pathubia

When I originally booked my November 2015 cruise Harvest Caye was listed as a stop, a couple of month before the cruise it was changed to Belize City. Now it looks like we wont be going to Harvest Caye in May either...I will have to keep cruising till we finally get there!!

The two times we were there we docked (we were on the DAWN). There is only room for one ship at the dock. There was one other ship there in November (NCL JADE), the people on the JADE tendered.

We booked Maya Key and used the beach there. I don't know if there are any beaches close to the dock.

I sail on the Dawn next week and this is my first NCL cruise. I too read a lot of negative reviews, on the reviews page of this website and was extremely concerned as I am a loyal RCC cruiser and LOVE LOVE LOVE RCC.

 

I am glad some folks posted on this thread and the responses were good, some of yall may want to do a full blown review and off set all of the negative ones.

 

Thank you for all of your information.

Not sure what you are looking for in a cruise, there are no rock climbing walls or outdoor movies, but if you are looking for a fun filled week with four ports, great shows, yummy food, someone to cook for you and make your bed everyday, you will have a great time!!

We stayed at the Prytania Park Hotel in the Garden District, the prices were very reasonable and they have free parking.

It is a $8 pp taxi ride to the port.

On our last two cruises on the Dawn the "farewell" show was added at the end of Elements.

Follow my six rules of documentation to ensure you have everything you need. It has yet to fail me.

Ensure your DW is in charge of all the documentation. It means:

1. I don't have to bother

2. She does have to bother

3. Her OC will take over and make sure we have enough documentation that our luggage over-weight limitation will be in serious jeopardy.

4. She'll single-check, double-check and double-dog-dare check to make sure she has everything.

5. Will thusly be responsible for anything we need that we don't have freeing me up to say:

6. "Not my fault"

 

Has never known to fail.

 

Good luck OP, hope your hubby makes it.

Sounds like me and my husband!! Whatever works!!

So much good advice. Did I mention this is our second cruise ever?! Yes it is on flight 1366, weather looks clear albeit freezing so he will be there at the desk with a look of urgency. He has all the info. For those interested- only cost $80 which is a heck of a lot cheaper than s one way flight to Cozumel! Son and I will haul all the luggage to the port and start pleading early. We will use Uber which has worked remarkably well thus far in our short time in Tampa.

Yes!! Now go have a great trip

After reading these different scenarios, I am going to bring all of our stamped birth certificates with us and keep them in a separate place.

I am crossing everything and praying that it arrives on time!!

Please let us know!!

Patty

It depends upon some variables, but, generally speaking, larger ships with Haven complexes rarely give out concierge information to platinum members. It's not reasonable to expect one concierge (assistant concierges are not equals) to handle 95 suites with nearly 400 suite guests AND Platinum members, which could also number in the hundreds on the larger ships.

 

However, there is a hierarchy of "VIP" statuses. It's possible that those given concierge information might have been given it for reasons other than being Platinum.

 

Given the situation, it's reasonable to expect concierges to cater to passengers who specifically purchased a suite for their services over those who would receive it as part of a loyalty program. Sure, Platinum members have also "paid" for the benefits through their loyalty, but what do you expect of concierges that are already stretched too thin to handle an unreasonably large number of suite guests?

 

Blame corporate management for not addressing the issue and leaving their first line employees on the ships to deal with the fallout. "Fighting" or "harassing" concierges are pretty awful things to do to those who are already trying their best to make a broken system work.

No fear of me "fighting" or "harassing" the concierge, I was just curious as what to expect (or not expect).

Thanks!!

Maybe it depends on the ship? We are on the DAWN, there are no haven suites, just regular suites, maybe that is part of the difference....Time will tell...

Thanks!!

They ask that you don't tip individually. They have a "Love Box" for tips. That said, you should tip based on what you think is appropriate. I think $10-$15 per person total for the day is reasonable. Would depend on how many drinks, etc.

If you get the concierge phone number seems to be based on ship management/concierge/number of platinums on board or something even more obscure. Most of the cruises I did not but some I did.

I never used it though.

I will probably only be looking for priority tendering and disembarking.....I plan on making dinner reservations as soon as they come online.

