stevetod

Does anyone have the revised ports of call with times as of now? I know the first info was incorrect since it had only one sea day to get back to NYC.

New info:

According to a friend at travel agency Norwegian decided to change the ports of call before Bermuda decided whether to keep it open or close. So looks like Norwegian acted first. Imagine if the storm slides further away and we could have gone to bermuda afterall.... Oh well it is what it is. We just cannot get a break. Weather forecast in NYC for Sunday is 80% rain so messy start as well..

Looking at this from the National Hurricane center has me even more concerned. Going to Florida and Bahamas and the impact is close. Any quickening of Florence puts us in a spot I don't want to be in.

I think the original issue was that the Bermuda maritime office closed the port. That made NCL take action as to where the ship could go. This makes sense as I was surprised NCL made a decision on Thursday for the Sunday sailing. There was another time on Princess from Brooklyn going to Bermuda as the first stop that we boarded and advised that we were going to Bermuda even though there was a hurricane approaching. It was not until the next afternoon that the announcement was made that we were skipping Bermuda and heading straight to Puerto Rico. Those of us know that when you book a cruise during the hurricane season this could happen. In our case two of my sons work for UPS and cannot get summer vacation time yet so we took a shot booking this one. I understand the need to change the itinerary I just hope we can get down there and back without being subjected to rough weather. Storms can be unpredictable and forecasting where and severity is tough. I am concerned about my Daughter in law whose never been on a cruise and is very nervous about the possibility of rough seas. We felt well at least we would be in Bermuda for 2.5 days and she would be off the water. Now that's gone. Not happy with Florida and Bahamas but we also have to understand there are only so many ports for ships to go to.

Have you looked at the forecast? The new ports are no where near in harms way.

I hope you turn out to be correct but on the way down both Florida and the Bahamas will be affected by wave heights and wind from Florence. Just because it is not in the projected path does not mean the storm will not have any affect. GSC is in jeopardy of being canceled because of tendering if the forecast holds.

Not trying to be a complainer as I usually am not like that but spending over $9,000 on 3 cabins and not going to Bermuda and now going to Florida and the Bahamas just stinks. Even more so since I booked a week vacation in Florida in the middle of October already.

To clarify what I meant to say is I understand that NCL is trying to maintain safety but the new ports advised today could be in harms way as well. If we do encounter trouble than NCL should step up and offer the passengers credit towards their next cruise.

I actually agree with you. The ride down when we get close to the Carolinas will most likely be rough. The hurricane should be in line with those states but still out at sea. That will cause rather big waves. I paid for three cabins ( a little over $9,000 ) because my family is all going and they wanted to go to Bermuda. Of course the weather is not the fault of NCL and they are trying to keep safety as their main priority. But even this itinerary is subject to being thrust into issues coming back. Storm(s) behind Florence could also affect our return trip home. There is a potential for this cruise to be mostly on the ship through rough weather going and coming. I hope this is not the case and we somehow luck out but if not and we are subjected to conditions that are not vacation like we should be prepared to pressure NCL for give backs of some sort depending on what we encounter.

Now that we are going to Great Stirrup Cay as part of the new agenda, can someone advise about this island. I understand we tender. There is a buffet on the island. Is this an extra charge or included in the price of the cruise? There are bars on the island. Is there a separate charge for drinks or is it covered under the beverage package?

Steve

Just got a call from NCL . A recording advising of the change to Florida and the Bahamas.

Just saw the alert on NCL website:

Hurricane Florence – Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Dawn, September 6, 2018

Update #2: The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our top priority. Due to Hurricane Florence in the Eastern Atlantic, we have modified Norwegian Escape’s itinerary from New York City on September 9. To avoid the storm’s path, the ship will not call in Bermuda and will instead call in Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. At this time there are no changes to the scheduled sailings departing from Boston on September 7 for Norwegian Dawn. We are closely monitoring the storm and will provide additional updates as they become available.

Correction it's Great Stirrup Cay..

It's Grand Stirrup Cay a small island where they tender to it . Nothing special.

I agree with all that you stated. Its going to be a tough call as to where we wind up based on a lot of factors. It might be better to judge by say Saturday when we have updated current information. Who know e could end going to Florida and then loop back behind the storm and visit Bermuda for 1.5 days. Anything is possible. Just don't put us in strong winds and 40 foot seas!

Well I just checked the National Hurricane site and looking at the current data it appears Florence has shifted slightly south west and go over some part of Bermuda and if continues on that path ( iffy) it would go towards the US coast line. Looks like late Tuesday and Wednesday for the brunt of the storm to hit Bermuda and the Escape is due in to bermuda on Wednesday morning. So it's looking less likely that we will visit Bermuda based on the current outlook. So if we don't go to Bermuda, can the ship make it down the coast safely to a southern destination before Florence affects the ocean? Is it worth trying? What if the storm quickens and we are heading down and then get caught? So right now it is more possible that we may go north to new England. When packing for the cruise you might want to include a sweatshirt , sweater or light jacket since New England nights are cool at times. Personally I am not in favor of a New England cruise as I have already done that and two people in our group of six are from Massachusetts. I also have a Florida vacation booked next month so not interested in that Florida, Nassau cruise either. But more importantly we need to have a safe enjoyable trip and that should be the main consideration going forward.

I am on the 9th sailing on Escape. I have been to Bermuda 7 times but just love the Island and would be disappointed if we don't make it but I am good for anywhere but that lousy Florida, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay route. I have invested $9,100 for 3 cabins and would not feel I got my monies worth going to Florida etc.

People are packing for warm weather so hopefully they don't say well we are going to new England instead.

It is branded as Unlimited Open Bar on every cruise I have looked at for Jan-Mar 2019, from the Jade to the Epic.

You are correct. NCL has changed the terminology of its beverage package to Unlimited Open bar going forward. The quality of brands available has been reduced in most categories especially the wine list which lists wine by type of wine- Merlot-Pinot- etc instead of who makes the wine. Since you can only get wine by the glass you don't know what it is. You may get a good tasting wine but the chances are much less since NCL I am sure is not getting any type of good wine in this scenario. For example of Celebrities beverage package, the last 5 years running during dinner we had a choice of several brands of wine and the waiter would bring over the whole bottle for consumption. I will be leaving this Sunday on the Escape and will report back what we find on the Beverage package for others to review. Yeah my group is on the cruise which might be affected by Hurricane Florence.

Same here with me. Have cruised Celebrity for the last eight and decided to give Norwegian a try. I am going in with an open mind and trying to not prejudge anything but its hard when you see things like this.

Thanks all.

Ok great.

Thanks!

Thanks Cole but I saw that on the site. It does not go into specifics regarding my questions on data use and internet minutes....

Ultimate beverage package implied its a high quality package. So they changed it to the unlimited open bar and cut some top brands out. The wine list is now pathetic just listing type of wines and since it's by the glass they don't have to show you the bottle and be embarrassed. I am a grey goose drinker and its gone from the list. I am sure they have reduced their costs but they are being short sighted. I can easily book with Celebrity and get top shelf drinks which by the way include water, specialty coffees etc..

I understand there is an App for your phone that allows to to see what is happening on the Escape and you can access the ships info once onboard. I also think for a fee ( I believe its $8.00 per person ) you can use the app to connect with people in your group while onboard. The question is not sure how it works? Does it eat into your free 250 internet minutes our group is receiving? Does it use data on your phone? Can someone advise how this system would work?

Thanks,

Steve

Thanks so much.

Since we have six people in our group, when making show reservations for the comedy club does each cabin have to book for the same show or can one cabin book for 6 people?

Thanks,

Steve