pjo

Our family did a MSC cruise for the first time in 2017.  Food definitely leaned towards European, but we never had a problem finding something that appealed to us. That goes for breakfast and lunch in the buffet and dinner in the main dining room. 
 

Paul

I appreciate all the responses.  Clearly shipping home the souvenirs is the way to go.  We will explore the options. Thank you.

Paul

Years ago on this board someone said apply the 80/20 rule.  That means if 80% of the people who responded are in agreement on something take it to be true.  You will never, ever get 100% agreement on anything.  So...if 80% feel a certain way then you should consider that to be reliable.  Hope this helps.

Paul

We have been on many cruises and usually pack our souvenirs carefully and bring them home in the luggage or carry ons.  Our next cruise is a long one and I was wondering if anyone has shipped their souvenirs home via Fed Ex or any other shipper.  We end our cruise in Venice and will be there for a few days.  It would make packing so much simpler if we could ship the souvenirs home separately.  Anyone ever done that?

Paul

On 4/10/2019 at 6:14 AM, newmexicoNita said:

anyone notice this thread is 2 years old?

Excellent observation.

Paul

On 4/5/2019 at 7:31 PM, Dmary0315 said:

Since you have a TA I would tell her to make NCL aware. I believe I noted it on the registration documents. They will also do a private muster drill in your room if you wish. I would certainly take advantage of the  expediated check in. Those lines, noise and lighting  can be a nightmare for our kids. Also contact the Access Desk for any additional assistance you may need.

Happy sailing.

Thank you for the advice.  I will be contacting my TA to advise NCL of the disabilities.

Paul

Our family is going on the Spirit later this year and 2 of our sons are autistic.  Do I notify NCL or should my travel agent do it.  Having an expedited check in would be terrific.  On our last cruise we flew on Lufstansa and they knew of the disabilities.  They made check in wonderful.

Paul

Our family was on the Spirit last year and we had 2 inside cabins.  They seemed no different than the inside cabins on Princess or RCCL.  We are going on the Spirit again in October (with insides) and looking forward to it.  A really nice ship IMO.

Paul

Never tie yourself to one cruise line.  The more cruise lines you try the better.

Paul

And Nassau is one of the least liked ports for cruisers. If they were in Barcelona, then OK. 😎

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Spirit.  Our family took out first NCL cruise last January and we were on the Spirit on a 10 day Canary Islands cruise.  We have done many Princess cruises along with MSC, Costa and RCCL and we enjoyed NCL as much as any of the ones mentioned.  I really like the Freestyle cruising.  I got tired of the tux on formal nights on Princess and eventually stepped down to a suit and then just smart casual.  There are no pretenses on NCL.  Casual all the way and I love it.

We went to Tangiers instead of Casablanca (because of the rough weather) and I am glad we did.  Had a great time and tour in Tangiers.  The Spirit is an older ship but we enjoyed it thoroughly.  So much so that we are on the Spirit again this October.  Our family is doing a 15 day cruise from Southampton, England to Venice.  Every stop (Normandy, Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Naples Athens Split, etc) is truly a highlight stop.  And the UBP that NCL offers is the single best  perk I have ever gotten on any cruise anywhere.

Paul

41 minutes ago, hollarts said:

Thanks for the update Paul.   We are also looking at Overlord tours, but #9 which is the private tour for 8.  We are a group of 4 and I just found another couple to join us today on CC, so hoping we can identify 2 more to join us and make our 8.   This makes this tour only 12.50 higher than the group of 16 and we can do more with our day.   Glad you thought they were a good choice too  - that makes me feel better with our selection of this company.  Reviews were great.  Enjoy your tour and see you on the ship.   

 

As a note, we booked private tours/transportation in each port in Italy and at Athens if you need any recommendations. 

 

Tamie

Tamie,

Thank you for the reply.  Hopefully we can all meet up on this cruise.  We are coming in to London 5 days pre-cruise so let me know if we can meet for dinner in London.  It looks like you are all set for Le Havre.  We have been to Barcelona several times before so we are free lancing there as we have already seen the most important sites.  In Italy we have booked Romeinlimo for Livinoro, Rome and Naples.  We have used Romeinlimo before and they are nothing short of excellent.  Let me know what you are doing in Santorino and Athens.  In Split I think we are doing a Segway tour.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

Paul

4 hours ago, hollarts said:

Did you end up booking this cruise?  We are on it and another couple of friends.   We are busy planning our excursions at each port - most will be private tours.    We are looking for fellow cruisers to join a tour of the American-focused sites on the Normandy beaches and general areas at our Le Havre port stop.

