jennjess

8 hours ago, alcpa1 said:

The major cruise lines have contracts with the port into 2025.

The news reports are varied and some suggest that it will just be the day stops that are banned and embarkation and disembarkions will be permitted. I am wondering about overnights since we have one on Azamara next year.

The authorities are also banning weed on the streets and instituting restrictions within the Red Light District. Rowdy bachelor parties, especially British ones, are being discouraged. 

The Dutch want their Amsterdam back!!!!!!!!!!!

The terminal will not be closed for a few years but it will close eventually.  There is going to be a bridge built at that point in the city across the water to the northern part. River cruises may well take over the passenger terminal as they are less polluting and that is the foremost reason for Amsterdam wanting cruise ships out of the city centre.

I don't think another terminal will be built anywhere nearby.  Probably Ijmuiden will be the port of entry which will need much better facilities and transport links.

I have a story about lost and found on NCL ships, that is quite positive.

I lost my sunglasses actually in port when I visited a museum.  I didn't realise they were missing until we were sailing away from the port later that day.

I called the museum and yes they had them there.  I talked to Guest Relations and they said they would ask the port agent to pick them up for me and then send them to Lost and Found in Miami.

Since I live in Europe that wasn't the best solution for me but is the standard method for NCL.

3 weeks later I received an email from them saying they had them in Miami and would I like them sent back for a fee.

That fee was very high $180 or something like that.

I had them sent to a friend in Oregon for $60 and another friend brought them back to Europe as she was travelling here anyway.  Took months to get them back but I was happy to have back.

I wasn't aware I couldn't buy a non alcoholic drink in Greek waters before I went and I visit these pages quite often.  Sure I'm not the only one caught out.  It would be nice if NCL warned people of this fact when they booked a cruise with Greek ports ( or for that matter any ports with restrictions).  But for me it wasn't a major problem but would have been nice to know.

28 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

Glad they got it to you quickly.  I see you're from Amsterdam.  Could this be an issue with exchange rates?

No it's not the exchange rate as every item is given in dollars and then the rate in euros.  The last 2 dollar deductions are strange and the total deductions in dollars is higher than the final bill they sent me.

18 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Yep.  Please let us know if you can.

I received a copy of my bill today, so well done to guest services for the fast response, but there IS a difference between what is on the final bill and what has been billed.  I have now requested an explanation and a refund if appropriate (I believe it is).

On 6/5/2023 at 3:51 PM, DCGuy64 said:

I really don't understand why people DON'T get the drinks package. You basically just pay for the gratuities. I can't imagine NOT getting it. If you drink, get the package. If you don't, then why do you care whether the cruise line serves it or not? Doesn't make sense.

I don't get the drinks package because I don't drink, but I wasn't allowed to buy a soft drink in Greek waters either.  It's not just alcohol that is affected.  Just wanted to clear that up.  Not a problem for me as I could go to the buffet and get something to drink.

Also those not from the USA, or I guess Canada, do pay for the drink package is isn't free!

12 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Yep.  Please let us know if you can.

Will do!

9 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

If you don't receive one, submit a case to NCL and they will promptly email you a copy of your final invoice.

I have done so, let's hope it doesn't take too long.  Interested to know what the extra charge is for.

On 6/5/2023 at 5:01 PM, Asawi said:

I am 100% sure I never got an email with my bill from my cruise a few weeks ago even though I had registered for one. And yes I have checked spam folder! 

I did however check the account on the last evening and it looked fine and it was the right amount that was taken from my credit card so I didn't bother trying to find my bill. I do find it very odd that it's not in Cruise history or My account though!

Yes I also checked the account on the last day and it looked fine.  The amount off the credit card though does not.  The reserved amounts have come off but the actual billed amount does not correspond with the bill I saw.  Needless to say it is higher.

2 hours ago, hallux said:

The email comes from noreply, they don't have the name on the email account configured properly so it may get moved to spam or junk as suggested.

No it's not in any spam box as I've checked.  Just wasn't sent out it seems.

7 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

Been through Horizon a lot.

 

We always turn up early to bag drop, most times it is quiet, go park up walk back to start the process hoping security has opened.

  

Sometimes there are issues delays etc. it get very busy we just go into town and come back later. there have been times when access to the terminal by car is totally blocked  by 9:30

 

Last time(Star) 10:45  drop OH and bags,  was very quiet,  when I returned(11:10)  I joined the line inside (11:10) for security.

The outside line had started and was growing quite quickly

 

Took 18-20 mins to get through to the escalator up to check in.

 

Never seen all the security channels in use which can cause back ups, just needs 2 coaches to turn up and that 80-100 people in line on top of those arriving by car walking and taxis..

 

I think the cruise lines prefer that so the security they pay for are kept busy.

If they put more on they would have periods when there were no people in line. 

 

Up the stairs there were already quite a few checked in and waiting, they were calling numbers, Priority line was 1 in front of us, from hitting the bottom of the escalator to starting the walk to the ship was 5mins(no number just walk on with priority).

 

There was a back up on the air bridge 4 mins, 8min in total from finishing check in to walking on.  

 

There are loads(over 1k) of seating they could use that if the check in snake got too long to reduce standing times, might need more people to organizes as with cruise passenger you need herding cats skills.

 

They could have more desks they were only using half the spaces for our trip.

 

The check in window is quite short as the NCL ships leave early, for the Star scheduled is 4pm  start at 11am and use the 2hr deadline that's 3hrs over 10 a minute. 

