champagneandbotox

Hello friends!

I'm on the verge of booking the April 12-20 Hawaii cruise on Eclipse - and what stood out to me was the itinerary, I simply adore sea days. As someone connected 24/7/365 my favourite part of the cruise experience is getting away from it all!

To date my previous 2 cruises have been on NCL - both to Bermuda, on Breakaway ('15) and Escape ('18). I personally preferred the Breakaway and while I quite enjoyed NCL, I'm seeking something a bit more elevated and to try another line...so Celebrity was naturally a great fit!

That said, as much as I'd love to cruise on the Edge or Apex (this is my first time on Celebrity, coming from NCL) I'd love to know if recent Eclipse cruisers (I know she's due for a refurb early next year) would recommend the ship and could comment a bit on the condition of things?

A few areas I'd love any opinions or insight on, both as they pertain to the Eclipse and the Celebrity experience overall:

• I understand that "flexible" dining seats every 30 minutes. I prefer to dine at a solo table where possible, not sure if this would be accommodated?
• Perhaps my favourite sea day activity is enjoying the spa facilities and a heated lounger. Aside from AquaClass guests, are "spa passes" offered?
• I believe most cruise lines don't - but I'm also a fan of afternoon tea. Does the ship offer this on any day(s)?
• How did you find the value of the beverage package? I'm comparing it to the UBC on Norwegian.
• For those who have done Celebrity to Hawaii - any excursions (from the line or otherwise) you'd advocate for or suggest skipping?

Thanks so much for the insights. I hope to see some of you on board 🙂

Kind regards,

Adam

Hello everyone,

As I am in "compulsive cruise prep" mode; two quick questions I have:

a) My group is "Maroon" but is it a requirement to print these with a color printer?

b) How do you advise attaching these luggage tags such that they do not detach or become wet should there be rain?

Appreciate the insight from more seasoned cruisers :) This is only sailing #2 for me...but definitely not my last!

Thanks so much,

Adam

This sounds amazing! how much are the cards?

Hello everyone,

I'm 72 hours away from embarkation on the Escape, and curious to know where you prefer to dine on embarkation day and why? I'm thinking I'll enjoy the buffet first thing before the crowds, and if I need a bite before the dinner seating O'Sheehan's will be my spot.

I've also been hearing people saying that the MDR and the buffet serve identical items; just one happens to plate the food. I am sure there are some crossover items; but if memory serves from my cruise on the Breakaway in 2015 I believe the menus were on the whole unique between the buffet and MDR. Can anyone provide some insight - this might be a great question for the "How to Run A Floating Hotel" meet-up!

Hello everyone,

I'm 3 days from embarkation and can barely contain my excitement!

As I review dailies from previous cruises; I'm looking forward to participating in a number of the game shows taking place in the atrium!

If I were interested in being a contestant, how would I go about signing up to participate? I imagine I would show up early?

Also, although I'm looking to participate for the fun of the experience, are there prizes offered for contestants who win the games? I imagine Deal or No Deal would be the obvious 'yes" answer.

Thanks so much!

Kind regards,

Adam

Do you prefer being among the first to board? One of the last to board? Somewhere in the middle?

Perhaps you vary depending on Embarkation terminal?

This is my second cruise and I have picked the earliest slot available, 9:30-10:00 arrival.

My previous cruise was my first and my travel partner and I flew in the day of, arriving at the terminal around 11:30 and we were onboard by 1PM.

The easiest way to do all of this is to secure your account with a CC, and then when you get a chance go to the service desk and makes payments toward your account so that you end up paying in cash as you go. That will save you having to stand in line at the service desk.

 

 

If you do this then when you board the ship you can grab a drink, make your spa reservations and then go enjoy lunch.

Thank you!! This is so helpful. I will use my Visa Debit to secure the account and then put down cash when I have a spare moment on Day 1. Most appreciated! Q

I'd be trying to make my UDP reservations thru the website NOW!!!

