Vyhanek

I order chocolate covered strawberries delivered to our cabin a few different days.    You can do this before you depart online when you register.

Bring your own straws.    

Bring your own mask and snorkel, NCL wants a ridiculous price to rent them at the private island.

If you're not doing the drink package, bring a couple bottles of wine onboard with you and pay corkage $15.   It will be the biggest bargain of the cruise.   NCL has increased drink prices, they are outrageous.   I had a martini.....$25.   Girlfriend had a double shot of Bailey's $25.

Book the comedian, hypnotist, dueling piano shows as soon as you get on board.   These are the best shows on NCL now days!   The main theater shows are not what they used to be.   Not at all.   

I always bring a package of chocolate mints now to put on the pillows at night for my dh and kids.   We've been cruising a long time and everyone would be disappointed if I didn't pull thru with that one.

Sounds like an excellent Christmas present.    

No adult should be getting on cruises but refuse to get a passport.   

April absolutely is considered Spring Break.    Especially the week before Easter and the week after Easter.     But even then, the entire state of Massachusetts is always on Spring Break the 3rd week of April.     New Hampshire, the entire state is on spring break the last week on April.    Its definitely spring break the whole month.    

The last week of April would be the least amount of kids though....obviously at the tail end of the Spring Break season.

Epic definitely has the best Haven.

The other ships have one bar in the Haven.   The Epic has 3.    

The other ships have the smallest outdoor upper deck.   To the point that chair hogging is a regular thing.   There is just not enough seating for everyone who wants to enjoy the outdoor, upper sundecks.    Not on the Epic Haven.   Posh is so, so nice.    It has a large bar, plenty of loungers and seating for everyone.......thus no chair hogging!     Nice comfy outdoor seating with umbrellas.    Its very different than the other ships Haven!

The cabins themselves, I didn't notice being smaller but I've only stayed in a 2 bedroom suite across the board.    There is no noticeable space difference.

If you want a great Haven experience go on the Epic!    The rest of the ship itself is sub par if you ask me.   Id never cruise the Epic if I wasn't in the haven.    Its just not a nice ship comparably.    Until you book the Haven.

You'll have to get basically to Port Canaveral to get any type of warm wether in December.    Then same thing on the return trip.

That sort of cruise is not for everybody.    Know what you're getting in to and decide if you can be in jeans and a jacket basically the whole time.   Maybe you gamble a lot, or read or spend a lot of time in the spa or you don't care about being warm and enjoying outside on the deck.   

Personally, Id pay to fly to get too Florida.   My vacation is too precious to burn 2 days on each end getting to/from warm waters.

The courtyard area on the Epic is kid friendly.  It has a smaller pool and two hot tubs and plenty of seating.  Your son will also be welcome in the lobby bar area, the Haven restaurant, the game room area.

The one area that kids are not allowed is the upper sundeck and upper bar area known as POSH Club.   Its a large space, much nicer than any of the other Haven sundecks on any of the other NCL ships.   Its really large, cushy chairs, umbrellas, a really big bar area.  It would compare to NCL's Vibe (on other ships)  only this place is only for Haven guests.   Occasionally they sell access to non Haven guests like a few passes in total but never when I've been there and definitely not during a holiday week.    Its an exclusive place for Haven adults.   Its about 4 times the size of any of the other Haven outdoor deck areas.    Its the space you will want to be for sure.    So get your son interested in the Kids Club the very first night when the other kids are making friends.   

The courtyard area is nice, it will just be really loud, lots and lots of kids , (the noise in that area is contained and will bounce off all the glass/metal surround) and it will be full of families with young kids who will spend all week there.   

The Escape is a nice ship but if it's the pool area that is important to you, you will be very disappointed.   The pool area is the weakest part of this ship IMHO.

The outdoor bars and restaurants are really, really nice though.    

NCL is ridiculously similar to RCCL.   You will notice some differences but just as there are differences from ship to ship.   Royal has some ships I really cannot stand.   RCL's Enchantment of the Seas, I hate that ship.   There are other Royal ships that are really not nice at all.     But the Escape is a nice ship.   Be sure to check out the entertainment in Howl at the Moon.   The dual piano players, the comedians, the hypnotists.   That's the best entertainment now on NCL ships.    The main theater productions are not up to normal NCL standards I'm sorry to say.    But the other entertainment that you can't book ahead online is really good.    

We hang out, on the deck somewhere, until the drill time and then we make our way down.   Arriving 5 ish minutes late.     Which is usually about 15 minutes EARLY.    This is our routine as, we know their drill.     It doesn't start until 15 minutes later and we hate cruise crowds.    No one is waiting on me I can assure you.   Ever.    

Unless you love cruise crowds, there are plenty of people that call that "people watching", that's not for me.    I avoid cruise crowds, avoid the buffet, especially on embarkation day, would never take NCL transfers from the airport because we hate crowds and waiting, we just know how and when to avoid the lines and the crowds.    Arriving for the drill 15 minutes early would be unnecessary, completely and totally unnecessary!      But you do you.

15 hours ago, ColeThornton said:

Sure it is.  You are taking wine to a place that makes money from selling alcohol.  You bring your own, you pay corkage.

