bedfordmom

You must be on the Prima. I’ve never been on anything newer than the Getaway. We go for itinerary and price. I considered that cruise but it was during Thanksgiving and that is my big holiday. BCN is a pain to get to fromBOS plus a little too cold for me. My DH is not a travel or so thought we would try the TA with a direct flight to London but need need to get to Southampton. Speaking of flights I finally after 3.5 years got my refund from Level for our cancelled oneway from BCN April 2020. Initially They had offered a six month voucher which I refused thinking that travel insurance would cover it. Which they would not. So last month I wrote on Level fb advertisement how they were crooks and before I knew it I was taking to the right people at Iberia. At first they only gave me back money for one ticket though the credit card was charged for two and finally got the second this week.

Great review as always. So you had had the cancellations but you dealt and presented with the changes with grace, dignity and a good sense of humor. What is your next TA?

Remember being there in June 2013 with Carnival from Boston and as we got off the ship each lady was presented with a rose. It rained every day of that cruise. Only good thing is that my 19 year old daughter met her future husband on that cruise!

The ship needs to leave port of NYC so that they can open the casino. Too bad they can’t use it as a floating hotel for those who would would like to visit tge city snd return to shop similar to Bermuda overnights.

Good morning : safe travels. For Halifax, I recommend renting a car ( across the street from terminal) going to Peggy’s Cove beating all the crowds stopping at this lobster place ( sorry can’t remember name) in the rough. Circling back to Titantic graveyard all in a half day. For St John we did a speedboat tour in the raging rapids which no longer exists, not surprised lol

Yes I will bring the Getaway back to NYC safe and sound. Today I bought 4 AirTag key holders from Walmart only 5.88 to attach to the inside of suitcase. One will eventually go into the car and perhaps my key ring. Doing great and even better since I have collected on my one way Level/Iberia 2020 BCN to BOS airfare after 3 years. After a social media post brought me attention they gave me back one fare but still waiting for husbands. I really had my eye on the Escape TA for April but wanted something sooner. At 1600 plus for inside it is too much for me. I will try to have patience this time and wait for the 60 day mark to decide.

Hi so glad you are doing another semi Live. Not sure if you remember me but I almost took the epic TA with you after a later Getaway cruise. Well I am finally getting to do my TA after a cancelled 2020 one and ironically it’s the Getaway out of Southampton. Other had better ports but this worked better with our schedule. Although I booked this 3 months ago the prices dropped so much that I was able to upgrade from balcony to club suite for nothing. I have a question about AirTags. Do you need to put them in a case outside the suitcase for them to work?

Thank you John I did not listen to you and bought the bus tickets before the train went down which was more than advanced train tickets. You are always right on your advice.

I wouldn’t mind self service of towels and garbage however NCL chooses not to do it that way perhaps hygiene issues around the towels. At home I do use my towels more than one day but the thin NCL towels take forever to dry. I have checked out pool towels when I’ve needed new towels and steward was mo where go be found.

Hello again: As advised I will wait until August 29 to make my decision whether to take the bus or train to Southampton on October 22 from Central London. I am leaning towards taking the bus. If I take the bus, do I have to pay extra for luggage if I only have carryon and personal item? Are reserved seats necessary?

Thank you for your wise advice. I will wait. And thanks for the spelling correction. In the States we have a similar named city with two Hs.

Actually I am traveling from Waterloo London to Southhampton. Is there construction between? Perhaps I will take the National bus instead to the port. Is it hard to get from the Mad Hatter Hotel to Victoria to get the bus?I planned my hotel to be close to the train. I was really looking forward to taking the train but sounds like hassle and expensive.

Hello again, I noticed that advanced ticket purchases ae not available on the Weymouth Route Oct 21-22. My plans are for the 22nd of October to Southhampton for a cruise. Does that mean that they will not go on sale for 22 October or that they will go on sale later. I wonder the reason for the blackout? Another strike?

Agree with others that the differences are small. I enjoy the itineraries more on NCL that is why I have had double cruises with them. I also feel that their loyalty program is much better on NCL. The free laundry and 2 specialty dinners can't be beat. I know that free drinks for Loyal members is a big pick for RCL; however the FAS $20+ day alcohol perk is even better. It seems much easier to reach the platinum level than the high level of Royal. That being said, I don't think that the entertainment is that superior anymore. We enjoy the main dining room reserved dining (probably the only ones); and love the pizza for RCL. I also appreciate the ability to bring on a case of soda and two bottles of wine as we do not get the alcohol package as DH doesn't drink (again maybe the only ones). I have even heard that on Royal, if you can prove that one party does not drink, they will let only one person buy it-they should its like $80 a day. NCL is very strict and makes everyone in the ropm get the package if they choose that perk. Now I know its only $20 but totally not worth it if someone doesn't drink alcohol or even soda. NCL won't let you brink on any soda or wine (unless you have the alcohol package. So they both have their plus and minus. I wish there was a cruise line that would have all the positives!

Thank you so much most helpful

Hi, I am staying at the Mad Hatter near Waterloo in October. I am planning on taking the direct train from Waterloo to Southampton on 10/22 around 10:30am I noticed that the fares became available today and surprised that they were 41 pounds as I thought that I had read that the earliest fares are the cheapest. Does this mean that they will rise closer to the date. Also I noticed that there is a Waterloo London and a Waterloo East London. Which one do I choose. I believe the end stop is Southamptom Central. Thanks in advance

DH is a recovering alcoholic of 35+ years and NCL has always declined the request for only one drink package for me. The only time we had it was when they didn't charge gratuities and it was truly free and even then he did not even drink the mocktails just soda so not worth it. Luckily I don't drink so much and really respect his recovery. Its a shame that NCL does not and insists that all pay regardless of situation.

If you have time, want to save money and can manage your own luggage, hop on the Silverline (free) which makes a stop at the port. Don't know the time but if the traffic is a disaster which it often times is, could save time. I also don't recommend flying in on the day of departure not even direct.

Thank you very helpful information

My husband loved the pizza on the Promenade Cafe on the Voyager. Thinking of booking out of Baltimore in February and noticed that the Vision is an older ship w/Park Cafe instead. Does the Park Cafe have pizza?

Also noticed the severe cutbacks on the Getaway in February. As one that likes to make their own fun, we try to bring books, cards, games etc. (I know I am boring). But there is a limit to how much self entertainment. Its not like we can get off the ship to see a movie like on land so I feel like the cruiseline has responsibility to provide some entertainment. I don't understand why they can't do more movies on deck or in the theater. I remember Carnival did that years ago and even provided popcorn which was a lot of fun. I was told that the cruiselines only want to provide entertainment where they can make money like in the bar, bingo etc. .

Even with two ships (before our cruise) during February vacation there were still parking. spaces available for our cruise. I wouldn't show up at 8am bur rather 9:30-10 to make sure that the cars parked on the previous cruise have time to leave.

I would not tip for the laundry; and it is your steward that generally brings the clean laundry back. Ii wouldn't tip our last steward. He gave us wrong information saying to put express on our platinum laundry (they probably would have charged us extra, I checked w/ the guest services). He took 2+ days to get it back to us saying it was because it wasn't express. Then said that laundry is finished at 5pm and that his shift ended at 6pm so had to wait another day for it. Funny that the second laundry came back by the second day. I know that the steward was overwhelmed but feel that tipping if for people that make an extra effort which he did not even attempt.

I actually read of someone who was able to cash their voucher on another cruise.