jbrinkm

Domestic airfare for Spring Break is killing me right now too... I'd say search with any flexibility you have (can you stay another day or two before flying back? Is there another airport anywhere in the vicinity? European trains are very good for getting to other cities and airports.) and search on a travel site that lets you track prices. I like Kayak but also use Google Flights as recommended above. You can add additional airports in the same search or just say "nearby."

I'm getting charged $13.99 for devices 2-4 ($14.99 for first device). For my 7 night cruise, it comes out only $21 more for us TOTAL to each have our own separate Voom access. If they don't fix the pricing, I'd rather just keep separate log in/devices. I guess I need to call to see if they'll honor the sale price (still currently advertised).

I went with my teens in April and did PAYG. It was getting more crowded when we left but we were only there from 10am-noon and then left to go snorkeling. Paid a small cover, paid inflatables for the kids and ate lunch there before we left to cover our $10 min food charge. It was really nice! The only negative thing that happened is that we got in the taxi and after leaving port, he told us Paradise Beach was full and we should go to this other place instead. We disagreed, because I'd read on the boards that the port staff would tell us if it was full (and there weren't many ships there that day), but we also tried to start calling them to make sure but couldn't get through in time, so ended up getting left at the place we reserved to do afternoon snorkeling. Finally got through to P.B. who said it was fine to PAYG and to come on over. So then we had to pay for a second taxi. So if you have a chance to call as you are docking or before getting in a taxi, please try to do that so you aren't at the mercy of an underhanded cab driver!

We were at Cabana Beach in April. It was lovely and the snorkeling was really amazing. We were in Cabana 2, which was on the far end away from the Chankanaab "barrier" (a rope that crossed the pathway). You can get discounted tickets for Chankanaab when you reserve your cabana. The higher numbered Cabanas would be closer to the park. I would honestly just do one or the other next time. If you have younger kids, the park might be better on its own. If you just want to chill and snorkel, the cabanas are the place to be. We didn't spend much time in the park, but did walk through the Mayan replicas. It was just really, really hot and there was very little shade in either place so we went back to get in the cold water again. I know there are some shows in the park - we didn't see any of those. When we were ready to leave, Cabana Beach called a taxi for us.

We spent the day at Jaime's in April. I never felt unsafe at all but one of the staff members took down the taxi number before we went back to the ship. I'd never experienced that before.

I'm leaning this way also. Our teens are in an adjacent room, and on our cruise last year we (DH and I) had the sofa-closet/bed-balcony setup and the kids had the dreaded bed-closet/sofa-balcony. I think it was worse for them because the beds are separated and take up just a little more room away from just in front of the closet. If the beds are together, that would clear up a bit more space, correct? I'm thinking of letting them have the extra space with the sofa by the closet this time. I think I might be like @Sunny AZ Girl and find some positives with the soft next to the balcony...

My husband and I each got one for a 6 night cruise in April and ended up scrambling on the last day and sharing with our teens in order to use up the punches. It is a good deal if you must have a specialty coffee every day and want the double shot each time (or two single shot specialty coffees every day). We found ourselves enjoying the coffee in the main dining room (surprisingly!!) and wanting a soda here and there instead of coffee, plus didn't use any on shore excursion days, which left us with all of those punches the last morning. We were also able to sleep in more often during vacation, leaving us with less need for coffee. I would not buy it again - I would just pay for a specialty coffee if I wanted one on any given day. It really depends on your coffee-drinking preferences.

There is a planner offer that allows you to pre-buy credits at the arcade at a discounted price. That is what most people are referring to here. The other offer is from the C&A leaflets that are left in the room. There has been a reoccurring offer for teens that if $50 is spent in the arcade (on the teen SeaPass card), you will get a $25 credit to the account on the 2nd to last day. We were on Allure in April and all the arcades were open.

Umm... don't you have to book one of those "special" cruises to do this? 😳

At one point there was a special compass - Social something, but if your kids have phones or tablets, they can use the Royal app (13+) even without the Voom package and sort for items that are specific to teens, or hours for food, or use the deck plan/map, or when Flowrider is open, etc... They may actually prefer looking it up that way - mine did! If you don't want them carrying their devices around (although they may also want to take pictures), they can just check in the room like they would have looked at the Social paper, OR they can look at those digital boards that are around the stairwells/elevators.

P.S. are you all getting family shirts???

A few thoughts (great question!!)- First, I think space on the ship may be limited where you could fit 20-25 people at the same time. Not sure if you can reserve a room anywhere? The game room is maybe the only place I can think of that might fit so many and is rarely crowded... so perhaps a game event? A few different types of games for different ages and interests? My family always played euchre at holiday gatherings, so we might do a euchre tournament, or similar activity. If everyone will have Internet, you could even try Jackbox games - those are hilarious and I can explain more if you have any interest in hearing about them... Are you planning to try to get tables together for dinner? That might be a nice time, to reflect together about what you all did, especially because there is a lot of down time when you're waiting for food. (just saw @Jasukkie replied while I was typing with a similar suggestion...) I know you said that you'd like to get together on the ship, but maybe reconsider finding an outing at one port that has something for everyone since there will be more space on land. When we were on Cozumel, there was a large family group at Paradise Beach. Kids were doing inflatables, some were going to the pool, some were just eating and drinking, some were wading or doing water activities, but they were all seating in a large space together. It looked really fun! Go to a show together perhaps? You'd have to get there early to get seats together.

