DannyN

Thanks @acwmom---when Zurich was described as "Switzerland's largest airport", wife had visions of CDG/Frankfort, etc. Largest airport in a small country can be manageable, I suppose.

 

I guess the key will be to book a flight home that will give us enough time to get to airport via train from Lucerne. To me, the presence of the train station right below the terminal was the selling point to flying out of Zurich as opposed to returning to Basel and using their much smaller airport, which means fewer choices in flights.

 

Thanks again!!

We just flew into Zurich and took the train to Lucerne, stayed two days and rode to Basal, to board the ship. Both ways will have a direct ride. From Zurich to Lucerne the train runs direct at 47 after the hour. It isnt a hard place to find your way. STAY in Lucerne, its a Beautiful town. We had a 2 hr guide Suzy from local guides in Lucerne.

ENJOY Lucerne!!!

Notamermaid

i appreciate your post so much. i check your post EVERYDAY.!!!!!!!!!

thank you so much!!!!

Cheers

Cheri

Happy 60th.....I am planning my 60th with a Viking Rhine Getaway Aug 31, 2018...Viking Mani ..Join us !!!

I am in my OCD researching this cruise.

Cheers

Cheri

Having been on the same cruise, we got smiles and good service from almost every crew member we encountered. Even crew members whose service wasn't top notch were generally friendly.

 

We specifically do not go to O'Sheehan's because of its reputation for crowds and bad service and it sounds as though that's exactly what you found.

 

In the interest of full disclosure, we stay in Haven suites on the BA and eat only in the Haven restaurant and the specialty restaurants, so I suspect we encounter mostly high-performing crew. Our butler wasn't "high-performing" but even he was friendly the two times we actually saw him ;) .

Hi Paul and Ellie

Hope you had a safe trip home and thanks again for all your info

Cheri :)

I found a bit of the opposite. I went to O'Sheenans a couple times and found the service to be quick. Actually, it seemed that all the MDRs have improved on service since my last cruise in Sept '14.

 

However, I found Le Bistro to be super slow. We were a party of two and it took 2 hours to finish our service. I think it's because we were seated near a party of 10. We went to guest services and complained. The maitre d' came over and said this was "normal" and tried to buy us off with a free bottle of wine. We had the contact card from the meet and greet and called up the restaurant manager. He said it was definitely not normal and gave us a free meal at La Cucina. We must have been on the "list," because we had our meal completed in 45 minutes. Food was even better than Le Bistro. I wanted to try Cagney's but they were totally booked.

Hi Christine and Tim

We had a great time getting to know you both !!!

Enjoy your next cruise :)

Cheers

Cheri and Dan :)

The plan evolves.

 

Last time I went to Bermuda, I did a glass bottom boat excursion that I booked myself. It was half the price of the same kind of excursion through NCL. I also went to Horseshoe Bay Beach and fell in love with the pink sand and clear water. After asking around the forums and doing other research, I decided that the Crystal Caves and Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) would be a fine choice this time. I also found Coco Reef resort. They offer day passes for $59 a person that includes a free prix fixe lunch menu and children under 11 are free (but no free lunch). Their beach is a private area at the end of Elbow beach. It’s further to travel, but no need to rent chairs or umbrellas, excellent facilities, and lunch is included.

 

Many people have said that the best kept secret is to go to O'Sheehan's for breakfast. It’s on a different deck than the MDRs and buffet, so it isn’t usually crowded. Sounds good to me!

 

Tip #4: Excursions are always cheaper when booked yourself.

