Jonny C

The Divevolk Sea Touch 4 Max case - You can use it for diving (60 metres) too although we only use it for snorkeling as I have a set up for my mirrorless camera for diving.  All functions on the touchscreen are useable under water.  Fits my Samsung and my son's iphone (each uses a different adapter)

Canadian info found here:  https://www.divevolkdiving.com/en-ca/products/divevolk-seatouch-4max-underwater-iphone-diving-housing-iphone-diving-case-compatiable-for-iphone-12-pro-max-13-pro-13-pro-max

DH feels naked without his multitool, which of course includes a small knife (less than 3" long). NCL's website states that knives over 4" are not allowed, but how consistent are they with this? And should he make sure to put it in checked baggage or anything? What about at ports?

Just my own experience: Had a multi tool in small first aid/emergency kit with my dive gear and even though the blade is less than 3 inches they confiscated it from my checked bag and gave it back upon disembarking at the end of the cruise. I no longer bring the "knife".

I use Montreal Steak Seasoning on just about everything (instead of salt & pepper).

 

Can I bring an unopened plastic container onboard to use?

I do it all the time. I take the same Montreal Steak Spice - a smaller "travel" size. I also take it home. Never had any issues with the ship customs or otherwise.

Does NCL have a "meet up club" or special activities for this age group? Anyone have experience with this? We have a soon to be 18 year old who is very social and is going to miss the teen club, the other young people and the fun activities.

We just did the Getaway in April and our 19 year old discovered there are no formal activities for that in between group and not much opportunity to meet others the same age. Our 17 year old had fun in Teen Club (which 19 year could not attend) and had plenty of opportunity to meet and do things with others but there was nothing for that in between group. Our 19 year old did finally meet some other guys playing pick up basketball. Prepare your 18 year old to come up with their own way to meet people - there will not be much chance through the ship.

thanks for another reassuring review!

 

We sail soon and I was super nervous at first with all the poor reviews. I'm still very nervous about the tender situation we dont normally book ship tours but I'm leaning this way for the one tour we REALLY want to make.

 

Also can you share what shuttle you used? I still dont have transportation figured out. We are staying near IAH the night before. Also post cruise we ave a later flight like you did. I booked late worried about delays. I might book a NCL tour to get us to the airport and kill time but still on the fence - the tour says for flights after 2pm and we have a 2pm or something like that. If we dont do this assuming we will cab it. What did it cost you in cab fares?

We used the Super Shuttle (blue vans) at the airport and because we went to the counter as a group the rate was cheaper per person.

On departure day we just split a cab with another couple so it was $50 for each couple.

Johnny C,

Great review, thanks!

We are also booked with Sea Sports Belize for diving/snorkeling.

 

In regards to tendering in Belize, the process is line up on 12 at 7:30, get tender ticket, and then proceed to deck 6, but at what time? Well there be time to grab breakfast before tendering starts?

Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

They will make announcements over the PA in the morning that confirm the times to line up but in our experience people lined up earlier. In Belize we we first in line at 8:30 for a 9:00 port time and they let us go early.

However there are early morning breakfast options so getting a meal in will be no problem.

Thanks for the review Jonny C, I really enjoyed it. My wife and I were on the Jade in January and thought the food and entertainment was excellent too.

 

I do have one question about your dive. Please forgive my curiosity and stupidity as my only experience with SCUBA is watching Lloyd Bridges in the TV show Sea Hunt. How long does a two tank dive last, 15 minutes, 30 minutes??

It depends on your air usage but dives are typically between 35 and 50 minutes.

What was the water temp. Like in the ship pool & port sea water?

I am probably the wrong person to ask about water temp for swimming or hanging at the beach as we went out to the reefs by boat. However diving wise I just used a rash guard and was fine. My daughter used a 3 mm wetsuit and was fine.

I always appreciate the reviews of others so wanted to at least get some quick thoughts and comments out there even though I have no pithy stories and no pictures of the ship or of our cabin.

My daughter (17) and I ditched the rest of the family and went on a daddy daughter diving trip and had a wonderful time on the Jade. After reading some initial reviews when the Jade first started going out of Houston we were a little worried but found that all the bad things we heard were unfounded. We had a great trip!

About us: We cruise often and have been on different lines but will be platinum on NCL after our next cruise in April. We chose this itinerary because all three ports are good for scuba diving. We did an inside guarantee and ended up on the 10th floor (forward) and really liked the location. The room was average size but had lots of shelving. The bathroom was average size but had a huge shower with a sliding door. The toilet was in a weird position though (you had to sit sideways or else your knees hit the wall).

Our trip began on the 19th as we had to fly from Edmonton to Houston and given the time of year and the possibilities of snow delays we like to arrive at least the day before. We stayed at the Super 8 intercontinental near the IAH because it was well priced on Expedia, had a free shuttle from the airport and free breakfast (daughter had cereal and I had a waffle). The hotel was nothing fancy but was clean and close by and as we arrived near midnight proximity was key.

