Montanagirlalways

Did you go to guest services on the ship when you had a problem with your room? That would be the first step. I would have taken any room if noise was the issue and mark it up to lesson learned about letting them pick your room. 

We will be there 9-2. Some want to see the forts and other historical sites. Some want to go into old town. Is all that reasonably walkable within the same area and enough time? It is my understanding we will take a ferry or a taxi from the port. Appreciate any ideas and help. Thanks

14 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Hi there.  I did a similar cruise on the NCL Gem in January 2020 and have been to all the ports on your itinerary (most 3-4 times.)

I loved every excursion and all would be suitable for a solo traveller.  All the shore excursions I booked were through NCL.

 

Cabo: whale watching with snorkelling and luxury sail are both fabulous.  The luxury sail was my best day ever in Cabo.  Crew and food are wonderful.

 

Puerto Vallarta: highly recommend both Las Caletas getaway and the best of Puerto Vallarta.  Would avoid the excursion that is to the river where you can swim.  It’s a long day of driving and the tequila samples are stingy.  You can also do the transfer to the Malecon or do a guided walking tour of the town (I’ve done it twice and had fabulous guides both times.)

 

Guatemala: do Antigua on your own.  That’s the name of the excursion.  It’s a long bus ride, but sit up front and you will have a great view of the volcanos.  Antigua is a photographer’s dream and is the best place on this trip for shopping.  You get dropped off at the visitor Center for an orientation.  There will be guides to hire but you won’t need them.

 

Puntarenas: Sloth sanctuary!!!!!  This wasn’t offered initially but it became available during our cruise.  What a fabulous day.  
 

Cartagena: I’ve been there 3 times all with NCL.  First time was the overview tour, Best of Cartagena.  This was good (I loved the fishing village) but I hated the lunch and the looooong stop at the emerald store.  My recommendation would be to take the boat transfer to old town and do a guided tour there.  Old town is again a photographer’s dream.  Just be sure to tip the ladies if you take their photo.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

that was really helpful. Thank you

I like the spa and the vibe but to me they offer very different services. The spa is tranquil, promotes relaxation. There isn't a bar in the spa. Its totally focused on relaxation.  But it can get crowded and lounge chairs can limited. Vibe-generally has more activity. There is a bar and you get to know the bar tenders and the servers pretty well. Drinks are well made -well at least in the past. We have joined groups at the bar and have had fun. There are generally plenty of lounge chairs! And as someone said the servers come around with fruit and other things. 

If you have the extra  money and want to try it then go for it. Then you know. Same with the spa passes. I have enjoyed both the spa pass and the vibe but as I said they offer different "vibes"

57 minutes ago, styxfire said:

Is the advantage of the Vibe that you can probably get a chair, and hot tub access, whereas if you’re relegated to just the normal deck you may never get a chair or hot tub space?

 

I’m asking because if a person has a weeklong spa pass, then they can get in the spa hot tub whenever they want…, so then the only advantage of the vibe would be a guaranteed sundeck chair?

reread the previous short post by Zachary. Describes Vibe pretty good

What port are you going out of? I live by port canaveral. You can ship the wine to me in florida and pick it up? Just add an extra bottle for me 🙂 

Watched your ship leave. Envious!

20 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

That's not entirely correct.  If Bermuda is a port anywhere on your itinerary (first, second, fifth) you must test before embarkation (per the schedule specified by Bermuda). In addition to that, if Bermuda is not reached within 4 days of embarkation, you will need another test on board (up to two days before disembarking in Bermuda).

 

Folks, the rules are all spelled out on Bermuda's web site.  Please, read it at the source; no need for guessing, speculating, etc.

 

https://www.gov.bm/cruise-travel-authorisation

Glad you clarified it. Bermuda is our first stop so all I know is I need a test before embarkation.

Its my understanding that if Bermuda is your first stop then u have to be tested before you board. 

Just now, graphicguy said:

Well...this is fun.  

 

A cruise that sailed 4 months ago.  Missed port of call?  There was only one port of call, Bermuda.  Where did you end up?  Why were you late out of NY?

 

So many questions.......