 

Don’t be afraid to do excursions on your own. The dockyards are teaming with taxi drivers, mini-vans, glass bottom boats, snorkeling vendors, etc. that provide as good or better service than through the cruise line. Two years ago, I got a glass bottom boat tour for me, my wife and child for $50. This time, I was able to do the caves and aquarium for about $116 for all three of us. Here’s how I did it:

 

1. Buy an unlimited transit day pass for all members of the group. It costs $15 for adults and $7.50 for children.
   
2. Take the 9:30 AM ferry from the Dockyards to St. George. (45 minutes)
   
3. Go see the sites of St. George. I wasn’t too fond of St. George, so we only stayed an hour. At the ferry station, go up the hill and wait for ANY bus to Hamilton. The map claims only the 1 and 3 bus go to the caves, but the 10 and 11 bus go there as well. The stop for the caves will be next to an ice cream shop on your left. Follow the path to the cave box office. (15 minutes)
   
4. After you’re done with the caves (1 hour), take the 10 or 11 bus to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) (15-20 minutes). Admission costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. (2 hours)
   
5. Take the 10 or 11 bus to Hamilton. Walk to the ferry and take the next one back to the Dockyards.
   

The total cost for me and my family: $37.50 +$54 + $25 = $116.50

 

Through NCL: $99 per adult and $79 per child. You’re dropped off at Hamilton and are expected to find your way back to the dockyard on your own, so add travel fees, too.

 

Total cost for excursion through NCL: $277 + $10.50 = $287.50

 

That’s over twice as much!

 

 

Bob’s reply:

 

You cannot compare your homemade excursion to the professional services provided by NCL. When I spent almost $300 for the Caves and BAMZ, I was picked up in a minivan by a driver hand-picked by NCL. I along with 3 other families who saw the value in NCL’s service went on an hour long drive together while our driver told us about things in the general vicinity. One of the families got lost at the caves and we had to wait a hour until they were found. This only shows the dedication of NCL’s “leave no man behind” policy. After the excursion, we were left behind at Hamilton. I forgot to bring cash, so I couldn’t pay the fare for the ferry back and had to hitchhike back to the ship. It was a wonderful way to see Bermuda!

 

Tip #5: Bring cash.

 

Many places don’t take American Express and some only take cash. No need to get Bermudan currency. American currency is accepted everywhere.

 

The price drops…and drops…and drops!

 

Over the course of the next few months, the price seems pretty stable until the cancellation deadline passes. Then it begins dropping significantly. I get upgraded from a balcony to a mini suite on the 14th floor. (A mini-suite is a balcony with a bigger bathroom.) Didn’t need it, but I’m glad my TA got me something. In the last two weeks, the drop is even bigger. I get offered a “Family Mini-Suite.” It’s exactly the same as the room I had, but it’s on the 12th floor, so it’s closer to the Splash Academy. However, before I can accept, the room can only be booked for two people. The cabin can physically accommodate more, but there’s some kind of fire code regulation preventing the system from booking more than two people to the 12th floor. I get almost $250 in OBC instead. Thank goodness for my TA.

 

Tip #6: You might be better off booking close to the sailing date.

 

It’s a gamble, but if you’re not looking for something posh like the Haven, booking a week or two before can offer a SIGNIFICANT savings.

 

Tip #7: Car service instead of parking.

 

I live pretty far away from NYC, but a town car only cost me about $150 each way. Parking would have been $280 plus tolls. I used a car service that had lots of “7’s” in their phone number and they were great.

 

The big day has arrived!

 

Wow! The Breakaway is magnificent! And huge! The rooms are gorgeous. Check in was a breeze. We dropped our bags off outside our room and went to the buffet. Food was really nice. I had Ratatouille for the first time and loved it.

 

The first night.

 

When we go back to our room that night, we notice the whole floor is vibrating. I mean like REALLY vibrating. I can’t believe it. It’s like a jackhammer is going on constantly. I went to customer service to find out if it’s a temporary thing, but they don’t seem to know anything about a vibration. The shaking isn’t confined to the 14th floor, but it’s most pronounced mid-ship. It was the worst in Headliners.

 

It stopped whenever we were in port. I’ve read about other people complaining about vibration in the aft rooms, but I had no idea about this problem until I experienced it firsthand. This is a serious design flaw of the ship, IMHO.

 

Bob’s reply:

 

There is no engine vibration. This is Norwegian’s patented “Magic Fingers” relaxation service it gives to you for free. I sleep like a baby in the vibrating bed. It also soothes my feet after a long day of walking around the ship. There is no design flaw.

 

To be continued….

I have to ask ....Who is your TA.....I have never had anyone work like that for upgrades for me ...:confused: