meggie711

And if we go with the $200 off of a cruise, do they mail a check? If so, is it a check just back to us? Meaning that if we go ahead and book and do final payment prior to receiving the check, can we just deposit it back into our checking account? I hope that makes sense...

Can anyone advise me to the best order for redeeming points on a cruise? Here's my situation... Looking at a cruise that's in March 2015 (quickly approaching). Would I need to book, call or log on and redeem points and make final payment? It looks like final payment is due the day after I make the reservation. Is this even feasible?? I should add that we are waning to use the points for $200 off of our cruise. Thanks for your help!!

Thanks so much! We will definitely check that out!

Here is a link to the promotion terms and conditions:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPagesPopup.html?pageId=upgradesterms

 

It states - Booking Window: 7/1/14 - 8/2/14 11.59 PM EST

 

Here is another link that may help: http://www.ncl.com/promo/upgrades

Any information on sailing dates that are eligible?

We are headed to Jamaica on our cruise next year, and it will be our first visit. We're really excited, but have no idea what to do! We'll be docked at Ocho Rios. It will be me, hubby, and our 5 year old son. We're hoping to take a ride to a beach, enjoy some local food, etc. We're not really wanting to do any of the big cattle-lines to attractions, and would prefer a beach area where we could maybe snorkel (bringing our own equip), rent kayaks or other water sports, etc. Any suggestions?

I can't think of any... if anything there will be an air of excitement among the crew... Most will be excited to visit the new venue! It makes for a good topic of conversation with crewmembers.

I sort of envision it being the same.. more excitement and positivity. Hmm, we will see! :)

This may be a stupid question, but considering Epic's last cruise before she heads to Europe and wondered if there would be any cons in particular, mainly thinking of quality of entertainment, customer service, etc. Anyone have good or bad experiences to share when going on a cruise right before the ship repositions, goes to drydock, etc?

My mistake, I meant to quote her earlier post, which does in fact suggest a comparison that can't be supported by her own experience:

Probably a poor choice of words. I actually meant that I couldn't imagine better service. Not saying it's not out there, just that I can't imagine it being better than what I received.

I don't see where Meggie is comparing NCL to the other lines or is making negative assumptions about the other lines. She is just responding to those who say you can't get those "special moments" on NCL because they can't seem to get them on those "non-premium" lines. Some people can have those "special moments" on NCL and CCL because their "special moments" are different than your "special moments". I have had "special moments" on all of my cruises from CCL to DCL. I know where she is coming from. She's not knocking the other lines she is just stating her reality on NCL includes those "special moments" and she doesn't need to pay a higher cost to sail a more "premium" line to get them like some others need to do.

Yes, exactly what I was trying to say. I would never try to come across as a cruising pro, and haven't gone on a fraction of the itineraries that I hope to cruise someday. The last person pointed out that I haven't been on the "premium" lines, but I don't care to. It's not what I'm looking for. But please don't think that I can't have a valid opinion about what a great cruiseline is because I haven't sailed on your "premium lines".

Happy sailing. :)

Have never ever heard of sea lice until this post! Wow!

The only insects I've ever encountered around the sea are sand gnats. Not sure if they're the same as any of these other pests or not, but I'll be researching! Now I'm itchy.. lol

For some of us, excellent service is only one aspect of a cruise. While NCL may provide excellent service, the rest of the product is unappealing to many of us (as evidenced in every "worst cruise line thread" I have ever read, including this one with 481 responses http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1481929&highlight=worst+cruiseline).

 

No one I have ever talked to who cruises NCL would ever call it an "elegant" experience. Instead, what they describe isn't much different than hanging out at the mall or local water park, both of which I can experience any weekend at home. I have never read on these boards anyone saying that they felt the experience was unique. Instead they seemed excited about how much the experience resembled what they usually enjoy anywhere else they go for vacation, and how little difference there is from what they would typically do on summer weekends.

 

There are many of us who see cruising as unique and special, something over and above our normal activities. We want something different, something rewarding, something we will remember. We tend to avoid those cruise lines that minimize those traits by designing their product to be too much like the same thing we can have at home.

 

Oh trust me, I don't put the time, money, and effort into cruising to have experiences "too much like the same thing we can have at home". Cruising, for me, is a fantastic opportunity to relax, enjoy beautiful scenery, make new friends, try new foods, and the list goes on and on. I absolutely love that cruising literally and figuratively takes me to a place far away from home. Cruising is a special experience, whether I'm in an interior on a quick trip to the Bahamas or splurging with a higher category on a newer ship. It can be the oldest in the fleet or the newest, and it all brings something special. While you reference the 481 responses about NCL basically being nothing special, there are reviews (including my own) that would beg to differ. My comment was only to point out that you don't always have to pay to get these special, unique moments, as someone else had suggested.

While you might not get everything you pay for, you can be pretty sure that, especially it comes to cruising, you will not get anything you do not pay for.

 

While I am inclined to avoid Carnival - and NCL (more so) because of the quality of the product - I would never absolutely rule them out: for the right itinerary, the importance of the shipboard experience might have lesser importance.

 

Both Carnival and NCL offer value for their price - but there is a reason why their prices are generally so low relative to other lines. Sadly, NCL seems to have priced virtually all competitors out of the New York market.

