Bunch of questions before going on Getaway in January

[AllureOfVacation]

I am still a little unsure and confused about some things regarding our cruise and I want everything to clarified before sailing. So here the questions:

 

- we want to be early on the ship. Not because of getting Vibe passes, just to be early. When to arrive at port to avoid long lines and get early on the ship? About what time will the cabins be ready?

 

- Is an ID or drivers license ok when getting back on the ship after a shore excursion?

 

- yes, some UBP questions: When still being in port of Miami, every order will be taxed? As soon as we start sailing, no tax anymore?

When ordering drinks, can we take them to the room?

 

- the fridge in the room, can we use it for ourselves or is it a Las Vegas alike "move-anything-and-you-will-be-charged"-fridge? We want to take some cans of soda on the ship, is this allowed?

 

- clam shells at GSC: the current cabana price is way over the top and I read about the pros and cons of clam shells. Do they need to be rented at guest service or when arriving on the island? Any recommendations where to go on this island where it is a little more quiet?

 

- what is the earliest time you disembarked? We have a flight later in the day back to Germany, but we want to leave early again

 

- when I get hungry in the middle of the night, where to go? Is that this O'Sheeanything?

 

- And, one last question: Is there a "Kitty Glitter"-Slot in the Casino? These cats brought me a lot of luck in Vegas and I want to meet them again :D

 

Thank you for any help :-)

Edited November 18, 2015 by AllureOfVacation

[Demonyte]

- About embarkation times and cabins I just wrote quite generic post in another thread yesterday:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=48304086&postcount=2

 

- Many ports do not require any kind of photo ID, but most of those that do, are fine with a drivers license or an identity card.

 

- Yes, taxes are collected from all drinks sold in POM and about 30 minutes after departure if I remember correctly - when the casino opens, the ship is no longer under that kind of restrictions.

 

- Yes, you can use the minibar in the cabin - we always ask the cabin steward to empty it completely on the embarkation day so that we can put our own stuff in it.

 

- Can't help you with clam shells, sorry.

 

- Disembarking greatly depends on if you are willing to haul your luggage out of the ship or not - the Easy Walkoff starts already earlier than calling the colors of luggage that is collected on previous evening. I'd say that Easy Walkoff starts usually around 7am or even earlier and calling the colours around 8am (the first handful of colours is reserved for NCL tours, transfers and high level Latitudes members, generally available tag colours start after calling them).

 

- Yes, O'Sheehan's is the place to go for late night munchies, just be aware that they too are closed for about an hour every night (maybe starting around 3-4am) for cleaning.

 

- Can't help you with specific slot machines either. :)

[AllureOfVacation]

- About embarkation times and cabins I just wrote quite generic post in another thread yesterday:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=48304086&postcount=2

 

- Many ports do not require any kind of photo ID, but most of those that do, are fine with a drivers license or an identity card.

 

- Yes, taxes are collected from all drinks sold in POM and about 30 minutes after departure if I remember correctly - when the casino opens, the ship is no longer under that kind of restrictions.

 

- Yes, you can use the minibar in the cabin - we always ask the cabin steward to empty it completely on the embarkation day so that we can put our own stuff in it.

 

- Can't help you with clam shells, sorry.

 

- Disembarking greatly depends on if you are willing to haul your luggage out of the ship or not - the Easy Walkoff starts already earlier than calling the colors of luggage that is collected on previous evening. I'd say that Easy Walkoff starts usually around 7am or even earlier and calling the colours around 8am (the first handful of colours is reserved for NCL tours, transfers and high level Latitudes members, generally available tag colours start after calling them).

 

- Yes, O'Sheehan's is the place to go for late night munchies, just be aware that they too are closed for about an hour every night (maybe starting around 3-4am) for cleaning.

 

- Can't help you with specific slot machines either. :)

 

Thank you, Demonyte, especially for the embarkation-details!

Regarding your signature, are you sailing Jan 17?

We are also staying in M6

[Sauer-kraut]

You can find small foods in the Casino late nights as well. Usually some savoury finger foods and then some sweets as well usually cookies and such.

[roger001]

Arrive the port at 10:30. Assuming all things normal, check in is just beginning, and you'll be near the front of the crowd. After going through security and the check in desks, sit in the waiting area and boarding begins about 11:30. You will have a group boarding number already issued to you. Again, you will be near the front of the later crowd. Go on board, eat, drink, people watch, explore the ship, relax, the vacation has begun. Rooms are usually open around 1:30.

 

If you want to cheat and look at the ship from about a year ago, here's way too many unedited pictures of her.

 

http://s241.photobucket.com/user/roganderson60/media/Getaway1/DSCN5596_zps8f68ea0b.jpg.html?sort=2&o=0

Edited November 18, 2015 by roger001

[BirdTravels]

- we want to be early on the ship. Not because of getting Vibe passes, just to be early. When to arrive at port to avoid long lines and get early on the ship? About what time will the cabins be ready?

 

Show up between 10:30 and 11:00. You'll get through check in and start boarding at 11:30. Cabins will be ready around 1:30.

 

- Is an ID or drivers license ok when getting back on the ship after a shore excursion?

 

Yes. All of the Getaway ports will take your DL as your ID. Leave your passport on the ship.

 

- yes, some UBP questions: When still being in port of Miami, every order will be taxed? As soon as we start sailing, no tax anymore?

