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3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Norwegian emails the passenger directly. TA's do not receive the flight information. 

My TA received the flight information at the same time I did.  She is actually advocating for them to change the return flight as they have us on a 10 a.m. flight out of Panama.

38 minutes ago, basketballdad said:

When we bought the hotel package from ncl we bought the transport package which included 3 legs.  Airport to hotel, hotel to ship, and ship to airport after.  I have never paid the premium in over 50 cruises to use ship transportation, but this one- highly recommend it!

 

We were group 2 getting off. 745 and it was very fast.  Our flight was suppose to be at 1220 and was delayed.   I would not try for anything before 11 am!  it is a ways and traffic could slow you, airport is slow, etc.  10 am is simply cutting it too close imho.

 

We also bought the package from NCL and someone there told my travel agent that there is no transportation from airport to hotel.  I have asked her to verify once again before paying $80 for a private transfer but that was over a month ago and I have yet to hear back from her.  I usually do not use TAs for the sole reason that I like to be able to be in control of my trip but with COVID I thought I would be better off.

NCL has booked us on a 10 a.m. flight.  Again after receiving the flight info I called my TA and again she told me she would look into it but I still haven’t heard from her😡.  I see no way that we would make that flight unless someone from NCL personally escorted us off the ship and drove us privately.  As it stands now, even if we were first off the ship we will have to wait for the NCL bus to fill up before it would leave for the airport.  

Did NCL provide transportation from the airport to the Hilton?  We booked the precruise package and they told my TA that transportation to the hotel was not included.

What time did you arrive at the airport after the cruise?  NCL has us booked on a 10 a.m. flight and I’m very worried we will not make that.  

Sorry, I screwed up in the title and now can’t edit it.  We are disembarking in Panama City.  Do you have any insight as far as transfer times from the pier to the airport?

We got our flight schedule from NCL today.  We disembark in Panama City at 7 a.m.  They have us booked on a flight departing at 10 a.m.  we have NCL transfer but I’m sure they sit at the pier until all passengers are on the bus.  Is there any chance of us making that flight?

Just in case anyone else is wondering about this, I asked the same question on a travel group and the majority of respondents agree that the vendors are much more aggressive and threatening than in Jamaica and even more so the “rappers”.  I’m not exactly sure what rappers are but they say they are the ones who jump in a taxi or vehicle with you uninvited and then demand payment.  Some say a stern wagging of your fingers in a no gesture is enough to keep them away or no thank you, avoid eye contact and do not speak other than to say no thank you.  I’m thinking we will stay in the port area unfortunately.  

I’m a little concerned with some of the posts saying how aggressive the street vendors are.  There is little I hate more on an excursion than being chased by vendors who don’t leave us alone after saying no thank you while we continue to walk.  Has anyone here been to Jamaica who can compare their aggressiveness?  Jamaica is the worst I have been too.  

3 hours ago, Erekosse said:

I just got a confirmation email indicating my shareholder benefit request was accepted. So, 7-day cruise should be $100 OBC.

 

A second email included an amenity invoice. Since this is the first amenity invoice I've seen, I'm trying to figure out if the OBC I'm seeing on it is from the travel agent or the shareholder benefit. I'm seeing an OBC of $50 with code TG50 posted on each of passengers 1 and 2. Does this sound like the usual way this OBC is added?

 

TIA

How long did it take?  I sent mine off 11 days ago and still nothing.  First time I did this I had the confirmation within a couple days.

I assume if you are booked on an NCL transfer/pre-cruise hotel package we don’t need to worry about a check-in time?  At least I would hope we are allowed to check in when the bus gets us to the pier?

The included beverage package has changed.  As of January 1, 2023 you will receive six 1 L bottles of water per room 
 

With the Unlimited Open Bar Package, enjoy a wide selection of beverages both on board and at Great Stirrup Cay. Here’s what you get:

• Select, premium cocktails & spirits under $15 USD (such as Patron Silver, Grey Goose and more)
• A variety of beer and wine by the glass under $15 USD
• 20% off all bottles of champagne and wine
• Unlimited soft drinks and juices
• (6) 1L Flow Water bottles delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day*

Please Note: The Unlimited Open Bar Package is included with your reservation if you booked through Free at Sea.

On 9/15/2022 at 10:38 AM, basketballdad said:

K we took some advice.

In a foreign country where we do not speak the native language, we pay a few bucks more and we decided to use the ships transfers and the ships hotel.  Now we just hope they pick us up as promised 🙂

We have also booked the ships hotel package just for convenience but it doesn’t include transportation from airport to hotel (even though it says it does non NCLs website but apparently the hotel no longer has an airport shuttle so it’s not provided).  So all in all with the estimated cost of transportation and a different often recommended hotel NCLs package is about $300 more plus we still have to arrange transportation to the hotel on our own.  

3 hours ago, quillwercruisers said:

rhi_pnca@radissonamericas.com is the email address that I used.  I'm pretty sure I got it off the Radisson website.  They responded fairly quickly to all of my emails.

Yes that is the one I have been using.  No response at all from them over the past probably 3 months.  I didn’t want to try calling in case nobody speaks English, which I was advised many of the hotel employees don’t, but may have to. Thanks for your response.  

On 9/8/2022 at 9:28 AM, quillwercruisers said:

We are staying at the Radisson in Panama City.

How did you get ahold of any one there?  I have sent about 10 emails inquiring about transportation options and have received no response.  

21 minutes ago, BillB48 said:

If you are booked at the Radisson Panama Canal, which is the one on Ft. Amador it would be easy to get a cab to take you to the cruise terminal.  Really is not too terribly far away.  Sometimes following through on correspondence is not their strong point.

