RunBikeCruiseDC

On 7/18/2023 at 6:55 AM, Trixie21 said:

We have been looking at Norwegian Prima for an Iceland/Norway cruise in June 2024.

I have just come across an even better itinerary which is on Norwegian Star to Iceland/Greenland June 024.

A

 

I have been on both ships and would prefer Prima due to the observation area for cooler climates.  She's new, beautiful and the food is amazing (love Indulge Food Hall - included!!). I've never been to any of the ports but Iceland and Norway are on my bucket list.  But honestly, I'd love to cruise to Greenland, too!

9 hours ago, doolfan said:

My daughter and I are booked on Viva for next year to celebrate her college graduation. It will be our first cruise. I see that we can buy passes for Vibe for the week and will plan to do so as soon as they are available. The thermal spa (Mandara Spa) I’m less clear on. Can you only enter if you have the spa room? Or can you buy day or week passes?  We have a standard balcony room. If we can purchase a pass, would it too much to have both? Would it be somewhat redundant? 

We had a few people that had both on our cruise last week, they were not planning on leaving the ship as the ports of call were the typical Bahamas cruise that many of us have done a bazillion times.  

The Star is a fine ship.  All the basics, a few upscale dining options, none of the fluff of the newer ships.   While I love the newer ships with all the whiz-bang options, I'd be fine on the Star if it was a shorter or port intensive sailing.

On 12/12/2022 at 7:26 PM, Always Cruising said:

He is a bartender at the Vibe on Prima.

Rommel is bartender extraordinaire!  Can't wait to see him later this week.   Does anybody know if Ruby is working with him??

The Vibe can be both - I need my chill/recover time while my husband never leaves the bar.  LOL!  We've meet great friends of all ages (we're 50s) in Vibe - younger and older.  Bartenders are excellent.

Glad I saw this thread - we have option to upgrade to Spa Balcony for 100-200 PP on our 7 day cruise next month.  Wondering if it will be worth while.  My husband probably won't use it as he'd be out drinking (LoL!), I can see me using that as a place to chill.  Wondering if the price is worth it as I have no clue.  Maybe we will try minimum bid??  We already bought Vibe passes, are spa passes available in advance now??

UPDATE:  I found that we can by the passes in advance - $339 per person for our cruise so bidding on the Spa Balcony room is a good deal!

Great review!  We're sailing on her in Mid-Dec, balcony cabin with Vibe passes.  Can't wait!

Just got the 2nd email claiming $49 fares but I don't see anything on the site.  Has anybody had any luck with this??

Escape .  I haven't been on Encore but was on the Bliss, I felt there wasn't enough outdoor space due to the go-karts, observation deck.  I would do Encore/Bliss for Canada/New England or Alaska but given the choice, I'd take the older Breakaway class ships over the newer ones. Escape is our favorite ship.

On 8/18/2022 at 2:22 PM, undecided1 said:

Sorry to hijack the thread but has anyone had experience with week long cruises on the Sky? My husband and I are sailing next month on a 7 night Sky cruise and I am hoping that the 7 night cruises have better reviews. 
 

TIA

I have been on a 7 day cruise on the Sun which is the sister ship.  We enjoyed it but now are a bit spoiled after having so much to do on the Breakaway/Breakaway+ class ships. (We did Star and Sun prior to the Breakaway).

On 3/15/2022 at 4:43 PM, meglet said:

Sailing on the Pearl soon in a non Haven aft suite. Anyone know if robes are provided? Thank you!

We used to get it in Mini-Suites (now renamed).  We requested them last time as we were expecting them and our room steward got us some!  Doesn't hurt to ask.

Just made final payment for December cruise!  Was able to get into Vibe - yay!!

Has anybody seen menus for Onda and Palomar?

We've been on Deck 8 on Bliss and Escape, never had an issue with noise.  Loved being close to everything on the waterfront!

10 minutes ago, Rob-Bob said:

No mini golf on Getaway.  Just sailed her last week.

Oh no!  What replaced it?  

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

My point was that currently, the greater commonality for Covid hospitalization at University of Michigan is comorbidity, not vaccination. Therefore, those with a comorbidity (regardless of vaccination status) may want to take extra caution. 

 

Interesting side note, the data I provided in the link above was updated today and hospitalizations doubled (from 18 to 36). So, yes hospitalizations are on the rise, but I see no need to panic as there are still a grand total of 36 people hospitalized in a major metropolitan area. And, of those 36 people hospitalized, 75% are double vaccinated and boosted. No longer can it be said that those who are vaccinated are less likely to need hospitalization. The better predictor is comorbidity. 

 

 

I work in public health. haven't spoke to anybody that was hospitalized for weeks.   Just spoke with somebody that just came home yesterday. That person was over 65, fully vaccinated with some serious medical conditions.  Luckily only in hospital for 2 days, only needed supplemental oxygen while in.   We're in a highly vaccinated area. 

My husband and I were looking forward to a cruise in April when we both got Covid and had to cancel.    We booked that cruise as that was the best time for us to get away due to building a new home, work and other adult obligations.  We don't see us being able to take a full week off anytime soon but we might be able to squeeze a quick 3-4 day escape over the next few months with the move and such.  

Has anybody been on NCL Sky lately?  What's the vibe of the ship these days?  Capacity?  If not the Sky, what ship/cruise line would you recommend for a 3-4 day cruise?  We're looking at Virgin and Margaritaville at Sea.  Eventually we want to try Celebrity.

Thank you so much for the trip report! We were supposed to be on that cruise but ended up getting covid the week prior so we had to cancel.    Hope you were able to find enough enjoyment even with some cancellations.  

The products are lemongrass scented, I love them!    As some suggested, you may want to bring your own conditioner if you use it.  I also bring another small unscented body lotion/creme .

No - the casino should be open past a certain hour. This changed a few years ago - it was late (9pm?) but it will open up.

They have all been the same menu.  I do recall once that the Manhattan Room had one or two things that Savor/Taste did not have on a certain night (fabulous lamb chops!).  

If your sailing on the Joy is going to Bermuda, the Dark and Stormy is a must!  I see somebody mentioned that already.  Moscow Mule, Miami Vice (in very limited amounts), Rebellious Fish!  BBC is good, when they had the Margaritaville at Sea on the Breakaway+ class ships, I loved the Havana and Bananas which is similar to BBC.  And all the mojitos at Sugarcane!   The spicy one is good but I prefer the first version of it.  I tend to spend a lot of time at Sugarcane...

From what I remember, final payment was always 4 months in advance with NCL?  

Glad to see others are fans of Pinchos!  We have done entire meals there as well as stop in for a quick bite or skip an appetizer elsewhere.

I 2nd the Local/O'Sheehans for lunch.  Don't like the crowds at the buffet or the grill on the pool deck.   Rueben sandwich, yum!

11 minutes ago, 4 cruisers said:

Thank you for sharing!  I was feeling pretty alone on this😌.  Day 6 and my husband is close to normal…just a little run down.  I still test negative (this morning) and no symptoms!  I wonder if I had a mild case a couple of weeks ago…thought it was severe allergies…we live in the desert and the winds and cactus/blooming trees are full of irritants!  

Our pollen count is worse than normal this year.   In all honesty, I probably would not have thought anything about it after my negative test on Sunday if it weren't for being scheduled for a cruise next week. However, my husband symptoms are obvious - he had a fever of 102 last night.  It broke, he's feeling okay today.  I find it odd that was negative for so long as he's the one that goes to client sites, goes out to lunch and happy hours.  I work from home with limited outside contact.  Grrr...