SwimmingDragon

On 9/30/2021 at 1:18 AM, ChiefMateJRK said:

No I’m not. I highly doubt that I’m near any specific strangers for more than  cumulative the amount of time I’m near a stranger during dinner at a local restaurant. Did you forget that NCL has freestyle dining where I’m NOT forced to spend time with the same strangers night after night?

Okay Mr Anti Social. We see how you are! I’m not spending my time hanging out with you at the bar then! 😜 LOL!  (Actually, I’m pretty sure you and I are Not on the same cruise… which sucks cause you seem like someone who would have been fun to chat with). 😄

Honestly, the person I tipped the most was the person that made my best day… ended up being my bartender. Now mind you, I wish I had tipped my concierge more. He did his job very well, better than I tipped him hindsight. I know better this coming trip. Someone who doesn’t work in Haven could treat you better than the people who are in Haven, though I will say that would be surprising. People who work in Haven, work in Haven for a reason. Though from what I have read there are still fall outs. So figure out who made the best of your vacation and tip them what you think you should. That will change for people basing what they tip on their local. But remember you are essentially tipping at a first class service. Imagine fine dining at a 5 star place. And to each their own. 🙂 There is a balance that is found in the end. 

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

The routes follow the ship channels, which are like lanes on a highway. If you stray out of the channel (lane) you may run aground on one the many reefs that surround Bermuda . These are the safe navigation routes that are wide enough and deep enough for the ship to pass through. If you compare the Breakaway's route to the Crystal Symphony's you'll see that the Breakaway has to loop out further from land because Breakaway is wider and has a deeper draft than Crystal Symphony . The Breakaway has to use the North Channel, while the Symphony can use the South Channel.

 

Look at the map, figure 2.1, on pdf  page 18 of this document (labeled as page 5 of the body of the document):

https://static.squarespace.com/static/501134e9c4aa430673203999/53d1249be4b0c88eff1f0577/53d1249ee4b0c88eff1f11ca/1346261629093/BAMZ 2497 - Ministry of Transport 2011.pdf

 

The North Channel is labeled as number 8, the South Channel as number 9. 

 

Wow. Thank you so much for posting this. That article is really interesting. I just added it to my reading list while at sea. That’s some really cool information. 🙂 

16 minutes ago, periodic itinerant said:

I'm planning on doing this one too, but haven't booked it yet because I couldn't decide which night to do it. I hope it is cheesy and "mysterious." 

We do too! 

3 hours ago, boswell0877 said:

 

if i recall from a previous post you are sailing on Oct. 3rd (same as us).  we only got one $50 excursion for the cabin.  are you saying you got 3 $50 credits?

 

thanks!

Sort of what Phillygwm said. I paid for the room, so it’s under my name as the head person. Any excursion I book, I get 50$ off. So I and my DD are going on an excursion in the morning, so I got 50$ off that excursion. I am also going on the night cruise into the Bermuda Triangle (can’t wait!) with my DH and DD later that same day. Again, I get 50$ off my excursion. Also, next day all of us are doing an excursion and again I get 50$ off.

Now, if my DH and my DD go on a excursion without me, they don’t get the 50$ off from what I can tell. I am the first guest listed for the room. So only I will get the credit per excursion. Luckily I’m going on all the excursions. Copied and pasted from my screen when trying to book an excursion for just the two of them and not me. Nothing was applied to my DH.

1 minute ago, njhorseman said:

Please understand that the testing requirements for Bermuda are unique and the process and timing of the required testing would be unduly burdensome on Bermuda cruise passengers if they had to get a PCR test at 96 hours prior to embarkation to satisfy Bermuda followed by another PCR test or antigen test 72 hours out to satisfy NCL's policy on reimbursement of quarantine-related expenses. The result was that NCL made an exception, documented by a senior executive in an email for Bermuda passengers and only Bermuda passengers.

 

Absent any written evidence that NCL would accept a test result at 72 hours before getting on a flight rather than 72 hours before sailing  you can only assume that whoever posted information is incorrect.

