jinteso

Thanks. We will be in an OS so definitely a real suite. We are looking forward to the trip.

When are you going? I am also in a DOS on the Dawn in January. I have never sailed on her. I would love to hear your experience if you are going sooner.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I do have one more, if I may. Did the NCL tour offer an option for a night at the ballet like the other two tour companies mentioned do?

Day 5: St Petersburg (Day 1)

 

I opted for the NCL sponsored tour of "Imperial St. Petersburg" which was slated to last from 7:45-4:45.

I am curious. Did you do tours both days through NCL? I have been reading ALL of the Baltic reviews since I am on that cruise on the Breakaway next June. You are the first that has used an NCL tour. May I ask why? Was the itinerary better? The guarantee that you wouldn't be left behind? It appears that the groups are larger. I am just curious as I try and narrow things down. Thank you! Great review, BTW!

Please hurry up with the next installment.... or adventure!!!

Only 5 states do not have a sales tax on anything (including liquor): AK, DE, MT, NH and OR.

Your comment about small ships going to the ABCs and southern itineraries isn't correct' date=' we were on RCCL's Anthem of the Seas in January out of NJ and went to Antigua, Martinique and Barbados amongst other ports. It is very difficult to find a NCL cruise to any of these ports.

I do agree NCL needs some new ports to keep us platinum cruisers interested :)

 

 

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I am on the Dawn in January and we are going to Antigua, Martinique and Barbados.

This year is only land trips. 14 of them ranging from 4 days/3 nights to 17 days/16 nights. Next year (after retirement) we have 2 cruises booked. Hoping to book another for Australia if NCL continues out of there. And we only have 7 land based trips booked so far. The longest one is 5 weeks in Australia. We would love to make a week of that 5 weeks on a cruise.

Interesting story - my DH and I are former military. Years ago he did a brief trip to one of the former Soviet block countries to brief their military on budgeting approaches. When he went through immigration, the woman in our booth stared at a computer and at him, back to computer and then at him and finally asked if he was in the military. He said no (we got out in the early 2000's). She stamped his passport and that was it. We didn't see the officials speaking to anyone so this was definitely noteworthy! They must have good records......

That is an interesting story! I retire in December. Although I have not been to any of the Soviet bloc countries before, I have been to other "less than desirable" locations. I was worried about my DW or me being held up since they probably have a file on one or both of us.

Might I also suggest into visiting the Gold Room (within the Hermitage) as well.

I saw that on the itinerary that you posted I believe yesterday on another thread. I was going to ask you about them. That is one company that I had not heard of yet but would be interested. Why did you not like the guide? Did you completely miss the vodka at Catherine's Palace and completely miss Peter and Paul's Fortress? Do they have an add-on option for the evening ballet?

Great summary! We are doing a similar version next June on the Breakaway in the Haven. Our cruise replaces Poland with Helsinki. I am already planning since I am a planner too and a bit OCD. We are looking at tours in SPB. I am seriously considering Alla. How many people did they allow on the tour? Did you get to see both the Amber room and the Fabrege collection. They are 2 musts for us. We definitely want to experience the ballet but thought that we would be too tired. Apparently, that is not the case? Also, I have seen some tours that are considered "Haven only" but can not get any more details on them and of course they are not listed for our cruise yet. Any idea what they are?

That ship would NOT be my idea of fun!

Even 4 foot cords are hard to find. But you can get a very cheap 6 foot, 2 prong cord. And whoever you spoke to didn't know what (s)he was saying. A 2 prong cord will work in a 3 prong outlet. A 3 prong cord will NOT work in a 2 prong outlet. This one from Amazon would work fine for you. https://www.amazon.com/Axis-Power-Cord-Cable-45502/dp/B0073AADTI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1500571095&sr=8-6&keywords=6+foot+extension+cord

Besides, having the extra two feet may help give you some slack.

Thank you for the info. The cpap is a 2 prong, but are the outlets in the mini suites on the Dawn 2 or 3 prong? I've heard the outlets are 3 prong, but it seems like people just bring a standard extension cord.

It doesn't matter if they accept 2 prong or 3 prong since your cpap is only 2 prong. A 2 prong extension cord will work in a 3 prong outlet.

i personally would never give anyone that much money that far in advance unless required to do so. why let them earn the interest? we usually pay in full on day 92 or 93 (a few days buffer to ensure it goes thru with no computer glitches).

