lanceholt

We were on the Joy last year and loved it.  IF you can possibly afford the Haven it will make this cruise unforgettable!!  We saw the Beatles cover band and in our opinion it was awful....we left half way through it!!   I agree with Birdtravels as a transatlantic is the most relaxing cruise ever.  You should have in mind to bring reading material, puzzles, or if you knit/crochet/needlework/quilt that would be great too.  It was interesting to see what people brought to do onboard.  IF you have no amusements for yourself, you may find things boring though.

On 7/19/2023 at 6:30 PM, T BYRD said:

All is well in Bermuda 😎

One small rain squall at sea and another today on Island. 
 

The Ship is really amazing!

We have seen every square inch of her interior, except the Haven and Vibe. 

Our room attendant makes up our room twice a day… We are never there so I’ve only met him once. 

 

The family suite location is perfect!

I do miss having a balcony but our room is absolutely silent all night!!

Joana in the Observation lounge is far and away our favorite person on the Joy!

She is soo attentive, happy, and enthusiastic… love her 🤟🏼

We did receive the complimentary treats and cookies delivered to our room 😁

 

I’ve called the concierge “Patrick” a couple times, for a few different things, and he has been great as well. 
Got us in a sold out specialty dinner and the 18+ comedy show. 
 

As for negative comments posted by others… I don’t take that road. 
Although everything is not “perfect” My family and I feel blessed that we have worked hard and made it possible for us to be on this cruise and endulge in the ridiculous excess of this experience. 

There are soo many people that will never have the means to enjoy something like this with their families so we say thanks you and

“Don’t worry be happy” 🤗
 

 

Thank you for your positive travel attitude.....ours is likewise.  

Two bedroom suite would be great for you.....two bedrooms, two bathrooms and large living room.

My daughter and I were on a 15 dau transatlantic  the NCL Sun in the fall of 2011, on our way back to th e US.  The captain announced to the ship on the way to Ponta Delgada that we were facing a large hurricane, so large that we could not navigate around it, but would have to sail directly through it.  He reassured us in detail why the ship would be able to get through such a severe storm and why we would be safe even thought it would be rough.  People were concerned but calm.  I ran upstairs for some buffet dinner even though the   ship was rocking quite a bit, later I ventured down to the Atrium where I saw a lot of things cleared out and no one but the crew there.  It was rather eerie. We were able to see the humor in it and started singing and laughing....nothing else we could do.  We went to bed early, realizing that being our beds after taking Dramamine or whatever would be the best. Very noisy with things jumping on the tables etc, each time a big wave hit and the ship shuddered.  I woke up in the night to use the bathroom and on the way back, on my feet, a wave  hit and without realizing, i ended up on the floor with my feet in the air, and went back to bed.  The Captain told us later the storm would be over by 6am, but when we woke at 6, it was still rocking but not as bad.  We entered the harbor and there huge containers floating in the harbor that had been previously on the ship.  Trees and branches down all over.  We walked the streets of the little port town, some passengers took it in stride thanking heaven we made it through and some were enraged and blaming.   My husband who was at home, not on the cruise, told us the storm was force 11 and quite bad.  Years later I mentioned it to two Sun Officers and they quickly remembered that night and how bad it was.  No media, no one hysterical, everyone thankful that we made through that singular experience.  Yes the Captain could have been more reassuring and more confident and spoke more to the people on board, but once the storm hit its zenith, all officers had their hands full, ensuring we made it through.  An experience we never forgot and remember it to each other once in a while to this day.  I apologize for the long post and have advice to just count yourself lucky and settle down and remember the good times on this trip.  It wasn't the Titanic and you weren't in deathly danger....maybe you thought you were, but you made it.  Thank God.

We are on a British Isles cruise in September 2023....3 adults.  We prefer private transfers and will need two.....transfer from Windsor to Southampton and then 2 weeks later from Southampton to London Kensington.  We previously used Smiths for Airports but now out of business.  Looking for a dependable service so want recommendations, thanks!

13 hours ago, LaCal said:

I once asked our butler for peanut M&Ms and gummy bears as snacks and he said they don’t have them and never had 

 

I said that’s funny we had them a few years back….He wasn’t out best butler at all 

 

But others have been Excellent 

Our butler delivered peanut M&M's and gummy bears last week on the Joy....we didn't even ask for them!

