BandBWCsmom

We cruise Breakaway in 13 days and I'm wondering about the lines to check in your kids to the camp...

Do kids have the option to check themselves in if they're older? Do they have to stand in the same line? Is the wait really up to 2 hours??? 

I just can't imagine spending that amount of time to check in my 9 year old but he has always enjoyed this camp on other cruise lines. 

Seems ridiculous and I hope this isn't true. 

We just booked the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon. They have a park and stay option for $293 for the week. That includes the shuttle. If you are flying in, the shuttle is $14 pp and sign up when you check in. 

I did call 🙂

We live near Port Canaveral but taking a cruise out of Miami in June. 

Booked the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon park and stay package which includes shuttle. 

What's it like getting a shuttle AFTER the cruise?? Hard to find where to go? Wait forever? WONDERING IF JUST PAY TO PARK AT THE PORT SO WE CAN JUST GET HOME.

So used to walking off the ship and jumping in our car and home in 20 mins. 

Appreciate any feedback.

We cruise in 2 weeks and this is the first time we have cruised where we will have a child that is 12 and so not in Camp Ocean. 

Is the Carnival Hub App reliable chat??? We always cruise where we spend the cruise together so we've never even tried to use it. 

I'm wondering if I need to get all of us the wifi package so that we can use traditional text or if the Hub app is good for chat. 

Any words of wisdom? And experience Circle "C" for 12-14 years old???

Thanks! 

Cruising in 3 weeks with our two boys (9 and 12). They've not cruised with us since our oldest aged out of Camp Ocean and into Circle C. 

Any experience with Circle C (camp for 12-14 year olds)??? I am assuming that kids become friends there and so will need their phones to text each other and play each other at video games. 

Any experience with which Wifi package is needed for kids to play video games? Before you judge me, he's 12 and will be making friends and possibly they'll want to play a game together to break the ice. AND my 9 year old will probably play while waiting his turn for the shower/bathroom while we ready for dinner. 

I'll welcome any tips on cruising with a young teen. He's not been since he was 10 and so I signed him in and out of Camp Ocean. Whole new world for us!! 

4 minutes ago, MeganGC1983 said:

I’ve seen it open. I think he was between sets. I’ll check again tonight. 

Thank you. We sail that cruise on Friday and the Piano Bar is our fav with the comedy shows too!!!

16 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

It’s 10pm. Alchemy is busy. Piano bar is empty and Teo is bartending at Punchliners. Lance again at 10:30. 

Was the Piano Bar open and not busy or not even open??? 

Hello! We board her on Friday and we are so excited to be kid-free! 

Can you advise what party you had on the 3 night? Is it the white party or mega deck? Gotta know what to pack!

Thanks!

Hello! Just scheduled a last minute Liberty cruise for DH and I in a few weeks while my kids visit their grandparents. We NEVER cruise without the kids!

So, my question is which dining do you recommend when cruising kid-free? We always do early dining so we can eat with the kids and send them off to Camp Ocean. BUT - now we don't have to worry about getting a family of 4 to the cabin and showered, dressed and ready by 5:30 PM for pictures before dinner. 

Is it more fun with My Time? Is the food quality any different? Is it more fun to hang by the pool late afternoon while folks get ready for early dinner? Is there fabulous entertainment I usually miss by being in the 6 PM early dinner?

It appears that the amount of entertainment has shrunk due to staffing shortages and we've not cruised since Covid due to the kids not being vaccinated so we are wondering if we will be disappointed by the lack of entertainment. 

Also, newly gluten intolerant and so I will need to be eating on that menu. I don't know if that influences dinner time suggestions. 

Any reviews about cruising gluten-free would be welcomed. 

TIA

Hi, 

We have always cruised with our kids and so have enjoyed a table for just the four of us in the MDR. 

We are cruising for the first time without our kids next month. My question: will we be seated with strangers because we don't have small children with us? 

We've reserved our dining times, but are concerned as this is our first kid free trip and we are celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary. 

TIA

On 1/14/2020 at 11:41 AM, Evilgrin72 said:

Sailing on Mariner this spring and my brother's son, who's almost 4, has entered a phase where he doesn't want to eat almost everything.  He ate all kinds of stuff when he was younger, but now, will throw just about anything you try to feed him on the floor.  Specifically, he'll eat only the following :

 

Potato chips

Crackers

Cookies

Chocolate Milk

 

And that's pretty much it.  My sister-in-law is concerned that they may have trouble finding these specific items on board, can anyone who's sailed recently or maybe anyone who's sailed RCL with a toddler with a similar issue let me know of these specific items are available on board and where/when?  Thanks in advance.

