debenson0723

You're going to get as many different responses as people on this board, LOL. Onda was my favorite both times I had it on Encore but it wasn't quite as good on Prima. Food Republic is always my favorite but I usually pay out of pocket for it. Los Lobos ended up being my favorite on Prima and I didn't really care for it on Encore. So you just never know what it going to work, depending on the chef on each ship. I never heard a bad word from anyone that ate at Palomar so you might want to try that one. Enjoy your cruise!

You will be on the Escape which has a 'real' Starbucks so will be able to use a GC or the app. The OBC is a good idea but if they use it for anything else, then it will lessen what they can spend in Starbucks. Enjoy your cruise!

Not too many things are the same now as they were 6 years ago... You have to know how to play the game. I am a solo traveler and looking at a cruise next month. I wait until the solo supplement is in place and typically book 3-4 weeks out. The sailaway inside is about $75 less than the sailaway balcony. The ocean view I prefer (forward facing) is $200 more than the balcony. Its not that important to me to pick my cabin so that option is out. I buy my own airfare (which I did a few months ago and will get a credit if I change my mind) for just under $200 r/t. $100 obc for being a shareholder will pay for my cocktails and the bottle of wine with my LeBistro platinum dinner will last me 2 nights. The $50 excursion credit will usually cover me if I decided to go ashore. While I am happy with this arrangement, I am going to wait a few more weeks to see if the rate drops more and I can get the FAS added for about the same price. If not, I will book the cruise and consider purchasing an internet package outright. Going to put my vacation days in the schedule when I go back to work on Tuesday and start looking for another cruise for the spring and fall.

This thread should answer most of your questions:

That is exactly what we did in February. We got to Disney Springs at 10:45.

Yes

This is what I do. I have a whole file with screenshots/photos of my passport, edocs, vaccines card, etc. I haven't printed out the edocs since the restart on 6 cruises. As long as my phone is on, I don't need data, wi-fi or anything else. Enjoy your cruise.

If you post your question on the West Coast departures board, there is probably someone there with recent experience: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/315-west-coast-departures/

I would bid what I can afford and what I thought was reasonable. But the advice to see what the difference is in price to outright upgrade is the best.

Sorry this happened to you. A word of caution...if the ATM you are using is not physically connected to a bank branch (not a drive thru or free standing machine) there is typically no one to service that machine if there are problems (cash not dispensing, card not returned, etc.). They are maintained by an independent company, normally Brinks, Loomis or another armored company. It is very possible that a ship has someone on board to minimally service the machine but it wouldn't be in relation to transactions.

Just give NCL a call. I have only done this with someone who is another Latitudes member (so have cruised on NCL before) so not sure if there is additional information needed for the buyer. Otherwise, the transfer was very easy.

There are no reservations in Indulge. It is a food court and it is first come, first served. Get there about 15 minutes before they open and you should be able to find a table. We went to the Price is Right and, in fact, my travel companion won the Showcase Showdown. He won a 55" tv but took the cash value instead.

Other than sparkling water to purchase, I have not had anything in my mini-fridge since the restart. I usually just move those bottles to the desk top and they are either removed or sit there for the remainder of the cruise.

Are you asking about eating in the MDR? If so, you can order cocktails from your waiter but sometimes it is faster to bring one in with you from the bar just outside Taste and Savor.

Post #8 states that she scanned in at the muster station so they are still doing the post covid procedure on this ship at this time.

As a prior poster mentioned, the Dawn has a Java Cafe, which sells Starbucks products but is not a true Starbucks, like on the Getaway, Bliss, Encore, etc. (larger, newer ships). If that is the case, then you cannot use your app or the gift cards. I was unable to use my app or gift cards on the Jade.

It's similar to a passport photo. I used the same one for 3 cruises and then it asked for one without glasses so I took another one. Some people have had their photos retaken at the port but I have only encountered this once or twice.

Yes you can. I bought 2 on the Prima (total on my cc was $250) came home and applied them to my Viva cruise booked for next year. Sometimes you can also use 2 at once ($500) as a deposit but it depends on dates, cabin size and current promotions).

There is no Global Entry in San Pedro but this ship arrived in Miami.

It really varies by port. Seattle, Athens and LA (twice) all looked at my check-in times and were enforcing them (this was late 2021). Port Canaveral and Southampton did not (this year). I think the longer we are back to cruising, the less important the check-in times are becoming. Just my experience and observation.

Very much looking forward to your review. IMO, you do the best ones on CC and having your dad along again is a bonus. Enjoy your cruise!

The only disadvantage is the ability to reserve the shows you want to see. I personally have never had an issue getting to see the shows on the Escape but I get on before noon and it's the first thing I do. We don't do the comedy shows but have heard those are harder to reserve the later you board. My other non ship concern would be the drive...any type of accident could delay your arrival. If you are familiar with it and know alternate routes to PC, then that won't be a problem either. Enjoy your cruise!

I was on the TA also and never used my balcony either. The other issue with this is the nice cushions on the balcony chairs have to be brought inside so they don't get ruined with the rain and sea spray. My steward stashed them behind the curtains almost the whole cruise. I was cruising solo so not a problem for me but if you had 2 people, the person on the side of the bed next to the sliding door would have a difficult time getting in and out of bed. We didn't really get to use the outside Ocean Blvd area because of the weather...the doors were blocked off multiple days and even when they weren't, it was very windy and cold outdoors. This caused everyone to be jammed inside and there was a lack of seating for 2400 people all indoors. Prima is definitely a warm weather ship. I have booked a Caribbean cruise on the Viva so am willing to give the ship style another chance...just not in cold weather.

They were available in the Penrose Bar.

I pack at least one of those storage bins for every cruise (they pack flat on the bottom of my suitcase). I use them for socks, hair stuff, small odds and ends that don't really fit on a shelf or in a packing cube (i use those typically for shorts and underwear). I didn't realize the bins came in different sizes...never had a problem fitting them in either on the bottom or top of the closet.