MrsWhite831

Thanks! I've also read on these boards that the entrance fee tends to keep crowds away so ::fingers crossed::

According to http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/Mexico/155-Cozumel/January_2016/ there will be 6 ships in port on 1/15/16. 2 of them giants (our Getaway and RC's Allure).

We were planning on going to Chankanaab (not doing any sort of animal interaction). Now I'm afraid it's going to be a mob scene and we don't arrive until 11am. I feel like we're going to walk into huge crowds/no chairs/long lines. We have a group of 3 small kids (4,4 &7) and 7 adults (22-61) do we stick with the plan or look elsewhere?

Great! Thanks everyone!

This is my weirdest CC question ever...

We're staying at Hyatt Place 17th St Convention Center this Saturday pre cruise. We have looked ALL OVER our home town (Freezing snowy buffalo) and kind not find water shoes that we need for an excursion. I know we could buy them online but a few in the family wanted to try them on 1st or find them cheap as possible. I know that there is "shopping nearby"- anywhere you think would sell things like water shoes??

Good morning! We sail next week on NCL out of Miami. We are a group of 14, ages 4-61. We have a late flight (7pm) out of FLL that night. We've rented a 15pass van from Alamo and need to find a way to spend the day with that can. Now for my slew of questions...

What do you guys think of driving to Hollywood beach/boardwalk?

Is there enough to see/do there for families?

I've read that you can walk a boardwalk, shop, dine and obviously go to the beach. Is there places to get changed before out flight?

Whats the parking situation like on a Sunday in January?

Oh and if you don't recommend it- any other suggestions?

Thanks!!!

Sounds good! So the roundtrip process is about an hour give or take? That plan will work! He will be allowed to drive the rental into the port to get us, right?

We have a late flight home from FLL after a cruise out of POM. I think our best option is to rent a car for the day. Our kids are 4,4, and 6 so they won't do well in the airport for 10 hours. From my forum search I see that they have a shuttle from the port if you're renting a car. You *do* rent from MIA alamo, right? My question is- we were going to rent the 15 passenger van b/c we have a large party. Would everyone be allowed on the shuttle to POM from Alamo @ MIA?

The $20 admission fee keeps the crowds down at Chank.

Makes sense, thanks!

My kids are 4,4 and 6 so as much as I hate the higher admission fee I like that there are "other" things to do besides snorkeling and inflatables- which they are too little for. Plus DH wouldn't agree to "just a beach day", so he can go tequilla tasting while I work on my tan :D

From searching posts here I see it's simple to do Chakanaab on our own, right? We are in port 11-7, it says on the site it closes at 4:00. Is that just for the attractions or will they boot us out at 4? Also, I see online there will be SIX ships in Cozumel that day... will Chakanaab be crazy busy? We're not booking any encounters but want to be able to enjoy the attractions without being elbow to elbow with crowds.

Thanks!!!

That's the oddest conclusion I've seen. I read the email from the TA and thought, that makes sense....kind of like having Jean Anne Ryan do your theatre programs.... leave it to the experts....

 

And you conclude this is a bad thing?

 

 

*smh*

 

 

.

No. In a perfect world I would like to see them refocus (or whatever the intention is) the kids club and have the character interaction/partnership that every other line has. I saw Splash Academy and Nick activities as totally separate entities. It was almost like we got Nick at Sea as a bonus and now it's being taken away. I applaud their decision to put more effort into kids programming but I know that a lot of kids will miss that special part of their vacation.

Direct quote from my TA...

"Regarding the kids programs, NCL's President Andy Stuart spoke openly on the webinar today about why they were discontinuing the affiliation with Nickelodeon.

He said while the character integration was great for some sailings (usually holiday or peak seasons), however, on others where there were fewer kids, it was difficult to run the Nickelodeon activities properly and that it impacted what they could offer in the overall kids programs on those ships. It also created inconsistency in running the kids programs across the fleet since only select ships had Nickelodeon.

In lieu of offering the Nickelodeon character interactions they are instead strengthening their partnership with the King's Foundation to further enhance their kids programs. They've been working with King's Foundation the past couple years in rebuilding their programs and are now enhancing that relationship for all ships across the fleet with more emphasis on educational activities, sporting activities, arts & crafts, theater and technology.

King's Foundation is a UK based organization that has developed family programs globally, including US Military bases."

Soooo... pretty much admitting they have nothing to replace Nickelodeon with :(

http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/MSC-Cruises-Lego-Partner.aspx

 

MSC goes LEGO

Jealous! I feel like that would have been perfect for NCL. We're on 1/10/16 so literally the 1st Getway cruise post- Nickelodeon. I'm hoping they have already transitioned to something great. As an adult, I get it- it's not a *huge* deal but to 3 small kids who already have seen (and expect to see again) the Nick characters on the getaway it's going to be crushing.

