graphicguy

Great stuff. Thanks! I know how some of the Ts and Cs can be. So far, I have one Concierge telling me I don't qualify for the extra $50 excursion credit, and another one that says I do. To get something definitive, I had the Concierge desk respond in writing that I DO get the extra excursion credit. I'm still not convinced they'll stick to their word, even though I have it in writing. I plan on taking my written confirmation to the Concierge on board, and show it to them. If they disallow what I was told would be allowed, then I won't "upgrade" to the FAS+. If so, I will do the upgrade.

I pretty much have a general idea of where the cruise ports are in FLL, MIA, NYC, NOLA and Galveston. Marseille? Not a clue!!!!!! Thanks for the general directions. I have transport from MRS to the Ibis Vieux Port hotel, which from what I've read, is near the "old port". I (mistakenly) thought the "old port" would be near the "new port". 45 minutes isn't terrible. But again, I really don't know where I'm going. So, figuring the Hotel can clue me in. At worst, I get a taxi or Uber to get me to the ship. The good news, I'll still be on EDT. So, I'll be up and at'em early and probably get to the ship's port with plenty of time to spare. Thanks for the heads up.

IKR? I actually called Delta to make sure I was reading it right. I was. Pretty nice surprise on my end. That said, I'm a 2 Million Miler with Delta. And, I used to be "Platinum" with them every year before I retired a couple of years, ago. Not sure if that had anything to do with it. They normally don't care how much you've flown with them in the past. But, these days, if I fly 10K miles with them annually, I'd be surprised. The original flight was earlier, and this one is a "red eye" and a long 3 hour layover in Paris. The original flight only had a 75 minute layover. But, on Delta One? I'll take it. Just bought one of those fancy-shmantzy "flight pillows" from Amazon to nap on. We're actually embarking/disembarking in Marseille. But, no worries about drinking champagne. I'm not a wine/champagne kind of guy. Bourbon? Different story. But, I'll leave plenty for you. And, great advice about checking flights frequently. The sooner you know about changes, the better your choices will be. Delta is usually pretty good about texting me with changes when they happen, though.

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Food Republic is one of my favorite NCL Specialty Dining venues. Can't recall the number of choices you can make. I'm going from memory, but 4 choices come to mind. You will not go hungry, though.

Excellent!

One is food and one is an alcoholic drink? You complaining that you weren't charged a tax on your food? I know I've had to pay taxes on drinks per locale when sailing out of Miami and NOLA (Mississippi River), too. Can't remember how far we had to sail to get our of their jurisdiction, though.

Well...what's the old adage about sometimes bad things happen to good people? Here's the opposite....good things happening to "iffy" people. Checked this flight today after receiving a text stating there was a flight change.. Seems there was a change in my flight. Dates are fine, but original flight was changed. Plus, in the process, they upgraded me. I was originally in Comfort Plus. I'm going to have to sacrifice a piece of carry on luggage to the airline gods to cement this upgrade. We're sorry, there's been a flight schedule change or cancellation affecting your trip, but don't worry, we've automatically rebooked you on the flight(s) below. If your new itinerary does not fit your travel needs, you have the following options: See other flight options (some may be at no extra cost) by selecting "Change Or Add Flights" above If you are currently located outside the U.S. and need to make changes, you can find Additional Assistance by messaging or calling the country's Delta Reservations phone number found in the Help Center, opens in new window If you no longer wish to travel and want to cancel your ticket, select "Need To Cancel?" at the top of the page to review your options (Conditions Apply) FLIGHT VIEW FLIGHT OPERATION DETAILS FOR DL 228 CHANGE THIS FLIGHT SAT, 30 SEP 2023 32 DAYS FROM DEPARTURE CVG-CDG ON TIME DEPART: 7:05 PM ARRIVE: 9:15 AM - SUN, 01 OCT VIEW ONBOARD EXPERIENCE DETAILS FOR DELTA ONE® (Z) | Nonrefundable View in-cabin Meal Services: ForDinner, Breakfast, Premium Snacks, Drinks amenities FLIGHT DL 228: PASSENGER STATUS: CONFIRMED SEAT: 3A | CHANGE SEAT Find Sky Club Locations: Cincinnati/Northern Ky Intl - Charles De Gaulle Intl Arpt Aircraft: Boeing 767-400 Flight Time: 8HR 10M Miles Flown: 4,141 LAYOVER IN PARIS-DE GAULLE, FRANCE 3HR 10M FLIGHT DL 8406 Operated by: Air France SUN, 01 OCT 2023 33 DAYS FROM DEPARTURE CDG-MRS DEPART: 12:25 PM-ARRIVE: 1:50 PM EUROPE BUSINESS (Z) | Nonrefundable View in-cabin Meal Service:For PASSENGER STATUS: CONFIRMED SELECT SEAT Aircraft: Airbus A321 Flight Time: 1HR 25M On Time % : N/A Miles Flown: 405

