www3traveler

I would vote for the Dawn.  Smaller ship, less passengers.

Dawn is docking in Barcelona in a few hours after Her African adventure.  Then on to Her Summer Season mostly out of Southampton, U.K.

1 hour ago, mitchtech said:

Hi. I know that for Elements you need a reservation. Do you still need a reservation for the comedy shows? Are they in the theater now or in the smaller venue. Just wanted to know if when we board if we need to make reservations  to see the comedy shows.

Thanks

Check with the people at the Theater Box Office when you board, they can which shows need reservations and make them for you.

Enjoy

7 minutes ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Maybe I can flash my ORANGE beginners card at them and they’ll have pitty. 🤣Although I’ve read greasing the palm of the waitstaff or maître d may help. 😉

The tables by the picture windows are usually 4 top (4 people) or 6 top (6 people) not 2 top (one or two people).

The Garden Cafe is the buffet-- food quality and quantity will probably depend on the Food and Beverage Director and the Executive Chef.  They should have daily lunch and dinner specials advertised in the Freestyle Daily.   

1 hour ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Another quick question about the Garden Café buffet. During the final days of the 25-night itinerary we will be in Alaska, and I like to be top-side a lot. For those that have eaten dinner in the buffet, do you find it passable? Not really wanting to spend an hour or two eating dinner ‘below decks’ while the world passes by.

The Great Outdoors (outdoor dining space outside of thee rear of the buffet across the stern of the ship) will probably be very chilly in the evenings for dinner.  Great place for lunch.

Lots of people going out there to take either sunrise or sunset pictures.

One side of the MDR menu should rotate on a nightly basis.  The other side may rotate on a weekly basis.  On the 25 night cruise, you will probably get some duplication of menus.

MDR's are open seating: no assigned tables or dining times.  Waiters will probably rotate serving stations at least on a weekly basis.

Safe travels and enjoy

The FIRST Alaskan cruise of the SEASON (the Bliss) left Seattle, Washington several hours ago.  The Spring/Summer/Fall sailing seasons have begun.  Prayers for safe travels for everyone.

Check out the ship's library.

As of a couple of hours ago, Norwegian was still listed on the Port of Seattle's website as a participate in the Valet Program.

I would double check with Guest Services when you board.

By the wording of your notice, it might be canceled for only your cruise.  You are the very first cruise of the Season, Port staffing for this program might be the issue.

I would double check on both The Empress's website and any social media website they may have.

10 minutes ago, wolft927 said:

 When you fill out your check in documents 21 days out each person must list an emergency contact including phone number. 

If you have an accident or get sick off ship requiring an emergency room or hospital, your contact information on board the ship would probably be of no use.

24 minutes ago, herbanrenewal said:

A lot has been said regarding emergency situation preparedness. With international travel especially having emergency contact info readily available can be imperative. After much thought i decided to get an emergency alert bracelet that lets you provide contacts if you are unable to. There's lots of info regarding travel insurance - not just the cancellation type but medical care, evacuation, etc,. Its so important to know just WHAT is covered by your policy. Contacting your family if you are unable to communicate is also important. 

Amazon.com: VNOX Free Engraving-Medical Alert ID Silicone Stainless Steel Adjustable Bracelet,Fits Adults &,White : Health & Household

What a great idea.  Thank you

52 minutes ago, eric4395 said:

29 pages too much to read through although i have read some.

Was this group of passengers altogether on a private excursion.

What was the name of the company running the excursion

What was the reason given that they werent back by 3pm

Was it the tours fault or the passengers

How late were they after 3pm was it minutes or hours.

There are hundreds of passengers do there own thing and also go on private excursions throughout the world on cruises, they seem to be getting a hard time so can i assume it was something to do with them that they were late. 

(1) They were on a private excursion

(2) The name of the excursion company or the reason for the delay has not been given as of now or who was at fault for the delay.

(3) They were at least an hour or more delayed.

From what I understand this was only the 2nd cruise ship to visit this port of call since December.  Maybe the Port Authorities were unfamiliar in how to handle cruise ships.  Since this port of call was not on the original itinerary for this cruise, I wonder how this people booked this particular excursion.  This cruise was supposed to sail the Red Sea and the Suez Canal before sailing to Barcelona, Spain (Disembarkation point).

3 minutes ago, pghflyer said:

https://nypost.com/2024/04/03/us-news/norwegian-cruise-has-been-silent-since-abandoning-elderly-woman-who-suffered-stroke-family-says/

 

I am not NCL apologist and think they often shirk normal customer service under the cover of their comprehensive contractual protections....but I always find it amusing when people indicate part of their problem was they couldn't fly first class ha ha ha, talk about first world problems. I do hope the lady recovers, seems it was a lifelong dream.

As of last night, the lady was in the University of Stanford (California) Medical Center according to her family.

Why buy water?  You can get free water from any of the bars, the buffet, the restaurants.  Water in your bathroom is pure enough drink.  Bring a refillable water bottle with you.

I find it interesting that the couple being interviewed several media outlets stated that they would NOT be re-joining the ship and yet they did.

Question: how were these people able to reach out to the media outlets in New York City to get their story aired??

2 minutes ago, bortman23 said:

NBC just reported all passengers are back on the ship now, with NCL confirming they will reimburse their travel costs to get back on the ship.

 

 

Expenses ONY FROM GAMBI TO SENEGAL.

10 minutes ago, Ashlynkat said:

This is incorrect. We weren’t in São Tomé “2 days earlier.” We were in Angola 2 days previous and March 27th was our one and only stop at São Tomé. In fact, according to our guide, our arrival on NCL Dawn was the first cruise ship visit of the year for the island with the last cruise ship being in early December. 
 

That unfortunate woman had a medical emergency THAT DAY and was apparently still being evaluated by medical personnel on the island long after the 3pm all aboard. Because her condition required longer care, she was medically disembarked. 

According to reports by her family, she is safely home and in the Stanford University Hospital.

1 minute ago, YVRteacher said:

He is doing well. As long as he has his chocolates and his apple fritters he’s good.

Chocolates on the Jewel are possible.  Apple fritters may not be possible.

1 minute ago, YVRteacher said:

In 27 days!!!

How is Dad doing?

According to the Dawn's webcam, She was sailing out of Dakar, Senegal at about 6:40 P.M., heading for Tennerife, Spain arrival scheduled for Friday 5 April, 2024.

58 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Dumb question about Passports. I saw it mentioned their passports were giving to someone at the port. When we cruise we cruise with our passports. Sometimes we put them in the cabin safe and sometimes they are kept in our luggage in a pocket. How does the NCL crew where to know to find them? 

Most passengers keep their passports and other belongs locked in the safe in their cabin.  The ship's Security Team can easily unlock the safes and retrieve the passports. 

4 minutes ago, MommaBear55 said:

Odd then that the passengers said they were in Gambia waiting to get on the ship. Hope they are in the right place and just misspoke. 

Because of low tides, the Dawn could not dock in Gambia and sailed to the next port of call Dakar, Senegal.

1 hour ago, cltnccruisers said:

Different story, maybe.  Memory isn't the best lately, but what I recall that was one hairy woman.

What happened on the Carnival ship leaving passengers at the Miami Cruise terminal was on the 24th of March 2024.  Travel agent left people stranded at the terminal while she went on the cruise ending 31 March, 2024.