sharonann24

I am checking the weather forecast for Bermuda next week and it says 80% chance of rain. Is Bermuda like Florida, where it rains and then clears? Hoping that is the case! We sail from NYC on Sunday.

If you are staying in the Haven, what is the advantage of the Vibe Beach passes? Is there an additional charge? What about H20? I am a little confused about these other pool/sunning options? We are staying in the Haven.

We also sail on BA on Sunday and I have read various reviews from different sources about the ship. It is July after all, prime summer vacation time and school is out. We (DH and I) are doing this trip alone as our kids are grown. We did a extended family cruise with my parents, kids and significant others on RC and that was also crowded but still managed to find deck chairs, quiet corners, etc. I am looking forward to this trip because we don't have to fly (not looking forward to the drive in from CT, but it is what it is!), we have 3 days at sea and on land. It seems to me from what I have read that this is the experience you sign up for when cruising NCL. This will be our first NCL cruise and I am anxious to see the difference. One of my colleagues is cruising NCL the following week to Alaska so I will be comparing notes with her as well! Happy cruising!

Good morning! We are on the July 16 sailing of the Breakaway. I had made reservations for 3 speciality restaurants (Cagneys, Teppanyaki and La Cucina) as soon as we booked, and also secured MDR reservations for the Manhattan and Taste. But then our upgrade bid to the Haven was accepted. I am wondering whether I should cancel the MDR reservations and go to the Haven instead. I still have two other nights that I need to reserve. Is there any other specialty restaurant that we should try? This is our first NCL cruise and our first freestyle experience. DH would probably prefer a reserved time. I suppose that one of the first things we would do once we board would be to find the concierge. I also wasn't able to book Rock of Ages but did get Burn the Floor.

DH and I leave next Sunday on the Breakaway and have also had cruise experiences (all summer, because I am an educator--not retired yet!) on Princess, RCL and Holland America. Having been on CC almost daily since we booked in early June I think I am glad that we bid and received our upgrade to the Haven, for the pool and deck experience alone. I had booked dinner reservations prior to receiving our bid to the Manhattan MDR, Taste, Teppanyaki, Cagney's and La Cucina. I am definitely going to change a couple to the Haven Dining Room once aboard. We are looking forward to the trip particularly since we are from CT and don't have to fly, and having the sea days and three days in port. I will post once we return, but I appreciate the feedback so that I can continue to plan!

Quick question. If we have the unlimited beverage package can the butler bring us our favorite adult beverage? Or must we go to our bar of choice?

Thanks again. I am also considering the importance of having changing rooms and lockers for valuables, so that we don't have to worry about items left on the beach while in the water. It is just my husband and myself. I had seen both Coco Reef and Elbow Beach and may try to book for at least one day. 9 days to go! So excited!

Thank you. I was wondering if anyone else had done this and had recommendations.

We sail July 16 on the Breakaway to Bermuda and plan on doing excursions/beaches on our own. Does anyone know which hotels/resorts offer day passes to use their beach area? We could go to Horseshoe Bay for the day, but we did this in Cozumel on a RC cruise a couple of years ago and it was great.

This is our first experience with NCL and we are in The Haven. What is the standard tipping rate for the butler and concierge? We also prefer to give cash directly so I want to be prepared.

Will we also be charged the standard daily gratuity rate? That has been our experience on other ships.

Thanks to all replies. Hubby does enjoy dressing up! And it is always better to hear from "real life" people and their experiences rather than depend solely on what the FAQ responses are. I appreciate it!:)

Good morning! I realize that NCL's freestyle cruising is a more casual one than other lines we have traveled(Princess, RC, and Holland.). I am fine with my dresses, etc. because I know I can tailor them up or down, but my husband is wondering whether he should bring a sports jacket just in case. I know I have seen that shorts are permissable in most restaurants but he is probably more comfortable with khakis or dress slacks. We are also staying in the Haven, so I am wondering about that restaurant as well. 12 days to go on the Breakaway and we can't wait!

Our bid was accepted today. It also was in the fair range. So psyched! Haven H7 cabin. 2 weeks to go!

Where do you check to see if your bid was accepted? I thought the notification came by email.

I modified a bid last night for the July 16 Breakaway sailing. Anyone have any experience with how NCL treats a modified bid?

Thank you. We may still try to put in a bid for the Haven.

We are booked for the July 16 BA sailing from NYC and are thrilled beyond belief that we don't have to fly and deal with airport stress prior to the start of our trip this year! We have sailed Princess RC and HAL and loved all. This our first NCL cruise and my dilemma now is deciding whether to try to go for the upgrade (in a balcony room now mid ship) to the Haven. We are both early 60's (I turn 60 the day after we return), are active, like touring, relaxing by the pool, and take advantage of the various bars, and night events. Thinking the passes to Vibe might be an option. I do like kids but maybe a little less intense for our vacation!

Thanks so much for such a solid review. We just booked this cruise two days ago and will be on the July 16 sailing. This is also our first NCL cruise, having sailed previously on Princess, RC and Holland America. I appreciate the dining and show information, and booked a few dinners, since it was part of the package. We (husband and I) are traveling solo and enjoy sightseeing, the beaches and the whole cruise experience. I am also loving the fact that since we are from Connecticut that we can drive straight to the pier and avoid flying this time. Quick question for dining attire. I know NCL is casual, but do men generally wear slacks in the evening in the restaurants? I am still researching this.

Can't wait! We just booked today for the July 16 sailing from NYC--last minute decision, but I will also be celebrating my birthday. This will be our first NCL cruise so it will be interesting. How did you find the dining options? Any recommendations?

Hi! We are sailing on the Oosterdam depArting from Barcelona on July 11. We have on board credit that I would like to use for excursions, but I have been told I can't do this until we are physically on board. We have previously pre booked tours but with the credit decided to wait. Will we get locked out of tours? We also have two speciality dinner reservations but can't book those either. Anyone else have this experience? These were the perks for booking early and I am hoping that I can book what we want on board that first day.

HI,

DH and I are booked on the July 11 sailing of the Oosterdam and I am trying to decide on which excursions are best in the French ports. I would really like to go to Aix en Provence. We have booked the Florence/Pisa tour, and are thinking of doing our own thing in Spain. Which ship tours are the best bargain? We have onboard credit and since we already have our drink package and two specialty restaurant nights we are leaning towards using it for tours. But if anyone knows of a good shore tour that is not HAL I am also open to that as well.

I am looking at the shore excursions for the July 11 sailing and trying to decide which ones are the best value. We have been to Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada before and are looking for a different experience. I would also like to know which of the shore excursions generally are considered good. I speak Spanish so that is not an issue. Which ports in Spain can be done fairly well alone? Also. We are interested in tours in France but I do have on board credit. Which fill,up quickly and which can I wait until we get on board? I did book the Florence/Pisa one already. Thanks so much! 57 days to go!