wendyp247

On 4/6/2019 at 4:28 PM, piemom9397 said:

Might I ask for recommendations for restaurants around the hotel my DH booked - Room2 Southampton? Plus, any thoughts or feedback on the hotel itself? I’ve read reviews and it seems nice, but I’d be curious as to its location, safety, etc. We will be there the night before our cruise departs Sunday, September 1 of this year. 

 

Many thanks!

We are also staying at Room2 the same night. I think we must be on the same cruise.We are taking another cruise that ends on 8/31 and  we booked this hotel because it had self service laundry facilities.  Have you booked yours tours yet for the fiords, etc. 

We are taking International Friends from London to Southampton with a stop at Stonehenge.It's more money but includes pick up from hotel and admission to Stonehenge. 

I am also taking back to back cruises , with an overnight between cruises.  I booked Rooms2, they have a self service laundry on site.  

Any updates on going to Cuba.  Are the cruises to Cuba still a go ?

Orlando news just said RCCL has canceled next 3 cruises.   WESH news. Here in Orlando

We are looking into a tour with Norway Excursions AS for Geiranger. Anyone have any experience with them, good or bad? Any recommendations for other tour companies in Geiranger or Bergen?  Thanks in advance 

Where do we get off train and then how do we find hotel TIA

Can you please provide advise how how to get from Gatwick  to  Holiday Inn Hotel Kensington, London W8 5S. Should we rake a train or airport shopping title. We also need instructions how to get to Southampton on a Saturday . How would we pick up the bus you discussed from our hotel Thanks in advance 

5 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

On NCL's part, I agree with you, it's definitely NOT the best way to make a first impression!   I will tell you that in my experience, though, this is not typical of NCL, but I do recognize that this is of no help to you here.

 

I see that you have non-refundable airfare, so you feel committed to this cruise.   Is the cost of changing your flights worth being able to book something you would rather do?

 

If you do stick with this cruise, I will tell you that with two nights and one full day in Reykjavik, you will have time for one of the two classic full-day tours -- the Golden Circle or the South Coast (the latter being longer than the former, and, imho, far more spectacular, though the former is more famous).   I don't want to hijack this thread, so I just wanted to refer you to the Ports of Call/Europe/Northern Europe forum (if you haven't been there already) for research on those tours, recommendations of private tour operators, etc.

 

I hope you enjoy whatever you decide!

Can you please clarify, which of the two tours did you like better" Golden Circle of South Coast?  I'd love to see the Northern Lights but was told the time of year that we are going no guarantees to see them.  Looking for maybe something to do or see when we arrive at 6pm. 

Yes, when I call NCL they tell me docking time is at 8am. Which leads me to believe the agents at NCL  are only providing info that NCL provides to them which appears to be incorrect.Not very reassuring . This will probably be my first and  last NCL cruise.I'll go back to RCCL ,Celebrity, Disney, Carnival or Princess who appears to be more reliable, when it comes to providing information on their Itineraries.After almost 60 cruises we are interested in the itineraries so we can visit new places. We only booked this cruise because we had two full days in Iceland. Now we we  only have one full day in Iceland but we'll make the best of it. I have not received an Itinerary change, only the people who booked prior to December received the change letter. My TA hasn't received any notification of the change either. 

15 hours ago, Pugs said:

Did you get any in Distilled Water, I also need distilled water.

Contact NCl at accessdesk@ncl.com to request distilled water. I did receive an answer back stating they would have it for me. 

Is  it better to purchase HOHO tickets in advance or wait until you are in port. I'm afraid to buy in advance in the unlikely event of a port being cancelled. Thanks

For those traveling to Europe, do you usually purchase Hop On Hop Off tickets in advance or when you get to the port? Thanks

On 1/2/2019 at 3:21 PM, John Bull said:

Very probably both ships will port at Berth 101, City Cruise Terminal.

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

 

Atlantic dry cleaners https://www.atlantic.uk.net/branchlocations.htm

have two self-service launderettes in the city centre, at Bedford Pace and St Mary's St, but you'd really need a taxi hop to either from the cruise terminal (a line of metered taxis at the terminal, fare will be under £10 & no problem with drivers accepting a short journey)

I think Atlantic offer a limited service for a nominal fee whereby staff will switch your laundry from washer to tumble-dryer, then fold it ready for you to collect - but I suggest you double-check with them by e-mail.

