laudergayle

We did NCL Bliss out if Seattle mid May 2022. The port times in Ketchikan and Victoria were not optimal. We never even saw Dawes Glacier as there was too much ice to even make the bend to see it. Definitely wouldn’t recommend the Bliss. Encore (also out of Seattle) might be s little better…they do Glacier Bay. This May we are doing NCL Jewel from Vancouver to Seward so we can actually enjoy the ports and see Glacier Bay.

Lol…that’s what’s killing me. I am an over-planner… having this blank canvas in my head knowing what I want and not being able to create it. I wrote this post yesterday…and guess what, an Alaskan cruise I have been following for months now just dropped pp price almost in half with this new sale…and the $250/$500 cruise first sale is on right now. And…we’re going to use our NCL card points to upgrade to a balcony which is $1300 pp more than the OA we booked. I’m elated…Vancouver to Seward, mid-May, balcony…after the CF down payment we owe a little less than $2000. Probably the best deal we’ve ever gotten on NCL. Yay me🤩

We like NCL, too. But…our recent 4-day MSC trial was really enjoyable . We also have a 2025 NCL cruise booked for Lisbon, Canary Islands, Morocco (Casablanca…bucket list). It’s 9 days…which is the max we can do on an international cruise. We’re watching the prices and competition.

I do very much want to cruise in February and/or May ‘24. But, I must resist. First because I don’t want to be beyond final payment when NCL introduces their “for your convenience “ ‘24 changes. Last year, we had two cruises in Q1 ‘23…that changed significantly from booking till after final payment. Side note: Delta just gutted their loyalty program “to make it easier (to follow, certainly not earn)”…mega uproar. But the larger driver of this self-inflicted pain…NCL cruise prices are too high. And their European itineraries are too long for those who can’t afford (time or cost) of 10+ day cruises. So here we sit, patiently (not) waiting for mid-January to book that NCL cruise we have earmarked in our vacation planning, all the while checking a viable competitive cruise line (MSC). Time will tell. Okay…I realize this post is an op-ed (loved the daily home-delivered newspaper). I also know we could book and request FCC…but, not convinced NCL is our cruise line for 2024+. This post is as much for us NCL loyalists as it us for the NCL corporate monitors.

We sailed the med first week of November and we’re surprised by how warm most afternoons were. The swim trunks came in handy. And, then there is the hot tub. and, take the hoodie on the plane!

Lol…that’s my MIL. I now manage her finances. She does that with doctors and dentists too…if they don’t tell her what she wants to hear.

With a bald spot!

Depends on what it cost you to get rid of your her🤣 When my kids were younger (as was I)…they would say…just write a check! Little did they know, as a single mom, that’s how we lived. Timing was everything…lol. Sure couldn’t do that now.

That’s probably your World Points OBC you got for 20000 WP points.

Just looked at our 11/5 cruise and they owe us $340. No wonder they can’t turn a profit!!

Sounds like us…Atlanta, Lake Hartwell (border of GA/SC), Florida, back to Lake Hartwell but kept a small condo in FL. We also can’t stay still…lol. Your new opportunity sounds adventurous…hope it works out. We’ve not done many National Parks…and the Senior Pass is cheap. Who knows…I might be in your backyard screaming Haven Maven🤣

Oh, I didn’t think about posting in the roll call.

Teppanyaki gives me anxiety 😂. My Dad always scolded me…”That food is there to eat, not to play with.”

Oh wow…that’s big. Moving is fun…but soooo much work. I assume your husband would have to find new employment, too. MSC offers a good cruise experience. I am assuming your deluxe balcony would be Aurea which includes anytime dining. If it doesn’t have a dedicated restaurant, I don’t think you would like being outside YC. Best wishes for the right conclusion to this job opportunity!! p.s. it just dawned on me…you would be no where near a cruise port🤨

Ok…this is a silly question for as many cruises we’ve taken since restart. We typically dress smart casual for dinner (slacks/club shirt for DH, non wrinkle dress for me)…but never formal nor for pictures. Therefore, I have never paid attention to the dailies. Is there really a Formal Night where there are more photographers?

Dress up, dress casual…just be sure to dress. You will see all types. There are photographers onboard who would like nothing more than take your pictures. Do whatever you’re envisioning for “your” cruise. On a Mediterranean cruise you will find more guests who tend to dress up vs a Caribbean cruise. Enjoy.

Do tell.

Just got notice that Socavision is doing a partial charter for the 2024 Fetetopia Event on the Meraviglia in June. Last year they did partial charter on NCL to Bermuda. There were some people that were concerned about exposing their kids to the event activities/attendees. When all was said and done, it really wasn’t an issue. However, if you are considering this cruise, you should be aware of the partial charter. You can Google Fetetopia for details.

Our choice would be: LeBistro Cagneys LaCucina or Moderno

We have only visited once, this past May. Both my husband and I said in all our travels we have never ever met more friendly…and polite locals. We rode the bus picking up the local children after school. They acknowledged the bus driver, engaged the adults in conversation, gave helpful information to the tourists. No phones stuck to their faces. It was so refreshing to witness.

How awesome for you! Cruises are amazing. And, IMO, I like knowing what to anticipate. @BirdTravels has been traveling for quite some time. His/her comments can usually be incredibly helpful…but sometimes off-handed. Generally, once you board, get the “lay of the ship”…grab lunch (I recommend the main dining room they have open)…and about the time you’re finished the cabins are ready. Recently, there is a place you can store carry on luggage if needed upon boarding. Honestly…when the cabins are ready is random but not an issue. Happy cruising 😎

@carohs clearly outlined why in post #7. There are people who don’t get 0% credit offers. Or they have zero credit cards…which they do exist.

All of our cruises this year (3) have offered cabin access by deck, and not in consecutive order. Decks with larger cabins and suits take longer than studios and insides. And sometimes they will announce your deck and your cabin is still being cleaned.

I love your idea and applaud your ulterior motive…😋 Also I’m certain the menu items won’t change that drastically.

That sounds like a fabulous tool. IMO, I probably would wait until Jan 2024 to begin the compilation just based on menu modifications that we could see for the new year.