Turtles06

As stated in comments above, no need to be nervous about getting a cab. And if you want to make it even easier, get a Red Cap to help you with your luggage (even if you don’t need the help). They’ll bring you up from the platform to the street and put you into a cab. Give them a nice tip! 😊 (Tell the conductor on the train that you’ll need a Red Cap on arrival and they will call ahead and arrange one.)

Thanks for the update and the photos!

I hope it's finished by then too, but I don't think the decision on tendering v docking is necessarily dependent on the status of the cruise terminal. We docked at Fuerte Amador in February, and the terminal was of course not finished then. And many ships have been docking there all year.

I was going to note the same thing. Big difference in being able to head over to the beach at 9am rather than at 11am.

SIX is fabulous. We fell in love with it two years ago on the Breakaway, and went back to see it again the next night. We’ve since seen it twice in theatres on land, including in London, which was very special. It’s a fun, high energy show, and we’ve left each time smiling and dancing. Enjoy your cruise!

I was curious about the mystery of a nighttime transit as well. I just checked the Roll Call for this cruise, and someone on board the Bliss reported this today: “They made an announcement yesterday morning. And they posted the revised schedule in the atrium. They said the revised schedule was (at least partially) due to the tides, we had to go when we could fit under the Bridge of America.” That post was in reply to a comment by another guest on board who had said this: “On the cruise right now and tomorrow is our transit . Well looks like our day light transit is becoming an overnight transit. Information is very scarce sounds like first lock is 2:00 Am . Only noticed by reading the daily free style schedule have not heard any announcements about it and I have a feeling tomorrow a lot of people waking up at 6:00 are going to be pissed we were half way through the canal.” 😵‍💫😮🙃

I’m getting tired of saying this, but this is absolutely not a negative. Once it’s dark out, having your curtains open in your stateroom when your lights are on is really useless, because you can’t see out. You just see reflections on the windows. It’s no big deal to pull the curtains. Also, the darkness in the bow at night makes for incredible stargazing, weather permitting.

We’ve sailed in this stateroom and 10000 next door (on the Gem and the Jewel) a total of four times, never heard noise from the theatre. There are two decks of cabins between the theatre and Deck 10. These are great suites.

We brought mosquito repellant on all four of our Panama Canal transits. Never saw a single mosquito. (Was more important to have the stuff for certain shore excursions, but even then, no mosquitoes, most likely because we were not ashore at dawn or dusk.)

And this is why the usual lack of sympathy from the NCL cheerleaders is especially unwarranted here. No one booking these suites could expect rehearsals in the middle of the night. I’m really sorry this has happened to you. And it’s inexcusable that the GM did not speak to you. I’m not sure what the appropriate compensation is, but it’s not what’s been offered. Good luck, let us know what happens.

We always buy third party travel insurance. But regardless of what a TA or anyone else may tell you, please read any policy carefully before you buy and make sure you understand what’s covered and what isn’t, and whether it’s a policy that does what you need. (For instance, how much of an itinerary would have to be changed for a guest to be fully reimbursed by the insurer if the guest cancels?)

Years ago, my wife and I stayed on board the Gem anchored off GSC, so that we could have a quiet day at the pool. Many other adults did the same. At one point, just about everyone around the pool lined up and went down the slide — with great difficulty, since it really was a kiddie slide. (I’d already tried it on the Jewel and came to a stop before the bottom, so that was enough for me. 😂)

Thanks for the kind words. And yes, the Gem went through the original locks. In case you haven't seen it, there's a sticky at the top of this forum that lists, by cruise line, their Panamax ships -- those ships that, barring some very unusual circumstance, will use the original locks. I'm sure you already know that the Coral Princess should use the original locks. I think going through those locks is the most interesting choice for a first-time transit. 🙂

It can. We were on a Northbound transit aboard the NCL Gem this past February. I took the photo below at 5:29am; we sailed under the Bridge a few minutes later. A lot of folks were upset that they missed it. As Bill said above, you should be able to get some time estimates the day before. You’ve picked a great gift for your retirement! Enjoy the planning and your cruise! Be sure to read David McCullough’s “The Path Between the Seas” before you go. You’ll appreciate the Canal even more.

The new cruise terminal at Fuerte Amador has actually been under construction for years, is well behind schedule, and is still not done. A good place to get information about the status is over in the Panama Canal Ports of Call Forum, where this is a subject of discussion: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/54-panama-canal/ When is your cruise?

Wow, doesn’t look much different from when we were there in February. ☹️

Agreed. The non-Haven suites on the Jewel-class ships have the same benefits as the Haven suites, except for access to the Haven courtyard area and sun deck. And just to clarify for newbies about breakfast and lunch — while the physical spaces of Moderno and Cagney’s are used for breakfast and lunch, respectively, the menus are special breakfast and lunch menus for suite guests. I think the breakfast is one of the best benefits of being in a suite. I’ve found the lunch menu too limited and heavy, but others of course may feel differently.

The only thing that makes the embarkation day lunch special is that you get to have a sit down meal in the MDR and can avoid the chaos of the buffet. The menu is limited, but the food has been good (our last sailing was in Dec. 2021, so I can't say what it's like right now). As others have said, bring your own binoculars. The Silhouette is a wonderful ship. Enjoy!

The dinner options are the same as for all guests. The MDRs, the buffet, and the other included venues, and the specialty dining venues. https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/jewel/whats-on-board/dining

We've sailed in forward-facing suites on four cruises, and have never encountered such restrictions. When the ship is underway, you need to be especially careful opening the sea door, and make sure you hook it to the bulkhead behind it once it's open. As for being on the balcony at night, that's fine too. See my comment immediately above about star gazing.

Based on my personal experience, this is not a negative, and in fact is a plus. Once it's dark out, having your curtains open does nothing when you have lights on in your cabin -- you can't see out, you'll just see reflections of the lights in your windows. It's no big deal to close your curtains. And, weather permitting, the darkness in the bow makes for great stargazing from your balcony.

Will this be your first visit to Cartagena? I realize everyone's interests are different, but we've been there twice, and imho it's far too interesting a city to spend the time on a shopping tour. Is there no NCL tour of the walled city? Again, YMMV.

Please just keep in mind that if you are handling your own transportation to the airport you may have to take a shuttle bus from the pier to another location to get a taxi or Uber. It will depend on the status of the cruise terminal. Have you looked into an airport transfer through NCL?

😮😳😮

If you haven’t done so already, a good place to research this and ask your question is over in the Africa and Middle East ports of call forum: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/19-africa-amp-middle-east/