neblinosa

Breakaway 10/15/17 Yes

I'm not sure OBC is easier than debit but it would eliminate any concerns on a hold with a debit card. We are cruising next month and will be buying OBC ahead of time. This way we won't need as much cash. We don't want to use a debit card.

Yes, as long as the DSC is prepaid, you can do it exactly as you've described.

Awesome. Thank you.

Thanks for the info.

We have a cruise coming up in April and are trying to figure out how to allocate funds to our 2 boys. We want them to be able to manage their own allocations. If I read your original post correctly, we should be able to put the kids on separate cash accounts, correct? We have already prepaid our gratuities and are thinking of prepaying for OBC as well (then we won't need to bring so much cash). If we prepay for OBC, is it treated like a cash account giving us the option to separate the kids off on separate accounts?

No selling in the thermal suite. Outside the suite is another story.

It was not as quiet as I would have liked. Mostly noise from the jets and only a couple times there was noise from people talking. For quiet I sat out on the Breakaway Waterfront. I went to the spa to sit in the comfy loungers and read.

Does this apply to Haven suites as well?

So what are you to do with all of your luggage?

Managing luggage and two small kids for a few hours sounds easier said than done and just adds to the very reason you take a vacation.....STRESS.

I can't answer about the Haven but why not drop off your bags to be delivered to you room. Just keep a carryon for anything u may need before getting luggage.

Call the cruise line. Many years ago my husband misplaced his passport just before we left on our honeymoon cruise. He was a permanent resident at the time. He was able to use his permanent residency card and drivers license. If there is time I suggest getting the passport renewed. But call the cruise line.

I also love packing cubes. They make it easy to "unpack" I do bring a small set of OTC like ibuprofen, allergy pills, pepto and cold meds. This year I'm going on a cruise of of NYC in October so I'm also packing a small throw. I plan to spend a lot of time out on deck and don't want cool weather to deter me.

Just think about what you plan to do and where you plan to do it. Start a list and just add anything that comes to mind. Then when you are ready to pack go over the lost and cut out the things you won't really need. Consider the size of luggage you want to take. If you force yourself to stick with a carryon size case you will quickly realize you need to skinny down your list. As someone else mentioned, keep in mind the things you can or cannot acquire on board on in port if you really think you may need it.

It has been a long time since I've cruised. We just came back from a week in an all-inclusive in Punta Cana and we loved it. Very relaxing and the best part is that is was truly all-inclusive. We could have gone the entire week and not spent a dime and had access to everything except motorized water sports.

I enjoy cruises and we have a few coming up but from what I've read the upsell gets annoying and you don't have access to everything for a single all-inclusive price.

I think both are great options and we will continue to do both.

I called this morning and saved almost $400 on our April 2018 sailing. I had also checked when they ran this promotion back in April but at that time the rates were higher so there was no savings. I did a mock booking this time and saw a savings so I called.

Contact your phone service carrier and see what options you have. Some offer packages for cruises. At the very least you can find out the charge per text at sea and your foreign ports.

I'm going on a solo cruise in October and I hope to be able to get a mix of experiences for dining. I don't mind sitting with couples but that could be because I'm not single...just traveling solo. Don't know how comfortable the couples will be with a solo traveler joining them but I'm fine with it.

Worse case I dine solo and I'm fine with that too.

My kids have spring break the second week of April 2018. It will very greatly. I agree late March to mid April is prime time for grade school spring breaks.

I looked at it for my October solo cruise. Saves me about $19 since the base rate is like $150 more now then when I initially booked. I do get a kick out of repackaged promotions. Not much benefit for me but maybe more for someone else.

Question...if you don't go on excursions, do the itineraries matter to you (for those just staying on ship)? Couldn't the ship just go in circles in tropical climate?

For me it depends who is with me? If i'm by myself that means I came to relax and i could stay at sea for 7 days and be okay with that. I just need a quite warm space with a view and my kindle. If i'm with my kids, I'd do excursions or at a minimum explore the local area so that they can experience different countries and cultures. If it is just my husband and me, it could go either way.

I'm not much for excursions. On my last cruise many years ago my husband and I just walked and shopped. I'm going on a cruise solo in October and may do one excursion. The other ports I likely won't even get off the ship (the ports don't excite me). On our family cruise next April we will be doing excursions with the kids.

There Is hope for me in October

I also suggest going to Google or YouTube and search for aft balcony on escape. You will see size of some balconies on different floors. We are going on Escape Nov 2018 and booked an aft balcony on deck 12. I didn't choose deck 9 because I personally don't like how tunnel like it is. Some may love that and the size but it isn't for me.

Have you priced out the different options? If there were no promos, decide which extras would you actually purchase and start there. Price up a few scenarios and pick the cheapest one for you.

I'm going on a solo cruise in October. The drink plan sounds nice but I rarely drink alcohol. I'd rather have specialty dinning. I priced up my cost if I selected option 1: drink plan as promo and adding specialty dining and compared that with option 2: specialty dining as promo and adding unlimited soda plan. Since I'm not much of a drinker option 2 was like $100 less. I can pay for a few alcoholic drinks and still come out ahead.

I'm only doing one excursion so the $50 per port wasn't worth it to me.

You see a limited list of available rooms on ncl.com. if you want a specific room or deck, I would call.

What do they do if they don't make it...just spend another day at sea?

I believe u can set up your own account. There is likely a min if you use cash. I think a debit card is also a valid option if you are fine with a possible hold on your account that could linger after you get back.

I am actually happy for this ship shuffle. Gives me a chance to sail both from NYC. I'll be on Breakaway this fall and Escape next fall.

I say book NCL and if RCCL comes out with something you prefer cancel NCL and book RCCL. I think you will never know unless you try. There are so many varying opinions. If you do try NCL just have an open mind and remember that none of the cruise lines are perfect. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

I say go for it. I'm going on my first solo in October.