Girr

Uh, there's always a store to get more toothpaste. Just saying...

Fully understand the aggravation, alas we now just need to zero in on getting the situation resolved. Good luck!

New York Passport Agency (state.gov) Call right now to see if you can schedule an appointment for Monday morning in NYC. Added: Make an appointment by calling 1-877-487-2778 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Mondays through Fridays, or on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our appointment line is closed on federal holidays.

Oh trust me, it’s not to thrill tourist. You’ll also see this in Acapulco - there’s a very good reason for their presence. It’s just, so far, they’ve been able to keep the tourists areas along Cancun “safe”. Like any large city though get off the beaten path and things can/do happen.

On the Jewel class ships the Owner Suites & Deluxe Owner Suites at the front are classified as Haven and have full access to the Haven (granted no Haven restaurant). The Epic also has Haven suites outside of the Haven: aft-facing penthouse, and haven penthouse suites (deck 14) with full Haven privileges.

There're just some cruises I can't imagine not being in an owner's suite - especially on the Jewel class ships. We've done Panama Canal, Alaska and Norway in owners suites and any other suite IMO wouldn't have been the same for these cruises. Yes, as some complain the front balcony can be an issue when sailing full steam, but for these leisurely cruises it was delightful - it's like being the captain of the ship without the worries. Some love aft cabins, but me - well, I like seeing where I'm going! We're not big drinkers, plus with the beverage package, we've often given the bottles away (we've been very popular with honeymooners, anniversaries, the next-door cabin neighbors who my mother consistently thought she had to entertain out on the balcony, etc.). The additional space in the suites is also very much to our liking. As to price, over the years we've managed to score some very good prices.

You are electing to misinterpret my comments. Call the DSC a tip - call it a gratuity. Tomato - tomato. The $20/$25 DSC does go room attendants, wait staff, laundry etc. Perhaps not all directly (some goes into pools which are distributed based on hero awards, etc.). 20% service charge from beverage package goes to bar staff, 20% service charge on food packages go to wait staff. Now, as to additional tipping you have no idea as to what I tip, and I DO! You really need to inform yourself on how NCL imposed fees are distributed. If you sail in the Haven you need to read the letter NCL leaves in your cabin the last night which states butlers and concierge aren't part of the DSC package.

DSC does not go to bartenders. The 20% service charge added to drinks go to bartenders. So, you're right everyone's basically already been "tipped" (except butler & concierge) between the DSC and service charge. Absolutely no need to tip additionally.

It's easy but you can waste a lot of time getting from cruise port to train station, then another delay at Pisa changing trains for Florence. First, you'll take the shuttle offered by Livorno for 7 euros each/return. Shuttle doesn't go to train station, but Piazza Municipio (about 1.5 miles from train station). At the Piazza there are numerous shore excursions vendors, city bus, etc. You may get lucky getting a taxi at the port, but normally taxis are looking for trips to Pisa (or Florence), and don't want to do a short trip. (It can also be difficult to find a taxi at the train station upon return.) Several others on the Epic are using a bus excursion from Piazza Municipio called Shore-Experience. It's basic bus service to from Florence (also Florence/Pisa) option, but you still need to get to the Piazza for less than $40 per person. Yes, the Accademia Gallery is free the first Sunday of every month. They will not sell tickets for this day, and you stand in line waiting your turn. I have found a couple of third-party vendors selling tickets for the 1st, but I'm a little leery as I know on the official website it will not sell tickets. As the Epic is the only ship in port that day less people will be headed that way to Florence. Keep in mind though free Sundays (even in December) can be busy, plus Christmas Fairs are also happening that day so tourism in Florence will still be busy. If the Accademia is on your list I'd head there as soon as you get into Florence.

Sailed Epic in July, and yes at least then, the upper deck of Posh still has a smoking area. Never saw anyone up there smoking, but there were signs stating "Smoking".

DSC ($25 per person per day in Haven) is the gratuity that goes to cabin steward, wait staff, and other behind the scenes personnel (i.e., laundry). The 20% service fee on alcohol package/purchases go to bartenders. Butler and Concierge do not get any part of the DSC or service fee. So, tip accordingly to your usage. Some also elect to add additional tip to cabin steward, wait staff, bartenders, Haven restaurant maître D, etc. It's all up to you.

