Sending a last minute question your direction. We are headed to Tortola a week from today. Magen's Bay looks beautiful....and very crowded. We (I) was wondering about Smugglers Bay. It also looks beautiful, less crowded, and perhaps not as commercialized. Have you ever been there? We (I) was wondering about taxi service to get back to the port from there. I'm a worry wart and am always worried about getting back to the ship in time. Can you help relieve some of this anxiety?
It's been rebuilt since Maria hit it SO hard. When you first got off the ship there was small welcome area and a sign that said "No smoking and NO SWEARING" I have a picture of it somewhere. The port area, when we were there Jan of 2020 to the left was still trying to be rebuilt. There's some cool shops in that pink building. Bought some really good coffee, seasonings etc.
I just love watching your videos ❤ I'm living vicariously through y'all. I love cruising but right now it's just not in the cards for my family and I, I'm the caregiver of my father who is battling cancer so traveling isn't the best idea but when he is cancer free looking out cruising here I come. ❤
I was blessed to be able to see Tortola from a 10 day sail boat trip about 10 years ago. Went to many of the island around Tortola. Even had a cruise ship sailed by us and the Windjammer cruise also sailed by us. Your day at Tortola brought back many memories. You must have been docked in Road Town?
@@gar949 Mardi Gras will be my first Carnival. Honestly not sure if I am going to like Carnival. We will see. I am pretty sure I will like the ship though.
Headed there in January. At Cane Garden the price of food looked fairly high, but the drinks were reasonable. Would you highly recommend this place? Or perhaps recommend a different beach and club? It will be our first adventure to this side of the Caribbean so all help is very appreciated. Do you have a recommendation on the same idea at Puerto Plata....I can't find any place via internet that even looks interesting to me.
Ok… we are doing an April cruise on the Escape. I saw that you guys took a cab to cane garden bay. Is it the kind of thing where they just run back and forth or did you just ask the cab driver to pick you up at a certain time. I’m anxious about unreliability in transportation since it’s not booked through the cruise line. Any tips or advice on this? 🍹
We have been to the Baths while on the NCL Encore and the excursion should of been cancelled as the waters were so turbulent. They anchor on one side, you get off and swim to shore with the help of flippers, but the waters like I said were so choppy. You walk through the rocks and it’s jammed packed with other tours. When you come out, you have to swim back to the boat which is still in the same spot it first anchored at which isn’t close to you and you have to swim around a rocky jet. But before we did that we had to try and get into the very choppy waters that are thrashing in and out of shore. I’m on the plump side and of course I tried to get into the water with my flippers on and they got caught in the rocky shore line and I went down and was being thrashed around in the waves going in and out of the shore. My friend had to be towed to the boat by one of the tour guys by a life preserver. To top the tour off, my son was throwing up on the boat because that’s how choppy it was! I’m not saying it’s like that every time, just mind the waters for yourself because it didn’t seem to deter the tour operator from cancelling the excursion when they full well knew they should of.
In Newfoundland, we love our late evening snacks - known here as a bed lunch :) perfectly acceptable Jay! Looks like you’re having fun, I defn want to try NCL now!
Your day in Tortola sounded so relaxing and perfect. How kind of Ray and Susette to take you out to Le Bistro! There's nothing wrong with catching late night um..."lunch" LOL! I'm so enjoying the series!
Animals are drawn to me too, Dee. That dog has the same coloring as my dog. Once at the Dominican Republic we swam with dolphins. One of the guys on the tour was teasing me as we got on the shuttle afterwards that I could call the dolphins and they would follow us onto the shuttle. They did keep coming to me in the water, more than to the other people.
Oh my goodness Jay and his Henry's. I love it. So when he says you don't look a Henry I just laughed out loud. So Happy to be following you all. Love love love the videos. You all are the best.
We’ll be going to Tortola for the first time in May. Will definitely be checking out Cane Garden Bay, thanks for the recommendation! Love NCL Freestyle Cruising!!! 😎
What a wonderful treat for you at La Bistro… how kind of the couple to treat you !!! Cane Bay looks amazing!!! Can see why you want to go back !! What currency do they use there?
I was in Tortola back in 2006 on the Carnival Legend. I am pretty sure that is the beach I went to while I was there. I forgot the name of it. Thanks for reminding.
