Chuck2810

Travel is now allowed again.

Security Alert - U. S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico (March 16, 2018)

Location: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Event: As a result of recent incidents in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Mexican municipal, state, and federal entities have put into place new security procedures in tourist areas.

Effective immediately, U.S. government personnel are permitted to travel to all parts of Playa del Carmen.

Effective immediately, U.S. government personnel are permitted to use ferry services between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

As noted in our Mexico Travel Advisory for the state of Quintana Roo, U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution due to crime. According to Government of Mexico statistics, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents injuring or killing bystanders have occurred.

Actions to Take:

· Be aware of your surroundings and exercise increased caution due to crime as noted in our Mexico Travel Advisory.

· Purchase travel insurance that specifically covers you in Mexico and includes medical evacuation insurance.

· Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need assistance.

We'll be in the same room in two weeks... I'm almost reluctant to give it up for an H2 or H3, but it is hard to turn down the Haven if my bid is accepted...

I noticed on my list of excursions for NCL there is a Chichen Itsa by Airplane Excursion. Pricey at $499/person, but that is one way to avoid the ferry.

It may be pricey, but you skip the grueling long bus ride, complete with the tour guide hustling souvenirs en route, instead of offering the history you've come to experience.

I booked - same operator, but for the same price get a Private tour, plus lunch, plus a cenote visit. 2 hours more.

Delta has changed mine at least four times now. Last time it created a 4+ hour layover in Atlanta - not acceptable when there are literally a dozen flights. Called them on it and got to pick the flight I wanted. We now arrive in NOLA at 9:05AM which gives a full day to not be at the airport.

I always thought it was by class - I guess not. I can confirm my Pearl tags for my trip in 21 days are Purple!

Don't miss Freeport. Read my review... Many will pass it by, but people-to-people makes it a great day.

Just got this:

Location: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Event: On March 1, undetonated explosive devices were found by Mexican law enforcement on a tourist ferry that operates between Cozumel-Playa del Carmen, Mexico. On February 21, an explosive device detonated on a tourist ferry in Playa del Carmen resulting in injuries, including to U.S. citizens. U.S. Government employees are prohibited from using all tourist ferries on this route until further notice. Mexican and U.S. law enforcement continue to investigate.

Actions to Take:

·Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution.

·Purchase travel insurance that specifically covers you in Mexico and includes medical evacuation insurance.

·Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need assistance.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico

(011-52-55) 5080-2000

ACSMexicoCity@state.gov

https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/

State Department - Consular Affairs

888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

Didn't there used to be a website with tender/dock schedules?

I have another question....did you notice if the cruise was showing sold out? That's what I am concerned about that I am bidding on nothing LOL!!

I think Sold Out is the state they have to show when they get ready to start moving folks. At least that is my belief. They lock everything down, then the Program monitors the bids and as the bids get 'bumped up' it waits until that stops (no one is going to reduce their bid, after all) then moves everyone. That then frees up insides all the way to balconies. (which are highest demand for last minute) and then you will see them available to book again.

What about a private air tour $1500 of Mayan ruins? Pilot? Guide? Drivers? 15% ($230) split how? Or tip less since the majority goes to the aircraft owner? It is 6 hours.

If you read post # 4 you will see the op is from Canada

 

Btw no snowflake here...I'm just sick of everyone comparing everything bad in this world to the USA. If I were a snowflake I'd be agreeing with them wouldn't I. Lol

 

I think the poster that said crime in Falmouth Jamaica was just like crime in Chicago or NYC a few threads ago is what started me

 

Btw that post regarding Falmouth to NYC wasn't well received by many other posters not just me.

 

Maybe from now on I'll compare everything bad about the Caribbean to Canada ok. Lots of cruisers from there as well.

 

 

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same thoughts here

.......

Overall my experience with the NCL laundry has been just fine - EXCEPT for those darn

scratchy ID tags iron glued to the collar or waist band in the most sensitive area.

I consider them my reminder of the cruise several years later...

Question - on my past three NCL cruises, I've received high-quality self adhesive tags in the mail -- do they still send these out? (I still have them on my bags after three years...)

Where did you see the removal of Roatan from the itinerary? We are on the March 25-April 1 sailing of the Pearl. I will be very diappointed if we do not call on Roatan!

As of this morning, Roatan is still on our itinerary, and I downloaded my cruise docs too! 9 more weeks.....:cool:

No Coke - Pepsi!

Was wondering about this. We don't drink and have the UBP. Noticed we have a gratuity associated with it. Can we decline the UBP and get the gratuity as a credit? At most I'll buy a bottle of wine or two.

6:35pm CST it finally sailed.

Just watching (obsessing) the Pearl Webcam here. Anyone notice it is a bit late leaving?

Taxi or UBER to get to hotel and port. Calculate the difference, though, to just stay at the Hilton Riverside (we are this time in March). Its literally at the port and just a hike through the mall to the terminal. Otherwise you can do fancy, quaint, or pseudo-budget around the quarter. The best lesson learned, you've already got. Don't take a car to NOLA. Too much hassle paying for parking and traffic. (Especially the week you are cruising) It is a foot and streetcar kind of place.

on Roatan, Maya Key is nice and very low cost. Beach, cash bar (also affordable), and buffet lunch included. and you never leave port - they pick you up at the ship on a boat.

Sushi is also not on the UDP, I believe. My daughter can easily use $100 of it...

As I recall, for a very short period (like two weeks?) Norwegian piloted a program selling passes to the Haven several years ago. There was overwhelming negative reaction from those who were paying a significant amount for the privilege of this private space and Norwegian quickly reversed course.

I would imagine so.

We've got 9002 on the Pearl so thanks for the heads up! I doubt it will bother me, (the theater), because I can't hear well anyway. I'm used to anchoring noises as we've had the DOS on the Sky before. Usually most noise is 5-6am when we're already up and about.

You are probably not remembering, but they cost $250, and then they give you $100 back on your current (past) cruise. So they are really worth $250 still.