I already tried to no avail! Thankfully I am a solo cruiser so I am hoping squeezing 1 person in shouldn't be too tricky. You'd best believe I will sprint to an onboard screen right away to make those reservations!

I'm in this phase of my cruise right now - 18 days away - and for me this is half the fun :)

Hello everyone,

A bit of a novice question perhaps - but I want to make sure I don't look silly once I'm on the ship or spend time in line(s) unprepared!

With my cruise fare, I have $250 OBC, UDP (3 meals), and UBP. I intend to make the $300 cash deposit rather than use a credit card at check-in.

Upon boarding, I'd also like to grab a beverage and book my spa / specialty dining reservations. My question being - is there a specific order I should do all of this in?

In other words, is my account "frozen" to charges prior to depositing my $300 cash, even with a $250 OBC? I'd imagine my first stop upon boarding the ship should be to the Guest Services desk; however I understand from some YouTube videos this may not necessarily be open to accept my deposit straight away.

Advice and guidance is most welcome! This is my second cruise - and first solo cruise - and I am so thrilled to be returning to NCL!

Hello everyone!

I'm in the notorious "extensive pre-planning" (obsessing) phase for my cruise - but that's honestly half the fun!

For my 9/2 sailing to Bermuda, I'm planning the following activities:

a) A day at the Fairmont Southampton (if you haven't been before, I highly recommend it! A lovely lunch at the Cabana cafe, a massage at the spa which is far better quality and comparable in price to on the ship) and lovely beach views.

b) Exploring Hamilton

c) The homes and hideaways excursion looks right up my alley - but I'd love to know what those of you who have been thought of it?

Pink sands and crystal water here we come :) !

OMG, my go-to brand for casual apparel! So long $250 OBC! LOL. Do we know if this is indeed a store on it's own, or just part of the other boutiques?

You can try to make reservations today, but there might not be any availability because the reservation slots opened up 101 days ago. If that is the case go to the reservations desk or the touch screens right when you board to make them.

 

For the spa pass, after making your dining reservations go up to the spa and you can purchase it there. There MIGHT be a table set up in the waiting area where you can book, but this might not be in every embarkation port.

Perfect, thank you for the help! For the spa pass, if memory serves I did actually see a Mandara spa rep taking reservations at the pier in NYC back in 2015. Can anyone confirm if this is still the case?

Yes, you can make reservations online - IF there is ANY availability this close to sailing. They only open a percentage of what is available online in advance.

BUT, being only 18 days from sailing.....how can you only be making your Final Payment today????

LOL! Kind of a personal question, no?

But happy to explain. I only booked my cruise via my TA on Monday and due to limits on the card being used for payment we've split my payments into 50% on Monday, $1000 USD yesteray, and the final balance of a few hundred dollars today.

Hello!

With my cruise 18 days away...the excitement is killing me! I'll be making my final payment to my TA this afternoon, and was fortunate enough to get the "hook up" with the UBP, UDP, $250 onboard spend, and WiFi!

As I did not have any specialty dining on my Escape cruise in 2015; I'm not sure how reserving a spot works. I'd like to dine at Moderno, Cagney's and La Cucina. Can I make these reservation as early as today? Or will I need to wait until embarkation day?

A similar question for a Thermal Suite pass if I plan to use my OBC to purchase - will that also be taken care of on Embarkation Day?

Thanks so much!

Kind regards,

Adam

I'm thinking if you can score a pass to VIBE Beach Club, you may be able to sit near some of the umbrellas?

Hello everyone!

Only a few weeks until my sailing (9/2-9/9) and I am so excited!

This will be my second cruise - once again with NCL, and my first solo cruise! My last cruise was in a studio cabin, which was lovely, however this time I'm fortunate enough to have a balcony cabin which will be great!

I'm already in "pre planning mode" and with 3 specialty meals included this cruise, I'm really looking forward to trying my options at the different venues.