It's getting real now.......

Therein is the issue when there are so many dining options on the ship. In the “olden” days, you dined most nights at the same MDR, with the same wait staff. So, tipping at the end was easy. Now, with MANY MDRs, the Specialty Dining venues, the Haven restaurant (which believe it or not, I don’t even dine in ½ the time given the amount of Specialty Dining places I go to), and all the staff that you interface with, I’d have to pull out a Benjamin each and every time I dined. What’s the point in having “included” meals that you’ve already paid the Tips/service charge? If someone has been exceptional, whether it be a Hostess who “found” a table for me in a sold out restaurant, or a wait person who was attentive to my (maybe) over the top requests, etc….I’ll pull out some extra green. But, there’s no way I can give everyone extra all the time just for providing me the service that’s expected.

Love the Great Outdoor Area for a drink and snacks.

I’ve been on both sides of that activity. On one cruise, there were young’uns trying to “swim” in the shallow pool. Bottom line….you can’t. What that caused was a bunch of splashing everywhere. That in turn, kept the adults out of the loungers in the pool. Not sure if NCL staff did it on their own, or if someone complained, but an NCL crew member politely said something to them, and they promptly left. Not sure what he said as we witnesses this from the upper loungers looking down at the pool area. Then, there were other times when I’ve seen kids leave on their own accord when the adults got into the hot tubs. Still thinking kids would have a better time at the main pool area, or if they’re young enough, at the kids pools.

Oh,….been down that road. Army coffee was probably the worse I’ve had in my life. We used to “joke” about how our DI put his dirty socks in water and served it to us as coffee.

I’ve toured the NCL water treatment facilities on board. In all frankness, I’d say their tap water is probably better than any bottled or carton water offered on board. I wouldn’t hesitate to get one of those insulated mugs and fill it with tap water and use it to take around the ship.

I use this roll aboard, which fits in the overhead….and a back pack, which fits under the seat in front of me. That’s it. I think I look as dapper as anyone else on the ship. Downy Wrinkle Free spray helps.

This is how my laundry comes packed after sending it to the laundry service…nice an neat.

Not sure specifically what you're looking for "tips" wise. Generally speaking, you dine in the Haven Restaurant for every meal, if you so choose. You have FAS, so there will be some specialty dinners available to you. Your concierge can take care of those reservations. Butlers will handle your in suite dining requests, as well as stock your coffee maker and deliver snacks daily. Your 8 year old may find the Haven pool a bit boring as it's usually pretty quiet. But, you can always go to the main pools. There is a private gym for Haven Guests. And, there's a massage room in the Haven that is not part of the regular spa. The Masseuses will come to you and escort you to the this private room vs you having to go to the spa for a massage. You will have access to POSH private lounge area, but will share it with anyone who buys access (limited numbers of outside passes available, however). Those are the big points. Part of the fun is discovering other things available to you while on board. Just talk to the Concierges about anything you may want/need. If they can't do it, or get it, they'll point you in the direction to find it (like going to the Butler, the restaurant hostess, etc). They will also escort you on and off the ship, and even to some entertainment venues where there may be an exclusive seating area for Haven guests.

Well, that answers the question about coffee makers. Didn't know that Walkie-Talkies were prohibited, too. That's a good thing!

