Eggs2Go

Thanks for posting the entertainment details. I'm so looking forward to sailing on the Viva. Booked on April 2026 transatlantic, 568 days to wait.

Thanks. You make info clear and easy. I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth to smartphone usage. (But prefer phone turned off and in the safe; yet I understand could be useful, especially to follow my account.)

On the ship, how do you access the App? Do you need the ship's wi-fi service or internet? Can my phone be in airplane mode when using the App?

Yep, budget better for two than for one. Reminds me why I love sailing Norwegian: I can often get a solo cabin or sometimes like on this Encore cruise can book a regular cabin with no solo supplement. So even with the uncertainty about ports and dates, the price is right on this TA heading to drydock. Plus it's a rare opportunity to sail eastbound to Europe in the Fall. Then after a nice interlude it's easy to catch a westbound TA back home since all the cruise lines are returning ships to USA in November. Thus I avoid transatlantic flights both directions. I'll be onboard the Celebrity Equinox from Lisbon to Port Canaveral. I would have booked Encore for the return but waiting the length of time in drydock would have drained my finances. I'm trying to keep to that darn budget again. Hopefully after these cruises I'll still be able to trust Norwegian.

Your experience is exactly what I'm half anticipating NCL will do on my cruise. Except the port stops eliminated for us will be in Spain and Portugal, which conveniently would also save fuel costs, another big excuse sometimes made now as well. We are 71 days away from departure, and I do hope NCL gives us more than a few days notice of any changes, especially since I suspect they already know. It would be nice to be able to make definite plans etc. But like you, I would be happy to have extra time in England so it's all good although I was (currently am) looking forward to the port stops too. And $300 only buys one night in a London hotel so I'm hoping for more compensation than that. But who knows, maybe our original itinerary will stand. Perhaps I'm just suspicious of NCL these days. Thanks for the real life info.

Has anyone experienced a change in dates on a TA cruise heading to drydock? I'm booked on the Encore TA from Miami Nov 3 arriving in Southampton on Nov 17. Encore scheduled for drydock and seems like the ship has a very long list of renovations to accomplish in the two-week period. I expect some demolition work and closed venues while we're sailing, but I'm wondering if Norwegian may cancel some of our port stops and rush to get the ship into drydock earlier by arriving in Southampton prior to the 17th. We've had no word from NCL. But it's suspicious that there are no excursions listed for several port stops enroute, including Lisbon. Other NCL ships with a stop this fall in Lisbon are showing excursions there, and the Encore return westbound in December that the OP is inquiring about also has many excursions listed for the Lisbon port stop. Why don't we?

I was on that cruise and couldn't understand why the line snaked down streets and took hours when we were ONLY ship there, so thanks for explaining that cause was maintenance issues (wonder how often some type of cable car breakdown??). Like most everyone, I wanted to see Oia but tour was lengthy with difficult climbs on gravel in the heat. Oia was also terribly crowded with tourists (not just cruisers) so I was already tired when I joined the long line back to ship (and no way am I in physical condition to hike the donkey path down). But I felt joyous to finally be back onboard and partied out on the deck (magnificent views of Santorini and the Aegean Sea sunset from the ship) where we enjoyed an annual local fireworks display over the volcano. Yet in following days I remained fatigued at port stops. When I returned home I was quite sick and one night in my bathroom I fell (passed out?) and broke my neck. At the hospital I was also diagnosed with covid. Of course I blame Santorini for all of this. Now I'm recovered and back to cruising again but Santorini is not on my list of desirable places to spend a day. Should I find myself in port there, I'm staying on the ship.

What incentives are you offering solo cruisers now that Celebrity is charging them up to triple the per person price to book a cabin. Or does Celebrity prefer not to have solo guests on their ships? The marketing emphasis seems to be couples only desired.

Pick a TA and do a mock booking. For example, the Encore eastbound in Nov and westbound in Dec both have no solo supplement on insides and OV.

Remember that your studio cabin booking includes access to the studio lounge -- a large shared living room space next to your small private bedroom/bathroom. You are gonna love that studio. Best value at sea. Complimentary good coffee and snacks too. Sometimes even cookies. Thank you Norwegian for treating the solos well.

I've booked this Galley to Table "excursion" on the Equinox TA this fall. I expect the specialty "lunch experience" will add variety and spice to a seaday. Price is reasonable at $41 during the current "flash" sale.

It's true and it's not a website glitch. https://cruiseradio.net//celebrity-solo-cruisers-paying-more-than-double-fare/

Then it is time to search for another cruise to book. And that is why I almost always in the end choose to book on Norwegian. I feel Norwegian Cruise Line honors solos and wants our business. I am a Norwegian loyalist and probably my Celebrity booking is a one off. But you never know until you take a look at a particular cruise yourself.

What matters is the bottom line and affordability. Every cruise, every line is different on price each time. I recently booked my first Celebrity cruise, a transatlantic on the Equinox departing Lisbon Nov 21. As a solo I paid x2 plus about $50 additional. But the price on the bottom line seemed very reasonable to me. About $1500 for 12 days, or $125 a day. Granted this is an inside cabin with no drinks package and no perks, but I'm satisfied and won't worry about whether someone else is paying less. I think this is a very good deal although I'm paying double plus. And if I could afford it, I may think that the Retreat is also fairly priced.