 

We actually did book this cruise.  For the Le Havre stop we have contacted Overlord tours for a tour of Normandy.  We are waitlisted on the 9B tour on October 12th.  This tour is limited to 18 people and we are the first 5 to have signed up for this tour.  It takes 8 reservations for the tour to officially “open.”  This company comes highly recommended so if you are interested contact Rebecca at Overlord tours.  Hopefully  we will meet up on this cruise.  We are also booking most tours through private companies.

Paul

Two years ago our family was in Rome and we did the Rome highlights tour with RomeinLimo.  In short, they are fabulous.  There are several threads on this board that go back years regarding this company and the thousands of reviews here and on TripAdvisor are nothing short of excellent.  This October we are going on another Med cruise that stops in Livorno, Rome and Naples and yesterday I booked RomeinLimo for all 3 days.  Have fun.

Paul

We have been in Barcelona twice in the past 2 years and we stayed at the Hotel Europark both times.  A great hotel with a breakfast buffet. Close to everything. If you stay with them book directly with them to get the best rate.  Don’t use a third party site. 

paul

Our family (5 adults in 2 cabins) went on our first NCL cruise last year (Canary Islands cruise on the Spirit) and had a terrific time. We had the UBP and it was the best perk we have ever received.  We have taken many cruises on Princess, RCCL, Costa, and MSC but have received nothing close to the UBP.  So...my question is this...does getting the UBP have any affect on what cruise line you choose when you plan your next cruise.

Paul

Our family is thinking of taking the 15 day Greece, Italy and France cruise out of Southampton on the Spirit next October.  Has anyone done this cruise?  I would like to hear some feedback on the itinerary.  We were on the Spirit earlier this year (in January on a Canary Island cruise) so we are familiar with the ship.  My question is really limited to the itinerary.  The fact that it leaves from London and ends in Venice really appeals to us.  We plan on 4 days pre-cruise in London and a couple days post cruise in Venice.

Paul

I have been fortunate to cruise Europe multiple times though not on your exact itinerary. I have sailed out of Southampton 3 times and stopped at LeHavre twice. I have been to every port on your itinerary except Split.

If Paris is important to you, I would do it pre-cruise and split the time with London.

Flying into Paris and making your way to London via the Eurostar would not be difficult with 3 strapping young sons. Pre-booking the Eurostar in advance is quite affordable at about $70us per. London to Southampton is easily done. Save the LeHavre stop for the D-day visit/lesson that would humble your sons.

That is an excellent idea. I never considered that. This way we get to see Paris and London and Normandy all in the same vacation. Thank you for that suggestion.

Paul

Pete,

Thank you for the response. Our family consists of my wife and I and 3 sons (early to mid 20s). We always book our tours with independent operators as opposed to going through the cruise line. There is much more selection, the tours are usually private or a small group, and the price is always way better than what the cruise line charges. We were in Rome a couple years ago and did a 1 day tour with Romeinlimo. We are familiar with them and it was a great tour. Thank you for the advice on Venice. This cruise would certainly be a “bucket list” one for our family.

Paul

Our family was on the Spirit earlier this year. Loved it.

Paul

Our family is looking to do the 15 day Greek Isles, Italy, and France cruise on the Spirit in October 2019. We were on the Spirit earlier this year on a Canary Islands cruise and enjoyed the Spirit (and the cruise). My question has to do solely with the itinerary. The ship leaves from London and ends in Venice. It appeals to us as we can see London pre-cruise and it has a 1 day stop in Paris. Those are 2 major cities we want to see. Also, we have always wanted to see Venice so we can stay a few days post cruise there. Has anyone done this itinerary before and what was your opinion of it.

Paul

The UBP without question.

Paul

Thank you for not peeing in the pool :-D

Maybe he saves that trip for the hot tub. LOL

Paul

Our family went on NCL for the first time earlier this year. We did a 10 day Canary Island cruise out of Barcelona. I found the casual atmosphere and freestyle dining fit our needs perfectly. And, the best perk I have ever received on a cruise was the UBP.

Paul

Our family just took its first cruise with NCL on a 10 day Canary Islands cruise on the Spirit. We had a terrific time. We are long time cruisers, but this was our first time with NCL. We enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and the UBP. Now we are looking at a cruise out of Sydney, Australia that makes multiple stops in New Zealand. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has been to Sydney and New Zealand. Also, if anyone has been on the Jewel recently I would like to hear about what you think about the ship.

Paul