My son is 5 and been on two cruises so far. He's a very picky eater, but both cruises made him eat more/different things. All the playing in the pool areas, excursions to beaches (the food they have is all you can choose from) makes a difference. 

He was just plain hungry so he was willing to try foods that he saw my husband, older son and I eating. 

This was on CCL and we aren't cruising RCL until March, but the plan is to bring goldfish, packs of crackers, etc like we've done the last two times. As long as its unopened packages and in your luggage, you're fine.  We let him snack while we were in the room, but in the restaurants and on-shore we made him make do with what was available. 

It's really helped to get him eating new stuff at home. 

Hi! New to RCL after three cruises on CCL. I was exploring the ship online and getting excited for our March trip when I noticed that in the Windjammer description it says "Fully covered shoes and shirts required"

Does that mean no flip flops? I'm fine with wearing a full swimsuit cover-up so the shirt thing - no problem!

Other than to dinner, flip flops is my go-to cruise/resort wear. 

Please let me know as closed-toe shoes were not on the packing list. Thanks!

2 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Gratuity is not added to the free continental items.  What do you kids like to eat?  The kids menu at all the restaurants is your standard Kids menu but they can eat off the regular menu at the complementary restaurants.  

 

Chicken Nuggets

Hot Dog

Mac n Cheese

Burgers

Chicken Noodle Soup

Grilled Cheese

 

 

 

 

Thank you for this. For my 5 year old, what you mention above is about right and my 9 year old tends to order from the big menu. I guess my concern is that the buffet is not fun or easy with families. The lines are packed, seating limited and food - not the best. On Carnival and RCL, we tend to take them to the specialty burger or pizza place, or the taco place for lunch ... there the lines aren't as bad and we find a quiet spot. Walking through a buffet line with two kids and the plates...not my favorite. We never eat at a buffet for dinner and always do MDR with them or get room service for them and we do specialty dining. We always do the MDR for breakfast too as not as chaotic as the buffet (after getting coffee, juice and pastry delivered to the room first thing as of course they wake STARVING). 

Thus, my question about continental breakfast. 

New to NCL and will be cruising the Escape. I am getting rather worried after reading about the new CEO and the cost cutting and cruises going downhill in terms of food quality and amenities! Eeek! We booked this trip as it worked out to be significantly less than the two cruises we were comparing against on Carnival and RCL. 

Anyway, i was looking at included dining and it appears quite limited in terms of kids (buffet or the pub). I guess I should have looked at that more closely upon booking. And while on the NCL site, I noticed that it says that 20% gratuity would be added to room service. Does that include for the continental breakfast? 

We are going on RCL in March and just back from Carnival in September so really hoping that making this line jump is one that works for us as a family. 

TIA!

7 hours ago, SlipperyP said:

 

I believe the square footage includes the balcony, so not all of that is inside living space.

 

Since you normally get an ocean view on Carnival, why is that not one of your listed options for the Escape?  

 

i had a family ocean view on deck 5 on the Escape and it was a great cabin.  It was quite a bit larger than a regular OV, sleeps up to five (2 in a double bed, sofa that converts to a bed that sleeps 2 and a pull down bed from the ceiling), 2 TVs, double sink, curtain separating the sleeping and sitting areas and an abundance of storage space.  I seem to recall it having a tub, too, but am not 100% sure of my memory on that.  I’d suggest you check it out...I think this cabin would suit you needs/wants.

 Thank you. The only reason we are changing the equation is that the take all five offers is not offered for oceanview so in the grand scheme, it's less expensive to get a balcony or mini suite as we actually use all the perks. 

26 minutes ago, kjquilts said:

Here is a youtube video of Escape 9208.  The video shows the couch made into twin bed with the pullman bed dropped down from the ceiling above it to sleep the fourth person.  There are a number of videos on youtube.

