Jota62

Ok, thank you for the various points of view and considerations. I did not realize that I could call and get a better deal if I saw one as time passed. The bankruptcy concern is definitely there, but I think that if all I would lose is $250 that isn't terrible. I would not want to lose a huge deposit though. Ideally, I'd lose nothing and go on the cruise, but these are definitely interesting times! 

@complawyerthank you very much for the reply and confirming my suspicions! 

Hi! I'm new to NCL, I've previously only sailed on carnival. My husband and I would like to take a cruise around Hawaii in the future and have been looking at the NCL sailings. I was pricing some of the dates in late 2022 or 2023, but the sale doesn't seem to actually be that much less. For those of you familiar with NCL, is the current deal that good? Or did the original price listing for the cruises just be marked for higher to show some false savings?

Curious as to others thoughts and what great deals from NCL I should try to catch. Thank you! 

Well said. I 100% agree. I too would rather spend money on experiences and not things.

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The cabanas are open....but the attendant will watch it....you won't be that far from it at any time, at any rate! No sense in renting one if you're not going to be in or near it!

You shouldn't bring "valuables" to a beach.

Thanks for the reply. I’m not planning on bringing crazy valuables. However, my boyfriends likes to read from a kindle, while I still prefer paper books. So while swimming that would be left behind. If someone was terrible enough to steal it our worlds wouldn’t be destroyed, but I was curious just the same if it could be locked for safety. I wouldn’t bring jewelry or something like that.

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I made this mistake on my last, and first cruise. I had never sailed before and bought FTTF based on recommendations from this forum and when I got to the terminal I received all sorts of different answers. When I got on board and tried to go to my cabin, I was stopped. I explained that I was FTTF and even showed the sticker, but I was told it wasn’t a perk. Thinking I had encountered one employee who maybe was confused I tried again with another and was again denied. Being a first time cruiser, I was like well maybe I’m wrong and I didn’t want to break any rules so I went on with my day and just went to the Lido. It didn’t ruin my cruise or anything, but I definitely was denied multiple times and told it wasn’t a perk. That was 3 years ago though. For my next cruise I opted for a later check in time and no FTTF. If I got it again I’d definitely be more persistent now that I have a better understanding.

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Here is a link to the review I did. We had an amazing time! - Alaska 9/1/15 (w/Glacier Bay) - Carnival Legend Review from a First Time Cruiser

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2259404

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I cruised to Alaska a few years ago in September from Seattle and we had an amazing time. We booked an aft balcony and I would recommend for Alaska. Being at the back really shielded the cold wind some. If it’s raining, I guess you aren’t covered as much, but we had no issues at the aft. Also it was wonderful to be able to see both sides sailing and at glacier bay the whole ship rotated so we enjoyed it from our balcony and it was amazing!

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I cruised Alaska in the first week of September in 2015 and leaving Juneau we saw an amazing show of the Northern Lights. Originally we were advised we would have the best odds of seeing them between 12-2am, but they showed up around 10pm. So if you are sailing it's best to just peak out and check because if the skies are clear and it's a possible aurora night you never know! I was so happy we saw it!

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Hi all, I've tried to search for information, but I couldn't find too many recent posts. I'm contemplating renting a cabana at Princess Cay for my cruise this December because I'm very fair already and take medication that I'm supposed to be careful in the sun with. For those that have rented these before, could you please answer the following:

1. Can you lock your own cabana to store your valuables?

2. How far is the walk to a swimming beach?

3. Although not right at a beach, do you still have a great view of water?

4. How far is the restroom and lunch BBQ?

Thank you for helping me!

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My friend and I had a private cabana on Princess Cay in January. We could not lock the cabana. I don’t know how far the swimming beach is because we didn’t do that. Yes, we had a beautiful view of the water. We were in Cabana #6 and it was a short walk to a restroom. The BBQ was also a short walk in the other direction.

 

 

 

My friend and I are taking the same cruise again in January, 2019 and I plan to reserve another cabana. They are small, but I liked having one and the a/c came in handy when we wanted to cool off.

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for sharing! It does help! I guess my only worry now is if we leave to go swimming if it is safe to leave like a kindle inside.

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Hi all, I've tried to search for information, but I couldn't find too many recent posts. I'm contemplating renting a cabana at Princess Cay for my cruise this December because I'm very fair already and take medication that I'm supposed to be careful in the sun with. For those that have rented these before, could you please answer the following:

1. Can you lock your own cabana to store your valuables?

2. How far is the walk to a swimming beach?

3. Although not right at a beach, do you still have a great view of water?

4. How far is the restroom and lunch BBQ?

Thank you for helping me!

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Thanks so much to everyone who put this together. Even if we don't go with the cheers package it will be nice to have an estimate as to how much I'm likely to spend on drinks

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When you do your on line check in, post it there. You can call before your sailing to verify it's attached to your booking. I've never had an issue.

Ok, thanks so much!

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About 2 years ago I unfortunately learned that I'm allergic to shellfish. I have an epi pen and take pre auctions eating out. When I purchased the cruise I noted my allergy. Do I need to contact the maitre'd separately about this? The buffet at princess cay ok or usually contaminated?

I'm curious how others with food allergies have managed. Thanks!

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If you don't have FTTF and have a later tender do the clamshells sell out?

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Sailing on the Pride in December. Looking forward to the rest of your review!

