davidnkim

On 8/15/2022 at 7:02 AM, rebeccac said:

There can be some breeze in a Cheeky Corner Suite.  Depends on where in that massive balcony you are standing.  

 

As far as the bar set up, there is a one time bar set up.  What you have depends somewhat on what is available.  We started out with three small bottles of liqueur, 3 small bottles of wine, 2 or 3 cans of beer and a few Red Bulls.  There was also some cans of soda.  My DH wanted some Tequila (which was not one of the bottles in the cabin when we arrived) and our Rockstar agent got us one, which ended up being full sized.  For the Rockstar suites (as opposed to Mega Rockstars), the set-up is one time (although I am not sure what happens on a longer cruise as ours was only 5 days).  You can get the sodas replaced for no extra charge.  We were also able to get limes and lemons through our Rockstar agent.  

 

Thank you!  I appreciate the information!

Thanks Walter!  Such a good observation and appreciated!  One question...we have a cheeky corner for a TA.  What is the wind like when at sea?  I didn't realize we get a bar set up.  Is that part of the suite?  Guess I need to do some more research!

20 minutes ago, gramfrog said:

I am a TA in the US and book TONS of VIrgin Voyages for clients -- extremely easy.  I have 14 going on the Transatlantic in October on Valiant Lady.

 

 

Jacque I'd love to talk to you some while on the TA!  Hopefully we can meet!  Sounds like you have a lot of knowledge on cruising and areas!  We LOVE cruising!

16 hours ago, blobby113 said:

We are on a b2b2b from Athens to Sydney in 2023. Using the web page, I’ve managed to buy a bar tab for the first cruise, but not the other two, which don’t appear on the “dashboard”. There is also no mention of any bar tab purchase on the iOS app. I have been getting contradictory information from VV and our TA.

I have 2 different cruises and I can do it on the 1st one currently, but I can't do it on our second one.  Both are in 2022.  It's as though they want you to arrange things for the 1st one before you take the 2nd and I don't need the bar tab for the 1st cruise.  I may call, but I was waiting until we got closer to the end of the month to see if the 2nd cruise opened up and I was able to add.  I don't feel like sitting on hold to ask this question. LOL

Great question!  I was wondering the same thing as we would have to check out quite a while before our boarding time and I know we can store at the hotel, but might be easier to just take them to the port.  Pros n cons to that though too.

Does anyone know what the MSC Divina Yacht Club Duplex Suite is?  I can't find anything on this type cabin and was offered an upgrade to it..... Thank you!

On 10/21/2021 at 11:34 AM, hamrag said:

 

Not YC specific, we were Virtuosa Aurea....little better than steerage, it was poor....in August. Generally speaking for the crew, these poor guys no longer get off the ship as it would take them out their working bubble. Low morale was clear with very few exceptions and almost 3 months later it's gonna be a whole lot worse!

 

Not a lecture, just something to consider....cannot begin to imagine what it would be like couped up in real steerage for months on end!

 

And....Bon Voyage, hope you have a wonderful cruise, enjoy.

Due to the fact they can't get off and I heard they get amazon delivered to the ship is how they get supplies, I wonder what the best ideas are for giving them little gifts they can use.....I know cash is king, but much needed items or surprises are nice too.....any experience here....anyone?

5 hours ago, SSCruisin77 said:

My husband and I are sailing on the Gem on September 12th, 2021. We are curious to know what the activities are looking like this year. Has anyone that recently sailed in the past few weeks on the Gem have any of the dailies to post? 
We are excited to get back to sailing! 

We are still traveling home. But I have all of the dailies! We just got back yesterday! Had a blast and was just amazed by the whole cruise and vibe! Anything in particular you are wanting?

Just stepped off yesterday and I'd highly suggest checking with porter. Embarkation is a breeze and luggage delivery was quick! We checked it with the porter at 9:25 & had luggage by 1:00. We were on board before 11. We did have a small carryon + Enjoy the cruise.

Did anyone in the states do a covid test 72 hours b4 going to the port?

