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Another Aurora Forecast site I found is: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast Has a very interesting display that shows the visibility across time and place And an app for Apple iPhones There are a bunch of Apps for iPhone in the App Store. Some Free, Some not

Thank you for your response I appreciate it.

First time NCL Cruiser: Question on Free Dining: Pre-Embarkation Reservations. I have made a reservation for 8 at Teppanyaki for the first night (Table for 😎 I was reading through the Free promotion T&Cs and came across this: https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions Guests are permitted to pre-reserve specialty dining with entertainment included However, the guest is responsible to pay the full retail value If the guest chooses to use the reservation as part of their specialty dining package, they will need to make these arrangements once onboard So - does this mean that I will need to pay full price just because I reserved ahead of time That seems really odd to me. I have also made other reservations for complementary restaurants, and one other later in the week at an al la Carte restaurant.

While I love the CC people - on questions of this nature that might affect my ability to board - I try to go back to the original source documents: In this case: https://www.ncl.com/prepare-for-your-cruise/2021#mandatory-vaccines Guests age 12 and older must acknowledge vaccination status prior to their sailing and bring proof of vaccination to the terminal for their cruise. Preferred proof form is the original vaccination record document issued by either the country's health authority that administered the vaccination or the guest's medical provider that completed the vaccine administration, however, photo of vaccination record document will also be accepted. Electronic vaccination records will be accepted for residents of countries where electronic documentation is the standard issued form. Confirmation email of vaccination appointment will not be accepted.

The tests have fairly rigid environmental limits. Temperatures in aircraft holds are not typically controlled unless live animals are being shipped. In addition, baggie handling areas/tarmac can get very hot. It is recommended that you keep the tests in your carry-on luggage. I have had no issue with TSA on having these tests in my luggage.

You need to be able to set the iPad (or iPhone/computer camera) so it can be moved to see the package at start-up, see your hand held ID, see you drop in the fluid into the card, and then up while doing the nose swab - your nose. Then turn down agin so they can watch you insert the swab into the card, and close the card - then leave it on the screen for 15 minutes. Best to have a stand that is movable. My iPad stand also has a cover/keyboard, but is no good for this, I have a movable phone/ipad mount that works great - I have also used my laptop and just tilt the screen down to show the desktop where the card is. If the card leaves the visibility of the monitor (ie falls off the table) the test will be terminated with no results provided - so move slow and careful. There are plenty of videos on YouTube how to do the test - watch a couple and you will see how they work. Language/accents can sometimes be an issue -just ask them to slow down/repeat - It really is quite easy.

You are going to be hitting Roman rush hour traffic going in - and coming out... Might be wise to at least consider an expensive HAL tour to make sure you do not...miss the boat.

We also got off in Civitavecchia a couple of weeks ago (HAL Cruise), Disembarkation was no hassle - no customs at all. Traffic from Civitavecchia to FCO was light both times. Both times I have used private drivers their vans were parked to the left as you walk out of the terminal. under a long covered awning. The terminal, and area, is somewhat...Industrial. Assuming you are flying to the US, you will need a monitored COVID test within 24 hours of flight. There is testing facility in FCO Terminal 3, and parts of Terminal 3 are under construction - so some long walks around. We had our own monitored eMed tests done so we did not use that FCO Terminal 3 test facility - that was my back-up plan. We actually stayed overnight this last time at the Hilton this time. Our non-stop to DFW only flies at 10 AM daily - could not make that on disembarkation date. We had completed our COVID Tests, and Verifly in the hotel that afternoon. For Verifly you have to provide photos of passports and test results prior to checking in (at least for AA). That took time for just the two of us. FYI: Somebody actually looked at the VeriFly submittals as two got sent back for corrections or clearer photo. For HAL they did provide on-board testing for those flying on Disembarkation day - did not work for us as we had one extra day. Not sure how you are going to do that for a party of 4 all in one morning if NCL doe snot provide that testing - make sure you have that figured out. For us, the next morning our shuttle driver dropped us off at the start of Terminal 3. We flew AA. AA check-in is at the FAR end of Terminal 3. FYI: Not really sure what Verifly did for us (except permit us to check-in) as AA check-in still wanted to see all the documents, luckily I had photos of the test results on my cell phone as I did not have Cell Phone coverage in Italy. As a side note: AA actually checked the carry-on size - so I had to do the traditional open the bags and re-arrange packing to get the Carry-on to fit - and we were Business class. After checking in you need to walk all the way back (around construction zone) to the beginning of Terminal 3 to get through security. Toledosfinest is correct that it can be a long, long walk, and 3 checkpoints, and a tram ride to get to the gate. Do not dilly-dally

