Visigoth

Does scaled detail this help?  It's for the Breakaway but I think they are very similar.

On 1/14/2019 at 5:58 AM, AAAagent18 said:

Hello All,

I am on the March 3rd sailing on the Breakaway. I have taken plenty of cruises and booked a lot for clients but never on Norweigan due to the negative reviews that we always are hearing. But I recieved a deal I couldnt pass up for this week so I booked it. We are in room 10276 which is a balcony. We also book under the specialty and free beverage package promotion. Is there anything we should be aware of about theses promotions we picked? Or about the ship? and about Port of New Orleans? All information and tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Justin 

Justin,

Can you tell me who is currently the Concierge for the Breakaway?

Visigoth

Is Anoop the concierge on the Breakaway now?

I have stayed at both and in my opinion, they are both very good nice properties.  I think the Roosevelt is a little nicer and better located.  Given similar pricing, I would probably choose the Roosevelt.

Which ship are we talking about?

It's about a 30 minute drive in from the airport to the Julia Street Terminal if there are no traffic problems.  Always like to get a bit closer to the port in case there is a  problem.  The Hyatt Regency on Loyola has rooms under $200 for that night and it is less than a 10 minute Taxi or Uber ride to the cruise terminal.  You can get an even better rate on Hot Wire or Price Line.

Perhaps these folks at NCL can help:

And yet, had you googled "Parking at NOLA Cruise Terminal",  you would have found several alternatives to Port of New Orleans parking that were $5 to $6 per day less expensive as well as ratings and location for all of them.

I was being helpful.  There is much more diverse if you google it because it gives several alternatives as well as reviews and pricing.  Too much info to put into a single reply.

Or Google "Parking at NOLA Cruise Terminal".

Uber will charge $8 (accommodate up to 4) for an X or $12 for an XL (accommodate up to 6).  Their drivers will have the most current info on the best location to drop you off.  You will probably drive right to the terminal to drop you off but if there is a traffic problem, they will be the best informed folks to advise you on where to go.  Since their fare cannot change after being quoted, they have no incentive to take you on a longer or slower route.

Check-in times on NCL are simply guide lines issued in an effort to evenly distribute the passenger load during boarding.  You will not be asked about your check-in time when you arrive at the terminal.

So what is my incentive to cruise NCL when it goes to all the same destinations as other cruise lines, but it's more expensive? 

No incentive at all.  I think you should avoid NCL altogether.  Sorry to lose you. TTFN.

1.  "Can I reserve Teppenyaki for the group on line on the first available booking date?

Two issues here."  

Because of the popularity and limited seating the Teppanyaki may not be available to reserve until after you board.   Also of concern to you is the fact that the seating around the Habatchi may be for eight rather than 10.

2.  "Will each family unit need to create their own password entry into the NCL site (Sure this is required due to passport info, etc) and I do not want to be responsible for this."

For the reason you noted and many others (printing edocs, printing luggage tags, etc)  each family unit needs their own NCL site access.

3.  "On said first available booking date, can I access EACH family's NCL site (they will give me passwords) to book Jersey Boys?"

Since each family can book only their own shows and entertainment it should be incumbent on them to do their own booking.  If you have someone that will have difficulty with this you might want to oversee the process either in person or by phone.  You can probably also do this through NCL by contacting their customer service line.  

4. "What about Prohibition and comedy clubs, booked on board.  Does each family unit (cabin) have to do that themselves?"

Sometimes one person can do this and sometimes they want a rep from each cabin present.  The new Norwegian Cruise app may allow you to make these arrangements on your cell phone (after boarding).  If you attempt to do this on your own you may be asked to make some schedule compromises on the fly.  This means you need everyone to agree to allowing you to make those decisions for the group or go with you to OK changes.

