mcmomny

Same here, but I just went to Guest Services and they gave me a latitudes laundry slip and we were all set!

We're on NCL Breakaway in Sept round trip from NYC. We wanted to take a relaxing cruise as most of our cruises in the past have been heavy port intensive trips, and we also wanted to go to Bar Harbor before the cruise ship ban that starts in 2025. From Bar Harbor we can hit Acadia National Park (one of our bucket lists is National Parks!) We don't have to fly to NYC which makes this an easy 7 day trip, flying into ports of departure turn your 7 days into 8 to 9 depending on flights. And add to the cost of the trip! Where are you located? Can you drive to Boston or NYC and do a round trip? We like NCL for it "free style" theme, not big drinkers but enjoy drinking when on vacation. We haven't had a bad cruise with NCL. But you do have to have patience and sometimes have to deal with big crowds or long lines, we just say to ourselves that at home we would have to wait too on a busy weekend trying to go out to dinner without reservations! But were not home, we are sailing on a beautiful ship with tons of things to see and do!

It's been a few years but we stopped in Falmouth on our NCL cruise, one of those gated cruise ports with shopping, drinking and relaxing. I don't remember a swimming pool area but i do remember a Margaritaville. It was ok but we had booked thru NCL a Dunn's River Falls and The Bob Sled adventures excursion, both really good and amazing scenery! So we spent very little time in Falmouth other than the walk to the buses from the ship

I have done both cruises, both are amazing. But they are totally different experiences. What I can say about Greece in August, which is when we did it was super hot (100 degrees each day), humid and crowded as it was summer vacation time period. But very historical and port intensive. Our cruise itself had lots of kids and was booked solid. Each port was jam packed, not only with cruise passengers but other vacationers from around the world. So crowded we often went back to the ship early to escape the crowds and heat. If we did Greece again I would go during school time to avoid the crowds, late fall or early Spring. Hawaii we did in February, the rainy season and it sure did rain a lot! But it was wonderful and comfortable temperatures. We rented a car at each port and did our own things and rarely encountered large crowds. The POA is basically just your floating hotel, not a lot of on board activities as the reason people take this cruise is to see Hawaii, very few people stayed on board other than meals and sleeping. As already mentioned, not a good idea to fly in to any cruise the day of departure as too many things can happen to delay you and possibly make you miss your cruise. For Hawaii we flew in 3 days early and the time difference was still kicking our butts even after boarding the ship. Athens we went in 3 days early also so we would have time to sight see before the cruise. I understand that this might not work with your tight schedule but you should try too fly in at least the day before your cruise to avoid the stress of being delayed or even missing your cruise

It will be chilly in Glacier Bay, dress in layers. We had a balcony cabin so viewed the Bay from our cabin, we did go up onto the top deck a few times also Plus be prepared for rain in some ports. Yes binoculars are a huge plus! Make your reservations for dinner before you get on board Figure out your excursions and book before you leave as they might be sold out once you get there!

Yes, I was also told two billing cycles before I would see my refund but I got my refund in under two weeks! For NCL people, I just cancelled one with them and was told 7 to 10 days and I got the refund in 3 days!

I also had the same experience when I canceled Egypt for this summer. Quick and easy!

Traffic is bad due to congestion but it is very easy to drive in Hawaii, we rented a car and saw the sights we wanted to see before our cruise. I have not used them but Robert's Tours were mentioned many times when I was doing my research. Sometimes NCL offers a pre or post excursion option, did you look into that? Congrats on 50 states! We have 4 left!

Yes, we were so tired each day that after dinner and a cocktail or too we went to bed! I don't remember doing any shows or using the pool! Good plan coming in early, we woke up at 2 am the first day due to jet lag! Yes we are ready for Monday, not sure about the crazy traffic they are predicting!

Our favorite of all cruises so far! We did not do any NCL excursions, but the few excursions we did do we booked on our own. Go to your roll call and there might be people looking to share excursions which makes the cost less and it's a neat way to meet new people! Road to Hana we were in a small van of 8 people and a great driver/guide which included lunch. Valley Isle Excursions. We booked our own luau with Smith's Family Garden Luau in Wailua in Kauai and they came and picked us up at the cruise port and returned us to the cruise port. The rest of the cruise we just rented a car in each port and did our own thing and had an amazing time! Saw tons of beaches. ate local food for lunch, saw both National Parks, tons of whale watching and beautiful scenery all along the way. Each island was easy to drive and never worried about getting back to the port in time. If at all possible try to go in a few days before the cruise, we did 3 days before and we still struggled with the time difference after the cruise started! Now about The POA, it is basically a floating Hotel. Not much going on on board and it is an American flagged ship so the crew is mostly American kids doing 3 month stints and hate being there. Many people have complained about the ship and the crew but we had a great time, enjoyed many of the crew and felt it was one of the best ways for us to see as much of Hawaii as we could in one visit. PS, are you ready for Monday and the Eclipse!

Yes, I understand. We just like to tip for special service we receive. For example the bartender on The Jade last year remembered our names and drinks on the second night so we tipped him every evening. It's just something we like to do!

The floor is layers of rugs, that thousands of people have walked on barefoot. So yes it wasn't nice, I too brought wet wipes to wipe our feet before putting our socks back on. Think about pre check at TSA, thousands of people have to take their shoes off and walk thru the check out line then put their shoes back on! Pretty much the same thing! We were given a bag to carry our shoes and socks, we did not have any place to sit to take off or put our shoes on so we knew this and wore slip on shoes. We went in July and it was blistering hot, I wore a cotton dress that covered my shoulders and my knees. I brought a very lightweight scarf to cover my head, yes women must cover their heads. I did not see sun hats as an option. My husband wore khaki pants and a short sleeve button down shirt

Even thou we get the pre paid gratuities we still tip our room steward, our bartenders and waitresses.

Same for us, just booked a Sept cruise and got the pre paid gratuities, on board credit, all the free at sea perks, my double airline miles, Latitude points and was able to apply 3 cruise next certificates to the sailing! Have used the same company several times with no problems!

Thanks for your review and I love #6! As we live by this theory also!