Crown Vic

20 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

JB 🙂

JB, if you are available, Wednesday, August 23…Duke of Wellington…7.30 p.m…for a pint and to say ‘hello’. CC get together…hope you can make it…CV…

4 hours ago, DMH15 said:

Most memorable was dinner(s) with Brian Walters, Hotel Director on the Sun.  So fun and informative.  One class act is that man. 

👍 👍 for Brian. With NCL for 53 years.
Also 👍 👍 for GM Alain Magnier. Both super! Great GMs. Excellent dinner companions.

1 hour ago, bmwman said:

One of the funniest guys we ever met - a real character. Last heard on the POA

Thanks. Heard that he had left NCL. Haven’t been able to get any further information as to his whereabouts.

Any word on the whereabouts of Kaj Turunen who was, until a few months ago, GM on the PoA? Thanks…

Have used Aqua both to and from Southampton from Heathrow. Good service. No probs at all.

Mahalo nui loa…

36 minutes ago, John Bull said:

…”Round the Horne", "Workers' Playtime", "Journey into Space", "The Navy Lark" and "The Goon Show" are perfectly acceptable…JB 🙂

As long as you are ‘sitting comfortably”…

👍 👍 

13 hours ago, John Bull said:

 …BTW John Bull is a pseudonym - much more famous than Gabriel, tho' not as famous as his US counterpart

 

JB 🙂

JB, glad we didn’t get into Mrs Dale’s Diary.

My ‘red, white and blue’ comes from growing up with Arsenal and Middlesex.

Always enjoy reading your comments and answers on this thread. You are The Man.

Cheers..

On 7/15/2023 at 5:04 PM, John Bull said:

 

Sorry, John Bull isn't a London local - he's a country yokel…JB 🙂

JB, perhaps a pseudonym…Walter Gabriel comes to mind.

Cheers…

8 minutes ago, ldtr said:

They had it on my British Isles cruise on the day we were in Scotland (the inside stuffing mixture, not the lining).  Was pretty good

👍 👍 

3 hours ago, GoHuskies! said:

Yes, as has also been my experience.  But in the past the chefs' seasonings have always been oriented toward the passengers, overwhelmingly US, Canadian or UK, not toward the crew's tastes, wherever they originate.  (I am not advocating preparing haggis, however!)

Gracious! What’s wrong with haggis? No need to comment as long as you leave bagpipes outta the conversation. Och aye! Cheers…

1 hour ago, GigiGigi123 said:

I have seen several NCL “waterfall excursions” leaving from different ports Akureyski; Seydisfjordur and Djupivogur. Never having been to Iceland, I would welcome some opinions from those who may have had such adventures…I don’t want to do “waterfall-type” excursions from all 3 ports…but would like to choose one.

Thanks in advance

Gullfoss is worth seeing…IMO.

Cheers…

3 hours ago, JGmf said:

Off the Emerald Princess two weeks ago - never used my smart phone.  It was a brick I left in the room for the entire trip.  Ordered drinks from servers or the bar with absolutely no problems.  Food or drinks to the room?  Use the TV.

👍 👍 Lock the ol’ smart phone in the safe and enjoy your holiday the ol’ fashioned way. Cheers…

13 hours ago, FlGoodShips said:

If you type in his name in Google with "NCL" behind it, Linkedin shows up and click on it. It shows his profession as still being with NCL. Hope this helps.

Thanks…but…outta date by a country mile…he’s gotta be somewhere…

Any news on Kaj Turunen who was GM on the Pride of America? Excellent GM and extremely pleasant and personable. Heard he has left NCL. Does anyone have any up to date news on Kaj?

Cheers…

Was on the Norwegian Dawn last January. Fog delayed docking for 12 hours as Tampa Bay was closed by the US Coast Guard. Finally docked at 6 p.m. Have a back up plan just in case…

Sailed B2B on the PoA last October. Great way to see the Hawai’in Islands. Being American crewed, the ship board experience is ‘different’ from that of internationally crewed cruise ships. Notice I said ‘different’ not necessarily better or worse. Personal choice! Also sailed on the Pride of Aloha around Hawai’i. 
If one is concerned about the cost of a land trip, visiting the same ports, versus the PoA,  sit down with pencil and paper and list the cost of inter-island travel/transfers, hotels, food and entertainment versus the price of the cruise. Would think that the PoA might come out as a better deal and certainly much more convenient. As the song says “Try it! You’ll like it!”

The GM we had, Kaj Turinen, was amazing…but…heard he had left NCL. Pity!
Mahalo nui loa!

7 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Do  not know specifically about Kaj, however The Pride does have a NEW GM Relief-- Steven Jacobsen.  Steven left the Jewel to become Relief GM on the Pride.  He will be leaving for vacation today.

Thanks for the update. Steven is top notch or better. He’s gonna be missed on the Jewel. Any idea about Steven’s replacement on the PoA?

Cheers…

3 hours ago, LadyBerard said:Can someone explain to me how lobster thermidore is different and is it worth the upcharge of $25 in your opinion?  Thanks.

The Lobster Thermidor on the N Dawn was ‘hit and miss’. Mine was a ‘miss’. Still, worth a try. Cheers…

p.s. Lived not far away near 123 and 24.

Heard a whisper that Kaj Turinen and NCL parted company. He was the GM on the Pride of America and did a great job. Does anyone have any specific information? Thanks…

14 minutes ago, Knicks1130 said:

For Aurea class passengers on the Meraviglia.... where is the "dining in a dedicated restaurant or area"??? 

Try to get a table in an area set aside to the left, next to the window, when entering the Panorama restaurant and going to the lower level. Pleasant, quiet and very enjoyable.

Cheers…

55 minutes ago, pikwe012 said:

whoops its MEDIPAC !

Thanks. Appreciate the input.

Shall pass on the info so the individual can investigate further.

Cheers…

On 6/23/2023 at 12:00 AM, cruiserchuck said:

No visa necessary.  

 

https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/info/do-i-need-an-e-visa-if-i-am-on-a-cruise-ship/

 

According to the Law on Foreigners and International Protection which entered into force on 11th April 2014, those foreigners who arrive at sea ports and intend to visit the seaport city or nearby provinces for touristic purpose are exempt from visa provided that their stay does not exceed seventy two (72) hours. However, if you arrive in/depart from our country by air for your cruise tour, you must obtain a visa.

 

Last time in Turkey/Turkiye, pre-pandemic, got our visas at the Airport. Payment was an ‘entry fee’. Not sure if this has changed…

PompeySailor et al, very interesting posts. Went through a similar situation in Tampa in January when the port was closed due to fog. Ship docked at 6 p.m. and left around midnight. Thankfully we were onboard doing a B2B. No relief for those waiting to board  - no facilities, no water and, of course, no announcements. CCL seems to have treated folks properly. Anyway, enjoy your cruises. Hope the deteriorating weather coming up from the Caribbean won’t affect your holiday.

Cheers…

On 6/2/2023 at 10:42 AM, 3Shelaghs said:

Trip insurance is a killer once you hit a certain age, and are required to fill out a questionnaire. Your medication, your age, can omit you from qualifying. Then there is the 90 days or 160 days limit for pre-existing conditions...

Very interesting thread. Thanks to all for posting useful information.

3Shelaghs comments were intriguing.
Are there insurance companies that specialize in the magical ‘three score and ten plus ten’ age bracket or will any companies handle this? 
Cheers…

31 minutes ago, 4sallypat said:

PIN required ?

Are you referring to credit cards w/ CHIP +   PIN …?

Yup!