mexicobob

Look forward to trying Norwegian Breakaway but........will always miss Alchemy no matter what ship we sail on.

Venice was a magical place for us on our visit last April. Unique place worth visiting for at least a couple of days. Not a place to go if you are on a budget though. Trieste is a very nice place but does not have the charm of Venice. Also cheaper and MUCH less tourists congestion. If you have never been to Venice, then in my opinion, no contest. That is one place every one needs to visit once.

I have been on Cruise Critic for decades. That is the most depressing post I think I have ever seen. Sure you will not comprehend.

Did your Club Balcony come with robes and a coffee maker? If not, could you ask for them? We look forward to our cruise on The Breakaway in February. Really enjoying your review. Good words and pictures. Maybe you should start a blog and do this for a living. I will follow.

Great review. Really enjoying it as we will be on the Breakaway in February. Keep it up.

Have done an aft-wrap as well as a side balcony in Alaska. Any balcony would be good. When cruising in the fjords I think a side balcony is better. Which side is totally irrelevant. I like being closer to the water, and the whales and other sea creatures, so prefer a lower deck. When crusing into the glacier bays the top decks are the best for 360 degree views. Dress warm as can be cold around all that ice.

Great quote. Love it and try to live by it.

DW and I are about 70. Were on the Riviera last April in the Mediterranean. Fantastic cruise. Very few young people on the ship and all of them were oriental. Maybe that will be the future of Oceania. Look forward to sailing again with them, but for now will try something with a younger crowd. Will miss the food and service, so will be back soon.

Thanks for the info. We will be in a Club Balcony with large balcony in February. Hope to have both robes and coffee makers.

Yes, I prebooked all of our specialty restaurant reservations at 125 days out. We have a Club Balcony which let me book 5 days before every one else. Were given 2 each and I bought an additional 2 each. First time on Norwegian so not sure if it was worth it. Also can not tell you if worth it to board early to get reservation.

We have sailed out of New Orleans 5-6 times. Going down the River would be one of the highlights of the trip for us. We always check our luggage with the porters and then return to the French Quarter. Much better lunch there than on the ship. When you board late there will be no line, as in we are the only ones there. Cabins are ready. Stress free. I will never desperately attempt to find a seat in the buffet when I can have a meal at one of the best restaurants in the world very close by on embarkation day. To each their own though.

Cozumel and Costa Maya are very safe. Maybe not true Mexico but good tourist traps that let you pretend you are in Mexico. I would not rent a golf cart. Please do not for many reasons. Definitely, not safe. Take a $4 taxi.

Think the odds of you leaving the ship at 6:30 are less than zero. You do not say what ship you are on, but would say 9:00 would be more realistic. We disembarked there last April. Very small terminal. Finding your luggage might could be a challenge. Anyway......you should not have any trouble. Nice, smallish city with much character. Plenty of taxis out front when we were there.

Sometimes the "ignore" feature is the best thing about Cruise Critic. You can delete people that you probably do not want to hear from and you will never see their posts again.

Second that. You did not like your cruise.......we get it. Go somewhere else.

Never taken the ship bus..................but traffic can be terrible as similar to a parking lot. Sometimes not so bad. On occasion fog can be a problem in Galveston, delaying ships. Not enough money on the face of this earth for me to do the schedule you describe. Good luck and tell your friends to have alternative plans.

Much more exciting things to do on the ship soon after boarding than the swimming pool. MUCH more exciting things to do in Seattle before boarding. Do not be expecting a large pool by any stretch of the imagination. On some ships I would classify them as a large bathtub. Never been on The Encore so not sure. If you board early there will be crowds, lines, chaos and stress. Been there, done that, and do not do that anymore. I will never fight for a table at embarkation lunch again on a mass market ship. If you have a nice lunch at one of the excellent restaurants in Seattle and then board about 2 there will be no lines, chaos or stress. Highly recommend it. Will also recommend doing any kind of aerial tour at some point in Alaska. Helicopter, float plane, etc. Very expensive and you need to make reservations now. Landing on a glacier with five other people several hundred miles from the nearest human is something you remember on your deathbed. Can not recommend this high enough.

Thank you for the information about the Pourhouse and the coffee makers in the suites.

Is this Keurig? Was thinking of bringing some extra..just in case.

Did they let you in the bar before the show started? Standing in line for 90 minutes does not sound like fun. Do they limit how many people are allowed in the bar, probably most of them standing?

We are on the February 18 cruise. Do not think you can find information on the shows this early. Do not think Six or Rock of Ages will be on the ship then. I went ahead and booked our specialty dining but may have to change things. Will be what it will be. I am more concerned about when the "Rumors" show will be performed in one of the bars.

I have always found the higher the deck, you feel more movement.........as in much more movement. General rule of thumb is a low deck in the middle of the ship for a smoother ride.

Not yet. Have about decided may not be worth it for us. Might be too quiet, and windy.

Thank you. Right where you said it would be and not sold out..yet.

Sorry if it is stupid question.....but where do you sign up for The Vibe. Can you do it in advance. We will be on The Breakaway in February and sounds like something we should do. First time on NCL. Last cruise was on Oceania so will be a big change that maybe The Vibe can smooth over.