xyzcruiser

Alchemy is my favorite! The tasting is only available on the first night (except for 7+day cruises) so make sure you do it the first night. The cucumber sunrise is my favorite, with the sidecar, fiery tropical passion and chipotle pineapple as runners up. The bartenders are great, very personable and knowledgeable. They will make you a personalized drink after they get to know your tastes- and it will be spot on. Also, the same people show up at the bar every night so it's sort of like a neighborhood bar on a cruise ship full of strangers. I go every night before dinner and sometimes after, if I'm losing in the casino. The itinerary would have to be great for me to book a ship that doesn't have an Alchemy.

When I cruise Carnival I usually buy gift cards through my credit card's rewards program, or aarp or Verizon at a 10% discount to use onboard. I have been searching online but am unable to find any such deals on ncl gift cards or obc for my upcoming December cruise. Anyone know of any deals for ncl onboard expenses? Thanks for your help

This will be my first time taking my own snorkeling equipment on a cruise. I will be doing some excursions snorkeling from a catamaran but was thinking of just trying a little beach snorkeling on my own where there is a beach right off the boat. My question- can I get way without taking my fins as they take up so much room in the luggage? I have snorkeled many times but never without fins. Thanks for your help

I remember seeing a post about this a couple of months ago when I first booked my Sept 27th Pride cruise, but I can't seem to locate it now, so thanks to anyone that will take the time to answer again.

Since I have my own snorkel equipment I wanted to be able to snorkel but also just enjoy the island's other features. Is there okay shore snorkeling here( doesn't have to be great as I have booked snorkeling excursions at the other ports), or is it necessary to book a separate excursion? I thought a previous poster had mentioned snorkeling near the water slide(?) but I can't seem to locate that post. Thanks for your input, Shirl

Question after looking at the HMC drinks menu you posted- Don't see any wine listed is there any available?

I have attended several chefs table as solo and loved every one. On most the food was great and the conversation was lively. However on one I was at the end of the table with two couples who only seemed to talk to their mates. So while I enjoyed the food and the presentations , I felt a bit excluded on that one. I wish if there is a solo attendee they would be sure to place them in the middle to ensure the best chances for conversation.

I had the ravioli in May and it was great!

When I did the chefs table on the Breeze last December they had a crew member escort me through some back way shortcut to a restroom- wasn't too far. Also, there was a built-in bathroom break for everyone after the galley tour, appetizers, and chocolate melting cake demo.

My days sailed and vifp matchup even though some of my cruises have been free bounce backs. Although, I usually upgrade to a balcony from the free inside- last time for only $80. So, if the upgrade is the only thing getting me all the points, great!

Just off the Conquest, where I dined at the Steakhouse 3 nights. IMHO, definitely worth the money, food and service quality much higher than in MDR and the atmosphere is much more relaxing. Also, on a lot of the ships the Steakhouse has panoramic water views where some MDRs don't. As for the wine, it was free on the first and second nights but I prefer some of their better wines on the list so I went for the 50% off option on those nights. There are lots of non-steak options. Crab cake, lobster bisque, tuna tartare for apps,--fish, seafood ravioli and lobster tail for entrées. All of much better quality and larger portions than in MDR. Hope you enjoy!

I am sailing on the Conquest's southern itinerary (Dominican Republic, Grand Turk, Curacao, and Aruba) and am interested in snorkeling or snuba excursions. I prefer to do the Carnival excursions as I am travelling solo, and won't have to depend on others to make up a group large enough for a private tour operator. I have read the Carnival reviews and the port forums, but the reviews seem to be all over the place. I would greatly appreciate feedback from anyone with previous experience with these ports and Carnival excursions. Thanks for your help.

They have some free classes but most are offered in the afternoon (not for me, wine in the afternoon instead). So I paid for a package of morning boot camp classes ( $89 for 4 rather than $25 apiece) - well worth it. They also had paid spinning, pilates and yoga. I think these were priced at $15 to $20.

I was on the Breeze in December and ate at the Steakhouse 3 times. IMHO, the question isn't comparing the food there to a land based restaurant but rather comparing the Steakhouse experience to the MDR. The food was MUCH better, the service was excellent and the atmosphere was very relaxing. Well worth the money!

The Breeze, Cloud 9 Spa, suggest booking a Spa cabin. Second choice would be the Splendor which also has the Cloud 9 Spa. Would not suggest the Sunshine since it does not have a Thalasso therapy pool.

 

I second this, the Breeze spa is great!

