lauren75

Love these boards!  Thanks for the great feedback (and saving some space in his luggage!).  We keep it neat and he goes with a button down shirt/khakis look in the evenings so he should be OK for even formal night.

Our last few cruises have been with NCL which has a very "come as you are" dress code in the dining room in the evenings.  We are going on a 7 night cruise on the Anthem.  If we don't eat at the Grande, is a jacket needed for my husband?  I wouldn't want to miss out on formal nice cuisine in one of the other dining rooms if formal attire is required for those evenings.  But I also wouldn't pack a suit or sport jacket if he doesn't need one.

I would rather not go to Windjammer and be crammed in. Also, what time would you suggest arriving in Bayonne?

I made a reservation for "We Will Rock you" at somewhat of a strange time for me but it was all that was available. I read online that shows can get booked up and you will lose the chance to see them. I haven't yet booked Spectra's Cabaret or The Gift yet but was wondering...what happens if you don't get into these "big three?" Are there other shows or entertainment available? Can you go as a walk in? I prefer a more spontaneous time on-board but this seems to be the trend.

We are leaving at the end of June on a 7 night med cruise on the Royal Princess. Do you know if I should bring an alarm clock? I have gone on various lines before and some have a clock in the room and others don't.

I guess there are 2 formal nights for a 7 night trip? Does my husband need a jacket or can he get away with just a collared shirt and khakis? And can an upscale sundress work? We are trying to pack light. :cool:

Yes, the June 19 is the Zaandam. Unfortunately we are trying to fit as much in as possible in the short time that we have to take from work.

We are 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 7 and 10) and this will be our first time in Alaska.

I am between:

1. Volendam (which is 6 nights land, followed by 3 night cruise) leaving on 6/22 which goes to Tracy Arm Juneau, Skagway, Dawson City Fairbanks/Denali 2 nights and Anchorage)

2. Niew Amsterdam on (which is the same itinerary) on 6/18 or

3. Vaandam on 6/19 (which is 2 night land with 7 night cruise) which goes to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Anchorage/1 night Denali and ends in Fairbanks)

Thanks for any thoughts!

We are 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 7 and 10) and this will be our first time in Alaska.

I am between:

1. Volendam (which is 6 nights land, followed by 3 night cruise) leaving on 6/22 which goes to Tracy Arm Juneau, Skagway, Dawson City Fairbanks/Denali 2 nights and Anchorage)

2. Niew Amsterdam on (which is the same itinerary) on 6/18 or

3. Vaandam on 6/19 (which is 2 night land with 7 night cruise) which goes to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Anchorage/1 night Denali and ends in Fairbanks)

Thanks for any thoughts!

I am wondering too. I booked 2 excursions through my credit and both have been canceled! I wonder if Atlantis will be too crazy or not worth it for the day...

We are close the 100 days out and booked the UDP. Sorry to sound silly but I am new to "freestyle" and am used to the cruise line offering you dining times that work around the shows. What time should I aim to reserve specialty restaurants if I am trying to see a late show? And what if my goal is an early show?:)

Nope, they didn't say why. I thought it was strange too, especially for the hibachi restaurant where there is limited seating.

I was also told (I called and asked) that with kids, I should just reserve for a party of 2 (since my husband and I have the UDP) and I should switch things to 4 when onboard.

I know...I just would rather save the $30 on "fun stuff" especially with the kids where the clothes they have are not all that fancy. Wish my boat had self laundry on board...

What does the kids menu look like at Moderno (the Brazilian steakhouse)?

Yet another Nassau question...does anyone know if there is a laundromat to do a quick load close to the cruise pier?

I just booked the NCL Breakaway, which stops in Nassau on Christmas Day (12/25) from 8-6. Do you think it makes sense to go to Atlantis or will it just me expensive and tough with the crowd level/amount of time that we have in port?

I went on the GEM for a 7 day cruise out of NY a few years ago. We did not care for the food and found that the freestyle dining resulted in longer wait times than a set schedule. Even though we paid extra $, we didn't think the specialty restaurants were that much better as far as quality.

Now I want to get away for Christmas week and the Breakaway would save me about 2 thousand over the Royal Caribbean (we have sailed RC and Disney in the past). I am willing to pay a little more for the specialty restaurants, but I want to see if the quality has improved with NCL or the Breakaway specifically.

The last cruise we took was Disney. We were able to get gift cards at Sam's Club, Target and I think even some credit card reward redemption, which really was nice to have on the shipboard account.

Which retail outlets offer RC gift cards? I saw that swagbucks offers Royal Caribbean as a redemption option, but are there other reward programs or credit cards that do? I am aware of the credit card offered through Bank of America, but wanted to "max out" other options.