spacewoman

Mom is gluten free. First time cruising with this new found issue it was suggested to notify NCL in advance. Note in the cabin that assistant maitre D so and so would be her contact for food questions, etc. it is in her records and she does not need to make any contacts in advance nor on board.

While she could choose next night meals in advance, the helpful part was being told what could or could not be made gluten free. That way if our plans were up in the air, she could order and the rest of us had no issue waiting in our meals to time the delivery of her special order. We have two free specialty meals with platinum this upcoming cruise and 3 meals coming with the SDP I do not see any issues for her at all as long as she goes over the menus with her contact person

Thanks so much for the info! We are sailing Gem and I do recall seeing signs for the parking. I will check the website for coupons.

Probably addressed many times here on the boards but new to us. We have previously used limo services but the prices are outrageous

Appreciate answers to the following questions

Current prices are $40 a day?

Do we need to call in advance?

Thanks to all for your assistance

This is the amature sailor speaking here,,,

 

The BA has a very very Large surface area. Even with extra lines and tugs, they may not want to be in the confines of a port with hurricane force winds. Else, they may have a close encounter with an aircraft carrier. (Do you remember when the Star broke its lines during a storm in Bermuda in 2012 and hit the Explorer of the Seas).

 

You'll know more when the ship leaves Bermuda this week. If it leaves a day early, they may move your departure up early.

 

Weather is always changing. May be far from NYC if it turns more.

 

Then,,,, there is the second storm that will probably be a hurricane in the next couple of days. May be more of an issue for you.

We were on Star when it broke loose... Was scary there for a few minutes. 45 mph gusts I think is what they told us. I cannot imagine being on a huge ship like Breakaway in high winds moored.

They will either be back in on Saturday (most likely not) or they will delay arriving back in NYC on Sunday and come in Monday morning.

Keep checking the NCL website for updates and they may robo call all passengers Saturday about the cruise

Off deep Woods has tested the best by consumer reports for several years. It also has enough deet for ZIKA protection.

You can buy 2.4 oz trial size at Stop and Shop markets and also at WalMart. At WalMart it will be at the front near the registers and also in the health and beauty department among the travel items. You may find the smooth and dry there, but be aware the deep woods has more deet.

Mom is gluten sensitive, has been last 4 or 5 cruises.

There is one waiter/waitress assigned to "special diets" as they call it. You should have a letter in your cabin confirming your dietary requirements and the name and contact number of the person who will be taking care of you the entire cruise.

When you board, go to the main dining room that is serving lunch. TELL your server you are gluten free. They should contact your person at that point and they should be available to assist you with your lunch order. You will be shown the dinner menu and they will tell you what can be prepared gluten free. They will come find you at dinner and take your breakfast order if you want.

Breakfast--- be SURE to ask for FRESH EGGS. This means if you want an omelot, ask for fresh egg omelot only. Otherwise you get scrambled eggs in a carton. They are purchased outside NCL and Mom has been told there is no guarantee of being gluten free with an outside product.

They have gluten free bread - ask for it at any meal. Mom had french toast made with the gluten free bread. She said it was delicious. She did not care for the gluten free pancakes, but everyone's taste buds are different.

I hope this helps.

Kathy

Thanks

What is the correct ethical way to sell a FCC that is going to expire next year?

We have a cousin who no longer has anyone to cruise with him and cannot afford full fare. His FCC expires next year

Thanks

kathy

We buy from kaceys on Front street in St Maartan. he or his wife are there. Delivery to the ship provided. They will always wheel and deal to give you good prices.

Thank you for your review. We look forward to boarding her this weekend! woo hoo!

As for the complainer--- saw one ourselves years ago (I think on NCL Spirit). DH and I sitting eating our breakfast in the buffet. Woman, complaining loudly, about how the chef was cooking her eggs. Complained and complained at him, loud, and nasty. Finally a supervisor comes out, she says in a loud voice "doesn't he speak English?" to the supervisor. We are both shaking our heads at this point. Poor chef by this time has walked into the backroom and I can hear people speaking in a different language. I am saying to the hubby he is probably cursing out this ignorant woman.

When we finished our breakfast and this gentleman had come back out to his station, my husband walked over to him, shook his hand and said "thank you very much for our breakfast, it was delicious. Please do not view every American like this woman, we are all not like this." The man thanked him.

As the saying goes "you can't fix stupid"

glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Kathy

Good Lord you sound like my DH!!!!:)

the 9 day was great, this should be even better!

Just Peachy Martini

with so many driving in, Newark sounds good for you and stay in a hotel in New Jersey. Then someone can grab you guys and take you to the pier?

Last time I checked parking at the pier was $35(?) a day plus taxes. That is why we take a car and split the costs. By the time I pay gas, tolls and parking, I might as well have a designated driver:)

The Sunday to Sunday itinerary really cuts down on traffic though.

