mjkacmom

If you are cruising on NCL (or other mainstream lines) the majority do not participate in a formal night, so feel free to dress as you wish, dress, jeans, many restaurants allow shorts. We always get travel insurance in case of medical emergencies (our health insurance does not work outside of the US), or even just to get a refund if we need to cancel, don’t want to be out thousands for nothing.

I’ve never stayed at a hotel that wouldn’t let me check in until the afternoon. Rooms usually weren’t ready but they stored luggage.

For whatever reason they’ve never let us drop off passengers at the elevator and we’ve never lucked out with a porter, but it was still very easy with our 5 kids. Plenty of parking and not a far walk to the elevator/escalators.

Since folks sailing on some NCL cruises have reported getting fees refunded, it would lead me to believe the information that they don’t know the fees ahead of time and will refund for some missed ports.

Thanks! I’m glad it appears to still be a good option, that’s helpful to know, glad it worked out!

It appears the OP lives a couple of hours from the port, no need for a hotel room. I’d just park at the pier.

$20 a day for unlimited alcohol is a steal (and I tip on top of that, heck I tipped on top of the automatic gratuity on each drink before the UBP existed). Many don’t, the bartenders don’t seem miffed.

NCL uses the Manhattan cruise terminal pier 88.

There is a difference, I can almost see the appeal of the wild pigs of Exuma, ferral pigs that live there on their own for decades. It’s like not being able to see the wild ponies of chincoteague so finding a excursion with some farm ponies brought to a local beach. It’s just not the same.

Yes, that’s why norovirus is such a problem on cruises (and daycare, and schools…).

How do you know it was food poisoning? I’d expect hundreds would’ve been affected. Are they able to test stool samples onboards?

You can check into your hotel and leave your luggage, and get into your room later.

And it appears the answer is no. We’ve always just brought our carry ons to the MDR, ate lunch, and then headed to our cabins.

I don’t think that’s necessary, the deposit is non refundable and a changed itinerary isn’t a valid reason to cancel.

Hotels allow you to check in and will hold your luggage before your room being available

It happens to folks with linked reservations too.

I doubt it, it was purchased by another company, maybe margaritaville? Right now they are letting folks use the beach and restrooms for a price before they renovate.

No, but you can download the app ahead of time.

The weird thing it’s supposed to replicate this https://www.bahamas.com/experiences/official-home-swimming-pigs Its like trying to replicate the ponies at chincoteague by bringing ponies to a random island.

Some people swim with stingrays and some swim with cows.

I think it’s actually hysterical that folks are trying to mimick the island of exuma by bringing pigs to the beach.

Just so you know, those stairs lead to the crown, the pedestal has stairs and elevators (my kids hiked up to the crown while my husband and I just explored downstairs).

I agree with ditching the night boat tour. I’ve been to Ellis island several times (I remember going as a child and you could go into the hospital areas before they did a lot of work on it, it was chilling). The last tie was the first time I got off of the ferry at the SOL, I was so impressed at the inside (I do think they moved most of the museum upside of the base). The views were incredible, plus it was a July weekend so it was nice to come into the a/c with little crowds. You do need to book in advance if you want to go in, and I’d book morning ferry tickets due to lines at security. OP you can spend as much time as you like.

Ellis island is great, all of my ancestors came through and settled locally. The only way to get there is using statue cruises, ferries will take you to the Statue of Liberty (worth it to get off and book either a pedestal or crown ticket, in advance) and Ellis island. They have headsets for the tour. They are timed tickets and you need to arrive early to go through security. Central park is remarkable, vast green space in the middle of an urban jungle. You can spend hours and not see everything.

You’ve obviously never had a nicotine addiction, going two hours without it is very physically uncomfortable. It’s just as addictive as heroin, which is why many smokers use vaping as a delivery system so they don’t feel ill.