I have Anytime Dining and can make reservations starting at 6:00 pm. But the App shows opening times from 5:15 to 9:00 for Celebrity Select Dining at Silhouette. Do they begin service at 5:15? Can I just show up at 5:15 without a reservation and be seated?

Although it's true that the shorter cruises out of Miami attract partiers, I would expect any cruise departing midweek in early November to be rather sedate. You are considering the Breakaway ship which has a nice waterfront deck for lounging where it is usually very quiet. Not sure what you want in the way of ports. Personally, I would rather be on the Jade 5-day cruise departing the following day Nov. 20 which also includes a stop in Key West, a great port to go exploring in the old town. Or you can join me on Nov 21 for a 14-day transatlantic on the Encore. Certainly won't be a booze cruise and the price isn't much higher than your 5-day Caribbean sunshine trip (except you have to pay to get back home). If you live in Sarasota, you already have one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Siesta Key. Go discover new horizons. Yvonne from Fort Myers

I'm another Yvonne. I get called lots of names too. At Starbucks I'm often Evan. Loving your review. The laughs keep coming. Better than Burns and Allen (ask Dad).

Hey, Lush, guess you're referring to an Alaska sailing. After the Mexican Riviera trip I'll be staying on the Bliss for the Pacific Coastal, but jumping off when we reach Vancouver. Back in 2019 I was on the Bliss to Alaska in July. It was beautiful and very enjoyable but I was so cold. Had on longjohns, a woolen cap, and everything else. I admire you for having the fortitude to sail to Alaska in April.

I'm having so much fun reading your live review. Supposed to be cleaning my house today, but keep coming back to you. Agree Jersey Boys wonderful show. I saw on Broadway and have been several times on NCL and really think better on the ship. Perhaps the small theater in Bliss makes it more personal. (trivia answer Frankie Valli). Of course, I'm booked to see again when onboard -- one more week to go before I sail away. Oh your mention of Million Dollar Quartet brings back memories. Best of the best (the fourth guy is Carl Perkins). The incredibly talented Jared Freiburg was Jerry Lee Lewis. He still performs on cruise ships, now with his trio The Vagabonds. In 2024 mostly scheduled on Celebrity and Princess. But does list a Norwegian Escape date of 6/23 - 7/3 (Barcelona to Venice). Also listed is Norwegian Jewel on 11/17 -11/24 but that cruise not shown on NCL website, so perhaps private. You can see all the details plus a You Tube video on his website www.jfreiburg.com Your food pics have me salivating. That Indian food in the buffet available anytime, breakfast-lunch-dinner, and such a treat. The guacamole in Los Lobos. Like you, I order the cod and asparagus at Ocean Blue and as a Floridian must have key lime pie. Where will you dine tonight? If can't get into Le Bistro, perhaps try La Cucina. Always seems delicious to me. And remember to get the tiramisu. Yikes, weather only 63 today. You must be getting close to California. I'll be bringing a jacket along. Wishing you a happy last day onboard (wine tasting will guarantee that) and a good disembark on St Patty's Day.

I've got my favorite pizza joint here in Fort Myers and I stick with that. Like special stuff on the cruise ship, maybe some escargot or onion soup or osso bucco. Of course, that 7-layer chocolate cake in Cagney's for dessert. Correction: meant to say the 24th for my sailing date. Flying into LA the day before and will be staying at NCL's hotel, the Hilton Checkers downtown. Will be a first; I always thought the cruiseline hotels too expensive for me, but this one is reasonable. And keeps the stress out of travel.

I'll board Bliss on the 25th and will be using some of your tips. But mostly I appreciate your joyful attitude thruout your live report. Life is short, let's enjoy the journey. Thank you, and Cheers!

Right. I'm only talking about taking OBC from NCL's world points card. It was considered refundable OBC and paying for the DSC was a nice way of using it up. It was deducted automatically each day. Sometimes I also used it to purchase cruise next certificates, and I know you can't do that with nonrefundable OBC. Whatever. No more OBC for me.

Yes, that's why I hesitated before redeeming for OBC and came here for help first. I'm quite certain that in past when I took some OBC it would pay down my DSC so this must be a new T&C. But no matter. Julig and jds have set me straight. I didn't realize that a statement credit is a choice. It is the far better option for me.

Now I see. Didn't know what a statement credit meant exactly, but figured out that among the available options I can click on Cash and then put whatever points amount back on my card as a credit. I get same value as taking OBC but so much easier since I don't have to figure out how to spend the OBC in a worthwhile way. The statement credit will give me a very nice discount when I make final payment on my next cruise. (I only use the NCL credit card for NCL payments.) Thanks so much.

Simple question: If I use my points for OBC, is the daily service charge paid for accordingly. Yes, I know upgrades are the better option, but as a solo cruiser I'm happy with what I've got and would much prefer taking OBC. Just having difficulty figuring out if the DSC would be covered (seems it used to be),