vswan

Not getting off the ship in Canada won't make a difference. You are in Canadian waters so need to do the Canadian paperwork. Not sure if you are flying or not, but I also felt more comfortable having the letter in case they had any questions. At TSA they also asked my 14 yr old grandson his name and his relationship to me. When I started to answer they gave me a "look" that he needed to be the one to answer. Got the impression that this was pretty routine. It would be sad to get to the port and not be able to cruise. Would be a disappointment for all of you. I know it's a pain, but I felt much more comfortable knowing I had anything I could be asked for.

Just did this with my grandson in early August. I was probably over prepared, but I wasn't taking any chances. I had a copy of my daughters divorce papers showing she had full custody. There is a form on NCL that needs to be filled out and signed by the parent(s). Although she has custody, her ex signed it also. Because you are going into Canada, there is separate paperwork that they need to have. If you look online it will tell you what to have included in the letter they need - parents names, address, etc., your name and that you have permission to have the child with you. It stated that it was recommended that it was notarized and I didn't want to take any chances so had both parents sign the paper and notarized. (This is due to human trafficking). I'm not sure that I actually needed all of this, but at check-in I told them that I had anything they could possibly need and they did take the NCL form and looked at some of the other items, but it was a whirlwind and I can't remember what was looked at and what wasn't. Have a great time. We did.

I think it really depends on what you are looking for in a cruise. My next cruise is on the Oasis with my 40+ yr old daughter. No kids, just the two of us. We chose this trip because we were looking for a lot of beach time and the itinerary fit. I also felt there would be much more for the two of us to do. Since I booked the prices have gone through the roof. Have sailed most main cruise lines - the most with HAL and NCL. This will be my fourth time on RCL. Most of the time I choose by itinerary, date, cruise port and price. There are some lines that I prioritize even if another has a lower price. If I am looking for a relaxed laid back cruise without a lot of kids, HAL usually wins hands down. Price is generally lower than Princess or Celebrity and I can generally find an itinerary I like. If you like a lively crowd and are going with kids, HAL may not be the best choice.

I'm going to make this very elementary. I have a RCI cruised booked for November. Before my last cruise I decided I needed a second credit card in case for some reason my credit card was frozen. Since I had a RCI cruise booked I decided why not get the points that I can redeem for my next cruise without any annual fees. I paid off my November cruise and charged another large purchase of more than $5,000. I paid the entire balance prior to due date. How do I redeem points? Are the points available online as soon as the bill is paid or does it take time to post? Who do I call, the credit card company or RCI? Is this all done online, with whom? How does the OBC get linked to the booking? Thanks for helping a newbie figure out what to do.

In early August I had my hair colored and cut onboard. When presented with the receipt I asked if her received the gratuity. He said it was split 3 ways - of course I can't remember who all gets it - but one third went to the company who owes the spa, he got a third and the other third I don't remember if it went to NCL or someone else. I did my quick math and figured what his third was and added a tip accordingly.

Was on the bliss early August. All the taps are going. I can't tell you what all they had, but they did have three ambers, including the Alaskan Amber, (you can tell what I like) had Husky IPA. Overheard those ordered a lot.

Just did this for an early August cruise. We waited to book until onboard and had no issues. I wasn't sure how many bags we would have to check - I had a fold-down to nothing bag that could either be packed or used - and as we packed a day or two before the trip determined that two would be enough, but decided to wait. We had an evening flight, set out the two bags and each carried a backpack for sightseeing. Works well. All of the paperwork we needed to fill out had a disclaimer on it that the direct luggage service does not work for everyone. I was concerned because I was traveling with my grandson who has a different last name that we might have an issue - but we were fine. You don't find if you are accepted in the program until late in the cruise. Boarding passes and luggage tags and delivered to the cabin. One other thing I noticed was that between where you drop the luggage with the porters and entered the terminal they had a luggage hold. I didn't need it, so didn't check out, but from the outside it had a sign that bags were $5 per bag and I think it said they would hold until 3:30. Was good to know as a back up plan if I needed it.

I'm not sure that the Bliss has the extended/large balcony cabin option. I was on the Escape on deck 8 forward, but not too forward. Think ships are similar so they may have them on the Bliss.

I was in the club balcony with the extended - large balcony - not the regular balcony size.

Another option might be the club balcony with large balcony - not sure if they have these on the Bliss, but I think so. On Escape there were 2 loungers and 2 regular chairs.

Yes, my daughter had to reprint her letter, load up her ex and so both of them could sign a new copy in front of a notory. I can see this would be a real hassle if you didn't live near each other or really didn't get along well. But it makes me feel much more comfortable having it done.

The good thing is he's very strong and can help with the bags.... We have always been close and I only have 2 grandchildren - the other is only 2 yrs old, and I am not crazy enough to take him on my own. At 14 he is the perfect age, and I've had "the talk" about what he better not do, etc. At first the paperwork was two steps forward and three steps back. I'm down to one step forward and one step back. Progress. I'll get there.