We'll be on the NCL Joy next week and will be at the Portland ME cruise terminal......looking for a way to get to LL Bean in Freeport.  Hoping to get some advice.....NCL is not offering a shuttle or excursion there.

We'll be in Portland in early Sept on the NCL Joy and haven't seeen anything anywhere re shuttles etc from the Portland Pier to the LL Bean store.  Can anyone help???

12 hours ago, graphicguy said:

You aren’t missing anything.  It’s the YouTube guy ranting for a couple of hours about not being allowed in the Haven because he didn’t book a Haven Suite.  As such, he was mad at the Concierge (Adrian) for not letting him in.

 

Personally, if I were NCL, I would have permanently banned him from sailing with them.  

AGREE, they don't need people like that for sure!!

On 8/4/2022 at 10:53 AM, Nclgetawaymenhoney said:

Yes they were also on the Joy, in observation lounge at lunch time in May 2022

OH WOW.....now I am even more eager to go on our first Joy cruise!!

On 8/2/2022 at 12:53 PM, Imalismom said:

Has anyone had any problems with the concierge service not up to standards recently?

 

I have tried three different times to make reservations with our concierge to be told nothing was available - to go downstairs to guest services and booked what I wanted. 
 

Trying to figure out if it is just post covid changed standards or just the Getaway desk not up to standards.

I would speak with the General Manager should you run into him/her.  We had Armando on the Jewel to Alaska in April.  Saw him briefly when we embarked, not till 5 days later and he didn't remember our names.  We passed him on way off the ship and I didn't even recognize him and vice versa.  No tip for Armando.  We didn't complain as we had a fine time and saved the tip bucks....Armando missed out on $150 which would have been the tip should he have been good.  Daughter made all reservations and that was that.  All others were great except for half a cruse years ago.  

I have tried to get into ncl.com past my first page for 2 days and cannot do it....anyone else have a problem??

1 hour ago, lepidoptera said:

Not just America is sanctioning Russia, the EU has announced them as well, and I expect many more sanctions in the coming days. What the EU ends up with sanctions wise will be far more important for a Baltic’s cruise, since the other ports are EU countries. Yes it may all blow over soon, but I doubt that tensions have been raising since the fall. 

 

 I understand being disappointed and canceling, but St. Petersburg was already in jeopardy as a port for this season. Russia was still very closed to travel and their vaccines are not approved by WHO or the EU and Russia has not approved Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZenica.

 

It is completely reasonable for NCL, and all the other cruise lines, to say this is nail in the coffin for St. Petersburg for this year, and focus on figuring out what new itineraries, shore excursions they will offer. Besides having to figure out all the logistics, cruise lines also have to worry about public relations as well. In the eyes of the general public they still have a black eye from the start of the pandemic, people are still worried about traveling on cruises, cruise lines are correct to worry about the public’s reaction to them continuing with business as usual in Russia. 

St Petersburg was filled with thousands of Russians protesting the invasion of Ukraine today.  This is not going away anytime soon.  While St. Petersburg is wonderful....we were there 12 years ago and loved Talinn, Estonia as well but would not be going this year.....or until that part of the world is or can be at peace again.  It is a sad time for the world....and the last thing we should be is pouting because our cruises are changed.  Good grief.

We have used Smiths for Airports multiple times both from Heathrow and from Southampton.  Service is excellent and on time.....we always have them stop at a site we choose for 2-3 hours....there is an extra charge, but well worth it.  Last time we stopped at Stonehenge for 2 1/2 hours on our way to Heathrow from Southampton.....time before it was Windsor Castle and town on way to Southampton cruise departure.  We will be using them in 2023 both for stops on way to and from Southampton.  Check their reviews on Tripadvisor.

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

So very sorry to hear about your daughter and SIL. We have been on 3 post-restart cruises and always hold our breath when test results come in. And like @JamieLogical, we lay low (staying out of th market and any non-essential place) for the 2 weeks pre-cruise and have our N95 masks on when we are at work.

 

I am kinda surprised that if you were traveling with your daughter and SIL, that the cruise line allowed you to sail. Have they asked you to test onboard?

I am surprised too as we have relatives who have been exposed and have to quarantine for a period  of time after exposure even though testing neg....., traveling with two people who tested positive at destination sounds like exposed to me.  

