BOS_CruiseGuy

Figured I should post an outcome to this thread.

Not printing tags (or doing any check-in online) worked out great. There was a guy in the baggage line that had tags and he filled them out while we were waiting in line. Baggage drop off took less than 5 minutes, and we did have any delay at all by not having the tags (nor did we delay anyone else).

Total taxi-to-ship time was less than 25 minutes.

Can someone provide the link to where these can be purchased on either CC or Amazon? I tried looking around on the main CC site, but cant seem to find them.

 

Thanks

One of many available on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B011S5GO6Y/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AH22FVBFPQ3VR

OR the Cruise Critic versions:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/store/product.cfm?ID=46

Thank you for your replies!

I think I will just get them at the port. Looks like they have good tag holders on Amazon for $8 for an 8 pack, but they fit best for RCCL and Celebrity, which we don't cruise often. I'd get those if we did.

Seems to me the hassle of printing/folding/borrowing stapler is slightly bigger than waiting a bit longer at the port.

I am sailing on the Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan soon.

Is there any problem with not printing and bringing luggage tags to the port? I have read that the porters usually have them. Can I be assured they will have them, and that it is quick and easy to get them at the port? I assume you just have to write your name and cabin number on them.

I realize I could get some plastic holders or just print and staple the paper, but if I can avoid the expense and hassle of stapling, that would be great. If getting them at the port is a hassle, i'll get holders or find a stapler, but I'd prefer to avoid that.

Thank you for your insights! Happy sailing!

Thank you for the replies. I think I have it figured out. I now think it was a not a 7 day cruise, as you're right that does seem short for such a long journey. I was thrown off by the Latitudes credit.

Per my account, we left on July 23rd, which is the same as the first link. I think we did the Kiel Canal, Warnemunde Germany, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. And not Oslo.

I'm glad I have this figured out. I enojoyed the cruise very much, both the ship and the ports. It's nice to know for sure where exactly I went!

Thanks again for your help. Now to get those 5 days credit for my Latitudes . . . :)

Thanks for the reply. I am quite sure it was 7 days, as a few years ago I had them research the trip for Latitudes credit and it came back as a 7 day trip.

I am thinking it was 3 out of these 4: Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen. I don't think we went to Oslo, but I am not sure.

In July 2001, when I was a teenager, I took a cruise on the NCL Dream to the Baltic Sea. I can't remember all of the ports we visited and I am hoping some here can fill in the gaps. I know it was a 7 day cruise from Southampton and that we stopped in St. Petersburg, Estonia and Germany.

Do you know the rest of the ports visited? Thanks in advance for your help.

I am getting ready for my upcoming cruise. We will be staying in a hotel for a few days beforehand.

How do people attach the luggage tags if you are not coming from home? Find a stapler to borrow? Something else?

Is there any risk in skipping the tags altogether and just getting some at the pier?

Thanks for the tips

Are there any decent cocktail recipes you can make with the free beverages available on the ship? What non-alcoholic beverages are available at the bar?

Alternatively, are you able to carry-on drink mixes (pina colada, etc.) without raising suspicion that their alcoholic companions might be stashed away in your checked luggage? ;)

Thanks for your insights.

I am not sure if you are able to use US Dollars on Cozumel, especially at the bars on the east side. I have seen a few posts that say you 'can use $', but both the Mexican Peso and US Dollar use the '$' system.

If you can use USD, is that better than exchanging for some Pesos?

Thanks for the information.

I don't have any experience with deck 4, but personally I would rather have a well-positioned inside cabin.

Depends how many 18 year old girls are onboard . . .

Because I didn't know the rule, I wore khaki shorts with sneakers to the aft MDR about five times on a recent Bermuda cruise. Nobody ever said anything, and I didn't feel underdressed in any way.

Frankly, it never occurred to me to pack long pants on a summer cruise when the weather was hot every day.

Any chance we can buy stock in Rum Runners, Inc.? :)

I find the Easy Walk Off to be great. Unless you have to deal with young children or have any mobility issues, I see no reason not to take advantage of it. Not having your bag the last night, waiting for your color to be called, and finding your bag at the end can all be easily avoided.

That is too bad they would not be willing to change your flight. Keep in mind that the change fee might be significant, as you would pay the change fee per person plus any difference in fare. There may also be a difference with any discounts that NCL gets. But, if you are willing to pay there is no reason NCL could not have made it work.

Also keep in mind that this is always the case when you book with an entity other than the airline. Before the day of travel, any changes always need to be made with the booking agent, whether that is a cruise line, travel agent, or travel website.

...

What is a T-pool?

Good for her for not apologizing. Far too often, people say things intentionally that are either true and/or funny and then wimp out and 'apologize' when a small minority complain about it. She knew it was a bit edgy and possibly 'offensive', so don't bow to pressure and 'apologize' for something you aren't sorry for.

While I certainly can't say for sure there were not rats, I would like to have some actual visual evidence of them. I think there are lots of other explanations that might make more sense in this case. Especially considering the report comes from a non-cruiser.

Didn't mean to interrupt your mourning of the whale.

:)

I like NCL, but I think it is a bit of a stretch to call them a luxury liner.

My wife and I are going to rent a scooter in Cozumel on our upcoming NCL Dawn cruise. Looking online I found Ernesto's Rental, which has them for $20/day, with the expected sales line that they are cheaper than the ones at the pier and worth the walk. It does appear to be a few hundred more yards from the pier than other companies might be.

Does anybody have any knowledge on what the closer-to-pier companies charge? I am trying to decide if the extra walk is worth it. And, yes, I know the conventional wisdom of renting scooters, and am prepared for advice on why I shouldn't rent one. :)

Thank you for your insights.

Personally, we get the most value out of inside cabins. We don't think it is worth it to spend a few hundred dollars just for a small window we would rarely look out, or one thousand dollars for a (small) balcony we would only sit on occasionally. Clearly, balconies are important for many here, just not us.

I prefer a mid-ship lower deck for the following reasons:

- good for motion

- easy access to the lower public spaces (I take the stairs for those areas, and an elevator to the upper public spaces)

- usually easy to find hallways that are not well traveleed

- close the the gangway when coming back from port

- provides good value, in my opinion

I try hard to find a cabin that will have as little noise as possible. On an upcoming cruise I have a deck 5 which is above a cabin and below a restaurant that is only open for dinner and away from elevators, etc.

I think you could fit one without too much of an issue. Then you or your husband could take one of the bunks. I wouldn't worry at all about his weight, but to each their own. A child would probably enjoy sleeping in the bunk, as well. Unless they have a habit of falling out of bed at home it should be fine.