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There are no longer any formal nights on NCL.

That's not quite right. There are still "Dress up or Not" nights, and a lot of people still choose to dress up on those nights.

Exactly, and NCL makes no money from casinos as there isn't one or so I've been told

Correct, no casino on the POA. So no CAS discounts or comps are available for those cruises either!

Has anyone stayed there? Something to do in the evening? How to get to the port the next morning?

Thanks in advance.

In the same price range you're much better off at the Hampton Inn and Suites, Brickell. A very nice walkable area, restaurants and stores all around.

It's easy to get to POM via taxi or Uber from almost anywhere in the downtown area.

The Whole Foods market is a short walk from the Intercontinental and they serve a variety of breakfast fare at their hot food bar. It's all fresh and good and you can eat right there on their patio. You buy by weight, so you can get as little or as much as you want. They also have a coffee & espresso bar.[/ is

 

 

This is what I was going to suggest as well. We stayed at the Epic, very near the Intercontinental, and we went shopping at Whole Foods the night before and grabbed yogurts, fruit, juice, et cet.

We also ate dinner there and each had a delicious slice of pizza fresh out of the oven. $4 pp. Good deal.

 

The Epic is the best, isn't it? Stay there all the time on biz trips to Miami, and the Whole Foods is so convenient.

Both national parks are about 2 hours from Seattle, with the Olympics being slightly farther. If you are staying by SeaTac then you are closer to Mt. Rainier.

In my opinion, tipping is a reward for good service, therefore I would not change my tipping habits just because the servers are suddenly being given a minimum wage increase. The one has nothing to do with the other, and they should be getting a living wage anyway, which most servers do not. Therefore I will still tip at 20%

Our family will be cruising out of Seattle this August and we've given ourselves 2 full days before the cruise to go sightseeing in the area. One day we plan on seeing downtown Seattle, the waterfront, Seattle Center and the Space Needle and the second day we're deciding between Mt Rainier vs Olympic National Parks.

 

More people I've talked to have said Mt. Rainier has better scenery and is closer to our hotel (by the airport) and also that when we're on board the ship we'll be sailing by Olympic anyway but others claims Olympic is more worth seeing. So far we plan on renting a car to see either one but are there good tours that pick people up from the airport area that goes to either national park?

 

Typically what kind of wait is there for the Space Needle? Is it a place like the Washington Monument or the Gateway Arch where you may have to wait an hour to get in if you don't already have tickets? How far ahead should we buy tickets, and what about dinner reservations in the restaurant? We are deciding between eating dinner in the Space Needle or going to Ivar's.

 

Do the fishmongers in Pike Place Market constantly perform their "show" the entire time the market is open or is it just at certain times of the day?

 

Lastly, what's the consensus on tipping in Washington State now given the new $15 minimum wage that servers make? I've also heard differing things ranging from how 10% is now a good tip in Washington and Oregon vs how tipping standards are still the same as back home?

So after the ships leave Puget Sound do they typically sail into the open ocean (west of Vancouver Island) or do they follow the British Columbia part of the Inside Passage on the way to Alaska?

Ships leaving Seattle will typically use the open ocean route. Some of the ships that sail out of Vancouver use the BC part of the Inside Passage.

Just want a little breakfast place that opens early during weekdays.

Know the buffet at the Intercontinental would be wonderful, but we'd like to just have a small breakfast before we head to the ship Monday a.m.

Any suggestions for those of you that know this area well.

and Thanks! We leave tomorrow for Miami.

The Whole Foods market is a short walk from the Intercontinental and they serve a variety of breakfast fare at their hot food bar. It's all fresh and good and you can eat right there on their patio. You buy by weight, so you can get as little or as much as you want. They also have a coffee & espresso bar.

Where do ships Port at Costa Maya? I've read a few reviews of Tropicante at Mahahual. Wondering how far from where the Carnival Vista will dock. And, curious about transportation tp/from.

The Costa Maya cruise port is about 12 minutes by taxi from Mahahual Beach. Not sure exactly where the Tropicante is, but all the beach clubs are close to the port.

We are considering the Pride of America for January. Does this ship ever have any Latitude Insider Offers ?

 

I don't think POA cruises are ever discounted. As the only cruise ship sailing just the Hawaiian islands, the cruises are hugely popular and NCL never has a problem selling them.

