ladytravlr2

His shows were the best on the Breakaway, we went most every night! They were so relaxed and enjoyable!

Every time I cruise I say I will take less! Funny thing is, it usually ends up to be the same amount. I wear mix and match clothes on board, and try to wear some more than once. I lay out my clothes each time, then take some away, then pare down again....still end up with too much! I always come home with some unworn. I agree with whoever said, the "things" are what takes up the weight, those toiletries, sunscreen, etc. I tried last time to take miniature sizes of everything, or made my own mini containers of things I use. I take a very small "pharmacy" of just in case supplies, and usually don't use many of them, if any.

I won't ever forget a few sizes of Ziploc bags, they are used in many ways.

I won't ever forget a flashlight for inside (could be handy for outside too).

I take ear plugs. I take a digital travel clock...no ticking.

I take a few clothes pins for hanging wet suits in bathroom, or on balcony (to chairs) in port.

I take a small amount of duck tape wrapped around a pencil, no need for any more.

I take a small amount of post-it notes to leave messages for room steward, or cabin mate.

Those are really all I won't forget because they are ingrained in my mind to be sure to take. Other things are all optional to me. IMPORTANT :Basic clothes, shoes and swimsuits..not to mention passport, ticket, and dollar bills and credit card.

Happy Sailing...I am heading that way in March.

The last couple nights on the cruise they have great sales on tote bags, t-shirts....many varieties! Cheap too.

I normally only eat the complimentary foods on a cruise. I found the NCL Jewel well within what I expected and needed to have pleasant dining experiences.

The Garden buffet has anything you could want for all three meals, with a little variety from day to day. The great outdoors is at the end of the Garden Buffet and allows you to get your food and sit outdoors, or bring it back into the seating area of the Garden Buffet. It is a little more like grill food and basic than the Garden buffet.

Outside on the pool deck, you will find grill type foods different times of the day, and you won't be hungry if you choose to get food there and go back to your pool lounge. You can also bring your Garden buffet food back out to the pool area too. There are many tables there to sit and eat at also.

Both dining rooms are nice, one being less dressy. The only complaint I would have is that I prefer my food to come to the table a little warmer, seems like that was an issue with other NCL's too. But other than that, it was all good!

Blue Lagoon or whatever their pub style (different ships may call it something else)...is quite good, especially for quick meals, or late night snacks.

I found that the earlier you go to the dining rooms the easier to get in within a few minutes. We generally tried for between 6:30 and 7, so we would be finished in time to go to the first show. After the show, many go to dinner then, and it can be longer to get seated. If you wait until people are in the late show then you probably can get in faster too, I just didn't like eating that late.

What is so nice about the free style, is that if you have been on an excursion or busy doing other things, you can be assured you will find options to have dinner or snacks no matter the time.

The only thing I miss about freestyle vs. fixed dining is: I loved having the same dinner partners every night, and looked forward to seeing them each evening and catching up on what everyone did all day, etc. Became long time friends with many of them.

Enjoy, and I agree..spend your money on other things!

Sometimes I cruise with friends or family. It seems like though that since I am retired it's harder to get those people to go because of their obligations at home or work. I want to cruise while I can! When I worked, I could only go during school breaks, and even then I seldom went.

Now, the only thing is arranging care for my dog, and getting transportation to the port. Now, I know why I worked for so many years...to be able to go, go, go!

You will love Bermuda, and the Breakaway. Just took that same cruise in June. My only qualm with Breakway that it took so long to figure out where everything was, and by then, it was almost time to go home. Lovely cabins, great shows, great beaches in Bermuda. Enjoy!

Someone mentioned the Neon Party. Yes, it was that on the Breakaway in June, instead of a White Hot Party. I had only taken white things to wear for the White Hot Party. That was fine because many people were in white. However the neon clothes and accessories were really neat to look at. The party on the Breakaway was outside on the H2O deck, and they used a black light I think to enhance the neon effect. It really was pretty! The younger people seemed to be prepared for it and wore some crazy outfits, yet they looked good!