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Jota, it's actually cheaper generally speaking because they have so much capacity up there that if you wait for a deal you can usually find it. [emoji3]

 

Look, Carnival's a fine choice and certainly our preferred for the Caribbean. But Princess runs 5 ships up there full time during the season. They 'own' it with HAL probably #2. Just sayin'.

I'm sure you know much more about it than me, I'm not trying to say your point was wrong, but for what I was looking for carnival was cheaper for the aft balcony we booked for an identical cabin. If princess, or another line was cheaper or even the same for the same category cabin, I'd consider it. I'm not tied to a particular line, I usually go by price. My comment was limited more to the owning glacier bay because I sailed glacier bay and don't think it would have been different on a different ship, but who knows I guess

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And honestly Littlegoo, I'd strongly recommend you seriously consider Princess for Alaska. They 'own' the route and control the majority of the Glacier Bay permits. Carnival does it as an afterthought. And you can see from my cruise history that it's my preferred line so not a basher.

My only other carnival cruise was to Alaska. I say look at the itineraries. When I went in September of 2015 round trip from Seattle the Princess itinerary was identical to carnivals almost down to the hour, it just was on different days of the week. I went with carnival because we saved about $1000 and also as Alaska is often an older crowd, we hoped for a line that had a lot of evening entertainment and such.

I haven't done princess and it may be a fancier line, but check the itinerary because you may go to the exact same places just for a whole lot more money.

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I like my PVP. I've only just booked my second cruise, but I would look at the itineraries online and email him questions if I had any about them. Then when ready to book I call him and then both times he has required a lesser deposit than online was asking for. He also has made room suggestions and for our first cruise I really appreciated that and loved the room he put us in. I also like that I don't get random calls from him.

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I was just going to ask this same question! I submitted a request over a week ago (Magic 10/14/18 sailing) and didn’t hear anything. No confirmation that they received my reservation, nothing in the Cruise Manager, nothing. So I submitted it again. I thought maybe I did something wrong or maybe I missed the email confirmation? It would be nice to at least get an email confirmation that they received the request and what you requested...

 

 

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I agree! It would be nice if you got an auto reply at least because I had the thought that maybe it didn't go through.

As an update, I have since received a confirmation from the Pride that I have the reservation.

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Ok, thanks so much! It is our first time trying out specialty dining so I didn't know what to expect.

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I tried to search for this so I'm sorry if it's been asked and answered many times, but I didn't see it.

When making a reservation request for the steakhouse online a message appeared saying that an email would be sent once the reservation was confirmed.

How long does that process typically take? We filled out the form a few days ago and never received a confirmation email and I just wanted to make sure that is normal.

Thanks!

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May i ask what tour company did you book for whale watch in Juneau?

Thanks

 

 

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I'm sorry that I just saw this response now. I actually booked the excursion through the cruise line. It was like a photo safari whale watching excursion. We picked it because it was limited to a max of 14 people, I believe.

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OP, I have to apologize, I went back and re-read that section and I'm not sure what the State Department is recommending, but the comment about always bringing your passport was in the section entitled "Before you travel". Here is the entire section verbatim and in the section entitled "During your cruise" it does say consider leaving your travel documents in a secure spot such as a room or ship's safe, but that can be read a couple of different ways, so we are back to do whatever you feel comfortable doing, there is no right or wrong answer. (And as noted electronic copies are just as good as hard copy ones and are one less thing to carry.)

 

 

 

Before You Travel

 

• 
   
  
• Read our Traveler’s Checklist and make sure to:
   
  
• Research your destination to learn about important health and safety precautions to take.
   
  
• Check our country information for the countries you will be visiting. Make a list of the contact information of the U.S. embassy and consulates there in case of an emergency
   
  
• Always bring your passport in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port in an emergency, even if your cruise says you won’t need it.
   
  
• Apply early for your passport, or make sure your current one will be valid at least six months beyond your travel dates and has two or more blank pages.. Your cruise company may also require you to have a passport even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not.
   
  
• Have the right foreign visas for all stops on your cruise, if required, even if you do not plan to disembark in those locations.
   
  
• Check our country information for the countries you will be visiting. Make a list of the contact information of the U.S. embassy and consulates in case of an emergency.
   
  
• Sign up for our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive important safety and security information. Follow @TravelGov on Twitter and/or Facebook for travel and security information as well.
   
  
• Have medical, emergency evacuation, and other insurance to cover unexpected travel expenses when abroad. Check with your cruise line, travel agency, health/homeowner’s insurance providers, credit card companies, and other sources to learn what they do and do not cover overseas. Consider buying supplemental insurance.
   
  
• Make color copies of your passport photo page, foreign visas, and itinerary. Leave one copy with a trusted family member or friend and carry one separately from your actual documents.
   
  

 

During Your Cruise

 

• 
   
  
• Remain vigilant and exercise normal precautions aboard a cruise ship and on shore, as you would whenever traveling abroad.
   
  
• Limit your alcohol intake.
   
  
• Ensure cabin safety and make sure the door and balcony are properly locked at all times.
   
  
• Consider storing your travel documents and other valuables in a secure spot, such as a room or ship’s safe.
   
  
• Talk to the security personnel on board if you are the victim of a crime. The cruise ship will have procedures in place for handling a crime onboard.
   
  
• When you come ashore, follow local laws and customs. If you break the law, you will be subject to the justice system of the host country
   
  
• If you are the victim of a crime on shore, report it to local authorities, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, and to cruise ship security personnel.
   
  
• If you lose your passport, report it immediately to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and make arrangements to get a replacement passport, for a fee.
   
  

Thank you so much! All of this information is very helpful!!

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