Hello for those that booked through Casino at Seas, can you tell me the benefits if there are any? Do cruisers get on board faster?

Thanks.

There is typically a special line for CAS guests to use to register at the port. I don't know if they get on board any faster than anyone else though.

Primary benefit of booking through CAS is that you will generally only pay port taxes, gratuities, and fees for your cruise. They will offer you a "complimentary" cabin of one level or another depending on your previous play on the ships. You can take the comp cabin, and pay the difference to upgrade to something better if you like.

The rest of the benefits have to do with life on board:

- goodies in your room from the casino

- "free" drink card from the casino, although with the advent of the UBP, this is less of a perk. But the drink card is good for bottles of water in the casino, which the UBP does not cover. And as you advance through the CAS levels, you get a better selection of liquor.

- After you amass a certain number of points on the cruise, you can have those applied as credit to your final bill from the ship.

- CAS hosts can offer free specialty dinners and spa treatments. But again, with the advent of the UDP, this isn't much of a benefit anymore. And lately they seem to be getting tighter with them.

Here's the CAS page: https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/casino-cruise

Our first cruise ever was with NCL, 2005 Norwegian Dream.

Fantastic, New Orleans, Mexico including Cancun, my daughter realised it was the second biggest reef, after the great barrier, won awards at school doing a project on it!

Anyway I’m sure we used to get charts with mileage etc. On the last night? I only get an bill nowadays...:loudcry:

There's also typically a chart posted somewhere on the ship, in one of the public spaces...location varies a lot though. Find it and you can snap a picture of it with your phone.

We have a mid ship mini suite. Perfectly happy but now realize we really want spa access. Bid on spa Haven. Havent heard yet. There are still spa suites available. Should we wait to hear about the bid? Uograde to a regular spa mini suite or just buy a thermal pass...totally over thinking this I am sure. We sail Sunday the 20th so not much time to decide.

It's really a simple answer: Will having or not having the spa suite make or break your cruise? If it's a deal breaker, you should go ahead and buy the upgrade now. But you've said you're "perfectly happy now" (with your mini suite). Then if you want spa access, just by the spa pass. The only thing the spa suite gets you that you don't get with a spa pass is the spa tub in your room...personally, for me, that's not worth it.

i gamble quite a bit on a cruise, which is the best cruise line to use to get free trips. Eg in Vegas I always get my hotel (Venetian) room free, is there any ship that would be similar. I might as well stay loyal to one brand and eventually get something out of it. Hope this makes sense

 

Thank you

We are gambling cruisers as well, and have cruised NCL, Celebrity, Carnival, and RCCL and been in all their casino programs. In our opinion NCL has always had the best casino rewards program. Their program is called Casinos At Seas, or CAS. It's easy to start off with NCL too. If you're a CET Total Rewards member, you will automatically qualify for a % discount on your first cruise. That % is based on your CET level when you book through CAS. After that, you can call and book with CAS for any cruise you are interested in and they will offer you whatever comp you are eligible for based on your play on your past cruise.

In our opinion, CAS has always been the most liberal with comps as compared to the other cruise lines. Of course, your comps are always based on your previous play on their ships. And yes, it definitely makes sense to find one cruise line casino program and stay with it. You will benefit from moving up through their tier system as you cruise more and more.

Here's the NCL CAS page: https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/casino-cruise

Here's a simple rule: Using your cell phone as a cell phone (as opposed to an internet device, which is different) while on the ship, while at sea will ALWAYS go through the ship's Cellular at Sea service and will always incur expensive charges from the Cellular at Sea company as well as any charges for roaming from your own cell service provider. So, if you do not want to pay those extra charges, put your phone in Airplane mode whenever you are on the ship at sea.

(Edited to answer your specific question about texting each other on the ship: No, you will not be able to do that, because when you text with a cell phone you are using the cell phone data .See above. BUT...see below re the internet and FB Messenger for a work around on this problem)

On land it's a different story. Your cell service company may have special rate international plans that you can sign up for. You should check this out before you cruise, and sign up before you cruise. Otherwise, if you just turn your cell phone on when you walk on shore, you will likely be able to make calls, but you will be paying whatever roaming rates your company charges, plus whatever you are charged by the local cell provider in that port. On land your phone functions just as it normally does and you will be able to text each other and all your friends and family at home.

