ewl

Just off Reflection and there was never a problem getting a seat for the shows. Plenty of room. 

We were on the 12/18/22 sailing of the Encore which had only two port calls-- GSC and Puerto Plata. We ended up in Ochos Rios instead of DR and in Nassau instead of GSC. While we rolled our eyes at the announcement that the DR change was due to "unforeseen circumstances" (not unforeseen to us with all the info on CC), missing GSC was said to be due to seas too rough for the tenders.  In both cases there was no advance notice;  we were informed by an announcement onboard the day prior.  

What we have learned over a host of cruises is that if you have your heart set on visiting a specific destination, a cruise is not the best choice. Cruise lines have broad discretion on itinerary changes, so we pick a ship we like in case we are on it more than we anticipated and an itinerary that is interesting but not "make or break".  That said, there should be a reasonable expectation that the itinerary should be as close to what it advertised as possible-- not just taking you wherever the wind blows. Should NCL be advertising the DR when it knows full well that the odds of Amber Cove being available are slim and then claiming unforeseen circumstances?  No. I agree that is bad faith and am very disappointed to see it.

On 12/7/2022 at 1:38 PM, weltek said:

Bummer. I think it's safe to assume Amber Cove is the default for NCL at least through the end of the year. 

Very interesting info.... it looks like the capacity for Amber Cove is two ships?  We leave on the 12/18 Encore and are due to call in Puerto Plata on 12/21, but I see there are two Carnival ships already on the calendar for Amber Cove.  Wondering if that means we skip the DR altogether...

15 hours ago, IronRobi said:

Interesting that Cruise Mapper does list it in port that day, along with 3 other ships.

Puerto Plata-Amber Cove (Dominicana) cruise port schedule | CruiseMapper

 

But the Amber Cove website does not list them on the schedule.

Port Schedule (ambercove.com)

 

Nor does the Taino Bay port.

Taino Bay, Puerto Plata (porttainobay.com)

 

Also note Amber Cove had both a Carnival and NCL ship in port the day before on the 5th. 

There sure are a LOT of NCL port calls at Puerto Plata on that schedule-- is NCL not making it to any of them?  We are on the Encore leaving 12/18 and due to be there on 12/21.... looks like Amber Cove is booked up that day if we don't make it...

Leaving on the Encore in 13 days! I feel silly asking but I know DD will want to know:  has the ship made the switch to Coke products yet? Or still on Pepsi?

11 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

I just looked on NCL's site and the Sun and Sky both have a different T&C regarding the PPlus! 

On the Escape the cafe coffee's were included...

Doesn’t that just figure! 🙄

Thank you for looking that up and posting!  Now at least we aren’t wondering. 👍

On 7/18/2019 at 1:23 PM, kfnesq said:

Starbucks is absolutely included; we went there every morning on the Jade a couple of months ago and used Premium Plus with no issues.

Alas, we are on the Sun now and told that specialty coffee is included in the dining rooms only.  Got a $10 bill for ordering it at the Starbucks cafe.  And yes we have Premium Plus.... 😞

Thanks all. Guess I’ll see if they let me cancel the soda package as it seems silly if the only point would be to get soda in a can.  Looking forward to setting sail!

Yes, one $50 per port per cabin. And if you don’t take an excursion, you don’t get the credit. 

Hi all, 

Cruising on the 8/19 Sun and confused about beverages. It seems some booked this cruise with the Sun open bar (I.e., no swiping, all basics just free) which I understand is being phased out. When we booked in July, it didn’t advertise the Sun open bar, but we got a free beverage package, which to my surprise shows as the new Premium Plus Beverage Package. We ordered the soda package for DD17, but did we need to?  Are they now swiping everyone’s card for everything or is the Sun open bar (which I think included soda?) still in effect?

Thanks-

Update:  OK now I think I’m wrong and it does say Sun Open Bar on our booking; then we got upgraded to PPBP for booking a balcony. Which I think means there was no need to purchase the soda package?  Argh. 

I am so embarrassed

Aw gee, that wasn't my intent! :o I have learned so much from this post about the Cliff Walk and mansions and will be putting it to good use next week, so many thanks! But seeing two St. Mary's on Google Maps really threw me. Very strange!

Just a note here, that when you are at the Touro Synagogue, you are just 2 blocks from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 70 Church St. This is the church where Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and John F. Kennedy were married.

Help! Google Maps is showing St. Mary's in two places-- one at 12 William St. at Spring St. & Memorial Blvd (this is also where the church website points), and the other at 70 Church Street, which would put it nearby to Touro Synagogue as you note. Which is it? Is one the historic church and the other a newer one? :confused:

Thanks!

It becomes unavailable 5 days prior to your cruise, but there is still a link to print out boarding pass, luggage tags, etc. Whether those are kept updated or not with last-minute info (like your cabin #), I don't know.