Peachypooh

Once we took a taxi from the taxi stand down the street to LGA. It was $60 (can't remember if this included tip). Last time we arranged for a car service.  It was aprox. $100. The taxi worked better because the car service had to park a few blocks away due to traffic and we had to pull our luggage up a slight incline.The taxi stand is a flat walk.  We are elderly so this might or might not bother you.

I understand your point of view. Usually the things you mention can be taken care of on the first day when you meet your butler. I make a short list with our cabin number on it so he doesn't have to remember. Yes they misunderstood and it caused work for you.  I was on another cruiseline and someone was pleading with the room steward to remove all alcohol from his room because he was an alcoholic and the room steward said he had to put it in a bag under the bed rules are rules. That's the other side of the coin. Don't know how that ended up. Anyway have a nice cruise. We don't give the butler money upfront. Some people do. On one occasion we were told to wait until the end almost as if I was breaking some type of rule.

11 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Let's try to be more helpful.... 

 

You can use your Free at Sea and your Latitudes Vouchers at La Cucina, Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki (one of their entree selections), Moderno Churrascaria (all you can eat), and Sushi (4 items off menu). 

 

Technically, Free at Sea offers 1 appetizer, 1 soup/salad, 1 entree, and 1 dessert. And Latitudes is 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert. But I have never been charged when using a Latitudes voucher for an additional soup/salad/appetizer. When you book 125 days before departure, book the fixed priced restaurants (Teppanyaki, Moderno) first, then the a la carte restaurants. 

Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it.

We will be sailing on the Gem soon. What are the choices for the two free

restaurant meals? Last time I cruised it was Cagney's, LeBistro or LaCucina but

I read somewhere that has changed. Thanks.

It is a personal preference. When we sail with family they love the dining room. The main dining rooms serve the same thing but the buffet is different.  When we are just the two of us we  either dine in a specialty restaurant or the buffet. I find the buffet food to be as good as the dining room and it is fast. I love the theme nights in the buffet especially the prime rib night or the grill night. So to answer the question the buffet is different but equal in quality in my opinion.

On 5/8/2024 at 5:40 PM, Scubadoc said:

Very encouraging. We have booked an Aft suite. For those of you who have sailed in a forward suite what has been your experience with the wind? I love the size of the forward suite balconies , but I’m a little afraid of how usable it will be with the possibility of wind?

We have sailed in a forward suite many times. Never really had a problem with wind. We take our cue from the cabin steward if they tie things down on the deck. That was only once .It was fantastic going through the Panama Canal.

We have sailed on the Pearl three times. It is our favorite ship. They have an outstanding crew.It never seemed crowded. The food was great.

We have had good luck with some shore excursions and have taken

advantage of tours we otherwise would not have known about such

as the Tuk Tuk tour in Bonaire. Also the transfer to Cocoa Beach in

Florida. With the shore excursion credit they were almost free. That said

I was  recently checking shore excursions in St. Thomas for an upcoming cruise and 

I noticed that the Pirate Museum and Tram tickets were around $50 more for

the two of us instead of us walking there and buying tickets on the spot.

It is probably obvious to frequent cruisers but for the newbies out there

check what it would cost to do some of these tours on your own before

buying the NCL shore excursions. We did see the lumberjack show

in Ketchikan with  NCL shore ex tickets for the exact same money as if we

bought them there on the spot. So it varies.

Has anyone taken this shore excursion? Is it at a restaurant or

other venue and how far from the pier. Thank you.

I haven't read all of the replies. I have sailed in a cabin with just portholes, one with a balcony, and one with two balconies. At least one  balcony is worth it for me as I tend to get a little seasick and stepping outside helps.  That said, it would depend on my finances at the time. No amount of money how little would be worth it to me if I had to take it away from my food budget for example. If I felt I could afford it, anything under $100 per day for two people in a balcony I would say is OK.

48 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

One’s bar preference is The Mezzanine -

They have a great selection of Rhum/Rum at all price points.  

Plus their small plates/tapas are very good.  
An ethnic/local place to enjoy the ambiance and people watch below.

Note their “Happy Hour” starts at 4pm and lasts for 4 hours.

 

Thank you for answering my question.

Are there any restaurants/bars within walking distance of the Old San Juan pier that we

can taste a few of the local rums. We aren't interested in the cruise ship 2-3 hour tours

because of the amount of walking and being light drinkers. Thanks.

