DooBop

Hi Ken,   Thanks for sharing your wealth of experience.  I am trying to find your postings for your 2/8 Dawn cruise to the Caribbean and cannot figure out how to retrieve it. We are headed that way on the Jade in Feb and I am ready to get more serious about excursions. Reading thru your posts is most helpful. Thanks. Brian

3 hours ago, Busybeeva said:

Deck 4 all days. We met on deck 6, as you noted, for all of our private excursions. We did about half private and half NCL. 

Thanks for your feedback!  Any issues getting off the ship and making it on time to your non-NCL tours?

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

And we’re off! Next stop Dubai, UAE!!

 

 

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

And we’re off! Next stop Dubai, UAE!!

 

 

Thanks again Ken,  I don’t know about you but the trip has gone quickly:). Another question. I have seen in the daily “new” regular warnings not to take food items off or onto the ship. It would seem pretty normal to purchase spices, candy (dates), etc. while on tours. Are the staff being fussy about what you bring back on board?

You guys sure stay busy!  Looks like you have had nice weather pretty much the entire trip. Have the outdoor spaces been well used?  And how would you compare the two main dining rooms?  Alizar or Pacifica?  Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us. 

2 hours ago, bedfordmom said:

They used to have fill a bag partway through the cruise for 19.99 it’s probably more like 29,99 now maybe they will do that. 

I do remember someone on a similar cruise a couple of years ago reporting that they were surprised halfway through with the $19.99 offer which I would be happy with. It would be nice to know these things ahead of time tho.   Being at the “Bronze” level doesn’t buy much. Maybe next time. 
 

Looks like the cost to NCL to cruise the canal could be around $345k based on 2,500 possible berths and a larger ship would be over $500K. Definitely a “cost driver”:). 

9 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Sometimes CC spellchecker can really be annoying, especially when you notice the error(s) after the 15 minute editing time period has expired. 
 

We are going to Safaga, Egypt tomorrow morning to visit the Valley of the Kings and take a cruise on the Nile, not that other place spellchecker thinks we’re going. 😂

 

We knew:).  Happens to the best of us.  Canal shots are nice.  I seem to remember reading that it costs a cruise ship more than $500K to use the canal.  It would be interesting if you could find out how much NCL pays.  Also, for those of us without "special perks" do we have access to "free" laundry service? 

Hope you had a good excursion today. In hindsight the immigration assignments are clear enough:). How did that process go and what time was printed on your excursion paperwork?  

Hi Ken,  Thanks again for taking us along. Our cruise in February doesn't have much to offer in Israel and I am sure many are doing non-NCL excursions, many with Guided Tours Israel so we are keenly interested in your experience getting off the ship and your concerns.  I saw nothing in your posts that referenced floors (only groups). We look forward to your next reports. 

Hi Ken,   Nice photos (and nice weather). Thanks for sharing. Just want you to know we are out here cruising with you virtually. 

Here is another site I just came across that shows your itinerary, other ships in port and the weather forecast for each location. 
 

https://cruiseoutlook.com/future-position/norwegian_jade

Looking forward to tracking your adventure as we prepare for ours. 

Thanks for doing this Ken.  We are on the Dubai to Athens leg in February so we are very interested in  your experiences.  Many of the same ports.  I am really curious as to how big local currency issues might be.  In other words, when will we not be able to use US$.  I am also very interested in the debarking for excursions as, unlike you, I am a thrill seeker:) and have booked all private tours but one.  Stay healthy and happy trails!