Firstin87

We've often enjoyed the Great Outdoors on sea days.  Funny experience - on a Caribbean cruise in spring of 2023, there was a sudden torrential downpour, as often happens in that area, and almost an inch of rain suddenly fell.  People sitting in the Great Outdoors, including us, just lifted their feet up and kept on eating and chatting.  The water drained and evaporated fairly quickly.  Once you get settled in the Great Outdoors, you don't want to leave - lol.

9 hours ago, DaisyGoldberg said:

I hate to see that this has creeped into the Jewel class ships. It is one of my highest criticisms of the larger ships.  We certainly have stopped attending all of the games and game shows when they're not in the theatre. Apparently it's more profitable for them, however they determine that, so it will continue. But it has taken over the public areas to a very unpleasant degree. For us it ruins both the game experience AND the walking through the ship experience.

Totally agree.  We've found on the smaller ships that hold events in the atrium that include using a microphone to be very disruptive.  Not enough space for those who want to attend, the volume is sooo loud that you cannot conduct business with the departments in the atrium (Guest Services, CruiseNext, etc.).  I don't know how the people who work at those desks stand it.  I've often found that on the smaller ships that do this, there are other venues for hosting said events (lounge, bar, theater during the day), so it seems like poor planning by whomever is in charge of that.

If you are doing excursions through NCL, timing is not a problem.  If you are doing them 'on your own', this might help.  You'll be able to disembark soon after the ship docks and must be back on board :30 before sailing time.  Private tour vendors are aware of this and have you back on time, but I highly recommend researching your vendors.

Just off the Jade and if you are doing excursions through the ship, our experience was that the shorex staff were very disorganized and there was no/poor communication between them at the pier.  No signage about where to meet for each tour.  Asked a shorex staffer, they pointed "over there", and when we got 'there', we asked another staffer who told us our group had not lined up yet.  Ha!  A few minutes before our tour was to depart, that staffer came and took us to the bus that was full of people waiting for us.  Had the vendor not been doing a head count, we would have been left behind.  So, ask staff for where to meet, ask other staff, and ask other passengers in lines what tour they are on until you find your group.

Just off the Jade and that was not the case.  "Deal or No Deal" was played in the theater in the afternoons.  I have noticed on past cruises, though, that it is done in the atrium.  This is a poor locations for such a highly attended event and I think it ends up costing NCL in the end as less passengers will buy the cards.  Hopefully, this was not the typical scheduling.

Thanks for the advice.  Sounds like Amsterdam 'on our own' is a good option.

Sarnia432, I'm sorry your HOHO in Copenhagen was such a mess.  I'll keep that in mind if we ever get to Copenhagen.  Hope the other ports went smoother.

Tickets for a canal cruise.  We have American Express and I'm not sure if canal cruise vendors take that form of payment.

Based on your advice, I'm looking at self-guided walking tours in Amsterdam.  Our cruise line has a "Waterways of Amsterdam" excursion that lasts 1.5 hours, so maybe a walking tour, then that excursion? 

Thank you for the advice.  Do you happen to know if I can use a US credit card to buy the tickets or should we get some Euros to pay?

Yes, they probably already know.  Passengers just won't know until the Freestyle Daily comes out the day before we dock.  I've read that most ships dock at the Passenger Terminal, so I'd guess that's most likely where we'll be.  Just hoping they don't skip the port.  As we all know, Amsterdam is starting to greet fewer cruise ships, so... fingers crossed.

Thank you.  I assume we'll be docking at the Passenger Terminal, but we don't get that specific information until, I think, the day before docking.  We're on NCL's Prima.  We'd like an overview of Amsterdam and are especially interested to cruise the canals.  We've done HOHO's in several other cities and have always enjoyed it as a 'Day 1 get your bearings' tour.  We'd do the bus and boat combo, for sure.

Thank you!

Hi,

I'm reposting this from the Baltic board.  We will be in Amsterdam on May 9 for the first (and probably only) time.  We're looking at doing a HOHO (hop on hop off) bus and boat for the day and are wondering if anyone has any experience with City Sightseeing Amsterdam.

Thanks,

Cyndy

Thank you so much!  We plan on doing the combo, as well.  We haven't been able to find a current map of the boat's route, so I'll email them and see if they can send me something.  We found a map online, but it appears to be outdated and incorrect from what we've read.  Can you confirm that both the bus and boat pick up at the cruise port?

I was unsure which board to post this on, so I'll repost it on Western Europe now.  Thanks for that, too!

Hi,

We will be in Amsterdam on May 9 for the first (and probably only) time.  We're looking at doing a HOHO (hop on hop off) bus and boat for the day and are wondering if anyone has any experience with City Sightseeing Amsterdam.

Thanks,

Cyndy

luv2kroooz, thanks for the kind thoughts.  We'll still enjoy our cruise.  Especially looking forward to Grand Cayman for the second time and experiencing the Jade (we've done most of it's sister ships).

We've cruised enough to know that if you really want to see a port, don't go by cruise ship, plan a direct visit.  Things can and do happen - we've missed ports due to weather before and have no complaint with that.  As so many have said, it's the fake excuses, purposely waiting until after final payment to make  a change that might cause people to cancel, etc.

