kayjay76

They have hair dryers in each room. And as a hair stylist... they are pretty good 🙂

Never once have had a problem bringing a flat iron ( I think you'd have a ship full of angry women lol)

I bring downy wrinkle release travel size I get at target. That stuff is a God send!!!! Works on pretty much every fabric in under a minute. When I unpack I spray each item before hanging and all wrinkles completely gone on everything from my husbands thick cargo shorts, t shirts to my dressier slacks and tops.

It's funny how it's different for everyone booking and dealing with NCL reps. For 4 group cruises I've dealt with 2 separate reps. Both were extremely precise in answering my million and 1 questions and making sure everything was explained fully. The 1st rep was supper nice. But she would never return anyone in our groups calls BUT mine and the other group leader. If I called and got her voicemail, even if I didn't leave a message she would call me back within 10 minutes.

Our other NCL rep is a doll!!! She returns each and every call and email for all the group not just us 2 leaders. 

So for me, I've had pretty good luck with their reps and service. But I also only deal with that one person for all our group bookings and questions. I  use their extention and do not call the main hotline.

On ‎7‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 2:28 PM, kba1988 said:

Hello, we have booked a Group Cruise with NCL...about 8 cabins.  Our group gets a choice of perks, but the two we chose are (1) ultimate beverage package for everyone and (2) all DSC and Tips waived for everyone.  I have copies of the FS Group Details with all the perks outlined for every cruiser and each cabin. But when these folks log into their online NCL accounts, these perks are not listed for each of them to see.  As the group leader, am I supposed to do anything special to make sure every group member gets what we're entitled to?  Or should we just be confident that when we board the ship in September that everything will be listed and recorded as it should.?? 

 

Has anyone here planned and executed a group cruise before?  Your insight and advice would be great!  Thanks in advance.

Hi! This year is our 4th group vaca ive planned via NCL. And I know exactly what you are talking about when the individuals load their own account it doesn't show but it shows on your group report. Yes, this is what happens, and like someone else mentioned group bookings are handled a bit differently. But YES... all in your group, under your group report will get what you have listed in your report. It just doesn't show on each of their online accounts.

If you ask your NCL rep you're dealing with, they should be able to confirm all is well even though they can't see it. 

By the way, good perks on the waived fees!! This was our 1st year we couldn't get that as a perk. And a great perk it was!!

2 minutes ago, MJSailors said:

I need Southwest flights for the middle of January and the beginning of March.

I called Southwest to ask about dates when  the schedule would be opened up and was told July 12.

We're waiting for our Feb cruise. Southwest website says this right now :  We are currently accepting air reservations through January 5, 2020. On August 8, 2019 we will open our schedule for sale through March 6, 2020. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.

BUT last week it said opening JULY 10th for flights thru March 6th. So we'll see!!!

We sailed last 3 years super bowl week with a large group and we love it, Go Pats! We have only sailed out of Miami and when we saw that's where the super bowl was we looked at other ports. This year We are leaving out of Port Canaveral the 1st. Just booked our flight down for Friday Jan 31st from Mass to Orlando nonstop 74$ frontier airlines (123 pp with bags and special seating). Still watching for flights home.

If I were you considering hotel & flight costs I'd either

1. Switch to a cruise out of port Canaveral.

2. Fly into Orlando the night before, stay there and either rent cars or look into a private transportation the morning of the cruise

like others have said... get a pencil and paper and run thru each and every scenario of keeping the Miami cruise or switching cruises and see what exactly the cost will be for each. It's still a little difficult because airlines are all over with booking right now. Southwest will open flights july 10th. Jetblu has flights open now but they are set high and I don't think they will lower until day before or of when southwest opens. Frontier is open and prices are great. But also depends where you are flying from. Also remember your flight home shouldn't be a problem out of FLL and you can always use 2 different airlines for flight down and flight home.

It's a tough situation but know this... if you stay anywhere near fort Lauderdale, Miami hotels will be insane. And flights to miaii and FLL will be about double normal price.

If it were me... i'd fly to Orlando, stay there and drive in morning of cruise.  🙂

We've used super shuttle 3 times now in Feb from port Miami to FLL. Super easy, fairly cheap and right outside the ship. You can book it ahead right on their website and pick your pickup time which is what we do or I think there is a kiosk right outside ship for them. I'd book ahead so it's all paid for and you don't have to worry.

2 hours ago, TMO3CCO1 said:

Thank you!  That is why I love this site!  I do learn a lot about where to go,  what to try and what may not be a good fit for us.  I think we will definitely be giving Spice H2O a try! Do they have service to the hot tub in H2O or do you have to get out and get your own at the bar?

H20 is great. Busy but a way more relaxed quiet vibe than the pool area and no kids!! They usually have 1 or 2 servers walking around. But since it's not a huge area... the bar is a super short walk from anywhere in h20 ( 20 seconds max) and isn't over crazy so you can get drinks fairly quick (tipping the bartenders goes a long way of them "seeing" u 1st lol).  

