Alegeeter

56 minutes ago, Oldskl said:

I would happily pay for the area if given the opportunity to do so! Who is really feeling entitled here? You and the others who want to exclude everyone else.

The difference is they are justly entitled because they paid for the experience. You, on the other hand, feel entitled to it because you want to have it and feel that it was taken away from you.

If the Havana pool area was rolled out on Vista without ever opening up to the public after a certain time I doubt we would be having this discussion. I think the change is a smart move on Carnival's part, and I'm guessing Carnival thought so too :). When your kids turn 12 you will pay for a Havana room, which is exactly what Carnival wants you to do. If they kept the rules the same, people may not book a Havana room knowing they can still access the area at night when they want to.

1 hour ago, Oldskl said:

 

Carnival is a great value, and wonderful cruise line. Why I am always on it. Let's make it a wonderful experience for all to enjoy! 😎

That's exactly what Carnival is trying to do with the Havana. They're providing an experience at a good value that a certain demographic will enjoy while still providing a great experience for families and children. They're creating an experience for all to enjoy.

You're still able to do everything with your family that you  listed you enjoy doing on the Horizon and any other ship in Carnival's fleet. 

I keep getting a server error when I try...

It's hard to make decisions solely based on the number of bad reviews, simply because we go out of our way to make it known when things don't go our way than to go out of our to give accolades. There are plenty of people with wonderful experiences on NCL, MSC, and all lines. That's why they all do great business and have repeat cruisers! 

Don't be scared to try NCL. Try going to the NCL board, ask some pointed questions and seek out the positive reviews. 

We just did this itinerary last year.

Epic is a quirky ship but I thought that enhanced the experience! As long as you're okay with the bathroom setup.

The ports are great, but be warned it's a very tiring itinerary with long days. By no means is this a relaxing cruise. Also, the Rome day is a headache. Everywhere you go is another crowd. Barcelona is incredible.

Hey! You'll have a great time. If you book a sailaway rate you won't get any of the perks offered. If you have no interest in the drink package or specialty restaurants and the price is a good deal then you won't go wrong there. All of the Sun's balcony cabins are great. As I mentioned to you on the Carnival board, oceanview cabins on the Sun are nicely spacious too.

Carnival rooms are definitely more spacious but the oceanview rooms on the Sun aren't bad. NCL inside cabins are TINY.

There's definitely enough for adults to do. I don't have nor have I sailed with teens before so I can't say for sure. But like Carnival, NCL has a teens club/group. There are definitely fewer top deck adventure activities on the Sun. Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island, is not to be missed! 

I've been on several NCL cruises, and I like NCL a lot. I will say, I liked the Sun and it does give you a taste of what NCL is like in terms of Freestyle, but it doesn't compare to their bigger ships that do have all the bells and whistles.

17 minutes ago, nissach said:

I really do not understand all this complaining about an area that has one restriction...you must be older than 12 to enter.  People who choose to pay for one of the Havana rooms pay a premium for it.  It is a small area of the ship and I highly doubt it will make all the other areas feel overcrowded.  SMH 🙄

I don't get it either. Is it because before they could justify not getting a Havana cabin because they could still enjoy the space after 7pm, and now they since they can't justify it they complain?

What about airlines? People pay a premium for extra leg room or first class. Economy passengers aren't allowed in the front class cabin. 

Amazon Prime? People pay a premium for free 2-day shipping, access to movies, etc.

And for those who don't opt to pay extra for more still get enjoy their flight or Amazon. Carnival isn't doing anything novel.

Sunshine probably has the most activity-wise but I think most people around here think it's way too crowded. I enjoyed the NCL Sun and find that it's the perfect size and never feels crowded.

I've booked on this one before, and have it again:

Most insides $100, Oceanview $350, Balcony $450

I was able to snag a Spa or Havana interior for a little nothing on an 8 night sailing!

Hot Streak Bonus: Free* Interior Room + Free Drinks On Us! while playing in the casino

Book by March 3, 2020

So nothing about that is tea whatsoever?

