CozGurl

We are going to be traveling with another couple. Both of the men are drinkers and the women are not. Could we book our rooms so that the men are in the same cabin and can both get the beverage package?

Yes, I know that it wouldn't be exactly honest because we'd stay with our spouses, but I've read about other people doing it with kids in cabins etc.

Would they let us do that?

Is this a CCL private island like Harvest Caye is to NCL?

Wonder why the rep didn't mention Malacate?

Maybe after HC gets up and running and trip reports get posted we'll get final answers.

Thanks for the help. We really like a boat snorkel. Maybe we'll do that in Coz and be more flexible for a beach thing in Roatan and Belize. Would we have time to cave tube AND snorkel somewhere?

Thanks for all of the input. I did ask the same question over on the NCL board. It seems so many of you on both boards have sailed both lines that I'd get good input and I did.

I've decided to go with Carnival because I don't like the idea of being trapped on Harvest Caye in Belize. We like to book our own excursions and won't be able to do so in that port. I know it isn't open yet, but it will be by the time we sail.

I added the drinks promotions, gratuity and service charges to both and NCL was cheaper for a balcony room by $160.

I didn't read snarky trivimp. I haven't been on a cruise with a private island and don't really want to unless it is a crappy port - like Progresso.

We are traveling with some friends that wanted to do cave tubing so that was also a possibility for us as a plan B. But they said we wouldn't be able to do that.

I too have read that here and there, but I'm not willing to take that chance. The NCL representatives that I spoke to (two of them) indicated that they didn't think we'd be able to leave the port/island independently. There wouldn't be water taxis or other transportation arranged off of the island unless you were on their excursion.

You literally walk off the ship onto their island.

NCL just made my decision to go with CCL.

I spoke with a shore excursion rep with NCL to find out what happens with excursions once Harvest Caye is open. You will only be able to do the excursions that NCL offers. They will not be offering cave tubing on the mainland, for example. Those excursions that you see available now, will not be the same once HC opens.

They are also not specific about where the snorkel excursion takes you. One of the reasons we want the western Caribbean is to snorkel on the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, which is around the cayes in Belize. It doesn't sound like we will be able to do that. It is "around" the reef. That means nothing.

Just wanted to share that information in case there are others like us that like to plan our own excursions once we arrive at a port.

Duh. I need to stop reading for a while. It was a loooong sentence before it got to the point of OVER $15 lol.

Thanks

I'm still trying to decide between NCL Dawn and CCL Splendor and I'm down to dollar to dollar and upcharges.

NCL is including this drink pack but this is the list of exclusions on their website:

"The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15 USD. One (1) beverage per person per transaction. Package can be used in all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Any items over $15 USD will receive an $15"

I guess I don't understand what IS included if you can't get "spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer." Can anyone help?

Yikes! What are the upfees/charges? I've read quite a bit on Carnival but am just starting my NCL research.

I didn't factor in the 18% gratuity, but Carnival has that as well. I didn't factor parking because it will still be cheaper than flying to Miami. So I feel confident that we'll save money in the long run and not have to worry with bringing wine or soda on board with us.

I'm mostly worried about being able to leave the cruise ship area at port.

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm soooo confused.

The Carnival ship is the Splendor. I'm really not that into the ship, it is all about the ports.

I'm concerned about the private island situation. Can we leave NCL's island (Belize or Honduras, can't remember) for our own excursions or do we have to stay there?

One of the reasons we want western Caribbean is because of the snorkeling. We want the freedom to choose our own excursions and not be tied to only ship offerings.

We want to do a 7 day western Caribbean cruise. NCL has free drinking on basically the same cruise as Carnival. It would save us about $130 to do NCL plus would save us air money since we could drive to New Orleans and not to Miami.

I know nothing about NCL or the ship Norwegian Dawn.

Anyone have an opinion on which would be better?

We want to do a 7 day western Caribbean cruise. NCL has free drinking on basically the same cruise as Carnival. It would save us about $130 to do NCL plus would save us air money since we could drive to New Orleans and not to Miami.

I know nothing about NCL or the ship Norwegian Dawn.

Anyone have an opinion on which would be better?

Does Carnival ever include the "free booze" package on their cruises?

We are considering booking a Carnival cruise next spring that stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Honduras and Belize. We've been to and snorkeled in Coz several times and are looking to do something different in one of the other ports. I can't remember now which port does the cave tubing, but we'd like that.

Which port had your least favorite snorkeling? Or if you had to pass that on one of those stops, which would it be?

If you don't have a spa room, what services can you use for free?

Those bottles are expensive but they still save a bit over ordering from the bar. And we like to sit on our balcony and have per-dinner cocktails (or a nightcap) which is more convenient if you have a bottle in your room and don't have to schlep to a bar.

There is just no way we'll get our money's worth from the Cheers package. We won't drink every night and the nights we do it won't be $50 worth. A $75 bottle of vodka will last me all week.

ETA: What if we wait and order it from room service once in our room? Will it be the same cost (no tax) except they'll add the 15% gratuity?

Thanks for the info.

Do you have to pay taxes on bottles ordered pre-cruise through the Fun Shops?