dingadong

Last time we were in Jamaica, it was for a hotel holiday.  We paid for the VIP experience (or whatever is was called) - met off plane, someone got your cases, fast tracked through immigration/customs and taken to a lounge whilst someone found our pre arranged transport.  Well worth it!   I know from our experience in Barbados, it was great being transferred straight to bus, but lordy - when we got to ship, it was carnage.  We must have queued in total for around 2 hours - which included out in the sun and then up and down staircases waiting to be processed.  I am worried about having to repeat that experience, because it wasn't pleasant.  People were visibly unwell and until you got into the processing hall, there was no water! This was on old Celebration.  Just hoping its a bit sleeker now.

Looking for some information from those who have done this.  What was the procedure?  I seem to remember at Barbados we went straight from plane onto bus?  The queues when we got to ship were just awful, especially after long flight and left to stand in heat.  Do you have to collect your luggage or again,  is it taken straight to ship?  Do you think it might be worthwhile getting a private taxi to ship?  Someone on another board said that coach required a police escort.  Last time we were in Montego Bay, were travelled quite freely and safely by taxi.  Appreciate all thoughts and advice.  TIA 😊

Pity you need one. Old Celebration had a couple of laundry rooms you could use free of charge.  Washing machines, tumble dryers and ironing boards. An absolute godsend when we took kids!

Yes! Have been asking if anyone else is doing it, thought we were alone!!!🫠

Oh lordy... Just read some recent reviews for Discovery 2😬should I be worried? It would appear standard's are not great! About 7 years since we've done Thomsons. Is Marella really so different? What about sunbed situation? Is it really so bad? Doing transatlantic, so iI hope not. I fully appreciate that some people lay it on thick in reviews, trying to stay positive! 😳

Thank you so much!   Navigating the TUI website can at times be a challenge!!!  Sometimes information can be conflicting!!  Would be great if you could let me know how you get on with this and the cruise when you come back!  Have you organised any trips or are you doing ship excursions?  Hope you have an amazing time 😀

Hi, on Thomsons, only ever been on old Celebration 😍.  Liked being lower down on there.  Whats thoughts on deck 2 or 3, or 6,7 or 8.  Literally shower, change and sleep in cabin and have always opted for inside cabin.  Could get cabin with window on 6, 7 or 8.  Is it worth it?  Can you feel the movement? TIA

Does anyone know if you can still drop off luggage the night before departure at Manchester?  Travelling to Jamaica to pick up Discovery

Yes - on 13 March.  Sailing back to Palma.

Are these still going strong?  Absolutely love the first night on the ship - such a great atmosphere!   Sailing on Discovery 2 from Montego Bay to Palma next March.

On 3/30/2022 at 12:24 PM, Brummijam said:

To be honest I haven’t seen anything like what you described on any of the Marella trips that we have been on, There have been passengers a bit tipsy but not drunk as such (and they were old enough to know better)😊 On the trips that we have been on that allowed children we haven’t seen any problems at all. standards have perhaps dropped regarding service and portion sizes in the MDR but you can always ask for more if necessary. Enjoy your Cruise you will be fine.👍

ps 

which cruse line were the  family of ten on in your previous post?

Thomson! Obviously now Marella 😬

Bit concerned about our cruise after reading lots of posts on here.  Have no experience of Marella - only ever Thomson, which I could not criticise.  Absolutely loved them all - standard of service excellent, staff so friendly, food, drinks etc and entertainment all wonderful.  

Now reading since it has changed to Marella that that standard has dropped.  Especially around MDR.  On one cruise we were on, there was a family of around 10 who were an absolute nightmare!  Thought it funny to throw towels in pool, then whizz them round soaking everyone sitting around pool, then meal times were a bit of a riot with them.  They let their kids run absolute riot!  I remember at breakfast at the buffet, the kids (toddlers) were left to wander on their own in amongst folk getting breakfast.  No shoes on and in where the hot food was being served.  It was a bit of a nightmare and everyone was avoiding them like the plague!  Don't blame staff for not challenging anyone, their job is hard enough, and some people are just so rude!!!!

I am having visions of something like this again, with people rolling up to the restaurant is swimwear etc!  Our friends are coming on their first cruise after our recommendation and worried sick now!  

We are really laid back and make the most of our time on board.  Honest thoughts please - doing 3 weeks transatlantic, and I believe it's adults only.  Has anyone had cause to complain?  If so, why?  How was it handled? 😬

Apologies everyone - just saw thread below which covers this topic! 🙄

Just read that this is the "new" formal night.  How much to people dress up now (or not)?  Used to quite enjoy getting glad rags on for a nice night?  What's the format now, do you still go to theatre to meet staff etc then dinner, or has it been completely cut back?  Goodness - remember when there was the midnight extravaganza in the restaurant?  What a lot of work, but it was amazing! 😃

Hi, looking to book 3 week repositioning cruise next year on Discovery 2. Thoughts on value of premium AI anshiw much to upgrade whilst on board? TIA

