shamr0ck

With all the supply issues and continuing Covid outbreaks, how much potential is there for a delay in the Prima being finished in time for the scheduled inaugural sailings?

We did a Christmas cruise on the Getaway.  Masking wasn't enforced nearly as much as we would have liked - folks with noses out or no mask at all in several places inside, especially during disembarkation.  Reports of passengers with symptoms out and about on excursions and staff ignoring reports of potentially ill passengers.  Several people just in our roll call tested positive within 4 days of disembarkation - not us, thankfully!  Trying to decide if we want to cancel the cruise we have planned for this year, just because everything is such a mess. 

27 minutes ago, cruiseblues2013 said:

Interesting, I have bid on all categories, although majority are sold out for the Bliss December 26th cruise out of San Pedro.  This morning banner was still there, I tried to check, but Error when I tried to get on.  Went back this afternoon on PC and NCL App Banner is gone along with all bids.  It's been there  55 days out, and I have changed my bids a couple of times, anyone else missing bids and banner?

Yup, we're sailing on the Getaway Dec 22. Was going to bump my bids this afternoon, and it's all gone...

1 hour ago, tafawke said:

Have they been offered the chance to bid on upgrades or actually been upgraded and paid the amount they bid? - I'm on BA on Dec 19 and no one on that ship (AFAIK) has had an upgrade processed so I don't imagine they would just skip to a week in the future... plus the comments here have been pretty consistent - Upgrades processed for the cruise departing on the Sunday start to be offered from the Monday before (from 6 days in advance)... 

Yup, i agree with this statement.  We're on a cruise 12/22, and I don't expect to see an upgrade until around the 16-17 date range.

Finally got our letter. They cut it close, it was only a couple hours before the 48-hour mark. We booked a M1 mini-suite, offered upgrades to Forward Penthouse, Aft Penthouse, and Owners Suite. I bid 570 per person on the Aft Penthouse, 830 per person on the OS. Both were in the poor range. We did not win either bid. Good thing we booked a room we really like already. :D

You do not NEED anything more than proof of rabies immunization to enter Canada with a pet, let alone a service dog, but it is always a good idea to have the APHIS Form 7001 (international dog health certificate) signed by your vet . . . just in case some shirty jack-in-office in Customs/Immigration wants to be difficult. The chances are nobody in Vancouver or the U.S. will even glance your way. But it's best to be prepared.

 

Requesting "assistance dog documents" is illegal in the U.S. but sometimes is legal in Canada—depends on the province and venue. You won't see that in British Columbia. I had to prove that Trooper was a bona fide service dog in order to get a fare break for a sleeper room on VIA Rail's The Canadian for our trip next November from Toronto to Vancouver. Air Canada did not ask for proof for a ticket from Chicago to Montreal but we had to call the airline's medical department and answer a few questions in order to get an extra roomy coach seat for the standard fare.

 

Service dog laws in Canada are administered by the provinces, not the central government. This is slowly changing as Parliament in Ottawa takes up the issue of a national service dog law.

Thank you! My contact at the access desk did get back to me and said all I need is the USDA form (the ship requires form 7001, even though Canada does not) and the shot records. So we are good to go. He did say that having the relief box moved to our balcony would be determined by the ship's crew, they would not set that up ahead of time. So we will need to request it from our contact once we are on board.

Thank you to everyone here for posting your stories and advice. It has lessened my anxiety about this first time experience quite a lot. I hope Hunter enjoys cruising as much as I do. :D

Val, with Hunter

Husband used a c-clamp on one side and extra rope. Has always been allowed. And it is fun! Have used it on about 4/5 cruises. It's light weight & found it on Amazon. It fits in the little bag that is attached and can be seen hanging on the right side!

 

 

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This is amazing, and I'm so glad I dropped in on this thread. We have lightweight hiking hammocks, but i've never thought about bringing them on a cruise. They are now packed up for Alaska, leaving Sunday!

Ahhh!

I graduated yesterday, and we are leaving for our celebratory cruise Sunday. Got Hunter in to the vet for his health certificate, and sent the paperwork to NCL. They wrote back that he was cleared to board, and that I need to "Hand carry copies of the vaccination and assistance dog document as well as your doctor's notes". Do they actually need my doctor's recommendation for a service dog? Or are they only referring to the veterinary paperwork? I thought previously they said I would only need the health cert and shot records. I don't want to get up to Vancouver and find out i'm missing something I need. :(

Val, with Hunter

The aft minis are nice on the Sun . 9 are the best followed by 10 then 8.

