albertamom

7 minutes ago, Greenpea2 said:

This must be new, about Starbucks! Two years ago Starbucks was included. How disappointing--for the cost of the upgrade you can't get a cappuccino every day! Ridiculous. 😞

The Premium Package does not include Starbucks, but the Premium Plus Package does.  👍

23 hours ago, Fridaynightlights said:

Typically, what time does NCL's bus depart for LAX after arrival in San Pedro?

 

Thanks

We used their transfer 2 weeks ago.  Just go to Guest Services onboard and tell them what time your flight is.  They will help you decide which time to pick.  We had a 1:00 flight and took the 8:45 transfer time.  One thing to note is that the time you pick is the time you will be called to depart the ship, not the time the bus leaves.  This is assuming the ship is cleared on time.

There were times about every 15 minutes, from 8 or 8:15 to after 10:00.

10 hours ago, dalmoradie said:

Sailing on the Bliss next week and looking at the deck plans, there seems to be a public sundeck on deck 19 with a hot tub.  Is that still there, or has that been converted to be part of the Vibe?  

We were onboard a couple of weeks ago.  We had Vibe passes, but regretted it, because every time we walked through the public area to enter Vibe, it was almost empty.  Of course, we only had 1500 passengers onboard.  The public area has the same plush blue cushions on the loungers as Vibe.  It also shares the same bar. 👍 

6 hours ago, TOMVH said:

 

I'll need one too for flying back to Europe. Does everybody get that letter?

The letter we received said that “based on their records”, we may need an Antigen test to return home. You could certainly ask at guest services early on just to reassure yourself. 🙂

1 hour ago, pamps2801 said:

Does Norwegian offer Antigen Testing for Canadians returning home at the end of the cruise ?

We used their Antigen testing last Sunday to return home to Canada.  We received a letter in our cabin part-way through the cruise saying to show up between 9:00 and 2:00 on the final full day of the cruise.  We were tested, sent back to our cabins for 1/2 an hour, and if we received no call we were free to go about our day.  An official proof of negative result was delivered to our cabin later that day.  It was super easy and greatly appreciated. 😃👍

6 hours ago, pepcab said:

Has anyone used the free rapid tests from NCL post cruise to get home? Were there any issues at the border or using those tests to get home?

We just got off the Bliss on Sunday, and used NCL's free antigen test to return to Canada.  It was no problem whatsoever. 😀👍

We received a letter in our room part-way through the cruise, saying that we could show up between 9:00 and 2:00 on the final sailing day to get tested.  We then had to return to our cabin for half an hour and if we received no call, we were free to go.  The official results arrived in our cabin later that day.

We went to the Q & A with the captain this morning and he said 1502 passengers onboard!  A little over 1600 staff, so we are absolutely spoiled. 🥰

1 hour ago, bookbabe said:

On our Bliss cruise in November it was the Hotel Playa Mazatlan.

 

Did you enjoy it?  We've got it booked next week. Any tips?

18 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

I'm just not certain when they begin in the morning.

 

We're not early risers, so I'm sure it'll be fine! 

4 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

Fruit, yogurt, danish...

Perfect!  That'll get our day started just fine!  Thank You!  👍😀

We will be in a Spa Balcony on the Bliss.  Are there any light breakfast items put out in the Observation Lounge?  I'm thinking that this would be perfect on our way up to the spa each morning. 

1 hour ago, aubreyc1988 said:

9 was the earliest I saw. We took 9 because we are in the Haven and we are going to bougie and sit in that lounge haha 

Good for you!  That's exactly what I would do! 😁

On 11/22/2021 at 8:01 PM, dobiemom said:

Thanks. I’m currently in a Club Balcony Suite. I can’t wait to be on the Breakaway!
I was wondering if the bed in a SPA Club Balcony Suite can be separated into twins. (The bed in a (regular) spa balcony cabin on the Bliss could NOT be separated.)

I just came across this thread!  My daughter and I have a Spa Balcony booked on the Bliss and just assumed that the bed could be separated!  She will not be happy to hear that she will be sleeping on the couch.  😲

6 minutes ago, n4w said:

They are, I just cut and pasted from NCL.  I guess they wanted to fill more white space.

Ha!!!  Thank you!

