Cruising to Retirement

MAYA CHAN- hands down-  Excellent, safe, clean and courteous

Sailing on the Gem on the 19th-  Looking for feedback from current cruisers to see which Ports have been cancelled once on board-  Any input is appreciated, considering postponing our Cruise depending upon access to Carribean Ports-  Thanks and Happy New Year

21 hours ago, Smileonboard said:

We also thought about cancelling so glad we didn’t as we have felt so safe - NCL is doing a great job and it has been a great cruise - we have stayed in the Haven before but weren’t sure on the smaller ships so we did suite level which gives all the perks besides the pool area luckily the pool has been so comfortable this cruise - nice and calm and no one on top of you even during the sunny days but so glad your enjoying the courtyard good to know if we do another smaller ship - I spoke to a crew member who said they are instructed not to talk to any passengers about COVID- I had mentioned about the entertainment ensemble having a COVID issue as the shows were cancelled and he said we can’t comment in that - 

Did you have ports cancelled- ?

12 minutes ago, Smileonboard said:

It was $240 you can not reserve it is first come first serve but since only one ship was there and lower capacity there was lots of open spaces - we parked on top so no cover - you can go lower with coverage - you actually drop your luggage off when you enter the garage then park so convenient- 

Thank you-  was yours a 7 night cruise or 10... 

following

Sailing on Norwegian Gem on Jan. 19th-  they just cancelled ALL St. Thomas and St. Johns Excursions??  New Covid Restrictions in place there-  

Regarding parking at the Pier, how expensive was it, did  you need to Reserve in advance, was it covered parking and close to where you drop off your luggage at-  Thanks and Stay Safe-  Great commentary during your Cruise-  Thanks. 

Sailing on Gem on the 19th... taking a wait and see attitude right now..hoping to still go but worried about ports being cancelled once we board, was looking forward to Turks and Caicos and Puerto Plata since we have not been to them yet. 

On 12/31/2021 at 6:25 AM, Ajkcruiser said:

Thanks for the replies … so a catamaran excursion is 90 bucks … I get 50 off and the rest of my group pays full price? But if the excursion is less then 50…. I get it for free and the rest of my group still pays full price ?

 

 Thanks 

yes

18 hours ago, JGmf said:

Off the Gem today (12/19/21).

 

Several production shows are happening as well as ample music throughout the ship, some good, some blah, but that's personal preference.  The ship was clean and the staff superb.  Food was same as always, as good as you remember it in the 'before times'.  I thought the buffet was very good.

 

Our ship was at only about 35% capacity.  900 passengers with capacity of 2500.  No lines, no crowds.  Ample seating at anything you wanted to do, including sitting outside by the pool.  That said, it would've been nice to have a bit more in terms of people watching and interacting.

What ports were you able to visit- Any restrictions at those-  How rough were the Seas.. Thanks-  Merry Xmas

On 12/14/2021 at 11:37 AM, seaman11 said:

Fresh off the Gem if anyone has any questions.  

How were the shows- did you take the 10 day cruise out of NYC to Carribbean, Was the ship clean, how were the amenities, food, etc... any onfo is appreciated  Thanks 

Please keep us posted as you cruise and your ports that you visit--- Bon Voyage... 

We are on the January 19th Sailing of Norwegian Gem and scheduled to visit Puerto Plata, Does anyone know if it is open for Cruise Ships or not.  Was loking forward to seeing it and have an excursion booked there already-  any info is appreciated.....

We are on the January 19th Sailing of Norwegian Gem that is scheduled to visit Grand Turk and was curious as to whether it is open for visitors or not- never been ther and was looking forward to seeing the island.  Any info s appreciated.  Thank you

Scheduled to sail on the January 19th Sailing out of NYC- Rumors are the Puerto Plata and Grand Turk Ports are currently being cancelled by Norwegian- Has anyone been on a recent sailing to confirm this and what the alternatives that were revised or rescheduled ports.  I have scheduled Excursions for those ports and was looking forward to going there. Thanks.. 

Are Puerto Plata and Grand Turk permanantly dropped from Norwegian Gem Itenerary-  We are on the January 19th 2022 Sailing-  Any input is appreciated-  Thanks

10/3 Itenerary-  Full day at Sea, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan, then two consecutive days at Sea...sailing in two days-  negative COVID Test Results... Bon Voyage

On the 10/3 Sailing-  just completed the telehealth Abbott Instant COVID tests- Both my wife and I are Negative-  Full steam ahead--- Counting the Hours Now....Bon Voyage!!!

Not sure if it matters which side of the ship is better for a Cabin-  Any input is appreciated... Thanks and Stay Safe-  Thinking of Celebrity Elipse in June 2021... 

Just checked this AM- still not open to reservations... Looking forward to the Cruise

We are sailing on 3/21--- interested also... Thanks for any info. 

On 1/27/2019 at 11:45 AM, Grumpy Husband said:

Yes it is very poor...only the main square around the ship terminal has been renovated to make it look good for the tourists. I also have more videos posted at that channel about Cuba, and lots of videos of Key West. 

I also would suggest you look at Lagerheads Beach Bar as it is close to the where you will be docking. They have good food and a nice beach also.  Here is a video to show you the way to get there.

You are a wealth of knowledge, Thank you.  We are going on the Tiki Hut Boat Sandbar Tour when we are in Key West.  Do local stores, CVS, Gas Stations, etc. sell beer for purchase (6 packs, etc.)  BYOB on the Tour as you are aware.. Are there places close to the Tiki Boat where you can purchase same.. Not sure of the Florida Laws.. Thanks.. 

Thank you very much-  just emailed him.. how long was the tour with him, safe?  it would be for my wife and I only... Any other info is appreciated.. Thanks again 

22 hours ago, peter_krynicki said:

Two tips for Cuba.

 

1. The least important one is that there are people walking around selling roasted peanuts sold in small paper cones. They are something like 1 CUC. Buy a bunch and put them into your shirt pocket. They go well, later, with a frozen Daiquiri or a beer.

2 The more important.

There are things that the Cuban people cannot get easily - everything that we take for granted. If you decide to go on a trip there try to take a few things: magazines will be appreciated. Small bottles of shampoo or soap that you get each day in your room. Even clothing. When I go to Key West I usually bring older things to use one more time then throw out, but sometimes I don't use them and they stay clean and I bring them home. Tees Tanks, even socks. These would be good. You might even consider buying something to take and give away - an inexpensive pair of flip-flops from the CVS. Aspirin or Tylenol (There are no drug store in Havana)

 

Now, how do you find someone to give things to? You stand still anywhere and hold them up. Someone will come up to you to whom you can offer them. They will take them and thank you. You will feel good but then badly because you couldn't bring more. If you bring magazines they will make their way around Old Town Havana being passed from hand-to-hand.

 

Pjk

We are going to Cuba in October-  Was thinking about doing a tour in an older car- Any thoughts or suggestions...appreciated-  Thanks.. 

Cruising Infinity on 3/21 Four Night sailing to Key West and Nassau-  Looking for ideas to do around the Ship-  How is the Main Dining Room for Food, Entertainment, casino?  Also, any ideas for Nassau-  Doing the Tiki Hut Boat Tour in Key West..