14 hours ago, joeflow80 said:

Yup. At every stop we waited about an hour before heading to the dock. Figured it cuts down on the stress to not need to wait in lines. Bypassed the gondola line in ISP with the nature trail.

We like to do likewise, wait till the rush clears.  The whole idea is relax and enjoy.....

Thanks Bird for the detailed tour of the Escape first sailing to Alaska.  Excellently done and makes us ready even more for our return to Alaska in 2021!   Don't figure why so many people are so angry.....we all survived and are ready to go again!

6 hours ago, oteixeira said:

In Europe most ports are a drive or a train from the city they claim you are docking in (Rome is a great example).  Why should the cruise lines pay here when they never had to in Europe?  Seems like an odd demand you are making.

Agree....Rome and Florence require a 1 hour bus ride to get from port to city.  Barcelona was a fee to get from port into Columbus  statue.  We have been in both Ketchikan and Icy Strait.....don't mind paying for shuttle and if you don't want to cruise then don't .  We'll be in Alaska on NCL in spring of 2021 God willing.

2 hours ago, agrimm01 said:

We have One Plan Unlimited 55+.  We have never been overseas but are taking our first Greece cruise in October.  Here are the details on our plan.  Looks like it is Retired now but I don't plan on changing any time soon.                          https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/one-plan-unlimited-55-plus

 

I didn't realize that plan is retired now.....it's what we have and would never give it up!

We in the US aren't vaccinated enough to travel very much at all but people are doing it anyway.  I don't think the CDC or anyone else "has it in for the cruise industry" and is being cautious considering the deaths and disease this country has gone through.  Yes the planes are flying but I wouldn't go on one till spring 2022.  Just my own opinion and I am already fully vaccinated btw.  We have had two cruises cancelled in March  2020 and again in April 2021 btw and are biding our time till spring 2022 and hoping to cruise at that time.  

On 12/9/2020 at 8:15 PM, YankeeFan4Ever said:

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-is-looking-into-the-legality-of-vaccination-requirement?fbclid=IwAR1YaW3_zuKihZPpXp-7ma2MXTFhLoq2kDrAy0vcYp_i4hWecQWy51l-pUw

 

 

We're all for requiring proof of vaccination before boarding cruise ships....as long as the cruise lines ensures that  ALL crew are vaccinated as well.  

Just called my PCC and got a $400 reduction on our April 2022 Alaska cruise.  Not everything is going down and it pays to keep checking prices on booked cruises no matter how far ahead.

6 hours ago, roger001 said:

My opinion, it doesn't matter at all who did what to who.  It's the virus that is in control. And it continues to spiral out of control every time the restrictions are lifted, every time.  So until the vaccines are available in quantity to get this under control, you are not going to see any cruises operating, with an appearance of anything like we used to enjoy.  Basically, at the moment and into the unknown future, if you like cruising...and I sure do...you're screwed.  My opinion.  (And wishful thinking isn't going to change it).  

Thanks for saying this.  We love cruising too but will not cruise until we get vaccinated and the CDC requires all cruisers to be vaccinated as well as comply with things like masks, distancing, etc.  It will take most of 2021 to get large parts of the US population vaccinated no matter what anyone says.  PLUS, other countries have to let us port and debark, and our track record on Covid is not good.  

On 9/2/2020 at 4:26 PM, GA Dave said:

It is going to take a while from the time a vaccine is approved for most people who cruise to get it.  See the article linked below.  The plan being proposed is medical and first responders first, then nursing/retirement home residents and those rated as high risk, then teachers, school staff, essential workers, etc., then (finally) everyone else.

 

Who Will Be First In Line?

 Agree, and also, I don't think we have much of a plan for physical distribution, all the details ironed out as far as equipment and what is necessary to vaccinate, as well as the people qualified to give vaccines available....it doesn't stop when the vaccine is approved, it has to be administered.  Take this from a 73 year old woman who was recruited to run an autoclave in 4th grade to help with administration of polio vaccine and got Hepatitis B as a result.  Using a 10 year old was not a good outcome for distribution but it was all they had.

On 9/6/2020 at 9:08 AM, njhorseman said:

Anecdotal evidence is worthless for medical science research purposes.  You're the one making a political statement, not the FDA.

 

Agree completely.