Nicky Mouse

Was on the Epic in November of '21 with Unlimited. There were some days during the middle of the crossing that internet just wasn't working. And the boat was only about 50% capacity passenger count.

I assume it's due to satellite coverage in the middle of the ocean is not an in demand coverage area.

On 7/7/2022 at 11:41 AM, MM42 said:

I called MSC Canada on Monday to book a cruise and the agent told me that if people test positive to Covid while on the cruise ship, they will have to disembark at the next port of call so that's why you should get the Covid protection plan. Is that true? 

I intend on buying pack and go travel insurance from my TA, so I'll be covered no matter what.

Honestly you're going to meet people of all ages, and since everyone is on vacation, they are generally easy to talk to.

I don't really meet strangers easy, but know how to get along.  Sat with an older couple at breakfast and they had some amazing life experiences and stories that I'll always remember.  We didn't really hang after that meal, but always waved at each other.

Relax and enjoy.

4 hours ago, HowardK said:

Without going into calculations etc..  wouldn't one have to consume primarily from the premium plus list to make it worthwhile? i.e. if I wanted Woodford Reserve in something 2x a day ( it was included in 2018). Even if it was $5 more twice I would still come out ahead my not upgrading.

 

However, two much alcohol is bad for you and your immune system and the whole thing is a scam to begin with. The ship would have to have the alcohol available any to purchase.

If I ever make it on a cruise again I will drink less no more than 6 drinks in a day spaced out period.

 

I get my monies worth with the booze, the bottled water (and san pelligrino) and coffee drinks. On top of that I'll usually attend one or two of the tastings, and you get a 40% off those as well.

2 minutes ago, mjcatlvr said:

Usually we order ahead a case of the "Just Water" in the milk type of cartons, they are then waiting in our cabin for us. If we went to the haven bar, could we get a few of these cartons to take back to the cabin or just by the glass? Thank you for all of the answers and we will see you on the 27th.

Can't speak to the haven, but I get the P+ package and just get several cartons at any bar on the ship to take to my room.

31 minutes ago, pbenjamin said:

I'm doing the calculations and trying to figure out how I consume enough stuff to justify the $35 a day.  I love Whistle Pig Rye, Zacapa 23 and prefer Hendrick's Gin but still..  One piece of data I am missing is the cost of the bottle or two of San Pellegrino that is inevitably ordered with dinner.  Anybody remember?

You're already there with the Whistle Pig and the Zacapa 23.  I also love the San Pellegrino and had several bottles last cruise.

So, last three cruises I've done the P+ upgrade and just the lack of hastle, AND the bar staff, once they see the P+ on the card suggesting upgrades and other things, it's totally worth it.

12 hours ago, caitlynambrai said:

Dude, please link to the clip thingies.

option 1, which the bartenders really liked, but doesn’t work for the slot in the room on Encore to keep cabin lights on. (Although any card will work in that slot, it’s a sensor not a reader)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076JN11TW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

option 2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GLOUR6K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

option 3: and best bang for the buck: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BDPLMQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

34 minutes ago, _Mr.G_ said:

It's proximity, you don't have to insert the card. May I ask why you care about this? 🙂

By all means!

I normally punch a home in my cards and wear on a lanyard. Have never been on a big ship until last week with the Encore. Since I couldn’t punch hole in card, found Amazon things to still attach card to lanyard but allow for doors and bar swipes. Also made friends of bartenders handing out extracts of clip thingys that they loved. So, plann8ng to be on Epic for b2b starting Nov 11 and wanted to confirm that I should bring clip thingys. 
 

edit: I bought three diff versions of card lanyard clips things. On the Encore the insert into slot for lights to work thing precluded one of them so I learned things. 

Can you tell me about the keycards? Were they proximity for the doors, or did you have to insert them into the door to get into the cabin?

So it looks like the Jewel will be doing some itineraries between Panama and NYC and some homeporting out of Panama in 2022.  Check schedules.

I think the PCCs just mine the customer base for opportunities.  I had a friend get a rando call from a couple of PCCs.

I got the contact info for a really good PCC from a cruise friend. He's been there 8 years and he is friggin awesome. I just deal with him directly. He has direct line,  and home/cell line for emergencies. I reach out to him or email him and let him handle.  He also emails me info he finds.

