ComputerTravelGuy

Just disembarked from the Westerdam ship and enjoyed hearing the BB King Blues Band on an Eastern Caribbean cruise for the last week. I've lived in Memphis and the ship's BB King band was the real deal - as professional a band I've heard on Beale Street. The HAL Cruise Director indicated that HAL has a "long-term" relationship with BB King who will provide experienced Blues bands to HAL ships (more coming each month). Some ships will need to be modified to have a Lounge large enough for these professional blues bands (e.g., older ships modified in a shipyard to accommodate this band). The Band performed at the main theater one night but typically just performed three shows per night at the Westerdam's Queen's lounge. Awesome!

The B.B. King's Blues Band performances during the Eurodam's first Carribbean sailing was some of the best entertaintment you will find on or off a cruise ship ......... The musicians were excellent perfomers and entertainers...15 on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

Besides the itinerary, having this band on my next cruise will be a top consideration.

 

See: http://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Simple.action?requestPage=bbkings_bluesclub

While the itinerary is the top consideration for myself, I do like either a good show and band before I retire for the next day of excursions. The Hal Cats were okay on the Zuiderdam a few years ago but I've lived in Memphis and have been to BB King's original club on Beale Street - if it's anything close to the real thing, I'll be pleased. I'm on the Westerdam in a few weeks and will report back on that ship's BB King band.

I'd do the train. Think of it as an excursion!

My DW and I took the train from Seattle and Vancouver in May 2013 and it was stunning. Comfortable accommodations and easy connections. An excellent "excursion".

Also, the PVSA and the Jones Act are linked (one Act references the other). A perfect example of laws with negative unintended consequences.

Out family is looking at a Bermuda cruise next summer. Since Princess does not do Bermuda my question is this: between NCL and Celebrity what comes closest to Princess? Which line do we pick?

 

Paul

We enjoy the music, entertainment and lesser cost on most NCL ships. The Breakaway is a great, new ship (unlike the Epic, currently in the Caribbean, which has design flaws). However, food on HAL and Princess in the MDR is a bit better. I'll be taking my first Celebrity cruise this Spring but likely closest to Princess (based on family recommendations), but more expensive seems to be favored by an older clientele (which drives entertainment options). Have fun!

I recommend the New River and Lamanai excursion. It takes the full day but is wonderful. There is a mile hike at the ruins but you can climb up on one of the temples. There is a meal included. Also the zoo is fun. Small but nice. I know that others have enjoyed the cave tubing. Belize is my favorite port. The people are nice and it is a beatiful country. Yes it is "3rd world" but one has to remember that not all places are the states.

New River and Lamanai ruin excursion was amazing - a full day of river rides, Mayan ruins and walks through the jungle. On a subsequent cruise, we went to Altun Ha (less expensive and not as lengthy an excursion but quite fun). No bad decision here.

And people's entire cruising history could be completely fabricated. Welcome to the anonymous world of Internet forums. Take everything with a grain of salt.

"Some Quotes on the Internet are not always Accurate". Abraham Lincoln

<rant on>

 

 

C'mon RCI, where's your ethics?

 

 

 

<\rant off>

Thank you for letting us know when the Rant started and where the Rant ended (but I think we could have guessed). :-)

Sucks............but always have a back up plan. Our next cruise is out of Tampa. We live right outside of Philly so of course will be flying out of PHL early Saturday AM for our Sunday cruise. If their are issues we can go out of Newark or Baltimore. Worse comes to worse we could drive to Tampa is 18 hours......not that I would want to ever do that buts it possible.

Off topic but Amtrak runs from Philly to Tampa - you might want to investigate the train as your backup plan to Tampa. Enjoy our city, beaches, boating, parks and nearby historic sites.

But I agree - ships don't wait (they can't) - but planning enough time to arrive gives you options. In the Navy, I can get a court-martial if I missed ships movements (so I planned so I'd never miss).

I looked at this earlier this year and I couldn't find a rail option to get from Anchorage back to the lower 48. It was either fly or drive.

Suggestion: Take the train from Seward to Anchorage (beautiful journey) and then rent a car & spend a few days driving North to Denali Nat'l Park (or train to Denali). Rental allows stops in Talkeetna and Wasilla (Sled Dog museum). Roads in Alaska are well marked and easy to follow. Return to Anchorage and take a night flight back to your home.

I have not taken the tour offered by the ship, when I took a tour of the new Atlantic Locks observation center it was part of a non cruise visit to Panama. The offerings at the Gatun Locks are fairly basic... observation platform with someone providing narration at the upper level of the Locks. In the middle level some equipment/machinery displays. The main attraction is of course seeing the ships go through the Locks from shore side. The new observation center for the New Locks is a very modern facility with video presentations and an area to purchase refreshments along with an excellent view of the construction site, Gatun Lake and the Atlantic entrance of the Canal. When I was there they had someone explaining what you were looking at as well as you could ask questions. Don't how easy it will be to ask questions of the guide that is providing the narration since it probably will be very crowded with a ship in port. When I was at the Observation Center it was not crowded at all.

