my3sonsnj

 

 

If it was meant to be that smokers would annoy their neighbors then I stand corrected.

That is exactly what I meant.

I think it is poor planning to not take into consideration the number of anticipated guests needing to be accommodated.

The lack of multiple pool areas creates chair hogs.

The atrium isn’t large enough to accommodate some of the events held there.

Just pointing out a recurring oversight on NCL ships.

Just off the Bliss. Can confirm smoking only in Casino (when open AND when gambling), cigar lounge and H20 (also Haven for those staying there). While there is no smoking AT the bar in H20, the smoking section is right next to the bar and the bartenders were really good about keeping our drinks full :cool: There are about 6 tables with nice patio chairs - 2 of the tables are in a covered area and the others have umbrellas. There is also a bathroom right next to the tables. While it was a hike to get there if you are in another area of the ship it is really a nice area to hang out in. Only drawback was H20 was closed for an hour two different evenings for a private party. H20 was also closed for an entire evening for maintenance, but on that night they let us smoke somewhere at the front of the ship (maybe near Vibe???) Again, next to a bar and bathroom.

Thank you so much for the confirmation on the accuracy of the spreadsheet!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

I am still not sure why NCL thinks that one unrestricted designated smoking area can adequately accommodate the anticipated number of smokers onboard. By my estimate, based on CDC data, that is about 600 people.

I am sure we will see plenty of complaints about balcony smokers on the Bliss (as there are on the Escape) because of an insufficient number of and conveniently located smoking areas. Bad weather may prevent smokers from using the one open access designated area on the Bliss. I can see people risking the cleaning fee/annoying neighbors due to inadequate accommodation.

Truly a shame for all, both non-smokers and smokers alike!

Here is an article about the reposition.... http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/ncl-pulls-joy-from-china-adds-europe-australia-ships.html

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is it just me or has anyone noticed any additional fees and surcharges in their billing statement with this credit card? I always pay off my balance a few days before due date yet i still noticed additional fees and surcharges. I never had this before and it keeps up, i might cancel the card.

No, I've never experienced this! However, in the interests of full disclosure, I use this card exclusively for NCL charges and payoff balances immediately. It could be different for those that use the card for other charges and/or carry a balance.

Was sitting at the pool bar on Epic waiting for the wife. Had a cigar in my hand because I had no pockets. Wanted to put it in the wife's pocket book for later in the Cigar Bar. Sure enough, a lady sits 2 seats away from me and does the '747 wave'. The cigar was still in it's wrapper. Go figure.

🤣🤣🤣 funny story

. . .this review is for people who don’t like to continually be in smoke.

I think you may have chosen the wrong venue for a vacation since, even if cigarette smoking were banned, you would still be exposed to a high concentration of particulates resulting from the burning of heavy fuels. Many non-smokers cite health concerns as a reason for banning smoking on cruise ships. Unfortunately, the fact that non-smokers have chosen a cruise vacation contradicts the stated concern.

https://www.ship-technology.com/features/polluted-cruises-bad-air-quality-ships/

"Although some ultrafine particles are naturally occurring – for example through ocean spray or smoke – most of the particulate matter on a cruise ship will be the byproduct of burning fuel."

However if odor is the concern, becoming familiar with the designated smoking areas on the ship and planning routes that do not require travel near those areas would be the proactive solution. Alerting crew to smokers in non-smoking areas is another proactive solution.

Designated Smoking Areas: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

Wondering if anyone has been on the Joy and would be able to provide information on the designated smoking areas? I am trying to complete this spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you!

Can someone that has been on the Gem recently review and confirm that I have accurate information on this spreadsheet?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks so much!!!

Is Bliss enforcing cigars only in humidor?

That is what is being reported. I don't have 1st hand knowledge.

These are the designated smoking areas as of May 2018 when I was on the

ESCAPE

Unrestricted Designated Smoking Areas:

1. Humidor - deck 8

2. H2O - deck 17 (area around the bar but not at the bar) - uncovered with a variety of seating options

3. Waves Bar - deck 17 - (area around the bar but not at the bar) - uncovered with high top seating

Restricted Access Designated Smoking Areas:

1. Casino - deck 7 (designated area) - Players only

2. Haven - deck 19 (designated area) - Haven guests only

Note: Vibe is non smoking so you have to leave the Vibe and go down 2 decks and halfway across the ship to smoke at the Waves Bar.

