musicalianne

I don't get excited until we pull into the port. I'm the oddball!

Guilty as charged! 12 days to go and been counting for a long time now. I watch cruise port webcams, check the current position of “my” ship, and I watch YouTube videos to get my cruise “fix.” Cruised 10 or so times with several cruise lines...every cruise is a wonderful experience! Waiting is hard!

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The DH and I love to cruise!! He is one of the cheapest men on the planet and I love to experience everything without regard to price. I tell you this so that you will know why I am adding yet another review to the CC database. I spend hours searching the boards to make sure we are getting the best experience for our dollar and I hope to write a review that will appeal to others out there in my situation. It will be long and very detailed.

 

 

I will begin at the very beginning of this process and hope to give advice on all aspects of this trip. It will not be live during the cruise (because we do not pay for ship wifi, we’re cheap, remember) however, I hope to finish it shortly after we return.

 

 

 

For this trip, we kinda decided last minute what we wanted to do. This will be our 8th cruise, 2nd on NCL, 1 on RC, 6 on Carnival. I wanted to do the Panama Canal, but DH “couldn’t” (he is self-employed, I just rolled my eyes) be gone for 10 days, so we decided we would try a BIG ship.

 

 

 

I started looking at about 60 days out- we had a specific week we needed to go (spring break-I’m a school teacher) and settled on when and where at around 45 days out. We researched other big ships and decided on the Epic due to it porting in Orlando (9-hour drive for us). I booked through Expedia and got an extra $25 OBC, a bottle of wine, and chocolate covered strawberries, more than NCL perks.

 

 

 

We did book the UBP, a first for us. We aren’t heavy drinkers and have always been able to bring our own soda on board. With the soda, we carried on and the worry of a “we confiscated something from your luggage” letter (I know shame on me), we have always made do. However, NCL doesn’t allow you to bring soda (therefore no mixers) so we thought we would give it a try. Now, remember, I told you that DH is a cheapskate, so in the decision to go with the UBP he had to figure out how many drinks we had to have per day to come out ahead. I just went with $1000 for 7 nights (that is pp with all taxes, port fees, UBP gratuities) - I will definitely come out ahead- all I can eat, drink, sleep (with maid service), play, and be entertained for a little more than $150 a day. I would spend more than that on 1 day at Dollywood (the local theme park) and still have to make my own bed. :)

 

 

 

We have always booked the cheapest inside rooms available. Almost always this involves the cruise line picking your room, which has never been a problem. Actually, on our last Carnival cruise, we were given a porthole room that was the 2nd from the front of the ship- it was huge. So true to form I booked an inside- they pick the room. We will be in 12290, category ID.

 

I have researched NCL inside cabins and that specific room. I do not have high expectations. I know that it will be miniscule, dirty, noisy, smelly, and I will be embarrassed by having to shower in front of my DH of 27 years. Those are the adjectives I found in other reviews, but we’ll see. :o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are now at 33 days out. I joined a FB page for the cruise as well as the CC roll call. I know when and where our CC meet and greet is. I have reserved spots at the shows in which booking is available pre-cruise. I made reservations in one of the MDRs every night, we will probably end up canceling most of those, but I have them ready if I need them. DH doesn’t like to stop everything to get dressed up, but I think that is part of the fun so he has to make me happy a couple of nights. I have printed off all our paperwork- at which time I discovered DH didn’t have any Latitudes points, so I had to remedy that. I also made sure to print off all reservations as well as any perks that we should be getting. (y)

 

 

 

 

 

I have started planning what we will do at each port. Right now the plan is: GSC- up early so we can be in the sun and fun as long as we want (free drinks with UBP will be nice) free lunch- need to book tender early

 

Ocho Rios- I have contacted Peat Townsend tours and will probably be doing their tubing and Blue Hole tour $60, Peat told us to bring as many friends as we wanted so I hope to collect some people to join us- everything is more fun with friends. We will take snacks and go back to the ship for lunch (cheap remember- in 7 cruises DH has only bought 1 meal off the ship and we shared that one) need to book tender early

 

Grand Cayman- snorkeling at Eden Rock dive center- a short walk from ship $14, take snacks, do some shopping in town, we’ve been here before and will try to visit a different section of town than before, back to the ship for lunch. Need to book tender

 

 

Cozumel- we visited there on our last cruise- we rented a moped from a street vendor ($25) and spent the day on the back side of the island. There are some great bars with hammocks and fresh fruit drinks- no credit cards. It is beautiful. We may only get off in Cozumel for a little shopping trip. I like port days on the ship. Not worried about tender- we’ll play it by ear.

 

 

 

That is probably enough for you to digest today. I will add some more in a few days, just in case anyone decides to read on.

Enjoying the read and great info! Thanks!

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I was starving and desperate for black beans and rice, so, I soon headed out for some Cuban food.

 

 

 

Calle Ocho!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fine gent let me know I was heading in the right direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This poor guy was just looking for some good beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, well, there you go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My next goal was to find some Cuban men playing Dominoes.

 

 

 

This guy said he knew the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This seems to be the right way!

 

 

 

Reading along; loving it!! Thanks for taking the time to write this review!

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Enjoying reading your review! Thanks for taking the time to share!

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Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Looking forward to reading it.

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oh no! I'm going as fast as I can, but I definitely won't be finished before this weekend! I hope you have a fabulous cruise :cool:

Loving your review and pictures! Thank you for sharing!

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We are heading back to the marina

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

and we approach our berth

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norris, I, too, have read and thoroughly enjoyed your other cruise reviews. I found this review yesterday and I am now on my second day of reading and enjoying this cruise review. I love all of the photos and the witty narrative too. Thank you for taking the time to post and share. I know you and Carol had a wonderful cruise in the midst of your cold winter. Maybe we’ll have the opportunity to cruise together some day and meet in person. Thanks again for the enjoyable read!

