Tagsalong

20 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Coco cay is at the same latitude as great abaco, and great abaco is predicted to take a direct hit.

The eye is now over Marsh Harbour and Elbow Cay.  Coco Cay is 71 miles (115 KM) to the south and will be spared the worst of it.

Marsh Harbour  26.5242° N, 77.0910° W

Coco Cay  25.8179° N, 77.9389° W

 Effective 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) set port condition Whiskey for Port Canaveral terminals and facilities due to the expectation of sustained gale force winds generated by Hurricane Dorian that may arrive within 72 hours.

These ports and facilities are currently open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue while Whiskey remains in effect.

Sustained winds between 39 and 54 mph are possible within 72 hours. Mariners are reminded there are no safe havens in these facilities, and ports are safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. All ocean-going commercial vessels and ocean-going barges greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port.

Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the COTP to receive permission and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing. Vessels bound for Port Canaveral unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.

Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Drawbridges may not be operating if sustained winds reach 25 mph or when an evacuation is in progress. Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the expected conditions. Mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard’s Homeport site.

If and when port condition Yankee is set, meaning sustained gale force winds are expected within 24 hours, vessel movement shall be restricted, and all movements must be approved by the captain of the port.

We have been invited to "The Captain's Table" tonight, hosted by the HD.  We're on the Mariner of the Seas.

The apparent (4 nighter) dates that will be affected will be:   (based on dates that can not be booked at this time on Cruising Power)  There are several dates in 2021 also.

nov 04 2019   jan 20 2020   feb17 2020   mar 09 2020   apr 06 2020

may 04 2020   may 11 2020   aug 03 2020   aug 10 2020

aug17 2020   aug 31 2020   sep 14 2020   sep 28 2020

oct 12 2020   oct 19 2020   nov 02 2020   nov 09 2020

nov 23 2020   dec 07 2020   dec 14 2020   dec 28 2020

We cruised on the Sun in June and did not get it added to our history nor the points for over three weeks.  Called Norwegian and the rep added the points and updated history while on the phone. 

10 minutes ago, CruisingNole said:

The open bar is the only thing that made those Sun cruises even worth considering IMO. I've grabbed a few last minute weekend 3 nighters for $300 - $350 pp at sailaway rate (comes out to about $850 - $900 per cabin after the inflated taxes and "fees" and TA OBC) and even then do I barely consider that to be worth the money considering on top of that, the DSC is $20.50pp/pd. That puts you at $1,000+ for a 3 night trip to Nassau and GSC with no sea days in an interior GTY.  Sun is a nice, older refurbished ship, but there are better options out there. The open bar available at sailaway rate set the Sun apart from the competition.  With RC's new and improved Mariner of the Seas at Port Canaveral, I don't know how NCL thinks they are going to compete. 

I agree.  A few weeks ago we (2 of us) got on the Sun four nighter for under $600 because of the Cuba fiasco.  The Mariner of the Seas was way higher.  We are booked on the Mariner in late August for a reasonable price and then the Sun for 10 nights in September at a good price with the free drinks.  After that the Sun will be less attractive unless prices drop significantly.

Our recent Sun booking was the first time on that ship and we liked everything about her, including being so close to home.  However, the price must be right to get us back after the September cruises.

20 minutes ago, 4774Papa said:

The open bar was never FREE.   Prices were inflated and the ridiculous 20% gratuity on overvalued amount of $99 per day.

Actually the open bar was $5.00 per day.  The daily gratuities added to your account were $20.50 pp versus $15.50 pp per day on ships without the open bar.  From now on (as of July 7) the gratuity add-on at time of booking will be 20% if you choose the drink package.  Still don't know what gratuity we will have to pay (if any) on our Sept 2 and Sept 7 cruises.

2 hours ago, Tagsalong said:

As the e-mail states (which we got after booking the July 7 five nighter on the Sun) we will get the premium beverage package loaded onto our seapass cards.  And yes, with this program, the bartenders \ servers will have to ring in every drink order and pass out the receipts to the guests.  This will certainly have an impact on service at the busy bars - like the pool bar on embarkation day when there are guests in five lines, ten deep, waiting to get a drink!

Sorry, after booking the Sept. 7th cruise.  I had the July 7 change date on my mind.

45 minutes ago, bobsfamily said:

The wonderful part of the "open bar" on Sun/Sky was no card needed... you just ordered and walked away with a drink. No swiping, no checking if you have the package. 

