Fun4Us2013

NCL originally booked us with straight thru flights to Rome. Then it was changed to BA flying thru Heathrow.  We had to pay a lot on line to get seats together. Otherwise BA says you have to wait till 24 hours  before flight time to pick seats (for free). Disnt want to take a chance on having to sit in the middle by myself for 8 hours. Also its almost impossible to get thru to BA as they tell you everyone's busy and just call back.  Click. 

Here’s my question. We are flying to Rome thru London. Does landing at Heathrow airport constitute a “traverse” through UK? Do I need a 72 hour or 48 hour test? 

My flight leaves Sunday at 7pm and arises in Rome at 8am, change over in London ( not exact times).  My sail time I think is 6 pm. If the 72 hour is in effect, would I have to get my test at 6 pm on Friday. What are the chances the results would be back with processing on sat and sun? I’m not even calculating the time changes. Can you imagine flying to Rome, testing positive and having to quarantine for x number of days, NCL saying you didn’t comply with the 72 hour rule because you don’t have the results and you are on your own.  Sounds like a game changer for us.

My flight leaves Sunday at 7pm and arises in Rome at 8am, change over in London ( not exact times).  My sail time I think is 6 pm. If the 72 hour is in effect, would I have to get my test at 6 pm on Friday. What are the chances the results would be back with processing on sat and sun? I’m not even calculating the time changes. Can you imagine flying to Rome, testing positive and having to quarantine for x number of days, NCL saying you didn’t comply with the 72 hour rule because you don’t have the results and you are on your own.  Sounds like a game changer for us.

On 8/21/2021 at 7:13 PM, ColeThornton said:

Is this through NCL's air program?

Yes

Is it normal for airlines to charge for selecting your seats. BA said you have to pay if you want to select your seating any earlier than 24 hours of your flight. I know you have to pay extra for any kind of upgrade but regular seats? If you wait till 24 hours you might not be able to seat together or be stuck in the back row, etc.

Lots of talk about taking only NCL sponsored tours. Some say you have to, others say you don’t. My question refers to staying in Italy after the cruise. Will my COVID card be enough to allow me to wander thru Rome or do you think I need to complete that EU digital locator card. Don’t really want to do that unless I have to. We are scheduled to stay 2 days and have a tour of the Vatican. I know NCL will be done with us when we get off the ship so any help will be appreciated.

Here’s an interesting side note. Wonder how this will affect people, like us, who plan on a 2 day stay over in Rome after the cruise? Will we be allowed and if so what will we be able to do and see?

We are on the Oct 4 sailing. Can’t wait.

We had an excursion scheduled thru NCL for our upcoming cruise in October but got an email today saying it was cancelled. Anyone have any idea why? Are there any recommendations for a tour company going there? We really wanted to visit the Cinque Terra

1 hour ago, CaptainWoody said:

If a person went straight to the bar (with their backpack), wouldn't they have a "drink in hand" quicker than the person who paid extra to be able to drop their backpack off in their cabin?

Wow. Your picture suits the tone of your comments. Lighten up Francis.

We are sailing on the Escape in October this year. We just booked hop on hop off in Cannes and Naples. No problem.

I really don’t care. As long as he gets the ships sailing I’m happy. Can’t spend his money

We are also scheduled for October cruise leaving London. Hope for smooth sailing at a lot of new ports. On the Escape. 

We are scheduled for November 1 out of Canaveral. No cancel yet.

Been on Epic twice and Escape once. Loved them both. Right now I’d be happy to take any ship anywhere

Guess the staff member behind the mask.  How about the buffet challenge where teams try to figure out how to serve food without utensils.  Pin the tail on the CDC director.  I’m just saying.

Someone mentioned earlier about getting Vibe passes. I was wondering with assigned check in times will there be any chance of getting those passes if you are assigned a 1 pm check in?  We always got there early and positioned ourselves by the front gate waiting for the gate to open, then after watching all the Haven guests, platinum and special assistance people casually stroll on we would literally run up the ramp weaving between people with the constant pardon me’s and excuse me’s trying to get to the stairs to get one floor down to the comedy club with hopes of 2 passes left. Anyone else have that experience?

Wow. As a veteran cruiser with 10 cruises I’m surprised that you didn’t know the refund policy. Did you just now open cruise critic to read any of these posts? You haven’t said yet whether or not you cancelled the cruise. That makes all the difference.  If you want to give away any of those cruise certificates I’ll be more than happy to take them.

I have been so inspired by all of these positive posts that I called and booked another Europe cruise in 2022. Used my last 2 CN cert and the balance of my FCC. I have found that cruise research can be motivational, fun and educational even if it’s 2 years out so I set my eyes on the horizon and plow forward. Life is short, make it sweet.

I was scheduled to leave today, May 1 for my 15 day Mediterranean cruise. Sad day for me. I have been reading all the comments from people on refunds, disputing charges, NEVER sail NCL again etc. but I made a different decision. I booked 2 cruises, one for November this year and another in 2022. I want to show support for NCL. If a lot of people book future cruises maybe the investors will be more confident to keep these ships afloat. I am convinced that this pandemic will pass and sailing will again be a fun and exciting vacation. I am willing to accept the chance of rough seas, missed ports,  the cheese cause on the broccoli wasn’t at the required 78 degrees, etc.  I’m thinking positively towards the future. 

We were scheduled to leave May 1 on the 15 day trip to the Med.  Places we had never been before.  Everything had fallen into place, an extra day in Rome, day trips at every stop,  and we would have been in Normandy 30 days before the 75th anniversary of D Day.  All gone. And that itinerary isn't offered any more. The trip of a lifetime canceled . But wait...there's hope ahead. We rescheduled for a November trip to the southern Caribbean. Not our best choice but a chance to cruise again.  Hope the hurricanes will not be as devastating as this virus has been.

So many pissed off people over this refund policy. I’ll NEVER sail NCL again. NCL screws their customers. Charge back to AMEX. Wow!  If all these people hold true to their threats I can sleep in on sea days and still get a chair by the pool.

Ok, let me see if I get this right.  People are upset because the cruise line is registered in another country so they don't have to pay high taxes but it's ok for American companies to have most of their money overseas to avoid paying taxes.  Don't the cruise lines employ people in their offices in the US?  Every time I see a cruise ship pull in there are longshoremen who load and unload the ship. Aren't these about 15 trucks there unloading shipments of food, booze, etc that was purchased from American companies? How many people fly to a cruise destination? How about hotel rooms, parking fees, entertainment the night before, post cruising vacations? My point is if the cruise lines are allowed to fail, a lot of other people will also suffer.  Millions of people cruise each year and spend their money willingly for relaxation and entertainment. If the government gives a little to the cruise lines to help them in this time of turmoil I don't have a problem with that but before you pre judge the program, lets wait to see what happens. 

Know the difference between vultures and lawyers?  Vultures wait till you are dead before they pick your bones.