Been there - sort of done the same thing. Some 30 years ago I was taking a flight and packed my CPAP in my checked luggage (had business stuff in carry-on). Plane diverted for an unscheduled overnight to another airport and they would not retrieve any checked luggage. Worst night of non-sleep in many moons. Since then - CPAP stays in my carry-on. I do put a spare mask in my checked bag though - you know - just in case. A break in the hose can be patched with the ubiquitous duct tape so no spare there. You have my sympathies.

You should have had your cord confiscated in Bayonne because extension cords are not allowed on Royal ships. They are prohibited items (like guns and explosives) on Royal. Hmmm- you are right - they are prohibited...I just checked the RCL prohibited items list: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/prohibited-items-onboard-policy I have been on 2 RCL cruises and never a word said about my extension cords - guess I was just lucky. Also best to leave my little Swiss Army knife home too - handy little thing to have with lots of little tools. Glad NCL has no such restriction.

HAL had an interesting approach to COVID disembarkation testing on a recent cruise that ended in Rome. HAL distributed COVID Antigen test kits to all the day before disembarking (or maybe to just those disembarking in Rome and flying) with instructions to do the test by ourselves, by 5 PM that day, and call them if it was positive. By 8 PM we had a letter in our door mail that certified we had tested negative. However, the airline required the test completed within 24 of travel so the testing (such as it was) the day before disembarkation was not valid for travel the day after disembarkation. Since we were overnighting at the airport before our 10 AM flight, and the test had to be done within 24 hours, we could not use that HAL test record. We actually had eMed monitored test kits with us and we used those from the hotel room, without issue. I had also figured out where the airport testing facility was - just as a back-up plan in case the eMed process did not work-out. Gots to have back-up plans. As an aside - not connected to HAL in any way , We were flying AA, and they required Verifly be completed before checking in. Each document was actually reviewed by to Verifly which I thought was interesting (we got two notices to re-submit for better images). Then when we got to the airport to actually check our luggage, AA wanted to check all the documents again, in person. Glad I had photos still on my phone as I did not have internet access in Italy/airport. I assume AA used Verifly to reduce the potential issue at the airport for travel documentation not meeting standards/timeframe requirement.

HAL had an interesting approach to COVID disembarkation testing on a recent cruise that ended in Rome. HAL distributed COVID Antigen test kits to all the day before disembarking (or maybe to just those disembarking in Rome and flying) with instructions to do the test by ourselves, by 5 PM, and call them if it was positive. By 8 PM we had a letter in our door mail that certified we had tested negative. Since we were overnighting at the airport before our 10 AM flight, and the test had to be done within 24 hours, we could not use that HAL test record. We actually had eMed monitored test kits with us and we used those from the hotel room, without issue. As an aside - not connected to HAL in any way , We were flying AA, and they required Verifly be completed before checking in. Each document was actually reviewed by to Verifly which I though was interesting (we got two notices to re-submit for better images). Then when we got to the airport to actually check our luggage, AA wanted to check all the documents in person. Glad I had photos still on my phone as I did not have internet access in Italy/airport. I assume AA used Verifly to reduce the potential issue at the airport for travel documentation not meeting standards/timeframe requirement.

Recently on a 21 day cruise. On embarkation, told the steward when he introduced himself that we wanted service twice daily, 11AM when we went to lunch, and 5 PM when we went to dinner. Bring Ice each time. After the first week of service without issue, we left $10 for each of the two stuck to the Mirror with their names on them with post-it notes. Note: DW originally just left 2-$10 bills on the table for them, the bills were there neatly arranged when we returned later, then we did the notes on the mirror with their names on them. At the end of the cruise we did the same with $20 for each. Same amounts and time for the primary and assistant waiter (we had a set table for each meal). - I discreetly handed the bills to each. Also gave $1 or $2 to the breakfast room service delivery who brought a big tray of breakfast meal out to the balcony. It was always quite a balancing feat each day to get through the two doors. We do it because we enjoy helping them out a little bit, and they seem always appreciative.

