chellebells

That's interesting. I am doing some research now trying to decide which to book and due to the price am leaning towards RCI. We have never sailed on NCL but are really considering it as we like the ship that is sailing our itinerary better than NCL.

 

We are looking at either the 12N Mediterranean/Greek Isle cruise on the Vision of the Sean in a Grand Suite versus a 14 Day Mediterranean cruise on NCL's Jade in a Penthouse Suite. We are Emerald members on RCI and with our discount the RCI cruise is about $3k less expensive.

 

In my research I have found the perks are similar since we won't be in a Haven Suite (that was about $4k more). RCI has a concierge lounge with free drinks and apps where NCL has butler service with an in-room coffee and cappuccino maker. Really hard decision for us ...

Are they the same ports of call? $3k is a big difference and I would think that on a port intensive itinerary that could be put to good use on some amazing private tours. :)

In this case i would probably go with RCI....unless upgrading to the Haven is an option :eek:

We have sailed on several RCI ships in suites but I was just reviewing the list of suite benefits on NCL and they appear to be substantially better than the suite benefits on RCI. Can anyone who has sailed in suites on both cruiselines please comment on your experience and which you preferred?

I have sailed in RCI Owner's Suites and every NCL Suite category.

Though I love the size, look and feel of the Owner's Suite I do feel that NCL has better benefits, especially if you are on a ship that has a Haven. Breakfast and Lunch in a reserved dining room (either Cagney's or the Haven restaurant), a butler, the concierge in my experience is much more accessible and accomodating and overall being made to feel "special".

If you have any specific questions or want to see any pictures of either please let me know.

Greetings, all!

 

We are getting married harborside on the Norwegian Breakaway on June 29, 2014. Since many of our guests (both sailing and non-sailing) are coming in from out of town, I'm trying to figure out which hotels I should look into for booking a block of rooms. Essentially, we'd like to find hotels that are on the west side close to the pier. Have any of you who have gotten married out of NY used any hotels near the pier?

 

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

Tara :)

We stayed at Helmsley Park Lane right on Central Park. I would highly recommend it.

They both sound delicious! I had to laugh at the broccoli comment as I am so sick of it myself. :)

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Congratulations for sticking to it, as I know it can be challenging especially in winter.

I too am (knock on wood) sticking to it. Made another goal yesterday so now on to my next! :)

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How's everyone doing? I am back from my Breakaway cruise and happy to report did not gain any weight!!!! Of course it was only a two day cruise lol :)

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Have you tried a cheat day once a week or every two weeks? I know it doesn't make sense but it seems to rev up my metabolism and jump start me again.

I know how much I hate those darn plateaus and it seems they always pop

up their ugly little heads :_(

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We will be on The Gem in a couple weeks (yay!) and cannot get much info on Samana. The board on the Port of Call section has precious little activity and time is ticking. We are hearing and reading accounts that are making us feel that safety issues may trump our desire to go the rainforest (or otherwise disembark the ship in port) but ..... complaints are always more prevalent than praise, so would like to get as much input as possible. Can you chime in and help? Thx!

Check out

http://www.toursamanawithterry.com/

We have used him several times and his tours are some of the best we have ever taken at any port. Our favorite was the ATV....

How's everyone doing on their low carb/Atkins lifestyle? Hope everyone is seeing success. I am focusing on my April cruise to get me through all this awful weather and help me to stay focused!!

Lol, I hear you! I booked a weekender on 1/31 as a motivation to stay on track. Lol, kind of funny if you think about it because it is from NYC so expected temps will be in the teens. :)

I am losing again after an almost two week plateau...funny I bumped up my calorie intake and it worked, down another 5lbs.

Now if I can only lose 20 more by April 1st Aruba trip I will be a happy happy girl!

Looks like we have a great support group, and boy do I need it! I have found that my trigger is alcohol. Even though I drink approved drinks (Bacardi cherry rum and diet coke) on the weekends that we go out and I have one or two then I seem to lose all will power and want to snack.

Well, it's a new week and I am refocused and already told my husband we can't go out this weekend lol.