 

 

Thank you. I was searching for "family mini suite" and this didn't come up. However, I am still on the fence. Eeek! Is the larger balcony (which says room is 241 square feet) more actual living space? We always do Family Oceanview on Carnival just because it's 245 square feet and so more room to move and spread out  than the balcony offerings (and has a separate 1/2 bath with a tub in addition to the bathroom/shower). I am wondering if it's truly 241 sq feet or does that include the balcony? 

Hi, Booked on first NCL and grabbed a family mini suite on escape. It appears from doing continued research that the square footage is really the bathroom and the tub appealed to us, BUT as the showers are glassed in (no water all over with showering down a five year old), I am wondering if a family balcony (B4) or a large balcony (Category B6 and says cabin is 245sq ft and balcony 70sq feet) might be better options. 

Also, I'm not clear how to tell exactly what the "additional bedding options" are for each of these stateroom classes.  On all our Carnival cruises, the sofa turned to bed was great for our five year old and we put the 8 year old on an upper pullman. I tried youtube but all of the videos show the cabins prior to being ready for any additional guests. 

As the take all free is still going on for our cruise and is available for the balconies noted above, I really want to make the best choice for a cabin with four occupants. 

I'm sure I've found the right place to ask.  Family Balcony, Large Balcony (Cat B6) or Family Mini-suite??

TIA

2 hours ago, drvmywifecrzy said:

If you are enjoying your cruise, go to the CruiseNext desk and buy 2 certificates for future cruises.  You basically pay $125 for a $250 deposit voucher.  They are good for 4 years and are transferable (meaning they are pretty easy to sell for what you paid $125) online.

I'm new to NCL too and booked on Escape. Can you clarify further? If you're happy, can you buy one for each person in your cabin (including children) and have $1000 cruise credit for $500??

Hi, We are booked into a Family Mini-Suite on Escape. New to NCL. Does it qualify for the "suite" level gratuities or is it standard? I wasn't clear. We are fine paying whatever gratuities we are supposed to, so don't take negatively. More curious than anything.  So excited to try NCL for the first time after 3 Carnival cruises in a row. RCL in March so really trying to see what we like best. We have two small children, so stuck with Carnival until now. 

4 hours ago, Staceyk1908 said:

Quick question. Brand new to cruising and we have a 7 day cruise booked on the POA for the week of Apr 18-25th 2020. Just found out this is the week before the ship goes into dry dock. My question is would you cruise the week before or no? I know it’s a subjective question but I’m just seeing what others personal opinions are. I’ve never cruised before so I’m feeling a little out of my element here. 

Thanks everyone. 🙂 

How did you find out about the dry docking? 

1 minute ago, KarlChilders said:

Well on the Escape be sure to use your beverage package at the District Brewhouse (if you like craft beer) 

Will do. And are the specialty restaurants amazing to match their descriptions online? First NCL so we are getting pumped.

7 minutes ago, KarlChilders said:

Norwegian doesn’t have a ship called Elation, but on the ships they do have if passengers 1 and 2 receive the bev package as a perk the others in the cabin don’t have to purchase a package, only if it is purchased outright

edit apparently Keith types faster than I

I got it. So sorry. Don't hold it against me. We are still recovering from vacation. I meant Escape. Looks like a fabulous ship!!!! 

8 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

Firstly there is no Norwegian Elation. Did you mean Encore?

 

Anyway, if you get the beverage package included as an offer then there is no requirement to get packages for others. You don’t need to buy the soda packages.

Yes, Escape. Sorry. Can I claim post-vacation fog?  That is good news. 

Hi we are just back from Carnival Breeze and eager to book another cruise. Thinking Norwegian Elation. Looks amazing. I was doing my due diligence and it appears that if my husband and I get the drink package, my sons must get the soda package. Is that correct? 

We have a 24 hour hold on a family mini-suite on Elation. It comes with the free beverage package which we will upgrade to include water and specialty coffees. What I noticed is that it appears my sons (ages 5 and eight) must get the soda package. 

My sons are not allowed to drink soda. Is this true and I read it correctly? And it doesn't include bottled water, correct? So I am buying them a soda package for drinks that they will absolutely never, ever drink? 

I just want to make sure I understand and I KNOW you all know. 

TIA!

Just now, Banditswife said:

Ok thanks, I just saw a picture of a yogurt parfait on the new menu & was looking forward to it.  But the old menu is ok too.

There is a yogurt parfait. I could totally be wrong. There was a fruit loop crusted french toast some days and regular with a banana on the others. I might be in vacation fog...