Crazy planning mom

4 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Santorini is challenging.  It used to be a wonderful port to visit.  Because it has become so popular, it can be over-run with tourists.  In the last 5 or so years, it has become a “thing” for newlyweds in Japan to come to Santorini to take a photo in wedding attire. When we were last in Oia, it was literally impossible to walk anywhere.

We did the same excursion @Crazy planning mom suggests.  It was wonderful the first time we did it and awful the second time a few years later.

 

For the Mykonos excursion, we had plenty of time after exploring Delos to explore Mykonos.  No need to book a guided tour of Mykonos as some of the best moments are found wandering the streets, stopping in cafes and seeing the windmills.

We did it this past October and it was very good.  Crowds weren't too bad but  understand crowds were worse in September 

Some of the ports you can explore independently.  If you prefer an excursion, I really enjoyed Opa, a Greek Celebration in Santorini and in Kusadasi, Turkey, Ephesus is a must see.

Agree with DCGuy especially if you have never been to Rome.  If you have done Rome before, then maybe you would be more comfortable in Civi.  When we cruised out of Rome (Civi) in 2015, we spent 3 extra nights beforehand in Rome and 1 night in Civi.  Wished we had spent 4 nights in Rome.  

In Juneau, they have vendors at the port.

Check out the Alaska Port message board.

Safe flight home.  Didn't realize it was your first cruise trip.

1 hour ago, HowardK said:

To this day my Epic 2011 Cruise from Miami was my favorite- I normally go from NYC but felt more away and on vacation being on that route. 

I liked everything the ship stood for - totally outside of the box- Fat Cats, Blue Man Group, 2 bowling alleys, Legends In Concert, Howl at The Moon , the Hydraulic swimming pool in H20.

While I realize they made changes over the years, in my opinion they had something really special there- was also the beginning of studio cabins. 

Yep, we took the Epic from Italy in 2015.  It was my husband and son's first time to Europe.  It was a special trip.    We enjoyed some of the same activities and my son met kids from different countries at the Teen Club.

Hope you get there safely and on time.

15 hours ago, davekathy said:

We just returned from our first E class ship cruise. The Apex.  WOW! 

DaveKathy, are you going to write a review?  Would love to hear more.

How young are your kids?

I like option # 3 also but I would add at least 3 days on land before the cruise.  You need time to see Rome and take the train to Florence for a day or overnight.  Then, at the end of your trip, add in an extra day or two to see Barcelona..

We used Guided Tours Israel this past October and also recommend them.  

Thanks for your review and have a safe trip back.

I am following a live trip report on another board.  Seas have been very choppy.  Is there a time of year when seas are less choppy?  What is the best ship/line to take in the Mexican Riviera?  We have sailed Royal and NCL the most.  I am tempted to try Princess but will it be too sleepy?

Anthem and Quantum are similar ships.  Alaska is great but with the Norway trip you could stay a couple days in London pre-cruise.

inexperienced with Celebrity but not overall.

Booked porthole and sunset verandas on the Apex to get more traditional balcony feel. 

Posts like these worry me.  We are only going on our 2nd Celebrity cruise next year and we are taking family who have never sailed Celebrity before.  I am overweight although I can certainly stand.  My family members do enjoy drinking and smoking.  We are nice people.  Will we be judged and given nasty looks?

You are off to a great start with your review.

Hope you have a great time!  We were on the Epic a few years ago and really enjoyed it.   

We also enjoyed Lona Cocina on one of your recent Florida trips.  Have a great embarkation day!

So glad I did this cruise before.  It's one thing to drop Roatan.  It's another to drop the Napali coast or the inside passage.  I hope this doesn't become an industry wide trend.

Are you already in San Juan?

1 hour ago, cruiseagona said:

Am I spoiled, do I need to switch cruise lines or what? Just returned from 14 day BTB cruise on the Escape. We are about 70 yr. old, sedentary, and have been on 10 NCL cruises in the past 10 years (except missed the last 3 because of Covid) and are Platinum members. We do not drink. Everything was pretty good except for the fact that out of four room service breakfasts mistakes were made all four times. From lack of silverware, lack of salt, wrong juice, no juice, etc. But that's not really my problem. I am looking for more intellectual stimulation. I wish there were lectures onboard. I'm happy reading or doing my embroidery but doing BTB gets boring. Why can't they do two weeks worth of movies so we don't have to watch Top Gun every time. There has to be more to life than Bingo and Deal or No Deal. Trivia becomes boring when it's the same two weeks in a row. We are platinum and enjoy the perks. We absolutely love the freestyle way and the buffet. So many things we love about NCL but we've seen enough Caribbean churches to last a lifetime. Heard enough history too. I know that I may sound like a spoiled cruiser but I do need help. Any ideas? NCL is in our price range too and other cruises are often higher priced. What can we do? TIA.

Definitely check out Cunard.   They have cabins in different price levels 

13 minutes ago, archer77 said:

I am going to keep this short, there were numerous relatively minor issues on the recent NCL Getaway cruise leaving NY on Feb 6 (shortened port stays, and one port cancellation, mediocre service at times, our room was not very clean, and lots of small things that were evident corner cutting). Most of these things would have been generally tolerable EXCEPT for the fact that our flight was cancelled right before connecting with our cruise (Not NCLs fault) but the NCL representative told us to book to the next port of call (which we did) and submit receipts for reimbursement after the cruise. AND NOW THEY ARE REFUSING TO HONOR THE AGREEMENT. I can handle a lot, but being lied to is a deal breaker. 

 

I am getting stonewalled by their customer service via email (there is no post cruise customer service phone line, once they have your money they couldn't care less). Any suggestions on where to turn from here? 

Yes, did you book through NCL Air or or purchase travel insurance?

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Not remembering that they are free.  All of the food there has an extra charge I think.

Hi Tee Rick.  I know there is a fee for the Craft Social Sliders.  I was wondering if they were any good.

I see that they offer sliders for a fee in Craft Social.  How are they?