SuiteCruisin14

Travelanni:

I have enjoyed skimming through your page and I apologize if you have answered these questions.

We are sailing on the NCL Escape in October when she makes her first voyage to Southampton. We will be arriving by overnight train from Zurich 4 days before and will be using Hamburg as a base for excursions.

Is the Hamburg Card the best way to get around the City using public transportation? We also plan to visit Berlin one day, what train gets us there the fastest?

Any other suggestions you have for our visit are greatly appreciated. We would love to see a "castle" of two, also.

Lynda

A few years ago sailing out of NYC to Bermuda, we did not know even when we boarded where we were going. Not only had one storm gone off towards Nova Scotia but another was forming in the Caribbean.

We did make the run to Bermuda but the first night and day, we had service staff to ourselves in many venues. The first night show was cancelled and dinner was like a mini supper club of people.

We saw it as an adventure and just rolled with it. We had to share port and dock space with other ships getting under cover.

Good Luck!

Lynda

THANK YOU to everyone who posted pictures and videos of the float out. It has been amazing to watch it being build and we can't believe we are almost there.

Lynda

We owned a boat for many years and much to my DH sadness, I only remembered sides with this reminder- PORT has 4 letters and so does LEFT.

Lynda

Customs is quick, I think your luggage goes to your final destination and you donot have to wait for that. Take one of the frequent trains from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam Centraal, traveltime about 17-20 minutes. In front of CS you have various options for a 1hr canalboat tour. At the tourism office (the white wooden building) at the square you can get information, maps etc in case you want to walk around yourself.

In case you intend to visit Anne Frankhuis made reservations online as soon as possible. Lines can be very long and that would take too muich of your time.

You will need to go through security again, so be back at the airport about 1 1/2 hr. before departure.

Thank you for the information, I have copied it so I can take it with us.

Lynda

On this same issue, we have an 8 hour layover in Amsterdam, arriving 12:30 PM.

Would you suggest the easiest way to get into town and how much time is involved with customs getting out of the airport and back to our connection?

We are hoping to see some of the city in the time we have.

Lynda

We are disembarking from our cruise in Southampton in October and flying out of Heathrow. Is there a train that will cover this route? How long is the trip and what is the cost?

Thanks in advance,

Lynda

I have never had an issue with being Gluten Free on the last 5 NCL cruises. I have Celiac and do not eat Gluten Free as a fad.

Every night I was shown the next days menus and told what was GF. If I wanted something not on the menu, it was offered when I asked.

Not one issue and now we only do NCL for this issue. I trust them to keep me GF and so far they have.

Be sure to have each dining room or other food venue, scan the room card, it will trigger the GF issue.

Lynda

First, there are some very legit issues that make for a bad experience. We have never had one in 29 cruises on many different cruise lines.

I am saddened for those whose expectations are not what was experienced.

Lynda

Yes, it can be done. I booked my October 3 day Escape cruise from Hamburg to Southampton because it was not yet available in USA.

Be aware that the re-booking or changing things may not be possible and have penalties. Read the rules carefully before you make the reservation.

Lynda

We had an aft cabin on the Jade, deck 8, thru the Med. Loved every minute, did not have any issues with debris, smoke, etc.

Have a great cruise.

Lynda

I love this thread!

We have been on 28/29 cruises over the last 25 years and I have never been on a bad cruise. Have done Disney, NCL, Royal, Carnival and some not around anymore and every one was an adventure. We don't understand folks that let a little thing on the first day break the week.

Our first cruise to nowhere was out of NYC, we took an inside cabin and did not have all the research we have now. Everything was exciting as we boarded the ship, think it was Carnival. Imagine our surprise when we opened the cabin door to find 2 sets of Bunks!! We laughed so hard and made the best of it. It has become one of our stories.

We love cruising for the complete relaxation we BOTH get.

Lynda

After reading many post on this subject over the last few weeks, it has become quite clear we all cruise for different reasons. Some are really passionate about what makes the cruise special for them and what does not. That's ok, folks, it really is.

We cruise for relaxation, convenience of seeing many countries, cities in a week or 10 days. This new policy will not change our mind about NCL, we have the last 6 out of 30 cruises with them. We rarely use room service nor do we take food back to the room on a regular basis. Maybe something from the buffet if we have a fridge and the next day is an early port. I do feel the "What's Next" is valid and a concern, some of the Freestyle is certainly gone.

What bothers me most on CC lately is not that we all have opinions but that some posters feel the need to tell others why their opinion is flawed.

Happy Cruising to all, where ever you go. Sit back, relax and watch the world from your deck chair.:)

Lynda

We are in a Family Oceanview with Large Picture Window on deck 14.

 

These are forward facing Ocean view in Cat. 02. If I click on the floor plan, it shows a couch near the picture window, I have never seen this before in an ocean view cabin.

Is is still in the rendering stage or is this a correct configuration? I know it is a lot of supposition but wondered if the CC Gurus had any knowledge.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Lynda

Thank you to everyone that posted an answer. We moved to an angled balcony this morning, psyched to get one.

Lynda

I was on a trip with another person and they used Packing Cubes for things like underwear, shoes and clothing that goes into the drawer. She opened the suitcase, popped the cubes in the drawer and she was done. Only needed to hang a few things.

I saw some great ones on eBags.

Lynda

We are in a Family Oceanview with Large Picture Window on deck 14.

These are forward facing Ocean view in Cat. 02. If I click on the floor plan, it shows a couch near the picture window, I have never seen this before in an ocean view cabin.

Is is still in the rendering stage or is this a correct configuration? I know it is a lot of supposition but wondered if the CC Gurus had any knowledge.

Thanks in advance.