If you want to do the Neon thing, then just wear your white and put on a neon scarf, or necklace or something like that. You will not be out of place in just white though! Or take some glow bracelets or necklace. They passed some out at the party....as far as they would last.

Anyone going on this cruise? On the NCL roll call there are only a couple of us who have said we are going solo. I would like to at least meet a few before the cruise. I will be at meet and greet as well, it's kind of nice to recognize faces once you are around the ship after that.

I am mid-age (64) gal, who enjoys everything about cruising. I am realizing that it's pretty nice to have my own cabin, although sometimes I cruise with friends or family. I like doing 'whatever' strikes me at the time, relaxing is the main mode I will be in.

Having been to all these ports a couple times before, I plan to go to beach in Roatan for sure. Belize- enjoyed Geoff's Cay before, but will most likely just go into port area for a little while and go back to ship. Cozumel, might do beach, have been to Mr. Sanchos before, not sure about this time. Costa Maya, been to Majuahal twice, not so keen on it, might stay just at port area for a bit. Out of all...Roatan is my fav. Bananarama Beach or Tabyana Beach is most likely my choice. I will take ship's excursions unless I find someone to go in taxi with somewhere. Not a big risk taker to push the limit on getting back to ship on time. Haha.

Give me a holler, if you are going to be on this cruise and we can at least say hello!

Paula

Besides Scot...are there anymore solos on Oct 20, 2013 NCL Jewel from New Orleans? I am sooooo looking forward to getting away and doing things on my own time...or not.

Hoping to meet a few new friends at Meet and Greet perhaps.

Hi,

Great thread! I am Paula, almost 65, divorced, and my favorite thing other than being with my granddaughter...is cruising!

I have cruised alone, however shared a quad cabin back in the late 80's with girls I didn't know beforehand. I have cruised with family and friends too. I cruised once with a lady I met through a travel site, and it didn't turn out so well. We pretty much did our own thing anyway, which was a good thing..haha.

Now, I am going on my first totally solo cruise October 20, 2013. I am excited, since I have found out what it is like to be almost alone on a ship...LOL...I think I will have a great time just doing what I want, when I want. I can meet people easily, but I don't like to tag along and become third or fifth wheel...know what I mean, unless it is mutually welcomed. If invited, I will do things with people I meet, if it looks like a good safe time.

I most likely will take ship's excursions if alone. When I have been with friends or family, we usually found our own excursions to do. I certainly don't want to be left at the dock as the ship sails away without me...

I hope to find a few people on my sailing to at least talk to. I usually go to the meet and greet, and end up seeing some of them around the ship. It makes for friendly conversation.

Almost forgot:

I won't forget Ziploc bags, hair conditioner, and a few bandaids....those are important.

Great suggestions! I have always taken way too much, and this past cruise was no exception. I TRY to pare down, but just keep thinking, "What if I need.....?"

Next time I am going bare necessities, and take a little extra money...LOL I can buy an extra t-shirt if I need it in a port, etc. It is getting beyond ridiculous to lug so much luggage, for me anyway! I normally have taken a packed to the gills 24" bag and a carryon tote also packed to the gills, and a purse. I bring home several things I never wore, and many gadgets and little things I never used.

Freedom with less to worry about, plus more room to bring things home if I want to....that is my new plan for October!

Shampoo works great to handwash items, only need a tiny bit. I wrap a length of duct tape around a pen to have just in case. No need to bring large roll. Plenty of ziploc bags and a couple trash bags. Highlighter and post it notes. Cheap little sewing kit, which contains tiny scissors. I make my own little medical kit with things I normally use, including generic Bonine.

A few clothespins to use for curtains and/or to hang wet items. Smallest umbrella, mini mini...LOL! Shoes that I have broken in...no new shoes to get blisters from!

Thin carry bag that can be used to tote home souvenirs or other things, but will fold up in suitcase until needed.

Copies of credit cards/both sides. Copies of passport to carry with me...original in safe. Copy has numbers if you need them. Copies of driver's license.

Old credit card if the safe is one that requires using magnet strip card. Latest ones use code you put in, and don't require a card....or that is what I have experienced anyway.

