roger001

We've sailed out of Tampa several times.  Tampa does have an occasional issue with fog, and ships both in and out being delayed.  Otherwise, very nice port.  The Dawn is one of the smaller NCL ships, that is, not one of the mega ships.  For my wife and myself, we prefer the smaller class of ships.  The Dawn had a wonderful crew last time we sailed her just before the shut down.  Reference Key West, last I heard it was still iffy as to whether Key West was going to permit cruise ship again.   I like the private island for a few hours of stopping.  The food is free on the island (they set up a buffet) and if you have the drink package, it is covered on the island.  Unfortunately, Great Stirrip Cay is a tender stop.  Frequently, the wind and waves don't permit tendering and the the ship can't stop there.  I don't know what the percentage is, but pretty high.  However, for a 5 day cruise, just hanging out on the ship, eating and drinking isn't all that bad.  

I assume you are realizing the 96 hour prior test is only necessary if you test positive at the pier and then later want NCL assistance for quarantine, etc.  If you are not looking for that...have travel insurance that will cover or driving, a test is not required except the one NCL will give you before boarding.  

The minimum bid is the lowest that slide will post as you begin to move it.   You can stop at that point or slide up further.  The higher you bid the more chance you will win your bid.  

I would say do a PCR test 96 hours before sailing.  You can determine from that if you can go.  If still positive from that test, I wouldn't waste my time showing up at the dock then.  

Got to give our County health dept an A for service.  Tested there yesterday. By noon today had test results from lab, PCR test, negative, and it contained a fully accounting including who did the testing, where, time and date of test, my name and birthday, all required by NCL.   Will test again at the 96 hour mark before next cruise in December. Oh yea…free. 

6 hours ago, Shellbelle28 said:

We were in an Aft Penthouse suite with large balcony. It was fabulous! So we weren't within the Haven space and were the full ship length to get there. The lounge and pool area were nice. We ate breakfast and lunch there a couple of times and it didn't impress. Food was fine but very slow. Lunch took two hours the second time we went!

That was my overall impression of the Bliss food and bar service and I don't know if it's a big ship thing (I've only been on Jewel Class ships before this) or if it is a first time out since shutdown thing. Most of the bartenders were slow and several were bad. At the mojito bar one forgot to put the rum in the drinks! At the A List bar, they didn't know how to make a standard Margarita, only the special one listed on their menu (and this is the bar that serves Los Lobos!). 

Yuck.   Was thinking about trying.  For the Haven price would expect excellence.  We’ve done suites on Jewel class before and enjoyed that. 

How did you like the Bliss Haven?  What type cabin did you have?   Thanks.

In the morning, we are going down to our County Health Dept and get one of their free PCR tests.  I'm doing it so I can monitor their turn around time.  They say 24 to 48 hours.  I'll then do another prior to cruising.  

26 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Do they use up the non-refundable OBC before any refundable OBC? I believe this is what is done by the various cruise lines owned by the Carnival Corportation.

They must have.  Otherwise I would have had some of it left.  It went quickly for the DSC I believe.  

On our last cruise, one week before it shut down, I left $68 in non refundable OBC behind.  On my previous cruises I had been able to leave tips to butler, etc on their accounts from my OBC, including non refundable.  The rule changes sometime before that last cruise.  Non refundable is really pretty much limited to purchases made through NCL stores or offers now.  I would have bought junk merchandise I didn't need to use it up last day had I know.  

However….I just checked for NCL prices in March….outrageous!   But, the good news, SWA points for advanced flight there then, like stealing. 

I wrote NCL the following and here is their answer.  

There is still such uncertainty as to whether NCL will provide assistance if you are denied boarding at the port.  It has been removed from their web site except in the FAQ portion.  As mentioned in the other responses, it is still there.  If it is, and you want to have the assurance of it if needed, then a 96 hour before boarding test is needed.  The test is only suggested otherwise.  If you have insurance, then you might not care at all.  However, before traveling to the port, for my own personal satisfaction, yes I sure would...and will, get tested at least no later than a week before.  That will preclude me maybe from getting to the port and then finding out I'm positive. In any case, I emailed NCL with very specific questions regarding this issue yesterday.  I additionally emailed my insurance company and asked what exactly will be covered if I do get to the port and then have to go into quarantine.  Haven't heard back from either yet.  

