AZ Irish
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Posts posted by AZ Irish
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Another OCD cruise planner here. Can anyone relate to causing a cruise companion anxiety due to TMI?
I'm over 20 cruises now & traveling with a "newbie". Thought I was being helpful with all my suggestions but figuring out that some folks just like to wing it -or rely on the cruise planners to do all the thinking :rolleyes:
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Most of what I love about cruising has already been mentioned. So I'll just say what I love about NCL.
1. Best line for solos. Not only having solo cabins (no single supplement) but they just treat solo passengers well. Solo lounge with free espresso machine, water, juice & snacks. Also, they arrange group dinners & entertainment. It's been great every time for me.
2. Best affordable and varied Suites. We love the 2 bedroom family suites for our group of 4.
3. UBP perk. Granted, it used to be totally free but it is still a great option for drinkers on a cruise with a lot of sea days.
4. Honestly I've met some of the friendliest staff on NCL. Not quite as friendly on some other lines, IMHO.
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Linda,
I've stayed in the 2nd bedroom (family suite) on the Dawn. It is a very small area but cozy. If you want some light you can leave the bedroom door open and just pull the curtain closed by the bed. This will give you some privacy and whatever light comes through the door.
I personally like a dark, quiet cave to sleep in....the 2nd bedroom with the door closed gives me that.
Hope this helps.
Kelly
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Doug, just want you to know I lurked on your live review of Escape the inaugural year & booked that ship immediately primarily from your descriptions & my love of craft beer. I ALWAYS take your recommendations as "gold". Been loving the Bliss review & seriously considering the Encore TA.
I love you & Sue & your humorous comments. If I ever see you guys on a cruise, I will apologize in advance for attempting to hug you. FYI I am harmless - as long as no one tries to take my beer away!
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Actually, the one way Alaska cruises start in Vancouver. Seattle are the RT cruises. So the same silly maritime laws apply, ;)
Are there not some “one way” Alaska cruises between Seattle and Alaska? As long as they stop in Canada on the way, I thought it was OK.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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The ropes course...unless you are afraid of heights.
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Hi Knot4Cindy - we just did the 2 bed suite on Dawn earlier this year. The second bedroom is tiny but does sleep 2. There is a very comfortable double bed (converts from a couch). Not a fold out couch bed, more like a futon couch. There is also a bunk that can fold down from the wall (giving 2nd sleeper). Personally, I would find 2 in that room too claustrophobic.
BUT, there is also a fold out bed in the living room couch. We had 4 people - 2 in master bedroom, one in small bedroom & one in living room. Worked great!
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NCL gives double points if you book 9 months in advance. After my upcoming cruises I should be gold. Really excited about that.
RCCL also gives double point for solos but they weren't added automatically. I had to call and ask.
Unfortunately, NCL stopped giving double points for the 9 months advance bookings. Now the only way to get double points is either booking their latitudes offers or book a suite. This was a recent change - I did get the double points over a year ago booking 11 months ahead.
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I've done solo on Princess, NCL, Carnival, Celebrity & just last week on RCI. Honestly, NCL is the way to go if you want to be catered to as a solo traveler. But that being said, I still love Princess & have never had issues joining others for dinner or trivia.
I have found on most lines without NCLs solo program - it's easier to go for anytime dining but if you pick a similar dinner time every night, you can end up with the same dinner companions. My last cruise with Royal, I ate most nights with a lovely couple & had very nice conversations.
I wish all the lines would do more for the solo traveler but don't let it stop you from enjoying your cruise (and definitely complain if you have an issue).
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I find packing cubes to be the best solution for solo cabins with limited drawer space. Much easier to stow cubes on shelves versus trying to keep your clothes stacked and tidy.
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There is a lot of storage but no drawers. I used packing cubes to organize my clothes on the shelves. That really helped me. I didn't need the extra hangers I brought. Plenty in the closet.
I also used a magnet hook on the bathroom door as my "towel holder" for when I showered. Kept me from dripping water everywhere.
Anyway, I loved the solo cabin and wanted to pass along tips that helped me make the most of my space.
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While there are no guarantees for day passes - you can get them on port days. Last year I got a day spa pass on Escape for $54 in port. But I went there right when they opened at 8am. Might not be able to get a pass multiple days but certainly have a shot on port days.
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I did my 1st 7 day solo on Escape. I loved it....doing it again next year. I was in solo cabin & did solo group dinners every night. Even hung out with some guys from my solo group in St Thomas.
You will have a blast. Don't worry.
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Tell me more about this beer competition.
I recall there being an "all time leader" type thing that first timers like me have no chance of winning.... Is there also a competition by sailing?!?
Sent from my iPhone using Forums
Oh I remember the contest. It's how many different beers you try not how many you drink. They update a board above the bar with top leaders. I actually managed to stay at #1 for about 4 days. Took pics for bragging rights. Very fun!