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We’ve booked an Alaska trip on Solstice in August 2018. Haven’t paid anything yet due to no deposit at time of booking. Will have to pay full amount in May. We currently have booked a outside cabin. We know it rains at anytime in Alaska or could be cold or warm on any day. We would still have a large window in the cabin to view the shore and could always go up to a deck sporting a great view if we wanted to. But, we’ve always had a balcony on cruises to the Caribbean and we’ve enjoyed it. However, it rained most days on one of our cruises and having a balcony was pretty worthless. My question: would it be worth $500 extra to change our cabin to a balcony? :confused:

I was on the Solstice last August to Alaska. We were in a Sky Suite. Rained every day—rarely got to go out on the balcony. I went out only to take a few pictures when I could.

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Thanks Musicalianne!

 

I have been grounded from flying for a year owing to surgery (although it didn’t stop me from cruising from Southampton on the Eclipse!) so we are now desperate for some sunshine!

 

It will be my first cruise in two years without needing crutches and a wheelchair so will be even more special!

Wow! That makes it even more special! I know you will have a great cruise—be sure to share some pictures and let us know some of the details about your cruise! All of us waiting for our turn, love reading and hearing about others’ cruises!!

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We board the end of next week...still as excited as the first time!

Have a great cruise, Chemmo!

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Great Review and great pictures, wish I was there with you both.

 

 

 

Brian.

Great review; loved reading it! Thank you for taking the time to post your experience. Glad you had a fantastic cruise—you’re hooked now like the rest of us!

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Yes Luminae is open for lunch on embarkation day and also all sea days!

Yes, indeed!! Best place for lunch and what better way to start your “Suite Life” onboard?!

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The Suite life is SWEET indeed!!

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Thank you! I'll definitely let you know. I think I'm already going to hate checking towels in and out, lack of food late in the evenings, and if I can't actually get a robe?...but we shall see. I booked RCCL because I wanted to see the ABCs and Celebrity didn't have this itinerary, or if they did, it was on a much longer cruise. On this one, I could see the ABC's in 9 nights. We still have kids at home and can't be gone for 14+ days. I was also able to get an aft balcony for the cost of a regular balcony, not a suite, on this ship. I'm fairly positive I will love the room and balcony. So I will have a good time regardless.

Thanks! Appreciate the reply. Would love to hear about your cruise when you get back!! Our next is April 29th on Summit to Bermuda. I’ve never been to Bermuda. Looking forward to it!

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Hi. We usually sail Celebrity but we're booked on this same cruise next February. It will be our first time on RCCL. I can't wait to read more - thanks!

 

 

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Hi—just saw this post and would like to ask you, why, when you usually cruise Celebrity, did you choose RCCL for this cruise? And looking at the date of the post, you should be now close to cruising! Would love to hear your response Carolslc, as we too cruise Celebrity. Thanks and have a great cruise!

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After we ordered desert at dinner this little plate of yummies came out before the dessert of Chocolate Palate

 

Trust me, there was plenty of eye rolling OMGs

 

 

 

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Yummy!!

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And the sommelier will even pair wines for you! Luminae is amazing!!

 

 

 

 

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[emoji3]

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Berry Pavlova stole my heart at lunch today

 

 

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Awesome!!!

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It was on the dessert menu every night on the Summit last week. I didn't order the cheese course, so can't comment on the quality.

 

 

I have had the fruit and cheese plate for dessert in Luminae and it was wonderful! It was on the menu.

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Some of the best food, ever! After the first night, they will know you by name in Luminae, they will know your likes and dislikes, what you enjoy drinking...you will feel at home! My husband and Tyrone, on the Solstice, really hit it off. Service was incredible!!

 

 

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Some of the best food, ever! After the first night, they will know you by name in Luminae, they will know your likes and dislikes, what you enjoy drinking...you will feel at home! My husband and Tyrone, on the Solstice, really hit it off. Service was incredible!!

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I love coming back to this thread. Keeps the excitement going.

 

 

 

Rollie

Plus...you can eat in your suite if you wish and you will definitely want to have breakfast on your balcony (if your cruise is to a warmer climate)! When in Luminae, you can order anything that is on the MDR menu as well! My husband and I like to check it out ahead of time so we know what we’re going to order—maybe an appetizer from the MDR menu and the entree from Luminae’s menu and dessert from MDR menu. So many options!!

I agree, this thread is keeping me excited—97 days now. I’ll be able to do the online check-in about a week from now. Our last cruise was in a Sky Suite and we loved Michael’s Club and Luminae! This cruise I stepped it up to a Royal Suite. Can’t wait!!

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On our cruise, the couple in Cabin 6133 was friends of friends of ours in Canada. We had drinks there one night and a beautiful set up by the butler Peter. He is very good. Happy sailing.

 

 

 

Carolyn

Awesome!! So looking forward to it!

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We were in 6141. I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

 

 

Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn! I know we will. We will be in 6133.

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I just got off the Summit in a Royal Suite. One of the biggest perks to me was that on disembarkation day we could stay in Michael's Club until the ship needed to be cleared (that was about 9:30 am). Then the Michael's Club concierge escorted us off the ship and took us to the front of all lines directly to the immigration officer. Also luggage from suites is the first off, so it is available whenever you want to claim it. We were off and in a taxi in very few minutes.

 

 

 

I think you will love all the benefits of suite class guests. Have a great trip.

 

 

 

Carolyn

Carolyn, what was your Suite # on Summit? We will be enjoying a Royal Suite on the Summit April 29th. Our last cruise was in a Sky Suite on the Solstice to Alaska (Aug 2017). This will be our first RS. Really looking forward to it! We loved MC and Luminae!

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