Norwayfan1

Yes, we really like them and it is good to hear that at least some ships are retaining the tradition. We were on Iona a couple of years ago and we asked a member of staff from the Future Cruises Desk whether Iona and Arvia would ever hold those quizzes in future. The lady looked at us as if we were mad, and (rather snootily) said: "Oh no. P&O are not aiming to attract THAT type of passenger any more. That's for the older people." It made us feel absolutely ancient!!! ☹️

Many thanks for the fast response. Much appreciated.

Is the evening syndicate quiz still held on Ventura, and if so, which venue is used? Thank you!🙂

The asylum seekers being moved to this barge have been in the UK for many months and it is reported that they are well into their asylum claims. They are therefore reasonably well known to the UK authorities and are approaching decision time. Apparently they will undergo 'suitability screening' before being moved to this barge. The purpose of leaving the barge and going into the nearby town is mainly to take part in approved activities. Any asylum seeker in the latter stages of an application that they hope will be successful would be very well advised not to go around harassing cruise passengers and making trouble. Clearly there is plenty of debate about the broader rights and wrongs of housing asylum seekers in that type of facility and at that particular location, but it may well be some time before we find out whether fears of the local area being overwhelmed are well founded, and I think that cancelling cruise stops sounds premature to me. Will cruise lines cancel cruise stops to Naples? My hairdresser was recently robbed at gunpoint while on holiday there.

We recently sailed on Ambition. We booked a very late cheap fare and had the option to request the dining arrangements but tables for two were not given as an option, maybe because we did not pay a premium fare (?). We requested a table for 6, first sitting and were put on a table for 4, second sitting. We didn't bother asking if we could change. There were certainly some tables for two but we were probably way down the pecking order!

We sailed recently on Ambition and visited Saffron, the Asian speciality restaurant. We very much enjoyed it. The menu choice was not extensive, but we found the food delicious and there was plenty of it. The service was attentive and friendly. The cover charge was £16.90 for a three-course meal. The starter (a mixed sharing platter) was fixed, as was the dessert (with, I think, three or four little dishes). There were a few main courses: butter chicken, lamb rogan, a mixed thali with samples of several dishes, and a vegetarian option and a fish option, which I can't recall. We would definitely go again. Saffron was open every evening during our cruise. There was a second restaurant, Lupino's, which offered Mediterranean fare. We meant to try it, but didn't get round to it. On our 12-night cruise it was open for only four nights, which were publicised in advance. It was situated in a semi-outdoor area but we noticed there were powerful heaters that could be switched on, if it got chilly. The price was, I think, £14.90.

I posted the information below in another thread and am re-posting it here in case it is helpful to you... Curiosity got the better of me, and as I have an interest in the round Ireland cruises I contacted the Harbourmaster of Dun Laoghaire. The reply I got is as follows... I can only speak for Dun Laoghaire, a decision was made not to facilitate cruise ships on tender calls during winter months from next year, due to safety concerns and the likelihood of calls being cancelled due to bad weather, high winds and rough seas experienced in these parts, at that time of year. Normally for the European winter months, cruise ships re-locate to the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Dun Laoghaire has calls into October this year, breaking for winter and recommencing in April next year. Following on from next year the cruise season in Dun Laoghaire will be April to October. Note the text I placed in bold type... the response did not refer to a change for the whole of Ireland, and so it may be that the decision related to Dun Laoghaire only and other ports potentially would make a different decision. That, I cannot say.

See post 76 on this thread.

I read a while ago that the number of cruise ships currently able to dock in Dublin is severely limited because Dublin needs more space for cargo operations... and that there are plans to increase cruise ship capacity again longer term. Assuming that is still the plan being followed, Dun Laoghaire will presumably still be on many itineraries when berths in Dublin remain limited. I agree the big attraction of those NCL cruises is the rare opportunity to visit the west coast of Ireland.

Yes, I'd prefer that. On our cruise, the first port was an afternoon arrival in Dunmore East. Understandably many people were very anxious to get off, so that they could try to get to Waterford, so I can understand there would be a scramble for tickets. We weren't going to Waterford and were in no real hurry and it was two or three hours before they called our tender group, but we didn't mind. Not surprisingly, for later ports many passengers probably felt they had to queue earlier for their tender tickets, which led to substantial queues forming through Reception even by 8pm for the 9pm distribution. Many ended up with early tender groups than they actually wanted. On one day, we were given tender group 11, only to find that we were being called before 7.30am. In practice, many of those who queued the previous night and were in the tickets line ahead of us, had no wish to get off at 7am and were probably still in bed or having their breakfast!

Maybe it depends on itinerary, but all I can say is that over many years I have only ever experienced the distribution of tender tickets on the day, and that has generally worked pretty well. I accept there has to be a queue somewhere and at some time, but I just didn't like having to stand in line so that I then missed half of a production show in the theatre.

