Cruising Lynne

I started putting the ice bucket in the fridge when they started once a day cabin service. On a cruise I do not want to carry a cup around to get ice for the room. I would like to have an ice bucket and coffee maker in the room without having to ask. I shouldn't have to feel like I am bothering the room steward. I feel bad for new cruisers who do not know you can get these items.

I am surprised that the tax rate is the same. It is interesting that some cruise lines do not tax the drinks in port. I guess NCL figured few would complain over these nickel and dimes since the amount is small for most people. All the lines get the money one way or another. Just have to say that I do not think NCL nickel and dimes more than any of the other major lines. Some vloggers love to say this. They all have charges for different things. For example, the charge for room service. I would rather pay the fee for room service that NCL charges than the per item charge that Carnival now has.

I didn't think you were complaining. I think it is because one is for liquor, which has more tax in a lot of places. NCL probably just absorbs the tax that may be on food. Liquor, they pass it on to the cruiser to pay.

If we use a platinum voucher, which is dinner for two people, is it four items or eight? Four sounds like enough depending on what is ordered.

I liked having the movable table in the room. You can put it at the foot of the bed to put your room service breakfast on. If you are in a balcony you can pull it in front of the couch. I missed having it on Pearl. They put more modern furniture that I do not think you can move.

It is gross. I also feel that a cash offer is in order, and not FCC. Anyone who thinks it isn't that bad is absolutely wrong. They need to think about how they would feel if they got up in the middle of the night to pee, and had a toilet full of other people's poop. If you couldn't flush it down, you would have to get dressed and find a public restroom to use.

Yes. Looks to be a 15-20 minute drive over to the port. Google earth shows not much around the hotel. I did see a Greek restaurant that there is a five minute walk to, and a Publix Supermarket for last minute supplies. Hoping the weather is good for a relaxing pool day. Definitely doing it different next time. This is our first cruise that we are flying for since the big shut down. We have cruised out of New York and Boston since then. We live in Massachusetts so not a bad drive to Manhattan, and about an hour to Boston. I now have an excuse to go out of Fort Lauderdale again and do things differently. I wanted to be able to do the water taxi in the canal. I am glad that at least I did not book the additional day at the wrong hotel. That would have been really bad since I booked the non- refundable rate. I incorrectly assumed that they would use the hotel that was near the port. Husband says not to worry about it we will have fun anyways.

I ended up adding a night to the hotel on my own. Did not try to cancel. Thank you everyone for the tips. Really looking forward to seeing the Rotterdam.

Agree. If the husband didn't pack the tablet, I would be up a creek unless they had some computers some place else you could use in an emergency.

Just spoke with HAL.I was hoping to add the night thru HAL, but it is wait listed. This is good info for next time, thank you. Unfortunately, she told me it is the Renaissance Hotel West on S. Pine Island Rd. in Plantation. Not as good of a location, but it has better reviews.

I was concerned about canceling the hotel for that reason. This is also our first time cruising out of Fort Lauderdale so I was playing it safe booking through the cruise line. Will do it differently next time.

Hi everyone. We are taking our first cruise on HAL in November, and I have been making our final arrangements. I had already booked a pre cruise hotel through the cruise line for the day before the trip, but decided to come in two days early. I need to book another day at the hotel. Does anyone know which Renaissance Hotel HAL uses? There is one closer to the port, but I think the one HAL uses is actually in Plantation. I am excited to be going on the Rotterdam, and am adjusting to how Holland America does things. Most of my recent cruises have been with NCL Thanks in advance for any help with this or any other tips for a HAL newbie.

I think so. It would be better to fly out the next day. Enjoy breakfast in the morning and relax instead of rushing around.

Agree, except I would not give the smaller bag to the porter. The carts are stacked higher than at an airport, and the small bag will likely get smushed. When we cruise I check my bigger suitcase and have a small roller bag with a travel bag over it that I carry on. This way I do not have to carry a travel bag on my shoulder all afternoon.

