dporter

19 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

 

 

I'm not sure what this is...but I didn't stick around too long. Maybe a termite nest?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Might be a bird nest, there are some birds that build nests like that. Maybe a cliff swallow

6 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

This time we ended up all the way at the back and marked our territory.

 

 

 

This was my view for most of the day. I would be able to see the ziplines and hopefully catch Sakari and the hubby going by.

 

 

 

As soon as we sat down we immediately began to have mosquito's biting us. Oh great...not one of those days. We hadn't brought any spray with us this time. Now EVERY single cruise I have brought bug spray. Every.single.time. We have NEVER had to use it. The ONE time that I don't even bother to pack it...we needed it. We would spend about 20-30 minutes swatting mosquito's around us and doing matrix moves and then all of a sudden they vanished. Did they figure out we weren't about to let them have lunch that day and moved on to a different dining location? Either way, we were pretty happy about that and we showed them who's boss! We didn't end up with one bite on us! Now those are some skills!

 

Sakari started begging to go to the ziplines immediately. Of course I would have scurried off with her but that was going to be impossible this time. Daddy wasn't really feeling it but I gave him that look and said "You have obligated daddy duties today to make your munchkin happy." He hung his head and said "give me the camera" an prepared himself for what was about to happen. I handed him the camera and gave him strict instructions on what to do and what settings I wanted him to use...the regular sport setting, since he would be in motion and moving along quickly, the picture "pop" miniature setting that I use all the time for the "neat effects", and then the video of course. "Got it" he said. I gave him the side eye look and said "we'll see". Of course he knew that I wouldn't actually "see" until I got home, so he was safe....at least for several weeks to come. Sakari took the GoPro.

 

They headed off and I decided I needed to check-in with Kolin back home and see how the animals are doing. We had not had any internet service the entire cruise, but knew that this place had free wifi and I was going to make the most of it today. I really needed to know if he had done anything dumb this time around...like a few times before...such as poisoning my dog. He has never lived it down since that. I also needed to know if any of their cats had a tasty treat while we were gone (Sakari's Axolotl). 

 

Obviously my children had been watching my location and Kolin had posted this on his snapchat....

 

 

He also sent me this picture of him taking our dog out early this morning...well, at least he was still alive.

 

 

 

 

Wait, what's this white stuff???? It snowed?? Yikes! I picked the perfect time to be away on vacation (it melted before we returned and I haven't seen any since). The animals were ok and all still alive. Kolin gave me the normal talk about how he wished he would have went this time and he was regretting it....which he says every.single.time but yet still never goes. Little does he know...that would be his Christmas gift from us. He's going to be forced to go sooner or later!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A gorgeous husky! We have one but living in North Texas she hasn't seen snow, maybe someday.

3 hours ago, stefmaia said:

Bird, it’s that last page I’m worried about. I don’t think they hand this out on board anymore, and nowhere in the NCL pdf library can I find it, so without it I can’t ask for ( demand while stamping foot , lol j/k) my glass of champagne at the bar. I’m wondering if this is still current or whether it has been replaced by this:

 

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-plus-beverage-package.pdf

 

And whether her those lovely wines by the glass are now history.

I followed your link, if you look t the fine print at the bottom, about the third line it states it includes all beverages by the glass, you should be good to go.

1 hour ago, Oakman58 said:

I'm beginning to have second thoughts about my decision to cruise on the Epic again.  Recent reviews of the Epic in the Caribbean have been very negative.  I know, I know, take reviews with a grain of salt but one of those reviews reminded me of the things I disliked about the Epic.  By the way, the cabin layout doesn't bother us at all. If the food is good and the crew very friendly I can put up with the other negatives of the Epic. I booked this cruise because of the ports it will make in the S. Caribbean.  I won't be cruising on the Epic until the end of January so any issues with embarkation should be ironed out by then.