She's not talking about bringing drinks to the restaurants onboard!   what about that don't you understand.   She's talking about bringing drinks to her cabin.   When she checks in, having drinks in her room.   What don't you get about that?

Just like in a hotel, where drinks to your own hotel room are not confiscated.    

Hotels don't regulate food or drink you bring to your room.    How can cruise ships.   That's her point......which is clear.

I personally think, the Outback has a better steak........

Its not that Cagney's is a bad meal it's just that paying the up charge on top you expect a good steak.   You don't expect a Ponderosa meal.   I feel like the downgrades in the entire meal at Cagney's makes it really hard to want to go back.   NCL isn't going to be able to justify all the additional uncharges in Specialty Dining while at the same time reducing the quality.

Ive been around NCL a long time.   Even way back when the food was great, then the decade or so when the food was terrible, really terrible....this is when the term "subjective" was born relating to NCL food.    "subjective" is the term used for when the food has downgraded so significantly that it legitimately sucks.    We've been thru those years with NCL.    Fortunately we are no where near those terrible years with Cagney's steaks or any of the other food.    The food is really still good but it is reaching a point between the increased uncharge and the downgrade the food that it makes you re-consider Specialty Dining across the board.

I also think the Teppanyaki needs a big upgrade across NCL.   The NCL product doesn't compare even to a strip mall teppanyaki restaurant on land.   Certainly not the high end meal that it used to be on the ships.   I know it's still popular but it's just not the product worthy of the high uncharge any longer.   It needs a big re-vamp and improvement too.

I love the Epic Haven.   It really has the best Haven in all of NCL.

I personally don't think it matters one bit if you are located inside the courtyard.   As long as you have access, it doesn't much make a difference if your room is right there!

But having the spa suite means you have access to the spa.   On a long 16 day cruise that would be nice!   Im certain the pools in the spa are all chlorinated....could you imagine if they weren't?!

You're gong to love the Epic Haven.   The POSH sundeck and bar area is so nice, comfortable seating and plenty to go around for all Haven guests over 18   A nice bar up there.   Its nice!

4 minutes ago, Nola26 said:

Why do you think you should be able to park for free at hotel you are staying in a major US city?

There are hotels that have "Park and Fly" deals.   You pay for a night at the hotel and they offer free or reduced parking while you are away.    Its a legitimate thing.   

OP search Park and Fly Boston.  

The second bedroom is small but not bad at all.   The bedding is very comfortable.   My teens (one is 5'10) always love staying in the second bedroom and most certainly like the privacy that a separate bedroom gives.     It has it's own bathroom, storage is adequate.  The mattresses are real mattresses.     Having the Haven and all the Haven perks will be great for your family, even at the expense of a smaller bedroom.

The Haven will be crowded with families.   You can count on the courtyard being completely not relaxing or quiet.    It will be a buzz of children, marco polo in the tiny pool, kids in the hot tub.    Thats what you get cruising any holiday week and all during the month of March and thru mid April for Spring Break.     Even the sundeck, over age 16, will be very crowded.   There isn't adequate space up there for all the haven guests who want to enjoy it, then make it a big holiday week.    

Set realistic expectations.

For relaxing and quieter, get a spa pass and get a Vibe pass.   

Im Platinum so I always get the laundry bag.

But in addition, I also wash things in the sink.   I always bring a tiny bottle of Dawn dishwashing detergent. I wash my gym clothes, underwear, swimsuit and I bring only one pair of pajamas.   All these items get washed a few times. 

Its unbelievable the people that have no idea how to hand wash things.   Im 50, it wasn't that long ago that people hand washed clothes a lot.    I remember in the 80's all those monogrammed sweaters, they all got hand washed.   I'm not understanding how women my age have no idea how to hand wash......but they don't!

First you fill the sink with warm water and the Dawn detergent.   If you have grease spots, pre treat with a drop of Dawn right on the spot.    Then let your items soak in the warm soapy water for 5 minutes or so.    Then rub and scrub the clothes.    Then drain the water and rinse each item.    Wring out as much of the water as you can and then place the items in a towel soaking up as much water as possible, I will stand on the towel with all my weight, get as much of the water out as possible, this will obviously make drying go quicker.   Hang the wet items up or if you have a balcony and it's not windy, set your items in the sun, they will dry really quick.   Just be sure to not forget them.

I would narrow down for customers if they are big ship people or midsize ship people.

Newer ships mean mega ships and not everyone is a mega ship person.   Many people don't care about a rock climbing wall or a race track.    

I sailed on the NCL Gem a couple months ago after several years of cruising NCL's mega ships.   Oh how I enjoyed returning to a midsized ship.   There was so much more deck space, my lounger wasn't jammed right up to the next guy's lounger.    I enjoyed the entertainment more, I enjoyed the smaller vibe.    

Ship won't be at capacity the capacity in October where lifeboats are an issue in a double cabin.   That only happens when quads are booked a on school holidays, etc.   

I'd book as a solo and add him in if he changes his mind.

Hibbachi restaurants are all too common on land these days for NCL to be charging those prices.    NCL's Hibbachi is no better than any other I've been too.   