 

 

 

 

I was just answering this and then saw you had replied, and knew you answered this question. 😉 Thanks for making me type it all out and then delete it! 😛 LOL!

23 minutes ago, ttiot9999 said:

My buddy was on the cruise last night I'll be goin on Sunday. Last nigh tons of people did not submit info to Bermuda cause they thought NCL took care of everything you show up get a rapid and thats it. That is not the case you have to get your own lab test not rapid within 96 hrs of leaving I go wed. to get mine hopefully get results be for Sunday and upload to Bermuda site to get authorization number without it you dont get on the boat. heres what i got from NCL

 

Before You Travel/Prior to Leaving Home:
• All guests must fully complete online check-in and select a port arrival time, which will become available as soon as 21 days and up to 3 days before the cruise embarkation date.
• Due to limited capacity in the terminals at the cruise port of Manhattan, port arrival times selected during online check in will be strictly enforced.
• If arriving at the cruise port directly from the airport, please keep the following in mind when selecting a port arrival time:
o Driving distance from LaGuardia Airport is approximately 50 minutes.
o Driving distance from John F. Kennedy International Airport is approximately 90 minutes.
o Driving distance from Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 90 minutes.
 Luggage tags must be attached to each piece of luggage when arriving at the port to expedite the baggage drop-off process.
• Bermuda requires that all guests take a COVID-19 PCR test within 96-hours prior to their sail date.
• All guests must register on the Bermuda Tourism website and upload their negative test result within 72-hours of embarkation. The registration form can be found here.
o A travel authorization number will be issued by Bermuda once approved.
• As a reminder, all guests are responsible for checking on travel restrictions and complying with all requirements. NCL recommends for all guests to follow, and where possible, sign up for notifications from their local government on international travel regulations that may prevent, restrict, or require additional documentation when traveling to another country for embarkation or during their cruise.
Upon Arrival

 

NCL sent emails, as you pointed out. I'm pretty sure most of the email went to people's junk mail folder. Or people just don't think to be proactive. Either way, I bet emIls are going out again. They have like 1 day to get the information out there for 10/3 and more time for all the other cruises after. 

I already sent in our application and are scheduled for PCR tests on Wednesday morning so we can get the results uploaded by Friday at the latest.  This sure is interesting.

29 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

For this cruise you needed: (1) Authorization from the Bermuda government, to travel to Bermuda, (2) Covid 72 hours prior (bring proof), (3) original vaccine card, (4) your actual passport (not on your phone), (5) your cruise documents and (6) had your photo uploaded into the system.  From what is being said people did not have the travel authorization from the Bermuda government, their passports or the photo uploaded.

Wait, so you are serious about the thing with people having “Passports” on their phone?!! When the heck did people start doing that? I know some people are just photographing their vaccine cards and using that to show for evidence, but I hadn’t heard anything about the Travel Passports being photographed. That’s crazy! 😵‍💫

14 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

If they had read their cruise documents carefully, they would have known.  Post pandemic is going to be a different world than before for the boarding process and a lot of things on board ship.  Some people do not bother to check before leaving home to make sure they have everything.  I heard that a number of people did not have their passports with them thinking that having a picture on their cell phone was acceptable-- it is not at least not right now.

Do you mean the Vaccine card? I’m guessing that is what you mean, but just clarifying for others. Cause we also have to use our Government ID “Passports”, which is obviously something very different. 😉 

Well, we were worried about what might happen if most people didn’t take care of the Bermuda TA. I’m wondering how many people did not get the information. I saw through the web cam link above that she is still there. At least I know what is in store for next week. Hope they keep the pool open. Hopefully NCL sends out more information. 