Now, I get anxious around crowds and on my last cruise I found by planning my days "off peak" (and avoiding the pool deck LOL!) this was a non-issue, however one of my crowd dilemmas is where my best option for dining upon boarding the ship may be.

I'm not sure if the specialty venues are open prior to sailaway for lunch? I was also considering perusing the ship and then ordering room service once my room is ready.

On my last cruise (Breakaway in 2015) we dined at the Uptown Grill which was very quiet, but I see on this cruise that has been replaced with Margaritaville

Where do you enjoy dining pre-sailaway? Where do you like to watch sailaway from? I'd love your tips and tricks :)

As a bronze member not in a suite, you will get in line and board with everyone else in steerage.

Darn, I suppose I'll just have to keep cruising to work my way up to Platinum!

My first cruise, my friend and I flew in the day of and although I forget our boarding number we were indeed part of the "cattle call".

Would arriving to the port earlier in the day simply mean more waiting, or would prompt arrival + the Latitudes check-in line allow me to find myself at the front of the "cattle hurd"? :)

Are you happy with soda water? That is included if so...

 

 

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Lovely - thanks for the tip Kirsty! Although I prefer Voss or San Pellegrino, soda water will suffice :)

When is your cruise?

I will be on the August 26 sailing!

I love this thread! My personal faves, similar to a number of others in this thread:

• DISCONNECTING FROM LAND: My work life has me constantly tied to the pings, buzzes, alarms and notifications of my cell phone - but not at sea! Truly, this gives me a chance to feel like I am "getting away" from it all
  
• VALUE: I may be in the minority, but I find NCL offers an exceptional value (as does cruising overall) especially compared to my other favorite getaway destination - Las Vegas. With the UBP, the only spending I do on board is at the spa and casino. By researching prices ahead of time I know what I am in for and don't feel "nickel and dimed"
  
• A PERFECT LOW-KEY VACATION: Although I know a lot of cruisers love the buzz and activity of the Atrium and Pool deck - I am not one of them LOL! I find that between the spa thermal suite, the waterfront, quiet nooks around the ship and the sea days I can have a perfect low-key vacation.
  
• VARIETY: I love that cruising provides such a variety of food, activities and entertainment that I can try my hand at something I may never have given a shot on land! Despite some gripes about food quality I have not found this to be an issue on my cruises, as I have realistic expectations - we are on a mass-market line serving 4,000+ diners at once, after all!
  
• SHIP DECOR: I find NCL strikes an outstanding balance in the decor of it's newer ship between upscale and appealing to a large number of vacationers. Although I prefer the decor on Celebrity, I think NCL comes very close
  

Hello everyone!

I am so excited for my upcoming Bermuda cruise on the Escape 8/26.

This will be my second time cruising, my first time cruising solo and once again I am delighted to be returning to NCL. As a Latitudes Bronze member, I did have a few questions:

1) Priority Embarkation?

Although I found crowds to be a non-issue when on the ship (avoiding peak times and seeking out quiet spaces along the Waterfront and the Spa thermal suite work wonders!) I did find embarkation to be something of a "controlled chaos" scenario that started things on a bit of an anxious note and would like to avoid this as best I can

Is anyone aware of there being an option (at a nominal fee) to embark with one of the earlier groups, or if tipping the right employee at the terminal may do the trick? I am one traveler, so not sure what options may be available. My plan is to arrive as early in the day on Sunday as possible (being at the port for around 10:30AM)

2) Sparkling Water w/ UBP

While I have seen discussions pertaining to NCL not allowing bottled water on board; I have not seen anyone mention packages that may exist for sparkling water on board. I will have the beverage package on board.

I tend to be quite fond of sparkling water and enjoy it daily (no brand preference) so I would be interested to learn where on board I may be able to purchase either a sparkling water package or what costs are per bottle - from my investigation it seems rather expensive compared to the price on land.

Thank you so much in advance for the advice and insight. 18 days away from embarkation :)