TravelingSmurf

On 12/9/2021 at 4:56 PM, jwattle said:

Even the ship menus vary depending on the individual chefs.

Might not be as easy, as it is more of a fixed menu...

Thank you! 

I am new to Princess. We have done Chef's Table on Carnival several times and it seems the menus are fleet wide (even though they make it seem like they're not 😆). From the reading I've been doing, it seems like the Chef's Table on Princess cruises really are ship exclusive. Am I correct in that assumption? We are going on the Emerald and are interested in doing it. I kinda like seeing the menu in advance because one of my kids is kinda picky (she's 20, so not really a kid) but I guess that's not really an option (at least I can't find one). 

How do you book a couple days earlier? We are going to finalize our cruise tonight (it's on hold right now) but I don't see anything asking if you want to come in early or leave late (I know there is a fee). I am assuming since our cruise embarks out if Colon Panama and disembarks from San Diego our flights will not be round trip from Panama. Am I correct in that assumption? 

Thanks! 

13 minutes ago, brillohead said:

The internet is very affordable when you can share a 4-device package.  It gets pricey when you're paying full-price for each person, but the discounted rate for four devices is quite reasonable (usually around $7/person/day).  

There is absolutely no benefit to paying more and getting four individual 1-device packages. 

 

The speed of the internet is "shared" by everyone on the entire ship who is accessing it at that moment, not just by those in an particular package.  Speed in general is going to be better in the middle of the night, because fewer people in general are using the internet.  If you buy four different packages or share one 4-device package, your speed will always be the same.

As Bob said, you just need to make sure that people log off one device if they want to sign on with a different device.  For example, you'd need to log off your phone first if you want to log on to your tablet or laptop. I go to logoff.com in my browser to make sure it registers with the system instead of just turning off wifi on my device.  Some ships will kick off a device if a fifth device logs on, other ships just won't let the fifth device log on at all until one of the other four is logged off -- it just depends what system that ship uses.

Hope this helps.



 

Perfect, thank you so much. I almost bought 4 packages so I am glad I decided to ask! 

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Yes, that does seem like a very good price.

 

The only reason to get separate packages is to get separate login credentials.

 

If the 4 of you only have 4 devices, then you have no problem.  However, if there are more than 4 devices, then when that 5th device logs in, someone will get kicked off.  So there will be access management issues if you have more than 4 devices.

Thank you so much. I appreciate your help!! 

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

If you get a 4-device package, then 4-devices can be logged in at the same time.  Everyone would share the same login credentials.

 

Separate packages have separate login credentials.

Is there a reason to get separate packages?? It seems silly to do that if everyone can be logged on. I feel like I am missing something. It seems like $160 for 4 people for 7 days is a great deal! 

Sorry to jump on here but I am hoping to get a question answered without starting a new post. I think I am reading too much information and getting myself confused!! 🙂 This will be our first time on RCL so I am not familiar with the internet plans. We are a family of 4 (two teenagers so lots of internet time)! If I pay for the 4 devices under only one person can we call be logged on at the same time? If so, what would be the reason to have everyone pay for their own internet? Is it faster if everyone has their own? We will be on the Freedom of the Seas if that makes a difference. 

Thanks! 

Thank You Mom2CrazyKids for your OP. While my mindset is much like yours I was able to read through many other ideals. I have picked up a few tips that I did not consider.

I am traveling on the week before you. I would love to share findings, if there is a way to do that. If not upon return I will look for your review and am considering one of my own.

Hi cruznchoos! I am sorry that I didn't see your post until now. I am very curious to hear how your cruise goes. If there is something that you would like share and can find away to do it, I would love to hear about it here. I am not sure if you are planning on buying an internet package and if you want to waste some of it posting here but I would love for you to do so (especially if you have any tips). I am SO curious to see how all of this goes. It is weird to not do an online check in or be able to purchase excursions in advance. I hope everything goes smoothly once onboard! Enjoy your cruise!!

As someone who lived in China for 3.5 years, my advice would be to go but to stand your ground. If people start pushing in front say "pie doo-ay" or line up. I have used this on many occasions in many different countries when people who are speaking Chinese push to the front of a line. They will probably look embarrassed and go to the back of the line. Other important phrases like "shay-shay" or thank you, and "boo shing" not okay may come in handy.

 

I have talked to many different crew members over my 3 sailings this year, the Chinese staff want to go to the JOY, and the other staff does not. I can say that I like the idea of going on the Joy, but the idea of spending a week on a ship with the majority of the people being Chinese doesn't overly excite me. It is a very different culture but I would assume that NCL is prepared for it. It will be a memorable experience for you and your family.

