kprudge

Does anyone recall approximately when the music starts? We like to eat early, but we also want to dance.

Thanks in advance!

Sure, MickeyFreak. If you will forgive the long post, here is a review I posted on ScubaBoard. Cheers!

NCL Getaway 15 April 2018 -

I am not the biggest fan of cruising for a number of reasons, but there are worse ways to dive. I brought my own gear, rinsed it in the shower, and dried it on the balcony. My BCD was the only cumbersome part of bringing my own gear, but I would likely do it again to know I have something that fits just right and is what I am used to.

I decided to not do any ship excursions: I did not want large groups; I did not want 1x/year (or fewer) dive buddies; I feel like cruises take advantage of both the guests and the outfits. For the ports I was diving, I was very comfortable with my odds of returning on time.

I thought I had researched timing well and learned that "ship time" stayed in sync with the local time of the departure port. This was not the case; the ship recognized local time in all ports, changing from EDT to EST to CST and back.

Costa Maya -

I booked a lionfish hunt with Doctor Dive. Concerned that I may be an hour late due to time miscalculation, I hurried past the empty trolley at the port exit, figuring that it would be some time before it loaded up and made its way to Mahahual. The first taxi quoted me $8 USD. I walked further only to find the same result. They now charge by the car, not by the person, and the ride will be $8 regardless. Best would be to take the $3 trolley out and a taxi back (make new friends if you aren't there with some of your own).

Doctor Dive has a clean, comfortable shop with a nice spot to sit outside. I was the only one on my dive, which included an intro to using the Hawaiian sling spear. Costa Maya has done a great job eradicating their lionfish - we only saw two and I got a shot off on just one...and missed. No lunch for us. :-( My guide said they were about to stop doing lionfish dives due to the population decline. No regrets - it was still a good time and I look forward to trying it again elsewhere.

Being an early, 1-tank dive, I had plenty of extra time. I was not feeling beachy, so I walked down the sidewalk and bought some local art - cartoonish fish are created with multiple pieces of painted wood and re-used waste (think roll-on deodorant balls for eyes). They come attached to a wooden canvas to be hung on a wall. Mine has two fish bearing striking resemblances to my husband and to me...it will go above our headboard.

It was too early for others to be leaving the beach. For whatever reason, the trolley refuses to take you back to the ship even though it is going there anyhow. So I paid my $8 for a taxi and was able to meet Mom for lunch (she had gone on a glass-bottom boat ride).

Harvest Caye, Belize -

This is the private island for Norwegian Cruise Line. We opted to take a ferry off the island to Placencia at $25pp r/t. I decided not to dive here since the reef is 45-60 minutes away and it would be the riskiest port for timing. However, I saw that GoSea uses the same dock as the ferry and seemed very tuned into getting their guests back before that last ferry left.

Roatan -

I booked with Subway because: transportation was pre-arranged; their internship program has been on my radar for years; I wanted to dive Mary's Place. The dives were delightful - in addition to Mary's, we dove the Prince Albert and nearby airplane wreck...with a man who was on that plane when it crashed! I was surprised by a few things. No snacks were provided so we all had nothing between breakfast and 3:30pm. As each diver ran low on air (starting with our weakest), they were sent to surface alone - just four of us total and no buddies. This was the first time I experienced that, although the DM in Cozumel followed the same practice. Eye contact was often not made with the DM after entry to exchange 'OK' signals. I will be the first to admit that I am on the conservative end of the risk spectrum in all of my adventure pursuits but I thought it was worth noting.

The roads were a mess from a bad storm and traffic was a bit thick in places. There was still enough time for the unexpected, but had we been tendered from the ship as is sometimes done at that port, I probably would not have stayed for my second dive. Mind you, there are plenty of shops and sites much closer to port than I was and, as has been mentioned in this thread, it sounds like the op contracted through the cruise line does a nice job. BTW, we docked at Coxen Hole. Be aware that your line may dock at Mahogany.

Cozumel -

Mary's Place was the most enjoyable dive I had ever done...until we got here. I dove Cozumel once before but I think it was when I was quite new. This time was FAR more enjoyable than I had remembered. We went to San Francisco and Cedral (sp?). My GoPro had been getting stuck on the "Saving" screen, but I learned that it would record the first 14 seconds while in record mode, then I could force it to power down and reset for the next video op. I actually wound up with some decent shots but I must find out what is wrong with my camera.

This is the one place where time was an issue. They were expecting me an hour earlier. Fortunately, they needed to run some gear to the marina so I was able to hop on the truck and board fully clothed and with backpack. Thank you, Tres Pelicanos! I bumped into Mom on the street and we were on board in time for a late lunch.

There is a lot that I like about Tres Pelicanos, including their convenient location to Punta Langosta (ships also dock at the International Pier). I met divers as they got off their other boat and they are fans and repeat customers. Unfortunately, the timing does not work out unless you get off your ship by 7 or 7:15 local time.