I also asked specifically about the 96 hr Bermuda test being used for the 72 hr NCL one with concierge and they said it was fine. Though, I can see a bunch of people being denied because they didn't ask ahead of time. But yes, from what has been stated, if you get an email from concierge you should be fine. 🙂 Just get the email to cover your Buttocks. 😉 

4 minutes ago, skeeter195 said:

I am on the 10/3 Breakaway sailing and have been tracking Sam and it does not look good at all.  The storm is now a Cat 1 hurricane and will become a 3 or 4 in a day or 2.  It was heading west with a slight upturn to the north.  Most all of the models now have the storm heading right at or just missing Bermuda on either side.  With its speed and course it looks like it could hit Bermuda between 10/4 and 10/6.  It is way to far out to predict the power or actual path but this one is the first real threat to Bermuda this year.

 

I really hope this storm takes a sharp turn and due north and burns itself out in the middle of the Atlantic before hitting and land anywhere.  

What model are you looking at? There is nothing that I can find saying anything about it's passage past (timewise) getting near the Leward islands. That is no where near Bermuda. So can you share that information, cause I am not seeing it. 

I’m wondering how many teens will be on the Breakaway in a few weeks. I’m planning on doing some family time with her. there is the pool, water slides, arcade, family game shows, ropes course, miniature golf, art classes… and of course the Entourage. But that all on the Breakaway. I’m not sure what is on the Epic. I hope it goes well for you. 🙂 (and for us! 😉 ) 

My two mere cents... I know we don't know the "big" picture going on inside NCL headquarters. And looking at what they did with the PCR test being done at the boarding time to satisfy Bermuda's testing, was something that I don't think anyone on this board had posted as a possibility. I was pleasantly surprised by their choice to do it that way. Made complete sense. So, I'll be curious to see what they do with the touring. It may be that they have hired private tour busses and ferries just for the cruisers. I wouldn't be surprised. Supplying the transportation privately would help. Of course they may have something else up their sleeve, but I don't know. I will say their last move surprised me in a good way. So, I'm pretty certain they are not trying to make things more difficult than they already are. Okay, off the soap box. 😉 

I invested in both NCL and outside Insurance. We also have regular insurance as well. All of this is so crazy. I wouldn’t go on a trip without some kind of insurance. I’m also sure someone has said it, but make sure if you do get outside insurance that is specifically covers Covid-19. A bunch don’t. I found only a small hand full that do. Make sure to read the small print, I’m not kidding.

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Every single island in the Caribbean is also level 4, and NCL is still sailing to many of those on the Gem, so I don't expect any changes based on Bermuda's level 4 designation....

I agree. And as a heads up, Bahamas have been going down in cases for Covid. They are over the hump and I’m expecting the CDC to lower their rating in the next few weeks. I think they have to wait 2 weeks for a continuous change in numbers before they change their rating. I know Bermuda has changed dramatically over the last 2 weeks. Not that any of that means anything at this point. What a crazy ride this is. 

So, I will say I’m heading out on Breakaway in a few weeks. I personally plan on getting dressed up almost every night. Why? Because I damn well can! And I hope to pass by plenty of people dressed in T-shirts and bikini tops! And I love it! I grew up in NYC. I would see every type of person walk by. Some low key and some extremely eccentric! It’s what made the vibrancy of the heart of that city beat. Do whatever your heart tells you to (well you know what I mean). Have a great time and don’t be afraid to just be yourself. If you want to wear shorts and a Tshirt/tank top/bikini top do it! Wanna wear a tux? Oh you better be posting pictures here on this post so I can see your fabulousness! Most of all, be you and have a great time. We are all a mix of the best. Just have a great time! 😄 

So excited to see the pictures! Thanks for posting them. I’m looking forward to seeing her in a few weeks! ❤️ 

34 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Don't submit your application before you have your test results...that way you can't have that problem. In fact the timeline Bermuda lays out for the application process tells you to complete the application when you have your test results in hand.

Yup, that's what I was originally saying. I'm holding off till I have the results. 🙂

6 minutes ago, Mike C said:

According to the other social media site, you can apply for a refund from Bermuda if the ship does not travel there.

What if you test positive for the PCR test but have already submitted the $75 application fee a few days/weeks before?
 

