Linda the Book Lover

4 hours ago, n4w said:

Locate the conf #'s listed on the info NCL sent you, go to Delta's website, find your reservation using your name and conf #'s, select your seat(s) unless you like the ones auto-assigned to you.  If you have to call, call Delta.  Calling NCL for seats is a dead end.

Thank you so much. We will try this. My husband put in the e-ticket number so this is very helpful.

I am trying to get seat information for the NCL flight on Delta we booked. It did not show on the Delta website. Is there another place to check seat information or do I have to call NCL? Thanks for the help.

8 hours ago, staceyglow said:

Breakfast definitely. I don't know about lunch. A Journeys cruise with a lot of port stops might be different from a transatlantic, which I have never been on. 

 

Even if there is no lunch in the MDR, there will be lunch the other venues besides the buffet (Cucina del Capitano, Guys, etc.) 

Thanks for the info. On the other Carnival ships I sailed, I enjoyed lunch in the Italian restaurant and other venues. I have to admit the older I get (in my 70's) the lazier I have become as far as sitting down and being served...😂

11 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

In scanning my newsletters from my last Journeys cruise in January 2020, I found that breakfast in the MDR was always available on port days.  The times varied depending on when we were due in port.  There was NO lunch served in the MDR on port days.

 

BTW, I know you didn't ask, but on sea days, the ship switched between brunch and breakfast/lunch in the MDR.

Thanks I appreciate the information as we are still in the deciding stage for 2025. 

Are breakfast and lunch available on port days on a journey cruise? I am not a fan of the buffet and hoped the longer cruise might offer meals in the dining room. I am trying to decide about the transatlantic from Barcelona to US.

Has anyone flown from Sacramento to Barcelona using NCL Air and requesting 2-days before your cruise?

On 2/6/2023 at 10:54 AM, julig22 said:

I go online and pick my seats as soon as I can.  Sometimes I pay for the privilege, sometimes I don't. NCL doesn't assign seats, they book tickets and it's up yo you to go to the airline and pick your seats, add your travel info, etc. Just like anyone else who books their own.

I totally agree - unless I'm offered a better seat I'm keeping what I chose!

This was good to read about the seats as we are in a decision mode about NCL Air transatlantic flights from SMF (Sacramento) to Barcelona and then New York back to Sacramento.

31 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Which cruise line does not do it to make money???

none

On 10/4/2023 at 9:55 AM, sparks1093 said:

I think that most people figure out that they are looking for an average. Everyone will have different amounts and clearly Cheers isn't for everyone. But it is worth using the calculator to determine that. And the last thing to remember is this- Carnival sells the Cheers package to make money. Period. If you happen to save money good for you, but that isn't their concern. They are pretty good at figuring out what works and doesn't work for their demographic.

You are right about Carnival using it to make money, I sometimes wish there other options. Meanwhile since my daughter and I are not true drinkers at home every time we go back and forth on if we should get it. For us, sometimes it boils down to just getting it and not thinking about it. Most times we do not get the drink package. Since we fly into the port city it is just easier to purchase the bottled water, and yes I know we can fill up in the buffet. Also without the package, we bring two bottles of wine for me (each of us carrying on a bottle). 

Thanks for sharing these! 

Looks excellent since I will be on the Radiance in 126 days! Actually, I am more interested and excited about the Dutch Double Chocolate Pave. 😉

5 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

We had another Alaskan cruise booked but decided to cancel it.  We made this decision because getting their is such a hassle for us.  It's over eight hours of travel time.  We're getting too old for that even in first class so we taking another Caribbean cruise.  We're really ship people anyway.  The VIP train trip was the only shore excursion we did.  

The VIP train is on the list. Thank you again for sharing your experience. The travel back and forth to the other coast is not on my list to do either since I am in my 70s. Lucky for me Alaska is on the same coast where we live and has a reasonable air flight time up the coast to Seattle. Our return flights from our recent trip back east took the wind out of my sails. 

3 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

I know you can save some by taking the cheap tour but Alaska is a once in a lifetime event.  Go big and give yourself something to really remember.  