Does the Local still have chocolate Sundaes? They are another complimentary ice cream option the kids could enjoy.

I have not been on Bliss, but on other ships I have enjoyed the hand scooped ice cream in the buffet. I particularly enjoyed the coconut ice cream. It goes really well with some of the chocolate cakes. Also enjoy whatever sherbet flavor they have. The scooped ice cream area has some toppings available. I am not a big fan of the soft serve but my husband really enjoys it. The soft serve could be a little thicker, and creamier, but it is still refreshing and fun for the kids to grab a quick cone.

The evenings on board are "normal". Unless we do a sunset excursion, we stay on board at night to enjoy our usual dinner and a show.

People have mentioned playing cards and reading but what about all the other activities like go-karts, mini golf, slides, Galaxy Pavilion, pickle ball, ping pong etc.? If it were me, I would do thermal suite in the morning and some of the other activities in the afternoon. Maybe some time by the infinity pools weather permitting. Maybe actually take the time to go to the fitness center., which we never do on trips with more ports. Drinks, dinner, and a theater show at night. Fill in the gaps with trips to the casino and listening to live music in one of the lounges or atrium. Like cruiseny4life, I don't care about Fleetwood Mac. I am the right age for it, but heard it enough when I was young. I would not stand in line to get a seat in Syd Norman's to hear just Fleetwood Mac. Would prefer a band that plays more of a variety. There is still other entertainment if you do not go there.

Love this! There is so much fun to be had on this ship. If people can adjust to the differences from other NCL ships they should have a great time.. The ship definitely is not "Meh". I was only on it for five days, and I often think about how many fun things we did in such a short time on board. Also think about all the good food and drinks. Can't wait to go on Prima again or Viva. I miss Indulge Food Hall the most LOL..

I enjoyed Prima without Vibe passes. We enjoyed the infinity pools and lounged near them, but if you want to enjoy some hot tub time on Prima, I recommend getting Vibe or thermal suite passes. Prima only has two hot tubs that are accessible to everyone, so they are busy. Plus the Vibe is convenient to the buffet which gets very busy. It would be easy to get food at the buffet, and bring it back to Vibe to eat.

Glad it worked out. Too bad it was such a hassle. I worry about items getting lost in shipping and probably would have just brought it someplace local to get fixed on my own dime. I am the kind of customer the cruise line jewelers would like. I do a good job of avoiding the jewelry store though, unless I hit big in the casino.

I had to change my shirt to get an acceptable photo. It was a print, I changed to a solid color and it worked. Also make sure you have good lighting. I vote for them keeping your "good" photo on file for awhile. Last cruise I did not need my picture retaken at the pier, but my husband did. I try to have the same goofy look on my face when I take my picture as I will have on embarkation day. That excited, can't wait to board look. I still get excited even after 24 cruises.

For two people it is about $220 per person. It is a lot. Probably due to Key West. Key West has tried to limit the number of cruise passengers so this may be a factor in the higher fees? But, if you tried to stay in a hotel in Key West and add in food and drinks, the cruise price does not seem so bad.

I have seen a comedian on one of our cruises dial down his routine due to a family group with teens that were sitting in the front row. He was uncomfortable with doing certain jokes in front of them. He did comment about it and it did take a little away from the adults enjoyment of the show. If you want to bring teens maybe don't sit in the front. Most parents know what their kids can handle, but try not to put the comedian on the spot by putting teens front and center.

I realize that. The addition of the thermal suite and larger Vibe will give the people more space to be in. They did not add so many cabins that it should affect crowding. When laser tag isn't being used it is wasted space that no one is using. Every one complained that laser tag was a waste of space. They get rid of it and people still are not happy. Every one complained it was hard to get Vibe passes. so they are making it bigger. As far as the Observation lounge goes, well that is lousy for people who enjoy it, but more cabins means more paying customers which may help keep fares down. NCL can not make every one happy.