Newtonville Dan

Thank you for sharing this. We are in the same situation. When you went in to get your (third) shot, did you have to provide proof of your first shot?  

Edit -  Just found Southampton forum but would appreciate any additional imput

BlueJai and I (Dan) have cruised the Caribbean from Florida a million times. We have it down pat. Flights, shuttles hotels, limos  etc. Now we have booked a cruise on the bucket list. Encore inaugural from Southampton to New York in November. Wow.... We have flights booked from Toronto to Gatwick, hotel booked in Southampton, the cruise, flight home, but nothing in between.

- recommended way to get from Gatwick to hotel in London close to "hop on hop off" for 2 days in London. We have looked at doing the train but have read that we would be responsible for carrying our luggage etc. on the train and then on to the hotel. So if not the train, perhaps a private car or taxi? Because even taking the train... then we still have to get to the hotel with 100 lbs of luggage and two carry-ons

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- recommendations for "reasonable" hotel (Hilton / IHG / Holiday Inn in London. (close to hop on hop off)

- now we have to get to Southampton from London with all our cruise luggage. So same as above, would the train be the best bet or perhaps a private car. We would still have to get from the train station to hotel

We have been doing lots of research on the London Toolkit which has been amazing but still leaves a lot of questions on how to get from various places. I guess what we are looking for is the easiest/safest ways to travel from Gatwick to London and from London to Southampton.

Thank you

Dan (& BlueJai)

Hi Andrew    We are NCL cruisers from the East side of Hog Town and are loving the review. We missed St Maarten last year because of hurricane damage but will be going there in March on the Jade. Did you have to make prior reservations at the Holland House or just walk in off the street?     errrr beach.

Thanks

Dan & Jai

We just got off the Jade Feb 26 ( which is a sister ship to the Pearl ) I'm pleased to report that there were loungers on deck 7, both sides. We walked it every morning.

Dan

Loving your review! I like your style, ahh geez no port, oh well Posh and Spa! What could be better than that. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences, we have really enjoyed it.

Jai

LOL!!:)

Dan

Ohh.... Thank goodness

I thought I was about to see a video of a collision of my two favourite NCL ships.

Dan

Probably the ugliest ships I have ever seen...I don't know what they were thinking painting cartoons and garish "art" .....like graffiti . Something you would see in the bad part of town...

Hey Folks

Welcome to the family. Just drop your tux's and gowns over there and BlueJai will hand you your ball caps and tank tops. Over in this corner you can pick up your paint brushes and spray paint to brighten up the ships.

" Oh Thurston, Why do those people have their hats on backwards?"

Regards

Dan

So does that mean you arrived at the port at 11? Or earlier?

Hi duce95

Dan here........We wanted to arrive at the port around 10:30. We normally arrive about 11:00 and try to be on the pool deck by noon with a drink in our hands.

We left the nearby Doubletree at about 10:00 by cab and arrived at the port in about 15 minutes. So... quick smoke, then in the door. No lineup outside. Once inside there was a lineup inside for Port Security of about 20 people and a number of people sitting in chairs around the small room. Suite people and those needing assistance perhaps. The lineup was not moving and security check in did not start till 11:00. The people sitting were taken before us.

So to answer the question we walked into the building just before 10:30. ( all times approximate because of excitement factor).

I may pop into thread from time to time if I feel a can add anything.

Dan

Greetings from the cold but sunny North

I know that the hotel had been closed for repairs to storm damage. Do we know if the repairs are completed or how they are coming along. We are hoping to stay there precruise at the end of February.

Thank

Dan