ShipsAhoy508

I'm booked on the NCL Escape. They just messaged me to see if I want to bid on a cabin upgrade. It says it's per person double occupancy. I'm cruising solo. Would I be charged double if my bid is accepted??  

Decision made. I'm going to continue parking right at the Port for peace of mind.

Thanks to all for replying....

1 hour ago, JohninDC said:

Lots of threads on this topic if you scroll down the boards.  Some will say they had no issues and saved $$, others had lots of issues (lost reservations/deposits, no show shuttles, vandalized cars, etc.).  Most of the Miami locals do not advise parking anywhere but the port.

 

It's your car - do you feel lucky? 

No, I don't feel lucky.....

It is nice to be able to walk across the street, get your car and away you go. No doubt about it, I've done it four times.

Normally when I drive to the port of Miami I park in the garage across from the ship. Being a bit pricey I was thinking about parking at a nearby secure lot that would cost less. Have any of you had recent experiences at nearby lots? Good/bad and what the cost was. I want to be able to lock my car and take the keys.

Thank you all for answering my question. I am a good walker so I just want to wander around for 2-3 hours. I don't buy anything in any ports anymore so no need to exchange money.

Will the ship and customs let me walk off carrying a bottle of water?

Also, when I leave the ship I know I must have passport with me but do I also need my Visa?

I'll be sailing on the NCL Sky Tuesday. The first port is Havana Cuba. I had to get a Visa. My question is will I be allowed to walk off the ship and spend a few hours exploring the island on my own or do I need to be on a tour excursion to exit the ship?

Just booked a guarantee inside cabin 5 days NCL Sky to Cuba (overnight). March 26-30 for $299 plus port charges and gratuities. It's still on if anyone is interested. Oh ya, it's free open bar!!!!!

27 minutes ago, RupanIII said:

For a 3 or 4 night sailing that says it includes open bar, yes that includes the sail away rates.

 

The difference is that if you get the perks and take the free open bar you are upgraded to the Premium Plus drink package which includes more high end liquors and the option to get certain bottles at dinner. 

Thank You

I realize on the NCL Sun free adult drinks are included BUT if I were to take a "Sail Away" category will the free drinks still be included? I asked this because I have done sail away on other NCL ships and free drinks were not included. I really would like to know before I book.

I'll be driving to the Port of Miami and taking the NCL Getaway in a couple of weeks. At the port terminal, is there a specific garage I park at? Also, do I carry my own luggage from the garage to the ship? Thanks in advance...

I as well thinking of booking the Epic, October 8-15. I believe its the same itinerary as October 22nd from Barcelona. The flight however is much cheaper on the 8-15 sailing.

 

Will be my first studio, I am a light sleeper, hope I wont have any problems in the studio.

I found it quieter in the studio's than the inside and balcony cabins I've stayed in.

Interesting comments. I am going solo. I have been on about 15 or so cruises. Long lines, excess passengers, elevator waits do not bother me at all. Sounds like I will go ahead and book her! Thanks.

I was recently in a studio cabin on the Epic. What I can say is the studio lounge is very nice.

I was on the Epic last week in a studio. I enjoyed it very much.

Hi Chefchick, I was in a solo cabin and cruised last week (Feb 4-11) on the Epic. I only went to the solo gathering once in the studio lounge once. I talked to a few people and had a glass of wine. The studio lounge is very nice by the way.

Some went as a group to dinners and shows as a group. Every night at about 6PM to solo coordinator would come to the lounge and organize this. Myself I didn't participate in this as I just preferred to go on my own and eat at the buffet whenever I wanted.

When I first entered my studio cabin my first thought was where will I put my belongings when my suitcase arrives. I had a 28" hardcase and it was 80 percent full (yes I over pack). I unpacked my bag and slid it under my bed. With the shelving and place to hang your cloths, I can assure you there is more than enough space to put your stuff.

On the epic your bathroom is laid out a bit odd. with the sink in one spot, the shower in another, and the toilet is yet in another. So it's kinda odd in my opinion. But remember, you are by yourself and it works out just fine.

I never felt clostraphobic in my cabin. It has a nice TV and comphy bed. I am the type I like to wander around the ship and I really only go to my cabin to sleep and shower so a smaller cabin was ok for me. My cabin was as far away from the studio lounge as you could get (cabin 11560). I booked it three weeks before the cruise so all the closer to the lounge cabins were taken..

FYI I am a senior divorced man that enjoys cruising solo. If there are any questions I will try to give an answer.

David

Your least expensive sailings are going to be right after Thanksgiving and the first two weeks of Dec., then 1st two weeks in Jan after New Years Eve. Check out the Freedom of the Seas 12/9/17 ~ 8 night cruise sailing out of FLL

I just went through a fake booking on this and the total came out to $1,435 for an inside cabin for me cruising solo. I never have any luck finding a deal with RC cruising solo.

I will be disembarking Epic for the first time out of Port Canaveral next month. I have a flight at 1:50 so not too concerned, but I'm curious...I too have a reservation with Cortrans. How did you know they were going to wait for you? Did they text or call perhaps? I'm not expecting any trouble but don't want to stress unnecessarily if the worst happens.

 

Thanks.

I did not know Cortrans was waiting. When I tried to call, one of the security people told me this is a secure area and you can't use your phone here.

I had the UBP and decided to give the bubbly drink to my cabin steward who was very happy to get it.

For me (the OP) debarkation wasn't very smooth. Maybe me being older didn't help. I was a bit stressed that my shuttle would be gone because I was very late. Again, kudos to Cortrans Shuttle for waiting for us.

When I posted originally, I just wanted to suggest to others that booking a later flight might be better.

Last week I cruised the Epic out of Port Canaveral. At the end of the cruise the debarkation process took me over two hours to complete. If you paid the porters $20 to take your bag, you went to the front of the line. I felt fortunate that my flight didn't leave till 3:45PM.

I have cruised out of several ports and I know it can take some time, but this was ridiculous. I have to give credit to the shuttle company Cortrans as they waited for me.

I fly Southwest and when I was checking in one of the Southwest's check in lady was telling another attendant the 39 people missed a 12:45 flight because of delay at Port Canaveral.

If you are going to cruise out of port Canaveral, don't pick an early flight.

I can't post that here?:o

Been there, done that. ;)

Love the title of this review :p

 

I think I may be the only one who actually likes the bathroom set up of the Epic. I can use the toilet and sink while my partner is taking forever to shower? Perfect. Too many times in hotel rooms I'm doing a desperate little dance round the room while he hogs the bathroom...

A man hogging a bathroom? Sounds impossible to me. :D

thanks, my thoughts as well. As for his claim NOLA is easy on and off; I have cruised out of there twice and neither was it easy: once on NCL and once on Carnival. There are some people who are just not as easy to please as others. Not to mention cruising, as you say, may not be for him. Nothing is for everyone.

Reading your post I just wanted to add my opinion. Three years ago I cruised out of NOLA on Carnival and it was the most stressful port I've been through. It was chaotic at times.

Hi - There is an existing thread on this topic. Search "super bowl" in the NCL forum. Go Pats

Thank you I found it. Gooooo Pats