BarnCat1

Yes, it really is quite a difference. That's why I've been tossing both around. I like the idea of the smaller ship, but like the Mexico/Central America Itinerary a bit better. I've cruised both sizes of ships. I am pretty sure I am going with the Joy and doing the excursion through the canal that's been mentioned. The Caribbean itinerary can be done on many different ships from many other ports. The canal transit is a once in a lifetime cruise.

So sorry to hear that, that was a beautiful walk. I will make sure I check the Wharfs tours. Thank you

Did the Cliffwalk and mansions back in the early 2000's. Can't imagine much has changed since then, but still might want to go again. Thinking of doing the boat ride on the Harbor out to Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort. This would be late September Anyone ever do this tour before?

The photos of the whales and the potential of seeing these amazing animals (even though I have been on a few whale watches before) is making me lean more toward the Joy itinerary, plus the canal transit is later in the cruise rather than the first day like the Jades itinerary, allowing for a full day in Panama before the transit for additional touring of the city and the locks.

I have done whale watching in Alaska, but you can never see too many whales. Are they visible from the ship as well?

Yes, the ship will have a full day in Panama City and that tour and another of the locks are offered.

I am tossing around these 2 itineraries. Any input would be appreciated. Never been to any of the ports listed. Would probably get to either embarkation port a day or so early. Water activities (other than being on a boat tour) are not of interest. Mostly sightseeing, nature, etc. No children on the cruise. I realize the Joy would go through different locks than the Jade. Would that be something to take into consideration for the first time going? 15-DAY CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN JOY Panama Canal: Mexico & Colombia from Los Angeles, California Sailing February, 2025 9 PORTS OF CALL Los Angeles, California Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Manzanillo, Mexico Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica Panama City (Pacific Cruise Terminal), Panama Cartagena, Colombia Miami, Florida 11-DAY CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN JADE Panama Canal: Aruba & Cartagena from Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama Sailing February,2025 8 PORTS OF CALL Panama City (Fuerte Amador),Panama Cartagena, Colombia Oranjestad, Aruba Willemstad, Curaçao Basseterre, St. Kitts Tortola, British Virgin Islands Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Miami, Florida

Is this per phone or for all phones on the plan?

Sept 12th from Boston.

Unlimited talk and text but no international plan with AT&T

Will we need any type on International Phone Plan (iPhone) for our upcoming Canadian cruise? We only need to message and maybe do a quick check of email. No social media, streaming, very little internet, etc. We know about the Wi-Fi and airplane mode for messaging on the ship. We have FAS, so we have the free 150 minutes. What will we need once on land? We have one Specialty dining with our FAS, but right now they are offering 2 more Specialty dining nights for a discount. This is a 7-night cruise on the Jade. Is it worth it for another $170.00 when there are so many dining options on the ship that are already included in our cruise fare? How is the food on the Jade? This is a pretty port intensive itinerary as well. We are disembarking in Boston. How long should we expect it to take to clear customs there?

We always book a redeye coming from West coast to East Coast, just makes more sense to us and is much easier than getting up at 4am for an early flight to get back to the East Coast at a decent time. We've had one very good airfare experience and a trying it again. However, this time I just received an email (over 200 days out) for an Upgrade Airfare Advantage (I am not paid in full). It is showing me a great direct flight to secure now if I want to or I can wait, and they will assign a flight, as usual, before embarkation. I will have to pay extra (lowest bid $100/pp) if I want this great direct flight now. This is new to me, and I am hesitant to do this. Anyone hear of this new program?

Looking forward to your thoughts on MSC. We were going to sail on this ship next September, but they cancelled our sailing. We opted for NCL out of Boston as a replacement, same itinerary.

Did you book the tour in advance or when you go off the ship?

I guess it depends on who you get on the phone. I tried to cancel a cruise well ahead of the sail date and they said I couldn't without losing the deposit. Then the cruise was cancelled by them, and I am getting the deposit back, though it's been over 30 days now, so I will be making a phone call soon.

The deposit of $398.00 is non-refundable. Only if they cancel the cruise or change the itinerary, not to your liking, will you get it back.

If I can remember correctly, on previous cruises on the Gem (Jewel Class), since smoking areas have been cutback, the smoking was on deck 13, port side, at the Bali Hai bar, which overlooked deck 12 pool area. This would mean on the Jade it's at The Pit Stop, deck 13 overlooking deck 12 pool area as well. Both are right outside of Spinnakers. Also, in the casino and Cigar Bar.

I have used NCL air before with no problems coming in the day of our cruise and flying out the day after disembarking with no issues at all. Flight times were great, I had plenty of time to get to the ship and getting back home atter disembarking was just as easy. The cost savings was great compared to booking air on my own. This time, I would like to come in a day early to be able to see the city. Again, the savings are pretty substantial compared to booking the flight on my own. My only concern is that I might not be coming in early enough to see the city (time zone is the same). I might be coming in at 5pm or later at night, which will only allow for a dinner close by the hotel and no touring time at all. Plan B is that I could stay after the cruise, this way i know I'll be in town all day after disembarking. Downfall to staying post cruise would be that flying in the day of the cruise will most likely have me on an early flight and I might need to stay at my local airport hotel, depending on the flight time. I have no way of knowing what the times would be now, but again, the savings are substantial. Anyone ever used the one day deviation, precruise, and what times were you given? Did they have you flying in early or later in the day/evening? I know this is a general question, since your time might not be my time, but just trying to see if there is a pattern.

I agree with this. Go about your business, lay low and stay away from people as best you can. What changed is the quarantine of people. I just don't like that for some reason, they were checking on excursions by name and cabin number and that might draw them to you and then they will test you, and if positive, you're in quarantine. I can easily stay away from people if I am sick, but not if they find out first. I was wondering if they are still doing that on any excursions? Basically, for contact tracing? This wasn't even a year ago on our last cruise.

We do bring test kits and masks. So far so good.

That's what I was thinking too. Just be cool and do the right thing. Last year they were taking names and cabin numbers on excursions, are they still doing that?

Resurrecting this old topic, but curious what the cruise line is now doing about positive Covid cases, if anything. Lots of respiratory things going around now.

How did this turn out? Did you get your money back?

Yes, I like to do that to see what ships are scheduled to be in port with our ship and to get an idea of how crowded the ports will be. About a week ago I made a list. Checked Saturday when I saw the cruise wasn't available for booking anymore and it wasn't listed at any of the ports.

It's still not listed on the booking page. What about the cruise being removed from all of the ports, including the port it's departing from? Red flag alert that we should start looking for another sailing?