olemissreb

OMG my boyfriend is going to have to make some serious commissions between now and March 2025. He'll want to try at least 3 of those last 4 bourbons! Hope they still havs them in 499 days.

We did our own pre-cruise tour. Flew in to Anchorage and stayed at the Embassy Suites (free using points). We took the shuttle to downtown where we had rented an SUV for the week (cheaper than renting at the airport and even cheaper if you have an Avis Wizard number). The next day we drove up to Talkeetna and my oldest son took a flying lesson(Groupon) while the rest of us just enjoyed the town. Then we drove up to "Glitter Gulch" and stayed at a hotel there for 3 nights. We spent our time there doing whitewater rafting, a Midnight ATV tour, and a bus ride deep into Denali National Park. From there we drove over to an AirBnB near the Matanuska Glacier and spent a couple nights and even went hiking on the glacier. Then we drove back to Anchorage turned in the car and spent one more night at the Embassy Suites before boarding the Alaska Railroad (Goldstar service) for Seward. The railroad sent our luggage on to the hotel while we did a Kenai Fjords tour. The next day we had the hotel send our luggage to the ship while we toured the Sealife Center including a behind the scenes tour. I used coupons for the tours and for my family of 4, it was much cheaper than doing a cruisetour and it was all on our own timeline. It takes a lot of planning and research, but it was well worth it for us and dare I say a little bit more relaxing than what I've read of cruisetours. .YMMV

Please post about the Bourbons! My boyfriend and I will be on Viva in March '25 and he's a big bourbon drinker (his fav is Blantons). We'll probably upgrade our drink package just so he can have his fav(if they have it) at a somewhat smaller charge ('cause I suspect it will be over the max $ amount included in the package).

This is what we decided to do with my sister who hasn't had a drop of alcohol since 2004. She does like her Dr. Peppers and some mocktails/virgin daquiris, so it was worth it for us to just keep her package. We got Free at Sea, so for the price of the gratuities vs full price on other lines, it just made sense.

I've taken 2 cruises from San Juan. The first one we flew in day of the cruise and took a cab from the airport to the ship...much faster than the ship transfer we originally booked. The 2nd cruise we flew in the day before and enjoyed exploring Old San Juan. First cruise we didn't get on board till after 2pm and were able to go straight to our cabin. Second cruise my FIL wanted to get there right as the doors opened and we ended up waiting in the "lobby" and then had to wait for the rooms to be ready. Neither of those cruises were on NCL. For my March '25 NCL cruise on Viva, we're planning to take our time and get some exploring in OSJ before heading to the ship...probably have the hotel hold our bags and then head to the ship about 2ish. For me it's just easier to get on the ship and go straight to my cabin and so much fun exploring OSJ.

The Vibe sounds so nice, but is it really worth it on a cruise with 7 ports in 7 days? We may only do half day excursions, so we'd get at least a 1/2 days use out of it...plus I've been to St. Thomas, so may just stay on the ship. Sailing Viva in March '25.

Great! Thank you! I've got time before I can even book. Since I only have 2 credits, I'll have to decide where I want to eat and if I should add more credits.

So are the "flat fee" restaurants not covered by Free at Sea? 1st time NCL cruiser and 1st time ever having a dining plan.

I need to look at my AMEX...I'm still paying off my '25 Viva cruise. An extra $250 would come in handy!

Look at the 2025 sailings on the Viva. My sister and I had a Celebrity Summit cruise booked and when it was cancelled, we booked the Viva which was only $500 more per cabin. So while we have to wait for what feels like forever, we'll be on an 18 month old ship for only an extra $500. I can't wait!

Go with the flow and collect the baby dolls and use them in homemade king cakes at Mardi Gras...same thing.

Great! Thank you for all your knowledge!

OMG Now I'm even more excited to board her in 536 days! She'll be so majestic sailing by El Morro.

Thanks for that info. Good to know if we get something in the port area we have nothing to worry about. So if we book a taxi in the port area to take us to Maho Beach, how do we detemine licensed taxis when we get ready to head back to port? Or will our original driver meet us there at a designated time?

If getting a taxi at the cruise ship pier, how can you tell if they are licensed or not?

Thanks Bird! I do like a strawberry daquiri poolside (of course those are out because my boyfriend is allergic to strawberries), but usually have wine while relaxing or having dinner.

OMG I think I just found the place where my boyfriend will be. He LOVES Blantons and has been wanting to try Elmer T Lee. Upgrading to the Premium beverage package will help lessen the sting a little I guess. 🙂 Can you get other libations in there? If not, can you bring them in? I'm mostly a wine drinker, but I do also like Blantons and sure wouldn't mind trying the Elmer T Lee. Of course we don't sail on the Viva till March '25, so prices and selection are subject to change...I just hope it won't.

Thanks. I still have plenty of time to plan and I guess there is still time for NCL to change port times.

I can't speak to the advantages/disadvantages of HAL vs NCL, but after 7 cruises I can truly say I book for the itinerary and ship/line/amenities is second. My sister and I will be on the Viva in March '25 and while I get to cruise out of my favorite port, I also get to experience 4 new ports on a very port intensive cruise (7 ports in 7 days). The Viva is brand new. I'm excited about that, but I'm also hoping that we won't be cruising with a bunch of families...we're all in our 60s and just enjoying our empty nests before grandkids start coming. 🙂 Just couldn't beat the itinerary though, so we'll make the best of it.

Found a Magic Mangrove Paddle in Beef Island Lagoon excursion offered through Viator (more expensive) or Ground Sea Adventures. Has anyone done this excursion? How rigorous is it? I've never been kayaking before - is it easy to pick up? The ship is in port from 8am to 5pm and the tour would start at 8:30am - can I make that? The only other tour offered is at 1:30pm and would finish at 4pm which cuts it a little too close to all aboard time for me. Also found a Taste of the British Virgin Islands excursion that is 3 hours long. Has anyone done this excursion or one like it? Was it worth it at $140pp?

I've stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites across from the Convention Center with my sisters...2 full beds and a pull out sofabed. I've also dtayed at the Embassy Suites in the same area. Sorry can't remember the names of the streets. Neither are actually in the Quarter, but the walk there isn't too bad.

When was the last time you were there? When I was in Slidell a year ago, my high school classmates said something about the mall being demolished and so the Cafe du Monde in the mall was no longer there and everyone had to go to the original on Decatur St.

My next cruise is still 18 months away. I usually book that far out so I can pay it off over time, get the cabin I want, pay for any upgrades as well as the independent excursions that I spent researching....not to mention airfare! By the time I get on board, it's just about an all-inclusive and all I have to worry about is souvenirs.

No Latitudes anything as this will be my first time on NCL.

I hope you'll do a "Live From"...I've got 550+ days till I'm on the Viva.