illiniwahoo

If you walk through the buffet to the back of the ship, there is a nice deck out there. There are tables near the railings, but also couch areas. Mainly in the shade, with nice sea views.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

It sounds like the English version is just sold out. I would NOT book the Spanish one. It's not fair to those people who purposely booked a tour in Spanish to have to wait for an English translation too. There's lot of private tour options. Where are you going?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

When I travel with breast milk I find it much easier to take fresh (refrigerated) milk than frozen. It is much easier to keep it cold than to keep it frozen, and it is good for 6-8 days whereas frozen milk must be used within 24 hours of thawing. Sometimes I will even feed some of my frozen milk the day or two before the trip so I can have more fresh milk to pack.

 

Hope you guys have a great cruise! My 8 month old is going on her first cruise next month and her grandparents are also joining us.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

We have cruised Alaska that week on Celebrity a few years ago and noticed few children. I would expect a few more on NCL, but in NY our schools are still in session then.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I've sailed both the equinox and the breakaway. Celebrity is our favorite line. But overall your assessment that back has better nightlife is correct. Overall the Celebrity nightlife should be very similar to what you have seen on royals midsized ships. Every night there are the shows and bands. But no comedy club or dueling piano bar like on ncl. But typically the martini bar is hopping until well past midnight.

Celebrity is a step up in every other way. Its the little things. On ncl you have to check out towels. On celebrity you can have as many as you want. I know you said food isn't that important, but celebrity is much more to our liking. We said we would not do another ncl cruise without paying for the specialty restaurants. In 6 celebrity cruises we have been to a specialty restaurant once, because the mdr is so good.

I've had the drink packages on both and am surprised to hear you think celebrity is not as good. Ncl's doesn't include the coffee bar. And i can't remember if it included water. Celebrity has both. Overall celebrity has a MUCH better wine list. I think their overall drink list is more creative too. On celebrity the classic package is included. You can pay 10pp/day to upgrade to the premium (highly recommended, but really depends on what you like to drink) on ncl you have to pay gratuities on the package price, so the cost difference isn't great.

Remember that uber and lyft drivers must follow state car seat laws or risk being ticketed. I'm not sure what FL laws are. Have you checked out the Safer Ride vest as a car seat alternative?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Most of the companies listed are really just cab companies. For some people that works really well as all they want is to see the sites. I wasn't happy with that. I wanted a tour guide to show me the sites and explain them. In the Caribbean, we almost never do ship tours as I found we could either do the same thing cheaper, or a smaller, better tour for the same price. All over Europe, I found that it was much more expensive to get private tours if you wanted a driver and a guide. I don't remember Italy's rules, but in Greece certified tour guides have the equivalent of a master's degree. So it makes sense that it is more expensive. In Europe we did ship tours if it was far from port, some on our own with Rick Steve's audio guides if the attractions were close to port, and a few calmer days of vineyards, beaches, or wandering where we didn't need a guide.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

The Tracy arm one sells out very quickly. If it's still available, buy it now! You can always cancel later if you change your mind.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

When I was in college I could have never taken a Thursday - Monday cruise. I would expect the Monday to Thursday cruises packed with college kids during spring break weeks, but the cruises that span two weeks would be more difficult (although admittedly, it's probably the college kids that don't mind missing an extra day that would be the most obnoxious)

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I'm so sorry that happened to you. We are also waiting until our twins are potty trained to cruise with them, so I will definitely fully investigate height requirements. Thanks for the warning!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Special needs told you to pump and dump?!?! That's terrible! I would honestly call back and try to get a supervisor. I get that they may not be able to provide a freezer, but you should at least be able to get a real fridge like they do for Insulin so you only have to waste a few days. Can your doctor write a letter justifying the medical necessity of breastmilk and use that to get a fridge?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I just finished nursing twins and saw one of the only doctors (MD, not just lactation consultant) who specializes in breastfeeding. Milk refrigerated can last 8 days. I would definitely ask special needs in advance if they can freeze the milk for you. I used the kiinde pouches for freezing and they worked great. I would bring two small cooler - one hopefully for their freezer to hold the frozen milk and one for the room to chill each pumping while waiting to be frozen. Explain the need for constant ice to your room steward. Maybe show a baby pic to make sure he gets it. If they can't freeze it, ask if they have real fridges for medical purposes. I've heard some lines do. If not, using submerging the milk in buckets of ice in the fridge will likely keep it for 4 days.

For travel, a good cooler and as much ice as possible! If they will freeze the milk you should be golden (i filled a few of the same pouches with water to have ice blocks) a 6 hour trip home and the milk was frozen solid. If you can't freeze the milk, have lots of zip lock bags. Fill with ice right before you leave the ship. Refill with ice from a restaurant at the airport before getting on the plane. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Timing sounds doable. 2 hours is a nice gap between the two to allow for the first one running late. Personally, I would grab something quick on the ship for lunch. Then use any extra time to walk around and enjoy the town. There is a visitors center with a movie about the gold rush (i enjoy the history aspect of understanding what I'm seeing) We didn't eat on shore, but did go the the brewery at the end of the main street. Lines were long, but you have plenty of time for dinner.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

For the Caribbean I would pick based on ship. For Alaska I would pick based on itinerary. And excursions are really expensive, so I would also save money with the pearl, and spend it on excursions

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

We used Ketchikan kayak company in 2015. They were terrific. Very small group sizes - in fact they sent us off alone with our own guide!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I'm new to MSC. I tried looking on their website, but found little info, at least on the mobile site. What are these classes? How do they differ?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

When we cruised mid may the water was warm enough to wade in, but not really comfortable swimming temps yet. Beach days were still nice and warm enough.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

We just did a 4 night on the equinox this month. They did have a white party out on the deck. But really the entertainment staff was all in white but hardly any passengers. It was pretty fun anyways. They had music and dancing and a few other things like guys on stilts.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I used Dave with Family Air. For early booking he has a buy 3 get the 4th free special (not sure if he's doing that this year). It was great since we had 4 people. A private tour at 25% off.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Don't know the other - but loved the glacier point wilderness safari in late May 2 years ago!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Im happy to report lawn games were available on the Equinox for our January cruisw

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

In 2015 it sold out for my cruise, and they did add another boat later. Look every day! We were able to get tickets in March after it had been sold out for weeks

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

They don't have a sign on all doors where they have changing tables. In equinox the ladies room just outside of the buffet had one in the "sideways" stall - first one on the right.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I wouldn't worry either. Make sure you use official taxis or book in advance with a well reviewed tour company. Bus crashes can happen anywhere.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Just be aware they close the bars surprisingly early. About two hours before boarding if I recall correctly. I remember thinking we still had at least an hour before we had to get back on board and having to beg the bartender for one last drink as he was packing up.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app