Stayed on Tortola many years ago. Cane Garden Bay was party central during late afternoon/evening. Don't know if still is. Also went to the Baths on Virgin Gorda. Was very interesting, but waves were quite rough because of an incoming front. Snorkel fins really helped if want to swim. Some of us had to help some people get to shore (they tried to take a dingy to the shore from a boat).
NCL has been a line I keep thinking I'd like to do but then I see certain vloggers and it looks less interesting so I flip flop a lot about it. But you guys are making me want to go again.
We’ll be looking for a cruise that includes Tortola for sure. Just beautiful. I was really impressed with the huge selection of yummy food in the buffet. I don’t know how you can say Carnival is your favorite after that.
I think Norwegian jumped the gun with the self serve and no mask thing. As shows with the several ship outbreaks they have had in past few weeks. Safe travels y’all.
Please tell me honestly about NCL. I’ve heard so many bad things. My sister’s friend was actually yelled at for coming back late but she was on the cruise ship’s excursion! Mr. and Mrs. Traveler did a video last year about buying a deceptive dining package once on the ship. When they went to the restaurants they were told only a few of the meals were available on that package which is not what the sales person told them. I believe the Travelers are travel agents too. So they are very familiar with cruising. And I’ve heard how bad the food is. But you seem to be happy with everything. So honestly, what’s the scoop? Is the food at least as good as Carnival (which, with the exception of specialty restaurants is exceedingly mediocre) or how does it stack up? Perhaps they have improved in customer service and foos quality after the pandemic? Is the service by crew as good and as helpful as other cruise lines?
We base cruise lines mainly on food and music. We've done all the major brands numerous times. We prefer the food (included eating venues) On NCL and celebrity and music and entertainment is great. Carnival has good food too and music is exceptional but the buffet is limited in choice but too much "fun" on Carnival.
I have been on NCL about 7-8 times, It is funny to me that you mention deceptive practices, I have found that to be true and when questioned the reply is that I should have known. I cruise a lot so maybe I should have but 1. you do believe what you are sold/told to be true and 2. What about those new to cruising. I don't find their customer service to be very good however onboard staff is pretty good. Food wise. I don't think they are great. Again my opinion. Last time on NCL was the Bliss a couple of years ago. The steak I had at the Steakhouse was not very good at all, poor quality, Funny enough the sides were excellent. Watching this video, when I saw the size of Jay's steak at Le Bistro I was thinking that is very small, will that be enough and sure enough a little while later they were at the buffet. I can't imagine paying for that dinner and having to go get something else to eat a couple of hours later. Having said that I have not be on since the Pandemic so not sure if they have changed. Happy Sailings to whatever cruise line you choose.
Sending a last minute question your direction. We are headed to Tortola a week from today. Magen's Bay looks beautiful....and very crowded. We (I) was wondering about Smugglers Bay. It also looks beautiful, less crowded, and perhaps not as commercialized. Have you ever been there? We (I) was wondering about taxi service to get back to the port from there. I'm a worry wart and am always worried about getting back to the ship in time. Can you help relieve some of this anxiety?
We’ve done Brewers Bay, which was lovely. Haven’t made it to Smugglers just yet!!
It's been rebuilt since Maria hit it SO hard. When you first got off the ship there was small welcome area and a sign that said "No smoking and NO SWEARING" I have a picture of it somewhere. The port area, when we were there Jan of 2020 to the left was still trying to be rebuilt. There's some cool shops in that pink building. Bought some really good coffee, seasonings etc.
Beef island
I just love watching your videos ❤ I'm living vicariously through y'all. I love cruising but right now it's just not in the cards for my family and I, I'm the caregiver of my father who is battling cancer so traveling isn't the best idea but when he is cancer free looking out cruising here I come. ❤
Of all the islands i have been to…Will be the first time in Tortola Jan 1 2022 on the Regal..Thx for a glimpse into the island😊🚢
I was blessed to be able to see Tortola from a 10 day sail boat trip about 10 years ago. Went to many of the island around Tortola. Even had a cruise ship sailed by us and the Windjammer cruise also sailed by us. Your day at Tortola brought back many memories. You must have been docked in Road Town?
Great videos. What month were you here.
We put the date in the upper left corner at the start of every video, as well as in the description, for the curious!! :D
Thank you for publishing another great video......entertaining (as usual !) but also had solid info regarding the excursion.
