kenns

My PCC told me yesterday (who knows how trustworthy/accurate/reliable) that they are hoping to reveal more details about the 1st Leo ship in mid to late April. Smartly so, they want to maximize their press/PR so they are letting Virgin and others have the spot light now.

4 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Just found this.  It might help people with planning.

 

NCL Dry Docks

sorry to hi-jack this thread, but just saw that the Gem will be in drydock in Boston in November 2020 for about two weeks (11/13 to 11/29). I wonder if that is just maintenance/paint/new furniture, etc. Or does a two week stop indicate more than the routine stuff?

On 1/6/2020 at 7:10 PM, kenns said:

we are on the 4 day Encore to Bermuda cruise in April with port time of 8am to 5pm. What time is all aboard, 4 or 4:30pm?

21 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

4:30

thank you!

we are on the 4 day Encore to Bermuda cruise in April with port time of 8am to 5pm. What time is all aboard, 4 or 4:30pm?

thanks, Charles!

I think we will do jetski in the AM (KS Watersports assured me that the water will be cold, but totally doable) which is done by 9:30/9:45am and then jump on the ferry towards Hamilton or St. Georges and explore them for the day. 

okay, awesome. thanks, everyone!

i just emailed Brandi and let her know I was interested in a tour for my girlfriend and I (2 people) and Brandi said her rate was $70 per hour. Should I push back and let her know the rate is $50? is there a government website that shows this?

Hi Everyone, 

Going to Bermuda on Friday, 4/24 via the Norwegian Encore. My GF and I are not huge beach people and don't enjoy baking in the sun for hours, but we do enjoy checking out a beautiful beach (i.e. beach bar!) for a little bit along with some other activities. We are in port from 8am to 5pm, so I assume that all-aboard time is 4:30pm. Would this itinerary/plan be possible in that time frame?

- 8:30 to 9:30am, 1 hour jet-ski tour with KS Waterspots in the dockyard

- take #7 bus to Horseshoe bay beach for ~2 hours

- take taxi or bus from Horseshoe beach to the caves

- check out the caves for 30/45min

- take taxi/bus from here back to the dockyard?

- would this work, and would we have time to squeeze in anything after the caves? Any sight or spot we should instead?

We thought about doing a catamaran snorkel, but the jetski tour covers pretty much all the same spots just minus the snorkeling.

Thanks,

James

Not sure if this question has already been asked, if so, I apologize.

I have a certificate that I'd like to use for a new booking. A 3rd party website, rhymes with Encyclopedia, has the same cruise on the same date as NCL has on their site - for the same price and same perks, but with an extra $100 OBC. 

Can I use my CruiseNext certificate on this website or can I only use it on NCL.com? 

Thanks

15 minutes ago, steamboats said:

Just checked the Meyer website and the camera is already up and running.

 

steamboats

just clicked on the link and it brings me to their homepage. Where/what do I click to see the live stream?

20 hours ago, FreestyleNovice said:

MSC attracts a mixed clientele here in Europe, because of that it's also not very high on my list too Steff79. Too much of a gamble for an enjoyable vacation. 

 

I wonder how their "American" product goes vs NCL but with the posters here some will probably/hopefully report back! 

 

Leonardo class should be really interesting, each new class of ships might spark a pax evolution as it did in the past with the older ships and mega ships? And by chance it could be our turn now.. 

I think we should all except the Leonardo ships to be somewhat similar to the MSC Seaside and Virgin ships as they are all based on the same general design. Of course there will be the NCL regulars (Cagneys, LeBistro, etc.) but I am hopeful for some new or different pool areas/designs than on other ships.

I do wonder why NCL went with Fincantieri and didn't stay with Meyer Werft. It was probably a cost decision (i.e. this universal ship design) and we all know how FDR feels about costs...

Perhaps they will return to Meyer Werft someday

I know I can ask in the San Juan board but curious if anyone has decided on any excursions for this port given the 5:30pm to 12am timing. It's too late for the forts, so perhaps getting dinner and walking around the island is the thing to do? 

Just called to see if my Feb 2020 Encore cruise was included and was told that the only dates for this 20% off promo with the Encore would be September / October 2020...bummer 

how much are the spa passes currently going for? And, what exactly does it get you - just access and usage of the thermal suite/sauna/salt room, etc.? Does it include any actual spa passes?

awesome! do you have restaurant recommendations, perhaps something with live music or a fun vibe? Not Senor Frogs (haha) but nothing too dead or boring 

On 6/5/2019 at 2:12 PM, krisintn said:

We are going to be in St Thomas next Wednesday.  Our port time is 7:00 - 3:00.  Do you think this is enough time to take a trip to St. John on our own without booking a certified excursion?  I am very worried about missing the ship. 

Just curious to hear if you ended up going to St. John and if so, on your own or via the ship's excursion. 

