goldenfarm

1 hour ago, tscoffey said:

My goodness, I ask one simple question - (Why do you continue to buy something you don't need if you're going to constantly complain about it ?)- and some people react like a fragile 17-year old boy after his first beer, perceiving that his manhood has just been questioned.

@tscoffey - You're so preoccupied with your attempt to come across as superior because you abstain from alcohol that you've missed the point of this entire post. Norwegian has sold its passengers a package that includes two products. Norwegian's customers have discovered that those products are no longer available. They feel this is unfair and they have paid for something that is no longer being offered, despite the fact that Norwegian is still showing photos of the product in its advertisements for the package. This is the purpose of the post. Pretend it is not alcohol. It could be anything. Try to see past your own bias. 

I appreciate all the feedback. I booked the Odyssey.

They have them available for rent on my upcoming cruise for next March on South Beach. Does anyone have photos of them?

31 minutes ago, omeinv said:

Happy Divers Aruba.  Jeffrey there has a lovely operation.  Maximum six on the boat, and diving at the better sites, with usually the second dive at the Antilla wreck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Antilla_(1939).  When I last spoke with him, they're no longer providing port pick-up and return, but a taxi would be no problem, as his boat is docked near major hotels.  (https://happydiversaruba.com/).

 

Tell both Jeffrey and Hans that Harris sent you.  They'll probably charge you extra.  🙂

 

Harris

Denver, CO

thank you, Harris!

2 minutes ago, omeinv said:

@goldenfarm 

 

Easy!  CURious2Dive.  Hans will pick you up at the port, take you on two great dives, and return you.  His shop is in the Jan Theil area, which is where all Curacao's famous dive sites (Caracas Bay, Director's Bay, Tugboat beach, etc) are.  You won't be part of a huge group, probably no more than four divers.  The prices are great, and nitrox is avaialble for a nominal extra fee if you're nitrox certified and want it.  (https://www.curious2dive.com/en/contact/)

 

Harris

Denver, CO

fantastic, thank you. While I'm at it, any recommendations for diving in Aruba? Our ship goes there, too. 

11 hours ago, Newcruiser2012 said:

We were on Odyssey in January. There is a rock climbing wall, Flow Rider surf simulator, Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator, Skypad VR trampolines, North Star, pools and hot tubs, Seaplex with bumper cars, dodgeball, volleyball, basketball, laser tag, video games, ping pong, air hockey, Zone Zero VR experience (for a nominal charge) plus there’s a teen club that has video games and other teenage friendly activities. LOTS to do! 😎

Sounds perfect. I booked it. 

Can anyone recommend scuba dive companies in Curacao? Our ship doesn't offer scuba excursions in that port, but we're certified divers and would like to dive while we're there. 

We stayed there last month and it was not very good. The room was dated and a little dirty, and it was just rundown overall. And it was $400 a night. I'd pick somewhere else. It was close to the port, and right across from Bayside, but there are other hotels close to the port that I'm sure would have been nicer. 

I hope you have a great cruise. Do you recommend the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel?

26 minutes ago, iluvit! said:

This is exactly what I remember reading about. Thank you so much! I saw it on Harmony of the Seas when we boarded, too, a few weeks ago. I just couldn't remember the pricing for sure, and I had read about it somewhere here on CC. This is the best deal I've seen, period. Works out to $67.50 per day pp. 

Curious what the best price is I can expect on a Celebrity cruise to Alaska for a drink package. 

3 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

Yes.  And I've taken my teenager on cruises.

Mine has ADHD. And learning disabilities. There's no doing extracurricular research unless there's an argument first. 

41 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Since we don't know your teenager, sit down with them and do research together.

Sit down and do research with a teenager? Have you ever had a teenager? 🤣

14 minutes ago, DustFSU said:

The Quantum class have a royal esplanade (not as big and wide) which the Oasis has a Promenade that is more of a open deck.  It has a indoor pool and outdoor.  It doesn't have slides on the pool deck. No boardwalk or aqua theater. It has the North Star and bumper cars.  The lay out is a little different for other things on the ship like the rock wall is on the side and Oasis is on the back on the boardwalk. 

 

This video breaks down a little better

 

Is there enough to keep a teenager occupied?

