Maya1234

Here is the terrifying info from the Windtravler Tortola based blogger whose family owns Aristocrat Charters:

Folks: the situation in Tortola, if you can believe it, is becoming even more dire. Fear and panic are setting in and friends on the ground are scared. Looting has begun. I have reached out to the Chicago Tribuneto tell the story ( Windtraver is from Chicago) as BVI is getting little to no coverage. It is very unsafe on Tortola and hundreds and hundreds of people need evacuation. Another storm is coming and almost everyone is homeless and without adequate shelter. Rumor has it St. Maarten is a war zone....Tortola will follow suit if WE DO NOT GET EVACUATION SERVICES AND A MILITARY PRESENCE IMMEDIATELY!!!! Anyone in this network who can help I appreciate it. Scott has landed in PR and I have warned them not to go to Road Town for fear of ambush. So few working boats and cars people likely to storm them...We do not need more people going IN, we need to get people OUT.

Windtraveler and Where the Coconuts Grow (both sailing Blogs) have FB pages with pictures ( devastating) and some status reports on people /boats/ hotels on Tortola.

The blogger Windtraveler, an American living with her family on a boat in Nanny Cay in Tortola, has posted devastating pictures of the damage there. They've lost their home/boat and they their business boats which take tourists, including many cruisers, on excursions. It's very very sad. Obviously cruises will not be able to go that Island for awhile which has to be devastating to those dependent on the tourist trade on top of everything else they have lost.

Wonderful trip report so far! Can't wait for more. You and your wife adorable couple!!

I was worried that the courtyard would be noisy? Is that wrong? As you all can tell, I know nothing! Thanks to all willing to put up with my ignorance and provide answers!!

I'm looking at a Bliss Haven courtyard penthouse. What do you experts think the difference is between those on 18 and those on 17? I'm a newbie and can't tell anything by looking at deck plans.

Ok. So, is the best way to see if anyone releases a suite is just to keep checking right around the time full payment is due?

If a cabin type is sold out can one book for another but get on a waiting list for the other? It's my understanding that some suites are booked by those who might end up cancelling before final payment. Does one just need to monitor to see if a cabin class becomes available?

Thank you all! This was very helpful! Sometime I feel as a newbie that I don't even speak the "language" of cruises. Greatful for the translation!

As a newbie I'm a little confused about these two area. I've done a search and read what I can but I don't fully understand. From what I gather:

Vibe is a private bar/sunning area(?) which you have to buy passes for onboard and the passes are very limited. Is that correct? Is there any reason someone in the Haven ( on the Bliss) would want to use Vibe? What would it give them that the Haven doesn't?

Spice is an adults only sunning area? It's free? Is there anything else to know about it?

Thanks to all you amazing veterans who take the time to help out an ignorant newbie.

Just booked a Haven Courtyard penthouse. Still no floor plans but excited to see Deck plan. We are newbie cruisers so I really don't fully understand the deck plans though. Lol.

Thanks so much everyone. I'll check out all these suggestions!!

I have tried to look at other posts about good hotels for an overnight stay before a NCL Alaska cruise next year. You guys give great advice about reasonably priced options.

But this is for my DH's 60th birthday and I want the nicest hotel with the easiest access to the port possible. Money is not an issue. I am willing to go all out for this one.

So....suggestions for great hotel with easy access to ship?

(first cruise, first post...so sorry if I am being repetitive. I couldn't find anything exactly on point)