rmurray847

In general, the movies they show tend to be the kinds of movies available on Pay Per View at hotels, or perhaps on airplanes (though airplane viewing has changed so much lately).  Usually first run movies that haven't quite come out on home video yet, but aren't in first run movie houses anymore.  They tend to skew towards either family friendly OR something with a superhero.  For example, in late August, 2017, we saw Guardians of the Galaxy 2, about 8 weeks or so after it opened in theaters.

Titles change with some regularity, so asking someone what THEY saw might not help you much unless they were on the ship the week before you were.

I think location may change based on the weather.  When we did a TA on the Breakaway last April, it was generally too cold for folks to want to sit around outside.  They showed a lot of films in the main theater during the day.

On 3/24/2019 at 1:12 PM, Petrel said:

It's been over 10 years since our first and only cruise.  We're looking at a Carnival cruise in July.  We are going to be moving about 38 days prior to our cruise, but don't yet know where our new address will be.  Do they mail any documents I will need for the cruise one month or shorter ahead of time?  We don't have our new address yet and based on a prior move, I don't have a lot of faith in our mail accurately getting forwarded to our new location.  Do you think it would be better to use our in-laws address in order to receive any important documents we'll need from Carnival prior to our cruise?  Or, is that not necessary as nothing really is mailed to cruise goers now?

 

Thanks for your help!

In simple terms...everything will be done online.  You'll print any documents you need yourself and present at check in.  You can safely take this off your list of concerns.  (However, all the marketing catalogs may not get to you!!!)

Thanks to everyone for the info.  Lots of wood!  (And we never shop where the cruise ships tell us...almost the opposite.)  Cheap souvenirs have their place (thank you gift to someone for watering our lawn, for example).  But my wife and I like to have some authentic mementos.

25 minutes ago, Booman14 said:

Hello all,

I have a quick question about the "Norwegian Arranged" transfers from the ship to the airport after the cruise.

Is it worth the money or is it better to take a cab or uber?  

I have been on arranged transfers before that was just terrible. They try to stuff 50 people on a bus made for 25.  

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I have only done cruise line transfers twice, and in both cases, they were SUPER conservative with their times, and we were at the airport way to early (meaning in many cases, we could have spent more time onboard that last morning).  From Civitavecchia to the Rome-area airport was perhaps a few bucks cheaper.  But I'd still rather pay a cab and leave on MY schedule.

Just now, pumpkinbread said:

 

I will never pay the full final payment again. 

 

 

Not sure what you mean?  If you don't make final payment on the due date, they'll cancel your reservation.  Are you meaning paying in full in advance of that final date?  I agree with that!

You might want to also post this in the Northern Europe forums as well.  I find these kinds of location specific questions get more response on those boards.

4 hours ago, Putter23 said:

I recently got an email stating I could print my EDocs.  But I’ve got bids out for an upgrade.  IF I win an upgrade, will i receive updated EDocs to show new room?  

TIA 😁

Last year, we had a last minute change in cabin (offered as a make-good when prices dropped), and we had new edocs sent to us.  I would not worry.

5 hours ago, pumpkinbread said:

 

They are offering 25% off a future cruise that has to be taken in a year! We are seasoned cruisers it is the way we travel!

 

Have you tried calling more than once?  I've had some luck not taking the first thing offered to me, and calling again.  Some reps seem more inclined to stick with their guns than others.  But there is no way (that I can imagine) that you'll get a refund.  At best, some OBC, maybe a cabin upgrade, perhaps some freebies.  

It's unfortunate...but at one time, you were okay with the price you paid, so you need to comfort yourselves with that.  And, presumably, you got to pick a cabin you were happy with, which if you had waited for a lower price, you might not have been able to get.  (Not to minimize the level of suckiness having your price drop this dramatically causes.)

15 hours ago, john kaz said:

i am still getting use to this new forum set up...  I use to be able to choose Norwegian, then choose a specific ship to read forum/board topics on just one ship...  I cannot seem to be able to find that option right now.  Any help would be appreciated.  thanks, John

Yeah, that feature is either gone, or so well hidden that after months of looking, I still can't find it.

9 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

If you aren’t on an excursion you just walk off whenever you want. In most places you can be off the ship whilst the people on ship excursions are still hanging around in the theatre waiting to be called.

