JinxyB

I am just back from my first NCL cruise and was able to utilize the kids club for a few hours each day for my 2y/o. I'm pretty bummed they won't accept 2 y/o anymore as I really enjoyed my cruise... This leaves me stuck with Carnival for the next year as they are the only ones who accept 2 y/o in kids clubs. I thought NCL kids don't have to potty trained? Is this a new rule? I'm hoping my son will be trained at 3 but won't book NCL if they have imposed this rule.

Sharecruises, I remember reading this thread and it made me excited for my Pearl cruise...just off the Pearl yesterday and NCL did not disappoint and really puts Carnival to shame, IMO. The staff were top notch and always smiling and welcoming you onboard, etc. Real steel drum guy welcoming you on board the first time, party on the pier in Cozumel, even staff wishing you safe travels and goodbye with music/dancing upon disembarking. Everyone went out of their way to make you feel like a valued customer. Buffet was excellent with no lines even at peak time. Fresh pineapple out at all times, crepe station, etc. I got a mini-suite for less than what I would have paid for a balcony on Carnival the same week. Not as many trashy/poorly behaving people as I have seen on recent Carnival cruises. I could go on and on, but I will definitely cruise with NCL again! I have number 10 and 11 already booked with Carnival for early 2013 but think I am done after that-too many cutbacks and bad service for me!

Thank you for the review-it is making me excited for our Pearl cruise next month! This will be our first NCL cruise-switched over from a Carnival sailing the same date for various reasons. I have 9 cruises with Carnival and one FCC to use and after my 10th/Platinum cruise on Carnival next year I think I am done. I am willing to pay more for a better cruise experience. Also, I got a mini-suite on NCL for less than I paid for my last balcony on Carnival.

While on the Destiny in Dec 2009, we had the pleasure of meeting Pisamei from Thailand-she was by far, the best server I have ever had on a cruise! We were on a B2B and specifically requested to be seated in her section on our second leg of the B2B. Very friendly, efficient, and willing to help! Tipped her well and wrote great things about her in the surveys, so I hope she gets some recognition!

I think this is a pretty good deal and would like the opinion of other solo cruisers: 18 day TA from Venice to Fort Lauderdale Oct 7 on Ruby Princess, inside cabin for one person around $1900.

Thinking about booking it, but just can't make my mind up!:rolleyes:

Check out trip advisor for hotel reviews. There are a lot of great reviews for the Intercontinental!:)

I had this hotel booked as a military rate of $195 (with taxes = $243) and I just saw on HW the price had dropped for the IC. Cancellled my reservation online and did Hotwire. I really want to stay at this hotel pre-cruise, so I booked it for $129 (with taxes = $162) on Hotwire. I can't wait!:)

I did not remember the American Casino...we went to the casino towards the left where you had to pay and have passport scanned. This casino had table games and also a lot of slots (I don't think it opened until the evening), but that part was empty...most people were at the tables and there were only a handful of Americans (including us). The 75 Euro blackjack table was the lowest during the day, but I can't remember what it went up to at night. We were there in the afternoon and boyfriend had on jeans and a collared polo. I wore a just above the knee skirt and a nice shirt and we had no problems getting in, but we were the most casually dressed people inside the casino. I did have to check my camera and a small bag. The free casino was towards the right and was packed with people playing slots. It seemed very small, but I did not explore it. I would say pay the $$$ just to see the casino as it is beautiful and historic! Hope this helps!

I went to Monaco in 2005 (land trip) with my then-boyfriend and we went into the casino there during the day. They needed to scan our passports and we had to pay 10 Euros to get in. I thought it was very beautiful and historic and nothing at all like Vegas! It was very quiet and everyone spoke in hushed voices, which I thought was kind of strange. We wore conservative clothing, but there was no dress code stated that I could see. Most of the people gambling were foreign business men...the least expensive table was 75 Euro blackjack! I watched my boyfriend play for awhile and then left to go shopping. If a player wanted a beverage, the dealer rang a bell and a tuxedo-clad "boy" arrived immediately. I thought it was an interesting experience, plus my boyfriend won 450 Euros! There is also a room of slot machines to the right when you walk in the casino that you did not have to pay to enter.