CricketCruiser

We missed you! Just today making arrangements to sail on the Regal Princess, April 8th (Western) to celebrate our 26th anniversary and my 57th b-day on April 10th. Can't wait to be back on Princess! It's been 14 years since we were on the Grand, my first cruise ever, such wonderful memories. Since then tried RC (ok), Celebrity (good), NCL (fine but not white glove service like Princess, plus they've changed since CEO left). SO EXCITED! Princess has always been my favorite. We usually get a balcony, but right now just trying to scrape the pennies together so we'll do an inside (1st time with an inside, looking forward to sleeping in :)).

All I care about is JUST FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET ON THE SHIP Have you ever been there? :D

Yes, you really hit the gty jackpot.

 

I gather NCL did not "change your cabin again, and again, and again." Have a wonderful time.

Right! I still have the same cabin. They can't change it because I've already printed my luggage tags. ;)

Have a nice trip. We'll wave to you hopefully unless Invest causes problems - still trying to figure out if we will get any impact but it should be past the Virgin Islands but wondering if it will affect our route out - I'm guessing to some extent. Safe sailing.

 

Oh, and glad to hear you will hopefully get a better price for the resort.

We're keeping an eye on Cristobal, I'm sure it will at least churn things up a bit, but I don't mind a rocky ride. Hopefully we'll still be able to stop at all our ports. I've been on 2 cruises scheduled to stop in Grand Cayman...I still haven't been there (maybe someday).

Now if I could just get to sleep...too excited about tomorrow, day 1 on the Getaway. :)

I couldn't believe it, I just read this chap's review of the Getaway, he paid for an Aft Balcony cabin and estimates it cost $800 more than the regular balcony? I know pricing for cabins isn't an exact science because so many variables go into it, when you purchase, what deck, etc., but $800?? Wow. I did get a really good deal. It also helps to cruise this time of year when the demand is lower.

Here's his review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2077644

Well, you just saved me some money. We leave today for Miami, tomorrow we board the Getaway. I had this website all geared up to enter my credit card info for the $199. I'm going to call the resort directly and make sure they have availability, but now I will definitely go direct. Thanks for the tip!!

One more day and a wake up before getting on the Getaway. Whoohoo! Thanks to everybody on the CC forum for helping me get this last-minute cruise done.

Don't let anyone rain on your parade. Once cabins are assigned it is very rare that they will reassign them. On the rare occasion it might happen it is almost always with an additional upgrade.

 

To the OP congrats on the wonderful upgrade...have a fantastic cruise enjoying your aft balcony!

 

 

Rochelle

Thanks Rochelle! Two days and a wake up...

I think you might have more fun doing the new solo cabin, they seem to really cater to the solo traveler through the booking of these specific cabins. As much as I love a view, I would probably forego in this situation in favor of the social opportunities.

Take earplugs, he snores wicked loud. :p

Well, so do I. It will be like those ship horn battles between me and the capt'n all night.

Remember, they can change your cabin again, and again, and again.

Yes, they could continue to upgrade me I suppose, up, up, up, until we're snuggled in with the captain himself. :p

Thanks for the comments, that really makes me feel good, to know that the risk associated with the guarantee really came out in our favor. It's great when something unexpected and wonderful happens. :D

Hello,

I purchased a guarantee balcony cabin about 3 weeks prior to 8/23 cruise on Getaway. I noticed today that my cabin assignment was showing up in my reservation - cabin #10314, it's an Aft lg. balcony. Considering I paid for an ocean view and got an upgrade, I think I did really well! The balcony looks amazing because of the clear glass. On our last cruise on the Constellation, we were in an Aft family type balcony with 2 rooms, but the balcony had solid material, so you had to stand up at the balcony to see the water. You couldn't just sit in a chair on the balcony and see the water. So, this will be really nice, I'm happy with our cabin assignment.

My question is this, our room looks a little smaller compared to other balcony cabins on the deck plans. Do they take space out of the room and then give it back to you on the balcony? Considering the small balconies on the Getaway, I think is this actually a good idea. It's a "B1". It also looks like the bed is closer to the balcony vs. having the desk/couch closer to the balcony, another perk in my opinion. I'm lov'n NCL so far!!

Does anyone have any comments regarding this aft balcony cabin and the regular balcony cabins? I appreciate your time.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/norwegian-getaway-deck-plans/dp/?shipID=651&deck=10

Three days and a wakeup to catch our flight from Denver to Miami day before our cruise on the Getaway...

