bermuda8553

Thank you. I just sent them and e mail so I will let you know how I make out.

Hi I posted this on the RC page but have got no hits so maybe this is the best place to ask. We are booked on the RC Explorer of the Seas in May and there are 8 of us so we weren't able to hire a cab as they say only 6 per cab. Has anyone done the mini bus tour? If so can you tell me how it was. Do they let you out at certain locations to explore or is it mostly just a drive by and a quick look? Has anyone in a large group just split into 2 groups and if so will the cabs follow each other to keep the group together? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

My sister was on hold last week 2hrs to make her payment. I was on hold also last week because of a large price drop before final payment after 1hr and 10 mins I hung up and e mailed RC. That was May 2nd. Still waiting for them to answer my e mail. I don't know whats going on with them, but I have never waited longer that 10 mins to talk to a cruise consultant before. They better get their act together before they lose business.

My sister was on hold last week 2hrs to make her payment. I was on hold also last week because of a large price drop before final payment after 1hr and 10 mins I hung up and e mailed RC. That was May 2nd. Still waiting for them to answer my e mail. I don't know whats going on with them, but I have never waited longer that 10 mins to talk to a cruise consultant before. They better get their act together before they hose business.

Has anyone taken this tour. We are a group of 8 so we can't use the taxi. If you have used this tour can I ask a few questions please.

Were do they go? Is it mostly a stay on the bus and watch from the window or do they stop and let you out to explore? If you can get off what places did you get to see and for how long?

Sorry for all the question, but my main concern is that this will be just a drive by tour, and if thats the case I'm wondering if it would be better to split up and take 2 private taxi's. Thank you for any help you can give us.

This is the mini bus tour of Bermuda in May.

I just got off the ship this past Sunday and was in the aft balcony room 12906. It was awesome. I also purchased the spa pass for my husband and myself for $ 400. Personally I felt the spa pass was not worth it, but keep in mind it was still pretty warm weather so we used our balcony a lot. The spa at times seemed to be very crowded, but the salt bath was great. I'm just don't feel it was worth the money. If I could only choose one I would definately go for the aft balcony. The view is amazing. That being said you do have to weight the fact you will be going in February, so I'm not sure how much you would use the balcony, so maybe the balcony would not be the most important factor in February. So again if you were going in warm weather hands down the aft balcony cold weather probably the spa room would be the better choice as you probably wouldn't get much use of the balcony. Wow I just confused myself. You'll have a great time either way.

Thank you for your review. I was also on last weeks sailing also. The GSC is always hit or miss I go knowing its a 50 - 50 chance of getting there, but with that said I respect the Captains decission as he is the one that knows what they can and can't do safely. I am platinum so I do get a few extra perks which is a nice touch, especially the laundry perk. I do not fly so my cruises are whichever one is going out of Boston or New York, so the Itinerary is not important, its usually Bermuda, which I love been there about 12 times, or Nassau, which is ok. Its more about getting away, and even if you never left the ship there is so much to do. I actually found the Breakaway to be less of a hard sell. On my other cruises they would always sell BINGO packets before each of the shows, which was fine. If you wanted them you just raised your hand and they would come over, otherwise they wouldn't bother you. I didn't see them once before any of the shows I went to on the Breakaway.

Food: I'm not a big food critic. I have whatever meat is on the menu that night with a potato, salad and ice cream for desert. So as far as I'm concerned there were no surprises. Food was good and plenty of it. O'Sheehan"s was my favorite. We were alway sat down right away.( I'm not sure if that was because my last name is Sheehan or not LOL!)

Service: That seems to be the big problem for most people. I however found the service in the resturants and the room stewart to be for the most part very good. Most nights our waiter was great, there were 6 of us traveling together. We never had to wait longer than 5 mins for a table, but I did use the conciarge to make reservations so that might have helped. I think only 1 night did we have a waiter who seemed to be lets say , not happy to be there.

The ship: I just thought it was too big. Too many people all going to the same place at the same time or so it seemed like that sometimes. Thats why I think I will stick to the Dawn and the Gem.

Main problem: The only place I was not happy with was the spa. The spa itself was nice, and I loved the salt bath.The problem was it was crowded, and the service at the front desk was lacking. In fact on my post cruise questionere I compared the staff at the spa to those who work at the registry of motor vehicles( not meant to offend anyone but some of you know what I mean)

For $400 for a couple I would have exspected them to be a little more helpful. Ex: I asked on the first day how to get to the locker room as I had forgotten from the tour. The girl seemed quite annoyed that I didn't know were it was , and just pointed and said down there. Then on another day my husband thought they had run out of milk for the tea, and he asked if they could get some more, and she very frankly pointed out to him thet they do not have milk or cream the tea is searved with lemon only, but he could run down to the buffet and bring some back. I just though they should have been more acomadating.

The spa was really my only service problem. On the whole the food, service and experience was good. I'm booked on the new Royal Caribbean QOS, but am rethnking it as I'm really not sure I'm a fan of the new mega ship.Not for any reason that it was a bad experience, just that it was a different experience, and I think I just like the smaller ship. Mybe a mega ship is just not for me, but it may be for you. Oh and one more thing my room and my brother, and sisters rooms were all in the aft, 12906,12310, and 12306. They were all awesome rooms, and the balconies are amazing.