I'd be surprised to see a cancellation, but ports will be changed. Years ago when Egypt had their uprising NCL deleted Egypt, Jordon and Israel ports and moved to Turkey (to include an overnight in Istanbul). NCL will be scrambling to find available ports. I'd be surprised if this cruise doesn't depart Rome and anticipate it will probably loop back to Rome.

I'm guessing you're planning on spending day one in Florence or Pisa. So, two other easy train options for a more chill day would be Lucca or La Spezia. Both are about an hour fifteen each way (granted you'll have the issue of getting to the train station, but second day sometimes it's easier to get a taxi). If you're not driving adverse normally you can rent a car right at the ship (it was Avis if I recall), and you could also drive to either of these locations, or drive a loop to San Gimignano, Siena, and then back up the coastline to Livorno. (Don't forget you'll need to get an international driver's license.)

Yes, there are closer beaches, I was just responding to the previous suggestion. There are several beaches in/near Livorno, but I've never seen a "great" one. Several years ago we just drove down the coastline and found several. For the most part they were really rocky and no amenities - the locals just spread out on rocks. Hopefully someone will be here soon with an actual beach in the immediate area.

Do you mean Hotel San Giorgio? If so, please read the reviews and comments here. It is real hit or miss.

Not to be Debbie Downer, but travel is almost three to four hours each way, requires a ferry (not always a good thing in winter), plus toward the end of October the daily high may reach 70 (probably closer to upper 60s). The good news - beach won't be too busy.

Yep, but I believe they missed a sea day, so they'll be in their next port long before the ship. 🤣

You'd think this would be getting better since it's already October. In July there were hardly any tours heading south due to traffic. I elected to go to Sorrento, and we were 58 minutes behind schedule just getting there!

Let's break this down. First, it's been posted a letter was in the cabins on 2 Oct clearly stating VAT was being applied, and provided the rates being charged. So, no passenger should have been "surprised" (PO'd maybe, but not surprised) when charges were made. Additionally, my experience was there were signs at the bars and also stated in the dailies. Secondly, I don't know about you but while cruising I do check the TV channel for guest services (or whatever it's called) at least once a day to check my charges. During my July cruise I clearly saw the daily VAT charges being applied to my account. Thirdly, yes, I agree NCL should be notifying upcoming passengers of these charges (I sure get enough e-mails from them about watching muster drills). If they can send out multiple e-mails on muster they should be able to keep us informed about VAT.

I have, and you should know this as you keep tagging my post! My question is legitimate. If the previous cruise wasn’t taxed, and now the VAT signs taken down, were they in non-EU waters?

Have they left EU waters? This seems to be a key part of the equation. I know since July VAT has been levied for entirety of cruise if ship doesn't leave EU waters. From what I track VAT is only being levied on some ports if they leave the EU.

Millions???? NCL making the money??? This is not news - someone should have done some research.

Actually, by the time you pay for a taxi back to airport and then pay for the NCL shuttle it's cheaper to get a private driver to the port. No hassles, no fuss, just sit back and relax.

Yes, they'll pick you up at the point you designate. It doesn't make any sense dragging bags back to the airport, just to wait for the shuttle to fill up, and then finally off to the port. This way you're picked up, may have a stop or two while they pick up someone else, but overall, this is so much easier plus also saves you money.

Yeah, this is still pretty common worldwide. I still run into it occasionally especially in smaller villages and mom and pop stores. Thus, I always try to insure I have enough cash for the day; however, more and more businesses just don't want to deal with cash. As for taxis last year in Brussels my train got back really late, and it was snowing, so without thinking I just got in a taxi. As we neared the apartment, I realized I didn't have quite enough euros, but didn't worry as I know Brussel's taxis are required to take cards. Oh, my word, the driver called me everything but a red-headed stepchild (sorry to the red-heads out there) and said we would need to go to an ATM to get euros. At this point, I simply refused. Guess what? After several minutes he finally pulled out the credit card machine from under the front seat.