CSloan

I've searched a bit and really can't find much info on this... so I thought I ask.  We're currently booked with an aft-facing Mini=Suite on the Sun. We're considering upgrading to a suite, but it would be a forward facing suite.  I'm just wondering if the balcony is useable while at sea, or is it way too windy to enjoy?  Thanks!

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

Taxi.

Thanks!

We're on the Sept 21 NCL Sun, which docks in Nassau on Sept 23. This was one of those cruise re-routed due to the Cuba thing.  There aren't any excursions listed on the NCL site for this stop (at least not yet). What is the best way to get from the cruise ship dock to Atlantis?  Thanks. 

My sister and I will be on NCL Sun in September, and we're hoping to snuba in Nassau.  I see several private excursions that offer snuba.  Has anyone done this in Nassau? Any recommendations? Thanks!

On 5/14/2019 at 7:52 AM, PAcruiser19372 said:

For snorkeling with turtles i would go with Calabaza on Barbados.  They are a first class operation.  Have been with them a couple of times and booked with them again next year.  Last year as soon as I jumped in the water a large turtle was with our guide.  They are very protective of the turtles.  Check them out on Trip Advisor or go to the Barbados section on Cruise Critic.  Good luck and have fun!

I totally agree with this!  We went with them a few years ago. Really, the best snorkel excursion I've ever been on. Up close with the turtles in the water, wonderful food service (no paper plate), and delicious rum punch 😁. The ratio of passengers to crew is perfect. I felt like we were treated like VIPs the whole time.

My sister and I will be on NCL Sun in September, and we're hoping to snuba in Nassau.  I see several private excursions that offer snuba.  Has anyone done this in Nassau? Any recommendations?

Yay!

Great info so far! And, we like "slower pace, relaxing" 🙂. Looking forward to hearing more!

15 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Not if you order it in the morning using the room service cards I linked above. But if you just call up and/or order any other time of day, then yes. However, most rooms have coffee makers in them. Your room steward should restock your coffee supplies twice a day.

Wow - didn't realize most rooms have coffee makers.  We'll be in an aft Mini Suite on the Sun. Thanks!

2 hours ago, ColinIllinois said:

 

This pretty much covers it:

 

Is Norwegian Cruise Line now charging for room service?

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced an enhanced room service menu. The new menu offers an expanded selection for breakfast, in addition to a wider variety of options available 24 hours. Individual items on the menu remain available on a complimentary basis and a convenience charge of up to $7.95 USD will be added to each order placed (Morning coffee, continental breakfast and orders placed by guests sailing in The Haven will not attract a charge)*. Room service is one of up to 29 dining options offered across the fleet, and guests continue to be able to enjoy a wide array of complimentary choices onboard 24 hours a day.

*Prices subject to change.

So, if I'm reading this right, if I want to order room service coffee, they will charge me $7.95?  Is that right?

I've been on a bunch of cruises, but on other cruise lines (mostly Princess). My sister and I thought we'd give NCL a shot, since we've always wanted to go to Cuba and Key West. Well, now we can't go to Cuba, and they've taken Key West off the itinerary for our September cruise. We already had other pre-cruise reservations and airfare in place, so we're locked into these date. So, we're still giving NCL a try.  Any tips would be appreciated, especially..

What are the best things about the Sun?

Favorite spots onboard?

What’s the entertainment like?

Best drinks?

How’s the Mexican restaurant?

Dining tips in general?

Great Stirrup Cay

Tips?

Do they rent clamshells?

Is the snorkeling any good?

Those are all the questions I can think of now. I'm sure I'll have more.  What has your experience been like with NCL, on the Sun and at Great Stirrup Cay?

Thanks, Cathy

We were booked on the Sun Sept 21 cruise.  They have canceled it, and will be coming out with new cruises. We need to stick to that date, since we've already booked nonrefundable air on our own. Hoping we can still find one that leaves the same date, and, at least goes to Key West.  I'm happy with a 20% discount, and hoping our TA can talk them into letting us keep our perks.

This is our first time sailing with NCL...

Here is what NCL sent our TA
 

Sailings beyond September 2, 2019

Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun Cuba sailings beyond September 2, 2019 will be automatically cancelled. New itineraries will be announced in the coming weeks. Refunds will be applied to the original form of payment. Travel Partner commissions will be protected on all deposited bookings and will be distributed by June 30, 2019. For those guests impacted by these auto-cancellations, we are offering a 20% discount (off current cruise fare) on any new bookings on future sailings booked by August 5, 2019 and sailing no later than December 31, 2020. The discount will reside on guests’ Latitudes profile and can be applied by calling reservations at 1(800) 327-7030.

