jordans mom

NCL's ship TV set is "not" a Smart TV and does not have have build-in Chromecast app support, etc. - it has exclusive interactive TV features typical of hospitality grade monitors.

 

A. You do NOT attempt to change, switch or use a different HDMI input source for your own content - identify & use whatever the specific ship is using there & then. It might or might not work at all, depending on the ship TV set & how it is configured.

 

B. Easiest, if the input source can be safely disconnected & reconnected - just plug your own HDMI cable (with the iOS Lightening or Samsung adapter/converter plug) between your video source & the monitor's "working" input - and play or cast directly.

 

C. To stream or cast wirelessly, it is much more complicated. You will need to make sure that you can re-use & re-broadcast a WiFi signal (inTRAnet only, no "outside" access or data, it is a closed loop) - using a laptop or notebook PC that support hotspot functions, typically with an Ethernet and wireless port ... bridged together. I also use a nano travel router that function as a MiFi router (running DD-WRT software) - even with this setup, it doesn't always work at land-based lodging.

 

D, Your devices with the ability to Chromecast is good on the output end but you still need something like or similar to Roku stick on the HDTV or monitor end to process & put out the signal for the HDMI port to play the source, wirelessly in this case.

 

E. All these do not involve paying for WiFi on the ship for inTERnet access, the casting function "borrow" the inTRAnet signal to re-broadcast one's own inTRAnet signal ... it might or might NOT work, a case of YMMV. A direct HDMI cable connection with a laptop, tablet, smartphone or iPad/iPhone that support the output directly is most likely to succeed and preferred.

 

Follow my Signature to see the explanation from the 2015 and 2017 Breakaway "Semi Live" reviews.

 

As you can see, the LG TV monitor is a different one, as used on the Gem last year and has a multi-function remote of its own, except, it is firmware locked down. HDMI-1 is in the back & not easy to dis/connect but doable, the Roku Streaming stick is difficult to see but connected & got my personalized homescreen cast onto the LG set.

THANKS MKing

very helpful!

I've done it before successfully on its sister ship, the Breakaway - with our balcony staterooms, where the "Sole" brand TV swivel a bit, for easier access to the HDMI port #1. Switching to other (non-functional) HDMI ports not practical as it is firmware blocked, leave the Harmony IR universal remote home ... not needed. Bring a 10' HDMI cable (6' should do, but ...) to connect directly (also, with the proper adapter - Samsung & iOS output) to play/cast directly your own sources.

 

I have documented this in details before in my earlier reviews. Please remember to reconnect the original HDMI cable for ship's programming & interactive data when finished.

 

Access for the HDMI is very difficult, if not impossible with Insides & Oceanviews due to its tight TV mount.

 

It's possible to use Roku to stream but a lot more work ...

Hi any chance you could post links to your other discussions? Thanks!

OK - so if I follow this thread. If I bring a HDMI cable - I should be able to connect my device directly to the TV, use the TV remote to change inputs and display my content on the cabin TV? I was a bit confused about the OP casting comments. So the cabin is a Smart TV & has a Chromecast app? if I bring my laptop with Chromecast loaded - I should be able to cast wirelessly to TV? Would you not need to have purchased onboard WiFi time to be able to do that?

THANKS!

We are wondering if there is any authentic Mexican food spot within walking distance of port for lunch? we have to be back on board by 3pm so lunch is the only option....would want to be able to sit down and relax while noshing away!!! ..not interested in corporate chains

I recently saw an NCL post that said the UDP covers Harvest Caye. I am also fairly certain I read on boards/threads somewhere - people saying the NCL UDP , IS NOT honored on Harvest Caye.

So if anyone has travelled this season (2018) and visited Harvest Caye and had a UDP - were you able to utilize it at the beach there or not?

:cool:

:cool:

THANKS!:cool::cool::cool::cool:

Anyone have experience in arranging a large group photo on the GETAWAY ? Having travelled a number of NCL cruises, I know they have photographers available midships for taking more formal photos. But we usually are just 2-3 people in the photo. I want to make sure that we can schedule a time where a large group is able to have forrmal shots taken as a group.

If someone has a suggestion as to how to arrange this or if I might be able to do it in advance - please share with me!!

We are off to Western Caribbean at the end of April.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

I have a copy from another poster - but cannot locate it in the Forum

let me see if I can post

OOPS

Found the OP link...posting it as well....

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=54736747#post54736747

these are from end of 2017

may have later ones- prob the same....

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XuDNOgImHHiUSKjFRF3nLAJmQNzzyaJO/view?usp=sharing

I have a copy from another poster - but cannot locate it in the Forum

let me see if I can post

Found this on FB

 

Hi

out of curiosity - how were you able to insert that image in your posting?

Geez, not picky where I go as I like the ship the best, but I would think NCL would inform their clients of the change...

Official letter going out next week

Looks like the TA's were notified first - they notified their clients - - and now we all know.....

I was told if you want to cancel - even if you paid - they will let you off the hook - but probably have to do that asap'

They are crediting cabins with a few $$ of onboard credit - -so there is that

Just got note that our late April itinerary will be shifted away from St Thomas.(and other planned E. Caribeean stops - they apparently are rerouting through September 2018....too bad ... was looking forward to seeing USVI - - maybe another year!