At the beginning when I would crave sweets I found that sugar free jello with a squirt of real whipped cream helped. The first three days are the hardest but you can do it! Keep us posted :)

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I was married in the Garden Villa and wanted to walk down the stairs outside (thought would make nice pictures). Our butler was so sweet he didn't want my 70+ year old dad walking the stairs so he escorted me down then handed me off to my dad who then walked me the rest of the way down the aisle to my husband to be. :)

Michelle, Were you pleased with the package? It seems like a great deal. Did you schedule the breakfast in bed and what you wanted to eat?

Yes, we absolutely LOVED the package! The slip for breakfast in bed was somewhat limited but we wrote in what we wanted and received it with no issues. The Bloody Mary's were some of the best I have ever had! :)

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

We just had this package on Explorer of the Seas and we picked out a picture we had taken on Formal night and handed that in with the coupon. To make sure we got a picture that we (I) really liked I made my husband stop at EVERY photographer station both formal nights lol.

I gained 3 pounds, but lost it the week after I got home. I only used the stairs, and we were on deck 2. I ran around the track, swam in the ocean, did the ropes course, danced...and only cheated on things I really, really wanted--like warm chocolate melting cake!!

 

Oh my goodness, I am exhausted just reading your post! :eek:

I always say I am going to only use the stairs but am never quite able to live up to that and I am usually on a middle deck. You are my hero being able to do it from deck 2 :D

You are doing awesome! Believe me I understand about fitting in your clothes by day six...the one thing about Atkins is it will come back quick if we go overboard. I love the you have a good solid plan going into the next cruise! :)

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I was wondering if anyone has sailed with their tweens (I will have 11 year old niece and 12 year old nephew coming with us) and would be willing to ask their kids to describe in their own words what they liked and did not like about the Breakaway.

I know that what I may think is cool and sounds like fun they may not and vice versa so would love to get a more relative perspective. Yes, I understand everything is subjective and what one kid likes another won't but am still curious.

We will be in an S6 if that matters.

Thank you in advance!

I realized after I typed that what I had done! Watch I will be blaming Santa Claus if I gain over the holidays. Actually I am Italian so it will be all my mom's fault for being such a good cook :D

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Hi

We haven't sailed on RCL in a few years and in reading through these forums, I think that RCL has now relaxed their policy on allowing bottled wine to be carried on when boarding for consumption in your cabin. I think Ive seen me tiom of 2 bottles allowed and wonder if this is per cabin or per passenger?

Can someone please clarify this or share their recent experiences?

Thanks so much.

It is 2 bottles per cabin, and there is also a bottle size restriction which I "think" is 750ml?

We just came back and loved being able to bring on our favorite wines and enjoy before dinner.

Be strong....you can do it! I was very weak as it was my anniversary and we were with our friends. I was good for the first couple days but then when one of the bartenders didn't have my cherry vodka I started drinking drinks with carbs and from there I said the heck with it. Lol....did I just blame a poor innocent bartender? :eek:

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Everyone goes through periods where this kind of program just doesn't work. I think using this week to "get your head back into it" is a great idea!! Get everything ready and go for it again on Monday. No need to beat yourself up. Life is WAY too short!! We can only do the best we can do! I am so happy that you enjoyed your cruise! Good luck on Monday!!

Thank you so much for the encouragement! And....I am baaaaack, down 3.1lbs so far :)

You are doing amazing...an avg of 10 a month is very impressive!

Unfortunately, I am not doing very well. I have decided not to beat myself up over it but rather take the rest of this week and try again on Monday. I did it before do know I can do it again. :)

I have a vacation in Aruba in March so that will be the kick in the butt I need lol.

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Now I am confused, sorry! I know for sure that I was just in OW5 which in your picture looks like the third cabana. Last year I was in OW2 which in your picture looks like the second cabana. As long as you get an OW you will be good.

And remember, you may or may not be able to have non suite guests join you depending on your concierge.

Explorer of the Seas 11/23-12/2 escargot was available multiple times in the main dining room.

The cruise was awesome! And I am hoping to be able to get my head right back in the game but as we all know that is the hardest part.

So far so good it is 10:48 and I am still on track lol!

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