 

When I checked your sailing all categories were showing sold out.

That's what I figured. Just curious as to why they are offering bids on non-existent rooms. 5 days out, and they are still encouraging me to bid.

shamr0ck

 

Our cruise disappeared from list a couple days ago also but right before it was gone it still showed some open balconies, so maybe it's just a timing issue. Do you still get the upgrade banner when you log in?

Yes, it still prompts us to bid, even though we have bids in for all three categories we were offered.

The aft suites on the Sun (as well as the mini suites) are quite nice so they are probably all booked up.

We are in a mini suite (aft) currently. Our bid options were for penthouse (forward and aft) and owner's suite. Leaving next week, still getting the banner ad, no acceptance or denial thus far.

We are on the Sun sailing out of Vancouver on the 14th. Have had a bid in for a penthouse (from aft balcony) since the offers came out. I suspect the cruise is sold out, since it doesn't appear in the list when I do a search for Alaska in August, so I don't expect to get upgraded. Oh, well. :D

I cruised solo on the Epic when she was a new baby ship. Took a New Year's Eve cruise out of Miami, and I loved every minute of it. Normally I cruise either with hubby or with a big group, and it can get hectic. Cruising by myself meant I could do what I wanted, when I wanted, be social or not. Plus, the solo cabins are amazing! There are plenty of activities planned for solo travelers, so you don't have to be a loner if you don't want to be. I would love to do it again!

We are in the same room (9277) next month. I'd love to see some pics. Thanks in advance!

We'll be next door to you, Karen, in 9278. :D

Val

My sister in law says she was diagnosed with this after her last cruise:

Mal de debarquement (or mal de débarquement) syndrome (MdDS, or common name disembarkment syndrome) is a rare neurological condition usually occurring after a cruise, aircraft flight, or other sustained motion event.

Thank you so much, Roz.

Reading the stories here make me feel better about the trip. I need to remind myself that no matter how well trained, Hunter is still a dog, and I will have to deal with people's attitudes. It will be a steep learning curve for us both, but my husband will be along to act as a buffer of a sort, and we'll just have to figure it out as we go.

I like the idea of having the box on our balcony, it would solve some issues. Hopefully the crew is willing to accommodate that request.

Val

Oh! My! What did you all do, wait until MaMa goes away and then come onboard!!!!! WELCOME! To all of you.

 

I'm so glad that you've come by and that you're going to try cruising with your dogs.

 

There's just NO WAY to STOP the people who insist on touching your dog from doing it. The best thing you can do is to stop walking; stay calm; ask them to wait until you've given your dog a proper command and then they may commence with the loving. Then ask them to please stop touching, talking or making eye contact with your dog so that you may resume your walk.

 

I know that the curiosity factor just overwhelms the public [especially the children] so much that they can't hold back. But, if they would just realize how much they might be putting you and your dog in danger maybe they'd STOP and THINK first! [Although, I highly doubt it! ;p]

 

We can only teach them, one at a time.

 

I had an amazing road trip with my Grandchildren [over 2200 miles] and my Granddaughter was so beautiful, I teared-up more than a few times. She's just such a lovely child, with such a promising future.....I wish Morey could have seen the moment when she accepted her diploma.......don't we all live for just these moments! And, my car performed like a gem.........Thank you to all who helped me with that decision!

 

Horton was his usual professional self and even with all the blasting horns and screams he held himself together. There was a point when I thought for sure he was going to crawl upon my lap, but, he just gave me a "Mommy make them stop" look and down he layed.

 

The weather in Eugene, Oregon was around 48degrees and rainy. We came home to 98degrees and a sweltering heat wave. Horty did get a bit sick yesterday and I let him just rest in the air conditioned house as long as he wanted. We really went from one extreme to another.

 

Again, welcome everyone......I love the pictures of Yardley and Saxon.

 

Val, it is scary going on your first cruise with your Service Dog. Remember, to give yourself lots and lots of time going from one venue to another. People will want to ask lots of questions. Be ready to be a great ambassador for all of us. Go to the Hotel Managers [Purser's] Desk, upon entering the ship to find out where the potty box has been placed. If you have a veranda, ask them to move to there [if you'd like.]

 

Make sure that you place your dog against a wall or pillar when your dining so that no one steps on him/her [the thing that scares SD's the most is being stepped on], it can make them shy if done too often. When you go into a dark lounge or theatre place yourself in a spot where other passengers won't be walking near your dog [they're not expecting to have a dog laying on the floor.] I find a seat near an end of a row and lay him down against a wall and make sure that no one has to step over him, ever!!!!