I've had Non Haven guests eat with me in the Haven restaurant.    I was charged I think $25 per person.    This was 3ish years ago.   They most definitely used to allow non haven guests, when accompanied by Haven guests, to accompany you to the dining room.    I wouldn't recommend you bring your guests on the first or the last night of the cruise to the Haven dining room, its a mad house.

In fact, as a general rule my advice is to not eat in the Haven dining room the first or last night.    Let all the Haven guests eat there that first crazy night, then on the second night when those people are wanting to dine around the ship, then you go to the Haven Dining Room.   You'll get much more personal service,     Same holds true for the last night of the cruise.     All the Haven guests that ate in the dining room that first night, then they decide to dine around the ship the rest of the week and then they realize the best food on the ship and certainly the best service, is in the Haven dining room.   They realize this fact and then they are back in the haven for the last night and it's again too crowded.    

Ask the Haven Concierge once you're on the ship.....(but not that first crazy day), wait until late in the day 2, then go ask the Haven Concierge if you can pay for Non Haven guests to join you in the Haven Dining Room.    I'm pretty sure it will work out unless things have changed.   

I booked my Bermuda cruise 6 days ahead.    This is not necessary.

I think you wait and see how it goes with your kids.    When my kids were that age, they loved the Kids Club.   Loved it so much, they made friends and couldn't wait until the evening rolled around to go back.    Doing dinner in the Specialty Dining pretty much means you're cutting them out of the evening in the kids club.       I'd just see how the first two days go with them because 9 year olds are the perfect age to enjoy everything about Kids Club.

I took my kids to the buffet for dinner, then took them to kids club and then husband and I had a nice dinner alone at Specialty Dining.    My kids also didn't mind getting a plate of food from the buffet, bringing it back to our cabin and sitting on our balcony and eating dinner before they left for kids club.    

As far as the shows, when you get onboard,  there will be kiosks/touch screens all over that you can book your shows or go to Headliners for help with shows.     

I can tell you the best shows aren't the main production performances anymore.   Not since this new Austrailian group took over for the Jean Ann Ryan Company.   Its definitely a big step down.   The best shows are the ones you don't book before the cruise, these are the hypnotists, the magicians, comedy and piano bar singers.    I was just off the Gem and there was a hilarious piano bar singer that packed the room.   I'd skip any show to laugh along to Justin Golan!    Its an age 18 and over show.   

We took a boat tour around the island.    It was a beautiful way to see the island and such a different perspective!    They even took us to a ship wreck.     We found the tour at a kiosk in the port and booked the tour for the following day.    

If you haven't been to the lighthouse, that's a fun short excursion as well.   THere's a Segway tour.   There's beautiful crystal caves that have formed,  there's beautiful golf courses, there's an old rail trail people walk/ruin/bike on, there's the Swizzle Inn if you are the type that gets off and finds the nearest bar, that place does nothing for me, I don't recommend it, the drinks aren't even good.

But you're right.   Bermuda, like all the other Caribbean Islands is mainly focused around the beaches and snorkeling.   If that's not your thing, you'll have a hard time probably in Bermuda just like you would on any other warm weather island.

I don't think your 17 year old will be bored on any NCL ship but I know that is a very common misconception.    People don't believe that the ship actually stops at different islands where you get off, do excursions and enjoy the day.    

But if this really is a fear, you can book a cruise that is port intensive.   As in, minimal days at sea.    Lots of Caribbean cruises will work for you.   Look for a cruise that has only 1 or 2 sea days.  

The Escape would be a great first cruise.    But I just got off the Gem to Bermuda.   It was really a lot of fun.   They really did a great job with entertainment, the food was really delicious and after many cruises on the larger NCL ships, I've come to appreciate the ships where there are less crowds.   Where you can find a lounge chair and where the theater holds basically as many people who want to watch the show.   It was refreshing coming back to a smaller ship where there was more space and more public areas that are outside and with ocean views.    

We were in a lovely suite on the Sun several years ago that was right over the theater.    

During the day it was really quiet.  In the evening, during the shows it was really loud.    The speakers were mounted on the floor below and it got so loud our room vibrated.   For us, we had young children who were exhausted from busy days cruising and we were trying to put them to bed.    Between the hours of 8pm, 9pm, 10pm,  up to 11pm it was unbearably loud.    You wouldn't want to be in the room and definitely won't want to try to sleep at all during that time.

But if you are out dining, watching the shows and out of the room between 8-11pm you won't be bothered at all.     

Another thumbs up for Food Republic.    I'm very happy it's going to be on the dining plans.   This is a big change.

Even if it isn't on the dining plan, it is so very worth the meal price.     I recommend you go early in the week because chances are you will want to go back!    It's very casual.   It's also one of those places where you read the menu and things might no sound appealing but if you venture out a bit and give things a try, you will find it delicious.    

Teppenaki on NCL is nothing special.   In fact, every mid sized city has a hibachi place exactly like teppanyaki.   La Cucina italian food is just ok, on par with the Olive Garden, and I love the Olive Garden and will happily admit that.     I would skip both these restaurants to eat in Food Republic.