This cruise May 8 on the DAWN was just added last month because the refurbishment was put off for 10 days, there aren't any excursions or dinner options yet online.

Yes, you will vet vouchers for an early tender and a letter in regard to early disembarking. Embarking you're pretty much out of luck.

I have used the concierge in the past, just call Guest Services and ask to be connected or for their extension. However, it's actually best, depending on the ship you are on - to make dinner reservations prior to boarding.

Harriet, Thanks for the info. I thought that, but wasn't sure!!

1. http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules.aspx

2. You purchase the street car passes on the street car. Please have exact change, the machine does take bills.

3. Not sure, never took that tour....

4. The Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) is approximately 17 miles from the cruise terminal complexes. Please allow approximately 45 minutes travel time. There are three basic means of transportation from the airport to the cruise terminal. The following numbers and rates are as of March 21, 2012 for transportation between the airport and the cruise terminal complexes:

Airport Shuttle - (504) 522-3500 -

Kiosks in the baggage area of the airport, walk up service. $20 per person one way.

Airport Limousine - (504) 305-2450 -

Kiosks in the baggage area of the airport, walk up service. Rates start at $58 for one or two passengers.

Taxis - Flat fee of $35 for the first two persons, $12 per person for three or more, plus a $1 fuel surcharge per trip (not passenger).

I have seen such negative reviews for the Dawn. You would never believe that its the same ship that we cruised on!! But like everything else, different strokes for different folks!!

Thanks for the info!!

We are booked on a 10 day cruise in May.

We are both platinum, but we are not cruising in a suite for the first time since reaching platinum. According to NCL latitudes tiers, we get concierge service. Does that mean we can tender early? Embark and disembark early? Dinner reservations?

Thanks!!

Patty

I don't think it mattered that we were in a suite, we just needed to book cabins that had adjoining doors. We were going book the inside with one adult but thought that would be a big pain in the butt.

This is from NCL's website:

[B]© Guests under 21: Any Guest under 21 years of age is considered a minor. Any Guest under the age

of 21 must be accompanied in the same, connecting, or side by side stateroom by a Guest 21 years of

age or older at the time of embarkation who expressly agrees to be responsible for the under-21 Guest

throughout the cruise. The Guest agrees that this responsibility includes, but is not limited to, preventing

the under-21 Guest from violating the vessel's rules, including preventing the under-21 Guest from

purchasing and/or consuming alcohol and/or gambling on board the vessel, except as set forth herein.

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcohol. With the exception of Alaska

and Hawaii itineraries, Carrier permits Guests, between the ages of 18 through 20, to purchase and

personally consume wine and beer only while onboard and with the consent of an accompanying parent.

Authorization will be given only when the accompanying parent completes the Young Adult Alcoholic

Beverage Waiver form. This form can be obtained and completed at the Guest Services Desk upon

embarkation of the vessel. However, Guests 18 years of age or older are permitted to consume alcoholic

beverages when sailing on roundtrip European voyages without having to complete the Young Adult

Alcoholic Beverage Waiver form. Guests must be 18 years of age to engage in gambling on the vessel.(d)[/b]

I don't know if this is an option for you, we booked adjoining balcony cabins, (actually suite and a mini suite). They do allow kids under 21 in their own cabins as long as the rooms connect.

I am really enjoying your cruise!!

Virginia has been our concierge twice and she is a sweetheart!!

Looking forward to your next installment....

We were able to tender to Belize from the Dawn in January and November.

I have cruised the middle of May twice, it was cool leaving Boston, the weather in Bermuda was great!!

Look for the deck with the Kid's Club designation.

The kids club is on deck 13 on the Dawn, no cabins....

Have you both joined your ROLL CALL for your cruise? It might be a good idea as you can usually have a M&G and meet senior staff.

I joined right away, have met some really nice people at the meet & greets!!

So, dh & I just booked an inside on kiddo deck, We will get the best of both worlds, dark cabin for sleeping and quick & easy access to a wonder view just step away. We have always wanted to try a cabin on kiddo and this is the year to

try it. We are celebrating dh bday in Oct.

We are cruising the same week, so far there are 12 of us. Two are also celebrating birthdays that week!!