 

I would not advise anything google based if traveling in China. Google is blocked. I would, however, advise a VPN. This will allow you to get over the great firewall of China to see the real news and access things like facebook. Also, a good dictionary pleco which is an app.

 

China is an amazing country filled with many different people. If you get a chance to experience its wonders you should do so.

Thank you so much for the suggestions! Also, thank you for the phrases. I know the basics but I didn’t know how to say lineup

If you use Gmail and/or other Android apps, chances are that you have a Google account and it is very easy to give Project Fi a good run before leaving the U.S.

 

Setup a free Google Voice number to use along with email, behind your regular/main cellular or mobile # - to ring it, call forward, etc. (without necessary "porting" your current number - no contracts, cancel at any time with no penalty) Our line with unlimited calling, texting and 1 GB of data is just $35 a month, including taxes/fees - plus, we have free extra data only sim card lines (2 of them) that is based on actual use only - for what we need (when free WiFi isn't available) on both Androids & iOS devices (that's the beauty/secret ... to use it with an 4G/LTE iPad/mini and/or iPhone) The only hardware required is a Fi-compatible smartphone - at a fraction of the cost for the newest iPhone.

 

iPhones of various models are popular and in use everywhere in China, and easiest for the local vender/sellers of nano sim cards to help you set up, if you go the prepaid local sim route. Instead of using "Google" to search online, the default search "engine" is to "Baidu" it. Common sense should govern what you "need" to lookup online while overseas in a "foreign" country ... just avoid sensitive topics and subjects that can be a red flag.

 

There's more than enough caution and comments about this cruise being more than atypical ... expect to the shocked and surprised ... I can think of going to other parts of the world, where matters could be just as bad, if not worst. A few days on the mainland should set the pace for the transition.

Thank you so much for all the advice/information!

iPhones in China not a problem we spent a month there and most of our guides had the newest version. Check what email addresses work, gmail was blocked for most of our tour so worth creating an account which is not I think yahoo worked but this was a couple of years ago.

 

Other tips - when ashore take tissues and hand wipes for the bathrooms some can be quite memorable.

A small town in China is 4 million people so personal space is not something most people have any concept of.

Chinese Chinese food is nothing like US or British Chinese food.

Did not see anyone spitting or anything else gross.

Ask the ship to write you a message in Chinese characters which says “if found lost and confused please phone this number (insert ship/port agent number)” we were on a land tour and tour and twice people gave a local the card supplied and they phoned for help. Locals are really helpful even if they don’t speak English.

 

China remains one of our most amazing trips but it is not a vacation!

Thank you so much for the information and advice!

Done my last 3 or 4 "Semi Live" CC blog - trip report using mainly, Tapatalk's mobile App. - mostly on Android smartphones & tablets, but also on iPhone (5S) ... very easy to do, using the same profile/credentials on the desktop signing in. CC has its own Mobile Forum App and it is very similar. Download and install these 2 free Apps, and play with it before you leave for overseas. Scroll down after typing in any text to select & add pictures or images, "Send" to directly upload & finish to post, fairly easy to learn to do w/o using cloud server, etc.

 

Don't worry about spending time abroad writing & posting, key is save those pictures & images - post them later ... the old sayings, a picture is worth a thousand words. While riding in a taxi on our way over to Nassau's Baha Mar casino-resort, snapped pictures & add a few words, hit "Send" & bing, it's done. Those following will figure it out, ask questions - you answer those later, if & when you have time AND internet access ... without breaking the bank on usage charges.

 

We used Google's Project Fi (data only sim on iPhone) for our int'l travel - before that, it's been local prepaid/data sim as WiFi can be hit-n-miss abroad (Asia being largely the exceptions, outside China) - officially, you will need to show passport/travel documents to obtain & activate a prepaid Sim card in China, but for your stay - could be useful and not too expensive, definitely cheaper than going rates on the "Joy" for satellite access.

I will definitely look into downloading those apps. I will also look into Google’s Project Fi. The next thing I was going to start researching was being able to use our iPhones while in China. I understand with their great firewall not everything is going to be accessible.

One more tip for navigating in Shanghai — always take a screenshot of an address or have your hotel write down their address in CHINESE CHARACTERS. Show this to your taxi driver and you should have no problems getting around. Taxis were remarkably inexpensive (in my opinion) — an hour long ride was less than $10 US.

 

The Bund is absolutely worth seeing at night.