When ordering drinks, can we take them to the room?

 

Yes, taxes apply when you are in the POM. You can take drinks anywhere once purchased.

 

- the fridge in the room, can we use it for ourselves or is it a Las Vegas alike "move-anything-and-you-will-be-charged"-fridge? We want to take some cans of soda on the ship, is this allowed?

 

Ask your cabin steward to empty the mini-bar. Then you can use it safely.

 

- clam shells at GSC: the current cabana price is way over the top and I read about the pros and cons of clam shells. Do they need to be rented at guest service or when arriving on the island? Any recommendations where to go on this island where it is a little more quiet?

 

Going to ShoreEx or using one of the touch screens in all public areas will allow you to rent a clam shell. Or you can rent them on the beach (but they sometimes sell out with the large ships). Others may argue, but there is little shade on the island. We always get a clam shell and use it as our "base of operations". On the island, the clam shell attendant will set the clamshell up for you and collect your voucher. ShoreEx Tip: Make sure to get a clam shell with a mesh ventilation panel along the back - the solid canvas clam shells get hot - and you may end up being a baked clam.

 

- what is the earliest time you disembarked? We have a flight later in the day back to Germany, but we want to leave early again

 

The scheduled arrival time in Miami is 8:00 am. Disembarkation usually stars about 45 minutes later (if you are carrying off all of your own luggage). The ship usually shows up early, so disembarkation will start earlier.

 

- when I get hungry in the middle of the night, where to go? Is that this O'Sheeanything?

 

O'Shehan's is open 24 hours. Along with Room Service (for a service charge).

 

See red text above.

[helpmecruise16]

I am on the 1/17 sailing :-) glad you asked these questions they are great.

[cajl2c]

As for the clamshell...it really depends on where the sun will be while you're in it.

[joekatie]

With the beverage package there is no cost for the drink ( if under $15), do they still charge tax? Royal out of Ft Lauderdale does not.

[BirdTravels]

With the beverage package there is no cost for the drink ( if under $15), do they still charge tax? Royal out of Ft Lauderdale does not.

 

While you are in a US port, you will be charged tax. Once you leave port, you are tax free.

[helen haywood]

It is interesting that NCL does the beverage package differently than other lines. Both Celebrity and Royal do not charge tax while in a US port but NCL does. Not a deal breaker or anything....but one wonders why. Clearly the taxes do not have to be paid to the county/state or other lines would charge it. Do these taxes really get paid to the county/state?

[Sauer-kraut]

It is interesting that NCL does the beverage package differently than other lines. Both Celebrity and Royal do not charge tax while in a US port but NCL does. Not a deal breaker or anything....but one wonders why. Clearly the taxes do not have to be paid to the county/state or other lines would charge it. Do these taxes really get paid to the county/state?

 

The city of Miami imposes the tax, not NCL and it seems like Royal is scoffing the tax law unless it is figured into the drink price. On Carnival we were charged tax when we purchased soft drinks, we waited until out to sea to purchase the soda card as we'd paid tax on that on a prior sailing as well.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Sauer-kraut

[sixesandeights]

With the beverage package there is no cost for the drink ( if under $15), do they still charge tax? Royal out of Ft Lauderdale does not.

 

This is a scam that NCL pulls. I have had the UBP type package on other lines and have never been charged tax. Why NCL does is a complete mystery...

 

6&8

[Demonyte]

This is a scam that NCL pulls. I have had the UBP type package on other lines and have never been charged tax. Why NCL does is a complete mystery...

 

 

Scam based on what exactly?

 

Fact: Local authorities require business owners to collect taxes.

 

Fact: Taxes are collected even without the package.

 

Previous two facts combined I really struggle to see the scam anywhere as NCL collects taxes according to local regulations and UBP T&C.

[roger001]

It is interesting that NCL does the beverage package differently than other lines. Both Celebrity and Royal do not charge tax while in a US port but NCL does. Not a deal breaker or anything....but one wonders why. Clearly the taxes do not have to be paid to the county/state or other lines would charge it. Do these taxes really get paid to the county/state?

 

 

Those other lines, since the time in US port is not very long, may just be absorbing the additional required tax rather than have to compute it and charge it to the guest. Then the lines computers later determine the tax the line owes the county, state, whatever.

[joekatie]

Good to know. Still seems odd the other lines do not do this. Do they charge tax on drinks when you are docked in St Thomas? Either way NCL is making money on the deal. If other lines are not charging and eating the cost that is fine, NCL isjust being cheap.

[cb at sea]

You should ALWAYS have some form of ID on you, whether it's required, or not! You DL is the same size as your ship's card....that's the easiest to carry....same as a credit card, too!

[BirdTravels]

This is a scam that NCL pulls. I have had the UBP type package on other lines and have never been charged tax. Why NCL does is a complete mystery...

 

If it is a mystery to you, you should probably should do your homework before accusing people of being scammers.

[BirdTravels]

The city of Miami imposes the tax, not NCL and it seems like Royal is scoffing the tax law unless it is figured into the drink price. On Carnival we were charged tax when we purchased soft drinks, we waited until out to sea to purchase the soda card as we'd paid tax on that on a prior sailing as well.

 

And,,, it if you purchase anything while docked in Miami. If you decide that you must have that last minute photo from the photoshop and buy it once you arrive in Miami, you will be taxed for that purchase.