Liljo22

Just wanted to add a quick review of my cruise. Wasn’t going to do a review but I am stuck at FLL waiting. My family of 4(kids 16 & 13) live in Houston but I am originally from South Florida. We were coming back to spend Christmas with my family and I was checking cruises to see if we could fit a cruise in. Was choosing between this cruise or a 5 day on the NCL Encore. I am usually a minimum 5 day cruiser but have never done the Oasis class so picked this one. My mother and my MIL joined us. I booked this cruise at the end of October and at the time there were a ton of open rooms. We booked 3 ocean view balconies on the 8th floor but there was space everywhere. We usually book a middle deck and midship so this seemed like the perfect space. It was an amazing location. Central Park is such a unique area. We could wake up and go to the Park Cafe for coffee/light breakfast and sit outside among the foliage and birds chirping. It also doesn’t have any interior rooms so less people in the hall although we would just walk through the park if we were aft when going back to the room.

Throw in that if you want the drink package on the RCL cruise, you are adding around $1200 for two plus another $240 of you want to do two specialty dining to match NCL.

We love Beetlejuice. Saw it at the Winter Garden during the week it broke the attendance record. Mentioned this to my kids and they already begging to go. The set is almost another character and is the major cost of the show. I wonder how much they are going to keep of it.

My point is that people like claim that the sailaway rate is the price with cost of the perks backed out. If that’s true then what are RCL and CCL reason for having the same rates? Are they just flat out overcharging everyone? As much as a certain poster wants to protest about the everything “free” is just NCL over charging everyone, that is just a really bad explanation.

It does not. Needed to go to the bar for refills. Edit: I was on in June so someone can correct me if they have added them since.

But other cruise lines that do not have NCL’s perks also have similar guaranteed stateroom rates.

Here we go with this again.

Honestly, if you are still before final payment, just cancel. Sounds like you will be looking for things to be upset with NCL about and will have a bad time. Why put yourself through that for something that costs this much money.

No there was not. Was on the promenade when the power went out. Came back on pretty quick and the party continued. My son came running down from the room and said that we stopped. Didn’t believe him so went out and looked and he was correct.

Getting off the Oasis now and this was the cup they gave out. On our June Liberty cruise, they gave out the one color plastic cups but there are not freestyle machines so no need for the chip.

Don’t think you are arguing so no problem there. I looked back at my pics before I wrote that and I didn’t see any tvs. On the Oasis right now and their version of the H&C is set up the same and it doesn’t have tvs. I do remember that they had tvs in the cafe that were playing the days schedule so it could change for big events.

Was on her in June and can think of any venues that has tvs in it. Not even the hoof and claw. I am sure they will set up something for it and show it on the projector screens in the atrium or star lounge.

Yes. I was looking at this on the deck plans and it seems like the balcony on the higher decks are almost unusable.

Thats the point of Syd's and the Cavern Club. Its suppose to be an intimate music venue. If they made it so everyone that wanted a seat, it would loose its charm and just be a big open space.

Go look at the first reviews from every new ship. They all get bad reviews when they start out.

We had JRs on the Liberty back in June and did not think it was worth it. The burger and fries were about the same quality as the buffet ones. Personally I felt like they were the same ones used in the buffet but I could be wrong. Been a while since I was at a land JRs but I seem to remember the burgers being thinner and the fries having the fresh cut style with the skins on the edges. You are pretty much paying extra for the toppings.

I see it now. My mistake.

But what TrumpyNor is showing for the Just the Cruise option is a sailaway rate.

I am sorry if you felt I was attacking you but all the bolding and capitalizing was not needed. My post was not about you and more about the OP.

Yes. RCI charges 18% when you purchase pre-cruise. Its up to you if you feel like you want to tip more. Same with the drink package. Its up to you about tipping additional. I will usually tip a bartender at the end if they give really great service. On the Liberty, Ben in the Star Lounge made it a point to remember everyone's name and their usual drink. Didn't have to tell him what I wanted when I walked up. He was already making it.

Thank you. We board on Sunday but its only a 4 day. I know its not going to be long enough but I was going to South Florida to see family for Christmas and have been wanting to get on an Oasis class so couldn't pass it up.

All the cruise lines have in the contract a fuel surcharge that can be added if fuel prices reach a certain level. We have been at that level for a while now but most lines have not charged it yet.

The OP said the location is very important to them so sailaway is not an option. She is under the impression that not taking FAS will lower the cruise fare but that is not how NCL fares work. In the US, gratuities are added to the fare after and if we decline, the gratuities are taken off. She is getting the rate we would see when those are taken off.

Love the review and I agree with most of what you wrote. Its why my family still have the Getaway as their favorite cruise. I also agree 100% with your conclusion. For a lot of the people who give a bad review of a cruise, something happened before or early in the cruise that cause everything to be scrutinized more. Its sometimes not even from the cruise line. The traffic to get into the port was too long or the security check point took too long.

This is probably the best option. NCL will offer FCC on the price difference for the same cabin so you won't get it if another category of cabin is cheaper now. You can see if they will upgrade you though.