 

Not much help in the private tour department, since the person I was using mainly was just providing transportation. I'll throw out a few names that I have seen on this board. No recommendations... just a starting point:).

]

Excellent starting point for my cruise in the Spring 2015 - Thank You. I've traversed the Panama Canal several years ago but the new canal was just a large "ditch". As an Engineer, I'm excited to go back and see the observatory and museum for the new canal and re-visit the operations at the old canal. I don't shop (my DW handles this for me - no joke - I hate shopping) so pleased that the ship's tour was all about the canal operations.

One word of caution, taking clearly marked cabs from the Rio airport (Brazil) is quite dangerous as some just shake-down passengers. I would research and make certain that taking a cab in Colon was safe (by selecting the right cab company or tour group). My first-hand knowledge of Colon is that it's a rough, port town. I'd recommend continuing to research cab companies (or tour providers in the port area) that you can trust. If anyone can give a recommendation, I'd appreciate it.

... I know that we agreed to the price on Tuesday and we will get the category or better that we paid for.....

A few years ago, I booked a non-refundable airplane ticket. A few days later, the airline ticket price dropped - that's how it works. I've also obtained great cruise deals (calling on a day with a special sale - quite by accident).

Enjoy your trip - you'll get a better deal next time. Don't let a few dollars taint your fun.

Depends when they find out as to whether they can reschedule another port... ....

On a Med cruise, we lost a two-day stay at the Port of Alexandria (Egypt) due to the civil unrest associated with the "Arab Spring" and protests in Tahir Square (which was on the excursion). NCL worked out a two-day stay in Istanbul instead - worked out well as Istanbul was an amazing, historic city. But last-minute weather tends to result in the ship slowing down and heading for the next port. Embarkation port departure time and arrival times stay the same.

My strategy is to board with a positive attitude, relax and enjoy my cruise. I have neither the time or inclination to do the white glove test but each to their own.

When I enter my cabin, I immediately check the ship's entertainment and activity schedule to get the fun rolling. Obvious issues are discussed but far to concerned with enjoying the cruise.

We do mention any expectations (like requesting ice each day) but the cabin stewards work 10-hours a day, six days a week. They're typically bread-winners who send money back to their families in third-world countries. Contacting the hotel director would potentially impact their livelihood and would not be worth it for dust behind a TV (only significant issues after attempts to resolve with the cabin steward).

I have been on both and greatly prefer the Sun because the forward Observation Lounge with its wonderful ceiling-to-floor windows is still intact. (In the Dawn that area has been replaced with suites.) The Sun has the Great Outdoors while the Dawn has the T-Rex pool. I always book interiors, ocean views, and the occasional balcony. As a "value cruiser" I feel that the Sun gives me more choices when it comes to finding quiet public places to relax and read a good book.

Agree with PolySeraph, the lack of public spaces on the NCL Dawn - especially the Spinnaker with its great ocean views - makes the NCL Sun the better choice.

My wife and I always gravitated to the the Spinnaker most afternoons (on sea days) and most evenings. The Spinnaker on the NCL Sun during our 2010 South America cruise and our 2013 Norway & Iceland cruise was heavily used. It was a common meeting point for cruise critic folks after excursions -a place to relax or just watch the ship sail. Our last cruise in Jan 2014 on the NCL Dawn (without a Spinnaker with a view) was disappointing. It was surprising how much we missed a "public space" with a view. Despite our preference for NCL, we won't sail on a ship without a Spinnaker (with a view). Hopefully NCL will not convert any additional Spinnakers into Suites.

Bit of an update. After remembering our last cruise to South America and reviewing the pictures, we have decided return - likely in early 2015 (sailing date TBD). :-)

Just booked a March SA cruise in 2015 but with another cruise line (not NCL). I just disembarked from the NCL cruise to the Western Caribbean and the future cruise consultant didn't give us any hope that NCL will be returning to South America. She indicated that its all up to NCL Corporate but they were mainly focused on their large ship sailings and repositioning of other Panamax sized ships to new ports. Apparently, NCL lost too much $$ in South America in 2009 and 2010.

Too stressful! Once we arrived 50-minutes after embarkation (lightning delays in Orlando while headed to London Heathrow) but luckily we arranged an airport to cruise shuttle with NCL and they checked our paperwork on the bus. We flashed passports and rolled our bags across the gangway (and it was promptly removed and the ship pulled away 4-minutes later). Fastest check-in in cruise history but never again! At least two-days in advance for overseas cruises.

Good for you. Have a great time!

 

 

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Thanks for the encouragement (both of you). Fair Winds and Following Seas!

