Jan115

Welcome to our community. We all love to chat about cruising and more, and hope you’ll join in the conversation in our Community Forum.🛳😎

Hi Michael, Unfortunately, it doesn't look like anyone has registered a roll call here for your cruise. Are you on Facebook? If so, search for your cruise, Norwegian Dawn August 26, 2022, and see if there is a group for your cruise there. I have had a lot of luck with FB cruise groups. Good luck, and have a great cruise!

Andi - exactly what I was thinking. Buy the clothes and make an insurance claim later. Unless, of course, she didn’t have insurance.😳

Former "American Idol" Contestant and Star, Kimberly Locke, Joins World-Class International Performers to Play Donna Summer in Headlining Act. MIAMI, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 55-year history of breaking boundaries, pulled back the curtain today to announce the cast of its highly-anticipated headlining show, "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," premiering aboard the all-new Norwegian Prima this August. The Tony Award®-nominated musical narrates the story of Donna Summer's prolific rise to fame, showing the Queen of Disco at three of the most pivotal stages of her career: Diva Donna, Disco Donna and Duckling Donna. The Brand has announced the cast who will take on the mantle of Donna Summer through her most memorable moments in life: Beloved "American Idol" season two finalist, Kimberly Locke, takes on her first theater project at sea and will star in the breakout role of Diva Donna, playing Summer as she reaches the height of her career. Fans will be able to see the same charisma that got Locke to the final three contestants on her season of "American Idol" in this role. Locke is also well known for her work on television and Broadway, where she most recently performed in Kristin Chenoweth's one-woman show, "For The Girls." Taking on the role of Disco Donna is Valerie Curlingford, an extraordinary talent from the Netherlands. Curlingford will play Summer in her late teens and early twenties as she first finds success in the iconic 1970s disco era. Duckling Donna will show Summer as she grows up in Boston in the 1960s. The role will be played by D'Nasya Jordan, who most recently starred as Little Inez in "Hairspray." "It is an incredible honor to play Donna Summer along a very talented cast in this highly-rated musical," said Locke. "Donna Summer's inspirational story and pioneering talent led the way for so many of today's brightest vocalists. She has left an immeasurable impact on music and culture, and I am excited to bring her story to guests around the world aboard the beautiful Norwegian Prima." The show-stopping production will feature more than 20 of Summer's mega-hits, including "Bad Girls," "Last Dance," and "Hot Stuff," and will also provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the inspiration behind some of Summer's most memorable songs. The 85-minute musical will be a first at sea, where the Prima Theater itself transforms into a full disco, allowing guests to become part of the show and live out their on-stage dreams as they dance along to Summer's greatest melodies. "The legendary Donna Summer is an inspiration to many, and we cast performers who would honor her and match the same level of star power and talent," said Richard Ambrose, senior vice president of Entertainment and Cruise Programs for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "We continue to bring Broadway-level entertainment and world-class talent to our fleet, and we are excited for guests to be able to watch a musical they actually get to be part of. The new Prima Theater allows for a truly exciting show, and we know guests will find themselves enthralled with Donna Summer's moving life story and timeless music." Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its unwavering commitment to bringing Broadway-caliber entertainment to the high seas, having previously debuted "Kinky Boots," "Six," "Jersey Boys," "Footloose" and more across its current 17-ship fleet, and this latest addition to the Company's lineup is another first for the cruise industry. "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" is just one of the captivating shows available aboard Norwegian Prima. Also sharing a residency at the Prima Theater will be "Noise Boys!" an original, award-winning beat boxing experience produced by Nic Doodson, creator of "Choir of Man," NCL's best-rated entertainment show currently residing on Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Escape. As part of the additional entertainment offerings on Norwegian Prima, the Brand will also debut live game show experiences that allow the audience to be part of the show and have an opportunity to win incredible grand prizes. These immersive productions take the Prima Theater and Nightclub and transforms it into a larger-than-life production set where guests can be participants in some of the world's most iconic game shows including, "The Price is Right LIVE," "Supermarket Sweep LIVE" and "Press Your Luck LIVE." The ship also features "Sensoria" — a Vegas-style nightclub party presenting a journey through Coachella, Woodstock and Burning Man, all in one. Plus, guests will be able to experience the first "Improv @ Sea" Comedy Club, and the guest-popular "Syd Norman's Pour House" and so much more. For images of the cast and entertainment spaces of the all-new Norwegian Prima, please click here. For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line's award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a Norwegian Cruise Line travel professional. __________________________ SOURCE: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. (Press Release, July 25, 2022); Photo Credit: Pixabay Free Images Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to CruiseCrazies.com View full article