 

Remember the Star and Dawn are around 2k pax  this terminal deals with Virtuosa in the summer with 6k. 

 

My experience with check-in at Athens was that they give you a colour as you walk in the door and you can sit and wait until your colour is called.  Far preferable to having to stand in a queue for a length of time.

3 hours ago, insidecabin said:

The OP would have boarded at Horizon Southampton if this was the cruise they are currently on.

 

Maybe they will report back what they did do for other to reference.

 

NCL have not been checking times.

 

At this terminal security is first and there is a tiny wait area so once the snake is full you get held outside, there is a canopy so unless the line gets very long you are in the dry(unless wind is blowing the rain).

 

The trick tends to be get there early before the UK coaches/drivers and US same day flights.

 

9:30-10:10 is quite early, the earliest we have had security open is 10am for MSC.

 

Once through security and upstairs NCL(for ours) had suite area, then 3 lanes(priority,disabled,regular).to the check in.

 

There is a large waiting/holding area if the ship is not ready to take passengers.

 

The air bridge at Horizon is a long one, when no lines at security and check in  that is the longest interval  from terminal door to ship.

Of the 5 terminals at Southampton  Ocean has security after check in

(unlikely to be used by NCL)  

 

 

if ever thinking bout a Southampton cruise bookmark the live schedule as this tends to get any changes before the passenger get told by cruise lines.

 

https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

 

I found the whole check-in process at Southampton quite chaotic.  Arrived about midday and the security line was long and the wait was long.  Then upstairs another long line to get to actual check-in.  Loads of seats upstairs to sit in but you needed to stand in line rather than be seen by number or group.

1 minute ago, Norwayfan1 said:

I think that app stopped working at the stroke of midnight!!! 

 

I know you have probably done this, but check email spam/junk folder..? It amazes me what important documents randomly end up in mine.

 

If not, then I guess NCL have overlooked this. 

It's strange that you can't look up a former cruise either online or in the app.  I've requested a copy of the bill via the contact page online.  Let's see what happens.

11 minutes ago, Norwayfan1 said:

I just checked the disembarkation instructions from last week (still in my handbag!!!).

 

They state that, if a passenger requested an e-mail copy (either at pre-registration or via the app on board), they will get their final statement that way.

 

For any passengers who did not make that request, a paper copy of the final statement would be delivered to cabins by 4am on the morning of disembarkation.

 

 

Well I didn't get a final statement delivered to my cabin or an emailed one and can't see the one in the app anymore either.

I think all of the reserved amounts have been removed now, but the amounts actually taken do not correspond with the final bill I saw on the app.  I wish there was a way to see that again.  If there was a way to have them email me the bill then I missed it.

2 minutes ago, Norwayfan1 said:

A copy was emailed to me automatically. It was time-stamped in the early hours of disembarkation morning.

I haven't received anything as yet.  I may have to call them for it.

I have just cruised with NCL and in the app I saw my final bill which looked correct but more money has been taken from my credit card.  Trying to find a copy of the final bill but the app does't show it anymore.  Doesn't seem anyway to find it online. Will they send me a copy by email automatically or do I need to get them to send it to me?

Alcohol is being served on the Star in Southampton.  We are on-board now.

On 5/19/2023 at 8:35 AM, SakeDad said:

Can't wait to hear if there are any changes. NCL can no longer say "short notice" is the reason for not settling this with Customs/UK Govt

I'm boarding the Star tomorrow so will post if I see alcohol being served or not

2 hours ago, Centuryrace said:

At the moment it's a UK port problem with no booze. Various ports around the world get NCL and other cruise line to collect taxes when in port, even on package supplies. New York, Miami, for sure because I have been charged. Spanish ports do the same apparently and Greece has been banning it to persuade folk off ships and spend in port. There are stories of Italian ports banning some hard spirits. However I was in Greek and Italian ports with NCL last year and had no problems. 

In Greece this March I wasn't allowed to buy a fruit juice whilst in port.  I didn't have a drink package as it didn't seem worth it for me as a non alcohol drinker.  Those with a package were being served as normal.  Not a big problem for me as I just went to the buffet and got a drink there but there are still strange rules in Greek ports.

How has the weather been during your trip.  Packing today, need to decide on what I need to bring with me.

1 hour ago, ConnieTact said:

O’Sheehan’s for a quick pot of Earl Grey before getting ready for our excursion this PM.

it’s really quiet on the ship with most people taking the opportunity to enjoy a full day of exploring this beautiful country. 
Even the main dining room I closed for lunch with a notice directing people to the buffet. 
From our booth window, there’s a good view of the tenders going backwards and forwards from ship to land.

Didn't know you could get a pot of tea, that makes me happy!

2 hours ago, ConnieTact said:

I think the pictures tell the story well enough! We loved it all. 
 

Great photos, it all looks very Irish!

8 hours ago, ConnieTact said:

It all depends on how interested you are in each museum. They can be done relatively quickly if your not stopping to study a lot of the exhibits.

if there is one you particularly want to go to and enjoy to the full maybe that’s best. How much time do you think you’ll have?

I hope @ziggyukputs up some pics of Waterford Crystal and bishops palace and gives you an idea of how long they take. I only spent 15 minutes in the Silver museum. Mr CT said his  30 minute museum of time was not enough for him but I’m sure it would have been for me! I guess best to prioritise but I think you could easily get two in. 

I think the Bishop's Palace looks good and we'll see what time is left after that.  Do you remember what time the last tender back to the ship was?

How does this work when you have some of the dining party with the package and some without?