welove2cruise*

We did purchase this on the first day of our cruise. My DH had to ask around to find where to get it. We have gone ahead and chosen the UBP on our next 3 reservations with NCL. I like to enjoy my wine on my balcony so we will see how this works out.

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We sailed the Jade out of Venice to the Greek Islands in 2014. We have sailed almost every NCL ship along with cruising on Royal, Princess, Celebrity and Carnival. I personally love the size of the Jade/Dawn/Jewel/Star class. We sailed the Sun for our 11-night Southern Caribbean and loved the size and layout. I think the Sun is a bit smaller but the Jade would be one I would choose to sail again.

Everything is so subjective to personal preference but we like the food and entertainment on NCL.

If the price is right I say go for it. [emoji6]

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Right - Alla does the same if you don't purchase the set menu lunches. You will be taken to the restaurant where the others in your group will eat their lunch (Stolle pie shop on one day and another restaurant on the other day) and you are free to order something from the menu on your own.[/

 

I'm wondering if there is a cost savings for getting the lunches in the tour vs just ordering on your own?

 

 

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I have had a tradition for the past several years. I save my sparkling wine for the last day and make myself mimosas to have while I'm packing to head home. Makes that last day a bit better. [emoji6] This year I made "poinsettia's" mixing with cranberry juice instead of OJ. They were good!

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It is inside the terminal after you pass through security but before you check in. Near where everyone was filling out the health forms. [emoji4]

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I can't figure out how to edit..we have been on the Sun several times (it is a nice size ship). It is the Sky we never sailed.

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I just wanted to post that the vending machine with Coke products was in the terminal on 2/11 when we boarded. I had brought a folded bag that we filled up. It was very nice to have that.

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Thank you. Were you able to buy wine or beer to have with your lunch at the restaurants?

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Hello,

We are trying to decide on our tour company. For those that do not include lunch is it easy to find somewhere to grab something to eat on your own? Would that give us more time on our own to shop around while others are having their lunch?

I think on the one hand it would be nice to have a sit down lunch but on the other maybe we would rather have the time for ourselves.

Anyone with experience please let me know what you think. I am looking at the Alla Faberge tour and we can choose either with or without lunches.

Thanks

The more I research St Petersburg, the more bewildered I have become.

 

Canuker,

I had the same feeling one month ago when I started choosing a way to go for St.Petersburg.

I made a spreadsheet to compare some of the City Highlights kind of tours offered by well-regarded local companies - what sights are on the itinerary, the prices, meals etc. Here is the link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7qPbaGB1wZ9LWFhektxV0w5UFVzaEdnU3dJd0tnSFh5S3hB/view?usp=sharing

 

 

That was amazingly helpful! Thank you for sharing and the time and effort you put in!

We were also on this sailing. We tried Uber for the first time. It was more expensive than the OP's trip but easy to use. We split an XL vehicle with another couple to our hotel in South Beach the day we got off the ship and it was $28 ($14 each) and our ride to the airport was $21 at 11 in the morning the Sunday we flew home. If you have never tried Uber yet.. be sure to google for a first time promo. We used that on our second trip and it was actually only $6 after our $15 discount.

We have sailed on every NCL ship at this point except the Breakaway and the Sun. Many that are no longer in service (Crown, Dream, Majesty...etc.). We had a group of 14 on this trip with family and friends.

I have to say this was the first time I was disappointed in the entertainment :( .. with the exception of the "For The Record" show which I did enjoy very much. The other shows seemed very much geared to an older crowd (and we are not spring chickens ;)). I did enjoy the tap dancing in the "After Midnight" show but the music was not our choice. I would love to see the Queen "We Will Rock You" broadway show on one of the NCL ships - one of our favorite plays we went to last year. I love "Burn the Floor" on the Epic and the Getaway. I wish they had that on the Escape rather than the magician. We went to Howl at the Moon the very last night and the performers there were also not as good as we had seen on the other ships.. but maybe it was due to last night. Comedians were good though both nights.

Also, as a heads-up - if you are interested in dining at Le Bistro - be VERY aware that you may be seated out in the "lobby" with the smoky smell coming down from the casino. We actually found out they were going to seat us there and asked to change our reservations to another restaurant. Our Platinum Plus came in handy that night as the maitre d' worked with us to get us different reservations.

All in all we had a great cruise (as we have been lucky to do that for the past 40 or so trips). The weather was beautiful every day. We are booked again on the Escape next year so I am hoping by then the entertainment has been livened up a bit.

My DH went on the waterslide with my GoPro on his head the day we were docked in Nassau and there was no line at all.

My friends had a very difficult time with chair hogs (I wish they would police that). I am happy to sit on my balcony but they are sun worshipers. It is amazing to me what people bring along to leave sitting on a chair. They saw two chairs next to them with towels at 8 AM and the people never came to sit in them until after noon.

I am really hoping the Coke machine is there ..will find out Saturday.

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Thanks, good to know. :)

I am hoping the Coke vending machine is still in the terminal before boarding the Escape but wondered if there are also vending machines on the ship to get bottled soda. I realize it would be Pepsi products but would like the bottle to keep in my room.

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We walked along the waterfront which does not go all the way around but was a decent walk (although not one without averting people along the way).

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Thanks I saw that too. The way things change I was hoping someone who had sailed recently might have newer info.

I may try calling tomorrow.

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Wondering if this is still offered and if so what current pricing is.

Also..if it is still available how and where do you order?

Thanks

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We have been on around 40 cruises so far. This past fall we decided to spend two weeks in Italy between the Tuscany area and the Amalfi Coast area. It was the best vacation we have ever taken. We rented a villa for a week in Lucca and then spent 6 nights at a hotel in Sorrento. I realized a few things..1) Staying in one place for several days alleviates the packing and unpacking issue which is something I always liked about cruising. 2) We had a private terrace in Lucca and a balcony in Sorrento which made all the difference to me as I enjoy being outside. 3) We took the train or ferry for day trips and had a private driver for a tour of the Amalfi coast. It was so nice to not worry about "being back in time" for the ship and we explored as long or as little as we liked. I won't even mention the food and the vino! Perfetto!

I think this trip came about because we had done the other cruise itineraries in Europe that we could do up to this point (we have to wait to retire to take more than two weeks at a time) I am so happy we tried it. We are already planning to go back again in a few years.

I just post this in case anyone else is hesitant to try something different. For us it was a great decision.

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Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help. Looks like we can figure something out. [emoji41]

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Would like somewhere with a view (but not windy) that we can set up a group table/seating area for pre-dinner get together.

Any tips on what might be a good place?

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Our 7 night cruise out of London right after the Epic was in dry dock in 2015 was shortened by a day and we lost one of our stops. They reimbursed us for the extra hotel night in London pre-cruise as well as reduced the price and gave a small on board credit. It took a while to get the reimbursement after the cruise - and we were disappointed with the shorter cruise and the one port we missed was one we were really looking forward to, but all in all we were happy and had a great time. I would think they would make an effort to work with you.

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Are the pools at the Hilton heated?

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We are sailing the same date. We already did all of our reservations. Did them about 10 days ago.

Do you know why it says "floor seats"?

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I am seeing an option for "Brat Pack "Floor" show" no charge.

Is this a show in the main theater but you don't have the dinner part? You do get seats for the show don't you?

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