35 minutes ago, DAVLIB007 said:

after doing some digging around i was able to find under frequently asked questions on Norwegian website . the question asked was If I am denied boarding, will i receive assistance with travel arrangements?

. answer was If a guest is denied boarding due to a positive Covid-Test at embarkment, the cruise line will coordinate and cover cost for travel arrangements for that guest and those traveling with them if they are also denied boarding. the cruise line will not be able to assist with travel arrangements if a guest is denied boarding as a result of a violating the cruise lines health and safety protocols

 

Yep.  Thanks.  It is still there.   I'm going to email them and try to get it specific for me. 

 https://www.ncl.com/faq#!#if-i-am-denied-boarding-will-i-receive-assistance-travel-arrangements

Has anyone who has now cruised again determined if a photograph of your vaccination card on your iPhone will meet NCL's requirement to show proof of vaccination?  

Yep.  Unless I missed it somewhere, previous mention of "assistance" in the event you are quarantined, including a daily room service provision if quarantined at a hotel, no longer there.  Gone.  So the 96 (or 72) hour testing means nothing.  If you want to check just for you own confidence, then do it conveniently whenever you wish.  NCL does still mention the 96 hour testing as suggested, but other than you own personal satisfaction you get nothing for it if later positive.  Yea, yea, yea, I know, we all are supposed to read all the information carefully, be responsible for our own actions, etc.  But, since the NCL assistance offer was out there previously, many folks I imagine still consider it as available.  Unlike most of us apparently do, read this stuff daily, some folks got a life and are not aware.    And as mentioned by a previous post, refunds in case you are positive at the port are only FCC, not money. 

1 hour ago, EllieinNJ said:

It was 72 hours but when Bermuda allowed 96 hrs so PCR tests could be back in time, NCL also allowed it.  It is a moot point now because NCL did away with it.

So NCL is no longer covering the costs?  For sure?   If so, then the 96 hour test is pointless other than you might wish to determine if you are infected before showing up.  Correct???   Anyone verify that this is the new NCL change of plans?  

20 minutes ago, Katnisslove said:

I believe it would be Wed.  We are sailing Nov 7th at 4 and when the "recommendation" was 72hrs our window was anytime from Thu-Sun.

Anytime Wednesday, or is it measured from sailing time?   I will assume Wednesday morning would be ok.  

4 minutes ago, SpainAlien said:

Not a rule just a recommendation isn't it?

The requirement for testing is only a recommendation, required to have if you want NCL to pay for quarantine cost in case you test positive at the pier.  The 96 hours is a required maximum time frame if you do decide to get the recommended test  

Ok.  If you cruise sails at 5 pm on a Sunday, exactly how early, how far prior to sailing can you get a Covid test and it meet the 96 hour requirement?  No guessing allowed.  

A balcony absolutely, especially considering it is an anniversary cruise.  An interior to me is only for someone who intends to constantly be out all day and night on the ship somewhere an the cabin  is just to shower, change, and later sleep.  A balcony lets you wake up to the morning, enjoy your coffee out there, have a drink on the balcony in the evening, see the world go sailing past.  Even sea days looking at the ocean is nice. Pulling into ports, you can sit or stand out and see so much.   A balcony is a must for us.  It is an escape and outdoor privacy from the rest of the ship.  It is a personal place to enjoy each other.   I hate to use this term, but "at your age" and this being a celebration, you need a balcony.   It will triple your enjoyment of the cruise.  Now, after I said all of that, the Getaway cabins do  have fairly small balconies, but they are worth having!  An interior.  If you drink all night and want to sleep all day, the absence of any night or day does make for dark sleeping.   Get a balcony!    And enjoy your anniversary.  

We've sailed out of Canaveral twice. It's just a much smaller and less congested port and area.  For those reasons, I like it better than Miami.  But not much to select from out of there.  Also, no immediate airport.  We drove both times.  

HC is fine if your are docked.  Then you can get back to the ship for food after a $10 beer on the island.  If you are tendered, then we just stay on the ship.  It is a nice place, just pricy.  

Yea.  I like the fishes.  

4 minutes ago, brad0576 said:

I just got the upgrade email this week for my Dec 12 cruise on the Bliss - minimum bid to upgrade to the Haven was 2K per person

And I got an upgrade offer on the Bliss from Haven to Haven.  The minimum upgrade is almost as much as what I could just rebook for anyhow.  Not exactly a good option.  I think I'll pass.