Sorry I didn't read through all the replies. We have been on numerous  cruises spanning the last 30 years and most  of them were  on NCL. I would have to say that behavior has slowly gotten worse over the years but the only cruise where I noticed it was really bad was February 2023 on the Getaway. My earlier cruises perhaps a bit of rude elevator etiquette or hogging the buffet stations but that was it. On my last cruise on the Getaway I was at a bar and the person next to me was telling this "hilarious" story (to him) about an elderly overweight woman that fell down in front of him on the beach and he didn't want to pick her up but reluctantly did. Then he turned to me and asked it that was me. And other general rudeness on that cruise.

I have been on the Jade twice. One time for a week and another time for I believe 9 days.  I love the Jewel class ships No feeling of being crowded or rushed. I am referring to the Encore and Getaway as the bigger ships we didn't care for.That said the Jade was sort of boring. It didn't have the energy of the Pearl or Gem.

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

How many people was it that "rushed over to tell the other ship that they sucked?"  I just can't see this happening.

It was dusk and we were pulling into port. Lots of the people on the NCL ship were out on their balconies and on the top deck drinking and enjoying themselves. As we pulled up to the other ship about thirty people out of about a hundred on our ship  started yelling. The other ship heard  people yelling at them and maybe not "rushed" but walked swiftly to the side we were pulling in on and started their own chants. At least thirty on the other ship too.

We went on the Getaway in February and pulling into one of the ports next to a Royal Caribbean ship people lined

up and as soon as we were even with them started shouting Royal Caribbean sucks!! Not to be outdone,

hearing that people on the Royal Caribbean ship rushed over to the railings and proceeded to yell

Norwegian sucks!  It was like we were at a football game with very drunk patrons. To be fair when we pulled along

side a Disney ship people were admiring it. Go figure

Talking to some of the people later who were yelling it was their first real vacation since Covid and they wanted

to really live it up. I hope all that pent up energy has died down. What have you found?

The last cruise we went on was a 7 day cruise. We had our two grand children in the cabin with us. I tipped the butler $400 and the room steward $400. In other words  $100 per person in the cabin for the week. I gave the concierge $100. They earned itby really going above and beyond but $900 put a serious dent in my wallet LOL  

Having a cabin near a public restroom is a plus especially if you have more than 2 people in the cabin. However when I have done this I always make sure it is not right next to our cabin or directly above our cabin. Need a little buffer not to hear swishing sounds all day and sometimes at night.

We  wanted to take a cruise this January or February of 2024. We are sapphire with NCL and have had some lovely vacations that I feel were worth the money. However....February of 2023 on the Getaway  we experienced what MIGHT happen again if we did that. Overcrowding, ridiculous pricing (that's on me), cancelled ports, late arrivals, noise and chaos. And we were in the Haven! I jus can't chance it again. Makes me sad. Hopefully things will settle down and return to what it used to be.

On 9/18/2023 at 3:27 AM, amygutman said:

@laudergayle the gum wall is on our list to see, but I can tell you, that I am physically nauseous. Just thinking about it!!! 🤣 

Can’t wait to hear about your trip to Vancouver, I’ve heard it’s a beautiful town to visit pre-cruise. 
Warmest Amy

We stumbled across the gum wall by accident and didn't know quite what to think. It IS kind of

nausea inducing. LOL

I try to pack mostly what it would be difficult to replace on board. An extra pair of sneakers, lots of OTC meds and toiletries, some snacks. Then depending on the destination clothes for about half of the days we will be gone (one day outfit one night outfit). Then I hand wash or send out laundry. Makes it very simple.

On 9/15/2023 at 12:31 PM, OKTXMama said:

Can anyone please tell me if the bed in the extra bedroom is comfortable? Does it have the springs and bars on typical pullouts or is it a full mattress on a platform? Looking at booking this and my 25 year old son would stay in that room. I want him to be comfortable and I'm concerned the bed may not work for him. He's not a big guy, but when you're used to a nice mattress in your own home then sleeping on bars and springs is a no go. Thanks!

Our teenaged grand daughter slept on it and she said it was comfortable. She weighs about

125 pounds and 5 foot 5 which might make it different if your son is much bigger.

1 hour ago, RD64 said:

Literally true - also tripped and slid down a hill in Alaska - dislocated my shoulder.

Sorry to hear that. I tripped and fell on an excursion at a resort in Curacao. Fortunately I always bring a first aid kit on excursions and I patched myself up.

Accidents happen in an instant. I know someone whose wife tripped hiking  on vacation and was in the hospital for 6 weeks in Spain. Taking care of my grandchildren once on a cruise ship I had one of them have an allergic reaction to something and fortunately I knew what to do.

Pre-packaged snacks for the room in case you just want to stay in

your cabin due to rough seas and want to avoid the room service

charge.