Kayak25

We have always sailed on the smaller ships so difficult to compare. The reason we have not done any of the larger ships is the smaller ships seem to have better itineraries and we just prefer the smaller number of passengers. We are definitely itinerary first cruise second. Always found there to be plenty of choice of restaurants on the smaller ships and we have always liked the main dining rooms on the smaller ships. It is worrying that the smaller ships will disappear eventually.

We are on the Pearl in June, when we booked the cruise there was an excursion to the Marco Polo Airport that included a visit to the island of Burano. A week or so later when we wanted to book it had disappeared. A phone call to NCL and we were told it was fully booked. We just keep looking now in the hope there may be cancellations. I would imagine this is what has happened to your transfers.

We went on the train to Seward to join the Norwegian Sun, our first ever cruise back in 2015. The train journey is the best train journey we have ever been on. The scenery and service was fantastic. We did book very early and our seats were 1A and 1B the front seats in the dome carriage, if that's the right terminology. We had a couple of nights at a hotel just outside Seward and then boarded the Sun. We enjoyed the the cruise so much we will soon be on our 8th cruise with another two booked all with NCL.

Thanks for that, fix rates are never straightforward!

The main reason I cruise is for the destinations and yes the ship is a hotel and restaurant. The cruise ship is the best and most convenient way of getting to many places. The best cruise I have ever done was a South American cruise, I could never have visited many of the places on that cruise any other way, certainly not at the same cost and comfort. I can see people go on cruises for other reasons but because I go for the destinations doesn't mean I'm "doing it wrong."

Thanks for all the advice on luggage storage, there seems to be a number of options so will now have a look at them. I've decided that we will have a taxi to JFK as according to what I've read it is a fixed price of $70 dollars from Manhattan to JFK. This actually, if I'm right, is not too bad when compared with the price of the train for two people and cuts out a lot of the hassle.

Thank you

We will be arriving at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal at the end of a cruise we are doing in September and as our flight is not until 6.30pm we would like to spend two or three hours in New York. Can anyone recommend anywhere that will store luggage near the terminal? I have noticed that there are storage facilities at Penn Station, will they take two large bags, are they easy to use, do they have to be booked in advance? One further question is it a straight forward journey by train to JFK from Penn Station?

No, the diving Arctic terns will go for the taller people but hold your stick up and they won't come near you. Thet swoop towards the stick. Don't wave the stick about just hold it above your head. The nesting area is a small part of the walk. As I've mentioned above make sure you have plenty of layers of warm clothing especially if sitting outside on the boat.

We did the Greenland and Iceland cruise in 2022, on the Star, that went to Norway instead of Greenland. The best Iceland excursion we did was from Isafjordur to the Bird Island of Vigur. It's a half hour journey to the island on quite a fast, powerful boat. You can sit inside but for seeing the amazing scenery sit outside. Make sure you are wearing plenty of warm clothes! The island is a haven for Arctic bird life, be prepared to be bombarded by the Arctic terns as they protect their nests. You are given a stick to hold above your head which the birds will attack instead of your head. Plenty of puffins and other birds to see as you walk round the island. At the end of the visit you'll be given coffee and delicious homemade cake.

I've just booked the train from Mestre to Trieste for our June cruise, business class £39..89. On the way back we were hoping to do the NCL excursion to Marco Polo Airport which takes in a trip to Burano, however it seems there are no more places available at the moment.

Will do, Sun is probably our favourite Norwegian ship. We are on the Jade early next year.

We did a cruise from Iceland in July and had to go through the testing process, I know exactly what you mean, it is stressful and expensive.

Just spoken to NCL and was told the check in page has not been updated. There is definitely no testing requirement to board the ship. The person I spoke to was going to get in touch with the necessary department to get the page updated.

I'm confused, I'm doing the check in for my cruise from Lisbon and everything I've read regarding testing on the country by counry page on the NCL website and an email from NCL specific for the cruise does not mention any form of testing. However to check in I have to tick a box to say I will have a negative antigen or PCR test result in order board the ship. Anyone else come across this?