17 hours ago, Carpe-Diem said:

I was handing out $20 to random staff who served me. I think I gave out about $360 in tips. They deserved some extra money due to being off work for so long. It was pretty obvious the crew talk about the passengers as even the guy making omelettes in the buffet called me by name 😂

That was my thought!  I went to the bank to make sure I was covered to be able to do this!  I appreciate how dedicated the crew and NCL in general is to it's cruisers!  I always enjoy talking to different crew and hearing their stories, where they are from, family, how long with NCL, what boats they've been on, how long their contract is and when they'll head home.  Should be some even more interesting life stories this time!  Thank you for sharing!

I bet it was Awesome!  We'll be there Sunday and I cannot wait to set sail again!  I've seen posts that the crew was amazing, the new menu's were amazing and the ship facial rec is great!  Sounds like even the pier testing is going pretty smoothly!  Thank you for a good breath of fresh air enjoyable post too instead of a bashing on the CDC, cruising, covid etc!  Chair hogs....go for it, hog that chair, we are cruising at 60% and 100% vax, I'm ready!

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

I have no idea why the conversation always goes here.

 

The vaccine does not prevent you from catching COVID. 

 

People need to realize that fully vaccinated people catch COVID. In our town, 10% of the hospitalized COVID patients are fully vaccinated. On the first Encore cruise, fully vaccinated passengers tested positive at the terminal and were denied boarding. 

I too read this and wondered why the conversation had to go here!

So glad some people look beyond those that can only complain and try and make things worse.  We have many vaccinated that are getting sick.  It's mutating, it's going to happen. 

I feel NCL is handling things better than any other line and have a friend performing on the Jade and it looks much better than that 1 picture.  People have their bubbles.  If they want to let others into theirs, it is their choice.  Those that aren't comfortable stay back and party in their own space.  Choices....good or bad are choices.  Should the staff have to be babysitters?  That isn't their job.

Be safe and enjoy cruising if you want to!  I am, I leave Sunday and will be safe while cruising, just as I am on land.  As long as I test ok and can cruise!

12 hours ago, of1accord said:

We were doing well here in Central Florida after the vaccines became available and before the delta variant was the dominant strain. Now I keep hearing that I am living in the most dangerous spot on earth, covid wise. You'd never know it looking around. Masks are rare in businesses and doctor's offices. Everything that didn't go out of business is open again at full capacity. But there's a tent in our hospital parking lot for the overflow and ICUs are at capacity. My son, his wife, my daughter, my granddaughter and my 2 year old great grandson have all had been sick with covid. Three are still dealing with long term issues but thankfully not serious ones. I'm writing this at Port Canaveral, five miles from my home. Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Sea and two Disney ships sailed out tonight, one of them playing those famous Disney tunes on its horn. It's a very strange time but those ships lifted my heart, seeming to promise better times ahead. 

I am so sorry to hear about your family!  The long term is the scariest part!  I have friends with long term issues and my husband had it a year ago and still isn't quite back all the way.  He thinks he's getting closer, but it hit him in energy levels.  Mid 50's and no underlying issues for him....not the case anymore.  I worry about my daughter and her family....stubborn non vaxers....UGH!

But, our area of FL is about as you described as well unfortunately!  Overflowing ICU's and friends and families being hit all around.  Mostly non vaxers.

Some business' have gone back to curbside (vet and food), some masks, but wish people were more diligent with them.

Just stay safe and sanitize when out!  That's all I do.  We are sailing out of Miami on Sunday and appreciate how NCL is 100% vax through end of year!  Makes me feel a little safer and like I can possibly start cruising normal again.  We have a PC on Divina in Nov....I'm hoping they go 100%, but doubt it.

I'd love to be able to hear the Disney as it leaves and see the ships pull out more!  What an exciting thing to be able to watch!

Stay Safe and Thank you!