That's a real shame. We had 5 tenders on our Norwegian Star Ireland cruise a few weeks ago and fortunately the weather was very good and they all went ahead. I did find the allocation of tender tickets shambolic, though. For those without priority status, this involved joining a massive queue stretching all the way through reception, the night before each port, for tickets to be doled out at 9pm when most people would have liked to have been watching a show or dining. I guess that's freestyle cruising for you!

See my post, number 78, if you missed it. The Harbourmaster confirmed that calls to Dun Laoghaire were still scheduled into October this year. You could contact the other port authorities on your cruise, to see if they still have those destinations scheduled. I know you shouldn't have to, but best not to rely on NCL! 😬

Curiosity got the better of me, and as I have an interest in the round Ireland cruises I contacted the Harbourmaster of Dun Laoghaire. The reply I got is as follows... I can only speak for Dun Laoghaire, a decision was made not to facilitate cruise ships on tender calls during winter months from next year, due to safety concerns and the likelihood of calls being cancelled due to bad weather, high winds and rough seas experienced in these parts, at that time of year. Normally for the European winter months, cruise ships re-locate to the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Dun Laoghaire has calls into October this year, breaking for winter and recommencing in April next year. Following on from next year the cruise season in Dun Laoghaire will be April to October. Note the text I placed in bold type... the response did not refer to a change for the whole of Ireland, and so it may be that the decision related to Dun Laoghaire only and other ports potentially would make a different decision. That, I cannot say.

I think NCL passengers are going to need a few stiff drinks after all this. Let's hope those new ports don't have any recently introduced law changes, forbidding NCL from serving alcohol... 😬

Yes, there are National Express buses from Southampton to London Victoria. Journey about 2.5 hours. I'd book in advance though, as services can get very busy.

If you have a particular attraction you want to see, it might be better to get transport direct to another part of the city, than to get off near Las Ramblas. Last time I was in Barcelona, P&O were running charged-for shuttles. I think a lot of passengers didn't know about the port bus. There were plenty of taxis too. I might be misremembering but I think there were signs in place, publishing typical fares to main attractions.

We were in Barcelona a few weeks ago when Norwegian Star was in the next berth but I can't recall whether passengers were lining up for a cruise line shuttle as we walked past the ship. Cruise lines do normally like to run a shuttle as another overpriced money-making opportunity though! Last visit we spent a day in the Montjuic area up on the hill, which has so much to see. Anyone going there would definitely be better off walking, given its location relative to the cruise berths.

You might want to consider the local port shuttle (the T3 port bus), which is almost certainly cheaper than the cruise company's own shuttles. I think it is 3 euros one way or 4.5 euros return. Drop off is the World Trade Centre, close to Las Ramblas. The bus takes cash or you can pay online with a card, I think. Last time we were in Barcelona we just walked into the city (a bit of a trek but it's OK if reasonably fit!)

Best to be very nice to them. Who knows what nasty cleaning fluids they could slip into the drinks! ☠️

I have half an unused coffee card too - I was going to chuck mine out, as charm never works for me! Pretty sure the cards have been ditched entirely though. We have a lot of mini-bottles of brandy etc at home too - usually used for home baking. We have had very few drinks packages - only when included in the fare (eg Marella), and once on Princess when we had some 'use it or lose it' OBC. I liked the Princess package as it included gratuities and unlimited internet and it had a good drinks selection but then they jacked up the price significantly so the value is different now. NCL's Free at Sea . I think it was you who said elsewhere that you value the shore excursion credit and the limited internet minutes at £0 and I agree. We did enjoy the meal in Moderno and got some value from the drinks but had we not been travelling with a family group who liked the idea of sunny sailaways, cocktails etc we might have just skipped it.

I used to like the coffee cards Princess used to do. You got X number of premium coffees and teas to have when you wanted them (can't remember how many) and also unlimited but better quality regular coffees from the International Cafe. It was also possible to swap the minibar contents for a couple of coffee cards if you were a certain level in the loyalty programme, and you didn't want the minibar stuff.

Maybe NCL like to create a sense of excitement and uncertainty in their passengers prior to sailing! 😁

That applies to anything. It's no excuse for not telling people. If the information were in the T&Cs (even in quite small type!) I personally would have little sympathy with the complainers. Buyer beware, and all that.

I know passengers use social media to share advice and opinions on cruise lines and cruise ships, but it is bonkers that they now seem to have to use social media to find out something as basic as whether they will be able to buy a drink on a forthcoming cruise. NCL know they will not be serving drinks in Greece, except to passengers with drinks packages. Apparently this has been the case for a while. So for God's sake just put it in the T&Cs somewhere - assuming it isn't already - for everyone to see. Some people won't care... and those that do care, can use that information as they see fit. Guest Services would also have something concrete to show passengers who complain on board. It's not hard.