Okay, got it. Thanks

We will definitely enjoy some local food, it's not a problem. I usually have to carry a snack in my purse due to some health issues, I'll make sure it's packaged. It just seems to me that about 11 years ago when we were on the Zenith they offered to pack a picnic for you, but I can't remember the circumstances. It was just a thought for St. John, it's been 9 years since we were there and I don't remember bumping into any restaurants. We went to Trunk Bay, we didn't see any vendors, food, chairs, etc., so I wanted to be more prepared this time. I like the idea of going to a deli and getting some sandwiches, thanks for the tip :)

Did you have to reserve for table at the Tropicana for the burn the floor show? And what time was it? I saw it listed as 6pm on one "daily" and 6:30 at another... I have booked 5:30 in the tropicana every night..wonder if it would be to early to catch the show if it's at 6:30? How long are we allow to stay for dinner at our table? Also, how did you get a table near the floor to see the show?

 

Going on Sept 20 :)

That's interesting, you've already reserved your dinner table for every night? We're planning Cagney's and the Italian place, but didn't think we had to pick a day/time in advance. Can you tell me, what's going to happen to us if we don't make all these plans in advance? On vacation I like to be spontaneous, but I don't want to end up having to eat really late in order to get a table every night. I wonder what I should do. Time to search the forum to get more info (or, feel free to spill right here and set me straight).

By the way, one of the advantages in booking a cruise in advance is you have time to research and map things out. When you book 3 weeks in advance like we just did, on a cruise line you've never experienced and on a ship you've never been on, you have your work cut out for you. When I get back I'll write a review called "what I would have done differently if I booked this cruise in advance". Ha!:o

Four more days and a wake up until our flight to Miami...getting in at 8:00 pm, I guess I should start looking for hotels. I almost booked the Fontainebleau on Hotwire last week for $145 (I use those sites that help you figure out which hotels are being offered), but getting in so late and then leaving by 11:00, there wouldn't be time to enjoy the hotel. Will probably look for something that has shuttle to/from airport and port + breakfast. If anybody has a suggestion for a hotel I'd love to hear it.

Got it, thanks for the info.

Wondering if there's a way to order a packed lunch to take with us off the ship. Or maybe we need to pack some baggies from home and do the packing ourselves from the buffet before leaving? Just thinking it would be nice to have lunch on the beach in St. John...thanks

Our 8/23 week on the Getaway is coming up in less than a week. If thermal spa bookings are still available, I would like to look into it. Not sure if I want to spend $199 for the entire week or maybe a day or two at $45. I find these kinds of things really relaxing and would love to try the salt room. One factor, we don't have a lot of extra money for activities so I need to choose wisely. What would you do? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dining whenever I felt like it, not having to show up at a restaurant at a certain time, and wearing whatever I felt like wearing (of course I still dressed casual nice shorts and a top, nothing "trashy" I should say), I LOVED Cagney's (um, hello? White truffle fries!), loved the shows in the theater and Burn The FLoor in the Tropicana (although BEWARE if you sit right next to the stage, when the dancers are getting their groove on, their sweat can land on your plate! yes, that happened to me and luckily I was done eating)..I LOVED ST. THOMAS-Meagan's Bay! And I loved my balcony room!

 

(we were on the ship the first week in April, just the DH and myself. We loved it so much, we have the Getaway book for March 2015 with the 2 daughters in a mini suite! need the extra bathroom space!)

 

HAVE FUN and RElAx!!!

Thanks for the info. It says a lot when you book the same ship for a future sailing. One week from right now we will be falling asleep to the sounds of the waves (I always leave my balcony door open just a crack so I can hear the water).

Have a read of this review - it is from an NCL first-timer and it is very comprehensive.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2050752

Wow, what a great review. This was so helpful, thanks for posting.

THANK YOU for that link. Will check it out.

The Howl at the Moon Dueling pianos

Excellent musicians- superb musicians, actually, rollicking fun.

Spent two evenings here and closed the place both nights.

 

The comedy shows were also excellent

 

I was on in mid July-

Have already booked

Again for next year. By far my favorite cruise out of many.

 

Have a great time!

 

There is a lot of information in the reviews in this forum as opposed to the shorter ones in the

" member review" section of CC"

Don't miss the grilled pineapple at Moderno

 

Spring for the lobster rolls at lunch at Ocean Blue - best 10 bucks at sea!!

 

Okay- that is four favorite things

 

AM

I will absolutely try the lobster rolls, and we'll for sure see the dueling pianos. Thanks for the tips! How do I find the reviews within the forums vs. the reviews page?

How exciting to have booked a last minute cruise - it's coming up very fast!

 

We love NCL for freestyle and for their service. I'll be anxious to hear from you when you return, how you compare NCL with the other lines you've been on.

 

Have a GREAT time!

Yes, I never really know when we're cruising, we always do last minute because of our business. I don't even know what it would be like to have a year or more to think and plan, I think that would be great. Having something to look forward to, and you can take your time planning activities. I will let you know what I think. I'm already impressed with the customer service and dining options!