Lanyard, or you can buy one on ship.

Small $1 flashlight to go to bathroom at night, to not disturb anyone. I have tiny alarm clock I use by bedside and it will show time when you touch it.

Visor and hat, top of head can get sunburned quickly using a visor!

These are all small items. With my toiletries I bring only travel size, or make my own travel size using my products converted into little bottles.

Everyone figures out what they use and don't use after a few cruises. I have taken things that I never even touched during a cruise. I haven't ever forgotten anything that I felt was a necessity though. After all, at a port or in the ship's shop you can get what you need, at a price.

Ladyhawke....in answer to your question "how much do you have to spend in the casino to get free cruises, etc?" I don't know. I don't typically spend that much time in there, maybe a little each evening after dinner and show. I usually play penny slots or 25 cent slots. I think my cruise certificates have come because I have been a customer of Harrah's Casinos since they began, and only in past 3 years have gotten any cruise offers though. I used to be a diamond member, but don't live very near a casino now, so this past year I haven't gone very much...only on my trips to go to the cruise port and maybe 2 or 3 other times a year. So, I won't be a diamond anymore most likely. NCL partners up with Harrah's to provide their cruise offers via Casinos At Sea. I have to go to a casino, spend some time there, and pick up the cruise voucher. Your cruises vary depending on how high of a gambler you are I think....you have many choices of ports to depart from and length of cruise. Mine have been either 3-5 day or 7 day...never more. They have always been inside cabin. Port and tax charges seem to be a little higher than the port charges and taxes you would have paid if you paid for the cruise yourself. Guess that might be a way to recoup some of their money, don't know. Averages around $325 per person for port and tax charges.

You can upgrade your room to a better one for the regular upgrade price...I did that for my upcoming October cruise....went from inside to balcony.

Hope that helped a little. I am always surprised when I get a cruise certificate...because I always think the other one was probably the last one.

I have taken 2 "free" cruises through Casinos at Sea and they have all been great. I have one more booked for October. You can upgrade your room for a decent amount, depending on what you were given and what you prefer. The drinks card was great, and no one seemed to be noticing how much time spent in the casino or not. Many people were there through the CAS program, you can tell by the cards we used in the machines, and the drink cards. Little perks in the room, such as chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, etc.

I will continue to cruise with NCL as long as I can get such good deals...and this is part of their plan...get cruisers who will spend time in the casino/on ship and spend more money. I keep getting casino cash offers from Carnival but haven't used those yet...didn't seem worth it.

Really have enjoyed reading all these posts! I posted last year before a cruise in November on NCL Star, with was absolutely a blast. I have become a fan of NCL after now three cruises with them.

Oh, by the way, I am 64, female, retired teacher, divorced. Love to travel, but it seems hard to find friends or family that can go due to their obligations with work, family, or whatever. So, I don't mind sailing alone and meeting new friends along the way.

I WAS going on the Star again this March, but cancelled it, and rebooked to NCL Jewel next October 20 (2013). It will be solo, and wanted a balcony this time, so I can't wait!

Now I am looking to go on Epic sometime in 2014, maybe March or April, looking at the Solo cabins. It seems like it would fit well with meeting new people, and doing my own thing or hanging out with others. I had previously booked an Epic balcony for a different time, but cancelled it as the time wasn't working out right.

Happy sailing to all of you!

I put back $100 a month just for the fun money part of the cruise. It adds up. I try to cruise twice a year.

I am retired now, from teaching, with a moderate pension. I buy the future cruise credits, that helps with deposits on cruises, then I either go ahead and pay the rest off, or pay by deadline. I pay off my credit cards each month, have no car payment, and relatively few bills. After many years of no house payment, I now have a condo payment, but I enjoy the 'almost no' upkeep in these retirement years.

I don't book elaborate cabins, I have usually gotten insides...and a balcony only once.

I so far, have only eaten at one specialty restaurant on a cruise, normally I eat in the main dining rooms, or buffet, or included venues. So, I don't spend extra for meals on my cruises.

A few times I have booked tours or activities from the cruiseline, but more often I arranged my own excursions, or found something once I am there. Cheaper that way, usually. It depends if I feel safe or not.

