Lookingforfacts

google something link nyc cruise discount parking. You'll find a few places near the cruise terminal for not much more then $20/ day.

No reason to be mad. It's a "click bait" link to a blogger, not a MSN article. Most website are paid for by ads. Almost true, sensational headlines draw viewers.

Look at it this way. Find a problem with a hotel room, bed bugs for example, and the hotel and generally find you another room. If not you'll leave, find another hotel and, if necessary, file a credit card dispute with respect to the first hotel. A cruise ship probably won't have another cabin to give you. Unlike a hotel you're stuck.

Not all beers are that way.

Further investigation supports your comment. A/B seems to think 180 days is the "magic" number. Web suggests generally 2-12 months, depending on the beer. Larger number suggests beer is kepi refrigerated, even cans.

Back to my question. Does the variety of beers offered on the Escape suggest some beers won't be sold before their "good by date" , whatever that is? Do we really think a cruise line is going to discard beer that's been sitting around for 6 months and more?

The worst "swill" I've ever drunk is beer which is old and/or was stored warm or worse cycled between being refrigerated then kept out.

How many people? Driving and paying to park might be the cheapest.

....and it keeps getting worse. I foresee a day when they'll offer one white and one red.

Have you ever seen a soft serve ice cream stand offer vanilla, chocolate and swirl (mixture of vanilla and chocolate)? I'm sure the cruise line will offer white, red and rose wine.

Escape seems to have a very good beer menu. Might be far too many choices Beer has a quality shelf life of maybe 6 months. Does anyone think a cruise line will monitor the age of beers and discard old? Do we even think they'll do a good job rotating stock? Excluding dry dock. I'd rather a smaller selection of fresh beer over a larger selection of stale beer.

 

For peace of mind, can anyone confirm this or any input or opinion on this? Thanks much.

Why would posts by anonymous individuals on the internet give you peace of mind?:confused: Carnival gave you the answer.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative

Government website confirms.

FYI some cruise lines impose higher requirements then required by law. Obviously Carnival isn't one of them.

I see the OP is from Michigan. If a child is under 16 a birth certificate can be used for land entry into Canada. Older then 16 a passport card would work. Other then a drive to Canada a passport card offers no real advantage over a birth certificate.

Real ID extensions have been granted several times. Eventually states and federal government will work it out.

You're making an often erroneous assumption that only "monied" folks travel on premium or luxury lines. While, in most cases, luxury lines might be considered "expensive," many savvy middle class travelers have done the math and figured out that "premium" lines (e.g., Azamara, Oceania) provide real value when measured by "net daily rate" for the entire cruise vacation. And, for many of those folks, each expense is a consideration in the overall picture.

Perhaps, more importantly, many of the first time cruisers, who look to CC for advice are not hurting for cash and become ill-informed when posters make erroneous generalizations.

Let's just give accurate answers.

OP ticker indicates two upcoming cruises are on Carnival. Your comments aren't applicable to the OP. Some cruise lines have tighter passport rules then required. You have a point, in general, but not applicable in this specific case.

You are not limited to 15 drinks per day.

 

 

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I think carnival has the 15 adult drinks per day limit.

Does anyone know, or can a cruiser with an upcoming cruise check, the model number if the TV set in GEM. Balcony cabin if it makes a difference. I believe the mfg us LG

I could drink Johnny Walker Blue Label and Hennessy XO for $5.84 with UBP, that was everything I needed to know!

 

:D

The posted menu didn't list a price for ultra premium spirits. Are we sure blue label is only $21?

If you buy something from a shop in a mall in PA then you would go to the shop owner not the mall owner.

 

No difference here.

The purchase was charged to a sail account. NCL collected funds from the OP. The name of the independent contractor isn't prominently disclosed. Buy something in the banna republic store in the mall and it's obvious you're dealing with banna republic and not the mall.

I'd go with a credit card dispute.

One of the best parts of cruising for us is ditching the cell phones. It's not about knowing how to use the phone. It's about unplugging for us.

Many people use their cell phone to tell time, instead of a watch. One of the worst thing a cruiser can do is to get back to the dock in time to take a picture of the ship sailing away.

Some people use a higher end phone as their camera.

Some use the calendar. Remind you about your excursions, spa appointments etc.

Not sure how your post helps the OP.