We spent our last day at sea tying up loose ends, saying goodbye, and packing. Rounding the Horn (which I had finished) went into the suitcase, along with both summer & winter wardrobes, and a couple of small souvenirs. I finally took the painter’s tape off the cabinets and drawers. We headed to LeBistro for a victory dinner with some of our friends. I used the last of my Internet minutes to check our flight while ComputerTravelGuy settled our account at the front desk. Then it was back to the cabin to put our luggage in the hall.

 

Disembarkation went very smoothly. Since we had arranged to take a ship’s tour, we simply followed our tour group off the ship, found our luggage, and boarded the bus. Despite the earthquake only 2 weeks earlier, the port of Valparaiso was open and fully functional. As our bus left Valparaiso, we began to see both damage from the earthquake damage and repairs being made.

 

We headed out to the Casablanca Valley where our first stop was Casas del Bosque Winery for a tour and a wine-tasting.

 

Our next stop was a ranch dedicated to preserving the traditions of the Chilean Horse and the huasos (cowboys) who ride them . We were greeted with music and pisco sours which we sipped while watching a demonstration of traditional Chilean horsemanship..... .

Bit of an update. After remembering our last cruise to South America and reviewing the pictures, we have decided return - likely in early 2015 (sailing date TBD). :-)

I was on that cruise as well. Late June and true 24 hours of sunlight. One of my best cruises ever except for the price of beer in Norway :D

The price of a 20-oz Heineken on the ship was $8. The price of Norwegian beer (local stuff, nothing fancy) was $11 for 12-oz. Two club sandwiches, one beer and on tap water in a cafe was $74. Bizarre when cruisers rush back to the ship for bargains. And "Yes", on our way to Honnisvag (Nord Cape), the sun never went down. I walked around at 2am and relaxed to read a book on deck.

Hopefully. :)

Interesting for me, because we are considering Alaska for 2015!

And i am interested about the Norway cruise of STAR!

We have been on both the Alaskan and Norwegian (7 ports) cruises and both are stunning. But Alaska is always available but the Norway cruise is a specialty cruise which hasn't been offered since 2008. If its available via NCL, I'd grab it. NCL will do Bergen on many North Sea cruises but there's so much more to see in Norway. But bring lots of $$ - expensive place (12 oz beer was $11 in 2008).

Suggestion on Alaska, we did a one-way, inner passage from Vancouver to Whittier on the NCL Sun - took a train to Anchorage and the rented a car for a week to see Denali (3.5 days there) and interesting Sites along the way. We stayed in a B&B which was deluxe and the same price as the hotels in "glitter gulch" (place with lots of shops and hotels outside the park). The rental car allowed fun stops along the way.

I assume she will keep on cruising the Baltics in 2015, but on several dates she might also cruise to Norway... CELEBRITY CONSTELLATION and BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS also do both Baltics and Norway in suummer. :)

 

I could imagine that STAR is doing a similar itinerary as JADE in 2008 - but from Copenhagen, I think...

Yeah, Norway is awesome!!!!!

I was on that 2008 cruise up the coast of Norway (including Honnisvag - also called the Nord Cape). We took and early morning boat ride where we could see 3,000 Puffins fishing near a bay (with a dozen eagles feeding on the puffins). The sky was filled with these beautiful birds. We also went by a protected island with thousands of birds of all varieties.

There were several stunning glaciers, views and natural beauty on other port calls. In Stavenger, I found that port town beautiful/ cute with the oil museum (offshore oil drilling museum) fascinating. Also, since some of the Northern ports had few large cruise ships ever arrive, we found the whole town would come down to see the ship. Never felt so welcomed.

Definitely a specialty cruise to consider (and Yes, likely departing from Copenhagen).

Search on YouTube for ComputerTravelGuy to see my cruise ship going through the Gatun locks (three locks nearest to the Caribbean). Amazing to see 1914 technology still in operation. One video on Panama with many on Alaska.

Panama is a rain forest so likely it might be raining. A poncho was very helpful during the morning hours. Out cruise ship arrived on Nov 30th in Panama at dawn and it was a slow drizzle until 10am. Our ship had a partial transit but we took an excursion to enjoy a full transit (on a ferry) and were bused back to Colon where we met our ship.

Search on YouTube for ComputerTravelGuy to see my cruise ship going through the Gatun locks (three locks nearest to the Caribbean). Amazing to see 1914 technology still in operation. One video on Panama with many on Alaska.

DH and I have really enjoyed remembering this cruise over the last few days. As a result, we're seriously considering going back to South America when we take our Next Big Adventure and, of course, we'd love to do it with NCL. Yesterday I was out on the HAL and Celebrity sites looking at their offerings and became a little gloomy at the thought of having to pack and wear tuxes and dresses in order to eat a meal for which I've already paid. We decided that it makes sense to wait until the NCL itineraries come out next month before making the commitment. Let's all keep our fingers crossed.

NCL did a great job with the South American cruise. Rather than taking HAL or Celebrity, I'd rather wait until NCL decides to go back. NCL has been expanding their fleet so adding SA might be in the cards.