I hope some of this will be helpful to someone. Cheers!

Kimberly

Thank you for this thread. I enjoyed my recent NCL cruise but was already researching other lines before disembarkation. I think I would enjoy less blaring music/sexiest leg contest and more dress up and dance. The freedom to do so on my own is different from the ambiance of fellow cruisers with the same interests.

I appreciate hearing how NCL regulars think of Celebrity and will add it to my list of lines to consider.

From where we were staying, it was a significant issue. I was just trying to help other people out who might need to plan accordingly and leave earlier. We got a local driver and we arrived two hours later than planned but we are here.

’nuff said.

I guess my guy was too optimistic. :-( I hope they find a way that we can keep Roatan on the 4/15 getaway itinerary as well.

Who are you diving with? We have reservations with Coconut Divers on the 19th.

I am doing Subways best of Rotan combo. Mary’s place and a wreck dive.

I have not read all of the pages in this thread so this may already have been covered, but...

Did you know that every time someone does a "mock booking" to see availability, NCL cannot do anything with that room? I just called to try to upgrade and the same two rooms I have watched come and go over the past couple days disappeared again just before the agent could click.

Since we sail in three days (Getaway 4/15), I will lay off on the cabin-checking and wait patiently (pfft) for my bid email. :halo:

My dive shop spoke with port authorities and they may already be "back to business as usual." According to the shop manager, they still expect to receive the Getaway on the 19th.

It is for the same reason that I chose not to do a Mini-Suite upgrade bid from my BA. Who knows where I would wind up! Sorry this happened and I hope you have an amazing time regardless!

Congrats!! That's so exciting! Enjoy! We are on the Getaway the next week, still waiting to see about our bid.

We are on that one, too! No word yet on our bid either - I am not holding my breath, although our ship does look pretty light! :cool:

Kimberly

We have a mid-ship BA on the Getaway. I would like to get into a Balcony Spa, MiniSuite Spa, Aft Balcony, or anything Haven. At two weeks out, there seems to be a good number of such cabins available (some more so than others).

CAS told me to call back the week of sailing, which I think I will do regardless. I can also put a low bid in on an MX. Will my upgrade possibilities be noticeably better (in options and/or expense) if we are starting from MX vs BA? If we get "stuck" in an MX we won't like, is it possible to change the cabin # in the same category after the cabin has been assigned?

Also, can one take advantage of cancellations during check in?

Many thanks for your advice! We are about to have an amazing time regardless of which balcony you find us on!

Congratulations - I think you will love it! I often travel the way you do. This will obviously be more touristy than an AirBnB on the beach and may sometimes feel like cattle-herding. NCL helps that with the Freestyle concept. I like going to eat when I feel like it and choosing to avoid busy times. Be aware that some ports have little shopping villages right at the port that are built just for cruisers. Go right on through and out the other side if you want the kind of independence that you are used to. Just be sure to return on time!

I also surrender all luggage that I will not need for the few hours until my room is ready. So I keep a carry-on with swimsuit, sunscreen, dining clothes, medications...I definitely do not lug, but it does sometimes feel annoying to have my backpack in the dining room with me.

Enjoy!

Many thanks to all of you who have provided such detailed information! After much reading, I think I still need your advice.

My mother received an offer, from her land-based casino, for a free inside cabin on one of a list of NCL cruises. We are on the Getaway on 4/15.

She loves balconies, so she paid to upgrade - 400pp. After taxes, port fees, and the "Administration Fee," her "free" cruise is up to $1400.

We are in 11260 - from what I gather, there is a chance of deck noise from stacking chairs, etc. - true? Which balconies are the not-so-private ones where those from above can see right down on you - is that deck 11, too? She really likes that this cabin has a large balcony.

We put a low bid in on a Haven Spa but those appeared to already be sold out. I would love to get her into a Haven Aft H6 - there appear to be 6 available out of 10, but the minimum bid is $750pp. Perhaps a good value, but just a stretch for our budget.

So...the minimum bid for a mini-suite (no category specified) is 25pp and my reference site shows 75 specific cabins available (MA-13, MB-8, M2-15, M3-14, M4-2, M6-11, M9-8) . I don't know much about comparative balcony sizes - What are the chances that the balcony size will be noticeably less appealing to Mom? I would hate to pay to accidentally treat her to a downgrade of sorts!

Also, I talked to CAS about upgrades and they said they can't touch the deals that are being offered via bidding...then he said to call back the week of sailing and see about it then. :-)

Splash, Seahorse, and GoSea are all based out of Placencia. There is nothing on Harvest Caye other than NCL activities...and the ferry to Placencia.

I am on the Getaway in April. I plan to dive with Splash.

Good luck!

Kimberly