Question for the OP: How is the dining and beverage package increasing your cruise by $600? 

The beverage package "cost" or amount you are paying is the gratuities, as others have said, which is $19.80 per person, per day. So, $19.80 x 5 days = $99 charge per person.

The dining package "cost" or amount you are paying is the gratuities, as others have said, which according to the chart on NCL's website is $13.80 per person, total.

If you add the $99 for the beverage package gratuities + the $13.80 for the dining package, your total extra cost per person is $112.80. If you multiply that by 2, for 2 guests, that grand total is $225.60. How are you calculating $600?

Or are you saying that in order to get both of these packages, you need to select a more expensive cabin than the cheapest one? For example, a balcony or ocean-view cabin as opposed to an interior?

5 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Ok, now I am mad.  I was thrilled at some of the news today.  I know some don't like the bigger Vibe but that was a very common complaint with people wanting Vibe passes.  I see no problem with expanding the area.  I also see no problem with the bigger race track.  C'mon now.  We all know NCL is built for extra fees.  Loved hearing about the new Italian restaurant because IMHO La Cucina is not that good and not really Italian.  So why am I mad?  No Q BBQ.  Are you freaking kidding me.  Years ago there was a survey of what kind of restaurant people wanted on a cruise and I voted BBQ every time.  The reviews from Bliss were great.  So sad there is not BBQ on Encore 😞 So that was my letdown today.  She sure is top heavy but looks like fun to me 🙂

Oh BTW, the American Diner is the dumbest idea ever.  I get the concept on a ship that sails China.  But you can get hamburgers all over the ship.  People really are going to buy a $14 burger?  At least Margaritaville had fish, nachos, chicken, etc.  Oh well, cant get everything.  At least I can scratch Margaritaville off the list. No way will I eat at the American Diner.  Nothing on the menu is unique.

there's a Q on deck 6! :)  Totally agree with you on American Diner - what is special about it? Doesn't the buffet and The Local have the same food/menu for free?

6 minutes ago, Kingkonig said:

 

That would be ideal, but how difficult would that be to change prior to it’s first dry dock?  Unless they make the decision within the next few months I mean.

i guess they could remove the walls or key card access on deck 19 and/or 20 to make them "public" - seems like a pretty easy fix?

3 minutes ago, LrgPizza said:

 

You'll realize it's missing when several hundred people who are usually crammed in there, and many more who generally use the highest sundeck, and many more who generally use the forward, port sundeck are suddenly crammed into the already-overcrowded center of the ship's upper deck.

B.I.N.G.O. (and that didn't cost you $25 of OBC to win!) :)

I have a funny feeling that turning all this normally "public deck space" into more for-fee VIBE area is going to back fire and NCL will have to reduce certain parts/sections of the new VIBE area back to being public deck space. (a la the no taking of plates from the buffet decision that back fired). Specifically, the area on deck 20 (where laser tag is on Bliss) and/or the space on the one side of deck 19 that are "public" on Bliss and Joy...or maybe they wont...

2 minutes ago, Steff79 said:

they make they price as high as they can sell them. But even if you want to buy one it is not sure that you get one.

 

right...maybe they will allow you to purchase a Vibe pass online, ahead of time? I'm actually shocked they don't already, given that you can reserve/purchase nearly everything else ahead of time

Does NCL realize that every other cruise line offers a free adults-only area? This seems to be another money grab...

Does anyone think it's possible that NCL might reduce the cost of the Vibe pass, given that ~1/2 of the available deck space is dedicated to Vibe and/or Haven? I think the latest price $200pp or so? 

If they don't, or not a lot of people shell out the extra ~$200pp, then it's going to be a mad house and people will literally be on top of one another...

18 minutes ago, Just Jo said:

 

Is it odd that the ship's name font is either slightly different or just larger for ENCORE compared to NORWEGIAN?  Are other ships like this and I've never noticed?

ha! I was wondering the same thing! The C in enCore also looks to be a different font than the test of the word, or maybe it's time for an eye exam...

Hi There -

Has anyone done an excursion with Kuralu charters recently? I know they are highly thought of (thanks blue_water) but wanted to hear of any recent first hand experiences. We are interested in the Jost Van Dyke & Sandy Spit itinerary at $125pp.

We would love to see the Bath's but worried about crowds. I wish it were possible to see both the Bath's and JVD in the same day - I mean, I'm sure it is, but likely very pricey!

Hi PRH - A few questions based on your trip with Patouche if you don't mind! :) It sounds like a nice mix of some snorkeling and beach bar type fun!

1. Was lunch provided on the boat while docked at Norman's Island? 

2. Was this a totally private tour, as in, did you have to rent our the entire boat by yourselves or were there other people on your excursion as well?

3. Would you be able to provide pricing info?

We are considering this exact itinerary but curious about the above. We're also looking at Kuralu and their semi-private charter to JVD and Sandy Spit.

Thanks