Thank you for reminding me about having something written in Chinese characters. I have read that several times before while I was researching this trip but it’s definitely a good reminder. I have read that you have to show them in Chinese characters as opposed to pinyin.

I am definitely getting really excited for this trip!

Good, you made an informed decision with plenty of dissenting opinions & advice given. Best wishes - even a simple pictorial review post-cruise here on CC will be highly valued and read as a pioneering report. There is NOT a single member review written thus far, yet - can't find anything on other popular/English language websites either.

 

It is a lot of work to scan & upload pictures and FS dailies, etc. but those would be very helpful and usable to others prepared for such an adventure.

 

Pack some extra hand sanitizers (TSA/airport security compliant) and once you are in PVG (Shanghai) - pickup some of those pocket-sized thick & absorbent facial tissues (multi-purposes) - while in the big metro city, places like McDonalds and KFC's (everywhere) along with major hotels will have clean western toilets and tissues, others possibly not & those tissues are a must to wipe & clean.

 

Task ahead, if not done - your challenge is to figure out ground transportation to/from PVG airport & city hotel, and to the cruise port ... local equivalent of Uber is popular for on-demand services but Chinese language-based. Like for-hired taxi, they use Alipay (not ApplePay or Android Pay) for payment of fares - cash always cheerfully accepted in RMB - have them available for transactions & small purchases. Stick with recognized brands of bottled water as clean, safe drinking water are always in question. Imodium to come along, just in case and you should be fine. Avoid ice cubes from tap water & appealing "street" food - enjoy the smell, color & looks then move on.

 

Download Google Translate's offline simplified Chinese module, as it can come in handy for quick, simple short phrases & in basic communications. Just beware that the digital firewall might block access by online search engines to certain sights, although it is often possible when staying in upscale hotels catered to international travelers (or, with a VPN) - best to plan ahead & do most online searches ahead of your trip.

 

Specialty dining should have good availability without advanced booking. Some of the (senior ?) service staff, if not all, had likely been trained abroad on a NCL ship - some of the ones we talked to on the Breakaway last month signed the typical 8 months contract ... including some of the host/ess & housekeeping / room stewards, so basic English should not be a major obstacle. Not all of them were happy campers and spoke of extended & long working hours with minimal rest - hopefully, they're coached to smile and shown to be more friendly once back at home.

 

Since you'll be in Shanghai for several days pre-cruise & returning afterward, do make plans to do some sightseeing ... Suzhou and Hangzhou are within 2 to 3 hours of driving time from Shanghai, and worth a side trip ... just make sure you avoid any shopping tours or stops. I pulled up our pictures from previous PVG trip for visuals to you.

 

PVG or Shanghai's Int'l Airport is amazing & top notch, you will likely be impressed and struggled to wonder about airports & TSA here in the U.S.

Hey mking8288!! Thank you so much for all of the great advice. I have never put pictures on CC. I can’t just upload them directly from my phone? I guess I’ve never paid attention on how to do it. I figure I would press a button and it would let me select the photos I want to add. I don’t have a problem posting a basic trip report but some people are incredibly detail oriented and have tons of pictures. That is not something I want to do.

As for some of your other suggestions we have done a few. We have downloaded the Google translate for off-line use. We have also bought plenty of sanitizer. I have transportation worked out in Beijing but not Shanghai yet. Picking up some of those tissues is a great idea. As for cab fares, we are probably going to pay in cash since we don’t have access to Ali-pay. I am definitely going to see your post and make sure I read through it every so often to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.

As far as English being spoken on the ship I agree with you. More than likely we will be able to find some English spoken throughout the crew because of time on other ships.

I'll add my 2 cents to the the discussion from the perspective of a) frequent cruisers (13 completed), b) fans of NCL (9 cruises) and c) sailed on the RCL Quantum of the Seas after 3 days touring Beijing.

 

Visiting Beijing was an amazing experience, we stayed at the Hilton near the Imperial Palace and found the area as comfortable and luxurious as any world class city we have visited.

 

The Quantum was a wonderful ship, but Americans have to be ready for a chaotic experience with disorganized crowds. It was curious that some of the places you typically think would be crowded on an American ship - their modern theater/bar, the adult indoor pool - were vacant. The shopping bazaars and the buffets were madhouses, the pay restaurant were ghost towns.

 

You just have to go into the cruise with expectations of a much different experience. My other remarks of our adventure:

 

http://rayandtraci.blogspot.com/2015/11/adventures-in-china_14.html

 

Happy Travels!