3 minutes ago, Seanair said:

 

Virginia is the concierge.  She was amazing and was there whenever we needed her.  Our butler was Rex.  He handled our Garden Villa and several of the family suites.  Teddy was our outdoor attendant who took care of our patio / hot tub area.  I think he was doing the DOS outdoor areas as well.  John was our cabin steward and as expected, we never saw him and he kept our place spotless.  Malik is the Courtyard butler.  He will serve drinks and bring breakfast or lunch to you in the courtyard.  The other butlers were Helbert, Josephine, William and Reymante. I think William was doing the DOS above us.

 

 

Wow!  Thank you!  You are really good at names!  I know Malik as well, he is very nice.  Not sure on any of the others.  You know, I'm sure they are all just so thankful to finally be back and have guests who are avid cruisers and NCL supporters back.  The combination and the 60% capacity makes it a perfect time to be cruising! Win Win! We are in the DOS above and I know the butlers rotate, so no matter who we are looking forward to the trip.  We thought about bidding to get the Garden, but with only the 2 of us and knowing the suite we have, we decided to stay put this time.  GV is so big for just 2 of us. 

Silliness.... the 1st time we were in the Garden Villa (Jewel before they retro'd the upper section into rooms) we literally were going in circles calling out to each other between the master, the living area and outside.  We thought it was so comical when it happened and just laughed at the situation.  We lived in a 4k+ house at the time and never had that problem, but in the villa it is layed out so well and so roomy!  And yes, the extra special treatment when you have it is amazing. On a cruise that we had our family with us (mom in a motorized scooter) they escorted her around the ship at times, she loved bingo and the casino so they would make sure she got places she wanted to go easily and helped her so much! She really appreciated it!  As did we because we weren't night owls like she was.  Made for an amazing cruise for her!

Our Butlers and Concierge are always so awesome though, no matter what area of the Haven we are in.  Several of them we have seen over and over and it is such a fun surprise when we see each other.  Use to be hugs all around....probably just fist bumps now 🙂

Thank you again for the names and information!

Wow!  Thank yo so much for all of the information!  Really looking forward to cruising again and to hear NCL has done it right!

We are in the DOS up in the Haven, do you recall who the butlers up there are?  Is Kadek possibly on board? The land concierge desk said Virginia is on deck right now.  We are looking forward to a really good time and the new menu's, not to mention the shows!

Appreciate your time!

2 hours ago, Sheshefran said:

Go into the testing site. Wait to here that your test is cleared. They give you wristband and you go to check in.   We were on the ship in less than an hour. 

Thank you so much for the info!  Sounds like it went well and so glad you're enjoying the cruise!

Forgot about Grace!  Well, Sea Days are fine no matter what happens, I'll be cruising, so life will be even better than it is today!

Does anyone know about Costa Maya and Cozumel?  The NCL Gem went out this week, so hoping someone reports information about their cruise!

I sent ours on Friday, received email yesterday confirming credit, but it isn't posted to my cruise yet.  I have a copy of the email saved if needed once I get to the ship.  Good little perk!

9 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Has anyone seen any postings from passengers who are actually on the Gem?  Was hoping we might get a "Live From" on the NCL board, but I don;t see one anywhere

I was hoping this as well!  If nothing while they are cruising, hopefully when they get back we'll hear from them!

On 8/12/2021 at 12:27 PM, Sheshefran said:

I will be on the GEM this Sunday the 15th.  Can't wait to be on a ship again. 

Hope you have an amazing cruise!  Report anything you can!

I have been having problems on figuring out what has a glass balustrade on deck 15 & 16 on the Divina.  Does anyone know if 15007 has glass?

Thank you!

Does anyone have pictures of 9010?

Beautiful pictures. Brings back so many memories of our trip last November pre cruise. We wandered all over Barcelona for about 12 hours using trains, buses, a cab, walking...I saw so many of the same things...we loved Barcelona so much. The next day we boarded our cruise at 11, looked at each other and said lets go back out. We went to barcelonetta beach, rented bikes and rode all over that area. We almost missed getting back since we lost track of time. We will be back November 2019 and cannot wait.

 

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