On 1/17/2023 at 2:05 PM, luv2kroooz said:

Let the buyer beware!!

Ports of call are just suggestions on NCL.

 

There have been more changes in the recent past. They regularly alter itineraries and ports of call in the name of their sail and sustain environmental initiatives, port congestion, etc.

Many of the changes l have seen were announced after final payment date when passengers can not cancel without financial penalty. Some announced at embarkation via letter.

 

Itinerary changes due to weather medevac are outside of the control of the cruise lines and are typically made for safety of all in board. These are understandable, expected changes. 

 

However, NCL chooses to implement their green initiatives on itineraries that are inside of final payment where there is financial impact to booked guests. Additionally, they could carefully plan their itinerary details prior to opening cruises for booking to ensure there are no port conflicts. Often times, the conflicts are created by other NCL vessels. That reflects poorly on NCL.

We are on the Jade in Feb. and were originally going to St. Croix - a unique port we haven't been to since our honeymoon 37 years ago and a key reason we booked (and I know it could be cancelled for weather, etc., so was prepared for that possibility).  After final payment, surprise - St. Croix was cancelled, replaced by a sea day, and they blamed their environmental program.  Makes no sense since they would use less fuel docked for a day than they will at sea.  Plus, if that was the 'real' reason, NCL knew about it well before final payment was due.

I'm getting a bit frustrated with this 'bait and switch' for phony reasons. 

I, and it sounds like Russiamomm also, was not suggesting a straight A=B transfer, just some sort of acknowledgement that we have cruised several times on NCL.  A small OBC, bottle of wine, something small to show they know that while we are new to Oceania, they appreciate that we have sailed 'in their family' many times before.

There's not even an acknowledgement between brands.  We've done over 15 NCL cruises, just made Diamond, but on our first Oceania cruise last March (of 2023), we were treated like newbies.  I was disappointed that there is no acknowledgement that you' re 'still in the family' and got no benefits or perks of any kind

I think we're on the same cruise as you, Slyfox16.  Thanks for the post and all the helpful info. 

thank you!  I'll look into contacting Jackie.

Hi,

We'll be in Grand Cayman this Feb. and have a tour booked with Cayman Safari Adventures for the Crystal Caves and tour of that part of the island.  I got an email saying that they are waiting for the public transport license to be renewed and will complete my booking when that happens.  Not wanting to be stuck at the last minute, I looked at a similar shore excursion through NCL, but it is almost twice as expensive.  Ouch!  Wondering if anyone has any experience with Cayman Safari Adventure and if they are, well... flaky or not.

Or, we might do a private tour.  We've used Jackie's Historical Land Tours for a private tour a few years ago, but cannot find their website online.  Does anyone know if they have gone out of business?  Sure hope her business survived the pandemic, but no website is surely not a good sign of a thriving tour business.

Thanks,

Cyndy

Hi All,

We are considering staying at the Clermont Victoria Station in May of 2024.  Looks gorgeous!  We've never been to England before and I know some things about the hotel will be different than what we are used to here in the States.  Anyone have thoughts on the room type?  I'm looking at at least a "Deluxe King", but also see a "Superior King" and "Studio Suite" listed and the price difference isn't significant enough to make the decision for us.  Other than the size difference, anything else I should consider when choosing our room?  Also, there is an option to add breakfast daily - is it worth the extra money?  

Thanks for the help!

Cyndy

For us, part of the fun of going on a cruise with friends would be the pre-planning together.  I'm glad surprising friends has worked for those who have posted about it and to each his own.  Definitely not a 'once size fits all'.

Yes!  Just because you are friends doesn't mean you would be good travel companions.  Some people dine at different times, some people like to disembark early and other like to sleep in, some like bus tour excursions and some like adventurous ones.  I'd only travel with friends if we planned it in advance and were clear about expectations.  A bad travel experience can harm a friendship, so I'd be careful not to risk that.

Guests in the Haven can dine at any restaurant, attend all events, etc.  They have access to the entire ship the same as everyone else.  What people mean by Haven guests not seeing non-Haven guests is that the Haven has specific perks (i.e., it's own restaurant - on most Haven ships - it's own bar/lounge) that are only for Haven guests - and you pay more to be in the Haven because of those amenities.  Only Haven guests can use those areas, so if a friend/ is booked in a non-Haven cabin, they cannot join you in the Haven restaurant, bar, pool, etc.  Consequently, to spend time with them, you are 'missing out' on using the Haven benefits that you have paid a pretty penny for.  Many guests book the Haven specifically for those benefits, so being surprised by a friend who is not also in the Haven can be tricky - you may be happy to see them, but would not have booked the Haven had you known they would be onboard, too.

3 hours ago, slavetoabunny said:

Agreed.  We have gone on two cruises with friends.  One was absolutely miserable and the second only tolerable.  Never again.

Just because you are friends does not necessarily mean you have the same travel preferences or expectations.  If we were ever to travel with friends, I'd want to be sure we planned it together and were all clear about what amount of time we'd spend together, doing what shore excursions together, etc.  Some people's routines don't align well - eating dinner early or later?  disembarking right away or sleeping in?