I think my rankings are based on ship itself, specific memories and experiences, and the itinerary itself. It is hard to compare same-class ships out of NYC with those in Europe, which are generally quieter and less crowded. But without further ado:

Gem

Getaway

Breakaway

Epic

Jade

Pearl

Sun

Sky

Correct. They made it into Liquid Lounge, like on the Vista Class.

The upper tier is like what it used to be. No tables but there are cup holders and wide armrests. 

The lower level is just (very uncomfortable and small) chairs. 

2 hours ago, JennyB1977 said:

@Formula280SS I appreciate the time it took to create your list/post. However, like @ColeThornton I'm not going to do 90% of those. I shower (with soap), I wash my hands, I get a flu shot, I take 2g of Vitamin C twice a day. I do all of these regardless of where I am. The end. 

I'm glad you get a flu shot, but it won't help you avoid Norovirus. They're different viruses...

vitamin C won't help either, Noro is one of the most infectious viruses out there and spreads rapidly. 

Constantly washing your hands though, that'll help. And surfaces. Wiping surfaces is as important.

Most cruise ships get noro by way of airports and airplanes... More passengers per time period so it's easier to spread. It only takes one person to contract it on the plane and then start symptoms on the ship...

The only people who would boycott Vibe are the people who wouldn't buy it to begin with

2 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

 

 

It was your they were quoting.

Haha, no. I saw it on another thread, I think in the Port of Call section, and brought it here.  Pressed submit before thinking.

Not sure how Madrid is an option since it's not anywhere near the water. I must have read something wrong.

I'm not too concerned about the ship embarking and debarking. I'm doing a couple nights pre and post cruise in Barcelona and it would be a shame to miss out on a lot of what the beautiful city has to offer. We'll go and do what we can.

38 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Was in Barcelona a couple of months ago.  Catalan, the largest economic region, wants to secede.  Saw lots of political posters everywhere.  The people are passionate about the topic.  And, they're willing to calmly share their point of view.

 

I never saw anything close to rising tempers, or any sort of danger that I felt threatened by.  I'd go to Barcelona today if given the chance.

 

But, if you're the least bit skittish, skip Barcelona as a port or for embarkation/disembarkation.

 

 

The peaceful protests have turned violent in the last week or so after the Spanish Supreme Court jailed the leaders of the separatists. It's very different than what it was like a couple months ago. The national election is on November 10 so it can be assumed the protests will continue at least until then.

I'm on the Epic sailing November 3 so also following this closely. NCL canceled all of its Barcelona shore excursions yesterday and some ships calling at Barcelona as a regular port stop have been diverting to other Spanish ports (Malaga, Madrid). But because Barcelona is a big embarkation/debarkation port Epic can't just desert it so easily. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Mine is gone too, 44 days out.

I always spend my last sea day writing cards on my balcony or by the pool. They do mean a lot to the crew. The Department heads read all of them and each card becomes a raffle ticket for certain prizes from iPads to a coveted day off!

We had our cruise extended a day on the Gem back in 2011 due to a hurricane. Each guest had a new key card waiting in their room for the use during that extra day. This means NCL knows that the keys stop working and new ones have to be issued. There's no reason why the Breakaway staff couldn't get working on this as soon as they learned the sailing would be extended. The news that the Breakaway would go to NO is relatively new but we knew this current sailing would be extended for a few days more. IMO the Breakaway dropped the ball here. I don't fault NCL for the mishandling of the overall situation but there's no reason passengers shouldn't have key card access right now.

I would take a cruise out of the northeast over one out of Port Canaveral or Central/Northern Florida any day if the ports/itinerary was comparable. IMO a much more pleasant crowd to sail and chat with.

Yes, we had Late Seating and were in the Radiance (midship) Restaurant. The aft restaurant was reserved for Your Time Dining.

I just came back from the Sunrise Monday and had a terrific time!

I didn't think the crowds were as bad as everyone here is making it out to be (except for the Deli line at the buffet).

The main pool deck was very crowded but no more crowded than on any other ship I've been on. But other deck areas, including Serenity - I had no problems getting seats any day.

CD Chris Williams was fantastic, and he was sailing with his wife and newborn daughter, who looked like she was enjoying her first cruise.

Maybe I went in with low expectations from what I read here but we had no qualms whatsoever and the ship looks beautiful!