herbanrenewal

9 hours ago, Wayward Son said:

 

Not really. I've always arrived whenever I wish, regardless of my scheduled arrival time, and have always had a smooth check-in.

 

This was all implemented when social distancing was still a thing. It's no longer necessary.

 

Its not a problem until it IS a problem. When people stood outside the Manhattan Terminal for a couple hours it became a problem for everyone. Even if you had an 11am slot if you showed up around 11am the line was already long. You couldn't get into the terminal and you didn't get in until those who arrived earlier than you were processed. Most times this doesn't happen. But when it does don't complain about the lines and crowds and long wait with nowhere to sit.

It just makes sense - if 3000 or more people show up at the same time because everyone wants early check-in it can be a rough start. If you want the early slots complete online check-in at midnight Eastern time..

On a transatlantic on Prima out of NYC in April people took the popular advice to show up whenever you want despite warnings from NCL that the ship would arrive late and NO ONE could check-in before 11am. So what happened - everyone showed up at 11am. The most commonly expressed comment/complaint after the cruise was how terrible boarding was. Basically, if people show up whenever its convenient for them it may be inconvenient for EVERYONE. The attempts to stagger arrival really should be enforced if check-in is to run smoothly.

one more thing that used to confuse me - each cabin grade has options - the lowest advertised price in usually a guarantee interior, with options like selecting your own cabin a higher price. Since i never book a guarantee I know the advertised low price is not what i will be paying.

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Hmmmmm...I don't think I've ever seen two lines at NCL MDR kiosk to seat you.  You just walk up and give them your key card and they seat you.

 

Royal has had two lines in the past...those with and those without reservations. 

 

But, NCL is FreeStyle where reservations aren't needed.

it was either Breakaway or Dawn. I know it wasnt Viva or Prima.It was an older ship with dining on two decks. If you had a reservation you went downstairs to lower deck. Reservations definitely not needed but availble.

I've been on some cruises within the last year where reservations had a separate line and priority seating, and some where it made no difference. If i cant book before, I ask on first day if i can make reservations for rest of cruise.

A lot has been said regarding emergency situation preparedness. With international travel especially having emergency contact info readily available can be imperative. After much thought i decided to get an emergency alert bracelet that lets you provide contacts if you are unable to. There's lots of info regarding travel insurance - not just the cancellation type but medical care, evacuation, etc,. Its so important to know just WHAT is covered by your policy. Contacting your family if you are unable to communicate is also important. 

Amazon.com: VNOX Free Engraving-Medical Alert ID Silicone Stainless Steel Adjustable Bracelet,Fits Adults &,White : Health & Household

1 hour ago, blackwing said:

...  But I still think the daughter doesn't have any right to complain about NCL "dumping" her mom in a hospital alone.  Somebody should have been travelling with her.

 

The daughter and son-in-law relied on an Apple Air Tag to let them know where Mom was?  What a joke.  Mom should have been providing regular updates.  They said they noticed that the Air Tag stayed in Sao Tome even though the ship had moved on.  They said they didn't hear from Mom until Mom used someone's phone to call them.  If Mom didn't have a phone or didn't know how to communicate with them back home, she definitely shouldn't have been travelling alone.

I'm in my mid 70s and frequently travel alone - keeping in touch with my sons is the primary reason i get unlimited wifi. But I honestly never gave a thought to an emergency situation where I could not communicate. I'll be much more aware of what i take with me on excursions - Ive been known to disembark with a water bottle and my phone. I'll take medical info and insurance paperwork with me on future excursions.

I'm booked for this itinerary for Nov 2025, total price $6,164.14, but thats for a solo inside.

8 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Thank you for mentioning this.  I regularly see posts about buying cruise insurance, with 90% saying "It's a must", with the inference that if ANYTHING should go wrong, the insurance will take care of it without question. Definitely not the case.

I've seen more mention of travel medical insurance on seniors threads but i think the 80yo stroke patient is a prime example of why medical travel with evacuation and repatriation coverage is a good idea. As a septuagenarian  who travels solo (including booked on the Dawn to Africa next year) I've carried annual travel insurance for medical but i admit i never considered it before i hit retirement age. People tend to worry more about trip cancellation without giving thought to the what-ifs involved in medical emergencies. 

For your next leg of trip cancel internet now. Buy again next week on second day of cruise - not only cheaper then, but ideal way to use OBC. I never buy internet package pre-cruise anymore, since I learned that on the second or third day its considerably cheaper. It will show up as refundable OBC (not returned to credit card) and you can pick up the cash at customer service.

I order cagney's filets in main dining room to use OBC if i have any extra.

11 minutes ago, CRUISIN2X2 said:

Wondering if you already went and if so was it doable. We have a 12:20 flight Thanks

I'm on a April 27 cruise, arrive in Southampton May 12. Most of my advice was that there's a fair chance of making it to Heathrow, but less likely to Gatwick. I've opted to stay near Gatwick overnight and fly home in the morning.