 

if it is a tender port then things are more

complicated, and if you are arriving somewhere later in the day then queues and form. But otherwise it’s just a case of walking off when you want.

 

There are some occasional ports where you have to go through customs or have stricter security checks which slows things right down, but that is rare in my experience (only happened to us in a couple of ports on European cruises).

This is very reflective of our experience as well.  We almost always do private excursions, and most time, we are hopping in our excursion van and driving away from the port while long lines of cruise line excursions buses are still waiting for folks to arrive.  One of the great advantages is getting to key tourist areas at least 30 minutes before the buses.  Enjoy that time!!  We have done private excursions in the Caribbean, all over Europe and the Mexican Riviera.  There have been bumps, but all minor, and at no time was getting back to the ship on time an issue at all.  In all cases, our guides/drivers have obsessed over the time we need to get back...confirming and reconfirming.  

We've only tendered in a few spots, and even then, it's not been a real problem.  We are usually anxious to get off early...it seems that the majority of folks are a bit slower to get going...so we've never had to wait long to get on a tender.  And going through customs slows down the overall process, but it slows it down for EVERYONE, including those taking ship sponsored excursions.  

5 hours ago, CruzinfromFL said:

but we do prefer smaller ships and are excited about being on the Jewel, it looks like a great ship for us.

The Jewel is one of our favorites.  Great layout, plenty to do and seldom feels crowded.  You'll love it.

23 minutes ago, Littlesnowflake said:

We're going on our first trip to Alaska too in May and trying to find something good in Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point.  What are you doing in Ketchikan?  Appreciate some suggestions.

We have booked an excursion to Misty Fjords (sea plane and boat).  It's about a 3.5 hour tour.

We'll be in Juneau, Skagway & Ketchikan on our upcoming cruise on the Bliss.  First time in Alaska.  We're all set with excursions, and feel we're pretty well prepared.  But in each port, we have a couple hours free (for eating, beer & shopping).  Whenever we cruise, we like to find "Local, handmade" crafts.  I know these ports will be crawling with mass-produced stuff and items important from China.  We fully expect that.  But usually, somewhere in the craziness, there are local items to keep an eye out for.  Wood-carvings, jewelry, baskets, etc. etc.  Those of you who've been before...what kinds of "unique to Alaska BY Alaskans" stuff should we be keeping an eye out for?  (And if it matters, which port?)  I appreciate the help in advance.

11 hours ago, worktocruise610 said:

you don't need to dress at all for the main dining rooms.

Unfair edit:  I think the cruise line will probably insist you dress in SOMETHING, even for the MDR!!!!

You can get away with quite casual, I would say.  Some form of long pant and a shirt with buttons (even a polo shirt) will be more that sufficient.  

If you can get at least two decks above the Waterfront, that's desirable, IMO.  Otherwise you are looking down on the roof of the Waterfront.  To a large degree, if you go to any balcony and look STRAIGHT DOWN, you will have something obstructing, whether lifeboats or Waterfront (at least mid-ship, where you're talking about).  Honestly, the distraction is minimal.  We were two decks above Waterfront on our TA on the Breakaway, and never really felt "gosh, I wish our view wasn't blocked", especially if we were sitting on the patio chairs.  I know there are websites where folks have posted photos of their cabins...google ship and cabin number.  Maybe you'll see some postings there that might steer you towards which cabins have beds where you want them.

48 minutes ago, snirpville said:

 I never ate at the Alizar MDR, only at Grand Pacific but I really liked it. I did try the Jasmine Garden one night and it was quite good but pretty loud since it was open to Magnums and the Cigar lounge. Enjoy!

We preferred Grand Pacific as well, although Alizar feels less formal.  But it has lower ceilings and a more closed in feeling.  Jasmine Garden can indeed be quite noisy, but it's worth a try just as a change of pace.  It's nice for lunch too (sea days).  Also, the shopping area on the Jewel class is mostly confined to one big shop at the back of the ship.  (The Atrium has a few little spots.)  It felt more like a department store and less like a mall.  It is certainly not as grand as what one generally gets on many of the larger ships.  

19 hours ago, pehlibaar said:

Thank you all so much, I don't know what made me think I could do it online! Does anyone know if they have those awful pillows that pretty much disintegrate under your head? Can I request firm/foam pillows?

When we've sailed on Royal, they do ask this as part of the booking process (or somewhere along the line).  But NCL doesn't seem to, as others have noted.  Default does seem to be together.