I have a few cruises scheduled, two on Royal and one on Carnival Mardi Gras, but I think I would like to try a Norwegian after that.
do it. If you like Carnival you will like NCL.
@@gar949 Mardi Gras will be my first Carnival. Honestly not sure if I am going to like Carnival. We will see. I am pretty sure I will like the ship though.
Headed there in January. At Cane Garden the price of food looked fairly high, but the drinks were reasonable. Would you highly recommend this place? Or perhaps recommend a different beach and club? It will be our first adventure to this side of the Caribbean so all help is very appreciated. Do you have a recommendation on the same idea at Puerto Plata....I can't find any place via internet that even looks interesting to me.
Ok… we are doing an April cruise on the Escape. I saw that you guys took a cab to cane garden bay. Is it the kind of thing where they just run back and forth or did you just ask the cab driver to pick you up at a certain time. I’m anxious about unreliability in transportation since it’s not booked through the cruise line. Any tips or advice on this? 🍹
We have been to the Baths while on the NCL Encore and the excursion should of been cancelled as the waters were so turbulent. They anchor on one side, you get off and swim to shore with the help of flippers, but the waters like I said were so choppy. You walk through the rocks and it’s jammed packed with other tours. When you come out, you have to swim back to the boat which is still in the same spot it first anchored at which isn’t close to you and you have to swim around a rocky jet. But before we did that we had to try and get into the very choppy waters that are thrashing in and out of shore. I’m on the plump side and of course I tried to get into the water with my flippers on and they got caught in the rocky shore line and I went down and was being thrashed around in the waves going in and out of the shore. My friend had to be towed to the boat by one of the tour guys by a life preserver. To top the tour off, my son was throwing up on the boat because that’s how choppy it was! I’m not saying it’s like that every time, just mind the waters for yourself because it didn’t seem to deter the tour operator from cancelling the excursion when they full well knew they should of.
Is Norwegian the only cruise line that goes to Tortola? It was a beautiful beach and the food at Le Bistro looked delicious!! Enjoy!!
We’ve had a hard time finding it on other cruise lines, which is odd. Glad to finally make it there!! :D
Love Norwegian. Freestyle dining is a must for me. Going to Tortola March 2025. Can't wait.
Really enjoying your vlogs this trip. Hope to be doing this same ship in 5 weeks from now.
In Newfoundland, we love our late evening snacks - known here as a bed lunch :) perfectly acceptable Jay! Looks like you’re having fun, I defn want to try NCL now!
Your day in Tortola sounded so relaxing and perfect. How kind of Ray and Susette to take you out to Le Bistro! There's nothing wrong with catching late night um..."lunch" LOL! I'm so enjoying the series!
Tortola is my favorite island in the Caribbean . JVD is heaven on Earth❤️
Animals are drawn to me too, Dee. That dog has the same coloring as my dog. Once at the Dominican Republic we swam with dolphins. One of the guys on the tour was teasing me as we got on the shuttle afterwards that I could call the dolphins and they would follow us onto the shuttle. They did keep coming to me in the water, more than to the other people.
Oh my goodness Jay and his Henry's. I love it. So when he says you don't look a Henry I just laughed out loud. So Happy to be following you all. Love love love the videos. You all are the best.
I assume this was not an excursion but a trip you planned on your own?
Correct, we just snagged a taxi to Cane Garden Bay!! :D
Awesome! Following your series here I believe I’m taking the exact same itinerary. Any other “non-excursion” recommendations for this trip?
gooooooood god i want some of that breakfast!
The funny brown bread is Rye-Bread 😀
Good morning!
I love all your beach experiences! What beach had the warmest water you've felt on your travels?
Usually the further south you go, the warmer it would be, so I'd say Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao for us thus far!! :D
Fight to get ready
We are going on this same cruise in Nov.2023, These videos are so helpful I'm keeping a note pad of everything I want to do. Thank you
We’ll be going to Tortola for the first time in May. Will definitely be checking out Cane Garden Bay, thanks for the recommendation! Love NCL Freestyle Cruising!!! 😎
What a wonderful treat for you at La Bistro… how kind of the couple to treat you !!! Cane Bay looks amazing!!! Can see why you want to go back !! What currency do they use there?
I was in Tortola back in 2006 on the Carnival Legend. I am pretty sure that is the beach I went to while I was there. I forgot the name of it. Thanks for reminding.