You might also consider finding a nice spot on the higher sun decks where you can all take over a corner and relax 

Once on the ship it's truly easy to get reservations. You can go to guest services but we always skip this and use the tv in our room to scroll thru whats available and make the reservation right there with your remote.. You can also just go down to a restaurant and ask for availability. You may have to wait 15 min but have a drink and relax. People are notorious for making reservations and not showing up or cancelling on the day of their reservation so you most likely won't have to wait long for a table anywhere. early dining times such as 530, 6pm do tend to be the busiest times. I've never not been able to use my dining packages because we didnt have a reservation so don't worry 🙂

people book reservations and don't show all the time. They have a 15 minute window to show up. So if you don't mind waiting a few, you can head right to the restaurant and see if they have any open tables.

As others have stated you can Check your TV in your room, call guest services from your room phone or head on down, use the touch screens located on ship.

In layman's terms.... you have the drink package which includes alcohol  up to $15 a drink which is almost all drinks unless you enjoy the fancy stuff 🙂 

Hi all! Wondering if anyone has the dates when jetblue, southwest, frintier eyc open flights for February 2020. Flying from Mass to Orlando

Thank you!!

I've never had to tender for the ports I've been too so this is new to me.

Is it like the luggage thing, disembarking,  where the night before they put out tender tickets? 

Or do you book it thru kiosks or tv in your room after you board the first day?

If anyone could explain exactly how the entire process is done that would be great! Thank you in advance!!! 🙂

I would absolutely get the bump out. And on the higher floor. I'm super excited for our 2020 cruise I finally have a bump out! On our last 3 cruises others in our party had them and they were great! Oh... and they also have more shade then regular balconies

Yes, the time changes. Look in your dallies for time changes. And you can also look on your room phone for the correct time at all times.

A month back we had part of our group on a 11:35am flight in FLL and we were coming from port Miami. We made it with plenty of time but everything went super smooth.

We had our transportation scheduled waiting for us outside for 9am. We all kept our bags and walked off which actually went way quicker than I thought (customs didn't stop or check any of our bags and we were a group of 40!) . We left our rooms at 8:10am and were outside the boat by 8:50am latest. Arrived at airport by 9:45ish.

It can without a doubt be done. IF everything goes smooth. 

thank you all! Is it the same as other hotels where when you check in you reserve your spot and pay the $$ in the morning and was the cost $6?

We're not driving in and have transportation back to airport the morning we get back from cruise. Just need a ride to port the morning of cruise from hotel.

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if the Radisson Resort at the Port (port Canaveral) has a shuttle to port and what is the cost per person?

Thank you!!

For Costa Maya Native Choice Tours was excellent!!! We used them for our Chaccohben ruins tour. It was the exact our the ship took but we paid half the amount as the ship tour. Our bus arrived when the ncl bus did and left when the ncl bus did. Saved over 60 pp I think! Tour guide was wonderful.

In Cozumel if you like a sun day I would so go to Mr. Sanchos!! Best places ever. Relaxing enviorment. Beautiful white sand beach, clear water lots of fish. All inclusive, pools over looking beach, massages on the beach. One of our best port stops out of any cruise.

Also, plenty of taxis waiting right outside port, can't see getting a taxi to be a problem. Bunch of us had a 11:30am flight time in FLL and made it to the airport by 10 the latest, prob even earlier

We did this 2 weeks ago on the bliss miami. We had our transportation scheduled to pick us up at 9am outside.  We left our rooms at 8:15 and had plenty of time before our shuttle arrived. It was a good winding exit but not once did we have to stop to stand and wait. Customs didn't even blink an eye at any of us or ask any questions which I thought was kinda strange, we just rolled on thru. First time I walked off with my bags and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

It should be after you walk straight thru port, takes about 4-6 minutes. You'll see bunches of buses and taxis after the stores with lots of employees directing visitors. There's plenty of people/workers around the are to ask if you're unsure

When we were there 3 years back we did Smith and sapphire. 2 weeks ago we were here again and went with our group to Secret harbor. I was not impressed. Sand was rockier and more course, beach shoreline very small. Water not as blue and clear as other 2 we went to. Paid $11 for a margarita in a small cup even though menu said $10. Chairs were either 15 or 20. Just totally wasn't a fan of this place but some who were with us liked it (mainly because bar was right there).

Hi Bob, just off the Bliss. I think they made the Bliss for Alaska cruises way more than the warmer climates. The observation lounge alone would be unbelievable to set up camp and watch the glaciers go by. Super cozy with floor to ceiling views. I've never been on princess before but i'd find it hard to believe theres a better boat with better viewing areas.

Oh you're so lucky!! Just got off the Bliss. Can't answer too much but:

1. yes... the go karts do race at night... we had a 10:30pm race time which was great. made the reservation right on our tv.

2.They charge your stateroom right away and yes was straight 9.95 pp

5. fun waterslides, had quite a few in our party get stuck  and need to be let out of tube lol. one lost her shorts lmao so I suggest a 1 piece 🙂

6. not sure what they have but the observation lounge is an awesome place to set up playing some games!!!

Have fun getting out of this New England weather!!!

Thank you all so much for your insight!!! Some really great advice so far, ty again!!