 

They really need to find an established partner, because making these things generic is going to be lame. The "circus" stuff is a flop with most kids. They should really retool that one.

My kids thought splash academy was ok but they LOVED the Nick at Sea activities. I agree- the generic stuff gets boring to them. We sail 1/10/16 so *right after* they do away with N.A.S on the getaway. The 2 reasons our kids (4,4 and 6) begged to go on the same ship was cookies from room service (now there's a fee) and to see the Nick characters again (now they'll be gone). Not that any of that is cancel-worthy but I'm really bummed and dread telling them.

After searching the board the only suggestions I could find for families with small kids is a Beach Day/Beach Break. We will already have 2 beach days on our cruise and my husband will get bored of that quickly. Our kids will be 4, 4 and 7. we're actually travelling with a group of about 15, so if we were to do something like Dunns Falls, there would be about 3 adults per child to "help".

Has anyone done a more active excursion with kids they could recommend? Thanks!

Word of caution, if your sister is from NY state her marriage will not be recognized if done on board at sea. MY DD was married on Princess and assured it was legal. She went to change her name on her drivers license and told they would not recognize it NY will only recognize USA , PR and US Virgin islands. She had to get remarried before work by the mayor with the janitor observing! This also happened to a friend who married in Antigua. Leave it to NY to get more $$ out of you

oh yeah loooove NY $$$. They were told they would have to be married/obtain a certificate in NY first and then it's called something else on the ship, like "symbolic ceremony" I believe.

We were married on the Breakaway before leaving port. They do weddings during the sailing, but I think you may have to bring your own officiant.

 

We were married in the Manhattan Room (Tropicana Room on Getaway) and then our reception was in the Bliss Lounge.

 

The space worked well for us because we had a large number of guests at the wedding. The Tropicana room might seem too big if you only have a small number of guests. It does have a nice view with the large windows and they already have a piano there if you wanted some music.

 

For our reception, we supplied the dance music and even a short video as we were introduced. The Group Staff on the ship even put our names in the lights on the wall (I was so excited that I did not even notice until seeing the pictures and video later.).

 

NCL did a great job. You start by working with their wedding vendor and then the Group Staff on the ship take over closer to the date.

Great info, thanks! Yes, they're working with the wedding vendor now. The do weddings on board, a captain will officiate (included in fee), the only restrictions are indoors and on a sea day. Our family loved the Tropicana room, good suggestion.

We were on the getaway last April and I'm drawing a blank. My sister has decided to get married on the getaway this January! We're so excited. Her travel agent has asked that she chose an indoor location on the ship, during a sea day...

If it were you , where would you choose? They would love something "with a view".

My twins were turned 3 only 1 month before we sailed. Our son cried at drop off but seemed to be interested in what was going on and took the staff members hand and walked away. They gave us the pager to make us feel a little better I think. Sure enough after an hour, he wasn't crying but he was "tired and wanted to go back"- so they buzzed us right away. The staff was *excellent* on the Getaway

Valuetrips is a great place to get Hyatt Place at a great rate. A lot of CC members use them for booking. They include airport shuttle and breakfast. It is the Hyatt Place in Ft. Lauderdale near the port.

 

Another budget option in the same area is Holiday Inn Express SE 17th St.

I checked it out and hyatt place is the deal of the day. However, they're only taking reservations until December and we need 1/9/16

I can't find the spot to edit my post above.

If you don't have a suggestion that meets the requirements... do you know of at least a hotel where we can order pizza at night, maybe a continental breakfast and that will have an airport shuttle ;)

Doesn't someone over 18 have to be in the booking room?

Yeah they're 3,3 and 6- it wouldn't work :(

I may just ask on board, can't hurt. I will swap them 3 kids soda packages for 1 adult soda package ;)

Worst case scenario, 6 year old orders diet pop for grandpa and endures strange looks at the bar

My husband and I stay at the Intercontinental Miami when we cruise out of POM. We fly into FLL and take the train/tram. We love that there are places to walk to- inexpensive restaurants, drugstores for last minute cruise stuff... This year we're taking our kids (3,3 & 6). I think we'd save money staying in FLL but want the same conveniences we have in Miami. Is there a hotel that's like that and reasonably priced?? Bonus points for one with a hotel shuttle :p

Thanks!!!

I tried searching the forum using every phrase I thought of to get an answer and came up with nothing, haha. It *has* to have been asked before.

We're travelling with a large group next Jan and got the UBP. We have 3 kids who won't/aren't allowed to have soda or juice. Is it against the rules to stick the sticker on someone else's card in our party? Like for example, my dad is paying single supplement in an inside room and won't have the UBP but will drink a ton of diet soda...

Just booked for Jan 2016 on the getaway with KSF. Chose OBC without thinking and realized we would have been much better off with UDP. Will I be able to change this? I kept getting disconnected from the NCL number and my NCL PCC is not in the office this late.