disneydave

How far is the ferry terminal in Charlotte Amalie to the cruise docking in Charlotte Amalie?  Trying to figure how long it would take to walk or better to grab a cab back to the ship.  

Agree on Bernards have booked with them several times; now we just wing it but if I had a group who had not been to the island I'd be booking Bernards again.  

On 8/2/2023 at 12:03 PM, schmoopie17 said:

Our one and only jewelry purchase on a cruise was at a highly rated and reputable jewelry store in St. Thomas. We decided to upgrade Mrs. Schmoopie's wedding set. This was in 2011, and to this day the set looks fantastic and shimmers beautifully. We had it appraised when we got back from the cruise and it actually appraised for more than we paid for it. The store was recommended by fellow cruisers and they were right. I remember walking in and the guy in the store said, "Would you like a free beer?" Two hours later we walked out with a new piece of jewelry. That was the most expensive "free beer" I've ever had.

 

We're going back to St. Thomas on a December cruise and Mrs. Schmoopie is already looking to upgrade her upgrade while we're there. I'm sure they'll offer me another "free beer".

Gotta love those "free" beers.  I've enjoyed a few myself 🙂

It's a different design.  We sailed on the Celebrity Edge shortly after it's launch and it received similar reviews as many just were not used to the layout of the ship; now several years later people have adjusted and many like the ship.  Viva is the 2nd in a new class of ships and it will take time to grow on those NCL loyalists used to other designs.  

We booked the summit for a feb 8 2025 and our res has disappeared from both booking and from my future cruise on their website but they have yet to inform us or return our deposit.  grrrrr 

The story as of today is you can sign a waiver onboard so they can purchase wine and beer; what we do is order 2 drinks on our free at sea and hand the other off to the kiddo.  

40 minutes ago, cruiser2015 said:

Typically, a TA credit can be used for just about anything, including your daily cabin/dining gratuities. Of course, yours are also covered on this cruise, so it doesn't matter. NCL OBC's would have otherwise not been usable for daily gratuities, but can be used for most everything else you purchase onboard. Credits are never usable in a casino - only purchases of food, beverages, excursions & services (such as in the Spa).

 

I can't imagine paying for additional credits. I'm not even aware that NCL sells them. In any event, why pay for these when you don't know how much you actually will need? You might be able to put an advance credit on your cabin account to use for these items. If so, any unused balance should be returnable. But, again, why go through the possible hassle? Pay end of cruise.

 

Also, note that any unused OBC from your TA or NCL is forfeited.

Actually, unused OBC from my TA has always been returned to me not forfeited.  

Have sailed with both and prefer celebrity; currently have cruises booked on both.  When you book a cruise on celebrity that includes say a drink package and tips and gratuities you won't see any additional charges; with ncl that isn't the case.  When you book airfare with celebrity you pick the flights from their list of available and if there is an issue they are there to help; with ncl they pick your flights and then if there is an issue its up to you to resolve.   Not all bad with ncl but just some differences; ncl has better shows than celebrity and is more lively.  There is nothing like aqua class on ncl but the retreat and the haven are a close comparison.  

Just now, Jim The Lizard said:

Makes sense Dave.   I just travelled Celebrity for the first time over the holidays.  I liked it but missed the casual wear at dinner (silly I know!).  And the included gratuities and unlimited wifi was nice.  A big drop off for me was the different entertainment, much smaller scale than NCL.   However, I was on an older Celebrity ship and cannot comment if the newer ships have better more large scale entertainment.  The cruise director and his staff were phenomenal on my holiday Celebrity trip.  

100% I do like the listed dress code better on NCL; however, i'm that guy showing up for dinner in shorts and a nice collar'd shirt and can say i've never been turned away in either Blu, Lumanie, or their specialty dining although i do get an occasional hateful look usually from a female who is getting ribbed from their spouse about being forced to wear long pants.  

1 minute ago, Jim The Lizard said:

That’s fine.  But then my argument carries over to YouTube sites and vloggers stating NCL has increased prices while other lines haven’t?  Is that comparison spot on for only that moment in time also?   I’m still left unsure what is the basis for such comments.  I agree my one mick booking can be impacted by so many different factors.  

Certainly, I have similar itineraries booked for spring break on NCL in 24 and Celebrity in 25 and the Celebrity booking is less and includes their all in so drink package, gratuities - no extra charges when in port, obc, and internet i can be logged into all the time for less than NCL with free at sea but as stated the only thing that is guaranteed is that pricing will change.  

5 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

82 cents. LOL

 

I do have a change jug in my garage that I throw change into....one of those 5 gallon water things.   

 

As to your nickel and diming comment?  What exactly where you forced to purchase on board?  I have to admit, on my various cruises, I have never been forced to buy anything I didn't agree to.  

Did the OP say they were forced to purchase anything or did I just miss it in their comment?

