KKB

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts--enjoy!

We did 14 days RT to Hawaii from LA last January on Carnival Miracle (1st Carnival)---LOVED it. Your 1st HAL? We never have

Of course. Was like that on Discovery too. Hoping that 11/16 sea days on that TA will allow time at SOME point. It was like that on a Hold Em table game (not the TX Hold Em poker machine) on the Island last month. Seriously, people would show up 60-90 min before the casino opened then play all day/night. Uh, I enjoy gambling, but there are too many other things to do on a ship to ONLY gamble. But HEY--they get free cruises! (ok....) Is it smokey in the casino? It was so bad last Sept on Discovery I had to wear a mask!

Thanks! OOOPS--realize I'm a dingbat. Ascent is 2025. NCL Prima is Jan 2024. The problem with cruising so much....🤣 Yeah, yeah, first world problems! I AM NOT COMPLAING!

DH would approve... OK all these lines are doing this...put the Adult/pay per pool at the top where it's windy as hell. Hey--KIDS don't care if it's windy! Put them up top!

YES! Stupid Island only had regular TEN COIN MAX VP--miss my STP from Discovery. I will be very happy for 28 days in April...Ahhhhhhh.

Uh....if they only charge you 2 drinks worth for those bottles...sounds like a deal!

I don't think so--we got a good price on Jan. 5. Darnit anyway!

Yes, that is typically what it is, and soup/salad; usually multiple sides. You won't go away hungry!

We already had the All inclusive...since i rebooked, AI now only has drinks & wifi. But even with tips added, we saved about $100. I am hearing some have different prices--is that a timing thing, or a situational thing? Not sure. I see: $27pp/day for NA, $46 for classic & $55 for premium

No, $41.50 pp per meal. $83 covers 2 specialty meals for 1 person...but I'm pretty sure you gotta buy it for everyone in the cabin. Sorry, wasn't clear about that--my brain had it right, but my explantation didn't match my brain!

That will give 2 people 2 extra specialty meals each. I find NCL specialty dining to be quite good--a step above MDR, tho we find MDR to be solid. Our favs are Cagney's & Ocean Blue--we like to show up when they open to ensure an Oceanfront (outside--1st come 1st served) table. Le Bistro is also quite good, but no Oceanfront.😉 Noodles is yummy & complimentary but tough to get in as it is small...people line up 30 min before opening! (see a pattern? NCL designed these ships with lots of intimate spaces, but I think they foolishly believed people would then evenly spread themselves over all of them, not taking the popularity of various venues into consideration)

OK...Bayamo is not on Breakaway; Ocean Blue is. It is a specialty restaurant. The $83 package is for 2 specialty meals. Regarding reservation times--they hold many back. Try to get onboard as early as you can, and as soon as you get on the ship ask where you can go to make dinner reservations. That way you will get the best selection of times. You can change your Cagneys as well at that time. If you get the extra package, you can book ONE more before the cruise, but the systems won't allow more than 2. MDR--you can make standing daily reservations or not. We never have, but there has only been 1 or 2 in our party. You can make reservations online just as you did for Cagneys. Not sure how this affects the "only 2 dining reservations" issue. Excursions can certainly sell out. I have never seen a sale. If you see one that you really want, I would book it. (tho you might Google private excursions on each island as well; usually cheaper)

I had a guy say he has seen FM in concert & said this show was every bit as good. I like it. I like Syd's better--I prefer the intimate venue, variety of music; I was alternative rock chic. I appreciate Queen, but like Syd's variety (AND they have even changed the song list slightly each time) Now, I was 10...but a big music gal. I've learned to love Rumours more recently (thx, Syd!)

Go to “Plan My Cruise” under your reservation after logging in.

They have to be sadly disappointed. We gamble FAR less on a cruise—game selection much more limited, more activities to draw us

It’s not bad inside if u get a seat; they only allow standing in back. They r the best “band” I’ve seen on 3 different ships (3 different sets of musicians) Luckily I’m rarely into any shows besides the Broadway ones, nor piano bar/comedians (have yet to be impressed with the bit of each I’ve caught) Funny, even DD25 says Rumours is one of her 5 fav albums of all times (not my fault, I’m late in that appreciation). She didn’t love the regular shows (not her time) but she would have sat thru Rumours twice. They do clear the room & huge line so we sat on Waterfront & heard it again

You made me count...most cruising I've done in a year (retirement has it's perks😉) I will hit EXACTLY 100 this year! WOW! (40 solo days) Thanks for sharing your cruise with everyone. We sail the Regal for 28 days in April (TA plus British Isles). Can't wait!

Woah...I've never seen more than 50 min prior. Good to know...perhaps show up 90 min early to Maltings!

We are doing Regal British Isles in April! There are numerous options for dancing from musicians in a bar to parties. I have never had an issue w/ the regular package on Princess (I upgrade on Celebrity). Occasionally a drink can be more & I believe they just charge the difference. Of 36 cruises, have done Celebrity & Princess each about 10 times--including Island Princess last month & Celebrity Beyond next month. They are our 2 fav lines, with a small edge to Celebrity, tho their price point is making it a struggle to justify them much anymore. Have a wonderful time!

Curious--who was right?😉

Yep, sailed Ruby out of Galveston in March. Dropped off at 1045 & on the ship by 11. Easiest embarkation I've had at ANY port. (Not trying to rub it in...😉 We sail NCL out of Galveston next month & I was raving to DH about how easy it was...I'll temper my enthusiasm)

I agree with your POV...tho $20/day gratuities on NCL doesn't bother me when the drink package is free!

Having done 36 cruises in 20 years (but half in the last 2 years), 11 on Princess (including last month) & 5 on NCL (Prima coming in Jan), I have a pretty good comparison. We find cruises more alike than different. We find certain ships to have things we love...and things we aren't as fond of. Lines, too. I really like the Waterfront, production shows (tho they are cutting those...) & Syds on NCL. I'd say their specialty dining is overall better than Princess. I really like MDR (especially dessert), trivia & game shows & Princess Plus package (includes specialty coffee & tips) on Princess. (Princess production shows are quite "meh" imo; talent is great, shows not so much) Now, Princess doesn't have those NCL "bells & whistles"--slides, rope courses, etc. We don't care much for them, so they don't hit our radar. Haven't been on ANY cruise on ANY line that we didn't have a good time on. We were concerned on the Encore in 2019; they felt very short staffed & I was concerned this was a cost cutting measure; but didn't experience it on Getaway last summer or Breakaway this summer. Crew--by & large crew is always great on every ship. Overall we do like newer ships; we did the Discovery. The Sun should not disappoint! DH28 is the only kiddo that has done both lines (other 2 haven't done NCL); he feels Princess food is better & agrees they do a better job of trivia & gameshows (tho I feel NCL has been better the last couple cruises than our 1st couple in that regard--that often is due to a great CD or a not so great one, imo) Have a great time!

They have CHANGED the layout--note @TxTeach79 screenshots above. It is MUCH better now instead of the scroll up/ down & side to side debaucle. Guess they DO sometimes read those surveys!