happytotravel

Hello All,

I just booked a b2b on the Volendam for June 01 and June 08, 2024 and booked cabin 2645 for both legs as 2619 wasn't available.  Thank you for helping me decide.  I've used that type of cabin before and liked it very much.

This will be my first HAL cruise as I have always done NCL before but didn't want the hassle of flying etc. so I checked what cruises left from Montreal and was happy to see HAL did.  Have also been an avid user of CC and all its great information!

Have watched a "walk through" youtube video on the Volendam and it looks like I will enjoy it very much.

Enjoy planning your next cruise as much as I will.

happytotravel

3 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

The NCL press release this will be on all 19 ships, up from the current 9 

Sorry if I wasn't clear.  I meant to say the ships that do not have a solo lounge already will not have one but will have the new "solo" cabins.

happytotravel

Hi All,

Forgive me if someone has already stated this this morning but Cruise Radio website states that ships with the solo lounge already available will the only ones offering that perk.

Don't know what perk NCL will offer for the other ships.

Enjoy planning your next cruise.

happytotravel

Had you had travel insurance your problem would be less of a problem.

Why no insurance?  Everyone should have travel insurance no matter what age.  You never know what will happen while on the cruise.  What would happen if your aunt got ill while onboard rather than at home.  Lots of money out of your pocket.

Just some thoughts for your next cruise. 

Take care, happytotravel

Hi,

Which ever one you choose it is very interesting to see some of the behind the scenes of a ship.

The majority of people have no idea want goes on or how really hard the "behind the scene" crew work.  If you have never done a tour taking the paid one would be good to see the bridge and engine.  Something I believe worth seeing.

Enjoy your cruise, happytotravek

HI,

I've seen that as well at a Miami hotel.  Also on the Joy in June but you can ask for milk and the waiter will gladly bring it.   At the buffet there was milk and half/half in the tanks.

Enjoy life, happytotravel

Hi All,

Just an update on my request for reimbursement of charges for not returning my key card at the Comfort Inn in Miami. Today I received a credit for my two separate stays. 

In the future I will return my card.

happytotravel

On 7/6/2023 at 3:53 PM, latebuyer said:

Thanks both. I do find the thread on missed ports very concerning. Really i consider it 3 ports as i’m not that interested in stirrup cay. Good to know they are pushy in puerta plata. May be best to take a ship excursion there.

HI,

My cruise was in June on the Sky and I took the Sustainable Dominican Coffee excursion in the Dominican Republic and found it really interesting and fun. We even had a chance to do some coffee bean planting. A typical DR Lunch was prepared for us there as well.  Our bus tour guide was absolutely fantastic.  Wish I could remember his name.

Enjoy whatever you decide to do.

happytotravel

On 6/21/2023 at 9:50 AM, Reina del Mar said:

Always ask for a zero balance paper receipt when checking out of any hotel. Hand in keys at the same time.

 

$2 doesn’t sound excessive but on first reading I thought it said $20 which would be another story !

Hi,

I know $2.00 x 2 isn't the end of the world but I prefer it in my pocket than the hotel's.  If I can get reimbursed I'll be happy and if not at least I tried.  But in the future I will drop off my key/card at the desk.  

I stayed at a Comfort Inn in Dorval, Quebec in September 2022 and there was no charge for not dropping off the key. So, is this something in the US only?

Thank you all for your responses, happytotravel

Thanks for your replies.  In the future I will know to turn in my key/cards.  I am usually more observant when it comes to bills but the first time I was trying to get to the cruise port and the 2nd time to the airport.  No excuse but that's what happened.

I will let you know if Choice Hotels reimburses me.

Take care, happytotravel

Hi,

My bill during 2 recent stays at the Comfort Inn Miami International Airport showed a charge of $2.00 each time for the hotel key because I didn't turn it in.  The front desk made no mention of this charge.  I didn't notice this until I got home.

I've never encountered this before.  I've contacted Choice Hotels for a refund and they are looking into it.

Have you noticed this at other hotels?

happytotravel

I remember tea time with music on the SS Norway so many moons ago.  I'm afraid those days are long gone except maybe on the more luxury cruise lines.

But, cruising with NCL is still wonderful.  I just finished a cruise on the Norwegian Sky on Thursday and enjoyed it very much.