Hi all, original poster here. I am so honored that this thread seems to be helpful to so many. An update. I leave tomorrow for Seattle with my 14 yr old grandson where we board an NCL ship for my first semi-solo cruise. Traveling with a 14 yr old I felt that was a good option. My last 2 Alaska were on HAL and I feel very comfortable with HAL, but not so sure about a teenager, so opted for NCL. When my daughter realized I was taking her son, she said she had a bunch of vacation too and would love to go, so we are scheduled on a each intensive cruise for just the two of us for November. My moms SO passed less than a month after my DH, and she has many friends who winter in Florida, so I'm going to be looking at my actually solo entrance sometime in January. Figure I will deliver her to visit her friends and hop on a ship. Maybe even a B2B. I was looking at the 35 day south pacific, but figured I better try something a little shorter prior to see how I do. Much paperwork and estate mess still going on, but it's time for me to get out of here. I'm all packed and all planning/paperwork complete. Thank you all for your support

A number of years ago did a New England cruise on NCL. This cruise had the best musicians/bands on board of any ship I have ever been on. I attributed that to the fact that is was sailing from NY, who knows. It was just the best!

In fact, I liked this room so much tried to book one on my next cruise but they were all gone. Am in a regular balcony and I would have been willing to pay more for one of these because of the large balcony and convenient location - they were all gone so stayed in my balcony.

There are a number of these rooms on in a row on each side of the ship. We had one of the club balconies further mid, not as far forward - which I would suggest. I do experience motion sickness and don't remember this cruise being bad in the room - but, everyday onboard I always take a bonine as a precaution. What I really liked about this room was how close it was to the District Brew House for grabbing a beer to relax on the balcony. I am easy to please - priorities! In the past I have done a interior qty and ended up in the "nose" of the ship. That was really bad for motion and I had a hard time in that room.

I called NCL and they said I should be fine. Went to the Canada website and I said notorizing will make easier, but doesn't say it is required. Of course I'm always worried that websites are not updated and that NCL reps don't know what goes on at the port. My daughter said she would go today and get it notorized so that I don't worry. Taken care of.

Leave Saturday for Alaska with my grandson. Have had my daughter fill out the form on NCLs website, write a letter for Canada. Have the driver's license front and back of both parents. Have my daughters marriage and divorce papers with her listed as having full custody, but have also gotten the signature of her ex on the paperwork. I have been reading that these now need to be notorized but there is nowhere on the NCL form that has a space for notorizing and the letter for Canada only says preferably notorized, not must be notorized. Is this enough or do I need them to find a notory today? Don't want to get to the port and not be able to get on the ship.

I have rented a car like this several times. I like having a car so I can go to the beach, restaurant or even grocery store. I would drop off the luggage, and return the car with maybe one other person. I would drop off anyone who is in same cabin together so they could get started checking in. It's also great on the way back if the flights are later in the day. Why hang at the airport all that time.

I was in one on the Escape on deck 8 and it was great. 2 regular deck chairs with a table and 2 loungers. Lots of room and the area closest to the door was shady most of the time. Not sure if this differs on the Getaway.

Some people just like to complain. Before retiring, for "work" I used to consult with owners and managers of many businesses, and in many instances interface with the workforce. Never failed that at least some of the worker bees would complain non-stop about their jobs - and these complaints were made to me - a consultant hired and working for their bosses and company owners. I always walked away thinking if you really hate your job so much, why are you here? Life is to short, if you don't like something a cruise line is doing, try another. Still not happy, try a land vacation. If what they are doing causes passengers to walk away, they may do something else. And yes, I agree with talking up when you have an issue. One restaurant owner (client) asked how my meal was, not so good, did you say something?, no, not comfortable speaking up, not that big of a deal. His response, if you don't say something they don't know and can't fix.

Geez, must be losing my mind so close to my cruise. The cruise I referenced above is on NCL. I am going on Royal in November with my daughter so have been watching both forums. Sorry for the confusion.

I am on the Bliss sailing this weekend. I had the bidding for upgrades show up quite a while ago and submitted a very low bid on one cabin category - happy with my current balcony, but would have been happy to move up to a club balcony. I've been watching the open cabins on this sailing and most categories now show as sold out. My PCC called today to wish me a good cruise and asked if there was anything he could do to help me. I told him I had bid, but the cruise looks pretty well sold out. He took a look and said there is very little left on it. In the past I have called earlier and upgraded myself close to sailing, but with the extra latitude points on this one I will reach platinum and I booked NCL air which is an additional mess if upgrading. My advice. Book a cabin you are happy with. If you want to upgrade call early and just do it with your PCC/TA or NCL directly. Cruises are so full right now that hoping for a bidding upgrade is not very likely.

I've done this route twice, heading for the third time soon. I can have issues with motion sickness and generally take bonine every day just to be prepared. I usually try to book rooms low, mid ship, but last time decided to try an aft balcony after hearing all the praise. My first trip was very rough going up the outside the first day or so. There were "bags" out by every elevator and someone missed the bag in one of them. Spent most of the day in the cabin and when laying down the drawers from the nightstands were going in and out. My DH slept like a baby, me not so much. Very few people out and about, it was just very rough. The second cruise was much better, even on a higher floor aft - much less motion with this trip. Avoid the very front of the ship - doesn't seem to matter which floor, this area seems to have the most movement. Obviously the motion doesn't stop me from cruising, or taking this route. Sadly, I also avoid shore excursions on smaller boats. Tried salmon fishing and felt "green" the entire time.

Looked under gifts and it wasn't an option for me at this time. About the seltzer with cooler, now it is showing $54.99 per cooler and 6 pack, I bought for $43.99. The price on that seems to go up and down. It was the higher price, then when it dropped again I purchased it. I'm actually considering waiting for it to drop and buying a second set. At 6 x $7 that would be $42, not including the cooler bag and they didn't charge me for any gratuities.