llcruisers

There are plenty of other open spaces - we love the Waterfront and also the deck above the pool if there are lounge chairs up there.  We generally don't like sitting around the pool unless you are planning to go swimming.  As the previous poster mentioned every ship has something on the "Sports Deck".   I hope you enjoy your cruise - I think the real joy your parents will have is vacationing with family.  Quality time spent enjoying a good meal, watching a show,  sitting in a lounge listening to music, enjoying the sea breeze, beautiful sunsets - all cherished memories - priceless!

I'm on the Norwegian Bliss and the itinerary is showing 9 am - 6 pm in PV on 10/9.  Yikes  - maybe 10:00 am is no doable.

We just returned from an Alaska cruise on the Joy.  We had a balcony and it was nice and we were out there only for a short while while sailing through the glaciers.  However, we saw lots of folks on Deck 8 on the waterfront set up with folding chairs and blankets and warm drinks.  It looked fun and seemed like a big ole party on that deck.  I think for an Alaska cruise, I would forego the balcony and use the savings for other things and join the viewing party on the waterfront.

On my last cruise, I purchased cruise next certificates and booked our next cruise.  We paid BF category and got upgraded to BA category.

Thank you both for your replies.  It was very helpful.   Anything "not to be missed" when visiting these places?

We will in PV from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  We have a food tour booked at 10:00 am which meets in the Romantic Zone and we would like to go to the Malecon afterward and then a quick shopping stop at Walmart before getting back on the ship. Couple of questions:

1) How far is the Romantic Zone from the pier that Norwegian docks at?

2) Where should we catch a taxi to get there?  I understand it is less expensive outside the port- what is the average price for 2 people inside port vs. outside port?

3) After our food tour, we want to visit the Malecon.  How far is the Malecon from the Romantic Zone and cost of taxi to get there?

4) Is the Walmart across from the cruise terminal in PV.  How far from the Malecon and approximate taxi cost?

Is this a feasible plan or are we cutting the time too close and we will be rushed?

We did not purchase a dining package for our 13 yo daughter.  She shared my entree in Cagneys and we both still couldn't eat the whole ribeye steak.  We had four sides which is basically two sides each for my husband and I.  She ate a little of the sides.  For dessert, we shared one.  At Le Bistro, she had my soup and escargot and did not want any more food.  I tried to give her some of the Coq Au Vin but she was full.  For La Cucina, she shared my pasta  and had an appetizer that the waiter did not charge us for.  My daughter is a light and picky eater and I find that sharing an entree and sides with her is more than enough for both of us.  

In the past, we did buy the dining package for her and it was totally unnecessary.  I hate wasting food and sharing with her worked out great.

We requested them on our recent cruise in June to Alaska on the Joy.  We did tip our room steward extra for this.

We had a balcony guarantee on our cruise to Alaska on the Joy last month and we got all the perks.  I think it is only the sailaway balcony that you don't get the perks.  The balcony guarantee worked out great for us - we ended up in a BA cabin on deck 12 - midship.

I was wondering if anyone has had their upgrade bids accepted for this sailing.  We are on an IA cabin through a CAS offer where we paid only port charges and taxes and the $140 admin fee per person - interestingly enough, the IA cabin price on their website  was showing as higher than a balcony cabin (BA) category last week.  I called the CAS and tried to have them move us in to a balcony cabin but they wanted an upgrade charge of almost $1000 per person.  I just stayed in the IA cabin and will try to upgrade to a balcony via the bidding process.  If we aren't successful, this will be our first inside cabin.  If anyone has stayed in an IA cabin on deck 15 which isn't  too far from the observation lounge - I would like to hear your opinion about the inside cabin and what you liked and didn't like about it.  Just getting myself prepared on what to expect.

Thank you in advance for any input and advice on the inside cabin.  Regardless of whether we get upgraded or not,  I'm sure we will have a great cruise.

Thank you all for the responses.  If anyone received notification on an accepted bid for the Mexican Riviera sailing on 10/6/19 on the Bliss - I would appreciate a heads up.  

Hi all - I've submitted bids on an October 6 cruise - anybody know when is the earliest that NCL will start notifying if the bid has been accepted.  Thanks in advance

Thank you - we live in Southern California close to the San Diego area.  We were born and raised in So Cal so we are quite use to earthquakes.  The good news is that no lives were lost.  I hate to admit it but I didn't bother getting out of bed on the first quake that hit on 4th of July.  I was lying in bed reading the CC boards (LOL) when the earthquake hit - it was a long rolling motion and it wasn't too bad.  I was much younger when the Whittier and Northridge quakes hit So. California and those were horrible ones.  We had a bookcase in the hallway that fell across our bedroom doorway and we were trapped in our room and things were falling everywhere and breaking.  There was lots of property damage throughout different cities.  It was horrible - I remember the violent shaking and aftershocks and us running outside, and there were lives lost during those earthquakes.   I also was in a high rise hotel room in San Diego when an earthquake hit.  That was a small one but all the out of state guests in the hotel was spooked.  Some had never experienced an earthquake and came out in to the hallway.  I remember telling some folks to not worry and that it was just a small earthquake and that if another one hit, just stand under the doorway until it passes.  I guess each state has its fair share of natural disasters - we get earthquakes and fires but no tornadoes or hurricanes.

