smilegirl07

Ours was around those dates in 2024, but for 2025 it starts from the March 14th through the 23rd 2025(school calendar for next year just got published). it really depends on the state and school district as well. Oh, I am sorry, when we say "we(ours)" I mean TX 😆 and most southern states have spring break off around the same time(AK, AL, KS, GA, FL, MS, LA, etc). We also call it the ski week. When I was living in CA, we got our ski week around the 3rd week of Feb(or around president's day weekend) and then got actual spring break around first week~2nd week of April. Since you are leaving toward the end of Feb and get back after the first week of March, I think you will be OK, missing all those "days off for kids" before and after but who knows.... hope I helped a little! Hope you have an awesome time cruising!

@Turtles06 I was thinking the same thing! Just split into two groups! @European_CruiseGirl Yes, I'll look into Uber as well! Thank y'all for the info!

OMG, that would be awesome, besides the taxi-situation, I just want to know how it is generally, how it feels-the vibe on the ship, etc, etc. I think you and I may have the same itinerary, Lisbon to Rome, stopping everyday including Motril, cadiz, ibiza, Majorca and such....like literally 10 stops. I have done quite a few cruises in the US, leaving from the east, the west and the south(Galveston), on Celebrity, Carnival, Disney and BUNCH of Royal, but this is my first cruise in Europe and on NCL, so I am very excited/worried/anxious/etc. You are lucky to do it during the shoulder months... as it will be less crowded both at ports and on the ship, I unfortunately have school age kids so am doing the same itinerary staring 8/2. Anywayz, I would love to hear from you how everything is generally, that would be AWESOME! Thank you again and I hope you have an AMAZING cruise! 🙌

@pete_coach @Bulk-head thank you for the info, very helpful!

that is a great idea. haven't thought about that. Thank you

Y'all. Once again, I need help from you guys. Y'all are so awesome and I honestly get so much info from here. So we are cruising through the med (i've been to Europe BUT first time cruising in the Med) in early August this year on the Viva as a family of 5 and we are booking quite a bit of excursions from a 3rd party vendor. I know it is riskier but I am making sure that there are plenty of time before and after the excursion to leave from the port and get back to. I opted for 3rd party because of the variety. I was surprised how limited the choices are given by NCL. (Also they are all reserve now but cancelable if needed up to 2 days prior) My only concern is there are excursions that I am being picked up from the port and being dropped off back at the port vs there are ones I have to make it to the meeting point and I am not sure how readily available the taxis are especially for an odd number of 5 people. The ones that I am concerned are Gibraltar, Cadiz(Seville), Motril(Granada) and Marseille. Please help and thank you in advance!! 🙌

Thanks for the review! Quick Q! Did you have free at sea package or free at sea plus package? The plus package includes premium beverages package and supposed to include all top shelf drinks as well, I will be annoyed if we have to pay extra even after getting the premium plus! We are sailing the Viva in summer in the Haven and your review was very helpful, setting the expectations! Thanks again!

It is just so sad how some people are lacking such common sense. It is like... "Hey, I wanted THAT sandwich until your fingers touched them". what a waste....😩

🤮. That is so disgusting!

Ouch! Missing a sport game is pretty damaging! 😆. (I am a Texan and it is another religion here 🤣)

@KeithJenner @yakcruiser @N-8 Thank y'all for the info. We have done a ton of cruises through the Caribbean and they always were on the "ship time". Good to know, so everything will be local time! Def less confusing. Thank you again!

Hi, y'all! We are sailing through the Mediterranean in August on the Viva, first time crusing in Europe! I finally got myself together and started looking into all the excursions and activites, and I am looking at some 3rd party programs as well since they are more diverse. However now I am getting totally confused with time! So we are starting our cruise in Lisbon, which they are one hour behind the rest of the countries we are stopping at (Spain, France and Italy). Do the time work as "on board time" which will be same as Portugal time and throughout the whole cruise or will it change? So for i.e. I am looking at an excursion in Ibiza that starts at 2PM, that should actually be 1PM on board time? I am so confused and my brain is boggling and not functioning.....😆 I would appreciate help from someone who did any cruise through the Med! I always get so much help from CC and fellow cruisers, can't thank y'all enough! Have a marvelous day!

I LIKE THAT!! 😆🙌 This is the whole reason we are traveling to Italy, right? 😉 Thank you!

that is actually a great idea, especially i don't have much time left.... (I thought I did but people act FAST!). Thank you for the suggestion!

That is me! I am an introvert who needs time away from crowds to rejuvenate ☺️.... Thank you for the tips and info!