CruiseMan1970

I agree with the poster above. I would do a Uber/Lift. There is a large lot where they stage outside the airport along with the cabs. I have always seen between 10 and 15 out there, especially on cruise days.  Very nice drive over the bridge to the San Pedro cruise terminal. They are actually rebuilding it and it's beautiful.

I never understand people's attitude to visiting Bari - I found it a very interesting port. Maybe that's due to having a fantastic taxi driver who took us on a tour and was very passionate and informative which made our day very enjoyable.

 

In answer to your question: the exclusive solarium can be accessed for a fee - I believe there's a daily rate as well as a discounted one for the duration of the cruise. You can also pay a reduced rate if you just want to visit for the afternoon. I don't know the rates offhand and, personally, haven't used it to date (though looking forward to free access on an upcoming cruise :D)

 

I am going to have to do a lot of research on Bari because I'm trying to make this a huge surprise. If it gets to much I will just have to tell her.

 

Thank You very much for your response. We are also thinking of my GF mother sailing with us but she needs a disabled room and we were hoping she could join us up there.

Great Review Love2Cruz2015

 

Looking to hopefully book this trip sometime in 2018. Looks like the Orchestra and the Magnifica are going to go for a slight retrofit after this year. Not sure about that. Called MSC to ask and rep on the phone would not confirm that. Only said the 2017-18 itineraries aren't out yet.

 

I was really excited about your review but a bit disappointed that you did not explore Bari. This is the main port my GF and I want to explore as her Italian roots are from the area. Other than that great review. One question though.

 

Is the Exclusive Solarium(Deck 16) for suite passengers only or can anyone use it.

Have been on the Star for this cruise. Loved it... Puerto Vallarta was my favorite port also, just seems a bit weird that when you dock there is a Wal Mart in view of the ship. LOL

 

Only negative to the cruise, it was the first one of the season and the Star came from Alaska so all the sea creatures on the ship hull found there way into the air conditioning system and shut it down for about 8 hours while we were heading to Mazatlan and in the port. Not Fun !!! Especially when it was about 102 outside.

 

Not sure if the itineraries are the same but if so take the second cruise of the season.

Overall for just myself and my husband the answer would be no as I drink Mtn Dew which is currently offered on NCL. If however for any reason NCL chose to stop offering it and I couldn't bring it onboard then I would probably choose to not sail with them.

 

My answer would be NO also.

 

 

I was a heavy Mtn Dew drinker (cube a day habit) before going on my first NCL cruise in 08. Back then it was all Coke products and I didn't think I would be able to do it. Actually brought a 12pack of Mnt. Dew on board with me and didn't even finish it. After a few days I didn't even miss it and haven't touched the stuff since. Really got into drinking Ice Tea after that cruise.

 

See if you can go without for a week and see what happens. I'll tell you I felt a lot better and lost a lot of weight not drinking it.

As I have lived in Long Beach for the first 18 years of my life. Instead of going to one of the other Walmart's or Target that are nearby. I would take a short taxi ride over to 2nd street if you have a bit of time. CVS and Rite Aid in the area as well as many shops and very good restaurants and bars. Even a few coffee houses for you. I always end up there when I go and see some old H.S. friends.

I wonder how much "reno" NCL can do in 4 days at Port?

 

You would be surprised at how much they can do in a week. Especially if the cost of putting her in dry dock is less than the income gained. They might have a maintenance issue that would require much more cost if put off or just got a really good deal from the "reno" company so they can keep their people working. Who knows they haven't said what they are doing.

I have stayed in the Owners Suite on a Mexico/Pacific Costal Cruise and had the best time I have ever had on a cruise. I'm probably the worst cruiser to some because I just love to hang out in the room and on the balcony for hours. Don't really do much on the ship or in the ports as I have been to Mexico and California ports many times. Yes I'm lazy but I'm on vacation.

 

I have never cruised on HAL but what I have read and heard from others is that it's a more 'upscale' line and they even have a dress code not only for the dinning rooms but also the ship. This does not sit with me well as I am on vacation and wear board shorts and a tee shirt all day long. Please let me know if I am wrong about this. I just like to be relaxed and not thing I'm at work on casual Friday.

 

All that being said I would book the NCL cruise. Plus the port of Flam sounds interesting.

My 3 boys have always been bigger (taller) than their age group. Most of the time it's their age that prevents them from doing things. I remember when the middle boy finally was able to go on the rockets by himself at Disneyland. He was always tall enough but you had to be 7 and he just wouldn't lie about his age. I guess that's a good thing though.

 

and I just wanted to ask aubreyc1988.... Do they change the ships name when it goes BB.

 

12-27-2010 CCL Triumph (honeymoon!)

09-01-2012 CCL Ecstasy (B2B)

09-06-2012 CCL Ecstacy (B2B)

02-01-2013 RCI Monarch of the Seas (last minute)

 

I am the reason someone invented spellcheck though.....

[quote name='HarpHarp']The site, no matter how you access it, has been a nightmare lately.

They switched two port times on our Escape cruise, causing me to call & cancel. My PCC caught the mistake. I heard reports that the excursion I am interested in booking changes its time to match the new port time, but it still does not show on NCL.
Finally, I received my final payment notice with a due date of [SIZE="2"][COLOR="YellowGreen"]12/30/1969[/COLOR][/SIZE] so my assumption is the IT dept all drive Deloreans.

OP head to your library & try your checkin from there.[/QUOTE]

Linux first date is 1/1/1970 and any offset comes from your timezone, so it just shows a bad database restore. You just happened to see it. I see this all the time managing corporate backups. But yes it does make you think about a time machine.

To be off the coast of Monaco day of two before the Monaco Grand Prix. Watch the race and continue cruising to wherever is next on the itinerary.

 

I find very few cruise lines that have a itinerary the same week as the race.

Why does this "stink"?

 

What you are saying is that because you booked early, you have ended up $300 *ahead* of what you'd have paid if you waited until now to book.

 

That is a '"GOOD THING", no??

 

GeezerCouple

 

Yes she is $300 ahead, but she is missing out on the Free Ultimate Drink Package..

 

So if they spend more than $300 on drinks then they haven't made or saved anything.

I believe a lot of these people are in the higher income brackets. Over 200,000 per year.

But, I also believe that some of these people are

 

1. People who have saved some money all there life to take that one grand "retirement" cruise.

2. People that have had parents or another relative pass and use their inheritance to take a "luxury vacation".

3. People that have relatives that "treat" them to a "luxury vacation"

 

and of course

 

4. People that come into unexpected money in lottery or gambling winnings or from settlements from a lawsuit.

 

I am in the number 4 category when my wife recently won her car accident suit and was awarded and very nice settlement that will allow us to book a very nice 30 to 45 day cruise when we get the last kid through school this next year