52 minutes ago, n4w said:

The difference from regular balcony to club balcony is essentially the bathroom and perks:

Exclusive Club Balcony Suite Amenities

• Option to pre-book onboard entertainment and dining as early as 125 days prior to sailing
• Complimentary treats delivered to your stateroom
• Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine
• Complimentary choice of one valet laundry or pressing service
• Bliss Collection by Norwegian™ featuring fine linens, pillows and a memory foam mattress or mattress topper
• Room Service menus offering delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Coffee and tea set-up
• TV, refrigerator, safe and hair dryer
• Sitting area
• Lower beds arranged as a queen-size bed

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/minisuites-and-balconies

 

The additional difference with the spa balconies is the location closer to the spa and has the spa access included in the price.

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/spa-cruise

Great list!  Thank you!

Am I wrong in thinking that the bottom 5 are included in balcony cabins as well?  Is it a different room service menu and coffee maker?

Thanks, all.  We sail in a week, so testing will still be going on.  I don't really have much choice, so we'll just go with the flow I guess.  We always used to arrive between 9:30 and 10:00, so this is all new to me. 

We are taking our first NCL cruise since Covid hit.  The earliest check-in time we could pick was 11:00-11:30.  How many check-in times are there before then?  Will we be right smack in the middle of the rush?

1 hour ago, darius427 said:

We had a Club in Dec on the Breakaway.  It was not a spa room so I can not speak to that.  However, the bathroom was the main difference between the club and a regular balcony.  The room itself was slightly bigger but not anything you would really notice.  The bathroom was much larger and nicer.  We did have upgraded amenities in the bathroom.

 

We did receive 1 free bag of laundry on the 3rd or 4th day of our 7 day cruise.  This was a nice little perk and was probably the best thing about the room second to the nicer bathroom.

 

I believe the bedding was also nicer than the regular balcony, but again nothing to write home about. From what I remember, spa rooms bedding may be even nicer and have nicer décor in general.  And of course, access to the spa which is always nice. 

 

Other than that, I did not notice anything else different.  If you can get a decent deal, I would say go for it.  My wife loved the bathroom and says she may have a hard time going back to a standard bathroom in the future.  I must say that I did enjoy having more room as well. 

Thank you so much!  😀

I've been watching videos about both cabins and have some questions for recent cruisers.  One video has shown upgraded bath amenities in the Club room, while another did not.  One site also said that Club rooms get free pressing, but I have not seen that anywhere else.  

Most people have always said that the only difference between a club room and a regular balcony is a larger bathroom, but are there other little differences as well?  Specifically with the Spa rooms?

I have completed check-in for our Bliss cruise in 11 days, out of LA.  I chose our check-in time and set up an Eurofins account, but see no place to actually book the time for my test.  I just assumed that my check-in time reserved my testing time as well.  Am I missing something?

I know that Viking partners with Luggage Forward.  They receive excellent reviews over on the Viking forum.  I'm not sure if they work with NCL, but you could check them out.  

5 minutes ago, Selion said:

In December, they wanted staterooms to be vacated by 8AM.  Walk-offs started at 7:30AM and different color groups started at 8AM.  Last group listed was 9:45AM for NCL transfers for late flights out of LAX.  We had an 1PM flight and we were given the 8:20AM group.

 

Note: If you booked NCL air and using NCL transfers and have a late flight but wanted to go to LAX earlier (say pick up a rental car and drive around LA a bit instead of sitting at the airport), NCL would NOT let you change the disembarkation group.

Thank you so much.  Having to leave our room by 7:00 was no fun, since we didn't have to leave the ship until 9:30.  I hope it is still the same.  🤞

We are making our own way to the airport and don't want to be there before 10:00, so won't be rushing.

On our recent Viking cruise, returning to LA, we had to vacate our cabins by 7:00 and be off the ship no later than 9:30.  This was to accommodate the enhanced cleaning measures due to Covid.  Should we expect a similar experience on the Bliss in a couple of weeks?  What have recent cruisers experienced?

6 minutes ago, Hutcha said:

You should jump on the roll call

I've been lurking. 🙂

45 minutes ago, LinnieRed said:

Hi Sherri, hope you are travel home safely.

 

Are you coming to LA again? We are going to be March 13 on the Bliss. Thanks for the answer, appreciate it. 
 

 

We're doing the Bliss on Feb. 27, a mother-daughter trip.  🥰

Let me know if you have any more questions about the ship.  I'll investigate.  It'll be the first time I've been on the Bliss.  sdmickeymouse@gmail.com