Good luck with the planning and just tell your work you need to address this terrible cruise addiction you have:rolleyes:

the deals are always changing

We booked 10 day Gem on Black Friday. Got a great deal. No UBP offered at the time. Several months later I call NCL about something else regarding the cruise and I ask to have the amenties confirmation sent to me. I see that our TA had us down for the UDP ( or maybe an NCL error, who knows). Call the TA who returns a call to me saying if we rebook we can pick up the UBP for free. She tells me about $450 more for the booking. I say BOOK IT! She says "you are paying more" I explain that the UBP would cost us $1,200, the $450 is a bargain. So they book us at the new rate.

A few weeks back my SIL wants to go. So we start discussing adding her to my Mom and Aunts cabin. Mom and Aunt were booked at the time we did so no UBP. (Aunt did not want to spring extra). After all was said and done we created a new booking (changed their cabin but they are just one floor directly above us and since we can no longer open the divider on the balconies doesn't really matter) where Mom and Aunt got UPB , added the SIL for the port charges and the DH paid the UPB for his sister $662 and change. AND Mom and Aunt did have to pay a gratuity on the free UPB. All said and done Mom says the fare dropped from the original price it was booked at

You just have to ALWAYS keep checking. Even your TA cannot keep up with all these deals that come and go.

Kathy

Not so sure NCL will have the Belvedere Lemon Tea vodka. Way too specific for them to stock. Who knows though.

 

My son really enjoyed a drink on the Getaway back in Jan. It was honey whiskey and lemonade. I know around our parts it's referred to as a honey Lynchburg Lemonade, however, NCL has a different name for it. Anyone know what they call it? Can't find the name anywhere. I'm not a whiskey fan but he absolutely loved it.

a honey bourbon maybe?

Pomegranate Martini

Chocolate Martini

DH loves their Bushwacker

recipe I found on food.com was pretty close but instead of using creme of coconut I use a coconut flavored rum

1 oz each with ice in a blender

coconut rum

vodka

baileys

amaretto

chocolate liqueur

frangelica

Cosmo an old standby

scratch my question Kim

I looked at the website and see they do not fly into Westchester.

Any way to get a connecting flight on another airline into Stewart Airport? It puts you an hour away from the pier, hotel prices much cheaper, but does leave you with needing a mini bus service to the terminal. (depending on the head count, limo can do 6-8 with luggage)

You could fly into Albany but that leaves you with a 3 hour trip to the terminal and the cost of transportation would be high (can you rent a mini van with drop off in the city maybe?)

How about Weschester Airport (HPN)?

Kathy

That's incorrect. LGA is closest to the pier, EWR is next and JFK is furthest.

Thank you, I know someone would have it exact!

I recall somewhere on the boards several years ago, someone mentioned staying at a hotel in New Jersey then taking a car service to the pier.

I also see ads (since I am 60 miles north of the city and get those TV stations) for a car service Dial 77777 (probably missing a few 7"s:))

Newark would be the furthest from the pier, with JFK next and LGA the closest (those living in the city may correct that). From taking relatives to each over many years, we always found traffic to JFK quite miserable but, one little traffic glitch anywhere and the roads are a nightmare.

We did Breakaway two years ago for our 30th anniversary (I surprised the hubby that Christmas before with it). Just like everyone else, each ship you find things you like better than others and some things not so. I think we are better suited for the smaller ships but by no means would I pass up a deal on Breakaway again. We loved O'Sheehan's, loved being able to sit up there and watch shows in the atrium below. Did not like having to get tickets to see shows in the theater (understand why with the number of passengers), loved the layout of the casino but HATED the smoke. As in so bad it permeated O'Sheehan's and the elevators going toward the aft of the ship. I do not want to take away a person's right to smoke but it was beyond belief late in the day. You guys are the adventuresome types so you should love the slides, ropes, etc. I will say that, as long as the weather is nice, you do not feel like there are close to 4,000 on board. I believe (it's been two years and I'm over 50 LOL) that the rear dining was the dinner and show dining room at an additional cost. The ship is beautiful, areas where the specialty dining is very pretty, and the waterfront pretty neat.

I will say I have spoken to a few people who have done Epic and Breakaway and they say they prefer Epic.

Personally, I prefer whatever ship I am on at the moment.

Good luck planning Kim and try not to stress out!

Kathy

I GOT THIS NOTICE TODAY. DOES THIS MEAN I'M FAMOUS? HEHEHEHEHE :D:p

 

 

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Woohoo!!!!:)

Hope they are able to resolve the issue. DH is watching the webcam now and was saying something is not right

Yes in the port of New York you will pay sales tax on beverages. Not sure of the rate, but I live in Orange County and our tax rate is 8.12%. If you already have the UBP they wait until out at sea to bill you (I believe they gave us hand receipts last year until after we were out of port)

Either a small mistake from CC or a BFO mistake from NCL.

 

Scanners at the buffet entrance to catch food smugglers; no longer 'washy-washy happy-happy' but 'strippy-searchy strippy-searchy':rolleyes:

My DH might enjoy saying strippy searchy :D