5. What about MDR for 10 every night except 2 (Teppenyaki night and Juneau night).  On board?  On line?

You will have a difficult time reserving 10 spots for dinner at the MDR either on line or on board.  We have traveled with many groups of 8 to as many as 37 and we had the best luck with MDR reservations when talked directly to the MairerD.  I generally stopped by in the morning and asked if we could be accommodated for the group at a particular time.  On occasion they had to slide our reservation 30 minutes one way or the other.  I always showed up at least 30 minutes early and reminded them.  Your biggest hurdle hear is trying to get 10 people to show up at the same time.  I, inevitably, found myself waiting in the hall way in front of the MDR so that I could escort the stragglers to our table.

Good luck with this endeavor.  It's great to travel with friends and family but it can be difficult to be in charge.  Many of your plans for everyone to dine or play together will not materialize because someone forgot, or had something better to do, or over- slept, or...... 

On 1/9/2019 at 9:32 PM, wantingpj said:

We will be in New Orleans for a few days before our cruise.  I've had raw oysters once, my husband never has and is not interested.  Is there a place in the French Quarter that you can just buy one or two oysters?  Raw? Charbroiled? Fried? And he can order something else?  A burger? 

 

I see half dozen or a dozen on menus...but no singles.

 

Thanks!

Tell your bartender or shucker that you would like to try single raw oyster.  I doubt they will even charge you for it.

What a waste of perfectly good orange juice.  I believe the best usage for this vintage should be ship christening.

We sailed on the Epic 2 years ago.  As you have, no doubt, read most of the negative reviews are due to the unique cabin layout.  I can only respond to our experience in a balcony room.  Besides a really stupid location for the "facilities" the couch next to the bed is convex.  It's cute, but it is basically unusable because you can't comfortably lean back.  It is also unusable as a second bed unless you assume a prenatal position.  These may not be deal breakers but they have caused many passengers to opt for other ships.  That unpopularity is probably the reason that there was only one NCL ship built in the "Epic" class.

Fortunately, the minimum bet on all NCL cruises is still $0.

Prices at the Land Shark are a bit high and as is a 12.5% GST as well as a 15% service fee added to all food and drink items.  A 12 oz beer was $6.31 or you could buy a bucket of 5 for about $30.

You can reserve a private car through Fattori Car service.  They are very dependable and easy to deal with.  They don't require any upfront deposits and they will meet you at the port with a sign with your name on it.  You didn't say how many were in your party or which Rome airport you were using.  Four of you with two bags apiece traveling to the Fiumicino airport will cost 135 Euros.

You might want to consider medical insurance.  If you buy the travel insurance through the ship there will be coverage for medical expenses both on and off the ship.  If you don't need the travel coverage, more economical plan is to purchase short term medical trip insurance offered by dozens of companies in the U.S.  Many of these policies start at under $75 per couple.  Remember, Medicare and most medical policies do not offer any coverage if you in a foreign country or at sea more than 6 hours from a U.S. port.  If you have a medical emergency and have to be admitted to a hospital in a foreign port you will be responsible not only for the medical bills but for the trip home, as well, if you miss the ship.

One benefit is that MSC has a loyalty match program that will give you benefits for your latitude status.  If you are Platinum on NCL you will receive MSC's highest level (Black).

Check it out at:   https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Loyalty-Match-Program.aspx

Unless it has been damaged or removed there is a close line in every shower (or tub) in every cabin, on every NCL ship.

A lot depends on where you are staying.  You don't need a tour if you want to see Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, Frenh Market, Royal Street, or the Faubourg Marigny, but you do need transportation.  The street cars are clean, safe, and easy to use.

Download the RTA streetcar maps and app at:  http://www.norta.com/Getting-Around/NEW-GoMobile

It will show you the location of the closest stops and tell you when the next street car is arriving.  You can easily spend an entire day just between the French Market and Jackson Square.  If your feet get tired there are horse or mule drawn cabs available in front of the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.

FYI there is a Walmart about 1.5 miles south of the port on Tchoupitoulas St.  It might save you a little time and taxi fare.  It is a safe area as the Police Station abuts the parking lot to the north.