habitoiyam

Hi - 

DH and I will be on the NCL Jade on the same 10-Day cruise itinerary in September, and had a quick question about when to be back onboard at the ports. Aside from the embarking at Civitavecchia (and checking in at least two hours prior to departure - we will be much earlier than that 😁), is it typically back onboard an hour (at the latest) before departure? 

Our last Mediterranean cruise was ten years ago, and I thought it was back onboard by an hour before sailing. DH thinks it was back onboard two hours before leaving each port.  Since you were just there, I thought you would be the one to ask!  

Thanks!

Kathy & Mark 

1 hour ago, Dar & Bob said:

Thank you for your review, glad to hear it was good.  We are on this same itinerary on the Jade in 4 weeks.

 

We will be on the same cruise! This post was a great “preview” of what to expect, and we are excited! 

Thanks - I can call to find out!

Does NCL still offer the Bar Set-up with mixers? We did this several times on different NCL cruises so that we could mix cocktails in our cabin and enjoy them in peace and quiet afternoons or before dinner on our balcony.

We have also done the “free” beverage package several times, but may not choose to do it next time we cruise. And we typically bring our own wine onboard and pay the corkage fees so that we can drink what we like with dinner.

I remember that the Bar Set-up prices weren’t cheap, but ordering a large bottle or two provided plenty for us and we didn’t have to run around getting drinks and bringing them back to our cabin. 

Thanks! 

What happens to unclaimed lost and found items (turned in and documented at the customer service desk) following each cruise?

Hi -

My husband and I have cruised several times on NCL and a couple of times on Carnival. (We primarily book balconies, mini-suites and suites.) We like to sail out of our home port of Boston, and recently put a deposit on June cruise to Bermuda on the Veendam. We have never cruised on HAL, but the convenience of leaving from Boston and docking in Hamilton for three days instead of the King's Wharf/Heritage Wharf area for less time with NCL seemed like a nice change for us.

The final payment is due in a couple of days, and I have some concerns based on recent reviews I have read about general conditions and upkeep as well as mechanical issues on this ship. This has made me nervous about what to expect. We had already put a deposit on an aft-facing balcony on the Dawn for considerably less (free gratuities included) than the aft-facing veranda on the Veendam, so we have to make a decision.

Has anyone sailed on the Veendam recently? What were your experiences and observations? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi -

I hope you were successful in booking something on Deck 10!

My husband and I have stayed in aft-facing suites 9232 and 10726 on the Dawn (Boston to Bermuda), and my sister, mom and I have stayed in aft-facing balcony 10230 (not a suite), also to Bermuda. Both balconies on Deck 10 were much greater in depth than the suite on Deck 9! The balcony on 10230 was not as wide as suite 10726, but we were able to fit three loungers and a table out there easily. No breezes, great views, plenty of space, private and quiet - what's not to love!

If you want to save a little, the aft-facing balconies on Deck 10 are great. But you can't beat the perks that go with an aft-facing suite on Deck 10. Good luck!

The first cruise my husband and I ever went on was on Carnival when all dining times were set and tables were assigned. We disliked the experience and found that the flexibility and ease of NCL's Freestyle was a much better fit for us. (Plus it was the only way I could get my husband to agree to try another cruise!)

Last summer, my mother, sister, niece, and I cruised out of Boston to Canada on the Carnival Glory and had a fantastic time. The YTD was a huge part of our positive experience. We loved being able to eat whenever we wanted to, but best of all, we discovered that we could request the same wait staff each night. (A big cheer and shout out to Gusti, Wayan, and Martin who made each and every meal special and fun for all of us - especially my mom who had never cruised before. They were fantastic and always went above and beyond to accommodate us.)

One big reason we've stuck with NCL over the years is the Freestyle Dining. But having experienced Carnival's YTD option, I think that it is a wonderful balance between NCL's Freestyle and the traditional set time and assigned table my husband and I previously experienced on Carnival several years ago. The YTD is flexible, intimate, and personal. It is one big reason for me to consider cruising on Carnival again in the near future!

Put duct tape over the key holes and rolled towels under the door gaps - anyone who can "see" you then is totally invading your privacy (and working very hard at it)! Go for it, Mike!

Hi -

We were in aft-facing penthouse #9232 on the Dawn last week, and the divider to the wrap around area was open the entire time. (We were never quite sure if this was an accident or oversight, but we adopted a "don't ask, don't tell" policy and it remained open thoughout the cruise! :)) It's not a particularly large or practical space - you can't sit there, and chairs won't fit - but it made our balcony seem a little more spacious. We enjoyed the view from it, and took some pictures. It was a nice surprise, because we were expecting the divider to be closed and locked!