I think they're all commissioned and it's like dealing with TAs. Whoever you deal with on doing the booking owns the booking.

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Why would they "end sales?"

Logistics, full buses, etc.

They don't want to have to charter another bus if 2 days before return only two more people sign up for transfers.

On 8/9/2021 at 4:31 PM, Ashland said:

We have gotten the AT&T offered cruise package for many of our cruises.

I looked at this also, but the ships have to turn off their cell service 12 miles or closer to shore, so for Alaska, I didn't see the value in getting this package just for the sea days.

I have gotten it for other cruises.

42 minutes ago, JbCruisingSoon said:

How would we go about having mimosas for breakfast? 

They should have them at all the bars and dining venues. 
 

Personally, I saunter down to the atrium bar and enjoy one or two after I’ve had a latte with extra shot and baileys. Then finish with Irish coffee. 

36 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

We print the document on the NCL website pre-cruise to make sure we know the "Selected Bottles" of wine we can have at meals. 

I like this suggestion, just in case there are document changes, you have what it was when you signed up.

12 minutes ago, zerooveride said:

On the 8/21 sailing of the Encore this was the complete opposite. Once they saw I had the P+ (I wear my card on a lanyard around my neck) they made sure to let me know what was included. They were very proactive

This was my experience also the last two cruises on the Pearl.

6 hours ago, roxette said:

On board Epic now. Third time with Premium plus. And for sure My last. 

 

It is horrible, these days. The yellow label is ONLY available while dining in Le Bistro. 

 

And all other bottles we have ordered we have been fully charged for. Have spent many hours in lines att guest relations. Only to do the same again. And again.

 

And the bottled water and such is very limited to a couple of bars.

That's troubling to hear. I'm used to not every bar having bottled water, but the full charge for bottles is messed up.

Is it an issue with the crew being all newbies?

3 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

I think one of these will do the job.

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Gripper-Badge-Holders-5710-3050/dp/B01I2L49UA/

 

https://www.specialistid.com/products/black-white-gripper-30-card-clamp-p-n-5710-3050-5710-3058

 

I had seen these but it didn't register in my brain what it was, it just showed the gripper, didn't see the pic with it on the card. But I like!

4 hours ago, Bartfast said:

I put the card around my neck and a credit card and ID next to it with a couple of bills. Safer than my pocket.

This, exactly the same. The card is only around neck, it's convenient.

5 hours ago, pbenjamin said:

I find it interesting that people are so desperate for a solution that allows them to wear their card around their neck.  Putting it in a pocket works just fine for me.

Allergic to pockets! 

JK

5 hours ago, hallux said:

I just realized - BirdTravels' card is from the Encore, a ship with RFID room access.  The arrows on the card are a carry-over from the card front design on the non-RFID ships.

I just realized later today that if they have RFID, then the half card thing I found would work. If they don't have RFID, then free to do hole punching!

5 minutes ago, hallux said:

If they went RFID there may not be a need for the room entry consideration as that would be done with the RFID instead of swipe.

Well, I guess that's the next challenge, have they gone RFID?  I'm on a B2B on the Epic, so I'll go do some digging in the forums to find out.

I also came across this which might work: Amazon.com : 6 Pack Retractable Heavy Duty Badge Holders with Carabiner 3 Reel Clip Vertical Horizontal Style Clear ID Card Tag Holders for Card Key Chain Badge Holder Nurse Doctor School Students Office Worker : Office Products

It's got a window to use your thumb to easily slide out the card.

It's probably silly that I'm considering this:

Ok, I think I have an idea!

Turns out lots of solutions on the Amazon, this problem has been solved by the office worker segment.

I did look at some custom, thin precise hole punchers, but without knowing how much clearance there is to the edge of the card don't to risk.

What I found are these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076JN11TW

I think I'm gonna order some and give a try.

Edit: oops, just realized looking at @BirdTravels card pic, for room entry, you insert lengthwise, but for bar swipes you slide horizontal. so this is probably not going to work either. 😞 

Now I'm back to my sketches of superglue and a small loop on one corner. (WCGW)

9 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Thank you.  We reckon it’ll be worth it to us, having seen what’s included. 

I've done it the last two cruises, and I get my money's worth on coffee drinks (with bailey's added), bottled water, and the discounts on tastings.

Plus each time once the bartenders know I have it they start suggesting things to try that are included that I wouldn't have thought to try.