Not specifically a cruise question but does anyone know how long it takes to get approval of Global Entry and TSA pre-check renewal? I applied in August and my application still says Pending almost 7 months later.

The cava brut sparkling wine on board isn't that great (but I drink the one that comes with my latitudes specialty restaurant dinner. Their Ventura cava brut is around $11-13 from my store). Since I like wine with dinner but otherwise never drink alcohol I decline the FAS package and save a couple hundred in taxes and fees.

Someone mentioned San Juan - there's a Supermercado about 1 mile or so from port that has a Segura Viudas cava brut for around $17, with corkage fee, $32 total cost, for a wine I liked much better. Since I'm not paying the fees from the free package I figure this is cheaper, and tastes better.

BTW I bring my own champagne stopper with me and have them cork bottle as soon as they've poured so that the bottle isn't flat before the end of a meal. When they open for second glass you hear the pop like first opened if you use a good champagne stopper. Why do people who are supposed to know wines leave an open bottle of bubbly for an hour or more at dinner?

My neighbor, spouse and two teens booked with two different rooms. When they got their flights two were on one flight, two on another, from two different Washington DC airports.

2 hours ago, Spencer71 said:

So what were the best beaches and snorkelling spots? Also what do you recommend as the best 3-4 excursions between all the stops? We are a group of two couples, about 50 years old. Trying to plan out what we will do, what I need to book now, etc.

I did the St Lucia snorkeling catamaran today - unlike Tortola coral is still alive, and a lot more fish. If I were only doing one I'd do the St Lucia snorkel, though the crew on Tortola snorkel made that enjoyable.

If booking for  an NCL beach excursion check details. Some do not include chair and umbrella.

i love snorkeling and enjoyed treasure island excursion from Tortola. Last time I was there was 25 years ago and the lack of coral and sponges and decrease in number of fish was startling. Pleasant swim but not much to see. The catamaran and crew however were fantastic.

Interesting to see difference in crowd- a lot more under 60 crowd with this Valentine’s Day cruise than last weeks cruisers.. A lot more early drinking. Even Hudson’s seemed noisier at dinner. This cruise i m staying onboard more-  when most folks get off to see ports the pools are empty.  Better than an At sea day since the ship is relatively empty.

Totally agree. Great review 

I’m currently on the Viva (which I love) on b2b. It’s the first time I stayed onboard on turnover day. Very easy onboard customs and signing in for next cruise. But everything was closed. I expected that I could stay at the pool all morning. Pools were closed. Is this typical? With absolutely nothing to do all day it was a wasted day. 

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Interesting, let's see whether we get anything (non-priority ones ?? ) for the upcoming TA as I see your name on the roll call while "fixing" that online spreadsheet ... Haven't seen any luggage tags mailed to us since last March (those're supposed to the "Priority" tags for the 2 "suites" booked.  

 

Your tags associated with being Sapphire or perhaps Diamond tier ??

I am sapphire and by next yer will be diamond. I was sapphire for cruises last year so no change.

17 minutes ago, hallux said:

I just don't understand the logic behind who gets tags and who doesn't.  I'm a solo in a regular inside cabin (on one cruise, but it's a 15-night) and I didn't get them...

I  was on a TA 16 night in November in a balcony and I didn't get them then. On the February 18 Viva FB page someone asked what room classes got unsolicited luggage tags and from Haven to me in Studio seems like every room

I've just read through all the pages of this thread as I get ready for 4 weeks on the Viva next month. I was on the Prima inaugrial TA so I know basically what to expect, and I look forward to spending a month in the Caribbean on Viva.

Of all the issues mentioned the one most disturbing to me is an entertainment issue - I would love to go to Rumors, or any of the Syd Norman shows, but I can't stand in line for an hour for probable SRO entry, if I'm lucky. I'd love if they added more performances, maybe a matinee show. And book entry to eliminate the  standing in line that favors those who physically can stand for 2 hours or more. Or closed circuit record to show in room, after all, there's nothing worth viewing on the tv so there is plenty of opportunity that would provide access to those who would love to see the shows but can't.

I'm amazed - it's been so long since I received luggage tags, and I'm on a b2b2b2b, and so far I've received tags for first three of these cruises. A bit of overkill - I now have 18 luggage tags and thinking I'll probably get another set next week, and I'm solo in studio, and carryon only light packer (one 20" suitcase)...I could cover the entire bag in my luggage tags.

If they are starting to add back budget items cut in recent times, I can think of other things I'd rather have than luggage tags.

Are the doors metal? I usually bring an 8x10 laminated photo from my last cruise, and flat magnets to mark my door so its easier to find my cabin in the long line of cabins.

I also consider the prepaid gratuities adequate. If someone does something over and above expected service at my request I will tip extra, but on most cruises in last couple years I have not tipped extra. I find that those in suites and Haven seem to be more likely to tip more, at least judging by comments here, but they probably expect more personal services than I expect (or receive)

have you tried uninstalling the app, then reinstalling? If your version has  a bug that would work.