We booked a balcony guarantee on the Norwegian Joy sailing to Alaska on 7/27.  It worked out great for us - we are two adults and a tween.  We just got our balcony assignment and ended with a BA category on a midship balcony on Deck 12.  It is a connecting room but that doesn't bother us.  I figured we saved over $1000 on this sailing by booking the guaranteed balcony versus booking a midship balcony in the BA category.  

Hi - can you provide the tour companies that you used to book excursions outside of NCL.  Interested in the tour where you get to hold sled dog puppies for my daughter.

We don't have the UBP on our upcoming cruise and our daughter loves all those virgin drinks - pina coladas, daiquiris, margaritas.  We plan to get her the soda package but not sure it is covered under that package.  Anybody have an idea how much each of the virgin drinks would cost without the UBP?

We are considering this tour.  Does anybody have any experience or feedback with them?

https://belizecruiseexcursions.com/excursion/belize-altun-ha-zip-line-excursion/

I called my online travel agency and they said I would not lose any perks if I received an upgrade through NCL's Upgrade Advantage program.  I did receive an email from NCL to bid on a upgrade.  I can upgrade to a Haven cabin, spa balcony, spa mini-suite and a couple other cabin categories.  I already got assigned my sailaway balcony for my March 24 sailing.  I'm looking to bid on the spa mini-suite or spa balcony.  Can I put in a bid for both?  What happens it they accept both bids or does NCL know to only accept one?  New to this bidding for upgrade process so I appreciate any insight.  I did read the FAQs on it.

Sorry - this might be a dumb question but do you lose any perks offered by your online travel agency if you bid for an upgrade through Upgrade Advantage?  We received prepaid gratuities and a minimal onboard credit by booking thru one of the large online travel agencies.  We are in a sailaway balcony and wanting to bid for a spa balcony or mini-suite but don't want to lose my perks.

Another question - do you get an offer to bid if your reservation is made through one of those big internet discount cruise/travel agency?

8 hours ago, Visigoth said:

 

Cafe Du Monde is a little over a half mile walk from your hotel and Acme Oyster House is just around the block from your front entrance.  It is a very safe walking area and you will not encounter any obnoxious drunks during the day.   You hotel is located on Royal Street and is filled with a mix of art galleries, antique stores, and high-end shops.  It also a wonderful place to encounter street entertainers and musicians.  Like the song says "you don't need penny just to hang around, but if you got a nickel won't you lay your money down?"  Cafe Beignet is located on Royal about two blocks north of the Wyndam.  I don't want to start an argument but their Beignets are every bit as good as Cafe Du Monde and the line is much shorter.   If you do decide to go to Cafe Du Monde you can walk through Jackson Square and also visit the French Market.  Trust me when I tell you that New Orleans is the best port on your cruise itinerary.  I would make dozens of suggestions but you only have one day so see what you can. We will be taking the same cruise a week before you and and even though we have been there dozens of times before we will be coming to NOLA 4 days early to enjoy the town.  My only security warning is do not let anyone talk you into any "street games" for money, don't donate to any "organizations" that are soliciting on the street, and don't do into dimly lit areas late at night.

Visigoth - this is so helpful and we intend to follow your advice.  It sounds like the Wyndam is in a great location and we may try both Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet.  One for dessert and the other for breakfast before our cruise.   I will be back in New Orleans in June on a business trip- I hope to bring the family and stay a couple days after the conference to enjoy the town.  Thank you again for such a thoughtful and informative post - truly appreciated.

Thank you ednabcr.  Good info on using Lyft/Uber too. Really looking forward to the trip and walking to the local eateries in the French Quarter.

We did the Priceline express for $163 and got the Wyndham.  We are only staying for one night before our cruise departing on 3/24/19.  Anyone has experience with this hotel? We want to walk to Acme Oyster House and Cafe DU Monde.  Is it safe? We have our tween daughter with us.  Also, how much will it cost for transportation from airport to hotel? And best way to get from hotel to port?  We’ll be sailing on Norwegian breakaway.  Thank you in advance for the feedback and help.

We will be on our first cruise with NCL. We love cruising but have cruised exclusively with RCCL until now. We'll be on the Getaway on June 5 out of Miami. I've been reading all the various reviews on the Getaway and am starting to get prepared for our cruise. So far, this is what I have to bring that is unique for NCL:

1) UBP List of Drinks to try - printed from a thread on this forum

2) Extra hotel card to keep the power on

3) Long pants and tennis shoes for the rope course/rock climbing

Please add and many thanks in advance. I welcome any tips for a newbie to NCL.

Thank your for the information on MJ Transfers. Do you have website address for them or phone number.