I prefer to be in control of my bookings and so prefer to do it myself; however, cruises and some inclusives are better booked with an agent.  Recently booked 2 cruises from an agency due to their offer of 10% of cruise fare back as OBC.  The price was identical to what i could have booked online with NCL and Celebrity but the 10% back as refundable OBC is a winner all the way around and when i want to make a change to something I just call the agent and they deal with the cruise line instead of me waiting on hold to talk with them and get different answers depending on the person i'm talking with.  

14 hours ago, Jim The Lizard said:

Getting ready to sail on Prima, and had a debate on a Facebook page this week with a disgruntled NCL Prima guest.  Claimed he was going back to RCCL because of the nickel and diming on NCL and that NCL keeps raising their pricing.  In addition, Don from YouTube and Jay from the Shiplife on YouTube have stated that the other lines have dropped their pricing since the pandemic and NCL has not.   Ok, so I’m booked on Escape for a February 2024 cruise, so I did a mock booking on Wonder of the Seas for the same weekend sailing with similar itinerary.  RCCL is $109 cheaper for a balcony; but does not include drink package or 2 nights specialty dining.  I understand that is not important to all, but the overwhelming popularity of the drink package and specialty dining seem to be more of the norm.  Not sure I can make that math work in my head.  

Cruise fare is not much different than airfare...... it changes frequently; your comparison is spot on for only that moment in time and doesn't take into account for many situations.  

23 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

My point is, any time in line isn't worth $10 bucks to me while on vacation. For a $100, I would probably get in line.  YMMV. I'm not even sure any of us know how to calculate port fees...much less do it for 3,000 plus people.  

 

I'm all for letting it go...I have 3 cruises booked now, and will not be sweating this in the least.  Only one on NCL this April 1st...One on Celebrity and another on MSC...I will say I have missed ports on many cruises, not sure if I was refunded anything or not.  Wife is in charge.  🙂

Shouldn't have to get in line or even request it; NCL should handle like Celebrity does and automatically do it.  

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Chair hogs and wearing shorts in the MDR at night, two things that will never go away, but are entertaining to read on CC.😁

Hey now I resemble the shorts comment at dinner; although, usually either in blu or luminae.  

I'm sure it's in the contract that they keep the fees; sadly, other lines refund the fees if a port is missed  

On 2/5/2023 at 9:36 AM, Hutcha said:

Is it just 2 of you? It's hard to find the value if the number of people is small. You have to be a Royal loyalist, or just not care about money, to drop that much. Like I said above, If it's just myself and wife, hands down I'd go with the Haven. I don't even think I'd go Sky class with just the 2 of us.

 

When Your number grows, the value comes in. Last year was seven of us in a 2 bedroom suite. I got it for $350 pp/pd. This year, I have the same  (A1) on a different ship (Allure) for $250 pp/pd. I will say that prices are definitely going up and the deals are becoming hard to find.

 

My wife and I have decided that the next suite will be on Celebrity. I really want to try the retreat out. 

Based on your comments you will enjoy the retreat on the Edge class ships; the older ships some have been refurbished to include the Retreat but just not the same as they don't have the same amenities.  

So i'll be ordering 1 shot or Licor 43 and 1 of heavy cream and make my own baby beer shots.  🙂

1 hour ago, fastpitchdad said:

I put a Delta Silver luggage tag on my backpack even though I am a Diamond (and Premier when I was 1K) so that people would wonder why I was upgraded and they were not 🙂. 

oh the looks when i get upgraded with the black and siver delta luggage tag before others.... could change it out but the looks are worth it.  

4 hours ago, cml4958 said:

He bit the dog sitter so no, this was the best option.  I was going to suggest to her that the shelter hold him while I'm out of town but then he bit the neighbor so animal control got involved.  He's in the safest place he can be right now and hopefully he won't be such a sh!t in the future.  Fingers crossed.

Poor baby; leaving the fur babies is the toughest part of vacationing.  

On 1/28/2023 at 8:56 AM, Monica887 said:

Got it. Like I said, I can't even drink that much water, so it sounds like a lot, but that's just me. Enjoy!

I cannot drink that much water either but when on a cruise we can certainly enjoy that many beverages during the entire day.  🙂

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

I learned to ask for business cards the hard way when I was working on the post cruise survey and couldn't remember certain names.  

Business Cards are a great idea.  We take a picture of them and their name tag.  

On 1/19/2023 at 3:28 PM, imready2go said:

Same question.....

Cab fare from the airport to OSJ is regulated and should be 19$ for up to 4 in addition to a bag charge to get from the airport to OSJ.  

We've done both cabs and uber and it seems as if the uber drivers are known by the cabbies and are greatly disliked as the cabbies have to pay for a permit to operate and view the uber folks as dipping in on their livelihoods.  Have not had an issue with either but the uber drivers seem to be cautious as to where they pick you up and drop off as they didnt want to be close to a taxi stand.  

Having recently returned from the Baja peninsula area personally I would go especially to tourist areas; this is a normal thing that happens from time to time unlike weekends in Chicago....those statistics have become normal. 

33 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

 

I’ve seen this question asked many times, I don’t think anyone has been successful.

Ya not sure how they would allow 1 individual to check in under 2 reservations.  Imagine the passenger count would be a nightmare.