If you want to use your phone as an internet device while on the ship, you will put the phone in airplane mode and then turn on JUST the wifi connection on your phone. You will need to sign up for a package of internet minutes. On most NCL ships, there are various packages ranging from pay-by-the minute to unlimited. Once you have purchased internet minutes and signed on your device (one device only, at a time, but you can share the minutes), you can do almost anything you would normally be able to do over the internet with your phone. You can use programs like Facebook Messenger to text your FB friends and family on the ship and on shore. If your phone will do wifi calling you may be able to do that. If you bought a higher value internet package you will be able to stream videos. Of course you can send and receive emails. However, just remember that you must always be connected to the NCL wifi internet for any of this to work. Unless you buy the unlimited package of internet, you will not be able to stay connected all the time.

Hope that all helps the confusion!

I am experiencing some confusion DESPITE using the "search" function of CC.

We are traveling on Epic Western Med. Two of us have ATT, three have Verizon. Both providers offer international plans that are $10/day per device, with the charge occurring only on days that the phone is used.

 

How does this work on the ship? Can we text each other while at sea,call the US while at sea or does the plan only refer to calls that are made while in port ? The reps for both companies gave me conflicting answers or non-answers. Does NCL have cellular at sea, and is that covered by these plans?

 

What I am asking is- can I use one of our cell phones to make a call or send a text ( NOT using iConcierge) while at sea? Does anyone have experience with either company?

 

We do not mind the daily charge and don't want to go get new sim cards for the 11 days we will be away (4 days travel-Rome pre cruise-travel home , 7 on the ship)

 

Internet- if we only want to check and send emails - on our phones-can we do this with either of these international plans? I know we can get ship internet with our 250 free minutes, what about using data ?

 

We will have internet on the ship for our ipad and research -crazy teens; but what about just using my phone to check on my basset hounds at doggie camp via a quick text to the sitter?

 

One last thing- do these plans cover roaming data or is that a no-no? A CC member "GaryCarla" once explained why phones should NEVER have roaming data on and it has has stuck in my head for years to always have data roaming off.

 

FWIW, we have no interest in the Instachats /Snapgram /Bookface /Tweeter sites. We need to be able to text each other, text a family member in the States and access email. The ability to receive calls from the US (if an emergency occurs) would be great as well.

 

Is there someone who has used either of these carriers that can give me the low down?

 

Thank you so much!

This will be our first cruise from Miami, we will be on Celebrity departing from Miami at 3:30. Our flight arrives to FLL around 6 am on the day of the cruise. If everything goes according to plan we will be in Miami port before 8 am, which gives us good 3 hours before the boarding starts. What options do we have there? Can we drop our bags somewhere and go for a walk around?

Also, when we board there will be a couple of hours before our cabin is ready, are there any quiet areas for a nap? It will be much needed after a red eye flight. Will sky lounge be open?

Many thanks!

I like the suggestion that was made about getting a hotel room near the airport. Kind of assuming you'll be coming in from overseas and will be jet-lagged. Get a room, grab a nap, get some lunch, and start your cruise a lot more refreshed!

So I fly into PBI for 3 days prior to cruise. Want to return car to port of Miami or as Close as I can get? I’m think return to MIA and take an Uber or shuttle. What are your thoughts?

 

 

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The Miami airport is only about 10 minutes from the cruise port. Returns at the rental car center and quick and easy, and you can get an uber or taxi back to the port, although you might have to ride the quick train ride back to the terminal to get a cab.

There are some car rental companies in downtown Miami too, but I'd just return to the airport.

So what is the deal with the luggage tags? We print and staple them to the bag? Is there a limit to how many? Do they have to be color? How do we ensure they wont get ripped off or damaged, causing lost luggage? I believe when we sailed Breakaway in 2016 we got real adhesive tags in the mail ahead of time.

You print them out, and attach them to your bag however you see fit. You need at least one per bag. Don't put them on before you fly to the port..put them on the morning you leave the hotel for the cruise.

AND - if you don't have them or they've been ripped off, don't sweat it. Show the porter your reservation paperwork and they will tag your bag at the port.

