realtorgranny

We have done 3 TA so far, Epic 4/18, Getaway 10/19 and Epic 11/21 with our next TA scheduled for 4/23 on Epic. Out of 33 cruises TAs are my absolute favorite. I enjoy the relaxation of not having to hustle on and off the ship in every port and especially enjoy the chance to meet new travelers. It just seems like no one is in a hurry to rush to lunch or dinner.

We have been in a hurricane and a cyclone coming across and I’ll admit it wasn’t smooth as silk but was tolerable. For a short period the outside decks were closed but it didn’t last long. We’ve also been across when the Captain said it was his smoothest sailing ever. 
 

If I were you I would look at the Solo cabins. Our friend traveled in one and it was perfect for her. The opportunity to attend the Solo Meet/Greet and join each other for dinner if you chose would open up a world of new friends. Check out the videos of the Solo Cabins and get more information. 
 

FYI be prepared for the ever changing time changes that happens on a TA cruise. 
 

Enjoy your journey.

We are loyal NCL cruisers (Sapphire) and did the status match with MSC. We got Gold. We usually do Haven Penthouse rooms when cruising with NCL. I wanted to “see” the difference between Haven and YC so we booked MSC Seascape last month. Wow! While the rooms on NCL are larger the service on MSC blew us away. From when you get out of your taxi and a butler meets you at the Port entrance till he walks you to the gangway when disembarking the MSC service was outstanding. I won’t even mention a different menu everyday unlike NCL. We are not giving up on NCL but will definitely be back to MSC.

We are from Texas and are traveling to Canada later this week. We got our flu shot from CVS last week for the over 65 age group. 
 

We stayed there in Nov 2021. It’s a very nice hotel and has a great restaurant. Rooms were spacious and staff very friendly. We left our large bags at the hotel after arriving in Rome, travelled for a week and then went to the hotel for one night before taking the NCL transfer to cruise port. Just beware, my husband is disabled, we were told when we checked in for the transfer, the day we stayed at the hotel, that we should bring our bags downstairs in the morning and the next time we saw them would be in our cabin. Not true. We had to (meaning me) collect our bags when we got off the bus and muscle them all around the building and inside. No wheelchairs were available outside the port building and no porters to help. I’m not complaining, just want  make it clear about what to expect. We loved the hotel, the restaurant, the transportation was good and our Transatlantic awesome.

I recently call NCL and inquired about this. Regardless of how many Platinum and above are in a stateroom only 2 vouchers will be given. I disagree with this because each Platinum guest earned the status individually yet they are not given vouchers individually. This practice encourages ppl to put a Platinum in each room amongst friends/ family and change key cards after boarding. 

We were on the Jewel 5/30 and the Cigar Lounge was open

We sailed on the Jewel, Vancouver to Seward with 60% on May 30, 2022.

They are staggering check-in times to supposedly allow for a smoother boarding process. Pick the time that works best for you to board. You will not be allowed to go to your cabin so enjoy the Lido buffet.

For those of you asking about multiple cabins and only one couple in one cabin testing positive. We were not offered the option to not travel on the cruise and receive anything in exchange. It was explained that they will only provide for members traveling in the same cabin. We did fly to Seattle together and stayed in the same hotel room with our daughter and SIL, but that did not matter.

UPDATE: Since our return on 9/28 both my husband and I have tested positive. So far we have mild symptoms, we thought it was a cold from all the rain in Alaska. Hopefully it stays that way.

We got off the Encore on Sept 25, under our Platinum plan we ate at Cagney’s (fabulous) and booked the Italian Restaurant Onda for our last night since there was no LaCucina. We were told Onda is not a Platinum perk. They are offering LosLobos or the BBQ Restaurant. Wow, we are from Texas and the last food I want to eat on a cruise ship for my “Special Specialty” dinner is BBQ or Mexican. We were allowed to eat there and were comped by the MaitreD, which I appreciate,  however, we found the food quality way below LaCucina and the atmosphere much like a diner with my Pet Peeve, no tablecloth. 

Update to my original post: COVID POSITIVE AT PIER

I posted on 9/18 that my daughter and SIL tested positive at the port, we were scheduled to leave Seattle for an Alaska Cruise. They are vaccinated and had negative Covid tests results prior to departing our home in San Antonio Friday.

After they tested positive they were provided a hotel room for quarantine. NCL said they would cover the costs after their insurance. They were allowed to walk around the grounds but were told they must stay away from other guests. They ordered Uber Eats which was delivered to the reception area and then the front desk left it outside their room.

Everyday they received a phone call from an NCL Rep, their insurance provider and (I think the name was ) Medco, to check on them and ask if they were ok. Aside from too much togetherness, they felt they received excellent treatment. My daughter did loose her taste and smell on Sunday but by Thurs it was back. Other than that they were both asymptomatic thru the entire time.

My daughter tried to purchase Covid tests for them to take the test prior to the ship’s return but none were available either locally or thru Amazon. I had the foresight to bring one with me but it was on the ship in my luggage. When we returned we met my daughter and SIL in the parking lot and they used my test. A BLESSING, they both tested negative. She called NCL and told them that they felt comfortable leaving. All along NCL told them they were free to leave at anytime but once they left the coverage ended. They were concerned that until they tested negative things could go South real quick so they stayed until we returned.

We promised each other we will plan a new Alaska Cruise for next year so they get to see beautiful Alaska and we get a “do over”.

Thank you NCL for taking excellent care of our family.

