TriMomma

If you are on a land vacation and want to get from Point A to Point B a One Day cruise could be fun! I tried to take one while in Norway last summer. We were hoping to go from Bergen to Alesund. Unfortunately... they were all booked up. Someone must be taking them!

Here is the link on the NCL website. Lucky lady!

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/onboard-gifts/spa-gift-certificates

My January 2016 cruise couldn't tender at GSC. I had heard the week before hadn't been able to either. Think it's just the luck of the draw!

Currently it is the best priced drink package out there at $200 p/p service charge on a 7 day cruise. It is very easy for two people to spend $57 per day on drinks.

How did you get it to work out to $200? Isn't it $79.00 per day plus 18% .... $652.54?

Thanks for the link. That's a great resource!

Great advice that bears repeating "If you can set up a PIN online, or change the PIN originally assigned by the bank online, then it isn't a true chip-and-pin card. That pin enables you to take cash from an ATM or will function like a debit card. True chip-and-pin cards have the pin embedded in the chip and cannot be changed online ."y.

Of course you can change your PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. Just go into your bank branch. I have traveled all over the world and have been using CHIP technology for years. The only place in the world I have had credit card fraud was in the US. It is a great security feature, we have been using them in Canada for over 10 years.

I am trying the Haven on my next cruise so that I have a next cruise. DH does not like crowds and this is my way of trying to get him back on another cruise. So.... in my case, if I didn't spend the money on Haven, there would not be another cruise. Hoping it does the trick!

You are helping me make up my mind. Have been struggling with this decision. I really want the aft penthouse for my family of four (we love big balconies). Am also booking for my parents and adult sister. This is a family celebration of many birthdays and I am set on the Haven. (DH doesn't love cruising, he hates crowds. This was my way of getting him on a ship again!) I have been trying to balance the benefit of the space of a forward penthouse (H7) with the possibility of a rocky ride. Have also been worried about the stateroom feeling crowded. Basically, I have narrowed it down to:

A) Aft cabin for 4, Forward for 3

B) Three courtyard staterooms

C) Aft cabin for 4, Courtyard for 3 with spa passes (for another place to go)

D) 2-Bedroom for 5 and Courtyard for 2.

Since we are planning the Baltics in October, I am not sure how much time we will actually be spending in the Haven Courtyard. I want this to be really nice for my Mom and Dad. The rest of us are actually happy all cramming in together believe it or not. :)

I love ESCAPE ROOMS. I am excited that this will be offered. Heading on the Getaway in October. :)

I had this problem on Carnival once. Booked a suite for DH and myself, booked an inside for the kids. DH and one of the kids just switched keycards (while on board).

I know this is an old thread, but wondered if anyone had an update. I am considering booking 9106 on Getaway because it is slightly larger and it would be for 3 adults... my adult sister and older parents. Want to balance out the space - noise concerns.

The Brekkefossen waterfall hike from Flam is a different than the Kjossfossen waterfall you see on the train. We were given a map at the Tourist Office in Flam. They had suggestions for many hikes, depending on your time limit. Ours was 'C' on the map. You begin on the road and then the last little bit is a a climb. It is challenging, but worth it.

Even in the misty weather, the Flam train was still fantastic. The train runs all through the valley and is quite a marvel of engineering. I thought that if I ever went back I would love to either hike or cycle from Myrdal back to Flam. (Definitely not up to Myrdal as the switchback road would be a killer going up!) There are some great youtube videos of people cycling down through the valley. You are right, the map says to start the hike back to Flam from Vatnahalsen, which is the train stop before Myrdal.

If you google this PDF you should be able to find the map on the Visit Flam site. I couldn't find it from menu.

walking-in-flam-and-flamsdalen-valley_map-and-routes_norwegian-a-1.pdf

Another good point! They aren't 21 yet!

What would I do without you CC'ers

So now you have confused me.... Yes it is good to buy wine in Copenhagen or should I wait until the first port in Germany?

I have been looking for the Viva Vino package but cannot seem to find a recent version. Makes me think that they might not offer it on European sailings. :D

Bump

Anyone know if these suggestions are still good? Any other cycling recommendations?

I am a fairly advanced cyclist but would be delighted to hear any and all experiences.

The plot thickens....

If only the first two in the cabin get the FREE AT SEA then perhaps it's not as good a deal as I thought and I should choose the CANADA AT PAR package instead. I have been doing all my calculations assuming that all us would have the UBP. (This is a birthday present for my twins who are turning 21. They will want to participate in cocktail time!)

I am really struggling with this one..... do I book a CANADA AT PAR or the FREE AT SEA. It seems to me that the UBP and SDP are not worth sacrificing the discount.

The more I read.... the more I become confused. Does the Haven include UBP and SDP? I thought it did. If so, what is different about the FREE AT SEA for Haven? There is currently a CANADIAN AT PAR rate that excludes the FREE AT SEA extras.... but I thought those things were already included in the Haven. Can someone clarify?

I am looking at the Getaway to the Baltics in October. It might be a little chilly but wonder how the space will be used. With that many people on board, do they find creative ways to use the outdoor space? Has anyone been on a 'chilly' cruise that can share some tips?

Looking at the Oct 7th cruise from Copenhagen. Looks like we are docking in Nynashamn. Oh well....that will be okay. We will probably do the long day to Berlin because this is a multi-generational trip and I know that Grandpa and the Grandkids are all war buffs.... it will make for a great experience I am sure.

I seem to have inadvertantly duplicated my last post. Oh well. Since I have to edit anyway....

I think that the M&M idea with one of my children will be one I will adopt for future cruises and vacations! It's about time those kids of mine were a little more helpful. Thanks for the tip! :)

We had breakfast in our Haven suite every morning served by our butler...eggs bene never tasted so good.

One evening we didn't want to leave our suite and had the butler (William) deliver dinner from Cagney's ..... we still had one of our SDP dinners left.

Being in the haven and having the services of a butler was an amazing experience. :)

I am confused.... doesn't the Haven come with the SDP automatically? Is it only the 3 per 7 nights as everyone else? bummer if it is.

BTW.... I am considering Haven for my next cruise and this thread alone is making me think "YES". So the Butler will get you any food you want... any time you want. It is like Room Service but better?

There is a great hike to a Waterfall from Flam. It takes about an hour each way and has a great view of the village and the ferries coming and going. The day we were there happened to be misty.... but it was still beautiful. (by the way, this is my first picture on CC. If it's too big, let me know.)

I am having the same debate. We are going on the same cruise in October. I have done many warm weather cruises, but not cool weather ones. What happens to the pool deck and water slides on cool weather cruises. Do people still find a way to use them?

If they airline is letting you do it, I say "go for it". I have found SAS to be pretty good about getting luggage through their connections.