goin-away

The Narrow Guage Railway is right off the pier.  Nice run right along the shore.

Portland Narrow Guage Railway

We parked once at the MCT and while the deck was full they just put us on the ramp between the different sections of the terminals.

1 hour ago, wcook said:

Just curious, if someone does a bid upgrade into the Haven, are they entitled to all the benefits of staying in the Haven? I know at least one line *cough*MSC*cough* allows you to bid for a room in their ship-within-a-ship, but doesn’t give you all the services. 

You get everything that comes with the room. You keep the perks from the original booking (free at sea). You don't get the extra points for booking a Haven cabin.

👋 See you there.

Sailing from New York for New Years Eve, won't warm up for day plus and will be cold on way back. Booked Spa cabin so we'll have a warm pool for the whole week.  

22 hours ago, FM said:

Can concierge really get you in early for a show and seated before the rest of the audience. Would be extremely helpful for those who have mobility issues and not to have to stand for a long period of time or battle the crowds to get a seat.  Thanks.

Last time we cruised in the Haven on the Escape you could meet with the Concierge in  the Haven lounge and they would take you down to the show and you would go right in. 

On 5/28/2019 at 10:34 AM, GA Dave said:

 

This may help the OP.  This is the dinner menu from the Getaway last fall.

 

We had the same on the Escape in December. They were testing out some specials in addition.

Been several years that I've noticed it. Tax is at the local rate on the price of the drink.

Nespresso on our December Escape cruise.

12 minutes ago, allyfrizzle said:

... Plus, as everyone knows, we never know what the flight NCL chooses will be. 

 

I called NCL and they informed me the change fee would be $200. 

So you did the air through NCL? In that case you should be fine since they are in charge of getting you there the whole way.

23 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

Not just a drink.  Have lunch there.  The Bailey's Bay Fish Sandwich is delicious  -- and pairs well with a Rum Swizzle.

Also the deck overlooks a rotary, always fun to watch the American drivers when they face the point of having to turn :)

2 hours ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

 

It is only the embarkation port, when in the US, and it is whatever that state has for a tax rate.  I think FLA is 8 or 9 percent.

It's any port that requires taxes to be collected. We sailed out of NYC and stopped in Port Canaveral. Paid tax on value of drinks in both ports. It's not a huge part of the bill.

Mixed area.  Cagney's, La Cucina, Bayamo, & Moderno all have outside sections on the Waterfront.  Cellars wine bar and 5 O'Clock bar are also out there.  There is also non-restaurant seating that you can use whenever you want.

News says that Park Service will keep many parks open but no facilities open. So good chance that Liberty Island in NY harbor will be closed like last time.

On 11/21/2018 at 12:48 PM, clover18 said:

Hey, quick question. When you went from aft balcony to owners suite last thanksgiving, how soon did they let you know you were upgraded? It would seem that holiday cruises fill up in the suite categories. We are facing this same situation over new years on the POA. Currently booked in an aft facing balcony - which we understand is best in balcony category (but it's still not big enough for us) and we have four pending bids in suite categories. All suites are currently showing up as sold out including on other vendor sites. But it's been that way for a while. Still our bids are pending. Thoughts? Thanks!!!

We were notified fairly early - 60-50 days out.  Our next cruise we only got the upgrade confirmation last Friday and we sail this Sunday, so 9 days out.

3 hours ago, FoodieRuth2 said:

I am booked on the 19-day Gem Panama Canal cruise from LA yo NY on 1/27-2/15 (guarantee inside cabin) 
Have not received, seen, or even heard of any upgrades for this sailing.  
Could it be that because the Gem is a smaller ship, it's already fully booked?  
Does the Gem even offer upgrade bids? Or is there still a chance?  
Anybody have any thoughts on this?
 

Thanks in advance for your input.

Foodie Ruth

 

The do it - we went from Aft Balcony to Owners Suite last Thanksgiving on the Gem.

Some TA's don't participate and I've also heard of some people who didn't get the email but it shows up on their MyNCL account.

We got approved Friday, for the 11/25 Escape 14 day from NYC. Went from Spa Mini to Spa Haven Suite for $580 each plus insurance cost.  Bid was middle of Poor when we made it, don't know where it was when accepted.  We're Platinum with NCL.

Last cruise was first with bids. Ours was accepted early, I found out when I went to MyNCL page to check excursions and saw that room had changed. 

we have a bid in for our Nov. 25 Escape and that's where I check now, since I can then just go to plan everything else.

9 minutes ago, PRgymnast said:

But does the page change from "pending" to "declined"?  I keep checking the offer details page and all of my bids still say "pending".  I am 30 days out though. 

30 Days out you are still live - so still pending.

The published time has some cushion - they have to get everyone from the prior cruise off before they let they new ones on. If all goes well they start boarding around 11.

We had an OS on the Gem last year. Snacks were the big thing for our butler. One nice touch was he also collected our duty free liquor for us so we avoided the line on the last night - came back from dinner and our boxes were there!

https://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=8216

Norwegian owns it but part of the deal was that it would be part of the local economy.

First and Last day to day and a half can be cold if you are sailing into/out of the Northeast. If it's nice they will still have an outdoor sailaway. Barring bad weather the decks are open and usable. If you are out in the wind, particularly at the start or end of the cruise you'll need at least a jacket. If it's chilly and the ship is doing 20 knots that gets chilly to be in the breeze.

Does anyone know if the bidding inventory changes through the 80 day window? Was hoping to bid on an aft balcony as there are several unsold, but only given haven options and mini suite. Thank you!!

What category do you have now? You can only bid two levels above yours, so if all it's allowing is Haven and Mini-Suite then presumably you are in a Balcony.

If so the only way to get the Aft Balcony is to book it directly or have NCL move you into it for their own reasons. Option one is the more likely one :)

We did an NCL excursion last fall in the Gem. Catamaran to the Railway and then Railway back to port. Enjoyed it a lot.