Sometimes, often?, The two hour check-in policy for international flights means check in must be completed two hours before your flight. That limit might be computer enforced, at least with respect to checked luggage.

OP needs to self disembark. Crazy suggestion, almost as crazy as trying to make the flight. Go home without luggage. Bring old suitcases, or buy cheap bags. Clothing you're almost ready to discard. Clothing you bought in a thrift shop for this trip:)

Almost reads like a troll thread. You need to be able to run out of the cab. That means not even waiting for change. Fare is 10.10 and you only have a twenty. Driver gets a big tip. You not only need AUS but in the appropriate denominations.

Well, it's drinkable.

I understand not wanting to use the fake stuff. Maple syrup isn't on our packing list.

It's not on my packing list either BUT it's not a beverage. Mouthwash is drinkable and is allowed. Maple syrup will go on the banned list the day NCL decides to offer maple syrup with an up charge.

I think I waited to long to edit my post. My comments regarding copies of birth certificate was directed to the poster who suggested leaving your original birth certificate home for safe keeping and traveling with a home made copy. Knowingly leaving valid proof of citizenship home and bringing a copy which could get rejected makes no sense.

AFAIK the specific references to homemade copies is only found in the section applicable to kids.

NCL's FAQ does say that WHTI compliant documents are acceptable, even if they don't list all of the possibilities in the list immediately above it, and according to the DHS regulations that control the question a copy of a birth certificate is acceptable. I am sorry that you found my post confusing.

I didn't find it confusing, I found it misleading. The only place homemade copies is discussed is in the section regarding reduced requirements for kids. Combining the birth certificate requirements for closed loop cruise with the homemade copies alternatives for kids isn't honest.

I did find this interesting:

CBP recommends that, where possible, an or

iginal or a certified copy of your birth

certificate be presented. However, under cert

ain circumstances, e.g., if you have sent

the original in for a passport application, a copy may be accepted.

That suggests under some (many) circumstances a copy won't be accepted.

JMO, for an adult who is a US citizen, Travel with a passport, passport card, enhanced license (and similar items) and you're good to go. Travel with an original (or certified copy) of your birth certificate along with a current gov't ID and you're good to go. Travel with anything else and you're hoping your cruise line is good with the alternative proof of citizenship and that the CBP officer is OK with it.

I've learned from this thread traveling with homemade copies works far more then I would have expected. I can understand people who don't want to spend the money, time and "red tape" required to get a passport. I can't understand someone who puts them self at the mercy of a CBP officer in order to save the few dollars it takes to get a certified copy of a birth certificate.

While you cannot use a copy to apply for a passport you may use a copy to travel on a closed loop cruise. This is an excerpt from the DHS regulations:

 

"When traveling entirely within the Western Hemisphere on a cruise ship, and when the U.S. citizen boards the cruise ship at a port or place within the United States and returns on the return voyage of the same cruise ship to the same United States port or place from where he or she originally departed. That U.S. citizen may present a government-issued photo identification document in combination with either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate..."

 

This is important to keep in mind as many cruises have been saved because the passenger was able to have their birth certificate faxed to the port. It is best to bring the original (you would need it if you needed to enlist the help of the State Department to get home) but it is also good to keep in mind that a copy will do in a pinch.

 

As for your earlier remarks about the cruise line lobbying for the exception this isn't true, either. The reason the exception exists is because DHS found that a US citizen traveling on a closed loop cruise represents a low risk to the national security and had that finding been different the exception would not exist.

 

And for the question of whether or not someone should use a passport or other form of verifying citizenship the law does allow US citizens a choice when it comes to closed loop cruises. Whether or not it is advisable for each individual traveler to use an alternative depends on their individual needs and risks. For most people using an alternative is a very low risk proposition.

A copy of a birth certificate generally means an official copy with the seal or equivalent. Homemade copies are accepted for kids on some group travel. I can't find any reference to homemade copies being acceptable for adults on closed loop cruises.

From state department

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.

Customs agents are allowed to verify citizenship by other means. Maybe that's how faces were accepted. Not a good plan.

Do you have a link to your alleged quotebof DHS regulations?

Based on the public FAQ section, you appeared to have combined two separate sections.

