We were in cabin 10622. We did not experience any sensations of anyone present in our cabin, sitting on our bed or see shadows or ghostly images during the repo cruise.

But....

One night, after DH had gone to sleep and I was watching some late night TV, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye towards the balcony door. At first there was a very small glimmering light, but then they started to increase. The end result was an aura, clearly outlining the head, right shoulder and arm of someone...a spirit/ghost...I don't know. I said "Mindy?", simply because of the reportings, but it then disappeared in an instance. It was the most awesome thing I have ever seen.

DH is skeptical. I believe!

Here to make my contribution.....

I have not had any encounters at sea (thus far) with spirits or communication from beyond, but have my share of stories. I'll share just a few....

You might say I "lived" with a ghost as a young adult in my 1st apartment. My ghost used to get my attention by picking a few guitar strings in the wee hours of the morning. I never saw a ghost, but felt a presence. It was a peaceful co-existence too. :) Those who lived there after me had similar experiences.

- o O o -

My father ran his own service station and worked long hours into late evening. Our regular routine back then was to congregate in the living room when he got home. Dad would grab the newspaper and catch up on local news. Then we'd watch some late night T.V.; especially Johnny Carson.

On the 3rd night after he died, while everyone was tucked in bed for the night, I was laying in bed (next to the living room) trying to get to sleep and thinking about my father. All of a sudden, I very clearly heard the rustle of newspapers, just as if Dad was in the living room going through his typical routines. I quickly got out of bed to check. My father wasn't there that I could see, but the newspapers - which were folded and placed on the coffee table - were now scattered about, with one section open on the floor to where his obituary was found. No other incidents to mention in his regard. I can't help but think he visited home before meeting his maker.

- o O o -

The story about my mother is far more personal than I care to share here. However, I will share that she had been stricken with Alzheimer's Disease. Despite my efforts to keep her home for years she eventually had to live in a nursing facility. It was there that she had fallen and snapped her upper femur. Her orthopedic surgeon came to the waiting room to tell us that surgery went well and that she was in recovery. Unfortunately about 1/2 hour later, he appeared again to tell me she died in recovery. Her heart gave out. Needless to say, we were in complete shock.

Mom died on 12/22 at 1:28 PM. Our Christmas spirit was shattered. Subsequently we were in no hurry to get up Christmas morning for our normal festivities. Instead we all slept in. At 9:28 AM, our sleep ended very abruptly. We woke to the most horrific sound of breaking trees and branches, followed by a very loud crash. A young man returning home from some Christmas celebration, dozed off behind the wheel, drove off the shoulder, launched into the air breaking the shade trees on the front of our home, hit one of our large Blue Spruce trees roughly 12 ft. off the ground, wrapped around the tree hitting the utility pole and landed on its roof between the tree and the pole. Surprisingly, the man survived; treated and released the same day! On the other hand, we were left with property damage, including the rooftop mast that supported our main power line into the house had snapped. Long story short, the damage caused arching inside the home. Fortunately all the issues were found and repaired before we had worse damage!

We couldn't help but think this entire incident was a sign from my mother, but the thought is rather disheartening given the nature of what happened. Was it anger, because none of us got to say good-bye, or because she had spent some time in a nursing home in her latter years? If she wanted us out of bed Christmas morning for the children's sake, there were far less drastic ways to get our attention. No matter what, it left us even more shaken than before.

Of course her story doesn't contain any obvious spiritual significance......except that the accident was the 3rd day after her death......and the weird coincidence on times (1:28 v.s. 9:28)....and that our prominent family number is 28.

444cruiser, I believe Kevin meant to address you with this question. :)

Wow...very cool! You mentioned Woodbridge...is that Woodbridge NJ ? If it is we are neighbors. I am from Carteret :D

That would not be us, Kevin. But we're not that far away. We live in the Pocono Mtns.

Thinking the same here but a little different. I am looking for some crematory jewelry for my wife for Christmas.

 

Without her knowing I had an artist paint a picture of her sitting on the formation. Then the artist added a picture of her Mom and Dad's face in the clouds, smiling looking at her. It was awesome. I wish I could somehow post a picture of it here. I gave it to her last year for Christmas. She cried. Loved it!

I never knew there was anything such as crematory jewelry. All of my family loved ones were buried, but my husband's parents were both cremated. I'll be doing some searching as well.

What you did for your wife is so touching! Surely she will hold your gesture dear for eternity.

I told him to bury her at sea on a cruise to enjoy, relax & be with us. So he is going with us & he met with the people doing her & told them she will be buried at sea. She has a beautiful white "sock" that contains her ashes, as required by NCL. THe Captain will do the service for us.

Her burial at sea sounds so befitting. I hope it brings you all comfort and peace. My sympathies to all!

Auntie Barb asked for more of my 444/spirit stories, so I am going to share part of my eulogy I wrote for my sister's funeral.

Thank you for sharing! How wonderful to have this sign between you!

Our immediate family shares numbers. Surely they will be there in many things to come. There is one in particular which is most prominent. When my husband and I took our first cruise with NCL, we found a spot on the Dawn's Promenade which we called our own. One day while we were sitting there enjoying the ocean, my husband looked up at the lifeboat overhead. Guess which number was on it? :)