3 hours ago, shof515 said:

all pricing is on the NCL website, pricing is dynamic and can change at a minute notice 

TRUE.  I saw a price drop on our Alaska cruise, and immediately called.  By the time someone answered the phone, it was back up again!

We LOVE the Great Outdoors on Jewel Class.  Grab a snack (or a full meal), get a drink at the bar and sit at the back of the ship for sailaways.  Somehow this place is never terribly packed (except MAYBE on the first day).  As mentioned, Spinnaker is very nice if you need a quiet spot during the day to read, enjoy views, but not be outside (maybe on a windy day?).  We find the layout for this (relatively) small ship to be very thoughtful and engaging.  Love the Jade!

1 hour ago, momsince96 said:

 

Thanks for the replies!  It can't hurt to call, I guess.  I know when we qualified for a free upgrade due to a price drop we were told that it would be our only chance to "cash in", so to speak.  So I am worried that if I call for "only" a $60 decrease and it drops again, I'll have made a mistake.  

Yes, they do tell you that.  But it can never hurt to call.  They may do a little something for you, just to keep you happy.  And yes, one can drive oneself insane over the price...book what price you're comfortable with.  Then after that, if there's a drop, and you are able to get some small concession, it's a WIN!  Our TA last year has probably 12 price drops after we booked.  (And that was just 90 days out.)  Lots of volatility.  I got a few concessions (modest OBC and a cabin  upgrade)...but I really just had to be happy with the rate we had paid (which I thought was pretty good on a per day basis), and we looked at the other stuff as a bonus.

Just now, tomservo said:

 

so for me personally, I have no interest in Moderno since it's a scaled down version of what I'm used to. I know that argument can be made for all of the specialties, but maybe I'm too big a fan of rodizios to be able to handle a scaled down version.

I live in New Mexico, and have NO interest in any ship's Mexican restaurant.  (Of course, we also have steak restaurants in New Mexico, but I'll still eat at Cagney's...gladly.  So, just a smidge of hypocrisy in what I just said!)

21 hours ago, nlittle said:

Thanks for the tip, we moved our van pickup to 9:30 and that should get us there at 10 or so... I would rather wait in the terminal with a chance of getting on early (like you) than wait at the hotel wondering!

 

LOL.  Yep, I'd rather see the ship waiting for me a few yards away than stare at the lobby in our hotel.  If we want to spend serious time at the city we're departing from, we'll just come in earlier.  For us, now, the day of the cruise is all about the cruise!

1 hour ago, Stealthdog said:

 

I don't go on cruises for the food. :)

 

I go on cruises for the itinerary. 

 

This is certainly true for us as well...but we still find ourselves (especially on sea days) focused on food!  We are only modestly picky about food, and we always find plenty we enjoy at the included venues.  We enjoy the MDR experience in particular.  The specialty restaurants are a one or twice per cruise treat.  Discussions about food on these boards are certainly the best way to see the EXTREME diversity in tastes and expectations.  No one is wrong in their opinions...but some folks certainly get belligerent if someone disagrees with them.  In particular, I have to scratch my head when one person says they (for example) like the buffet on the Breakaway, and someone else not only disagrees, but implies the person who is satisfied is a moron or worse.  Yes, let's try to make people who were happy with their experience unhappy!  Sorry for the rant...not directed at you Stealthdog!

9 hours ago, huxlemo said:

We are sailing on the Bliss on 5/5 to Alaska. Looking at the dinner dining options in the main dining rooms, do we need to book those times in advance? Or can we go to dinner when we want to?

You do not HAVE to pre-book.  My wife and I prefer to make reservations in advance though, and then change as we go if need be.  That way, on those days where the time works out...we're in good shape.  We like to go around 6:45 - 7:00, and that's peak time...so it's been good to have the reservations then.  But if the Daily Schedule comes out and there's something we want to do that conflicts...we'll change it or cancel what we had.  

19 hours ago, hayleybirk said:

 

I've talked to 4 different people over the last 2 weeks. I'm going to keep trying

Yes, keep trying.  I have found different reps give different answers.  I've always wondered if they are incentivised by how little they cave in on giving upgrades/freebies in these cases.  If they flat out won't upgrade your cabin, at least request some OBC.  That can't possibly screw up a free air perk (if that's what they continue to say).