The baths in totola is wonderful hope you do that one day.but the beach where y'all are at is beautiful also.have a great time
Stayed on Tortola many years ago. Cane Garden Bay was party central during late afternoon/evening. Don't know if still is. Also went to the Baths on Virgin Gorda. Was very interesting, but waves were quite rough because of an incoming front. Snorkel fins really helped if want to swim. Some of us had to help some people get to shore (they tried to take a dingy to the shore from a boat).
Tortola is on my list of destinations I want to go to. Maybe on the sky in August 2023 we will get to expirence it. Can't wait.
I
Love watching your cruise blogs so much!!! My next cruise is in February! I can’t wait
Love your videos 🥰
How was that Tortola rum punch Dee?
Can you guys please rate or comment about your drinks in future videos 😊
NCL has been a line I keep thinking I'd like to do but then I see certain vloggers and it looks less interesting so I flip flop a lot about it. But you guys are making me want to go again.
We’ll be looking for a cruise that includes Tortola for sure. Just beautiful. I was really impressed with the huge selection of yummy food in the buffet. I don’t know how you can say Carnival is your favorite after that.
We have been there years ago on a Carnival ship out of NY,, the Baths are the best...we also loved a snorkel tour
NCL Indian and Asian on the buffet is excellent.
Strange there are no fish. That’s interesting. What camera do you use in the water?
Looks like y’all had fun. Never been there. Gonna have to make it a point to make it there
Beautiful beach it looks like Magens Bay in St Thomas
The summer of 69 is my fav song glad they used it in guess the lyrics
I love Tortola but wont go into the water there after nearly drowning at the beach in this vlog
When the water got to the goodies 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That was a very nice place we haven’t been there yet. Thanks for showing it to us.
Smugglers Cove is my favorite.
I’ve gotten ads for the Poconos two videos in a row. Haha!
I have not been to Tortola yet thanks for showing it to us.
The baths are awesome well worth it😎🌴🛳⚓️
I enjoy watching you guys
Beach Days are the best!!!!
One of our favorite beaches.
Happy holidays 🚢⚓🎄😍
great video as always
I envy you guys so much!
I think Norwegian jumped the gun with the self serve and no mask thing. As shows with the several ship outbreaks they have had in past few weeks. Safe travels y’all.
Really prefer crew served now for sure!
where did dee get het dress
Please tell me honestly about NCL. I’ve heard so many bad things. My sister’s friend was actually yelled at for coming back late but she was on the cruise ship’s excursion! Mr. and Mrs. Traveler did a video last year about buying a deceptive dining package once on the ship. When they went to the restaurants they were told only a few of the meals were available on that package which is not what the sales person told them. I believe the Travelers are travel agents too. So they are very familiar with cruising. And I’ve heard how bad the food is. But you seem to be happy with everything. So honestly, what’s the scoop? Is the food at least as good as Carnival (which, with the exception of specialty restaurants is exceedingly mediocre) or how does it stack up? Perhaps they have improved in customer service and foos quality after the pandemic? Is the service by crew as good and as helpful as other cruise lines?
We base cruise lines mainly on food and music. We've done all the major brands numerous times. We prefer the food (included eating venues) On NCL and celebrity and music and entertainment is great. Carnival has good food too and music is exceptional but the buffet is limited in choice but too much "fun" on Carnival.
I love Norwegian!
I have been on NCL about 7-8 times, It is funny to me that you mention deceptive practices, I have found that to be true and when questioned the reply is that I should have known. I cruise a lot so maybe I should have but 1. you do believe what you are sold/told to be true and 2. What about those new to cruising. I don't find their customer service to be very good however onboard staff is pretty good.
Food wise. I don't think they are great. Again my opinion. Last time on NCL was the Bliss a couple of years ago. The steak I had at the Steakhouse was not very good at all, poor quality, Funny enough the sides were excellent. Watching this video, when I saw the size of Jay's steak at Le Bistro I was thinking that is very small, will that be enough and sure enough a little while later they were at the buffet. I can't imagine paying for that dinner and having to go get something else to eat a couple of hours later.
Having said that I have not be on since the Pandemic so not sure if they have changed. Happy Sailings to whatever cruise line you choose.
@@joannechludzinski1805 What is it that you love about Norwegian, and is it better, in your experience, than other cruise lines?