Hope the islands continue to recover and look forward to trying to visit again in coming years!

The Getaway was our first cruise, LOVED it. The pool was usually busy but we enjoyed Spice H2O. There is a water feature there where you can get wet. You won't have a problem finding a lounger somewhere. We did eastern Caribbean and loved it. The food was good.

 

 

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I see you did Eastern Caribbean - can you share any tips? Any chance you have the dailies? We are going end of April, jave not been to any of those ports exc Nassau

Sand and Seas.

We are booked for Eastern Caribbean on Getaway in late April - can you share tips for the EC ports!?

saw a comment on another thread that there is significant construction going on in Miami Cruise Port.

(1) is this true

(2) if taking a shuttle from a hotel to Port - how much extra time should we think abt adding to shuttle time

If anyone has or can direct me to any dailies for the Eastern Caribbean route I would appreciate it.

we shove off in spring 2018 !

Thanks!

Why would one PrePay service charges? just curious.

We are trying to figure out the Illusionarium process. One of us thinks you can book at 90 days before boarding.

I thought I read somewhere that you can only reserve once on board?

We are on a April 2018 sailing.

Can someone point me to a source for correct info?

THANKS

I am looking at cruises to the British Isles. NCL has the JADE doing a 12 day itinerary. On some other competitor itinerary notes - at least 2 of the Ports were listed as TENDER ports .

I cannot tell you HOW MUCH I HATE TENDERING..:mad::mad::mad:..even though we often on NCL would have priority because of the cabin level we often choose + Latitudes level

Would appreciate any and all input on whether there are TENDERS on the British Isles itinerary :cool::cool::cool:

or advice on how I can find out....have been unable to find info regarding this particular detail on the NCL website.....

Have a late April 2018 trip on the GETAWAY - wondering if anyone has a recent Eastern Caribbean experience they can share? If on the GETAWAY - that would be wonderful. If just an Eastern Caribbean experience anytime leading up to April 2018 - would appreciate tips!:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

HI... for a long time I have wanted to sail on the QM.

My parents enjoyed many Cunard cruises over the years - and I remember their stories of the great ships and experiences (note: Mom loved to dress, Dad not so much - but he went along as long as Mom pulled it all together! :D:D)

However, I am not into "dressing up" every night, and while relaxing during sea days - prefer a nice tShirt or Coverup and Shorts over my bathing suit to sit, wander or find a place for day meals.....

so I have chosen many "casual cruises" over the years to many places on NCL.

Would I be comfortable on this type of cruise...I am thinking of the 14 day Transatlantic - dont really need any tours of Europe - been there plenty of times/ done that

But I do love Sea Days!

Thanks!

Heading out on Dawn soon. Anyone seen changes in Fitness center? Be great if someone could post dailies and MDR

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!!!

We are trying to remember the name of an AWESOME dive bar that we whiled the night away 3 years ago near the Royal Dockyard - if I recall - it was walking away from Mall on Pender Rd(I think?) it was on the right hand side just before a small bridge overpass heading SW out of the dockyard area....kind of a non-descript building set off the road, slightly offset behind another food shack....this place had restaurant seating and a bar in the back - couple running the place were Brit ex pats? so lots of Brit flags and stuff....Can anyone let me know if it is still there and the name - - we are heading back to Bermuda in about 2 weeks and would love to spend another tropical night there!

Great conch fritters too!:):D

Continuing on with some of my thoughts ...

I would say that the layout of the ship was about average. The décor on the ship was a bit above average – some spaces were very well done, others just ‘ehhh’ – nothing terrible in general – just not terribly exciting or interesting overall –

notwithstanding the overall ship spaces - - there were 3 spaces I thought were very well done.

As an overall observation - I found some spaces to be too “clustered” and others to be disjointed. Hopefully my descriptions will help clarify this experience for me.

Solarium pool area-

this space was very restful and generally nicely appointed (could have done without the floor to ceiling wall of fake ivy).

The lounges were always well setup and kept clean during the day as people came and went. In one corner was the AquaSpa café (which was handy) and flanked by 2 hot tubs. Entrance to the Spa/Fitness facilities lay on the fore side and passage through to main pool decks was through the aft side. Even though there was plenty going on in the main pool deck – the solarium area was always quiet and restful.

Shopping -

The general and high end shops are on separate levels on the ship. I usually like to meander through the perfumerie and cosmetics area – but it was tucked away on the upper level and was so out of the “usual’ route we would take through the ship – I found myself just forgetting about it as we went about our night wanderings – too bad, as I often find some interesting scent to try and purchase…

..everyday items on the lower level were slim pickings….choices of ‘take home” t’s and things were generally only out in a broad selection during their ‘event’ sales…

.really found it a nuisance to even consider to work the times of my day around when the ship stores wanted to hold a sale(?) (really?) - esp since I found if you asked or wandered by later you could still get what you wanted....

….so, needless to say did not make some of my usual token purchases onboard there either….. the on ship liquor store actually had some good prices and will match any price you see off ship – just take a cell phone picture of the price and name of the seller and they said they would match it – we had a lot of postcruise travelling – so this was not a liquor run opportunity for us – but do keep that in mind - especially if you like rum

More to come….