Bedford Place is marginally the better location, it's at the top of the city centre shopping street (called Above Bar) and just a 5 minute walk from the Sea City museum -  so you can amuse yourselves while your laundry is going thro' the system.

For your return there's a taxi rank on Above Bar opposite the War Cenotaph & by Titanic engineers' memorial - ask your driver to point it out en-route to the launderette.

 

JB 

Thanks for the info. Is there a hotel you'd recommend near the Atlantic Dry cleaners.We currently are booked at the Holiday Inn near the cruise . Are we better off there, or at one near the laundry?  T Hanks, 

WE are on a different one. 

I'm new to NCl so please excuse if this has been asked before.

We are schedule to dock on the return at Sunday 5 am. we have a  1 pm flight out of Gatwick.  Are we safe to book the NCL transfer to Gatwick or should we book a private transfer to make sure we arrive in plenty of time to make our flight. NCL says you need to allow 6.5 hours from time of docking to make a flight at Gatwick, I've also read the shuttle doesn't  leave until it's full, which could be 9 am.   Thanks

I'm new to NCl so please excuse if this has been asked before.

We are schedule to dock on the return at Sunday 5 am. we have a  1 pm flight out of Gatwick.  Are we safe to book the NCL transfer to Gatwick or should we book a private transfer to make sure we arrive in plenty of time to make our flight. NCL says you need to allow 6.5 hours from time of docking to make a flight at Gatwick, I've also read the shuttle doesn't  leave until it's full, which could be 9 am.   Thanks

On 7/11/2018 at 4:08 PM, phabric said:

 

Thanks for all the information and detailed notes.

 

I think we will take a taxi to get to Sagrada Familia to have an early ticket then purchase the HOHO ticket to see the city.

 

Were there taxi when you exited the ship? Or did you have take the cruise shuttle to exit the port area then get a taxi?

We will be in Barcelona on a cruise from 8am to 8 pm. How did it work out for you taking a taxi to Sagrada Familia and then purchasing the HOHO tickets. I want to see as much of Antoni Gaud that I can and the rest of Barcelona. 

Do you know which route is best to see the architecture. Did you have time to take the other route as well? Any other tipes and suggestions are appreciated. 

I am new to NCL. If I book an excursion with NCL and then decide to cancel, how is the refund/ Cancellation handled. Thanks

New to NCL need help completing Cuban Visa What box do I fill out ?

if we have a shore excursion credit can we use it to book an excursion prior to sailing ?

anyone have an email address to request distilled water for CPAP machine. Thanks 

Looking for recommendations for a reasonable transportation to  Gatwick for 1pm flight.I was told by NCL they can't guaranteed it on their shuttle, they wait til last person boards bus and they stop  at Heathrow first.    We need  transportation for 2 adults, our Cruise Critic Roll call only has 5 other participants. Any help is appreciate.  I know there is a bus and train, looking for shuttles or private car. The quotes I've gotten are very expensive.  Would be open to a shared ride. Thanks

We are taking a cruise leaving from Southampton on NCL that is 3 days in Iceland also going to Amsterdam, Brussels,Norway, Cork and over night in Dublin. 

I'm also from Orlando, We flew to Rome in Oct 2018 premium economy on British Airways from Miami for about $1000.00. We saved about $1000  by booking from Miami rather than Orlando.   It was't direct, changed planes in London. We were lucky to catch a sale on American from Orlando to MIA, Economy for $150 round trip each .   I said I wouldn't do that again because on the return you are so tired and just want to get home. Our flight from London arrived an hour late and left 1 1/2 hours late. We then had strong headwinds so that delayed us more. We were supposed to arrive in Miami at 6:30 pm,  We had a 9:50 flight Orlando, which was the last flight to Orlando that night from Miami. We luckily were able to get luggage right away and we had Global entry so we sailed through customs.  We were at gate about 15 minutes prior to boarding.Not a good way to end a trip. Next time I'll pay extra and  fly out of Orlando, 

I'm looking to fly to London in August and I also think flight are outrageous. Most of the direct flight in Comfort class are already book as of today January 11, 2109. 

You might try Norwegian air also. They are cheaper if you go economy. 

If you book Delta, you can count on them changing flights on you prior to your departure.  British Airways did change our flight time and they allowed us to change flights so we could make connection in Miami.  Delta also allows changes if they make the change.