A cruise guest was embarrassed at the clothes she had to wear after her bags went missing, per the WSJ. Rosmarie Buxbaum traveled on an Air Canada flight and then boarded a cruise ship for 15 days. Her baggage was left off the flight and not delivered to a port stop, as the airline reportedly promised. A passenger, who took an Air Canada flight before boarding a cruise ship, said she was embarrassed at having to wear sweatpants during a 15-day Scandinavian cruise after her delayed baggage never arrived. Rosmarie Buxbaum, 66, along with her husband David Cartwright, flew from Toronto Pearson International airport to London Heathrow on June 24 to board a cruise bound for Norway and Iceland, where they intended to celebrate their wedding anniversary and her birthday, per The Wall Street Journal. However, the couple's bags, which contained suits and dresses to celebrate the occasion, were left off the flight, Buxbaum told the publication. After the airline promised to deliver them to the ship, the bags were instead sent to the couple's home in Ottawa, she added. "I ended up wearing sweatpants for the trip of a lifetime," Buxbaum said. "It was a total embarrassment." Without their bags, the couple were forced to cancel formal dinner and dance reservations that they'd booked as part of celebrations, per The Wall Street Journal. It's just one story from a summer that continues to be defined by travel chaos, lost baggage, and long queues at airports as the aviation industry struggles to cope with resurgent travel demand after the pandemic exacerbated existing staff shortages. Although the problem has been global, a mountain of unclaimed luggage has appeared at Toronto Pearson International Airport, due to additional problems with its baggage system. Some passengers passing through the hub claim they've waited as long as a month for their bag to arrive. The hub is the worst for delays among the world's top 100 airports by number of flights, according to The Wall Street Journal. More than half — 53% — of flights departing the airport between June 1 and July 18 were delayed, the publication reported, citing data from FlightAware. One ramp agent previously told Insider's Hannah Towey that travel chaos at the airport was the worst he'd seen in his six years at the hub. Air Canada operates 55% of all flights at the airport, per The Wall Street Journal. Officials from the airport told The Wall Street Journal that they have had less time to respond to demand because the travel demand only picked up after the federal government loosened vaccine and COVID-19 testing requirements. Passenger numbers didn't increase significantly until late May and June, the officials added. Air Canada and The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which runs Toronto Pearson airport, are yet to respond to Insider's request for comment, which was made outside of normal business hours. _______________________________ SOURCE: Yahoo News (Press Release, July 25, 2022); Photo Credit: Pixabay Free Images Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to CruiseCrazies.com View full article

The trick is to be prepared. I am also a blogger, and to help other first-time cruisers, I wrote one called, First-Time Cruiser Tips: https://tuesdaytraveltips.wordpress.com/2019/10/25/what-to-expect-on-your-first-cruise/ I hope it helps!🙂

HAL has been doing Alaska longer than any other cruise line, and they do it SO well!😎

Congratulations. You will LOVE cruising! Where are you cruising to?

Same here, Andi. I just wish Princess hadn’t changed our Thanksgiving cruise from a 5-day from San Diego to a 4-day from San Francisco. Not that I dislike SF - it’s a great city. But it would have been my first time to San Diego. No worries, though, I’ll get there eventually.🙂

Congrats on embarking on your first cruise, and welcome to CruiseCrazies! The best advice I can give to a solo cruiser is to join in the fun wherever people are gathered. Trivia, game shows and the bar are some great places to meet people. There is almost always an event for singles, too, so look for one in the daily newsletter. For dining in the evening, ask to be seated at a large table. This allows more opportunity conversation and it’s more likely you’ll have something in common with someone. If you’ve chosen a fixed dining time, you may even be seated with other solo cruisers. The ship’s excursions are a fun and safe way to join others ashore if you don’t want to go it alone. If you’ve had enough socializing, try a specialty restaurant, the buffet or one of the other options on the ship. There are always quiet areas on the ship, as well, for quiet reflection. All the solo cruisers I know have met other solo cruisers and frequently meet up on other cruisers. Maybe this could be you!🙂

With pent up demand and the U.S. Independence Day travel rush approaching, premium cruise line Holland America Line is reporting a surge in interest for Alaska, experiencing the highest booking levels for Alaska cruising to the bucket list travel destination during the month of June since before the COVID-19 pandemic. "People are excited to travel again while reconnecting with family and friends in a meaningful way," said Beth Bodensteiner, senior vice president and chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. "We're seeing the pent-up demand leading to increased booking as guests realize cruising is a hassle-free way to enjoy unique destinations such as Alaska." As a bucket-list locale for many travelers, Alaska offers close-to-home departures without the need for overseas air, stunning scenery and wildlife, deep history and culture, and areas like Glacier Bay that are best reached from the water. According to AAA Washington, Seattle, Washington, is the number-one summer domestic destination in the U.S. for Washington travelers -- and the second most popular nationwide -- due in large part to the area's bustling cruise industry. During the upcoming July 4 holiday weekend, AAA Washington travel bookings reveal that the number of people traveling by trains, buses and cruise ships is expected to triple compared to 2021. Holland America Line offers round-trip from Seattle cruises to Alaska on two of its ships. "Our summer travel inquiries and bookings show people are feeling safe to explore again," said Michelle Glass, vice president of travel for AAA Washington. "Alaska is one of my favorite places to visit in the summer. A preferred partner, like Holland America Line, helps us provide clients with convenient departures to and from our own back yard to this amazing place, without the added cost of airfare." Overall, Holland America Line continues to see strong interest in cruises that are a short flight or drive from guests' homes. The cruise line visits 225 different ports in 91 different countries on sailings round-trip from the United States, serving more international destinations on cruises sailing round trip from a U.S. homeport than any other brand. The line's U.S. homeports include Seattle, San Diego, Boston and Fort Lauderdale. Holland America Line also offers more sailings to Alaska from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, than any other cruise line. "With the cost and recent challenges with air travel, we are seeing excitement and traction from guests within driving distance of our cruise homeports such as Seattle and Vancouver," said Kacy Cole, vice president of marketing and e-commerce for Holland America Line. "We recently invested in local marketing near our homeports and we're already seeing that pay off." SOURCE: Travel Industry Wire (Press Release, July 1, 2022, Photo Credit: Holland America Line Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to CruiseCrazies.com View full article