As the e-mail states (which we got after booking the July 7 five nighter on the Sun) we will get the premium beverage package loaded onto our seapass cards.  And yes, with this program, the bartenders \ servers will have to ring in every drink order and pass out the receipts to the guests.  This will certainly have an impact on service at the busy bars - like the pool bar on embarkation day when there are guests in five lines, ten deep, waiting to get a drink!

6 hours ago, moesyk4 said:

 

I think their question is for those already booked...will the open bar carryover for those that are booked before July 7th be open to all guests as it would've been before the "Free Open Bar" concept was removed or will it carryover as their promotional offer does with it only been for 1st and 2nd guest? This would be a make or break for us because we have 3 adults.

????  Best to call Norwegian.  The reps seem to have a written statement, re change, at their desks now. 

4 minutes ago, bobsfamily said:

Did you mean Sky instead of Star?

Yes

but I looked into the Sky and saw Stars!  metaphorically

22 minutes ago, mushroom said:

How will this new policy impact the third person in a stateroom?

Exactly like it has on any of the other 15 ships.  From now on, with the Sun and Star, you will have to either buy the drink package or chose a cabin category that lets you chose one of the five freebies (Free at Sea program), or all of them, or something in-between. This is how it has been for a long time on the other ships.

It's now becoming more "official".

A Ft Lauderdale Norwegian employee called me today to see if we were going to book the September 2 Cruise on the Sun that we had on-hold.  During the conversation I asked him if the Open Bar on the Sun and Sky would be eliminated.  He said that he had in writing  that any bookings made after July 7 - for sailings on or after September 2 - would no longer include the open bar.

Also, we got an e-mail from Norwegian regarding our September 7 booking.

It stated: 

Thank you for choosing to sail with Norwegian Cruise Line.

In an effort to have consistency across the fleet, beginning September 7, 2019, the Free Open Bar offering on Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky cruises will no longer be available. Guests may continue to enjoy unlimited open bar as well as other value-added offers through the brand's Free at Sea program.

Guests who booked a cruise which included Free Open Bar will still be able to enjoy free unlimited beverages with the Premium Beverage Package at no additional cost. This will be automatically applied to your reservation. Norwegian Cruise Line's Premium Beverage Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 USD as well as unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and on our private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

Guests with bookings that already include the Premium Plus Beverage Package remain unchanged.
 

3 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

 Great idea to tell your secret on a public forum!   And to let us know that you persuaded a staff to go against the rules. 

 

 I am suspecting that others who sail on Empress do not expect staff to go against the policy, and appear to be satisfied with the three drinks.    We are. 

 

M

You obviously do not get sarcasm and you like to chastise.  Sorry to find that out about you.  So sad.  By the way, I do not persuade a staff - they chose what, and are in control of what, they want to do and do not want to do.

2 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Not sure if this has been posted BUT, Empress has no lounge of any kind. They also do not hold any type of evening event for diamond and up. Therefore, those who sail  Empress and want a soda or cocktail (or 3) simply use one of the three daily  vouchers provided.

 

 I have not  heard from any of those who sail  empress that the 3 vouchers were not sufficient. Further, there is no dedicated space for those who say they want a lounge to meet other cruisers.   

 

Just sayin....,

m

When we were on the Empress I talked to the HD and he said Miami told him that, under no circumstance, would he be allowed to set up a Diamond Event like the one on the Majesty.  However, and this must remain a secret between us, the Schooner Bar did not swipe my card after the first night and I could drink as many as I wanted - this, of course, being quite unofficial.  I will never tell the grease I use to apply to the wheel.

MSC Cruises crew member rescued a woman after she went overboard from the cruise ship MSC Seaview while the vessel was docked at the port of Genoa, Italy. The incident happen on Monday, June 17, 2019, at around 10 pm when a 43-year-old Irish woman jumped from one of the decks into the sea after a fight with her husband. 

https://crew-center.com/msc-crew-member-rescues-passenger-after-jumping-cruise-ship

You know, I just did a search and the only source of this announcement has been CruiseRadio dot net.  Why has it not been shown on Norwegian's web site or on Cruise Critic (other than this thread)??!!!

I heard it from the CruiseNext consultant on the Sun last week when at his desk to book a September cruise.  But later the next day asked the Hotel Director (now called General Manager) and he had not heard of any such change to the program.

Something strange going on here.

1 hour ago, emdia43 said:

They still have them on the website for sale. I am looking at Oct 15. Free open bar is what they show....

 

Per this link posted in another thread - https://cruiseradio.net/norwegian-cruise-line-stops-open-bar-on-two-ships/

Norwegian said in a statement, “Any guests sailing on Norwegian Sun and Sky after September 7, 2019 who booked a cruise which included Free Open Bar at time of purchase, will still be able to enjoy the unlimited open bar.”

Guests sailing the two ships may continue to enjoy unlimited open bar as well as complimentary specialty dining, shore excursion credits, free WiFi, the option to have friends and family sail free, and free or reduced airfare, through the brand’s ongoing Free at Sea program.

I have not seen the statement directly from Norwegian.   And I also see the Free Drinks showing on their bookings beyond Sept 7.  Not sure how this is going to play out but we booked the Sun for Sept 7 the day before the announcement and will book Sept 2, since the price just went down, today.  We get cheapest guarantee insides and expect to get the free drinks while having to pay $20.50 pppd gratuities instead of the normal $15.

However, it seems that their announcement says that any bookings made on, or after, yesterday, September 21, will not include free drinks regardless of what is showing on the booking web page.  The higher category, more expensive, cabins will allow for choosing the drink package via the "Free at Sea" Program.  But then you also have to pay the 18% gratuity up front and will only have $15 pppd daily gratuity.

I guess it is possible that they will honor the "Free at Sea" if it is still showing on the October booking page when you do your booking.  But I personally doubt it.  It's all rather confusing and speculative at this moment.

On the Sun this week.  Was told by the CruiseNext Consultant last night that NCL will be discontinuing the "Free Open Bar" on the Sun and Sky starting with sailings in September.  Also said the other cruise companies that offer the drinks included cruises (ie Royal Caribbean et al) will be doing likewise.  A Guest Services Rep. said he knew the change would be coming, but had not heard of a specific date.

26 minutes ago, Granny DI said:

Received an email today advertising Bahama Cruises for $169 pp. The cruises are on the NCL Sun.

We just booked the Sun at this price for June 17.  The June 10 price was the same but we had other commitments for next week.  Not sure if this was a Cuba cruise originally, but the price is good for a short summer time getaway.  The Sky also has 4 nighters out of Miami for this price in June.  The 3 nighters on both are way more expensive,  I assume because they were not Cuban cruises and they are not getting cancellations.

6 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Huge gates with guards keep you from walking down to the other end now.  Would have to take your word for it, since we can't get down there now to see if anything natural is still alive.  All looked pretty tore up when we checked it out with the binoculars from the top deck of the ship.  😮 

How sad.  Was looking forward to my walk to the far end when we visit in August via Mariner of the Seas.  

Yes, but about five years ago and not since.  I usually walk the nature trail and Mama Peacock, Papa and six chicks were also on the trail.  Papa would not let me near the family and I had to wait until they headed back into the brush.  Unfortunately I did not have a camera with me.

OP please note their response "Please speak to Guest Services once on board as they may have some last minute cancellations or no shows and may be able to allocate the cabin you require."

I mention this because of an event that happened to us a couple of years ago.  We booked a specific inside cabin but the ship's Guest Services Manager promised our cabin to a B2B customer so we got moved to a different location on the ship.  We complained to GS and Corporate (via phone call at GS desk) to no avail.  The GS manager said they could do nothing until that evening (embarkation day) when they determined who did not show up for the cruise.  To our surprise, 18 seapass cards were brought on board from the terminal when the doors were closed.  These were the no-shows.  It took until 8:00pm before they were able to give us an upgraded cabin - a balcony - because they had to  try to contact all the no-shows to see if they would meet up with the ship at one of the Ports-of-Calls.

So I strongly suggest going to Guest Services as soon as you board, show them the document(s) and ask for a OV, or better, cabin.  Your choice, of course, to accept assigned inside or fight for your desired category.

We are doing 28 days (nights) on Seaside in January, booked as two 14 days, and are wondering if we must go to Muster all four times or just once.  On Princess we are not required to go to Muster at each return to PE Florida when doing several B2Bs, just the first Embarkation one. 

Yes, Publix and Walgreens just one mile away.  Go out to Channelside drive, turn left and walk past aquarium,  arena, over bridge and you're at Publix - straight shot, no turns.  Two more blocks and there's WG.  Walked there many times between our B2Bs on Rhapsody to pick up snacks for our room.  

You can deviate slightly and walk along the waterfront for a more interesting , though longer, walk.