It's always that way, they let you know when you're on the ship, I wish they would tell you ahead of time. I want to make steakhouse reservations but I'm not sure when to do it :)

 

Thanks for the reply! I think my last Chef's Table was the second night of the cruise also :)

 

Make the steakhouse reservations for the first night. It won't be Chef's Table night and they give you a free bottle of wine!

I have this booked but I'm wondering if anybody knows what night the Chef's Table is on the 8-night itinerary on the Breeze?

 

Thanks in advance! :)

 

I was on the Breeze's 8 night sailing Dec 6th 2014, and our chefs table was Dec 8. Don' t know if it is always this night, thought it was great! They didn't let me know the time until the second morning.

Can you get your burger cooked to your desired temp or must it be the dreaded mid well?

We have done the Hop on Hop off couple times... great way to see the city!

 

Joanne

 

I have a 2pm flight and am interested more in going to one location rather than touring on the bus the whole time. Can you remember any of the stops? Any way to find out the stops of the hoho bus used by ncl? (am booking thru them for luggage storage and airport transfer)Ncl couldn't tell me for some reason. Thanks for any help you can give me. Shirl

I would buy a package that included the viva vino package, udp, gratuities, and excursions as I like to prepay for things. But I have no interest in ubp, internet, photos, water, bingo, strawberries. Unless they offer several different packages, I'm not sure they could attract enough cruisers. But there is probably no downside for ncl to offer it.

"It doesn't sound promising when you say that you had to wait for seats in the casino. Are you talking about cards or slots? " Mostly tables- they had a waiting list even before the casino was opened. I waited at least an hour everyday and sometimes several hours. I had to wait for slots if I wanted to play a certain game. If I was willing to play any one empty, there was only a couple of times all slots were full in the evening. I learned to go play the slots when everyone else was having dinner. Other than this, this was a very enjoyable cruise. The smaller ships definitely have their charm and it was great not having to walk a mile every time I wanted to go somewhere. Good luck on your boards!

Yes and Yes. :D

 

I'm waiting to take my boards at the moment (my name officially appeared on the board of nursing site today). So it may be a few months before that happens.

 

Then we have a cruise booked for November on NCL's Sun. It's probably one of the oldest and smallest ships in the fleet, but it's going to be a relaxation cruise this time around since we just got off the NCL Getaway a few weeks ago. We were able to book both of them (Getaway and Sun) when there was a sale that didn't charge for anyone booked after the 2nd person and saved a bunch. Then we upgraded several times and ended up with a mini suite. So, we got the Sun cruise for EXTREMELY cheap. I'll take it.

 

Next year I hope to head to Bermuda or Southern Caribbean. :)

Thanks so much for all your reviews always so detailed and so helpful. One question (I always cruise ncl- this is the first year I've done Carnival. Btb Breeze and Epic in Dec.) you don't mention any comparison with the casinos.

How do you find the comps and service in the casinos, also the variety of gaming? You are doing the Sun from Tampa in the fall. This is my favorite for snorkeling which I know you are a fan of. I did snuba in Roatan, Lamanai ruins

safari in Belize( I know the animals will appeal to Sakari), palancar reef snorkel form catamaran in Coast Maya, and snorkeling with stingrays in Cozumel. All excursions which I will enthusiastically do again next time on this route. However, the casino was so small I spent hours waiting to find a seat on table games. Also, the ship is small without a lot of activities for children. Great for me as I like quiet time with a book. But I hope the kids club is better for you than the Carnival review. But I can tell you are a positive person and will make the best of whatever is offered. Have a great time on your cruise!

I apologize for going off topic but it seemed that there are a lot of you who have cruised both lines here and I have not been able to get my question answered by posting it elsewhere. Here it goes- I have cruised NCL for many years but this year will be my first on Carnival (b2b Carnival Breeze and NCL Epic in Dec). So what are the differences I should expect between the 2 lines? Thanks for your help, Shirl

This is a travel club. When I called they told me there were discounts on hotels and items to purchase but you must purchase a membership before you can use your $100 "credit" Not worth it to me. I was quoted a membership price of $249 but don't know if there where other membership levels.

There is good snorkelling on the palacar reef and also snuba on Roatan. I had a great time with both.

escargot in LeBistro

 

carpaccio in Cuccina

 

Crabcakes in Cagneys (these might be history)

 

Calamari in MDR

 

Choc tort in Cucina

 

Creme brulee all specialty rest

 

Bread on the buffet- all kinds