For those of you that wonder, what happens if we test positive at checkin? Well, I’ll tell you from first hand experience. My husband and I left San Antonio yesterday for our Alaska cruise on the Encore today Sept 18. My daughter and SIL were with us. As recommended we all got tested for Covid prior to our travels. We all tested NEGATIVE.  Hooray, we were on our way. This morning we all went to get the mandatory pre-cruise test required by NCL.  Imagine our shock when both my daughter and SIL tested positive. They were both fully vaccinated months ago.

Immediately they were whisked into a private room with security and an NCL REP posted outside. There they were given another Covid test and again both tested positive. The staff asked where their bags were and they contacted the Marriott hotel next door. Security and the NCL Cruise Director went to the hotel and retrieved their bags. ( I had already taken ours out as we knew they would be going there shortly) 

They we’re then driven to a local resort that NCL has contracted with to house passengers that test positive. Since then I have been talked to my daughter numerous times and she said she is amazed at how well NCL has been treating them. They are both asymptomatic  and had no idea this was about to happen. They have been told they will stay at the resort until they both test negative. They are authorized to order room service and with be reimbursed up to $100 per day per person.

I am thankful they did everything right and followed all of NCL’s recommendations. They did have insurance with NCL and are ever so thankful for that.

My husband and I spoke with a member of the medical staff when we checked in, and after much discussion with the Dr on board we were allowed to board.

I am heartbroken leaving them behind,  although my daughter insisted. They have been in touch with their daughter and SIL that are station in Olympia WA. And all have promised me they will keep us updated everyday.

So my best advice is get tested before you leave home, have insurance, and keep a good attitude if life hands you lemons.

STAY SAFE and get VACCINATED.

Yes, check out Bird’s Encore review for some great information 

The Italian Ministry of Health issued an ordinance on July 29, 2021 stating that an Anti-COVID-19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognized vaccine from competent U.S. health authorities (CDC “white cards”) will be considered the equivalent of the Italian Green Pass where this requirement exists

Took the above info from link mentioned above. Am I wrong or are our CDC vaccine cards acceptable?

55 minutes ago, NCLherewecome said:

As Haven guests do we get a lanyard for our key card?  NCL newbie here.  Thank you. 

The last time we were Haven guest we received a leather card holder to carry our key cards in. Unfortunately it only fit our card and no room for cash.

We did a TA on the Getaway in a Courtyard Penthouse Deck 16. I loved the convenience of just being a few steps away from the restaurant and bar. Our bartenders were the best and really got all the other cruisers talking to each other. We booked the Epic TA in Nov 21 and picked the same area. I think you’d love it like we did.

Sorry, it must have been down for changes. I see it’s back up.

I just looked at our July 27 Alaska cruise on Jewel and it shows no cabins available.

should I assume we will getting word soon that our cruise is canceled? Yesterday there were all classes and many cabins available to book. 

We were on a 19 day TA when my husband contracted pneumonia. For four days he went to the infirmary twice a day for treatments. His bill was over $11,000. Medicare does not cover out of country services. We were thankful we had purchased insurance. You do have to pay the bill yourself and then get reimbursed. FYI.. make certain you have a credit card with plenty of available credit. We saw several families scrambling to get their credit extended because they had to pay a huge bill. We certainly learned our lesson and always get outside insurance. Do your research early so no surprises.

We sailed on the Vista June 2019, our cabin was the corner unit and considered a Premium Vista, for which we paid a considerable amount more for. The room was so small and did not have a sofa but rather one chair in the corner. The balcony, while it wrapped around the corner was very very narrow and to sit on the 2 chairs one had to sit sideways. I would not recommend that room at all. BUT our friends had the cabin to the left of ours. Also a Premium cabin and their balcony was amazing and definitely worth the extra money. Our other friends had regular aft balconies and that would be where I’d book next time. The rooms were much larger than the Premium Vista cabins and the balconies were very spacious. Definitely book the Havana, it’s well worth the extra cost.

I guess I am old school, I miss not having a tablecloth in the MDR. That subject has been beat to death and it doesn’t appear it will change. Goes right along with not dressing up for dinner. Join the masses or don’t cruise on Carnival, I choose to cruise. 

An easier question might be who hasn’t been able to use them on an already booked cruise. I’ve used them twice already. Good Luck and I would go for it. Worst case, I see people offering to buy them  all the time.

After 24 cruises and booking directly with cruise lines, we booked a Haven room for a TA with a local TA. Our cost was over $15,000. Never again will I use a TA.  I was blocked from any communication with NLC. Since then our cruise has gone down over $2,000. Two weeks ago she told me she called NCL (at my request) and got us $250 OBC, BUT what she didn’t say was that it was a one time opportunity. I understand OBC is not guaranteed and I should be grateful, which I am, but in the future I’ll do my own booking.

We sailed on Epic in a Mini Suite category MB. The storage was way more than we used or expected. Bed was close to entry and shower was fabulous. I love the Epic.

Several weeks ago I noticed our Haven suite price was reduced by $895. I asked our TA to check to see if NCL would offer any OBC. NCL offered us $250 OBC which we took. Today I see that our room is now $2095 less. I asked our TA to contact NCL and ask if they would offer any additional OBC. The TA just told me that an OBC offer from NCL was a one time deal. Does any one know if this is correct or can you offer any other suggestions? I understand that NCL has no obligation to offer anything and I will be thrilled in our Haven Suite, but I am hoping.