I agree with you about going onto this trip with different expectations. This will be our 10th overall cruise and I’m sure it will be incredibly different from anything we’ve experienced.

I read your trip review, it sounds very similar to what we are doing. We will arrive in Shanghai, stay there for three days before getting on the cruise. On the cruise we will go to Nagasaki and Hakata. We will return to Shanghai from the cruise and go to Beijing for a couple days and then return back to Shanghai and fly out. I have a feeling the weather is going to be very similar to what you dealt with. Thanks again for sharing your trip report.

One thing I thought of that may be useful in Shanghai and on the Joy - learn to say a few phrases in Mandarin. Things like "hello" (ni hao) and "thank you" (xie xie, sounds something like shiuh shiuh), it really does go a long way.

I absolutely agree! We have already learned those phrases. Anything beyond that and we are lost! We have traveled through France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and a few other places. We always make it a point to learn basic phrases and to attempt to speak in their language. We have all always had pretty decent experiences when it comes to trying to communicate. I think if people see you trying they are more willing to help you out. I would never go somewhere and expect them to know English.

Interesting. I had a look at the deck plan and the description. That sounds like it has a special lounge with a dedicated buffet on deck 15. Nice looking photo.

 

This Concierge almost sounds like something between a regular cabin and the Haven. Does this existing on any of the other ships?

We have been looking at this cruise since around August. This is the first time a concierge suite became available. Every time I have looked up until now it has only been balcony and mini suites. It was a little bit more money but definitely not outrageous. I’m hoping the lounge we have access to will be something we can retreat to if we feel the need to. I really hope they serve food there especially breakfast. Other than that we are interested in trying some of the specialty restaurants.

I know the Bliss is very similar to the ship but I did not see concierge suites there. I’m not sure if this is the only ship that does them.

this was my experience as well, on my baltics sail. i would personally never sail the Joy unless i could hide in a Haven room all cruise.

We got their concierge suite. Definitely not the Haven but better than a regular room!

Thank you everyone for all of the information. After reading though everything we have decided to book the cruise. We are not necessarily looking forward to some of the things we have read but since we are aware of it ahead of time I think it is something we can deal with. We already have the plane tickets to China and as someone else said the social norms are the same on the mainland as they will be on the ship so we will be seeing it anyway.

I will try my best to take some pictures and provide some information when I get back but it won't be a detailed report. I have never had a desire to write one of those phenomenal trip reports that are posted on here. I am one of those people who rarely take pictures and lack giving the details people tend to want to hear. I don't really pay attention to that type of thing. That being said, I am thankful to the people that answered my questions so I will answer any questions that I am asked when I get back.

Bingo. Or, as being PC or not - I think of avoiding writing in the steretypes, as the overseas Chinese living in the US and Canada, and elsewhere, do not exhibit similar behaviors and manners - nor get along with the mainlanders ... "They aren't our kind" & "they are from there & we are here ..." As littlelulu01 commented - those ex-colonial Hong Konger has a strong dislike & resentment for the ones from north of their border.

 

Let's get back to suggestions to OP:

**** Shore excursion for ports of call in Japan (up to 3 for itinerary with 6 days) - unclear whether those are bundled in with generous time for shored-based duty-free shopping for luxury goods. What we saw as we disembarked the BA, was joyful tourists with liquor bottles and DFS shopping bags ... a $$$ welcome sight for CBP to levy and collect duties and taxes here in the US (and, their Chinese counterparts oversea upon returning home.)

 

As for videos & reviews, except for a review done in Chinese in a male voice, perhaps a frequent cruise & travel blogger - others were done mostly by TA and/or their agencies, with marketing focus. Those contents are somewhat informative and interesting, but not much in substance - and yet to see a set of daily MDR menus ("immersive Chinese") and some of the specialty dining & upcharge places for a la carte items... even, breakfast option in the MDR and buffet can be of interest, i.e. rice congee. Lastly, but not least - Freestyle Dailies as posted for a "real" sailing recently, but one of those promotional and/or group chartered cruise.

 

Since OP has the visas already & already in PVG, perhaps a 2 hour nonstop flight to PEK (Beijing) or 3 hours to HKG (Hong Kong) - that I would choose (PEK's weather in late December can be bone-chilling cold & stormy with snow cover, not good to see the Great Wall or flights often delayed/cancelled, etc. - whereas HKG is perfect for the X'mas & New Year holiday, all decked up & decorated in a festival mode. Instead of sailing to Japan, save those coastal cities for another time - as the island really should be seen on a land-based tour, escorted and not rushed back to not miss the "all abroad" call. HST (High Speed Train) with sleepers can get you into HKG overnight, saving a night's lodging, relaxed & ready to head for Nathan Road, Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour & Peak Tram ... plus, the smaller scaled HK Disneyland or Ocean Park, great for families with kids (and, prices are "cheaper" compared to the ones here in the U.S.)