Another thing to consider that fragile piece of paper documentation

are you carrying that with you or a notarized copy. Keep the fragile

paper document in a safe at home or bank lock box. If and when

you decide to get a Passport in the future that fragile document

better be in good condition least the hieroglyphics become worthy

of architectural inspection like the dead sea scrolls.

Take only copies of the original for travels.

 

Happy New Years and travel safely with restrictions ! LOL !

 

*Marriages performed on board the cruise are valid only for the

duration of the cruise !

Wrong and dangerous advice. You can't use a copy of your birth certificate to travel, or to apply for a passport. There is no such thing as a notarized copy. You need an original with the raised seal or equivalent. You can buy multiple originals. You can't use a home made copy, notarized or not.

I used to agree with the posters who said only use a passport. I've come around the other way. Some people cruise because the hate to fly. It won't hurt to get a passport but there really isn't any reason.

Customs agents are used to screening passengers who don't have a passport. As long as you have the correct documentation, original government issued birth certificate and drivers license, you won't have an issue.

Cruise lines lobbied for the "closed loop" passport exception to accommodate infrequent travelers. Potential customers who might skip a cruise rather then go through the expense and The government and the cruise lines feel comfortable with the present rules. A cruise line could require a passport for a "closed loop" cruise if they felt it was necessary. AFAIK none require it.

In a perfect world passports are the best for the reasons mentioned by PP. BUT

People on CC cruise a lot. Think of a family planning a once in a lifetime trip. short of winning a contest they won't be taking any international trips in at least 10 years. Assume they're on a budget. $600 might be enough to pay for shore excursions. I'm thinking no outlay on whatever private island your ship uses. Self guided tours. Taxi or public transportation.

Get sick. Need to get home. US will give you whatever documentation you need to fly home. How many posters in this thread have personally missed their sailing? How many have stayed at port too long and watched their ship sail away from the dock? It happens due to poor planning. If I was on a budget I'd go for shore excursion over a passport. People talk about how much a cruise costs. Assume a family of 4 in an inside cabin. Assume they drive to the embarkation port. Assume they got a great price. Assume the 3rd and 4th passenger were free. The cost of passports is a significant portion of the total cost.

Posters on CC, not all, book suites, and balcony cabins. Some posters seem to be taking 2 and 3 cruises a year. The cost of a passport is insignificant, to those cruisers.

A ships officer removes the missing passengers passport from the safe and give to the port agent before the ship departs.

Can we remove the gratuity/service fee imposed on UDP? I think I'd giving the bartender cash would result in better service. I'd probably wind up spending more money but the allocation would be different.

I went on the Atlantis website and they are selling day passes for $135 during the high season

Click to buy the pass. You have to specify a date. Any date I checked, February on doesn't give me the ability to buy a pass. I can buy a pass for $135 through most (all?) dates in January.

It's claimed Atlantis won't sell day passes if hotel, and I guess cruise bookings, bookings suggest the water park is at capacity. I have no idea if that never happens, only happens on rare occasions (major holidays) or happens with some frequency. The passes Atlantis sells directly is intended for guests staying at other resorts. Atlantis may want the $$ from selling passes. Atlantis might not want to have the water park so crowded as to impact Atlantis guests. I have no idea.

Tickets with lunch are $34 more then a pass directly from Atlantis.

Assume lunch (burger, fries and drink with tax and service fee) is worth $24. I must pay more then a $10 service charge every time I purchase a ticket through Ticketmaster.

I agree the $135 deal through Atlantis is probably the best deal. I'd hate to show up and be told tickets aren't available.

It's an "internet fact", maybe be even a real fact, that Atlantis adopted the policy of limited sales to outside guests sometime in 2015. Posts reflecting older visits don't interest me.

What's interesting....sites which sell third party cruise excursions are marking up Bahamasdaypass by 10% and up.

I'm no able to edit my pp. It appears op is cruising during low season and can buy day pass without lunch. I suspect many people reading this thread won't have that option.

For 2017 the $129 pass, without lunch, is only available during the low season January, February and May. I'm sure lunch is less then $40, even including 25% tax and tip. I suspect pass without lunch is either unavailable, or costs more then $129 the rest of the year

I've never been. I emailed bahamaddaypass. They sent me the menu. You got the restaurants right. Meal includes fries and a large soft drink. No prices on the menu. Im not sure what it would cost to buy lunch