AND

Note: There is no smoking on the Waterfront and the Escape does not have a covered outdoor designated smoking area.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

I have made NCL corporate aware of the contradictory statements in the policy on their website.

This is the response that I received:

Jeannette

We are in the process of reviewing the smoking policy and the designated smoking areas on the fleet.

Once completed we will repost the updated information.

Thank you for your concern and have a happy Fourth of July.

Best,

Vivian 薇薇安

Vivian Ewart| Senior Vice President, Passenger Services

North America and China

vewart@ncl.com

305-436-4011 | fax 305-436-4036

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Thanks for your efforts in maintaining this spreadsheet.

In my opinion it helps both the smokers and the non-smokers with information to determine where to go or to avoid, Great Job.

I do have a suggestion on putting a date when it was last modified as I have noticed that areas have changed sometimes and by my understanding the management on the ships have some latitude to alter these areas to a certain extent.

Once again Thanx for your work on this.

You are very welcome!

In my opinion when everyone knows what to expect, there will be fewer complaints and greater enjoyment of the cruise. So hopefully this spreadsheet helps everyone since that was my intent. :D

Thank you for the suggestion, great idea!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

Look a little further down in the fine print. It’s states that you can smoke there as long as there is no food service.

Not on Escape. The policy on the website was written before Escape went into service.

Smokers on Escape have reported the same information that I have posted. What the website says and what a phone rep says isn't always accurate. The people giving the information that smoking is allowed on the Waterfront on Escape are giving information that doesn't apply to Escape. ...

The policy on the website has contradictory information along with overly repetitive statements.

I have written to Vivian Ewart and pointed out the contradictions and repetitions in policy.

She responded with the following:

Jeannette

We are in the process of reviewing the smoking policy and the designated smoking areas on the fleet.

Once completed we will repost the updated information.

Thank you for your concern and have a happy Fourth of July.

Best,

Vivian 薇薇安

Vivian Ewart| Senior Vice President, Passenger Services

North America and China

vewart@ncl.com

305-436-4011 | fax 305-436-4036

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

We were on the POA this past March. The smoking area was limited to a bar aft on one of the upper decks - Waikiki Bar deck 13

Ok, I have updated the spreadsheet.

Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

Has anyone done the DePalm Island & Snorkel excursion? I'm reading that it's a 7 hour excursion and wondering if there is an option to go back to the ship earlier if we choose to; like 3-4 hours in and we want to go back?

 

Also, I'm reading you can rent the private cabana and from the pictures it looks like 5-6 chairs can fit under it. Do those sell out quickly? Do you know how much they are?

I did this excursion in February. The ferry service to & from the island along with the buses to the ferry were timed based on the excursion times. I'm not sure if you can arrange private transportation since we did NCL's excursion.

I did try to book the excursion directly with DePalm and they told me that I had to go through the cruise line. You could try contacting them about timing of the ferry service and availability of private transportation.

There are plenty of covered areas with lounge chairs so if you are among the first groups getting there, shady spots are plentiful. I didn't see a need for the private cabanas unless you are getting there closer to noon.

All that being said, this was my least favorite excursion. Although we did have a relaxing day, the amenities seemed to be in need of some TLC. This resort just seemed more run down than the other resorts we went to during our cruise.

 

• There was a separate, fully enclosed area of the casino for smokers, and only two other places where smoking was allowed
  

Great review! I really enjoyed reading it.

Also, thanks for the above statement. I wish NCL would include this information in their promotional materials.

You are kidding me, right? How offensive.

Actually I was referring to segregation defined as "the action or state of setting someone or something apart from other people or things". Throughout history there has been segregation, although who, how and why changes. It can be voluntary, for example choosing where to live, or involuntary.

Right now the socially acceptable target for involuntary segregation happens to be smokers. And on the Escape/Bliss, it is quite literally the back of the ship where smokers are being segregated into their designated areas.

Sorry you are offended, since that was not my intent. It was just an observation.

Last month (May 2018) Vibe was a non-smoking area.

 

The closest designated smoking area to Vibe is at the Waves bar on 17, 2 decks down and halfway across the ship. Or you could walk a little further to H2O, also on deck 17.

 

For smokers it makes more sense to just go to deck 17 to hang out and skip the Vibe.

