Had01

Hi, We were on NCL Jade in early October. Returned Athens early morning and had a taxi booked for 0900 for a 1325 flight to the UK. We had loads of time and had to wait for the desks to open for our flight. 

Not much traffic that time on a Sunday. Sunday is day best for light traffic for sure.
The airport was busy, but it copes well, being newly built for the Olympics in 2000.

The fare, from memory, was around €45. Transfer took around 50 ish minutes. We had pre booked, but there were plenty of taxi’s at the rank at the cruise terminal.

Regards, Paul.

We were on the last Preziosa cruise last March and managed to do the DiP locations (Mirva was our fantastic local guide) on the first Sunday visit to Guadaloupe. We were on a 14 day out of Barbados. The second weekend Guadaloupe (and Martinique) did not allow any disembarkation for tours or transit passengers as France was in lockdown (they are part of France). We were lucky we chose the first weekend to do the DiP/island tour! Hope to return in 2022.............maybe. Beautiful location.

Just thought I would add some feedback from our recent cruise.

My better half and I were on the cruise following Solent Richard, 3rd – 17th March in the YC. Flew VS29 ex-Gatwick – I will agree with Mickey89 that the flight is part MSC booked, but not completely as I noted several Virgin Holidays tags on baggage. We were heat tested before we entered the terminal at Barbados airport. No issue, quick and first of several such tests during the next fortnight.

Our view of the cruise was it was overall fantastic and we would both book it again in a flash. The itinerary leapt out of the page when we spotted it over a year in advance; so nice to see smaller islands and not the run of the mill ex-Miami mainstream ports.

We sailed Divina in YC in 2018 (Med 7 day cruise) and felt that the YC restaurant on Preziosa exceeded comfortably that we experienced on Divina. Sumit was out waiter too and a credit to MSC. Food taste is subjective, but when I read Mickey89's feedback I thought I was on the wrong ship. Maybe the change in TC Director impacted the food standard too, as it was pretty faultless.

We have travelled quite often in the Haven and our experience on Divina clearly awarded the restaurant medal to NCL, but on Preziosa we felt it was materially improved and at least equivalent to Haven, but with a far better choice as each day offers a new selection. Preziosa also offered three “everyday” options not listed including spaghetti bolognaise and filet.

One Pool chef always had a gazebo erected. We always breakfasted either at One Pool or TSL, never the restaurant. Lunch was normally at One Pool when not ashore. Always a good choice and always chef specials.

We too are Death in Paradise fans and took a tour with Merva, as mentioned by Richard in his report. An excellent day and one of our favourite private tour experiences without a doubt.

St, Kitts, Dominica, St. Vincent (Bequia) and St. Maarten we really enjoyed too.

The cruise had no Italians on board when we joined (some 550 would typically have been on board), but MSC had already reacted to the CORid-19 outbreak it seems. The first 11 days went as planned, but on the second weekend both Martinique and Guadeloupe only permitted disembarking guests to leave the ship at the end of their cruises. No new guest’s joined that second weekend. Transit guests were not permitted to leave the ship. Each day there were less remaining guests St. Lucia was cancelled and we had a slow sail to Barbados sea day on the last Monday. We have no issue with this, what else can MSC/ports do in such circumstances. My only issue would be the lack of communication from the captain – being more familiar with NCL we are used to daily dialogue from the captain, even in normal circumstances. It was notable the captain never delivered such daily updates, either during the normal phase of the cruise nor during the latter agenda impacted phase. Strange.

As I stated above we would rebook the YC without a doubt – we would book the same cruise again and same ship. The YC versus Haven is an interesting debate often seen on CC; we like both and both have pro’s and con’s we feel. I like the TSL, my wife less so; we both like the One Pool bar/eating area; Haven has more room options and is more family focussed (family suites), but generally is a lot more expensive; champagne included in the YC is a nice bonus. First world problem, but both being nice to experience.

Stay safe.

I did reply to a similar thread last week whilst onboard the Escape - we had the Basic unlimited package and it held up well and did not noticeably drop off. It is limited to one active device at a time, but as gtaylor states it simply offers you to terminate an exiting connection if there is one already active on another device in your family.

It was the best internet service we have used on NCL to date we found. Pictures posted to WhatsApp no issue at all. The unlimited package also removed the default initial 1GB cap we had on our initial 250 minute package - the upgrade to unlimited was $55 one off fee available on the Sunday of our 7 day sailing.

Not that I recall - bit of a fire hazard I would suggest?

Margaritaville was free to Haven guests last Saturday for lunch. We looked but decided on the Haven restaurant - which has been pretty faultless all week so far.

On the Escape currently and we had the bundle yesterday, Tuesday, for $19.99 for a full bag - no longer the paper bag so easier to fill properly. Bag was in cabin today when we returned from Tortola day out. Excellent value.

I am on onboard currently and on the WiFi Basic which we had as one of our free packages - specifically the 250 minute/1GB one. On Sunday i was offered an upgrade to Basic Ulimited for $55 one off fee. Normally $180 I was told. I did upgrade, using OBC, and now have unlimited Basic until the end of the cruise (Saturday). It would appear the 1GB cap is also removed and not applicable as we have bust that already. Basic is pitched as non-streaming, for use for email, browsing, general use, etc. Posting pictures on WhatsApp works fine. Premium is sold as the streaming Internet service. Believe there is a social media option too, as noted above, but not on my radar. Basic is working fine - sometimes a wee bit laggy, but nothing of any concern, in fact pretty good I reckon. Only one user/device per session. You are notified if someone else in your family is already logged on and are given the option to end their session. Good overall service IMHO.

I can't see it being different from its sister ship, but with all the refits they do, you never know. I ask because we have been debating the spa pass on our upcoming trip if they don't have one we can access in the haven. We enjoyed the one on the jewel even though it was small. I suppose I will decide when I get on board.

 

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Was in the Haven a few weeks back - definitely a steam room in the gym area behind the hot tub and stairs to the sun deck. Also women's and men's shower/changing rooms there too. Did not use the steam room, it was hot enough in the Med in August!

Was on the Jade last week and saw the woman running too. We were having a sail away drink in The Great Outdoors bar. Believe four passengers missed the boat in Corfu. Their names were broadcast twice requesting they notify guest services/crew if they were on board prior to departing. A few tried similar in Katakolon later in the week, but just made it! I was watching again as the ships horn had been sounded twice - some folks hearing seems to be lacking, they just sauntered up whilst crew waived them on!