We are sailing from Colon.  Any idea of the approximate cost of a cab?  In their initial email the Radisson said their transportation would be $75 for two people which I think is a good price for a 1.5 hour drive.  

On 7/13/2022 at 10:16 AM, terry&mike said:

Can anyone recommend a private transfer company for a transfer from Panama City Old Town to the Colon cruise port?

Have you found any options?  We are booked at the Radisson and in my initial email they said they could arrange transportation but all subsequent emails sent asking them how to go about booking have been unanswered. 

10 minutes ago, quillwercruisers said:

We are departing from Panama City (Fuerte Amador) not Colon Port.  That might be the difference.  The Radisson is near Fuerte Amador port.  I hope they get you a firm price soon.

Okay, yes that makes sense then.  We return to Fuerte Amador.  If we departed from there then I wouldn’t have a problem booking a nearby hotel and finding our own way there, but when it is an hour+ drive to the port I feel more comfortable holding NCL responsible 😁

On 5/11/2022 at 10:53 AM, quillwercruisers said:

I emailed them back and asked about the rate to the cruise port, and was told that there is no charge for the shuttle to the cruise port.

Just FYI you may want to reconfirm I just received an answer and they state it is $70 for two which still isn’t too bad.  NCL is $62 CND per person so I’m figuring $50 US. 
 

“You are departing from the Colon Port, we do not offer shuttle service to that port, we can make transportation arragements at a cost of US$ 70.00 for one or two people, each additional person will pay another US$ 10.00”

4 hours ago, Bullies3 said:

Also cruising the Panama Canal in March 2023.  Still trying to get clarification from our PCC on transfers from the Panama Hilton to the cruise port in Colon.  According to NCL's website transportation IS included however this seems difficult for NCL to confirm....  The NCL rate for the Panama Hilton is $250 per night for my wife and me.  I also have a reservation direct with the Hilton for $160 per night which I'll cancel once I get the clarification on transportation to the cruise port.  I figured I'd rather go with NCL transportation as opposed to booking privately since we've never been to Panama and didn't want to risk getting ripped off for the approx. 1 hour ride to the pier.  FYI, it's about a 20 minute ride from Tocumen airport to the Hilton.  Private transfer is around $25.  

Just got an answer today from my TA, although NCL can’t confirm the pricing until they make the booking - very odd lol - I’ve not heard of this before but…. they say it is $167/person CND plus $64/person for return transfer from port to airport.  So a total of $459 CND for transfer from airport to hotel and round trip transfers to port (or thereabouts depending on verification when NCL actually books the hotel).  Not certain but I think that would be around $300 US.

Just for ease and peace of mind we are going to go ahead and book through NCL (if they ever secure a firm price lol).  

On 5/11/2022 at 10:53 AM, quillwercruisers said:

I emailed them back and asked about the rate to the cruise port, and was told that there is no charge for the shuttle to the cruise port.

Wow that is a really good deal then.  I asked my TA 3-1/2 weeks ago to get me a price on hotel package through NCL and she still hasn’t got back to me, even with a “anything yet?” earlier this week 🙄.  I think I will go ahead and book this own my own.  Thanks for the info!

45 minutes ago, quillwercruisers said:

They didn't actually give me a rate.  I figured it would change between now & then so I didn't ask.  The rates for the hotel itself were good though.  

 

Oh okay.  Yes the rate for the hotel is excellent.  

On 5/3/2022 at 10:20 AM, quillwercruisers said:

We are cruising in March 2023, and we are booked at the Radisson.  They don't have a shuttle from the airport (didn't look like the Hilton did either), but they do have a shuttle to the port.  Rates were great too.

What was the rate for the shuttle to the port?  I emailed them awhile ago but haven’t heard back yet.  

3 hours ago, CaptainBazz said:

When you made your booking and selected transfers did it not ask for your flight details? It always did when I have done it. If you are not flying in on the same day as the cruise leaves it will not let you book and you have to call. At least that is what has happened to me. I show up at the airport the next day and meet the shuttle. 

We booked BOGO airfare with NCL.  There is a transfer fee of $250, I’m not sure if that is round trip or not, it doesn’t state.  I will have to give them a call.  

3 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

@Middleager is spot on in making own transfers from Panama City to Colon (and back).

 

Alternatively, can you swap your Jan 26 cruise with the Feb 13 one? This way you can start the first leg (Feb 4) of your B2B cruise in Panama City and end your second leg also in Panama City?

 

It's still early days yet, and you can cancel Jan 26 and rebook Feb 13 on the same reservation/booking without penalty. Any deposit paid, CNs, etc for Jan 26 will stay on the reservation for Feb 13.

 

Really cool to be going the Panama Canal twice - in different directions! Panama Canal is still on my bucket list. We will do that only on smaller/med-size ship, not on the mega ship. 

 

 

We aren’t doing a back to back - you must’ve seen that I am posting on two roll calls.  There is nobody talking on the roll call for my sailing so I joined the conversation in the roll call on the next sailing which is pretty active after explaining the circumstances 😊

We are flying into Panama City the day prior to the cruise which departs from Colon.  We paid for transfers as per our reservation.  If we don’t book a hotel through NCL does anyone know how we arrange the transfer?  Wondering if we can make arrangements to get back to the airport the next day to meet the bus?  Anyone done this before?  

Mine dropped $1300 CND yesterday from when I booked it last summer!  January 2023.  Woohoo!

I booked back last summer, checked a couple weeks ago and it was down about $80 so didn’t bother contacting my TA.  Checked yesterday and it was down $1300!!!  Panama Canal + ABC Islands, Jan 2023, balcony BA.  Never have I seen a drop that big, even my TA was surprised.  The only thing we lost was one specialty dinner so we now get two instead of three.