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (July 12, 2022) – Princess Cruises - the destination leader based on the west coast and the cruise line with the longest history sailing from the Port of Los Angeles – is offering a brand-new summer season of cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles in 2023. This will mark the line’s first-ever summer season to Mexico, Hawaii, and the California Coast, with Emerald Princess sailing on a series of voyages ranging from five- to 16-days between May and August 2023. The summer sailings, on sale today, are perfect for those looking for convenient cruise vacations for the whole family. The 3,080-guest Princess MedallionClass cruise ship features nearly 700 balconies, world-class dining, and dazzling entertainment. Plus, guests can choose from a variety of curated shore excursions in every port to soak up the local sights, culture, and cuisine. Emerald Princess itineraries include: • Mexican Riviera with La Paz – seven-day cruises with stops in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and Ensenada. Departure dates: June 24, 2023, and July 29, 2023 • Hawaiian Islands – 16-day cruises with stops in Hilo, Honolulu, Maui (Lahaina), Kauai (Nawiliwili), and Ensenada. Departure dates: May 4, 2023, June 1, 2023, July 6, 2023, and August 5, 2023. • Classic California Coast – seven-day cruises including an overnight in San Francisco with San Diego and Ensenada. Departure dates: May 20, 2023, June 17, 2023, and July 22, 2023. • Cabo San Lucas Getaway – five-day cruise with an overnight in Cabo San Lucas. Departure date: May 27, 2023. • West Coast Getaway with San Francisco – five-day cruise featuring San Francisco and Ensenada. Departure date: July 1, 2023. Princess delivers Princess MedallionClass Vacations which begins with the MedallionTM wearable, a quarter-sized, device that enables everything from expedited contactless boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favorite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best Wi-Fi at sea, as well as stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly post content and stream favorite movies and shows. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available at Princess.com or through a professional Princess Cruise Specialist. SOURCE: Princess Cruises (Press Release, July 12, 2022) Photo Credit: Princess Cruises Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to CruiseCrazies.com View full article

Yes, that’s all of them, 4-16 day cruises through December 2023.🙂

The disabled do have challenges when cruising and traveling in general. Your agent will have answers for you, or you can call the Special Needs department at NCL and they will help in any way they can.

Hi Cariann, and Welcome! We won’t be on your sailing, but a few of us are cruising from Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Pearl July 29. Please report back to us when you return and let us know how it went!

Congrats on your upcoming cruise on the Dream! Harvey was five years ago, right? That must have been quite the adventure! You must be so excited to get back to cruising. We won’t be joining you on Carnival but will be cruising to Bermuda in late July on the Norwegian Pearl. Enjoy!

Have a great cruise! September/October is the best time of year to enjoy New England and the Cape. Enjoy your visit!

Did you try Budget? I have never rented a car in St. Thomas, but I just pulled up cars on their website for the Budget location near Crown Bay.

Some cruise ships partner their casinos with land based casinos and offer free cruises for their ‘frequent fliers’. Norwegian, for example, has their “Casinos At Sea” program. If you spend enough time and money at your hometown casino and they are partnered with a cruise line’s casino program, you might be lucky enough to receive a certificate in the mail for a free cruise. The hometown casino is counting on you throwing some money in the slot machine when you pick up the certificate, and the cruise line counts on those same gamblers to come play in their casinos. We have gotten quite a few complimentary casino cruises from Norwegian, and upgrading from the free interior cabin to a balcony is still a good deal. Now Princess has started doing the same thing, as we found out when we received a similar certificate in the mail a few weeks ago. 🙂

Hi Tony, and welcome to CruiseCrazies! Congrats on your very first cruise - you must be so excited! I’m not sure about the App, but if you go to Royal Caribbean’s website and click “Manage My Cruise”, you can access the Cruise Planner. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to register with a login and password. There you should find beverage, dining and other onboard packages available for purchase. Shore excursions may or may not be available yet, depending on the destination and whether or not the cruise line has worked them out with the local tour guides since their post-pandemic return. For more tips, check out my blog ‘What to Expect on Your First Cruise’. Since it was written pre-pandemic, some procedures are changed somewhat, but it will give you a general idea of a day in the life of a cruiser. Let us know if you have any questions or need any guidance.

So sorry that Muffy was unable to make the trip. This is a good reminder for anyone planning on bringing a service animal on board to begin the process well in advance, starting with the cruise line’s website and following the links to all the requirements. The most important is the Department of Agriculture which covers the regulations for all pet travel, especially when returning from a foreign country.