It's a big place with very little shade when moving around, especially if you're coming from the far end of the cabanas (we had #2). We were there on a sunny day in April and it was HOT. We ended up not really even spending much time at Chankanaab, just a quick walk through the Mayan area, BUT I also popped over to Paradise Beach for a bit in the morning with the kids to do the inflatables (hubby stayed at Cabana because he had to be on a work call 😞 ). If you want the Cabana and plan to spend a good chunk of your day in Chankanaab, I'd recommend booking a Cabana near the border line - the higher numbers - for closer access, but we found the Cabanas to be a great place to hang out even without the park, especially if your main goal is sitting on the beach and doing some snorkeling.

It seems like NCL does not charge more for connecting cabins - is that accurate? RCCL has been up-charging for the connecting rooms, so that is a point in favor of NCL if true...

We saw it on Allure in April, a 6 night cruise. They ran it at least 3 times, maybe 4 on that sailing (twice on the last day when we were at sea). I'm probably one of the few people who didn't like it very much. I've seen the movie and it had a really coherent story and the music fit into it well. The live performance felt like a music-delivery-system and didn't make the story as clear. Plus our lead actress had a really nasal, whiny sounding voice and it was hard to listen to her. Luckily I really like Abba music, and the set and costumes were pretty cool.

Good to know for our next cruise! Although our cabin steward seemed run a little ragged this past time. I don't like to drink chlorine (both taste and for a medical issue) so not wasted.

Specifically because you didn't have a beverage package? Not because you were putting a reusable bottle on there? On Allure, we filled up our ice from the Freestyle machine at least 4 times and none of the staff said anything to us. We were using a plastic baggie (for our Pur pitcher I mentioned earlier in the thread). Maybe we were just sneakier, LOL... We couldn't find ice anywhere else. Where are we expected to get ice if we want it, if not from the Freestyle machine? Should we bother a bartender instead?

First (potential) time on NCL. I'll say up front that I don't think we can afford the 2 bedroom Haven, but what is another good option for 2 adults and 2 teens that won't share a bed? I know on RCCL, it is 2 connecting cabins. Is it the same on NCL, or is there another option? Specifically Breakaway, if it matters.

Wow, this is really great information. Thank you! I will in no way defend Royal's website. It stinks. But as I said, I'm used to it, so I guess I'm used to the ways it which it stinks, LOL. NCL is probably better (can't imagine it could be worse) but I don't know what I'm doing yet. The connecting rooms is the main thing hanging me up but I've gotten the advice to just have them call me if I'm ready to book. I'd just like to know what I want to do before that call to know what I want to pay and where on the ship I want to be. And reading about people being nickel and dimed on NCL (in the NCL forum), I'm nervous I'll miss an option to check or uncheck something I may or may not want...

I hope the Florida flights come down in price! Right now, all three are fairly equivalent, even on Frontier which has been our go-to airline for the past several years (they're a little lower but I know we'll end up spending more on extras with them...). I'm waiting for Southwest's fares to release for April... all the flights are really high right now for April. I've been tracking them and looks like they might come down towards the end of July or beginning of August. I could book a cheaper/different cruise but I don't see any others with an itinerary AND a ship that I like - just the three I listed (one of which is Odyssey). I'll peek at the other NCL ones that you mentioned but the biggest draw, for me to think about doing NCL for the first time is that I'm a much bigger fan of Western Caribbean than I am of Eastern, and Breakaway goes to Roatan AND Belize, both places that I adore. Even with potentially more travel fees to cruise from Houston/Galveston or New Orleans, those cruises are less expensive so it probably evens out to about the same. Thanks for the suggestions! I'm also having a really hard time with NCL's website and pricing. RCCL's isn't great, but I'm used to it so I know what to do. I have absolutely no clue about NCL - ships, class of ships, rooms, categories, connecting, etc...

I'm on the NCL site for the first time and it seems like the only way to book connecting cabins is to book one cabin, then start over and book the second cabin, is that correct? How do you see what connecting rooms have both sides still available? What if I book one and then the other is taken - can I switch the first? Should I use a TA if I actually want to book something? Can I assume the price will be the same for two rooms that connect, to help me with total pricing options, since I don't seem to be able to see both in the same booking reservation at the same time? Also, would you recommend 2 connecting cabins as the best option for 2 adults and 2 teens?

Does anyone have experience with teens, comparing the two lines? I thought we were a RCCL family, but the ones we're looking at for April are SO expensive. I feel like I might get a better deal for a slightly better itinerary on NCL. Specifically, I'm comparing Allure of the Seas (Oasis class but no slides - we've been on once before), Odyssey of the Seas (Quantum class) and potentially Norwegian Breakaway.

I'm looking at a Spring Break cruise for next year with my husband and my 2 teens. Our last three cruises (the only ones we've done with the kids) have been on Royal Caribbean, and we've been happy, but the prices are SO HIGH for April 2023. I started looking around at some other options and found a really fabulous itinerary on Breakaway. Prices seem lower on NCL, or at least you get more for the same price. Anyone else switched from RCCL? Thoughts/comparisons? Also thoughts on Breakaway for teens? Seems like there is plenty to do!

No, we went snorkeling at French Key marine park - I didn't realize the island was a privately owned resort-type place. I just knew we were in the vicinity. AJs was a great sloth/animal experience, however! Sounds like direct book is the way to go for OP!

You could try Roatan Getaway Tours, although they go to AJ's not Daniels. They have custom packages so you could float your itinerary by them and see if they are able to do it. We did the sloth/snorkel combo package with them and had a great experience (purchased through Viator).