egurbi

Thanks for the replies.  I wonder if the "provisional waiver" that Bermuda granted on its TA moved things along today....

Would someone who is (hopefully) onboard, be kind enough to report the conditions at the NYC cruise terminal today for boarding the JOY to Bermuda?  Were there delays, long lines, etc?  Those of cruising in the next few weeks on the same itinerary are curious to know.  Thanks in advance for any details.

I am wondering the same thing. Does Bermuda actually issue a provisional waiver?  Or is the email confirming that you applied for the Bermuda TA enough to get you on the ship if they don't process the covid negative test quick enough?

Wondering current status of the Solarium Bistro for dinner and if there is a fee to dine at it. 

Thank you and have a wonderful cruise.

Thank you @Chrisdar1 for posting ihealth form.  Hopefully Bermuda will accept it.  Really appreciated.

Has anyone had any luck using an ihealth proctored test that was accepted by Bermuda?  There are some reports that the report generated only lists a qwerty code in the absence of lab name and physical address and Bermuda will not accept. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Thanks for all the replies. So it sounds like I can flag down a server to help with the proper billing.  Appreciate the comments.

So it would appear that i health proctored will not work for the current Bermuda protocols because it does not display lab name and physical address on the generated report.  Anyone with recent experience on the Pearl to the contrary?  Would someone be willing to post a copy of their ihealth report (redacting all sensitive and personal information) in the event they can confirm it does contain the lab and physical address information?

Thank you.

What are the differences, if any, in terms of spend you are entitled to at Food Republic when using a Platinum Dinner coupon versus an SDP credit?

Bonus points for how you inform them you want to use one or the other if all the ordering and billing is done via tablet. 

Thank you in advance.

And to let everyone one in on a secret menu item -- if you are eating at Cagneys on a ship that also has Moderno, ask your Cagneys waiter for a "taste" of the grilled pineapple from Moderno. Most will be happy to accommodate....

I grappled with this same issue last year on NCL when the fee was $75 per person.  Ultimately, I paid it because I wanted to cruise and I justified it in my own mind as an "enhanced" port fee.  YMMV.

I was in this suite 10 years ago. Nothing has ever come close.  Back then, the sun deck for the suite could have hosted a party for 400. I understand that they subsequently took some of that space away. But still a remarkable experience.  Any interlopers try to get in from the emergency exit that leads down to the sports courts? We chuckled dealing with those folks.

I may be misreading it, but the option to take a PCR test 4 days in advance of embarkation under the Bermuda Travel Authorization seems to only apply to unvaccinated guests under 12.  All others must take a supervised antigen test no more than 2 days in advance of embarkation, and for those of us stopping in Norfolk, take another one onboard before disembarking in Bermuda.

Am I reading that right?  NJHorseman was suggesting PCR 4 days before embarkation was an option for all but it doesn't seem to read that way.

You can also take the bus that stops at the clocktower at the Dockyard to access the first segment.  Just ask the bus driver to drop you off on the railway trail section. 

A wonderful way to spend part of a day.  I've hiked most of the available segments.  The trail has several segments, but they do not all connect unfortunately.  A delightful hike of a few segments that do connect is from just past the Aquarium to the caves area. Wonderful views of the coastline.  There's available information on google about these and the other segments but feel free to ask any questions you have and I'll try to answer them. 

We were on 16 starboard in the Haven 2 bedroom on the breakaway in October.  Not a huge difference at all.  If you mind walking the internal Haven stairs to get to lounge, courtyard, and dining room, stay on 16.  One nice feature of being on 15 is a private Haven pass through to the fitness center and spa through the haven area if you plan to spend a lot of time there, but that pass through also can be accessed down the flight of internal Haven stairs if you are on 16, so really a wash if you don't mind the stairs up or down.  

You will have a great time!  Enjoy.  

Thanks for all the helpful responses. 

Does anyone have information on whether the ferry from dockyard to St. George has or will return shortly? I was there in November and it wasn't running For a time, NCL was running its own ferry from Dockyard to St. George, but suspended that service, so any info on whether that also will be returning would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the responses.

Are points earned playing in the casino on NCL good for EITHER playing cash or redeeming for OBC credit, or both?   Some land based casino programs permit you to earn both freeplay and comp dollars that are kept in separate accounts, so I am wondering if NCL works that way.  In other words, if you use all your points to play on the slot machines, does this mean you will not have any points left to "redeem" for OBC?  Thanks for the responses.

As I noted, things are "heating up" on Day 2!

On 1/22/2022 at 1:16 PM, mking8288 said:

 

 

 

Be nice with the iCafe manager as s/he has discretions, usually, in giving credits & adjustments, once onboard to see whether the Platinum/Sapphire, etc. discounts can be added or stacked on top of other WiFi "deals" to max out the reduction in net costs, won't hurt to ask & check, use the App to check first as the lines to ask can be long at the lobby desk (but, sailings with reduced occupancy will definitely help) 

Alas, being nice doesn't work very well, at least on the Escape.   I was informed by the I Cafe Manager they would not "stack" a platinum tier discount on an upgrade from the free at sea promotion to an unlimited plan. This despite the face that when you actually do the upgrade yourself it reflects the Platinum discount in what you are going to be charged for the upgrade.  To be specific:

I upgraded from the free at sea 250 minutes to the basic unlimited wi fi plan on day 2. When doing it online, it reflected I would be charged $152 and change which reflects a 15 percent platinum discount from the retail  $179.94 charge ($29.99 times 6 days)..  It noted I would receive a $125 credit for my 250 minutes as well. Well, when the charge posted to my account, it was for $179.94 (I did receive the $125 credit for my 250 minute free at sea trade-in).  I was informed by the i-cafe manager that it was an "either/or" situation (which makes no sense, who would choose a $27 discount over a $125 credit and who would want both an unlimited plan AND a 250 minute plan in the same single account?)  

No amount of civil discussion worked -- i cafe manager conceded what I said wat accurate but said that  I was confused as to receiving "both" discounts (I don't see the 125 credit as a discount, but not worth arguing anymore, I'm on vacation).  Must have touched a nerve, however. Upon getting back to my stateroom, there was a message from Cruise Next desk reiterating no plat discount on upgrades using the free at sea promo, but they would let the home office know that there could be confusion when doing your own upgrade.  

It's $27 -- not a big deal -- but the fact that they charged me a price ($179) that differs from what I authorized online ($152) does stick a bit in my craw,. Caveat emptor.

I am on this cruise as well. Crew very happy we are here after 2 weeks with no pax.  Choir of Man and After Midnight are a go.  All ports a go as of now (Puerta Plata on Monday is the first one) Pax count is 1900 according to two crew I spoke with. 

Seas have calmed from last night as winds have died down and temperature is around 65 F, headed up!

It was recently reported to me that the on site parking garages at Port Canaveral will not receive cars until 945 AM.  I am on the NCL Escape this Saturday with a scheduled antigen test between 9 and 930.  I know I can simply be late for the test, but was wondering if someone could confirm the opening time of the garage there.  If 945 it is, are there off site parking alternatives that would run shuttles beginning at or before 9 AM to the port?   Right now, my imperfect survey of a few of them suggests their first shuttle is not until 1030. Thank you.

OP here.  I reached RCI customer service at the phone number given on the letter and asked them to cancel and refund. They said they would. I waited a day and no indication of cancellation.  Like Senator Elizabeth Warren, I "persisted" and after a six hour hold, I was able to reach the booking agent, who cancelled and said refund in 30 to 45 days.  Tough times for everyone.