cruizinwithkids

My only advice regards the Disney shore excursion. We did that excursion years ago. Make sure you get one of the early busses. They fill up and move out quickly. The later busses hold for a bit to make sure they are filled with slow pokes - like us.

The first couple of cruises my husband and I went on with the kids was on the Norwegian Majesty. There were one or two rooms that had an obstructed view room and slept 4. It was 108 square feet. The four of us cruised in it a couple of times.

In 2012, we went on a cruise - my 20 year old daughter and my 21 year old son, my husband and I. We had a balcony but the four of us - NOT petite shared a room.

And we still like each other.

I really think with your attitude, you and your family will have a great cruise.

I think you're better off calling. He may have just missed it. I talked to my PCC the other day and he wasn't aware of any PCC's be eliminated - yet. But who knows?

I can't do any comparisons for you. I can add a little bit to the mix though. For itinerary, I think the Holland America ship out of Boston wins.

King's Wharf and the Royal Naval Yard are the same thing.

I would count out the 5 day cruise simply because a 7 day cruise is always better than a 5 day one.

And yes, you can bring Coke onboard the ship.

I think you hit the nail on the head! And that is the same reason an automatic gratuity was implemented to beverage service and the DSC. It was real easy in the olden days for folks not to give any gratuity and that is why some are added automatically.

I've seen a number of posts where people have commented on the gratuity being added to beverage service. I don't know when this was implemented but I do know it was in place in 1988 when my husband's MANY, MANY, MANY slips were for a $1.50 beer with a 15% gratuity of 23cents added. I remember sitting saying, "Oh look here's another one for $1.73" "Oh, another one for $1.73" and another and another. It was great fun.

And yes, even after my harassment, we are still married. :D

We "always" tip extra. I guess I would leave the tips as is unless I do get exceptional service.

On the Sky in January, when it came time for dessert, I was just too full. DH ordered dessert and when the server asked me what I wanted, I said, "Nothing for me." He brought me a plate with the words "Nothing for me" written in chocolate syrup. I was delighted. He would have to get an additional tip from me, even with the 18% added.

I read a recommendation on these boards for Park Jockey dot com. So with no personal knowledge I booked through them. It SEEMS to be based on supply and demand as I had looked at one point and the price for 7 days was $156. We had an issue and wasn't sure that we would be able to cruise so I didn't book the parking. The day our cruise was a definite I checked and it was $175. I was disgusted about the price change so didn't book it. The next time I looked it was $192. I booked it.

As I said it's for a 7 day cruise so it would have been $280. I guess a savings of 30% is pretty good but I would have been happier if it was a savings of 44%.

I believe there is some info on the New York board in the ports section of Cruise critic.

For me, it's about the bottom line. I love Disney Cruise. They "charge" a daily charge to my OBC for tips. The website breaks it down by per position per day. The specialty dining is "at your discretion." When I dine in specialty dining, I don't decrease the tip to my daily server because he didn't serve me that day. So basically I'm paying him for doing nothing for me and I'm tipping my specialty dining server.

When I dine in specialty dining on NCL I tip the wait staff.

So assuming the cash tip I gave the specialty dining is indeed pooled there is no difference at all to me.

I would rather cruise Disney but the bottom line is generally considerably higher than NCL.

Harriet

Why should one get more than the other? For the same reason the server at Ruth Chris gets more than the server at the Olive Garden.

I'm confused about a couple of things.

1. The person who is currently sailing and reported this, stated that they were charged the 18% on the lobster, not on the base bill. I know what they say about assume, but I ASS U ME that there would be no 18% on the already in place dining plan.

2. I'm not convinced that this is double dipping. Is paying extra for a specialty dining double dipping. In a way it is. "You've" already paid for food, now you are paying extra for specialty dining. When dining in a more expensive restaurant on land I would pay a higher tip because the cost of the meal would be higher. A 20% tip on a $100 meal is higher than a 20% tip on a $40 meal.

Now, do I think this money is all going to the crew. Nope, just like I don't think the additional 95 cents is or even the preexisting $12.00 tip.

Cruiseyesplease! Congrats on your the Renewing of your vows. That's exciting. Which stateroom will you be in?

 

I do not have a list of the cruise critic activities. Where do I find that?