I've looked at videos but I can't tell exactly how Odyssey of the Seas differs from Oasis class ships like Harmony and Wonder. Can anyone help me with a list of features? 

I remember seeing someone mention how there was a discount on drink packages when they boarded the ship, but only on embarkation day. Has anyone else seen this and, if so, what was the deal offered? I can't find that original post. 

4 hours ago, Janedoe2012 said:

I did this excursion last August and really enjoyed it. We spent some time at Creek Street, the Totem Pole Museum, a beautiful creek area where the salmon were spawning and a few other places outside of town. 

Our tour group was small so he had lots of time with each of us to give us great photo tips. 

 

Which company did you book with?

6 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Yes!  We prefer the one on the Encore over the Escape in the Aft, but both have big picture windows to see the scenes passing by.  

I have come to realize that some ships put thermal loungers in closed rooms with no view. Not worth the price of admission. 

4 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Both ships are wonderful, in our opinion.  And, they are very similar in the basics.  Here are some differences that could move you to decide one vs. the other.

1. The Encore's main "attraction" is the speedway while the Escape's is a Ropes Course.  Both are fun but the speedway is more enjoyable (although comes with a cost)

2.  The Encore has a "Galaxy Pavilion" for VR games, Escape does not.

3.  Encore has an Observation Lounge, Escape does not

4.  Slight differences in Food options; Escape has "Pinchos Tapas", Encore has "Los Lobos Mexican"

5.  Both have a Thermal Suite (which are great); Encore's in Aft, Escape is Forward.

6.  Escape has Spice H2O in aft (18yo+); Encore does not have this

7.  Both have a Vibe Beach Club (18+); Encore's is more than 2x the size of Escape's.

8.  Encore has a Cavern Club (Showing Beatles Cover Band); Escape does not have this

9.  Escape has "Howl at the Moon" Dueling piano shows; Encore does not have this

 

Super helpful, thank you! Do the thermal suites have the big windows so that you can look out while you're on the thermal loungers? The Prima had that and it was lovely. 

4 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Personally, we would pick the Encore specifically because it sails from Miami versus Port Canaveral (Escape).

 

What don't you like about Port Canaveral? I have only cruised out of it once and then we flew into the smaller airport about a half hour south of Port Canaveral - Melbourne - and it was much more manageable than what I imagine the Orlando airport would be for getting to the port. (I've only flown into Orlando before when I'm staying in Orlando.) We have cruised out of Miami once, too. I'm not experienced enough with either port to know the pros and cons. 

6 minutes ago, mcmomny said:

I choose The Escape for our March 2023 cruise over the Encore because The Spice H2O on The Escape has the water feature for cooling off and The Encore does not.

 

Lots' of Youtube videos on this, check them out!

 

Spice H20 is adults only and a nice break from the crowded pool deck

Thanks. I did watch videos, and they both looked nice, but I couldn't tell the real difference between the two ships. 

The Oasis itinerary is not impressive except for the two private islands. I do like the ship, from what I've read on it. I'm not a fan of Nassau. I've been to Ocho Rios and was not impressed. I've never been to Falmouth. However, I would expect it to offer similar meh excursions.

I'm looking at spring break cruises for next year and Encore and Escape have the exact same ports and schedules - Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay. Which ship is better? One was built in 2015 (Escape) and the other in 2019. The price is pretty much the same - $200 more for the slightly newer Encore if we get an aft facing balcony, but the same price for a balcony cabin on either ship. This is for myself, my husband and our teenage son.

We have only sailed on the Norwegian Prima before, so I am not familiar with this category of NCL ships. Thinking about this or Royal Caribbean for spring break. 

It's normally absolutely worth it, but right now with the park road closed midway through due to the 2021 rock slide I personally don't think it's worth it. My best experience at Denali has been taking the road the full length past Mile 43, where it's currently closed. You won't be able to get to Wonder Lake or see some of the best sights on the road. Right now they're saying the park road will be closed "through summer 2024" so I'm planning on waiting until 2025 to book anything again at Denali. Without the full experience it will be a really watered down visit. 

Here's where the closure info is at and they specifically say: 

The closure of the Denali Park Road at Mile 43 is expected to remain in place through summer 2024, while the Polychrome Area Plan is implemented: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

It has very good reviews if you book this company: https://ketchikanphotosafari.com