35 minutes ago, josephine678 said:

I hope everyone has a travel agent or does read their emails. My husband knew none of this until I explained it all to him. There has to be some who will show up not knowing.

This is something JamieLogical had brought up. There are only a few hundred on this site that know about it. I’m guessing there are other social media sites as well that know. However, that will leave a good 1 thousand not knowing… and how many of them think “hey I should check my junk email to see if I missed any important information from NCL about my upcoming cruise.” It will be uncomfortably interesting to see what happens. I’m grateful we know. 

So I am holding off on filling out the TA for Bermuda until after I get our PCR tests. If for any reason Bermuda decides to shut it’s borders again (they are not doing too good right now with Covid) or for any reason my family tests positive with the PCR test I don’t want to pay $75 to Bermuda and not get it back. We have 3 people in my group and that would be $225 down the drain. There is nothing on the site saying you will get your money back if you do test positive or if the borders close and you already gave them the money. So I don’t want to take that extra gamble. Mind you we are not traveling till 10/03 out of NYC. So we have time. Some people are traveling next weekend, so that is a different story all together. 

Someone posted that you can use the NCL app to communicate with others on ship while on the cruise and that the information would be sent to you via the app. Someone posted about this on another thread. The service was free to use the NCL app.

22 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

The Vibe has a great selection of high end spirits.  What is funny is, many bars on the NCL ships also have high end spirits.  What the Haven has different are bartenders that can make very unique drinks.  One of my favorite things is to have one of those smoking Manhattans.  The preparation takes 5 minutes or so and is a true show.  I have only seen this in the Haven on a NCL ship.  

We all have to remember, with the Premium Drink Package the brands are very good.  When you look at the Premium Plus Drink package you can have unusual brands. Since anyone can have the "Plus" packager, those brands have to be available through out the ship.  I hope that assists.

I had some alcohols that were not on the typical lists. Not even on the plus list. And the bartender I had made me drinks that were very custom to my requests. I put him to the challenge to make a particular kind of flavored drink. He spent time in the kitchen cooking up a concoction that he used to make me two different drinks. He made me other drinks that were an art form. Loved all of it. I am friends with him on FB. He is a true Mixologist. I’m hoping that on the next cruise in 2 weeks, that they have another artist for the Haven bar. I’ve told my husband about my previous experience. I already told my DH I don’t expect to have such a treat as I did before. I tipped the bartender more than any other person on that ship. He went way above and beyond anyone else. I was so impressed. I have traveled many places and met some very interesting people and drank some crazy drinks, but never had so many wonderful drink experiences as I did my last cruise. I actually bought special alcohols because of that cruise. Talk about an experience. All you have to do is ask. Love the Haven. Love the Bar! Love the people who helped make my experience amazing! 🙂 

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

The question on the table which I responded to was as I understood it.  The person was already in the Haven and wanted to know if they should also purchase the Vibe Beach Club for privacy.  The key was they were already in the Haven.  In that case, I wanted them to know the information outlined and the only downside was a sever vs a bar.  

 

If I was not in the Haven, I would ALWAYS buy the Vibe Beach Club.  It is outstanding.  I hope clarified.  

Actually, what I’m about to ask has nothing to do with the Vibe or Haven other than the upgraded drink package and access to the higher end drinks. I know you have traveled extensively with NCL Haven Sthrngary. Would they have the higher end alcohols at the Vibe the way they do at the Haven Bar? I’ve had some liquors at the Haven Bar that I did not have anywhere else on the Breakaway. Mind you, I didn’t even try the Vibe because I was in Haven. I thought it would be paying for something I was already getting in the Haven. Just curious as to the alcohol selection at other parts of the ship. Was wondering because of your extensive experience if you might know? Thanks! 

47 minutes ago, AnitaVacation said:

So, we get 3 excursion credits? One for each day?

You get one for each excursion, per cabin. We booked two excursions for one day and got credit on both for the first person. We also got excursions for the other days and got credit for them as well. 🙂