McFins

Following and enjoying your review. Will be on a similar sailing later in the month.

Love all of your reviews including this one! Perhaps the tour guide should borrow a line from a great tour guide we had in Alaska. Before we departed the bus he asked “What is the difference between a tourist and a hitchhiker?” No one knew so he told us the answer…”5 minutes” We all had a good laugh but also got the point…no one was late getting back on the bus.

This happened to us twice, first on the Gem (Head Mixologist) and then on the Prima (Food and Beverage Manager). We were pleasantly surprised by it.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and quick recovery! I’ve cruised exclusively on NCL for the past 10 years but am thinking of trying other cruise lines just to see what’s out there.

Very much enjoyed following along your Bermuda cruise, thanks! It sounded like a great cruise. Did the cancellation of your NE cruise have anything to do with it being on NCL and wanting to go on another line? (Only asking because you mentioned you are looking at a different cruise line in Oct,).

Ha, not desperate to get out of the country…wouldn’t care if the ship actually left the dock(well maybe just far enough so the casino could open) Just figured its an easy vacation for us so wanted to know our options in case we decided last minute. Not looking for a deal per se but hadn’t thought prices would be higher…would think they’d be more interested in filling up any rooms that were still empty that close to sailing rather than charging more.

Really just wondering when the window closed for booking. Was chatting with someone who worked at the pier MANY years ago who advised at that time you could book/board same day. I didn’t think that would be possible anymore and just wondered. Since not far from port, wondered if on a whim we could get on a cruise with less than a week’s notice. Doubt I would do just one day before but who knows. Sometimes other plans change and wanted to know if that could be a viable pivot.

Oh I thought they stopped that a long time ago and now needed some minimum number of days pre sailing. Good to know!

What is the minimum number of days prior to the sail date that you can book a cruise? Thanks all!!

Aren’t you all afraid that you are giving NCL ideas? 😳😂🤣

In my experience I have found the thermal suite to be loud about half of the time (unfortunately) but really did appreciate those times it was quiet. On one sailing it was like an extension of the bar, with drinks and all (in glasses, not even plastic) with several folks just sitting on the edge of each of their heated loungers just chatting. When the staff became aware of it they did tell them they couldn’t have glass in there but that only solved half of the issue. On another occasion someone screamed “weeeeeeee” every time the bubbles started up in the thalassotherapy pool…kind of like you would hear in an amusement park. It really just depends on the passengers on any particular sailing. I’ve been in the thermal suite when it was full but quiet and other times when it was just a handful of people but loud. It would be great if they would have a thermal suite monitor and/or a reminder when checking in at the front desk that is intended to be a quiet space but apparently the staff doesn’t want to be confrontational. I guess folks each have their own way of enjoying that space.

Thanks for a great report. It was fun following along!

However if on day 2 your ship is leaving Quebec City and won’t be there overnight…be certain to check the time you need to be onboard since your excursion isn’t booked through the ship…just in case there’s a delay. In that case I may go on the excursion the day before or Day 1

We did the excursion through the ship on the day the ship was in port (we were in port overnight and cruise ended the next day. If it were me I would do it the day before the cruise or day 2 while in port. Day 1 for me is usually a flurry of activity exploring the ship, getting settled in, updating dinner/show reservations etc. I hope you have a great trip!

Thank you! I did!!

Thank you so much for the speedy and helpful responses! Very much appreciated.

Hi all. We will have 4 specialty meals on our next cruise 2 of which are due to platinum status. I know that there will be certificates for the 2 platinum meals in our cabin ( or I hope so anyway, haha). We plan to reserve all 4 online in advance and want to include Teppanyaki as one of them. To avoid being charged for Teppanyaki (since it is a flat fee) I think that would need to be the 1st or 2nd one to be booked. However, does the actual reservation date for Teppanyaki have to be the first or second specialty meal to avoid being charged at the time of booking? We would like Teppanyaki to be the 3rd in the sequence of the specialty meals. Hope that wasn’t too confusing. Thanks for your any advice you may be able to provide.

Thank you all so much for your responses much appreciated!

Hi all. Asking for some friends --- which train is best to use to go from Hyde Park to the Southampton Cruise Port. I'm not familiar with either area so I'm don't know if that is too broad a question (for instance, are there several train stops in Hyde Park therefore need to know which hotel they are staying at) Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to provide

I really enjoy reading your trip reports and appreciate all the time and effort you put into them. I also find it disappointing when the thermal suite is noisy. It’s especially disappointing that others would be that inconsiderate after you politely brought it to their attention. I hope you are pleasantly surprised by positive improvements on your next trip on the Jewel and that you enjoy all of your future cruises on Princess.

Take a look at BirdTravels live report NCL Joy to Bermuda May12-May 19 post #110. It explains Wheel of Fortune and the cost for such.

We took this tour last year and enjoyed it very much

I would agree. We enjoyed the HOHO bus and stayed on for the whole tour. Saw a lot

Wecome back Jamie! I sailed last Sept so it was before drydock but hopefully the things I really liked about it didn't change. I really liked the entertainment. I thought there was a lot of good live music throughout the ship (Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Q Texas Roadhouse, District Brewery, Cavern Club (Beatles also played in the main theatre which I liked better than when it was in the Cavern Club). Also liked the comedian/magician in the main theater (I believe his name was Dan) It was also the first time we were on a ship with the Q Texas Smokehouse restaurant ---really enjoyed our meal there. Enjoy!

Hi Duck. We did love QC. We did the Hop On Hop Off bus which was very nice, We also went to Montmorency Falls and really enjoyed our time there. We found the people everywhere in QC to be very friendly and nice.