 

Las Vegas East, or, really - it's Macau, the former Portuguese colony is a 55 minutes hydro-jetfoil ferry ride across the Pearl River Delta to explore for a full day, and, enough to see, do and eat without stepping foot inside one of the mega casino resort.

 

I would recommend booking, instead, Gentling's Dream megaship, sailing with just 3,400+ pax and 1,700+ crews, the same class ships designed & built originally for NCL ... but it's sailing different itineraries and further down in the South China Sea ... where you are more likely to come across & meet diverse Chinese from more parts of Asia & elswhere, as well as other nationalities ... more in tune with the cruise culture as recognized here on CC.

Thanks mking8288 for your suggestions. I know the weather is not going to be ideal which is why we got such a great deal on our flight. It was one of those time where we just happend to see the deal and jumped on it. Now, we just have to make the best out of the situation. Although we would love to go back to China some time I am not sure when or if we will so we are going to try to see the Great Wall. The vacation may not be perfect but it's better than not going to China at all! :)

No real advice for you, but I've been to Shanghai twice for work. The first time I stayed in a fancy hotel that was pretty far from the office, and I got tired of taking taxis where the driver often didn't really know where he was going. So I asked one of my coworkers to show me how to take the metro (the subway). He thought I wouldn't like it and tried to talk me out of it, but I was insistent, so he helped me get a card with money loaded on to it, and off I went. Honestly it wasn't that bad. Yes, it was crowded, and yes there was a fair amount of pushing to get on and off the cars, but once you saw how it worked, you just jumped in and went along with it. I think they might even have given me a little extra space in the car since I was so obviously a foreigner. At least on the metro, all the announcements were in both Mandarin and English.

 

In the touristy areas in Shanghai, it's not hard to find people who speak English or to order in English at restaurants. But when you get away from the touristy areas I think English is a lot harder to get by in. I'm not sure which one you should expect on the Joy.

Thanks Apsalar. It seems like if we go with the flow we will be fine.

Hi Mom2crazyKids---you need to ask yourself...are you like most Americans? And what are most Americans like anyway? Are Americans all the same and in one category?-not the ones I have every met and known. Diversity. If you like to travel the world and experience new places with new cultures and this is an itinerary you have always wanted to do, why wouldn't you enjoy the cruise you wish to take. You can't rely on what others say-its your life and your experiences. . Like someone else mentioned, if you do go, perhaps take a language book to have in case you do require to converse a little other than English. I find, just smiling and being your friendly self is enough - I don't look at a person and say,...she's Canadian, he's American, he's Chinese....I look at how they conduct themselves in their surroundings with other people no matter who those people are. Enjoy whatever you decide

Hi hi2you. We have every intention of enjoying ourselves. That is something we are good at! :) I was just wondering what people meant when they said Americans may not like traveling on a cruise intended for Asian passengers. Now that I have read everything I think we are going to book it. We have an idea of what to expect and I think it is something we can deal with. Not every culture is the same, that's what I love about traveling! Like someone else mentioned, whether we are in mainland China or on a cruise with people from mainland China the people and societal norms are going to be the same. I am glad people responded though so we have a better idea of what to expect while we are there.

Tokyo would be my pick, but probably be the most expensive.

We would love to go to Tokyo at some point if we don't do it this trip.

Just want to point out that this doesn't just apply to NCL or Joy, but any ship sailing in Asia, particularly the ones that starts or ends in Shanghai. You're going to experience some people with this type of behaviour regardless if it's on a cruise or land. So if you're going to be in Shanghai regardless, I don't think these bad behaviour should deter you from booking the Joy.

Good point GateGuardian. We are flying in and out of Shanghai. If we don't cruise we are planning on going to Beijing and either Tokyo or Hong Kong (actually we going to Beijing even if we cruise).

There are ships that sail similar itineraries that are geared towards Western passengers. I'm not sure why you would choose this one over one of those. Pictures I've seen of signs and things do not show English, but you've seen a video that shows otherwise, so maybe there are both? I don't know.

Hey LrgPizza! We choose this ship because it looks like it would be fun to sail on. The ship itself has a lot to do and the food looks amazing. On the video I watched most of the signs and menus were in english. Here is the link if you are interested: