MLA

3 hours ago, cruiser2015 said:

The upgrade to unlimited over the 150 minutes from the FAS is a flat rate for the cruise - at least for the full # of days. There may be a small discount for the next day or two - because you are getting unlimited for fewer days.

I'm on a 15 day and got the same 150 minutes; my upgrade price is higher in total but less per each day. Guess I got a bargain.

I think I need to call NCL as now I’m totally confused since there seem to have been different experiences on different ships.  

4 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Have you checked out the additional perks provided with their new FAS Plus package for an additional $49 pp/day, if you booked your cruise with the FAS option and there are 2 people in your cabin?

 

 

I’m solo

14 hours ago, bbixler18 said:

Yes, agree.  Just did this today on day 2 on Joy

Thanks for the info. So if you don’t use any of the free and sea minutes at all, can you upgrade to unlimited when you board? On the first day? And get some kind of discount for not using any of the minutes? It’s 150 for me since I’m on a ten day cruise and the unlimited is $199 or $299 if you want streaming. Also, Do you upgrade by seeing the internet manager? Sorry to be dense about this but want to be sure of my options. 

Hi. Sailing on the Getaway in Feb. 10 day cruise. Confused about these various options.

1. I have the Free at Sea 150 minutes "free" wifi.

2. I have sapphire status so I have a 20% discount on wifi.

3. Can you purchase the "upgrade" offer ($199 or $299) on board or does it have to be pre-boarding? if I can buy when I board, I can use onboard credits. I realize if you do this you don't also get the 150 minutes from the Free and Sea package.  Or:

4. If I don't activate the Free At Sea 150 minutes and instead wait until after midnight the first day of the cruise and then buy the $29 or $39 per day wifi package, will I get any refund for NOT using the free at sea minutes at all? Reason for asking: I am entitled to a 20% discount on wifi due to my latitude status, and will have quite a bit of onboard credit on my account as well.

Sorry if this seems complicated, but NCL makes it hard to figure out the best options!

A good tip from Kevin Martin (who is spending a year solo on cruise ships): don't just look at the single supplement. Check the daily cost per day.  This gives you a much better idea of value for money. Single supplements or no single supplements, it's cost per day that really counts.

On 1/12/2023 at 8:02 AM, Mlake09 said:

We had a great first day yesterday! We were able to board very early (around 10:20am) and we were in the first group allowed on board.  The early boarding may have been in part to the prior cruise doing customs in Florida instead of NYC (I saw that in another post).  The staff have all been very friendly and even though we’ve never ordered the boxes of water before (we typically just bring a reusable to each meal), the new FAS six liters per person has been a score! I think we’ve gone through two already!  For those of you that are platinum plus, last night in turn down our room steward also left us two half liter boxes, for the latitudes level perks. We are platinum currently but should hit the next level after our February cruise!

 

We had lunch in O’Sheehan’s when we boarded (burger was good, fries were good but cold, and wings were good but I do prefer the “old” wings and not the newer ones- I know there are other threads about this).  Even though the bar wasn’t supposed to open until 11, the bartender still was able to make some drinks (nothing with real fruit), which was great! After lunch we went for a walk, then a quick nap (we take the train in from western mass and got up at 4am), and then we went out for another walk during sail away. I really enjoy leaving out of NYC because there is so much to look at! We had dinner at Moderno and that was very good. The staff are all very friendly so far.

 

I can’t speak to the entertainment because we typically don’t do many of those activities while on board, but I’ll try to keep an ear out for what others are saying. There are more kids and teens than I would have expected for a random January sailing, but I’m guessing that it’s due to the three day weekend for MLK day. It’s cold and pools were empty yesterday. We’re headed out for a walk and then to breakfast now, but if the internet keeps up, I’ll try to post again!

Enjoyed your post. I’ll be doing a b2b on the Gem beginning Jan. 25. I’m also from western Ma. Berkshires. Have a great time

Thanks everyone for the responses!

6 hours ago, fox02554 said:

we're on the jewel 02/22/23 , we fly in a day early , I'm beginning to think an excursion is in order ! maybe we'll spend the day enjoying our selfs on the Hop on Hop off bus ! no need to be first in line and wait 7 hours ,we'll be there later 😄 they'll save our cabin for us 

Anyone know how to get the hop on/off bus from this pier? I've only seen one other mention of an excursion (not through NCL, which isn't offering any since this is a turn around day (many of us are staying on for a b to b from and to NY.

Hi.I'm going on a back to back on the Gem (NY-Panama City; Panama City-NY).  There's no information on the NCL site about any excursions while the ship is in Panama city (it's there from early morning until midnight, having done the transit the day before).  Not even sure where the ship docks.  Anyway: has anyone sailed to Panama City and if so, any excursions you can recommend? Would appreciate any thoughts.  Best, Laura

On 1/21/2020 at 9:50 AM, Arzeena said:

Pete,

The Roatan pictures: where is that beach with the island? it looks great!
We went to Tabyana Beach and then moved over to Infinity Bay.

 

Wildlife spotted this cruise:

Pod of small dolphins on the morning of Cape Canaveral.
Turtle from pier in Harvest Key close to the mangroves.

Big Barry.... the pet Barracuda from pier in Costa Maya. This guy is always around the same spot with a mate. Alone this time.

 

Service at Los Lobos was painfully slow the night we went. It wasn't that busy. Perhaps just an "off" night.

Chocolate mousse cake in Ocean Blu was to die for!

Mason Jar Banana Pudding at Q was yummm, although I was not that impressed with the food. I enjoyed the experience though.
Le Bistro food was good but the experience was meh since one of the stupid people in our dinner group got up to complain to the head waiter that our waiter did not bring her the mint jelly that was supposed to be eaten with her lamb, almost at the end of the main course!!!!!!🙄....so everyone had to wait for the princess's mint jelly to arrive and then for her to take her sweet time finishing the meal before they gave us dessert menus.🙄 By this time I was ready to throw my glass of water at her!!!! There! you would have had another story !!!! My patience was tested in this way by the same person at many a meal in the Manhattan Room as well. The staff and waiters were so cooperative that it was just wrong to get up and go to the head waiters to complain about the chewy potsticker or the brand of free wine bottles they got every other day!!! What else could I  do but go out and sit on deck peacefully to watch the sunset!😉

 

Leave this person home next cruise!

Hi Bob. Curious if you know any details about the Gem dry dock slated for November. Can’t seem to find any info on CC. Was on an LA to NY Gem cruise last winter. Like many things better on the Gem than on the Bliss (just finished a 14 day cruise on it)

Thanks for these reports. I have really enjoyed this cruise and we really were lucky with the weather. Right now (10:40 PM) it is very smooth up here on deck 12 in the absolute front of the ship. Big change from yesterday. Had a FaceTime talk with my husband a few minutes ago with the best result of the cruise. Again, FaceTime audio does work with the Unlimited WiFi package. 

1 hour ago, PistolPete13 said:

Sitting in the observation lounge today processing photos.  It's way too windy to be on deck and there is a definite chill in the air as we keep heading north.  A strange thing is happening to me the last two sea days.  I'm getting more and more annoyed with the fellow passengers!

 

Right now I'm sitting in a prime seat in the observation lounge and the only two people who are talking in the section decided to plop down next to me.  I don't want to hear about your prostate issues!

 

Yesterday I was on the 8th floor wrap around deck, the "quiet" area, when a group of kids decided to use that section at a race track screaming and yelling running back and forth.

 

At 3AM this morning when I was trying to get some photos of the ship interior without people milling about, a drunk group saw me with my cameras and insisted I take their photos.  I did and then they slurred their room numbers out to me.  I'm not a ship photographer so good luck trying to find those!

 

 

Hello Pete from the internet stations in the atrium.  Yesterday in the Observation lounge some guy started to sing (badly) folksongs and pop songs from the 50s and 60s.  While the music from the ship was also playing.  He kept it up for an hour.  I think music of all kinds (except the entertainer hired by NCL) should be banned in this area.  I also am getting grumpy about the people in the buffet who don't use the tongs, etc.  Ah well, first world problems!

On 1/14/2020 at 4:24 PM, mking8288 said:

Hmmm, being "very strict" about hand wash routines before being allowed into the buffet is - sometimes - an early indication of very, very, very minor cases or incidents of suspected stomach viruses onboard.  Be careful - we tried our best to avoid and eat in the MDR or OSH/Locals ... they aren't using disposable paper menus yet or hiding the salt/pepper shakers, napkins/eatery.  Arzeena & RJ among experts on how similar incidents were dealt with, on past sailings with the other ship.  

 

To put GI viruses in perspectives, NYC-DOHMH just released a HAN alert for healthcare pro's that it is trending higher, 353 cases reported last month - in congregate settings (i.e. child care, schools & assisted living facilities) and is not "exclusive" to cruise ships.  Don't worry & be happy ... washy, washy and follow best practices.  

 

Finding a good cellular signal on the pier from the ship, last time we're there - had to move around because the other ship docked at 90 degree angle at the next berth over deflected & nearly block the signals ... had to sit on/near the balcony for a good connection. 

 

Tomorrow is Cozumel - cellular signals from Mexico providers are even better.  If your cellular plan coverage is included with extra roaming charges, you can take full advantage of it ... stay usable for a while even after we sailed & left the pier.  

 

Enjoy !  

I don’t think there have been any problems at all on the Bliss this trip. I think they are now be8g extra careful. Which is good. 

18 hours ago, sdere96 said:

Hi MLA!  I am traveling on the Bliss in March and have been curious as to the quality of the WIFI.  How has your experience been with it?  Any issues connecting or accessing sites?  How is the speed?

I think it’s pretty good. I don’t have the even more expensive package for streaming. But I’ve used FaceTime so that takes care of touching base with home. Websites load pretty well. Generally better when in port or early in morning or late at night but way better than the Gem last year. 

Hi from the Bliss!  Actually, I have the non premium WiFi package and have been using FaceTime to call home daily. So not blocked. Hope someone from NCL doesn’t notice this!  I’ve found the WiFi not bad so far 

Curious. Is it only NCL having all these outbreaks of illness or are other lines having the same issues?

I decided it was not worth fretting over how many minutes I had left and upgraded to unlimited online for $224 (Bliss, 2 week sailing). I don’t see how you could upgrade on board after already using your free at sea 250 minutes and get the deal minus that $125. It seems to me you could only get the unlimited minus the $125 if you didn’t use any minutes on board prior to upgrading. Of course, math is not my forte, so correct me if I’m wrong. My TA said it wasn’t possible too,by the way. 

36 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Assuming this was an actual NY City yellow taxi, it was illegal for the driver to refuse to take you to Port Authority Bus Terminal. Since taxi fares are not per person, but rather per taxi, it shouldn't matter that you were one person or four people. My guess is the driver was hustling tourists by not turning the meter on and instead charging a per person fare...or turning the meter on but charging the meter fare to each individual . If someone does that to you again, take down their medallion number (it's on the roof light and the license plate ) and report them to the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

This is why I generally use Uber in NY

21 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Port Canaveral cruise terminal has pretty fast & free WiFi, crew members are there when off work. 

 

Heading to Moderno next, Deck 13 should be a good spot to watch the rocket launch scheduled. Then, we get to rest & watch for Pier runners, all abroad is 9 pm. GSC on schedule for tomorrow ...

Hi again. So I assume you are docked at the same part of the terminal as the bliss, correct?  Meaning that getting good free Wi-Fi is going to be very near the ship, right?  Meaning that getting good free Wi-Fi is going to be very near the ship, right? Trying to figure out ways to make the best use of my Free at sea minutes before buying more.

22 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

We used up only our free Platinum/+ minutes, in part to test & see that satellite speed is usable. We didn't use or activate our 250 minutes, once that's used - cannot upgrade. Our costs being $55 for 6 days is reasonable, as I switched & accepted the offer to buy up just after midnight ... wasn't sure if they would still do the deal.

For our previous 15 days on the Escape, option to buy or trade up was available thru day 4.



Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
 

Thanks for clarifying. I thought it was unlikely NCL would actually offer a good deal (g). Think I might just use my free at sea minutes and then buy a second round of 250. Think ai May get an extra 30 minutes for being Gold. 

15 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Good evening, just done something that I just usually don't do, upgrade to unlimited WiFi for just $55 with $125 credited for the 250 minutes, good for remaining 6+ days. No streaming, but will be able to do quite a bit. Now, I can seriously fire up the notebook PC when DW isn't online.

More Q&A, live late night sessions ... I think is doable. Going to be great to run benchmark & go VoIP, FB Messenger worked just fine using our Platinum/+ free minutes Friday & Saturday - all used up.

Here's the screenshot, there is also a multi-device discount for unlimited plans, not getting that.

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
 

Hi!  So I assume you were using your free at sea minutes before upgrading but with the unlimited they still gave you the full $125 off the price of the unlimited? I’ll be in a two week cruise on the Bliss shortly and am interested in upgrading on board. I read someplace else that on a two week cruise you can upgrade a few days into the cruise. 
 

I did a cruise last Jan. on the Gem and really enjoyed it!

On 12/4/2019 at 3:11 PM, mking8288 said:

CCBS (and across the side street - Ron Jon) is attached/connected to the hotel, with a Starbucks (free WiFi) & restrooms.  Walk across the main road and one block to the south is a McD (free WiFi) as part of a strip mall (liquor store ?  not 100% sure) - opposite the direction of the public beach.  No changing facilities that I recall, wear your swimwear before leaving the ship - there is running water to rinse off loose sands at the beach entrance.  It's about 10 minutes from the cruise terminals but a very, very long walk due to restricted/prohibited access for pedestrian via the bridge. 

 

Shuttles pickup to return to the piers all meet/wait/leave from there, just make sure you get back on the "correct" one for NCL, etc.  Taxis also available, charged by headcount.  

Very helpful. Thanks a lot. 

So I gave up and signed up for the shuttle from NCL Bliss To Cocoa Beach Surf Co. I know it’s a shopping thing mainly, but is there anywhere else to walk to from there? Just looking for a pleasant interlude before taking shuttle back to the ship. 

So I'm curious: is there anything to do at terminal 10? On the Bliss in Jan.  No excursions looked interesting so hoped to walk around port.