@Oakman58 I believe the issues with embarkation/disembarkation have improved since the Epic's initial arrival in San Juan as the next two sailings didn't seem to have the posts that the first one did.  Part of the issue is with Pan American Pier and the infrastructure to arrive and depart the pier itself.  The road into and out of the pier I believe is one lane each way, when you have multiple ships using the pier it would cause traffic congestion.  Adjusting your pier arrival time to around 1pm or 2pm local time should help alleviate any problems.

32 minutes ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

For every bad review you read there are probably 20 good reviews that don't get posted.  Anyone who goes into a cruise with a good attitude will have a great time IMO.

@RedwingHockeyFan I agree more people post negative stuff than positive, I think it might even be higher than 20 good.  We will be on the Epic and we are excited, we will have a fantastic time.  We expect to wait in lines at some points, that is what happens when you and 4000 of your new friends are all in one small area.  We will enjoy a cocktail and people watch!

We are less than 60 days out and were having the same issue.  According to the representative I spoke with NCL is experiencing an issue with e-docs being locked.  If you have your airline confirmation email and still cannot print give them a call and ask them to have a supervisor unlock your e-docs.  The process, even with wait time, took less than 5 minutes.

12 hours ago, wdsted said:

We left our hotel at 2:00 and got out of the taxi an hour later.  There’s a 1-lane road in and traffic was bad.  10,000 or so departing guests with the Epic and RCL ship makes for slow going.  Luggage drop off and check in took 10 minutes and we were onboard right away.  The only issue was that the Haven restaurant had stopped serving lunch and the only open option was the Garden Cafe, a venue we avoid like the plague.  NCL should have extended Haven lunch service.  Except for that hiccup, service, dining, and the cabin have been great!  

Thank you.  When we embark the Epic will be the only ship at the Pan American pier so that should help a little. We have embarked/disembarked from San Juan previously so we are familiar with the approach to the pier.  We will be staying close to the pier so we will just keep an eye on how the traffic is flowing.

@wdsted sorry I misread reply

12 minutes ago, rachiem said:

Last May, 7 nights Barcelona. 
We loved the cruise but didn’t feel that Haven added loads of value. Saying that it was port intensive, so maybe used the facilities less than a TA. 

We haven't done any cruises in Europe yet, its on the bucket list.  I hear that most are port intensive so I will definitely need a few days after to wind down.

6 hours ago, wdsted said:

We’re on the Epic now in a Haven 2 bedroom.  Happy to report no construction and great service.  The Maitre de (sp?), servers, butler, concierge, steward are all very friendly and helpful.  No complaints from us.

@wdsted How was your embarkation?  We will be on Epic in the Haven in February, were you able to skip any long lines to get into the Haven check in and waiting area?

5 hours ago, rachiem said:

Thank you for posting this...

We did our first and only Haven trip on the Epic.

We usually have inside cabins or balconies, depending on the itinerary and we felt as though we'd wasted our money on the Haven experience.

Embarkation wasn't great as we were escorted up, neither sea cards worked and were told we had to go and sort it out ourselves at guest services...took an hour no sort, so had no tour etc.

The Haven bar was so cold and didn't serve any rose wines, on our sailing. The bar staff were very uninterested too.

Loved the meals in Haven but unfortunately there was a noisy group eating there most nights.

We didn't feel "special" at all

We did have a spa suite and we totally loved the spa. 

After our experience we I doubt we'll do Haven again. £4200 for the week compared to £1800 for a balcony.

@rachiem When was your cruise on Epic?

5 hours ago, Cbrez_1009 said:

We will be on in March.   Seems like a lot of earlier issues.   Like you I hope they have worked them out.   Maybe you can repost your experience.   Please.   

I will definitely post our experience when we return

We will be on the Epic in February, also in the Haven.  This will be our third trip in Haven with NCL, first on Epic.  One thing I have learned from the many cruises is if there is something that is bothering you, speak up right away.  As long as you are nice it usually is resolved very quickly.

