debenson0723

It sounds like there is a one day "non-rev" cruise in between your two sailings. I think you not only will have to pack up your cabin but will have to find a place to stay on land during that one night. This is during Aqua's first US sailings and it's not unusual to have cruises for media and travel agents that don't actually sail but have people on board to learn about the ship, You might want to call NCL and look into this further.

You can use the app. You will earn the 'stars' for your purchases but cannot use the 'stars' to buy drinks on the ship. The balance on your card won't update until you get to shore and use data but they will give you a receipt that shows your balance after every purhcase, it you ask.

There are so many great places to eat in NYC, I don't know where to begin. In Midtown, we like to go to John's Pizzeria of Times Square on 44th Street. It gets busy before the theatre so if we are seeing a show, we get there around 5:30 to avoid the crowds. Also great for lunch (opens at 11:30). Best fish and chips we have had are at A Salt and Battery in the West Village. A tiny hole in the wall owned by 2 Brits. Walk the High Line and stop into Chelsea Market for a bite or two but, unless things have changed, not a lot of seating. Two thumbs up for Katz Deli and Economy Candy. Los Tacos #1 is in midtown and has good (and cheap) tacos. Always a long line but it moves fast. I recommend taking the subway to the first Brooklyn stop and walking back over the bridge towards Manhattan...early Sunday morning is very peaceful with a wonderful view...night time is spectacular also. As many times as I have been to NYC, I have never heard of Mama Jo's. You can bet that I will be there in June the morning of my Joy cruise. Thanks for that suggestion. Have a wonderful cruise. I may have to put this on my bucket list.

No washclothes is a European thing. I always pack my own, sometimes an older one, which I leave behind.

Thank you for the ferry schedule. I am on the June 16th sailing too and have never been to Bermuda so this is very helpful. Enjoy your time on the island!

So you get a 'free' upgrade from an inside to a balcony after final payment (which I have never seen in many NCL cruises) and you are still complaining about nickel and diming? Before you took the upgrade you could have asked the representative about the additional FAS dinner...if he/she had told you it wasn't included, would you have declined the cabin upgrade??

I would post this question on the Ports of Call forum on this board. Ask for each location and you should get many answers from those that have been in your situation.

For me it sometimes depends on the itinerary but I do prefer the newer ones. Love that new ship smell!

We had this on one of my recent cruises but we met in the comedy club. Only about 10 people showed up and we were escorted as a group to the front of the tender line. And I second asking at the Cruise Next desk for the information. They were very helpful.

I was thinking the same thing. I never book a flight out of any NYC airport after a cruise there, as you never know what could happen or what is going on (ship, port or city related). We are doing the Joy Bermuda cruise in June and our return flights are at 4pm out of JFK.

Have you tried calling or using the chat feature? Everyone seems to think the app and/or website are the only way to book but I find those other options just as good and sometimes even better.

This is what I was wondering too. I love sea days and have no problem staying busy. I also take a day and just relax...sleep, order room service, read, just de-stress.

No plugs in the bathroom for a hairdryer (on any ship I have been on). There are multiple plugs near the desk area and a mirror so easy to dry hair there (also a hairdryer provided but I know some people like to bring their own). USB ports are near the bed. If you watch a couple of YouTube videos on the Encore cabin type you are in, you can see them all.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. For your sailaway from Seattle, I think the Observation Lounge would be your best bet. I have sailed Encore from there twice and it was practically empty, as some cruisers don't even discover it until day 2 or 3. You can grab some food and drink, park yourself on the starboard side and will have a great view. If wanting to be outdoors (it did not rain either time I was there) the Waterfront is a great place but might not work well with 25 people. The Encore does not have a Spice H2O.

All of them.

Usebounce.com. Be advised, these are local deli's, hotels, hair salons, etc. that store your luggage in the back. Make sure to check business hours as some close sooner than others. We successfully used a souvenir store on 8th Avenue and it was easy drop off/pick up.

I do this also but with a Capital One 360 account. Opened it online, received my Mastercard debit card the next day via FedEx. Have used it in many countries with no fees from any bank ATM. Prior to a London trip, 2 friends sent me USD to my Capital One account and I purchased GBP for them so they would have a little cash. But mostly they used their Apple Pay on their phones, even to tap in and tap out on the Tube.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. You will find information on the Ports of Call forum on this site for most of the questions for your European cruise. Depending on where the On Your Own tour drops you off, you can take the Metro to the Eiffel Tower or possibly a cab (but the Metrol will probably be faster). And yes, Euros are the currency used in France (and GBP in the UK).

Thanks for the correction. Viva suites (non Haven) still get the breakfast and lunch in Cagney's...I wonder why they don't on the Joy.

With a suite on the Joy, you will be able to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's...your son and his girlfriend will not be able to join you there.

Did you let anyone from the crew know about the dirty restrooms? I have never seen anything like this on any ship but they can't address the issue in a timely manner if they are not aware.

This. I will typically take 50euros for a 2 week trip and come home with 30. The only place in Greece that would not take a card was a little old man outside a monastary on a hill, standing next to his rickety little table, selling handmade religious icons. I bought 2 from him for 3 euros. Your exchange rate will be better with a card but always make sure you chose the currency of the country when processing (the machine will ask euros or USD).

Still not sure why you paid to 'upgrade' from a GTY balcony without knowing which cabin you would be in. I've done GTY several times and always got a great cabin...you could possibly have gotten the cabin you just paid for. Or if all of the balcony cabins are full, you might have been upgraded to a Club Balcony. This happened to several of us on the Jade a few years ago. You can't go down a class with a GTY, only up. And just an FYI, the Aqua is slightly larger than the Prima and Viva and does not have a race track.

That also happened on the Prima in Southampton. They called those that purchased Priority Access right after handicapped. There were some Diamond and Sapphire guests who I thought were going to lose their mind! I felt so bad for the employee (young girl) who was just doing what she was told, even though I thought the Diamond and Sapphire should have gone first. I like to get on early too but don't freak out if I have to wait 2 or 3 minutes (and I agree, earning should go before paid).

If the cruise is paid in full and you were not allowed to use the CruiseNext cert, just save it for next time. They no longer have expiration dates.