DW asked for the NY Strip Loin several times on our last cruise in May (21 day cruise). She got it every time without issue even if it was not on the menu. Note: they have several steak sauces, but no A1 sauce. We knew about that so she always bring a bottle of her own when we cruise HAL along with her creamy French dressing. Salmon is always available for me, even if it is not on the night menu - and quite well cooked also. I would always ask for mashed Potatoes - and to discard the green vegetables. That vegetable discard mostly worked, but the potatoes were always there. Also always got a scoop of ice cream on many/most desserts offered when we asked. Once noted to the DR manager on the way out after dinner when he asked how was dinner and I noted the Creme Brullee was not up to their normal standards, and what was wrong with it. Next evening is was delivered as a dessert alongside of what we ordered, and the manager came over after and asked how this one was. It was back up to it's normal excellent standard. DW was taking medication and it would affect her appetite, and sometimes she would barely touch her meal. They would always be concerned if there was something wrong with the meal served, asking other options they could bring. They really do try to make the dinner enjoyable.

I called NCL Special Needs yesterday about taking my Luggie Elite 3 Plus on the NCL Bliss. This scooter is foldable, 58 lbs, and has a Lithium Ion Battery (10.4 AmpHour). I was concerned as Lithium Ion battery type was not discussed in their NCL documentation. Only question the representative asked was if the unit was acceptable to fly with. I stated it was and she stated then it would be fine with NCL. I did submit in the notification to NCL special needs form for the scooter personal medical device. So we are good to go. As a side note: I fly with American Airlines. Found out the last time we flew with them they do not allow on-line check-in prior to the flight if you have a scooter - one has to check-in at the desk (Yes -they have a pre-flight special needs form much like the cruise companies - so they know we will have a scooter on the flight). Not an issue with us as we always have baggage to check in anyways, but I have heard rumors (as incredible as it sounds) some people do not have check luggage when going of cruises. Weird I know.

Yes - they are closed today, I was going to contact them on Monday - I suspect i will be quoted verbatim from their write-up. But like other lines with the same verbiage, what actually is permitted at the docks may be different. i.e. on our last HAL cruise there were 3 Luggie scooters with Lithium Ion batteries and HAL has almost the same restrictions as NCL. I was just wondering what the actual usage is.

New to NCL cruiser. Due to deteriorating medical condition, may have to take our Luggie Elite scooter on an upcoming Alaska cruise (NCL Bliss). The scooter is relatively light weight, and foldable, but it does have a Lithium Ion battery. The battery is certified for Flying (10.4 AmpHour and tested). In looking at NCL, it states - "Mobility chairs must be powered by gel-cell batteries. Norwegian Cruise Line will not accept any wet-cell or unsealed acid battery-powered wheelchairs on board the ships that are not FAA approved." This is virtually the same statement as on other cruise lines we have used, but these same Luggies have been used on those cruise Lines. I do not want to get into the situation where I show up at the dock with her scooter and they do not let us board with it. Question is - Have people used LI powered scooters on NCL ships.

Multiple previous cruises on other lines - But first cruise on NCL Upcoming in Late June (Alaska - Bliss). 2 Questions 1.) We like a very soft mattress and always get an Egg crate foam mattress topper - are these available on NCL (Bliss)? Reservable Pre-Cruise? 2.) I have several reservations for our party of 7, but can specific table be reserved (Manhattan DR) (We love to watch the open ocean while dining during dinner)? If so - who is the contact email for a specific Cruise DR Manager Thank You

The pre-cruise testing is available 3 days prior to boarding for those who are "Up to Date" with thier COVID vaccinations. With the recently approved second booster for those over 50, does one now need that second booster to be considered "Up to Date" and hence eligible to be tested 3 days before boarding instead of the two day requirement? I just made the appointment for our testing on Thursday before our Sunday boarding, but cogitating if I should move it to Friday just to be sure. DW is not feeling so well just now and wants to defer any vaccinations just now. HAL recommends boosters be 7 days before a cruise (not written as a requirement, just a recommendation - I think)