The problem with one price where everyone gets all the bells and whistles is that then the people who don't have that "money tree" lol in the back yard would not be able to enjoy the cruise life. I for one like that I can spend as little or as much and still have a great time. I have beeen on 19 ncl cruises and never had a meal that was harrible, but I have had one at a local resturant. I feel that with my fare usually a balcony (I have my first aft in Oct. on the Breakaway and I can't wait) I can go to the free resturats, free all night dining and free shows and have well gotten my moneys worth. I do splurge and do 1 night at a specialty resturant, and I get a free dinner for 2 at a specialty rest with my platinum lattitudes so it makes it nice. Followed up at a free show which is most always as good as going to a theatre at home.I also got the free laundry on my last cruise and let me tell you it was so nice not to have a pile of clothes to wash after a nice vacation. The point is for a very reasonable price you can be treated like royalty(well almost) and if you CHOOSE you can splurge on a few extras without breaking the bank, so you can be on another cruise sooner than you would if you had to be forced to pay for all the extras that you don't need or really want. So that being said as long as you have the will power not to buy things you really don't need as the free food and shows are good quality ncl for the money is a great option. However if they could come up with a one price fits all casino package deal that would really help me out. NCL are you listining? LOL!! Remember you are on a cruise with or without special resturants or shows it still beats the heck out of working!!!!

I totally igree with you. I would never approach a celebrity who was at dinner or on vacation. After all everyone needs a little privacy. However you are right on here. This man was part of the creating of the ship. He was on there to represent his art on the hull. He should have acknowledged everyone who approached him with at least a friendly smile and a thank you for giving of "thier free time" while they ARE on thier vacation which I'm sure have worked and saved hard for. With that said this man does not even deserve the space on this board he is totally not worth it. As I said before Gambee< as I expected" was the real man and true gentleman in this exchange.

Hi Gambee you are doing an amazing juob. As far as Perter sh--head goes I would have exspected nothing less from you. You are surely the better man. As my dh always says just keep smiling its drives them crazy. I will not be buying anything that has his name on it while onboard.

Hi Gambee. I am glued to your review. Great job .Thank you so much for all the info. If you don't mind I'm not a drinker and I've never purchased the tonic(soda as you call it LOL) card as I hate tonic in cans. From what it sounds like this is fountain tonic. Do you know if there are machines set up sort of of like in disney in the food courts or do you have to go up to the bar and get your drink. Thank you.

I just booked an obstructed balcony this afternoon. I was going with an OV, because I figured for a winter cruise(12/12/14) I really didn't need a balcony. When I went to book it a little pop up saying for just $7 more a day you can get an obstructed balcony. So I figured for the extra $120 it might be nice to be able to have it just in case we have some good weather. I have an aft balcony on the new ncl breakaway in October so it will be nice to compare the 2 new ships. By the way I'm in cabin 6192.

Hi Gambee, I'm loving the pictures especially the one of our room!LOL! I was so excited to see that the balcony had lounge chairs. Hopefully they will still be there when I get on. This will be my first aft balcony and I'm hoping it lives up to all the hype, and after seeing the picture I don't think I will be disappointed. Keep up the good work you are so great to be doing this for all of us to enjoy and also for all the tips we'll have for our uncoming cruise. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!

Hi Gambee and Mom

Thank -you so much for all the hard work you have put and will put into this review. It is amazing! I was amazed when looking through the pictures I relized we not only have the same cabin (bahamas 10-27), but the same suitcase. I saw it on the bed in the hotel room picture. Very suspicious you didn't borrow mine. Did you? LOL!!! Keep up the good work. Thank-you again.

Hi Evil. where did you find how big the balconies were in the aft. I'm in 12 aft. I choose deck 12 because when you look at the layout that comes up on the ncl website of the deck to choose your room. If you notice deck 12 looks like it has more empty space after the room. I'm not sure I'm explaining this right, but if deck 11 really has the bigger balcony I would like to see if I can change it now. O know on the Dawn deck 10 has the larger balcony. It would be so much easier to choose if only the would spill this little bit on insider info. LOL! Thank you for all the info I can't wait till she starts sailing.

Thank-you yo-yo for all this good info.I think I'll go to the bank before I leave and just get a bunch of 5's and have them with me. With all my ?'s you would think this is my first cruise, but I've been on the Dawn 3 times before this, and several other NCL ships. Just my first suite, and for some reason I'm freaking out. LOL!

Hi everyone. I've been reading this as I just upgraded to my first suite. I know we are suppose to tip the butler and concierge, but what about the wait staff in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch. I know we can choose to eat breakfast and lunch in Cagney's if you are in a suit. Do you usually tip them also or just assume they share in the $12 a day and let it go at that. Thank-you for any input.

I've been reading about hiring a private taxi for a tour when I get to Bermuda. I have been there several times, and we have rented the scooters. They were fun and you got to see a lot. However there is so much more traffic in the past few years so I don't feel as safe, also my mom will be coming with us this year so the taxi seems perfect. I am wondering do you also tip on top of the $40 per hour, and if so how much. Thank-you

Hi,

I just booked a family ocean view guarantee room. I was told by my TA that I would not be put into a lower room. At the time of the booking this was the most expensive OV room. Now 2 days later I checked my reservations and fot the FO room guarantee it says they can put us into any OV room. I do not want a floor any lower than the 6th fl which I told the TA that and she called RC and they asuured her that wouldn't happe. However now seeing the reservation I'm not so sure. The only cabins available above the 6th floor were balcony rooms. Should I just call back and get a balcony room or hope I get the Fo which is what I really want. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank-you

Barbara