hallux

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

that they sold all or a large portion of the vibe in bulk to a large group

I'm not a Vibe person, but if I were I'm not sure I'd be happy to still have my pass if there's a large group taking it over and being raucous...

Look for a 'Live from..." thread here, that's probably your best bet.  I don't know of a site that aggregates them, and NCL isn't sending them someplace to be posted online.

12 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Maybe NCL is allowing MSC to use it while their mega ships are not in port and the MSC port is under construction.

Except I think I saw MSC using NCL's terminal when one of the BA+ ships was in port...

This isn't the first time I've seen that.  I think I even saw it with one of the BA/BA+ ships a couple weeks ago.  It won't be long before it won't be happening, with MSC's terminal under construction..

4 hours ago, Joesantos said:

Going back on Getaway soon February, anyone know the cruise director currently on the ship?

thanks

Go to the 2024 thread linked immediately before your post for the 2024 updates....

47 minutes ago, Tbird58 said:

Will there be a list of shows on the website stating what's available for booking reservations?

It will be in the Explore & Plan section.

47 minutes ago, Tbird58 said:

ever have to book a reservation for a show

Consider this - the theater seats 900 (thereabouts), the ship capacity is 4,000 + or - at double occupancy, they have 4 show times for each show.

Usually right behind the Iowa.  I believe it's 92.  That said - there were a bunch of cruises for the Bliss and Joy last year that used a berth out near the turning basin.

Just use World Cruise Center, that should get you close enough to find the signs guiding for each ship if more than one is in port.

It's not working correctly on my Pixel 7 either.  Or at least working slowly...

On 1/10/2024 at 11:33 AM, Brewgator said:

 While I commend the provision of single cabins, even these are usually either interior (e.g. NCL) or obstructed view (Celebrity Edge class).  The only line I have seen offering a standard (unobstructed) balcony solo are the new Oceania ships.

On sailings starting Jan. 2, 2024, NCL is offering Solo cabins in Balcony, OV and Inside categories across the fleet, beyond the Studio cabins that they have had since the Epic sailed.  This is over 1,000 cabins across all their ships!  These are not re-constructed rooms, just re-categorized, that means that they are the same exact cabins a couple could have booked previously but specifically available to a solo cruiser.

https://www.ncl.com/newsroom/norwegian-cruise-line-announces-fleetwide-expansion-of-its-solo-stateroom-category

I will keep sailing NCL.  Their commitment to the solo cruiser with their highly-regarded 'solo program' that has a dedicated crew member for the week and now this announcement of adding more cabins dedicated to solo cruisers while other lines are ignoring us and charging us MORE than a couple would pay is well worth continuing to support their business..

1 hour ago, cr2000 said:

Sort of a shame they didn't limit bookings for the first couple months to ensure a positive customer experience and build some momentum.

and raise the prices even more for those sailings...

1 minute ago, Asawi said:

I'm not Platinum yet, but I will be later this year.

I also make Platinum on my next cruise...

At home I'm a hermit - I get home from work, make my dinner and sit on the couch for TV time.  Home is ALL "me time".

On a cruise - it's a complete 180 for me.  I'm at all the nightly meetups, hang with a group of people I've met there, chat with anyone that wants to strike up a conversation.  On my last cruise I won an event and the prize was a t-shirt, on the front it reads 'The best version of me is when I'm at sea'.  That could not be closer to the truth!  On my last cruise there was maybe one or two nights that I made it back to my room before 11 PM, always out enjoying activities on the ship and usually with people from the solo group.

41 minutes ago, hallux said:

 

I sailed from Miami in 2022, my ship started sailing East as the previous ship that used the turning basin was sailing West, passing in the channel.  I guess it's unusual, but not out of the question...

Oops, I had the directions wrong, but you get the picture...

1 hour ago, dmwnc1959 said:

and they had to pass each other mid-channel at the cruise terminals as Freedom exited.

1 hour ago, eroller said:

Very odd to see.

I sailed from Miami in 2022, my ship started sailing East as the previous ship that used the turning basin was sailing West, passing in the channel.  I guess it's unusual, but not out of the question...

10 hours ago, mking8288 said:

to generate some labels to clarify the terms & conditions, get the crew to stick them onto those "outdated" Latitudes mini coupon booklets, explain that ... vouchers are accepted & can be used in all the specialty dining venues onboard - including upcharges and exclusions, etc. etc. 

NCL must have had a HUGE backlog of coupons with the old terms, they've been accepted at all restaurants for over a year..

19 minutes ago, cruiser2015 said:

The main shows (usually 2) open for reservations 120 days before departure; 125 days for Club Balcony & up.

Do this rather than waiting until being on board.

No, the shows open for booking at 21 and 26 days, as I noted in my previous reply in this thread.  The dining is 120 and 125.

When I was on the Escape in March it wasn't a dedicated venue.  They did the activity in the Supper Club, setting up tables for groups to work together to solve the puzzle(s).

3 minutes ago, love4god said:

should we do this as soon as we board?

Do it as soon as you do your online check-in (21 days before the cruise).

The Joy has a Beatles cover band, they play in the Cavern Club but reservations are not available for that.  Get there early if you want a seat, it's a small venue.  The Observation lounge is beautiful (but will be smaller by then).  The Waterfront (deck 8 ) is a fantastic place!!

7 minutes ago, decrepit old man said:

Also, can the famous arch been seen clearly from the ship?

That depends on how the ship rotates on the anchor and where it anchors...  You can JUST see it here - 

1 minute ago, cruiseny4life said:

I think those are the numbers I heard on Cruise Radio's podcast. 

Celebrity can sail with less-empty ships for all I care.  I'll sail NCL, who welcomes solos with "open arms"...

14 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

If your guest is also a Platinum member, they can dine with you on your coupon one night, while you can dine as their guest on a different night.  At least that's the way I understand it.

Happens all the time.  In fact - the roll call for my cruise later this month has a spreadsheet with activities and such, one of the columns is "platinum dinner coupon to share"

1 hour ago, kbonasch said:

I called Celebrity- 5 cruises with them. Not at all helpful- said if they weren't listed on the site they weren't available - didn't seem interested in me remaining with them. Had some issues with their air and they didn't pick me up at the airport on a March 2023 Cruise-

Go find some 'cruisetubers' (people reporting on cruise news on YouTube) - Celebrity is now charging solos MORE than two people would pay for the SAME CABIN.  Not a little bit, one was over 10% - I think the number was $3400 for a solo, $3000 for two...

Because the MSC ship is in that spot and the pier won't support two ships of that size?

On 1/8/2024 at 7:31 AM, Beer Belly said:

on NCL and enjoyed Syd Normans, for those of you who know Syd's know what it is we seek

I sailed on the Escape last March, I know what you seek as that is an excellent venue/band!!  I agree that the Music Hall on Anthem (another ship I've been on) might be the closest, though when I sailed that ship they also used TWO70 for the band.  At the time it was a tribute/cover band - DSB, a Journey cover band and I think they played in both Music Hall and TWO70.

@Sailing12Away here's the press release.  https://www.ncl.com/newsroom/norwegian-cruise-line-announces-fleetwide-expansion-of-its-solo-stateroom-category

Yes, it's across the entire fleet - 

With the capacity of solo stateroom categories expanding from nine ships to the full 19-ship fleet,