Blessings, happytotravel

Hi,

On the Canadian site I can see the port charges etc. when starting to check out what cruises are available.  Just under where it says view cruise.  Hard to see on this screenshot but it's there.

happytotravel

2 hours ago, fredflint said:

If you print them as a PDF and then email them you should have them anyplace you can get an email.

Thank you, that's what I just did and I now have the files both on my smartphone and notebook.

I didn't realize I could click on print and then save as a pdf.  Learn something every day!

Again thanks,

happytotravel

Thank you for answering.  I checked Google drive and files and there is nothing there.

Another thought has come to me, maybe these documents are never really downloaded but are only available when on the app or the website.  I don't see that they downloaded anywhere on my computer either.

On the app it says "print this boarding pass or display on mobile device".  So I'm assuming it's not downloading onto the device.  Anyway, I have it both printed out and able to display on my smartphone.  I really prefer having printouts

Again thank you,

happytotravel

Hi,

I've downloaded and printed my edocs from my notebook computer.  I've also downloaded my edocs in my NCL app.  I do see them in the app but am wondering where they are on my android smartphone.  After I leave the app I don't find them under documents.

Thanks,  happytotravel

1 hour ago, genealogyfan said:

I do remember reading another review that the free (latitude reward) behind the scenes tour is different, less stops and not as long. Maybe that's why it's not available to reserve ahead of time. Maybe it would be hard to figure out who reserved what tour ahead of time.

Hi,

What will they think of next?  I've done many ship tours in the past and find them fun to do.  I think the only folks who might pay are 1st time cruisers or someone who has never done it before.  Anyone else who has a Lat reward for it will just do the free tour.  The free tour is fine with me.

But, I don't see why they couldn't handle the two different tours online.

At any rate,  I will enjoy my cruise at the end of the month.

Take care, happytotravel

Hi,

Being Sapphire this tour should be free but I am not able to book it online at 0 price.  I phoned NCL this morning and they suggested I phone my PCC for assistance as they should a fee only.  I left a message as he doesn't work on Sundays.

I do find it unfair that those of us, at least it seems, with Lat reward cannot book online and those willing to pay can.  Anyway, let you know what turns out after speaking to my PCC.

Take care, happytotravel

Hi,

I agree book now if you have found something you like.  There is no guarantee that prices will go down.  I booked my Caribbean cruise in November for this May at a super good  price with various promotions and now the price has tripled.

Enjoy whichever cruise you decide on.

happytotravel

Hi,

I don't see that whether I look at the Canadian NCL site or the US site.  When I look at  either I still see prices per person.  What international site are you looking at?

Have a good day,

happytotravel

Go for it!   I've done it in the past and loved it very much.  Great way to really relax without having to get off the ship every day or two.

Happytotravel

Thank you Belchro22,

I'm on the Sky in late May and am looking forward to sailing on a smaller ship.  It's a bit more like the earlier years in the 90's when I first sailed. There were always jokes about the size of the cabin and especially the bathroom!

I sailed on the Joy in September, (loved my balcony cabin), t the ship itself was just too big with too many attractions that didn't interest me at all.  I'm sure younger folks would disagree but that's the reason there are many different choices in ships.

Again thanks,

happytotravel

Thanks, Peachypooh,

The HoHo is only costing me $22.00 Canadian since I have two discounts so it's pretty cheap and I have only one suitcase.  I travel only with a carryon now since the craziness with luggage started at airports.    I did that the last cruise (9 days) by rolling my clothes.  Yes, it is possible and no wrinkles!

Take care and enjoy your next cruise,

happytotravel

Hi,

I'm on the SKY in May and will be taking this tour after disembarking.  I plan on taking the tour without getting off at any stops.  I've read this takes 2 1/2 hours.  There will be a shuttle afterwards to go to Miami airport.  I've read somewhere that it leaves at 3 PM.  Does anyone have any experience with that.

Thanks, happytotravel

Hi,

I too am wondering about this excursion.  I am kind of doing the same thing but disembarking in Miami.  I plan on taking the HO HO all the way around and not get off at any stops.  It ends at Bayside Market where a shuttle takes me to Miami airport.  I have read that the shuttle doesn't leave Bayside until 3 PM.  Is that true?

I will be taking the free hotel shuttle from the airport afterwards s I'm staying overnight as well.

happytotravel