We'll be in NYC 3 full days before our cruise, staying in Times Square area. We're considering buying on of the City/Sightseeing passes. Not sure which one, though.  Does anyone on know if we're better off buying it ahead of time, or when we get there?

Thanks!

Hey Cathy...we will be doing the same trip from airport to HI Old Sydney in January. We found a site called jayride.com which will book shuttles from the airport directly to the hotel. The cost is very similar to riding the train (for us about $4 more) but eliminates the hassle of fighting the possible crush of passengers and hefting our luggage on and off and then walking to the hotel. Admittedly, the walk to the hotel is the least of our concerns, but after hauling luggage on & off trains all through Japan we decided the extra few dollars were worth not having to do that in Australia! :D

Thanks. I'll check that out. I found 2 other shuttles as well. After thinking about how we're going to feel after such a long flight, a shuttle sounds much better! One that I'm looking at redy2go.com, looks good, but says we need to call them from the airport. We won't have a cell phone we can use, so not sure what the option there would be. I will check out jayride!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

When you get off the train the Ferry terminals will be in front of you, to the left you will see the Overseas Passenger terminal, head that way, HI is on George Street almost directly opposite the terminal, maybe a 19 min walk at most.

Thanks![emoji847]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Yes, it costs $17 pp rail fare (including airport gate fee), from airport to city.

 

Taxi wouldn't be cheaper, but could be more convenient. There are also shuttles from the airport to hotels.

Thanks. We're arriving at 730pm, by the time we get thru customs/immigration I'm guessing it may be closer to 830pm by the time we get to the train. Shouldn't be too crowded at that time. We're staying at Holiday Inn Old Sydney at the Rocks. Hoping it will be easy to find (walking) from the train station at Circular Quay.

Very easy to travel from Circular Quay to Petersham. This website is good for planning train travel in Sydney: https://transportnsw.info/

 

Petersham is on the Inner West Line. Trains usually run until around midnight and then are replaced by night buses after that.

It looks like there's an additional airport fee. Am I reading that right? If so, links like a taxi would be cheaper for 2 people. We're also flying into SYD and heading toward Circular Quay next month. I'm confused about the airport fee, though.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Awesome list so far! I'll also check out that thread, thanks!

We'll be there mid-October, round trip Sydney. Ports include Brisbane, Yorkeys Knob/Cairns, Arlie beach, and Port Douglas. Then Katoomba post cruise.

What are some favorite foods, treats and keepsake souvenirs to keep an eye out for?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

will you please post the web site for that tour?

will be in Brisbane in February...trying to decide between the Koala Sanctuary and a trip to Mt. Tamborine...or the ZOO!

What tour are you looking for? This is the link for the koala sanctuary. Includes info on how to get there (boat, etc)

https://koala.net/en-au/visit

We decided to do that instead of the zoo. The only way, on our cruise, do realistically do the zoo would be via the cruise ship. But, that tour spends more time on the bus getting to/from than actually at the zoo. That's why we opted for the koala sanctuary instead. Seems like it wouldn't be as rushed.

Ok, thank you, hope you have a great time.

The trip I have looked at is going via river cruise, departing from the cultural centre pontoon at 10am and arriving back at 3.30pm.

It's just knowing how far and how easy it would be to get there from where our ship docks. Would be great if you have any further info on this after your cruise, but a taxi could be another good option for us, so thank you,for that. Are you pre booking taxi, or will there be loads waiting at the port ?? ..Have done many cruises,..5 in Caribbean, but never been to Australia before, so really looking forward to it.

I'm pretty sure there will be taxis there when we get off the ship, but I am going to contact them ahead of time to ask, since there will be at least 6 of us. I thought about the boat, but I'm not comfortable that we would get back to the ship on time. I'm sure that's just me... :D

Hi,

Just found this thread, and we also want to do the lone pine koala sanctuary when in brisbane next march. This is not one of princess tours, so can anyone say how easy is it to do alone, and would it be easy to get from port to where the tour boat cruises up the river to the sanctuary.??

We'll be there in Oct, via Princess. Several of us are planning on sharing a taxi to/from the sanctuary

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I'm assuming the Golden Princess will have their standard electrical outlets like we have in the USA. What about throughout Australia? Will I need an adapter? quote]

 

 

CSloan,

 

The Golden Princess has US electrical outlets. Australian outlets are very different and you will need an adapter. I hope you can see the attachment of the Australian outlet.

 

Leigh

 

 

 

Very helpful, thanks!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I'm assuming the Golden Princess will have their standard electrical outlets like we have in the USA. What about throughout Australia? Will I need an adapter?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I started to research guided walking tours in Sydney. Looks like there are a lot of them! We did a walking tour in New York a few years ago and it was great.

Any recommendations for Sydney? Preferably small group tours...

Sent from my iPad using Forums