I'd have to disagree with you there. We received top-notch service on our last cruise, which happened to be NCL. We received a great price, had an aft-facing balcony, and could not have possibly received better service. Although I know that this isn't everyone's experience and YMMV, we laughed at the thought of paying for a room which would offer a butler as we felt that we were waited on hand and foot everywhere we went. Not to get in an outright disagreement with you, but just wanted to point out that money doesn't always buy good service, and sometimes excellent service is given without having to pay that extra. ;)

Just thought I'd throw a couple more online stores in there for y'all that have had really cute anchor/nautical fashions lately! Shophopes .com and shopreddress .com. They're both local stores here in Georgia, and I stalk them for sales and cute stuff. Our mall doesn't have much to offer, so I mostly stick to my favorite online shops!

We were on a cruise that rescued refugees a few years ago. It was incredibly sad, as I remember at least one of them dying in their attempt. To see their desperate faces and the condition of their raft (if you could even call it that), I still can't imagine how terrifying it was for them. Definitely an unforgettable moment.

I also don't tell many people anymore. Even my family says again. They think we are rich but it is really not expensive. We don't go out shopping all the time,movies, or out to eat. We deserve it but I don't think I should have to defend my chooses. I have 2 booked but have not told any of my family except those going.

 

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Same here! We only go about every other year, and that's a LOT to my friends and family (even though we always wish we could go more often). We don't eat out often, don't go to the movies, and do smaller trips in between (camping, taking the boat out for the day, etc.). We don't have a fancy house, and my car is going on 120,000 miles... we choose to spend our money doing things we enjoy together. While I don't feel guilty, I do choose who I discuss cruising with and who I don't.

Thanks for the review!! Glad you enjoyed!

Ask your friends in town and go to a tanning salon with a good reputation. They will be able to ask questions and combine that with assessing your skin tone to know the right bed and time for you. All beds are not the same, and different people will react differently. I go to a high pressure bed and can lay for 18 minutes, but if you put me in your everyday tanning bed, I will burn by 8 minutes. Just find the right place and they should be able to guide you best.

Hi everyone; thank you for all the feedback. Yes we are excited. We will be doing the 14 day out of venice. It has two different itineraries; so with that said here is what I am gunning for.

1. we may have a few days with same menu in MDR (no big deal)

2. The headline entertainment will be the same; however, the smaller acts may change in each port.

3. Our travel agent is trying to book same cabin for both legs; I believe it will be done.

4. We are doing an aft cabin for the first time. Looking at Jade the cabins look pretty square; where u can't look down and into the cabin below. Has anyone here on this thread been in aft cabin on NCL? If so, please let me know how you liked it. Thanks

Loved our aft-facing balcony on Epic!!

I'm just happy with the choice of Guy Harvey for the hull art...

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2014/03/12/norwegian-cruise-ship-hull-art/6300555/

 

Much better than much of the current hull art.

Agreed, LOVE the hull art on Escape!

Epic was a very smooth sail for us. We loved the ship, were very comfortable, and had no issues with the motion. Some will complain about the vibrations in the aft area, but this wasn't an issue for us.

Hello all!

I'm booked with my parents on the Epic for the TA on April 27th, I'm on a studio and my parents had an mid inside, but they just got an upgrade to an aft balcony, one cabin before the last of the hall, is this far back a really bad location? I mean besides all the walking, does the ship moves too much in that part?

 

thank you!

You will get a variety of responses on these cabins, for Epic in particular. I would recommend searching the boards for threads about Epic's aft balconies. I am absolutely a cheerleader for Epic's aft balconies. We found it to be a very quiet area with breathtaking views. We were in 11313, and never found the area to be noisy. There was very little foot-traffic in the area, so it stayed very quiet. There was some vibration from the thrusters, but not enough to be disruptive to us. Some of us agree that they made for a good wake-up call coming into ports, and were otherwise not a big deal. If we ever cruise Epic again, we will absolutely get an aft-facing balcony.

Thanks so much, everyone! Will give all of them a try. We have Old Navy and Gap Outlet, and don't have much luck there. I always forget about Penney's and Kohl's!

I've always liked the boy's clothes at Gymboree. I've not shopped for a jacket there, so I am not sure if they would have that. But I have bought really cute vests/dress shirts/pants for my son when he was at that age.

Thanks so much! We have always had a really hard time shopping for him because he is a beanpole. Pants that fit in the length are always huge in the waist, and pants that fit in the waist are always high-waters on him. We do the adjustable pants, but we usually have to pull the elastic out so much that it makes the waistband stick out. Excited that slim at Gymboree might be an option for him!

Any suggestions for where to shop for my son's dress clothes for our cruise next year? Not a lot of options in my city, so I'm hoping to find something online. He SHOULD be in a 5t this time next year. We're cruising NCL, so I'm not exactly looking for a tux for him. Either a coordinating suit or blazer/khaki pants/dress shirt/tie combo. Any suggestions?

Looking at deck plans, is there any noise. going with 89 year old mom who goes to sleep early. Do not want to hear any "band" music. Help, please.

If you check out cruisedeckplans . com, it will let you overlap deckplans to see what's above and below your stateroom. You may do best picking a deck that's between other stateroom decks. It's not a guarantee for quiet by any means, but it would help you to stay away from restaurants, clubs, theaters, etc.