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It's my own fault for not looking at the Freestyle Daily close enough to see there is a solo gathering. There had to have been other solo seniors who would have wanted some to dine with.
I won't make this mistake the next time.
Thanks to all
I was on this sailing in a solo cabin. I can confirm that the solo gathering was definitely open to all solo traveler's. Jojo, our host, made sure the door to the lounge was open during the evening "meet & greets" so those without key access could get in.
We had people we saw every night and some who came & went. But it was a fantastic thing for solos. I had dinner most nights with a group of fun folks (all ages). We even got seated right next to the stage for the Motown Dinner show in Manhattan Dining room. It actually seemed like we got priority seating/treatment with our little solo group.
I have nothing but effusive praise for the solo program and plan on solo travel with Norwegian again. Unfortunately, Jojo is leaving the Escape but I'm sure they will get another wonderful host.
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You're right. There are more Solos on CC if visit the Sept. 3rd rollcall as well. Its awesome. I'm booked on a balcony instead. Got a nice price. ;)
Two more days!! I will be on the Sept 3rd cruise also. First time in NCL solo cabin. I can't wait! :D
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In response to fshagan
I guess you can decide what is important in the article...or decide which part of the article includes "outright fabrication from NCL". The article also states:
"To support the new WiFi network, multi-million dollar bandwidth and performance-boosting technology upgrades were installed fleet-wide just before summer, including new state of the art satellite dishes, and EMC’s patented SpeedNet program. The SpeedNet program delivers popular websites at speeds that mimic high-speed fiber optic networks, similar to those available in homes and offices."
I myself, would conclude that "before summer" certainly means prior to July. So how do you think they got that information? They certainly didn't pull it out of a hat. NCL told them this.
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Did NCL actually PROMISE the improvement? Or is this someone who has "misread" an NCL press release that did not PROMISE the stated improvement.
NCL is very good at saying what they want to do in future but delivering is another matter. The only changes they make when they say they will make them seem to be in NCL's favour not improving the experience of their clients!!
Like you, I don't necessarily trust what NCL "promises". But I can't get over seeing this statement in that business article today:
"The new, lightning-fast WiFi powered by SpeedNet was made available to all guests on all Norwegian, Oceania and Regent ships in July."
So is NCL just sending propaganda to all the news outlets too? SMH :rolleyes:
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Has anyone on any Norwegian ship experienced the faster WiFi we've been promised? I just saw this article today which implies Norwegian already gave their customers "fast wifi" last month -->
& I have to ask, is Norwegian lying to us? Because last I heard, WiFi in Escape was still dog-slow last week. Am I missing something?
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As a craft beer "aficionado", I can say that having a Brewpub on their new ship "Escape" is definitely an improvement for me. I booked my cruise (in 27 days) on Escape due to:
1) Very reasonable price on Solo cabin
2) CRAFT BEER!!! Yay! :D
Even though I haven't stepped foot on the ship yet, I call this an improvement. As most cruisers are aware, finding good craft beers on a cruise ship is usually impossible. So I commend NCL for adding the brewpub (which I hear is very popular...what a surprise).
Just wanted to chime in with a positive. ;)
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I can understand folks getting upset at the plethora of changes NCL has been implementing in such a short period of time. I think, as others have stated on this thread, that NCL really needs a better business plan (the huge price increase on premium drinks was a bit shocking). Guess they don't subscribe to Mary Poppins "A spoonful of sugar...."
That being said, I've seen negative changes in all the cruise lines I've sailed (albeit a bit slower than NCL changes recently). Everyone has to make their cruise choices on what matters most to them. What keeps me coming back to NCL is their embrace of the solo cruiser. When they start pricing me out of their solo cabins, I guess I'll look elsewhere.
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Only 27 long days till my Escape cruise!
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Following!
Can't wait to hear about all your adventures...I'll be doing same as you in about a month...solo on Escape. And my first stop will also be District Brewhouse. :D
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In my 50's and I love cruising solo. For one thing, as a woman traveling alone - I actually feel much safer on solo cruise vacations than land-only vacations.
And I think it's so much easier to socialize on a cruise. Find an activity and you'll meet up with people who could end up being friends for life...you never know.
If you love cruising, don't let being solo stop you. It's safe, fun & you get to do whatever you want - as long as you aren't breaking any laws ;)
Money
in Canada/New England
Posted
Some (few) places in Canada will not take US $ or credit card. My research of some small pubs in Quebec city was clear on that. Also, there could be some taxis that do not accept CC (may accept US$).
That being said, unless you have a bank associated in Canada, it may be cheaper to get some CAD at your US Bank. I have Chase debit which has horrible fees/rates for foreign countries so I bought some CAD here in US. Exchange rate wasn't perfect but was still better than Travelex.
Really depends on how much CAD you want to purchase and whether you care about crappy exchange rates. Are there some Canadian businesses that take US $, sure. Will their rates be competitive - no chance.