 

If you pre-think where you're going to sit and where your dog is going to lay, it just makes everything so much easier. And, it soon becomes a dance!

 

If you get into an elevator and someone balks about your dog, ignore them, or, just get off and wait for another elevator. Try NOT to get into any confrontations with anyone about your dog, just walk away. There's really nothing you can do about folks who don't like dogs, or who say they're allergic or who just want to argue.

 

Enjoy your cruise, your way, and I promise if you keep a smile on your face and keep moving forward.......you'll have a wonderful time!!!!! :D

Thanks, Cindy. That was my thought as well. I think Hunter would be thoroughly confused if I went off and left him for two weeks at this point. We've been getting out and about and are getting comfortable working together in public. Still nervous about the trip, but might as well jump in and see how it goes. Have to do it sometime. :D

Val

Val, Welcome! I'm sure you and your new pup will be fine on the cruise. You two are just getting to know each other and it would be a shame to leave the dog for 2 weeks. I'm sure you will have a great time!

Cindy

 

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I took a solo cruise on the Norwegian Epic on New Year's a few years back. For one person, the studio cabins are amazing! They have nice extra amenities for the single cruisers, as well as lots of activities for folks to meet and get to know one another, if that's your thing. When I cruise with others, I love having a balcony, but for that cruise, and if I sail alone again, the studio was a wonderful choice.

I'm looking at the 6-day round trip from Seattle in late September. First time on a ship so it seems long enough to get a good feel for it, but short enough that it's ok if I hate it. I'm 47 and am a solo cruiser so I'm approaching it like a trip to Vegas - the room is for sleeping, not hanging out in, so I'm looking at the studio or inside rooms. I thought about an ocean view but it seems I can just go outside for that, and a lot of the available rooms seem to have obstructed views anyway.

 

This is as far as I've gotten so far. I have family in Seattle so it's an opportunity to visit them before and after as well.

 

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I generally lose about 5-6 pounds on a week long cruise. I'm one of the folks that doesn't find the food to be fabulous, and I get lots of exercise on the ship and in port.

Absolutely. I'm just waiting for the day.

I wonder if NCL ever looked into having specific cruises be 100% non-smoking? If they did:

 

1. Would you book one?

 

2. Would you be willing to pay a premium to book a cruise that was 100% smoke-free?

Greetings, all!

My hubby and I are experienced cruisers, and going on our next in a couple of months. Things that are new - this is our first trip to Alaska, and our first trip with a service dog. I'm kind of terrified. Been reading the boards, trying to educate myself, and I've been in touch with the accessibility office and filled out all of their paperwork. But my guy is newly released from training, and I feel like we still have so much to learn together, I'm very nervous about this trip. It's been planned for a long time, and my options are to take him, or leave him for 2 weeks when we are just getting into the swing of things. Any suggestions from the forum to make this trip less stressful? We are flying into Vancouver from Texas, so we will have to negotiate airlines, customs, and the boarding process for the ship. I've made a fairly comprehensive list of the items I need to pack for him, but feel like there is so much I'm missing. Help!

Val

I will be graduating in August of 2017, and want to reward myself with a fantastic cruise after I sit for my licensing exams. Since I am going to be unable to take a real vacation for the next 2 years, and potentially for a while after the summer of 2017, I want to make it count. Right now, I am considering a back-to-back Alaska/Hawaii cruise. I know that I have seen posts from folks having done this in the past, but I cannot currently locate them.

So I thought I would ask you lovely people for advice/opinions/etc. :D

Obviously, we want to be on the same cruise line/ship for the trip. The dates would be early September, based on the 2015 and 2016 offerings. I have only identified a couple of cruise lines that could make this happen. Does anyone who has sailed this itinerary in the past have any tips? When do the dates for the Alaskan season typically get released? We would want to book early to make sure we were able to get the same ship/room for both legs of the cruise, and we really want an aft suite or extended balcony. Do we have to take our luggage and exit/reboard in between the two trips? Or will they allow us to stay on board in the public areas? At least leave our luggage on board?

Thanks for any input!

Val

We are heading that way this week, and need to pick up a chip for our collection as well. I'll pick up a spare, in case you still don't have one. :D

Spa amenities are often offered at discount on port days. So if you do an early excursion and get back on board after lunch, you have time to take advantage of a relaxing massage before dinner. Great way to unwind.