What type of interest are you getting? I currently only get a quarter of 1%. So on a $50,000 balance, I get about $10 per month. Not enough to worry about. I would be interested to find out where I could earn more.

Can you either buy 2 coach tickets and pay for the upgrade or use your miles for 1 F/C ticket and purchase the other? That may be the cheapest route to go.

The internet package is valued at $120, the excursion package at $150 if you take 3 excursions. There is also a specialty restaurant perk (not sure what that is worth). Adding this to the $100 gratuities gets you $220-250. I like to get the wifi internet package. If you are not going on excursions or getting internet, or specialty restaurants, then your break even is $100 for drinks.

Depending on that type of cabin you book, you can get multiple or all of the perks. Therefore, some of us only need to drink $100 worth to break even and still lose none of the others.

How much would it be to upgrade to F/C on Delta? Delta actually provides a full meal between ATL and SJU. ATL is also a very easy airport to navigate. As far as your luggage concerns, if you download the Delta app, you can actually track your luggage through it now. What date is your cruise? We are on the 7 Jan cruise on the Dawn.

I know that there are 2 types of OBC; refundable and non-refundable. I also know that the NCL "promo" (Super Splash Sale etc.) OBC is non-refundable. Is the NCL stockholder OBC also non-refundable?

Refundable OBC Usage:

Anything including casino and DSC

Non-Refundable OBC Usage:

Shore Excursions

Specialty Restaurant Upcharges and a la carte charges

Drink prices in excess of $15.00 including the 18%

On Board Shop Purchases

Non-Refundable OBC can NOT be used for:

Casino charges

DSC

What about using Non-Refundable OBC for:?

Butler/Concierge vouchers that you charge to your account

Added tips at restaurants where you get a slip

Spa Services (massage etc.)

Port taxes for drinks in ports

Bottles of wine/liquor ordered

Is this list close to being correct? Any help would be appreciated.

Down to 76 work days. 22 and a half weeks.....

It is now available on line again for the exact same price. The 29 day Sydney to Hong Kong is only $14,000+ per passenger, by comparison a real deal.

I found one better than that. 29 day Hawaii & South Pacific (Honolulu to Sydney) is only $37,999 per person. But, other categories (inside, ocean view, balcony) seem very reasonable for a 29 day sailing.

Just another point on Stockholm. There is never any guarantee on this port, even on smaller ships. We missed it last year on the Star, and it happens from time to time. Given the route into the port there is always a risk.

With everything that I have read, I agree that any guarantee of Stockholm is very iffy at best. That is why I am actually considering booking an NCL tour for Stockholm. It is the only one that I will probably book through NCL. I need to wait and see what they are offering for excursions though.

I am on this same cruise next June. Keith and Travel are correct. I have been monitoring things closely. Only the first cruise cancelled Tallinn. Only 1 cruise so far has changed the port from Stockholm.

Can't wait to read the comparison. At some point I'd like to experience the Haven experience. I was close to pulling the trigger this time but the TA made it too difficult. So I will stay with my deal on my normal balcony. Hopefully my first cruise on NCL will be great like my other cruise.

Don't know when your cruise is but did you consider the new bidding process? Or isn't your TA signed up for that either?

Drink a couple of shots of Canadian Whiskey or Bourbon in a row. That works for me!

The Delta gold card gives you and everyone in your travel group the free

Bag for each. That saves you $50 Pp. Also when you sign up you get the $99 fee waved for year 1. You can always drop it later. We just keep this card for the bag

 

There is lots of points cards with no fees. PNC bank has a great Points Visa.

 

I can see why some people don't want CC's because they rape you if you don't pay them each month. The key is paying them off each month.

 

For cruisers and overseas travel I would never use a debit card because of risks of hacks and holds on your money.

Does the Delta Gold Card also have no foreign transaction fees? If so, it is very well worth it. I know that the Delta AMEX Reserve card that I have does have no foreign transaction fees. Not sure if all of the Delta cards do though.

Also NOTE: Most US credit cards DO have a PIN and Chip option. Get it! It will cost you nothing. It comes in very handy in Europe and many other countries other than the US.