njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #26 Share Posted July 2, 2018 The good thing about NCL is there are always solo events to meet up with people. Plus there's everything else going on and I have always found people to be really friendly. So hopefully we will see you there! It's a great price for the cruise and since we are booked on the Encore TA, I'm going to take vueling from Rome up to London and book roundtrip air to/from NY What is that ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #27 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Okay someone needs to start a roll call, I'm clueless lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #28 Share Posted July 2, 2018 I'm booked now too, couldn't resist. Transferred reservation from Bermuda so this cruise will be twice as long and half the price... lol. Good deal as far as I'm concerned. There will be plenty to do and plenty of pax to it with, solo cruisers love TA cruises. I'm still booked on the Encore TA as well. Should be fun. really ??? I'm in lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #29 Share Posted July 2, 2018 people who have done ta, please enlighten me what I do on all those sea days lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 2, 2018 #30 Share Posted July 2, 2018 people who have done ta, please enlighten me what I do on all those sea days lol Just bring your knitting, you'll be fine, lol. I'm going to post this on the solo thread... maybe russell up some of them solo cruisers. ;p BTW, I called NCL to transfer the Bermuda cruise to this one and asked the rep about the missing days from Apr. 22 - 28 and she said it looks like Jade is chartered and going from Miami to NYC. No other info available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #31 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Just bring your knitting, you'll be fine, lol. I'm going to post this on the solo thread... maybe russell up some of them solo cruisers. ;p BTW, I called NCL to transfer the Bermuda cruise to this one and asked the rep about the missing days from Apr. 22 - 28 and she said it looks like Jade is chartered and going from Miami to NYC. No other info available. I don't knit lol, not that old lol and granny could never teach me as I can use right or left and it drove her crazy guess I'll bring some paperbacks, I can leave around for others when I finish lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 2, 2018 #32 Share Posted July 2, 2018 LOL, I don't knit either but there'll be lots to do. I took 3 books with me on my tablet and didn't finish any of them. Really enjoyed the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #33 Share Posted July 2, 2018 LOL, I don't knit either but there'll be lots to do. I took 3 books with me on my tablet and didn't finish any of them. Really enjoyed the trip. that is good to hear :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #34 Share Posted July 2, 2018 LOL, I don't knit either but there'll be lots to do. I took 3 books with me on my tablet and didn't finish any of them. Really enjoyed the trip. Solo??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryZ Posted July 2, 2018 #35 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Vueling is a European airline. It's like Spirit or Frontier, low cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryZ Posted July 2, 2018 #36 Share Posted July 2, 2018 people who have done ta, please enlighten me what I do on all those sea days lol Well, I spend a lot of time in the casino :) We don't get up early, so our breakfast is always late, like the last breakfast call at o'sheehans. If it's nice out, we'll go walk outside. Maybe sit in the shade and read. Meet up with people we met at the meet and greet. There's always activities, like trivia groups, dance stuff etc. TA's usually have really active roll calls, so people make time to hang out with each other. Playing cards or just up in one of the lounges chatting. You'll have fun. We love TA cruises. We were just on the Bliss. And in October will be on the Breakaway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ms sjsky Posted July 2, 2018 #37 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Booked this cruise also because I've always wanted to do a TA and see Europe and this is a perfect combination of both! My husband isn't quite enthusiastic as I am so I need to do alot of research before final payment to convince him to do this. We aren't world travelers so just wondering about the ease of doing excursions at the ports, is it easier/safer to book thru the cruiseline or on our own? (I did choose the Shore Excursion Credit as my perk) Where do I get Euros from? Not sure if we'll fly home on Sunday or extend for a day or two in Rome. Where's the best place to look for hotels/flights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markanddonna Posted July 2, 2018 #38 Share Posted July 2, 2018 The local European currency is available as soon as you get off the ship at ATMs. We used to purchase Euros/pound, zlotys, etc before we left, but no more. I look to tripadvisor for advice on most of my hotel and apartment bookings. I now love apartments if my stay is more than two days. Each city has its own challenges when picking the best tourist locations for your accommodations, so use the advice of others. We also use Rick Steves' books and website for this. Tripadvisor has city experts on their forums who usually give the very best advice. If you have never been to Rome, it warrants a few days post TA. You won't be sorry. Most experienced cruisers book their own excursions, either with a cruise critic group or independently. I've never been disappointed with an independent excursion, but have rated the ship excursions amongst the bottom. I might do one with the ship if it makes more sense. On our last TA, we took the NCL excursion for the "Paris on Your Own." I had never been to Paris, so looked at this as our one opportunity. NCL started the tour late, our time in Paris was reduced to less than three hours and it was not a great experience despite it being a lovely, sunny day. Some ports are not all that exciting (Brest, France for one.) Others make fabulous stops- like the one in Malaga to visit the Alhambra. Transatlantics have given me the opportunity to see some great cities and regions that I might have otherwise overlooked. Go to Youtube and watch some videos of the ship and the ports on your itinerary. That should get your hubbie motivated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 2, 2018 #39 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Solo??? Yes, like you, I unfortunately lost my hubby last year as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #40 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Yes, like you, I unfortunately lost my hubby last year as well. Perhaps we can meet on board for a cocktail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 2, 2018 #41 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Perhaps we can meet on board for a cocktail We will, perhaps many will join us too. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #42 Share Posted July 2, 2018 We will, perhaps many will join us too. :) That would be nice!! I know I have plenty of time but researching hotels in Rome as I'd like to spend a few days there before flying home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #43 Share Posted July 2, 2018 All-Ready2cruise Question, as a solo what type of cabin do you book? For me of course an inside would be most economical, but that long on ship made me book a balcony, which if there were two price was fantastic, not so fantastic for a solo. I do wish cruise lines would give solo travelers a little more respect!! Even on the bigger ships those solo cabins look tiny, no window let alone a balcony, oh well wishful thinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 2, 2018 #44 Share Posted July 2, 2018 All-Ready2cruise Question, as a solo what type of cabin do you book? For me of course an inside would be most economical, but that long on ship made me book a balcony, which if there were two price was fantastic, not so fantastic for a solo. I do wish cruise lines would give solo travelers a little more respect!! Even on the bigger ships those solo cabins look tiny, no window let alone a balcony, oh well wishful thinking As a Canadian, I totally understand the economics side of it. I've never done an inside cabin but I'm working on it, lol. This time I've booked an obstructed, sideways oceanview. Last time, April this year, on the Jade, I booked a balcony. B/c we were cruising from Miami to Southampton the weather got quite chilly and I didn't use the balcony as often as I normally would. Do I regret it? no, life is too short for regrets only lessons well learned. NCL seems to show more respect to solos than most other cruise lines. They always have a meet up with a solo host/hostess who makes all kinds of arrangements and are sometimes very open to assisting with special requests like special dinners. They will also remove the added supplement on some cruises that aren't selling well. Anyway, I have no complaints. Connie :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ms sjsky Posted July 2, 2018 #45 Share Posted July 2, 2018 The local European currency is available as soon as you get off the ship at ATMs. We used to purchase Euros/pound, zlotys, etc before we left, but no more. I look to tripadvisor for advice on most of my hotel and apartment bookings. I now love apartments if my stay is more than two days. Each city has its own challenges when picking the best tourist locations for your accommodations, so use the advice of others. We also use Rick Steves' books and website for this. Tripadvisor has city experts on their forums who usually give the very best advice. If you have never been to Rome, it warrants a few days post TA. You won't be sorry. Most experienced cruisers book their own excursions, either with a cruise critic group or independently. I've never been disappointed with an independent excursion, but have rated the ship excursions amongst the bottom. I might do one with the ship if it makes more sense. On our last TA, we took the NCL excursion for the "Paris on Your Own." I had never been to Paris, so looked at this as our one opportunity. NCL started the tour late, our time in Paris was reduced to less than three hours and it was not a great experience despite it being a lovely, sunny day. Some ports are not all that exciting (Brest, France for one.) Others make fabulous stops- like the one in Malaga to visit the Alhambra. Transatlantics have given me the opportunity to see some great cities and regions that I might have otherwise overlooked. Go to Youtube and watch some videos of the ship and the ports on your itinerary. That should get your hubbie motivated. Thanks for the advice/suggestions. I have plenty to research but glad I have cruisecritic as a resource. Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodesthemoose Posted July 2, 2018 #46 Share Posted July 2, 2018 This is so tempting. We are booked on a TA with Disney in May 2019 and for the same price we can sail Haven on the Jade, or for even lower, a suite. Thanks for sharing, OP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkate Posted July 2, 2018 #47 Share Posted July 2, 2018 This is so tempting. We are booked on a TA with Disney in May 2019 and for the same price we can sail Haven on the Jade, or for even lower, a suite. Thanks for sharing, OP! I think I'd cancel Disney and book NCL provided the ports are to your liking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 2, 2018 #48 Share Posted July 2, 2018 I've put in a request for the Roll Call thread but it may take up to 48 hours to show up on the boards. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitnessProtection Posted July 2, 2018 #49 Share Posted July 2, 2018 I've put in a request for the Roll Call thread but it may take up to 48 hours to show up on the boards. Cheers Awesome, thanks! Looking forward to a great roll call (and cruise!). :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 2, 2018 #50 Share Posted July 2, 2018 You're welcome WP, now let's get this going... here's the link to the Roll Call thread. It's not searchable yet so you'll need to click on the link or copy and paste it to your browser: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=56439115#post56439115 Cheers, Connie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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