I am fortunate to live on an Amtrak route, and when I want to cruise from NOLA, it makes it very inexpensive and easy.

I only cruised every 10 years when I was still teaching, now it has become my retirement joy. The fact that I can go anytime of the year is great.

Happy sailing everyone!

A lot of interesting posts here! I am going 'sort of' solo on NCL Star in a couple months from NOLA. My sister and a friend will be next door, but I have my own cabin for the first time....I am looking forward to all that space...LOL

I have cruised solo, but in a quad room back on Festivale in the 80's...did not know the gals, but ended up having a great pal to go on excurisons with.

I have cruised with a friend met on a travel site, and we ended up going our separate ways nearly all the time...not as compatible as we thought we would be..but shared the cost of a balcony, so that was okay.

I have cruised with friends and family and loved the fun and laughter! But it is harder than you might think to get friends and family to go on cruises with you....there are always reasons why they can't afford it, can't get time off, can't leave their other family members, don't know what to do with their pets....yada..yada.....etc.

But this time I decided to just enjoy the room myself. We can do things together if we want, or not, she will be right next door...haha!

I am 63, divorced many years...don't mind spending time exploring by myself, or with someone else...can be happy sitting reading enjoying the ocean breezes.

I do enjoy having meals with someone though, or hanging around with someone in the evenings, to the lounges, or wherever some activity is.

I have never met a single over 50 male on a ship, I am beginning to doubt that many exist. There seem to be many more single women of all ages.

I am retired from teaching, loving my life, and try to cruise a couple times a year.

My next cruise after the Star, is NCL Epic next April 13, 2013. Booked a balcony. This will be the Eastern Caribbean...which I love!

I just got off the Spirit a week ago. There was a little kiosk selling lanyards for $4 inside the terminal after you pick up your sail and sign card. It had a clear plastic sleeve to slip your card into. If you want it to be more secure you could punch a hole in it. That is what I used to have customer service do to cards in the past so it would attach to a lanyard. This one for $4 worked fine. It did not say NCL, it was plain in various colors.

I will be taking my first comped cruise from Harrah's/NCL Casinos at Sea. I did have to go to New Orleans for three days, to pick up the certificate, but it is exactly what others have posted...a great deal. Just had to pay port charges and taxes. Will be taking that cruise in March on the Spirit out of NOLA.

Went just this past December to NOLA to pick up another cruise certificate. Booked that cruise for November 2012 on Star out of NOLA.

Took the inside cabin, didn't see any need to bump up this time.

I am strictly a slot player, and not a hefty spender either. I am a diamond card holder with Harrah's, but have just barely got to Diamond. When I got both offers I was still a Platinum card holder.

I understand a drink card will be included with the offers. Looking forward to the cruises. Hoping someday to get an upgraded offer for more choices, as my cruises choices were not as great as my family member who could even go on the Epic and to Europe or Alaska, if she wants..she was already Diamond when she got the offers.

By the way, on the offers, a guest is included free (has to pay the port and taxes too though), and you can add a third and fourth guest for regular charges. You don't have to add those guests names when you book, you can add them later, just don't wait too late or ship might be full. Ours in March is at capacity already.

Hi,

 

I know you are looking for a Carnival Freedom Christmas ornament and I just found one listed on Ebay. I'm currently looking for Carnival Festivale (if they were even made then) and came across the Freedom, remembering reading this post a few days ago.

 

I recently bought a Carnival Miracle and Carnival Glory Christmas ornament from this same seller on ebay and was very satisfied with my purchase. I'm attaching the link for the Freedom ornament in case you are interested.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/CARNIVAL-FREEDOM-CRUISE-SHIP-MODEL-X-MAS-ORNAMENT-/180612709287?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0d5b3ba7

I too am looking for an ornament of Carnival Festivale to complete my collection so far. If you happen to find a site to get them, please let me know. Thanks! I ordered two previous ornaments Liberty of Seas and Carnival Destiny from ebay recently. Now I am going on Triumph and will get one there. I don't know why I didn't think to start a collection way back. Now I am thinking to pick something up at each port too. I have a little tree that might become a travel tree.