I just read the tier benefits. Bronze level says a bottle of champagne per stateroom. Is this true? Do you have to sail at least 1 cruise with NCL to receive benefits or will they give you this on your first cruise with them?

About the only thing that "champagne" is good for is to get some orange juice and make Mimosas.

On the escape I have the free at sea Internet promo for 7 days to Bermuda. Can i take that promo to the java cafe and and get it upgraded to Unlimited for less?

You can definitely upgrade to unlimited. Not sure what they'll do about the cost difference, though.

Haven't cruise from New Orleans before so trying to decide which is better. Drive is 11.5 hours and flight is $630 for two people. Not sure if we would need to rent a car to get anywhere flying in day before cruise. Are shuttle/taxi cost pretty high or would it be worth it to drive?

You will definitely want to walk in the French Quarter. No reason to drive at all. Most of the rest of downtown New Orleans is easy walking too. Your only real need for a car would be if you wanted to get out of New Orleans and do some tours, but since you'll only have the one day, I doubt you'd have time for that.

My choice would be to fly, so as not to have to deal with parking a car during the cruise. But that's not too hard either, if you decide you want to drive.

Hi-

We are sailing in June on the GEM.

I've never downloaded their app. Have you? Did you find it useful? What did you use it for? Any tips?

Thanks!!!

If you're asking about iConcierge: It's not just an Apple app, it runs on Android as well. It basically has three uses:

Free:

1. You can use it to check on your on-board account and any reservations you've made for shows and shore excursions.

2. NCL can use it to push ads for services on board the ship to you, such as spa specials, and to send out general messages.

For a $9.99 per device fee:

3. You can use it to text to any other device running the iConcierge app on board the ship. You can also use it to call the stateroom phone of any other registered user iConcierge user in your iConcierge contacts list.

For this last purpose, you do NOT have to buy any internet minutes on board the ship. The app works over the ship's wifi, and does not use the internet. You cannot use it to text phones on shore. You need to download the app before you leave on your cruise, and then you will get instructions on how to activate it once on board.

As for how well it works, results vary. We have used it on every cruise, and it has improved a lot over the years, but there still can be times when text messages are not delivered immediately. Still, it's the best solution that does not involve having to buy internet access.

We are getting of The Escape Sunday February 24th. Will we be able to make a 10:50 flight home out of Newark?

No, I would not risk that early a flight, at any of the 3 NY area airports. Why end your vacation stressing about making your flight? Take a later flight, and finish your vacation as relaxed as when you were on the ship.

I posted this on the Roatan board with no response. I do not see this offered for our Getaway cruise in October. There is a Carnival ship in port the same day - do they get first 'dibs' for Tabyana?

Excursions for October may still not be finalized. But you can always book this excursion privately, or just jump in a taxi and go to Tabyana beach. If you do it on your own, the only thing you don't get is the "lunch" at the beach, and you can buy your own food nearby.

We did the ship's excursion many years ago and really enjoyed it, particularly as the reef is right off the beach with good, easy snorkeling. However, recent reports do say that aggressive vendors have become a problem at the beach. That's a shame if it's true.

Do you get those perks with a mini-suite? It's my 2nd cruise. My first, over a decade ago, left a terrible taste in my mouth...literally. I was seasick for the last 2 days through the week we returned. Giving it another shot for my husband. I've been told to stay mid-ship. From what I can see, the only "suites" they have mid-ship are the minis?

A "mini-suite" is not a true suite. It's a bit of NCL marketing for a regular balcony cabin that's a bit larger than the others. No real suite perks, though.

If you're badly prone to sea-sickness, you are better off taking a cabin on a lower deck, more in the middle of the ship. Ship's motion will be least pronounced there. You should NOT take an inside cabin. You need a visible horizon you can look at to help your body work out the motion signals the ship is giving you through your inner ear and balance system.

My wife, who does get sea sick and has vertigo, swears by over the counter Bonnine chewable tablets. Start taking them the day BEFORE your cruise and take them all through your cruise. Continue to take them after you return to dry land, as you can also feel "sea sick" once you return to dry land and the motion has stopped. Many people have other recommendations, of course.

In case you were not aware, the casino drink card only includes your standard mixed drinks, not the specialty drinks. It was surprise to me this past December on my first CAS cruise. .

As you advance up the tiers of CAS cards, your available drink options improve.