Just realized that smokers have become this decades “back of the bus” people. :eek: At least on the Escape (and Bliss)

Can you smoke in the vibe on the Escape?

I read on here that there is no smoking at the bar in Vibe on Escape.

Last month (May 2018) Vibe was a non-smoking area.

The closest designated smoking area to Vibe is at the Waves bar on 17, 2 decks down and halfway across the ship. Or you could walk a little further to H2O, also on deck 17.

For smokers it makes more sense to just go to deck 17 to hang out and skip the Vibe.

RCCL and Celebrity rare removing the 2 weeks sailings, because it's hard for them to fill the ship without price drops. I was in the Eclipse on 03/18/18 (14 night south Caribbean) after final payment date still more than 25% of the ship available for booking we have several price drops, unbelievable 2 weeks before sailing Concierges was cheaper than inside. Now we are in the Silhouette B2B 9+12 nights next March 2019, both cruises at 9 months to sail are 20% available a prices hiked $1,650 first leg and $1,250 second leg

Thanks so much for a direct answer to my question (y)(y)

Interesting that other cruise lines have trouble filling 14 day itineraries out of NY/NJ when NCL is able to pack them in without a problem. Probably the pricing isn't competitive or perhaps NCL's bidding process that moves guests willing to pay more for a discounted upgrade into a higher category cabin. :confused: NCL discounts usually only occur on the inside/oceanview cabin categories, not the higher priced cabins.

Thanks everyone for all of the information :D(y)

Didn't realize there was a choice. NCL ships come here all the time from NJ/NY.

 

NASA is a nice day.

 

Falcon launch tomorrow morning.

Yes NCL stops in Pt Canaveral on their Bahamas and Western Caribbean itineraries. My mother lived in Cocoa Beach so I have exhausted my interest in Pt Canaveral [emoji2]

You should probably stick with NCL.

 

Enjoy Pt Canaveral [emoji16]

 

But I would never do the Western Caribbean itinerary with Pt Canaveral -- what a waste of a potential caribbean port day! ;)

I'm a Southern/Eastern Caribbean itinerary fan!

Alot of people can only get away from work for a week or so at a time. This is probably why there arent more 14 day cruises.

Very true! However, you would think if that was the primary reason, RCL would have 9 day cruises (2 weekends with the work week in between) rather than the 10-12 days that eat up more than a weeks vacation.

Grandeur does a number of 12 night Caribbean cruises out of Baltimore. Easy to get to from NJ.

Thanks, I saw those as well! I prefer to have 2 full weeks without having to fly. I just don’t want to compromise, lol

My wife and I recently sailed with NCL for a 14 night cruise to the Caribbean out of NYC during February of 2018..

 

 

I imagine, given the fact that the Breakaway was packed to capacity and taking into account the enormous population of possible passengers within just a few short hours or 150 miles of Cape Liberty, filling a ship, even if for ONE sailing per year and on a ship even one possibly smaller than the Anthem would be SPECIAL and not that hard to fill.

 

A 14 day itinerary doesn't necessarily have to visit the ABC's but can offer the opportunity to include a two day one night docking in Cuba with a decent amount of time to still include plenty of the usual ports frequented in the Caribbean.

 

We have sailed many times from Florida as well as Puerto Rico on ships filled to capacity with thousands of passengers who plan for and spend at least 14 days of their time on a cruise of only 10-12 days.

 

Just a few of my thoughts on whether to spend 14 days on a cruise vs. 10-12 days on a cruise that will still eat up 14 days of a person's valuable time.

 

bosco

I was on that cruise with you! I'm sorry you did not like the Breakaway.

I'm not a fan of the Escape that is now in NYC but it does offer the 14 days.

Totally agree about the waste of time involved in getting to those southern ports!

Hope you will come back to this thread and let me know about the Anthem. I looked at that cruise but I just have my heart set on a 14 day cruise. Otherwise, I will be looking at land based 2 week vacations, if I have to fly.

Does anyone know if RCL has plans (i.e. rumors ;)) to do any 14 day cruises?

Seems like many are looking for the 14 day Caribbean cruise and are finding the work around to be a B2B from southern ports, which is not ideal due to the return to the embarkation port. Unfortunately, that is not even an option from the Northeast cruise ports :(

Just wondering why RCL hasn't recognized this market with at least one or two 14 day cruises?