dmdiver

Breeze & Freedom are my favorite ships.  I like Magic, too.  I was not crazy about Vista.

There is no wait once you know where your table is located.  We would get to the dining room just before 6pm.  You sit at the same table at the same time, so the table is already reserved & ready for you.

Seems like the connecting cabins don't have balconies that open to each other - I suppose due to door placement.  The goccl site is where I always go for the balcony information.

Money, ship card, credit cards, phones - all go in waterproof pouches around our neck.  Camera doesn't fit in the pouch, so if we are swimming, it has to stay in the backpack with our towel & coverup.  I put my stuff where I can see it from the water.  I do know that there are bags that have locks - I bet someone will provide info on them.  I think the brand is Kyss maybe?

We did, just to be sure we could get the time needed to still catch the shows.  But I know what you mean about not knowing what you will want to eat.  I am guessing that it can be cancelled in the event you want to do something different.

Thank you!

We were able to book Cagney's at the 120 day mark, as well as the other specialty restaurants.  We were also able to book Jersey Boys & Six, but nothing else.

So how is the shampoo/conditioner combo in the standard cabins?  I'd love to not have to pack mine.  Any ladies with long, color-treated hair feel like the provided product is adequate, or do you still bring your own?

I use a refillable bottle at home all the time.  I have also taken insulated drink cups on cruises as well.  They really come in handy when you don't want to refill the small glasses from the buffet.  The main reason we stopped taking our cups was to save weight & space when packing.  Also, if you lose a disposable container of water, it's not as big a deal as losing something more expensive.  Plus, my refillables at home don't have a screw top, so they are more likely to leak.  

So again, anyone recently get a water package on Bliss?  Is it truly 6 1-liter bottles or 12 1/2-liter cartons?

Already discussed this with hubby.  He likes the convenience, so here we are.

I'm having no luck with the search function, so please bear with me.

I have been seeing that when others have ordered water for the cabin, on some ships it is in half liter cartons instead of liter bottles.  However, I haven't seen whether this is true for Bliss.  I would actually prefer my 6 liters of water to be in 12 half-liter cartons.  I'm not interested in lugging a liter to the gym or in my backpack.

I called NCL, but the lady on the phone said she thought all water ordered for the cabin was in liter bottles.  Since I know that others have been getting the cartons, it's safe to assume she just doesn't know & can only read the same thing I am reading on the website.

So, has anyone pre-ordered water for the cabin on Bliss recently to be able to let me know whether it was supplied in liter or half liter containers?

My experience with a price drop after final payment was that we were offered an onboard credit or upgrade.  The onboard credit was not the amount of the price drop.  It appears to be some random amount that is nowhere near the amount of the price drop.   I guess we've been spoiled by Carnival, where you actually get a credit equal to the price drop.  In our case, the upgrade would have just added an extra sink in the bathroom, so we took the onboard credit.  I figured it was better than nothing.

Ah yes, the jerk chicken is yummy.  I was sad to hear about Topher.  I keep up with Jack's on their FB page.  We did get to spend time with Topher & Calypso last time we were there.  He will definitely be missed.

I have always heard that as well.  However, my hubby won't sail Princess again.  Our criteria when searching for an Alaskan cruise was to go into Glacier Bay.  So, we ended up booking NCL.  Our neighbors cruised Alaska with them last year & loved it, so we will give it a try.  We don't get into Juneau until 2:30, either, but apparently it doesn't get dark until later in the evening.  We are scheduled to do a whale-watching excursion there, so I guess there's plenty of time to see things in spite of the late arrival.

While I would still be willing to give Princess another try, it would have to be a really good deal.  We found the staff to be a bit stand-offish, with the exception of our cabin steward, who was great.  The ship we were on was beautiful.  I liked the food, but it was no better than anyone else's.  

I have heard also that if you do a combo land/sea trip, Princess offers a great trip, handling the luggage transfers from ship to hotel so you are not bothered with it.  So, that might be a factor for those wanting a longer vacation.  

For the frozen drinks, can you get a straw?  Those are much easier to drink through a straw, but I keep hearing that the cruise lines are no longer providing straws, or are using sugar straws.

Lol, the nude on your balcony part reminds me of the first time we were in Grand Turk.  MSC was across the dock from us & just before leaving (when everyone is out on their balconies for sail away), a woman & her significant other came out on their MSC balcony where she proceeded to take off her robe & entertain all of us Carnival cruisers.  He offered no entertainment at all, so while my hubby enjoyed the show, I felt gypped.

We've been going to Jack's Shack.  I don't recall it being noisy like Margaritaville.  We like it because the beach is sandy out into the water, unlike the beach by the ship.  Plus, I like the dogs. 

When we sailed in May 2019, we got the $99.95 photo package.  Your canvas has to be one of the five.  We also downloaded them through the hub app.  I think there were one or two photos that we purchased in addition.  We were traveling with all our adult kids, so we wanted some good photos.  Even if you don't get the digital version, the photos scan well.  That's what we have done in the past.  Then you can share the digital version with family/friends.

We've done tuxedo & full length gown on elegant night & we've also done jeans with a nice top (hubby wore button down shirt).  The only time I've seen the staff balk was when our friend had on cargo shorts.  We did convince them to let us in and of course, once he sat down, no one could see anything but his shirt anyway.  I think people are more casual in their dress these days & with luggage fees, they sure don't want to take any more than absolutely necessary.  As to those who say you can eat elsewhere if you don't want to dress up - when the same food is served elsewhere, that is an option.  However, if I want lobster on elegant night, I have to eat in the dining room.  I will be freshly showered & neat, but possibly not exactly elegant.

Those wall stickers sound great.  I am always wanting something just to help me find my cabin.  In the past, we've hung dizzy danglers from the mailbox.  They work well, since we can see them while coming down the hallway.  When we traveled with the family, we had a different color for each cabin.

We often talk about doing a 5 night out of Galveston so hubby can keep up his scuba (I have given up due to ear issues).  If we do so, we may take another look at Progreso excursions.  We've been to Chichen Itza before, but I can always go for a trip to the beach.  Thanks for the info, Joe.

Carnival allows 1 bottle per person over 21, so no issues there.  Hubby doesn't drink wine, so I've never brought more than what they already allow, if that's what you are wanting to know.

We always carry on a bottle of wine & bring our own corkscrew.  I have heard, though, that your steward can get you one to use.  We just pour our wine into the glasses that are in the cabin or if I have brought my own insulated cup, I have no problem pouring it into that.  I feel like they don't want you to carry your bottle around with you, but no problems if you put into a glass.

Freedom was a favorite in Galveston.  Staff was always friendly & I like the ship.  I wonder if John Alex is still in the dining room.  He was the best!  Breeze is another favorite if you ever get the chance.

Haven't been to Progreso in quite some time, but it was my least favorite port.  I'd take Costa Maya & Cozumel.