The next morning we shared a shuttle to the port ($25 each) with some other cruisers we met the night before, arriving at the port about 11:30. Embarkation was pretty smooth for the number of people who were all there at the same time. There was a separate line for Latitudes members and we ended up being in boarding group 13 but people sitting near us were in groups 18 and 19. I have no idea how many people were in each group but they moved through pretty quickly and we were on the ship dropped off our bags at the room and eating lunch by12:30.

I thought the food was excellent. We ate dinners in the Alizar main dining room twice, Le Bistro - once, Teppanyaki - once, Cagneys - once, and Jasmine Garden once. For lunches and breakfast we ate at the Great Outdoors, Top Siders and the buffet. On Embarkation day I had braised short ribs at the Great Outdoors. The buffet was packed but there was lots of room by the Great Outdoors.

Cozumel – we did a two tank drift dive with Blue Angel. Awesome visibility. In the first five minutes we saw a giant spotted eagle ray, 3 reef sharks, a nurse shark, a large green moray eel, and a rock fish. It was an incredible day. The dive shop was a ten minute $8 cab each way from the port.

Belize – we did a two tank dive with Sea Sports Belize on the barrier reef. This was a tender port and we lucked out getting on what was probably not the first tender but a pre-tender as they let us and our gear on the boat taking the port authority officers back to the dock with the ships photo crew and the tables and chairs for the water and cold towels stations. This trip took only about 20 minutes and ensured that we made our 9:30 dive trip. On the return tender we took one of the formal tenders which was a huge vessel which held a lot of people. It was slower and smelled like diesel and by my watch we spent 50 minutes from the time we boarded until we returned to the ship.

A note on the tender process. At 7:30 am on tender days there was a line up at the towel station on deck 12 to get tender tickets. You would then need to line up on deck 6 near Alizar when your tender group was called. You were then sent down the stairs and would board the tenders on deck 4. However, if you have a ship excursion your ticket is also your tender ticket so you may skip the 7:30 am line for tender tickets and instead follow the instructions on your excursion ticket. If you have Latitudes priority (gold or platinum) your ship’s card is your priority ticket – again you do not have to line up to get a tender ticket but may get straight into the tender line up on floor 6. Later on in the morning they would open it up to everyone and tender tickets were not required.

Roatan – we did a one tank shark dive (which was awesome – 15 to 20 Caribbean reef sharks) arranged by Roatan Dive Centre. This was also a tender port but the ships lifeboats were used and they were able to make quick time even with the NCL dawn putting in to port and holding up the first tender until the Dawn was docked. We were on the first tender by reason of our latitudes priority. The tender trip was probably 5 – 10 minutes.

Entertainment – I thought this too was excellent and think NCL continues to lead the industry in entertainment. On the Jade there were acrobats called Soul duo (married couple) who were terrific. The comedian was family friendly but still funny or subtle enough that more adult oriented jokes would go over the heads of any kids. The illusionist/magician Cripton and his assistant (wife) Renata were also terrific and did a mentalist show on the Friday afternoon as well. One evening there was a combination show called Elements which had the illusionist, acrobats, and dancers all performing together. This show too was excellent. On Friday night we had the Tenors of Rock (we saw them in November on the Escape too) who were on Britain’s Got Talent who did a great show.

Disembarkation was simple. We did the priority walk off and were off the ship and in a cab by 7:30 am and at the IAH airport by 8:30 am. Really wish had taken an earlier flight as we did not leave until 2:30 pm but we had read that often there are delays on getting off the ship. I am not sure about other days but there was no fog or other delays to slow us down.

I am sailing on the Escape next week and am starting to pack. Can anyone tell me what kind of toiletries are included in the inside cabins? Also, are there hairdryers?

 

Thanks :)

The bathroom had built in soap dispensers for the sink as well as bar soap and the shower had built in body gel and 3in1 shampoo dispensers.

There was a hairdryer.

Lots of hangers too

On our upcoming cruise we would like to take the ferry from Tortola to Virgin Gorda to visit Spring Bay, Devil's Bay and the Baths.

I have two questions for any Baths experts:

1. I am trying to figure out if the ferries run on the regular Thursday schedule or on the holiday schedule on December 26 (Boxing Day).

I have emailed the ferry co. directly with no response and so am hoping that somebody on here may know the answer.

2. IF the ferries are in fact on the regular Thursday schedule I would like to take the 9:00 Speedy's Ferry there and the 3:30 Speedy's Ferry back.

Our ship is in port 8:00 - 5:00. Is the ferry reliable enough (have heard stories of "Island Time") that taking the 3:30 return ferry (arrives at 4:00) gives us enough time to get back to ship? Or are we better off taking the 2:45 Speedy's ferry back to Tortola ?

Advice and information greatly appreciated.

Priceline: Resort

Bid Date 12/22/2010

Got the InterContinental for $116 per room (booked 4 rooms)