I agree. I would have vented immediately after the cruise. And all the complaints leaves one with more questions

Looking for opinions on this excursion. RCL has it and its a 5 hour excursion. Seems a long time. Just wondering what others have thought about this excursion. We are 2 older adults- no children

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

I have never done a Panama Cruise.  I have done the Vibe on the Joy.  In my opinion, the key to a very warm cruise is a lounge chair, umbrella and hydration.  In the past, finding a lounge chair on a crowded ship has been an issue.  Umbrellas an impossibility and staying hydrated took planning.  In the Vibe, it is never a problem, ever.  I have no skin in the game here.  My goal is and always has been to find a way to enhance my cruising experience.  The Vibe does that for me and my wife.  Obviously the alternative for us has been the Haven.  With the current prices, the Haven is a bit to high to consider at this time for us. 

 

Something else to consider, the Joy has what can be best described as a double Vibe.  It is on both sides of the ship.  The hot tubs on both sides are not to hot so it is kind of like a cool pool.  All I was looking for was a relaxing and quiet place where I could have the best of both worlds and afford it.

 

I hope I was helpful.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

thank you for your opinion. And I like your writing style 🙂 

we purchased the vibe once and truly had so much fun there. We are going on the Joy for a Panama canal cruise. Debating about the vibe because there are so many other venues to go to. Just wondering what others think about the vibe with a Panama cruise. I hear its very hot and wonder if the Vibe area would be too hot.

I pray by june of 2023 many of these issues are resolved.

On 7/14/2022 at 8:52 AM, skyking said:

Hello All, 

 

   Thank you for the awesome comments.   Here is day 2 and 3!

 

Sadly we didn't take a lot of video on the sea day, which I guess is a good thing right? 🙂

 

In La Rochelle we took a lot of video, but not a lot of dialogue soooooo I added some music for your viewing pleasure.   Anyone have any questions about the beautiful Anthem let me know:) 

 

 

video is impressive.  thank you for sharing!

just received notice the ship is not stopping in Nicaragua. No explanation. Any ideas?

Why don't you ask them and have both available. 

I would want to know if my cruise is completely out of certain spirits. I buy the drink package so I can enjoy some drinks while cruising. I think it’s unacceptable to be completely out of a line of spirits  

I would want to know how widespread this issue actually is. 

Wonder if they were selling vodka in their shop onboard

As someone said u have to file a claim to get a case #. Start there with NCL. And as mentioned make a claim on your insurance or charge card. 

8 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Actually.... I had a similar experience and I had a complaint filed with the AGs office .

 

Here is what I found out. I too am a FL resident. The card is actually a discover card and is issued out of one of the states on the eastern seaboard. I don't remember which.

After 12 months they started charging $2.50 a month.

 

It's been 6 months and no resolve yet.

Im sorry to hear that. So you are also having problems with a NCL gift card. Through all my discussions I did hear it was a discover card. Still when I call and check my balance it says 1000.00.  Well you can inform the AG you know of another person having the same problem. thank you

13 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

You can get a live person at the gift card number on the back of the card if you use the correct sequence of prompts.  I cannot recall exactly how to do it but I have gotten through in the past.  I THINK you start with the response that you have the card number and then do not enter a car number at all.  Might be wrong though.

BTW your 1000 card is not worth 1000 any more, after a year there is a monthly charge of (3.00 maybe) that reduces the value.

 

oh its still worth 1000. I also learned that the value doesn't decrease for residents of Florida. Not just NCL cards but any of those kinds of cards. I could be wrong but I read that somewhere

2 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

Try using a travel agent to book using the gift card.  They have many ways to get through to NCL.

thanks, I have tried. It won't work on their end either  

1 minute ago, MoCruiseFan said:

HOW OLD IS THE CARD?

Received 2019. Expiration on the card is 2026 I believe. I couldn’t use it during the pandemic obviously. When NCL resumed cruising is when I discovered the problem. That’s how long I’ve been working on it. Yea try to apply it but nothing. Then we take a cruise and I try again. But I’m fed up it with it now. If it doesn’t get resolved there are other options for cruising. 

4 minutes ago, casofilia said:

@Montanagirlalways

 

Go directly to the top; Katty Byrd | Senior Vice President, Guest Services at kbyrd@ncl.com

 

She may not personally answer but it will get into the pipeline from the top.

 

HTH

 

Mike

Thank you!!