Lynda

Sissasmom, you know I love NCL. I think they offer a great product. They've made small cutbacks I'm guessing they think no one noticed. I guess I should have just asked did anyone else notice? Didn't realize I'd get caught up in semantics. Or be stoned to death....

I totally understand what you are saying. We have been cruising since the late 70's. The past days of Midnight buffets, a night or 2 where everyone "Glammed up", meeting nice and not so nice people at assigned dinner seating.

I don't miss much of that but it was a different day of cruising. I love NCL because we can do whatever we want and so can everyone else. BUT, there seems to be a movement in the cruise industry to make it "whatever'.

I know I am going to be flamed but there are just some things that the cruise lines think we don't notice. The newer cruisers have no idea what went away, like the Champagne on boarding, the mint on the pillow and the turn down service, lobster night.

Will I stop cruising, Hell NO, I still think this is the best vacation. The changes that were great-No assigned dining time, 24 hour diner instead of the Midnight Buffet, Suite Perks, no tuxes, great alternative dining.

Cruising is still the best but those of us who are Veterans miss and remember the Golden Days.

Lynda

Thank you for the info. I was 99% sure that is what would happen but wanted input from those in the know.

Lynda

Hello,

 

Can anybody tell me what it is like having a balcony in the aft...pros and cons?

 

If I get an aft balcony is it generally less breezy more warm outside?

 

Do you feel any vibration.

 

Which aft balconies are larger?

 

I am thinking of going on the Getaway.

We love the aft balcony cabins when we can afford them. Had an aft balcony suite on the Jade and an aft balcony, (no suite), on the Gem. We did not notice any extra noise or vibration except when pulling into ports.

Both cruises were Fall so did not have a stagnant air problem as others mentioned.

Pros for us: Views are spectacular and wake noises put us to sleep every night.

Having to walk from aft to everywhere, we never gained a pound on a cruise.

All our balconies had at least one lounger and chair with a table, plenty big enough for us 2 people.

Cons: Hmmm.... can't think of any.

Lynda

I have a Lattitudes question, I tried the search but some of the info is 2-3 years old.

I am currently Gold with 6 points needed for Platinum status. I am doing a 3 day cruise that was booked 14 months in advance so double points. After one night disembark, we will reboard for a 10 day. Will those 6 points register for the 10 day as Platinum Status? I have 2 different reservation numbers and they are separate cruises.

Thanks in advance for the CC info.

Lynda

Really good question. I can only give my opinion and my experience.

We have done many, many cruises from cruise to know where to 10 day Mediterranean. We have done 2 All Inclusives, one in Aruba and one in Jamaica.

We prefer the cruises because we are not beach people. We don't lay in the sun in a beach chair all day or spend the day on the sand. Not a criticism to anyone who does, just not us.

An all inclusive is usually being in one place for 5-7 days and we prefer the adventure of seeing different places.

The answer lies with what your type of relaxation is. If you are happy with relaxing in one place and doing what activities are available, nothing wrong with that.

We prefer waking up in a new place and seeing the world, just us.

Follow your heart.

Lynda

I see that you are from NH. The money you save by doing Bermuda from Boston will go a long way. We did Bermuda from NYC to save air and it was awesome. Having the ship as your "hotel" for 3 days is a big plus.

There is so much to do in Bermuda they won't miss Island hopping, especially if they are on their first cruise. Lots of snorkeling, swimming and shopping and back to the ship for food and entertainment.

Since you will probably drive to Boston from NH, look at buying some snorkel gear before you go. No baggage to pay and no line to stand in to get the gear.

Have an awesome cruise.

Lynda

Does anyone know if the Escape casino will have the same layout as the one on the Getaway? How will Escape be different from Breakaway or Getaway? Sure hope the seats in the Escape theater will be more comfortable than those on the Getaway.

Along with LrgPizza, I would say to check NCL deck plans. There is also a Cruise Critic thread called, Everything Escape, that has some great layouts and info. It is being posted as it is received.

Lynda

Agree with the OP.

 

And yeah, maybe the answers are in FAQ's, or stickies, or anywhere else.

 

The point of the cruiscritic message boards is to create a community of like minded people to discuss all things cruise related. Even if it is something that's been answered 100 times, doesn't mean the 101st person to ask it is an idiot.

 

They say there's no such questions as a dumb question, but apparently around here it is.

 

Maybe someone finds it easier to simply ask a question, and come back an hour later and find some helpful cruiser gave you the exact answer you wanted, in a place you know where to find it, instead of having to ruffle through a bunch of other threads to find your specific answer.

 

If I want to know about tipping, maybe I don't feel like scrolling through cabin preferences, or favorite foods, or what time ships leave port on embarkation day.

 

In the spirit of these boards and this community, let's all try a bit harder to make it a place people feel comfortable to ask a question, and if it's something that's been asked already and you don't want to help, simply pass it by instead of kicking your fellow cruiser in his junk for making a simple inquiry.

 

**steps off the soap box***

Agree with this post.

I have spent many hours since 2010 searching on CC. Maybe I am not as computer savvy as some and I find the topic and search not as easy as some of you.

If you want to send me to these places, I am grateful for a place to start but when some of the answers are so old they don't apply, I am frustrated.

I am grateful for Cruise Critic and the info I have been given and what I have found just surfing around. BUT, I am retired and have that time.

If I was a parent with a job, kids, etc., I may not have time to research everything. Maybe a simple answer to the question along with a link to more info would be appropriate.

"off my soapbox"

Lynda

Thank you for posting, we felt the same about our first suite on NCL and now cruise no other line. Our suite cruises vary as we sometimes would rather cruise more often, (inside), than have the suite.

Going on the Dawn this summer and will book the SJ suite with our 3 Granddaughters. Very happy to hear there is amble room for all of us.

Lynda