I agree with you on getting the most bang for your buck. My husband and I booked private and small group excursions so we could enjoy everything in a small group and I feel it was the best decision. Alaska is so beautiful and I am looking forward to this time sailing again with my DD. 

10 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

Also, the Haven on both ships have the Horizon Observation lounge.  

 

Great pictures! 

Since we live in Northern and previously Southern California the Mexican Riveria is a plus for us as no long air travel. We did sail on the Star in March years back and the weather was great. We did not need any sweaters etc once we arrived in Mexico and when we boarded we did not have any jackets on leaving from Los Angeles. The rest of the cruises were all in the summer months. The weather will not be "summer temperatures" but it will not be cold. 

29 minutes ago, hallux said:

@Linda the Book Lover I ate at Le Bistro.  I think that's becoming my favorite.  I had the onion soup, steak tartare, sole and the chocolate dessert.

Thanks! We booked Le Bistro twice this sailing and I am happy you enjoyed it.

Thanks for your review. Did you eat at any of the specialty restaurants? 

1 minute ago, zqvol said:

I have never had good crab cakes on an NCL ship, what’s changed?

Best crab cake I had at dinner was in Ocean Blue on the Getaway. I am guessing it depends on who is in the kitchen cooking. 

1 hour ago, iKarenE said:

Thanks for the review, we sail in April. I was curious about the Thermal Spa, this is our first time booking it. 

 

My daughter and I booked the Haven Spa Suite in celebration of her 1/2 century. Our favorite hands down is the heated stone chaises. As soon as you lie down it is like a nice heating pad over your whole body. The thermal pool is great! I have a heart condition which now precludes me from the rollers and the "waterfall" but it is great for warm water walking. She usually likes to book a massage and takes advantage of the first day tour that offers the specials. We book the spa unless we are sailing with my granddaughter.

The food sounds good and I am looking forward to my daughter's birthday cruise in June.

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The 2-story Posh Club probably is bigger than most Haven sun decks on BA/BA+ class ships. And being perched on top of the ship, provides spectacular 360 degree views. 

Twice enjoyed and loved.

15 hours ago, travellingguy said:

What I don't understand is why Haven passengers get the Posh passes when they have their own area and pool.   Can't they sell to the non-Haven only so there is more to go around?  Anyone try to get them and was unsuccessful?

 

We have used Vibe many times and love it so want the Posh too for our upcoming cruise and are worried that we might not get it hearing of the "limited" spots.  

 

Is it Guest Services or the Social that we need to run to like lunatics to get the number?   Really like that NCL made the common sense decision to let Vibe passes be bought ahead of time which we just did on the Joy and reduced the need for the run through the decks to get to the number

Actually the pool area in the Haven  is small and on a different deck. The Epic Haven sun deck area is not as large area as on some of the newer larger ships which is most likely why there are not pre-purchase options for the few passes. On the NCL ships with the Vibe Beach Club it is open to anyone with a pass or staying in the Haven. The Haven Sundeck is reserved for guests staying in the Haven Suites. 

10 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

No Vibe.

 

The Posh Club is a 2 story sundeck with a private bar and water feature. It is the sundeck for the Haven, but in the past, they have sold a limited number of passes to non-Haven passengers (not sure why). 

I am also not sure why they do either but I think it is for more revenue as the area is never extremely busy. There are two bartenders for a small amount of people and there is never a real wait for a drink. I think I may have seen three bartenders during the sea days on the Carribean cruise but most of the time on the Med cruise there was only one (port intensive). I guess they want to keep the bartenders busy.

1 hour ago, vacation44 said:

Yes, that is correct.  There is not a Vibe on the Epic but a Posh.  However, Posh is mainly for the Haven guests with a few passes available for non-Haven guests.

Yes there are only a few passes. We have been on the Epic twice and enjoyed Posh and the Haven. Be aware you will see and elevator in the corner which goes to the Haven pool area but it only works using a  keycard so if you have access to Posh and not staying in the Haven you will not be able to go to the pool. The Caribbean cruise is busy yet we never had an issue finding a seat though the bar area was hopping especially after returning to the ship after a port stop. The Med cruise it was quiet (weather difference) I am sure is the reason. 

1 hour ago, goin-away said:

👋 See you there.

Yes we will be on the Escape