Hi we are first timers on NCL. Travelling from Scotland, both celebrating our 50th birthdays and our silver wedding anniversary. Is there a formal night on the ship, and if so, is it well attended? We are on from Sydney - Hong Hong and wondered if there is a need to bring formal clothes. Would like to have at least one "dressy" night as way of a proper celebration, but obviously luggage weight is a concern. All thoughts would be welcome. :D

A top Shore Excursion is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary traveling up to it by the Miramar River Ferry, Use the Shuttle to get into the city then make your way to the ferry terminal. Suggest you go on line and look at the websites,also Viator is a good pre booking source. Have a good cruise.

looking to do this, river cruise gets back at 3.30, would that be enough time to get back to Fishermans Island for ship sailing at 5 pm. TIA

Hi - we are travelling from Scotland and joining Jewel in Sydney, leaving in Hong Kong. Any advice from UK travellers (or in general!) re vaccinations, currency - do we we need any jags before travel. Have got Austrialian visa because we have some time in Sydney before joining ship. ANywhere else we need to consider, and what about currency, any recommendations best way to do it - are exchange rates favourable on ship? Many thanks in advance.:D

We're first time cruisers booked for August on NCL Epic. I know NCL have a daily charge added to your bill to cover gratuities etc (around 16dollars per day I think) However, a friend who cruises on Epic regularly says as UK citizens we can refuse to pay this (apparently its mandatory in USA) Advice welcome

Hi Shazron - I am assuming that you are British? We too have booked an NCL cruise (first time) having only cruised with Thomson AI where all gratuities are included in price. I asked the question on here some time ago about this, and was lambasted!!!!

Tips are fine, but at your discretion. We are doing a 35 day cruise and as you can imagine, the additional cost is quite substantial. It should be a choice that you make yourself, and it should be said that if staff are reliant on tips, then obviously this is an issue for the cruise companies to review the pay structure for employees.

Without getting into any debate (!) I have phoned NCL and indeed, once aboard if you approach reception, a form can be completed which cancels this charge.

For the record, whist Thomson tips are included, we always tipped those that went over and above to make our cruise memorable as well as contributing to the staff welfare fund. :)

Other people have addressed the gratuities; agree its best just to leave those in place and all your tipping obligations are covered.

 

Will you have the ultimate beverage package? If you do there are no gratuities on the covered drinks and U.K. Customers don't pay the service charge that US customers pay. If you order drinks while in a US port, you will be charged sales tax on the value of the drink (somewhere in the realm of 7%, so $0.70 per $10 drink. Once you get into international waters this doesn't apply.

 

If you don't have the UBP, there will also be a 18% charge on every drink you order for the gratuities and that is not removeable. The taxes while in US ports will apply as well.

 

18% is added onto virtually every purchase on the ship outside of retail/internet.... so drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, fitness classes...

 

 

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Thanks for this. Just for the record, I am in the UK and agree, your culture re tipping is very different from ours, and on booking from the UK, it would not appear that sales tax is included. On previous cruises, as I said we tip individually,and there is the option to contribute to the crew welfare fund, which we do and also participate in fund raising events for the crew during the course of the cruise. Our gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise, so forgive me for asking these questions, my intention is not to offend anyone. Many thanks to you those of you who have taken the time to explain the system.

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Other people have addressed the gratuities; agree its best just to leave those in place and all your tipping obligations are covered.

 

Will you have the ultimate beverage package? If you do there are no gratuities on the covered drinks and U.K. Customers don't pay the service charge that US customers pay. If you order drinks while in a US port, you will be charged sales tax on the value of the drink (somewhere in the realm of 7%, so $0.70 per $10 drink. Once you get into international waters this doesn't apply.

 

If you don't have the UBP, there will also be a 18% charge on every drink you order for the gratuities and that is not removeable. The taxes while in US ports will apply as well.

 

18% is added onto virtually every purchase on the ship outside of retail/internet.... so drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, fitness classes...

 

 

Thanks for this. Just for the record, I am in the UK and agree, your culture re tipping is very different from ours, and on booking from the UK, it would not appear that sales tax is included. On previous cruises, as I said we tip individually,and there is the option to contribute to the crew welfare fund, which we do and also participate in fund raising events for the crew during the course of the cruise. Our gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise, so forgive me for asking these questions, my intention is not to offend anyone. Many thanks to you those of you who have taken the time to explain the system.

 

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Wonder if anyone can help. first time on NCL. only ever cruised with Thomson All Inclusive. These include gratuities. We have all inclusive drinks package on this cruise. Have been advised that we can opt out of gratuities (£8.50 pppd) by advising reception on arrival, we would much rather tip staff we come into direct contact with. Is this the case? Also, is there an additional tax added onto alcholic drinks? Read something elsewhere that this is the case? Very confusing :eek::eek:.

First timer with this line, booked for Sydney to Hong Kong next February. Inside cabin, all tips hints gratefully received :D Is dining open in that you can eat when and where you want? also, how formal is the ship? Thanks in advance.

Thanks all, yes indeed it is Celebration departing From Barbados. Fingers crossed for good weather!

So excited, off next week. can anyone tell me how many formal nights to expect. Also, I know this is difficul, but for those of you have crossed at this time of year, what weather should we expect in Atlantic? Thanks all :)