How about rude things done TO crew members? As cruisers, we need to remember that they are not our playmates, personal beckon call servants, lap dogs or best friends.

 

They have jobs to perform. Althought they will never disagree or refuse you, if you treat them too familiarily or monopolise their time, you are not allowing them to do their work.

 

Secondarily, try to remember that physical contact and jestures mean different things in other (non-anglo) cultures. A pat, hug or movement may seem fine to you but convey a disrespectful or downright rude message to them.

 

Just be aware is all I'm saying...:rolleyes:

So true! I feel bad for the crew members, no matter what job they have, when people treat them badly. If you have ever read about the lives some of the crew live day in and day out...you would be kind to them. They work hard and deserve some patience and kindness from passengers.

Another thing mentioned before, an OP asked about taking their children to the formal dining room. Of course! You seemed like a very good parent to even be asking that....and I am sure your children would enjoy the experience. It is a fun and delightful thing to share with your family.

Every cruise I have been on (3 so far, the 4th in 4 weeks) I have seen rude obnoxious people. After seeing them I try to ignore them from then on or hope I don't see them again.

Most of the passengers will be good people and just trying to enjoy a vacation like you are. Let's face it, some people just live to complain, and love to cause scenes...they thrive on it! I avoid confrontations and live a peaceful life for the most part. Don't sweat the small stuff, in other words!

If you had a cruise planned for the next two-three months, I would definitely wait until after it, to get the surgery. The reason is that you will tire easily with walking on your foot for months, even though it will look and feel better, you will still 'favor' it and not want to spend hours on it. I am a retired teacher and went back to work 10 days after my surgery and sat on a stool whenever I possibly could...and put my foot up when I was home. You also have to watch out for people bumping into your sore foot, especially if you have a rod in it. I had a student accidently plow right into my toe with the rod sticking out.....I saw stars!

It was a few months to feel totally comfortable in any shoes. It was a good excuse to get new shoes too...haha. Show off those new toes! Seriously, you would be a little encumbered to have to walk long distances or up and down a lot of stairs right after surgery.

If you had it done this fall or winter, you will be in perfect shape for next spring's cruises!

I first had both feet done thirty years ago, by a doctor that didn't do it correctly. The bones went right back the way they were, and the pain continued. I should never have both done at the same time, I was literally crawling around, because couldn't use crutches with both done.

Eventually I got my mobility back, and worked for many years on a concrete surface, aggravating the incorrectly done surgeries. I went to a foot specialist, podiatrist who specialized in advanced foot surgeries. He said my left foot was really botched up and indeed the technique was ineffective. My right foot was 'usable' and not giving nearly the pain the left one was. He recommended NOt doing both at the same time, in fact not doing any unless they were painful. He said he couldn't justify doing bunion surgery for cosmetic reasons.

I also had a mortons' neuroma on the same foot he was going to do the surgery on this time, and so the foot was very painful. The surgery went well, the recovery was fairly swift. The first few days were difficult with some pain, but walking with the boot was tolerable even the first day.

Within a few weeks I flew to Atlanta with my boot on, and attended a convention. I was able to put a regular shoe on for only one event, other than that, I kept the boot on. I wanted to keep with the 'plan' of recovery. Your foot will swell up tremendously for awhile, and any kind of regular shoe will not fit. Usually the first ones they tell you to wear are a GOOD brand of tennis shoe with a stiff sole.

The Now, about 7 years later I have NO pain in that foot, it looks really good I think. The toes are not moving back. He did a slice wedge piece out of the bone, and put a titanium screw in, also had a rod in my foot for 6 weeks after surgery.

At least I have one foot that looks decent in sandals, the other one not so much. But now since I have little pain in the right foot, I won't risk having it done.

By the way, the one I had done 30 years ago, was without general anthesia, I was awake for it all....NEVER again!

This last one about 7 years ago, was done under general and I didn't know a thing. Less stressful.

I do not regret having this latest one done. Wish I had found a reputable doctor thirty years ago though.