I know we will have an amazing time.  There will be food we love and food we wouldn't try again, there will be drinks we love and drinks we give back because we don't like them, there will be crew we absolutely love and some that we don't mesh well with, because that is life. 

Looking forward to our trip!!!!!

3 hours ago, js said:

Thank you.

I followed your thread and loved it! I did see some pictures and have. Thank you so much!

 

Thanks @js, but it wasn't my review, I was just sharing since I found it helpful.

@BirdTravels this thank you is for you!

Try  this review, it might have what you are looking for:

We only used NCL air for return:

Home Departure City - SJU

Arrival/Destination City - DFW

Airline(s) used - United

Number of Connections - 1in Houston (IAH)

Outbound Flight departure/arrival time -

Return Flight departure/arrival time - 5:15p/8:06p  9:45p/11:04p

Flight Info Received - 60 days out

We will be on the Epic in February, I hope that by then they have worked out some of these logistics. It's always a challenge when ships reposition even if they have been in those ports the year before.

Either way we will have a fantastic time because let's face it we will be on vacation which is better than being at work any day.

3 hours ago, The Sandrews said:

When we were on Jade and I ordered a $16 glass of wine thinking I would just pay the $1 difference.... I was charged the entire $16.  I questioned the waiter, the manager and then the managers at the front desk all the way up to the F&B manager and they said that's correct.  You go one dollar over and pay the entire $16.  Anyone know what's correct?

I believe they overcharged you, the way I read the terms and conditions you are only charged the amount above $15 and 20% gratuity on that over amount.

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-beverage-package-2019.pdf

5 hours ago, smplybcause said:

 

20% of $5 is $1.

Thanks @smplybcause I didn't pay attention to my math...

@bebe08 You will love it!!!!

We cruise several different cruise lines as we prefer to pick based on ports first and price/ship second. 

I see most of your questions have been answered but I thought of a few things that might be helpful to you.

You can ask for a glass of ice water at any bar/restaurant and it is complimentary. We drink the tap water on all cruise ships, we are not fancy water drinkers.

Yes that extra charge on the beverage package was the tip. You can always tip cash anytime you feel like it.  If you order a drink over $15 you will pay the difference plus a tip on that difference.  For example, you order a $20 drink, you will get charged $5 + $0.20 (20% tip on the $5).

You asked how freestyle is it - if you are talking about dress code, we wear jeans to dinner. If you are talking about just showing up and not pre-booking it will be just like going out to dinner at home.  If they are busy you may have a slight wait. Having a group of 2 you will have minimal wait time.  However, if you do chose to go to a speciality dining venue I would make reservations ahead of time because they have been known to turn people away even when tables are empty.

Have a wonderful trip!

@Niffernay  I love your turtle photo, is that a box turtle hatchling?

@BirdTravels can you tell me what shows on the Encore are free and which ones have a fee? For instance, the comedy shows are they complimentary? If you don’t make a reservation can you still get in?

@BirdTravels Thank you for taking us on your adventure. 

The Premium Plus Beverage Package DOES include the wine dispensers

https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-plus-beverage-package-full

8 hours ago, smplybcause said:

Cruise certificates are used on a per cabin basis, not per person. I've never seen it as more than two per cabin. They have different certificates for the Haven and I don't think you can use the regular ones for Haven, but could be wrong. 

You can use the regular Cruise Next for Haven, you may have to pay an additional deposit on top of the Cruise Next if you don't book during a time when they are running a special with lower deposits, I did it for my upcoming February cruise.

35 minutes ago, coastcat said:

 

Only 3 of the 8 Chardonnays by the glass are covered by PBP. Neither of the NCL proprietary East and West blends are.

 

I counted 53 wines available by the glass; only 18 were under the $15 limit. Wow.

That is terrible, you would think their proprietary would be at the $15 cap. 

Their wine by the glass choice is quite limited if you have just the Premium Beverage Package.