saltsandknit

if I had 2 comparable cruises I was choosing between, similar prices same itinerary I would probably book the ship with the Starbucks over the one without. So yes to me it makes a difference. My last cruise that had a Starbucks  I spent over 200$ just on coffee. It was before the premium plus package was intoduced. It would have been worth the money to upgrade

1 hour ago, MorganClark said:

 

Gotcha. You lucky sea dog that you don't get sea sick (I wish I had that "problem", lol). Yeah, Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list.

I’m lucky and surprised  I don’t get motion sickness my mom and sister struggle with it. A lot of sick people on the ship. That cruise.  Unfortunately it was just so boring. I like sea days usually and longer cruises. I didn’t much care for Princess either. 

I wasn’t sick. I don’t get sea sickness. It was so rough we couldn’t use the pool or some of the bars the first few days. Perhaps i would have enjoyed it more if there had been more to do. I loved Hawaii Maui in particular but next time I will fly and do a land vacation 

I have done a 15 day round trip Hawaii cruise on Princess and I would not do it again. We were caught in a storm going and it was rougher than skirting a tropical storm in the Caribbean. One evening we were asked to stay in our cabins except to go to dinner. I enjoyed the cruise after the first few days and I love sea days but 8 sea days more or less was too much even for me.

3 hours ago, trivimp said:

I hit platinum after my last cruise, thanks to the grandfathered system.  Oh boy, I was so looking forward to being able to get into the Platinum line & get the dinners & the laundry on my next cruise!! A couple weeks later, the world shut down 😞 

I hope you get to use it soon!

I don’t know about the Gem but on Bliss they had a Starbucks and a ship coffee bar that had espresso and that was Lavazza. The Pearl last March didn’t have Starbucks yet and I’m not sure where the Starbucks is on the Gem. I looked but I don’t remember but I would guess there is a ship bar that does espresso and maybe better regular coffee

I am booked in an inside on the Gem in September and on the Bliss in December my PCC didn’t say anything about it when we booked. 

I am 3 points from gold. I have had 4 cruises canceled 2 were long cruises so I would be platinum as well. I’m not worried about it as I will continue sail NCL regardless as well as a few other lines. I just love cruising 

6 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Hi, @coastcat. Do you know which coffee suppliers NCL and Celebrity use? I've seen menus before from O'Sheehan's showing they serve Lavazza (a brand I absolutely love), but I wonder if Starbucks took everything over. (I'm not a fan of Starbucks). Thank you in advance, and thanks to @JamieLogical for this great thread!

Unless something changed Starbucks coffee is only at the registered Starbucks locations, lavazza for dining rooms and Folgers for the buffet  and regular coffee stations. Having not sailed Celebrity I can’t answer to that. I drink a fair amount of coffee and spend a lot of time chatting with the baristas in the Starbucks on the ships

I was Silver when the loyalty program program changed with 28 points. I was demoted to bronze being 2 points short. It’s been a long journey back to silver I will be gold on my next cruise and thanks to triple points, platinum the cruise after that. I have 4 cruises booked on the 2 extra points promo from earlier this summer. 

Thanks for this. Celebrity is the next cruise line to try. I am pretty partial to NCL for most of the reasons you are as well.  My Husband does not enjoy formal nights. I really want an in depth comparison.

We have sailed in suites and we have gone back to insides. We spend almost no time in the room and very little time on a balcony when we have one. It only has value if you use it. I prefer to be out and about on the ship not spending time in a cabin. 

I  use T-mobile as well,  my oldest son and his family live in Canada and we travel to Mexico often,  my DH has to work and needs to talk to his employees, do payroll and purchasing. He has to have a phone that works where ever we travel.

Surprisingly the refunds were very quick 6 days for cruise deposits about 11 days for shore excursions. The cruise first certificate took about 2 weeks. 

When my initial Gem Cruise from the Dominican Republic was canceled all my shore excursions and upgrades were refunded to the card I purchased them on. I don't know about insurance I have never had to use it.

I have upgraded with Delta in the past. It depends on seat availability. We upgraded our flight March 2020. Who knows if things have changed

They always divide it between the first 2 guests on the reservation 

I got my phone to validate but my email still says pending. Both my husband and I are still at 83 % as well. 

unfortunately no one has an answer to this and everything keeps changing. I see no need to test if it is a 100% vaccinated cruise, but I am not the person in Charge. Give it 2 weeks and it could change again. I'm paying close attention I have a cruise in September and December.

I read on someones blog that 2 people had positive tests, they moved them to another room and retested gave them drinks and snacks and waited for the second test. Both were negative and able to sail. What I don't recall is if the second test was a different method.

I am interested in the differences or similarities in the dining venues. I know that taste and preference is subjective but I am curious.  We haven't sailed on Celebrity yet and I want to try it. Everyone told us Princess had better food than NCL and the was a big nope for me. The food was just okay on Princess and they had odd things on the menu and in the Buffet and not nearly enough vegetarian options. My DH would be interested in bars and do they have much dancing. I will be looking forward to your review.

currently Ireland has restricted the amount of cruise ships it will let dock. I don't know when it will be revised. I am guessing this is why.

I have a Feb PC cruise one of the ports is Costa Rica and they are not allowing any large ships. I expect my itinerary to chance if restrictions aren't loosened.

I did my online check in for my Sept Gem cruise and had to check a box that I would be fully vaccinated on my cruise. I don't know what will come of it but it is a good start. I am vaccinated and I have faith that NCL will sail 100% vaccinated cruises at least until the end of October as promised.

sometimes they will have a sale on laundry about midway through the cruise, it really depends on the ship just watch for it, you will get a flyer if it happens. I think on the Pearl it was $15 but one day only. There was never a sale on the Bliss

I am looking for a Bermuda cruse for 2023 and the prices are pretty high right now. I have time to wait it out to see if prices drop. Prices have gone up on my Gem and Bliss cruises for this year.