So very happy for you.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

My first cruise was in the '80s, too.....SS Norway. I remember the two formal nites. I packed a tux, a suit, 3 or 4 dress shirts, a bow tie, two regular ties, black patent leather shoes, another pair of dress shoes, cufflinks, collar stays...and that was just for dinners on board. That was one large suitcase by itself. My (then) wife packed two gowns, 3-4 dresses, I'm sure at least 5-6 pr of shoes, jewelry...that was another large suitcase. Then, we had to pack toiletries, makeup, swimwear, daycare, tennis shoes, shorts, tops, etc...that was another large suitcase (or 2). That was before wheeled suitcases were a thing. I remember hauling all that around to the airport, from the airport to the ship, on the ship, off the ship, to the airport. I am so glad those formal outfits are a distant past while cruising. I don't think I've even brought a sport coat or dress shirt on board over the last 4-5 years. Certainly haven't packed dress shoes. NCL was the first to get rid of the formal wear/dress up requirements. Kudos to them for that.

One of the reasons I love NCL is the fact that there are no real "dress up" requirements. I remember all too well packing a tux, a suit, dress shirts, ties, dress shoes. That took up a ton of space in luggage. Once I eliminated all of that when NCL went to Free Style, I was able to go to roll aboard luggage. That saves me in luggage fees, too. I'm booked on an 11-day cruise in the Mediterranean on the Epic in October. After the cruise, I'm meeting family in Italy to stay another couple of weeks. I think I'll be able to do a roll aboard and a back pack. Using the ship's laundry a couple of times and the airbnb we're staying at in Italy has washing facilities. So, I should be able to pull that off. Tuxes, suits, dress clothes? If I had to bring those, that prospect would be next to impossible and I would forego cruising. Thankfully, those days have passed.

With you on that!!! One of the first things I do on the cruise….grab a cocktail and watch the parade. They wrestle their luggage/packages to and through the terminal, through check in and finally up and around the gang plank, try to get a seat in the Local or O’Sheehans, complain that they can’t get on an elevator because their luggage won’t fit on an already busy bank of them. Husband/Boyfriend snaps at the wife/GF, she snaps back. And, this is all before they get to their cabin, which won’t be ready for another 4 hours because they insisted on getting to the terminal before the disembarking passengers have all left the ship. And for what? To take a U-Haul worth of “stuff” on board, when less than ½ of it will be used. I often wonder how many relationships began their demise upon embarkation/disembarkation of a cruise ship?

Upon arriving for embarkation, I'm always amazed at seeing people dragging literally the largest pieces of luggage that I never even knew existed. They're dragging taped boxes, too. Then, they have the unreal sized purses/shoulder bags brimming with stuff that looks as if they just shoved their entire bedroom in to. Who knows what's in all of that. What is it that was so important? Coffee makers? Hot plates (hell, they won't even allow those in college dorm rooms)? Stuffed animals (seriously)? I relayed a story about a guy who had a T-Rex costume he hauled on board. Let's just say it didn't end well for him. If they get it on, they have to get it back off. So, I'm once again seeing them during disembarkation dragging even more stuff to add to the stuff they brought on board, because they saved $2 on a bottle of liquor. So, seeing some of what people want to bring with them always makes me chuckle. They are miserable hauling it to the ship, and many times from the airport they just came in on, where they had to haul and check it. They are miserable hauling at least some of it around the ship with them until their cabin is ready. And, they have to pack it back up and haul it off the ship, through the port terminal and to where it is they are going. There's usually a guy who is acting as a pack mule. He's grumbling the entire time. But, by golly, they're taking their home with them on to the ship. I love parking myself at a bar on embarkation just to watch the parade of these folks.

Yeah…I could brush my teeth, wash my face, wash my hands, etc while my SO could be using the toilet. Never could understand the pushback!

Sailed the Epic 10 years ago. Have been itching to sail her, again. So, finally booked her this upcoming October. This is a balcony room layout. Toilet is in one small room. Shower is in another small room. And, the sink is out in the bedroom area. Personally, I found it very convenient and do not understand any of the pushback. One person can be showering while the other can be using the toilet or the sink, etc. It just works. Epic is a big ship. It even has an escalator. There is a LOT to do on board.