 

 

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Go to the roll call section of Cruise Critic, find NCL, then The Epic, then your sail date.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2049882

Hopefully, that's the link.

I know you said you found a thread so don't need another example, but my 24 year old son cruised in January enjoying his platinum perks. Almost all of his points were "earned" prior to his turning 18. Of course earned is in quotes cause Momma and Pappa paid for most of those earned points. :D

Thank you for the replies, not sure if it matters but I ordered the UDP this week and plan on booking restaurants online, 90 days prior to my cruise....would the same apply, no charges?

Yes, No charges.

Thank you Bostonjetset.

I see you're going on HAL Boston to Bermuda. I looked into that right up until final payment on our Breakaway cruise. The HAL itinerary is much better. I'm jealous. Hope you enjoy it.

What would be the recommended dress for afternoon tea at the Fairmont?

 

I see it all the time in land restaurants where customers call over the server to place cash in the hand and get the gracious "thank you" - I personally think that is self serving, leave the tip on the table and get out.

I worked in a restaurant and can remember twice when the tip was picked up by a customer. When I am leaving a cash tip in a crowded "seat yourself" restaurant, I do hand it to the server. I'm not looking for a gracious thank you but I'm not looking to supplement the next diners meal.

I can't recall ever sailing without meeting our room steward. We are the kind of people that are in and out of our room a lot. Sometimes we'll leave a note asking for something and we have always received it. Last time we asked for extra towels because we showered at night and again in the morning. I think the room steward left us about 5 towels each.

I don't think I would care if I didn't meet him (or her) but I just can't imagine it.

Thank you that was fun.

I think you are really the only one who can answer the question. Two years ago, my family, DH, DS(22), DH(21) and I sailed on the Breakaway in a balcony. We were fine and we knew we would be. We really do pack light - the four of us did a 10 day Hawaii cruise in two suitcases.

I don't even know where luggage gets stored. Depending on sizes, I think you can next bags in each other and put them under the bed.

I've also HEARD of people asking the room steward to store the luggage. I wouldn't do that and I don't know if it's really a thing.

Basically, strictly speaking, the answer is a "No" for most ports, including Bermuda. See this - http://answers.ncl.com/answers/4066/category/BERMUDA/bermuda-cruises-questions-answers/questions.htm

I opened this link and noticed the questions and answers were not answered directly by NCL. I then looked for some kind of official government documentation. While I don't believe "Bermuda 4 u" is definitely an official website, everything I find seems to indicate that it's OK to bring food to the island, with the exception of fresh food and vegetables. That's my reading of it anyway.

http://www.bermuda4u.com/essential/customs-regulations/

But to again answer OP - No the ship will not pack your lunch.

No, they will not pack a lunch for you. You're not supposed to take any food off the ship.

Unfortunately, I don't know the answers to your other questions.

Sometime before the ship departs. :D

 

I don't really get the whole "get there early and sit and wait" thing. I will max my hotel time and arrive at the pier and walk on board have my cabin ready so I don't have to drag my carry on and camera bag around with me. That is a PITA. :eek:

Twice I've done it that way and it was so nice and relaxing. BUT I just don't have the willpower to wait. At least I make sure I don't have any carry-on, so that's something that makes hanging around for hours easier.

My cruise is may 10th, final payment for me was feb 24th. I did not get an email till feb 24th. In the past the email reminders came a few days ahead. I thought this to be strange that i got it day of final payment.

Being on the same cruise :) I received several. My PCC must think I'm a deadbeat. :D

How could you even enjoy the few days when you find out that you may or may not have a room and when you find out that you do? It ruined not only the last leg of the 21 day cruise, but also the previous 2-3 days of the prior 11 day cruise.

I couldn't agree more. People often ask about booking morning flights and if they'll be able to make the flight. My thought is always that I wouldn't do it because it would ruin my cruise as I stressed out the entire cruise about missing my flight.

So sad this was handled so badly.

My NCL PCC is great and I have spent more money sometimes just to stay with him. But with that price difference and the OBC. That's a difference of over $300. I don't think even I am that loyal to my PCC.

The funny thing is that I've been reading about the prepaid service charge so emailed my PCC and in less than 15 minutes he had added it and sent me the revised reservation. I came onto this particular thread to brag and say book direct with NCL, but $300:eek: That's a nice amount of money.