thatjoeguy

What if you're not a sun worshiper? Are there shaded areas aside from the cabanas? It sounds heavenly but I don't really enjoy sitting directly in the sun.

There are large umbrellas around the sun beds, as well as an overhang on the bar.

I'm not sure why that would be a problem. :confused:

 

If I want to book an NCL cruise, a PCC...who only deals with NCL cruises, would seem to be a benefit.

 

A "real" travel agent who handles NCL cruises, RCCL cruises, CCL cruises, hotels, rental cars, train tickets, land vacations, etc would seem to carry a lot extra that I don't really need.

 

Why see a general practitioner when a specialist is available for the same price?

Well, the problem is you can usually get a better deal going with a normal TA over a PCC.

Question for the folks who have shipped in these cabins before (Dawn or other Norwegian ship):

 

I got an offer to upgrade my mid-ship Inside room to an Oceanview room for only $100 pp for the 7 night cruise on the Dawn out of Boston in October.

 

Currently, I am booked in a mid-ship Inside on the 9th deck. The Oceanview they can give me is a large picture window (not a porthole) located mid-ship on deck 5.

 

Is the extra $100 pp worth it for the window? Thanks!

DH has stated that, without a source of natural light, he'll spend the whole cruise asleep. We no longer get insides. :)

Going on the Getaway over Thanksgiving for my 40th birthday and that of my boyfriends as well. I want to do a couple specialty restaurants (I have a gluten allergy and he is Italian Cuban- so La Cucina is out).

 

If you could pick one or two which would they be and why.

We really love Moderno, the Brazillian steakhouse. The "salad" bar (really all types of cold food) is fantastic, and most of the proteins are really good as well. It's a nice switch from the normal for us, especially in ways that generic French or steak house isn't.

Thank you, we would want six of the seats so I think we would be really lucky if we managed to get it. I will try though. Do you remember what the menu was like?

I believe if there is enough interest, they will add a second night.

Does anyone know if Vibe on Getaway has a special sailaway party with free glasses of bubbly like Posh does on Epic? Thanks!

They do not.

Wine is anywhere between 6-10.00 a glass. Cruise ship wine is not worth it, imho. Beer is cheapest by the buckets, comes out to 4.00 or so a beer, specialty beer can be from 6-8.00 per can or bottle.

 

Drink of the day mixed drinks are 6-7.00 but I usually don't drink these as I find them "weak" for the price

 

Mixed drinks are usually 6-8.00, well drinks like rum and coke 5-6.00, Martinis and whiskey 10+

 

 

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I don't remember my martinis (hendricks) being over $10. I think they were 8-9.

While getting to the pier early is your only shot at getting into VIBE. Unfortunately, getting to the pier early is not a guarantee for getting a low boarding number. On our cruise, one of our roll call members was a guy who was on BA for the fourth time in two years. He got to the pier early and got boarding number 21 while their friends with them got a really low numbered group (like 4 or 6 I think). We got to the pier at 8:30 and was the 15th or 20th person in line before security even opened up and they still tried to give us boarding group number 21!!!! Luckily, we actually found out at check in that we had priority boarding so that rocked and we got a cabana (can't tell you why, other than we had a lot of pre-cruise issues with many phone calls, so maybe somebody looked out for us). My friend just went on the GA and got to the pier early, they are first time cruisers and got boarding group #4 and made it into Vibe, but cabanas were sold out despite their running to service desk like the Disney line drop. Her friends got there around the same time and got a much later group and missed out. I WISH SOMEONE COULD EXPLAIN THE RHYME OR REASON BEHIND THE RANDOM HANDOUT OF NUMBERS AT THE PIER....UGHH!!!

Maybe they're starting that to stop people from getting to the port at 8:30 when they tell you not to get there that early.

We went with the free DSC because (a) I'm a moron who was looking at the "full value" vs. "most value," and (b) my wife doesn't drink much.

 

DSC for 7 days would be $94.50

UBP @ 18% for 7 days would be $68.04.

 

So if you plan on drinking more than $94.50 worth of alcohol over 7 days, go with the UBP.

Actually, since you now have to pay the grats for the UBP, you'll have to drink $137.75 pre 18% gratuity or $162.54 post 18% gratuity per person in order to come out ahead with the UBP.

Hi all...I am doing my first cruise in September to Bermuda. I will be on the Breakaway. I am travelling with 5 other friends. We will be in 3 different rooms all over the ship. My question is how do we stay in contact during the cruise since there will be no cell reception? We will all at some point be doing our own things and then obviously want to meet up but the Breakaway is huge! I know about iconcierge. Is it worth it? Any other tips or hints for finding each other?

If you're going to have your phone with you most/all of the time anyway (tracking steps, playing games, listening to music) then the iConcierge is a great thing to have. We've used it several times on our last several NCL cruises and liked it a lot.

Weird fact - we were able to see when we got texts through the app when on shore and using normal data/different wifi, but weren't able to see what the text actually said.

The notion that the various promotional packages are "free" or "bonuses" is wishful thinking. There's no such thing as a free lunch. You're paying for it up front with the higher cruise fares that NCL is charging.

...

Hopefully we'll see a corresponding increase in the quality of food and entertainment onboard, because NCL is on the verge of charging the same (or more) for what I consider to be an inferior product. All of the various cuts seem to work against this, but I guess I'll find out soon enough. I'm booked on a few more NCL cruises for the year (including Escape), so I'm going to try and see how the changes work with an open mind.

Last year we paid $2200 for a balcony room on the Getaway with no promotions. This year, we have a minisuite on the Escape for the same week and same ports for $2500. If we had gone with a balcony again, it would have been $2100. This year, we received the UBP for free. Please show me the higher fares.

Also, I've found NCL to already have the same or better quality of entertainment than other comparable lines. That, more than the low rates, are what keep us coming back to NCL. We really like the stage shows on the new, bigger ships, and DH LOVES Howl at the Moon.

NCL carries TY KU low-calorie soju (40 proof) and citrus liqueur (34 proof). 60-65 calories for a 1.5 oz serving (compared to 120 calories for vodka, 150 calories for Cointreau). It's in the overproduced triangular bottle that lights up when you pick it up. :D

The only reason that those drinks are lower calorie than vodka is because they're lower alcohol content. You could have the exact same effect and calories from a shot of vodka as you would from two shots of those. The only calories you're getting in vodka is from the ethanol.

For those who have sailed both, what are your opinions. Looking for input on bands/ entertainment, food, cabins (interior or ocean view) and pool areas.

Much better entertainment, better food, smaller cabins, and equal pool area on NCL over Carnival.

This will be our first cruise with the UBP (we don't drink quite enough to justify it normally, but we may once we get it included) so I'm looking forward to that.

We're bringing my BIL and his GF on the cruise with us, as still working on my brother and his wife, so hopefully we'll have a nice group with us in adjoining minisuites. We're also trying to convince some friends to come along.

The last few times we've been to the Virgin Islands, we've just done the get off the boat and walk to the beach plan - this time, we've said we were going to do some excursions.

The Brazilian steakhouse - the closest on to us is long enough that we never think of going, and it's really tasty.

The gym - running with ocean views very much beats the views from my elliptical.

Escaping Michigan winters for a week+.

The fact that the Escape has added the dueling piano bar - DH was sad that was missing from the ship.

Probably lots of other things I'm not thinking of yet.

Hi everyone! Trying to decide on our first family cruise...we are a big family of six with four kids ranges 6-13. I currently have a DCL on the Wonder booked, and a RCC on the Adventure of the Seas (Southern Caribbean) booked, and just now noticed NCL! Ahhh! I know...too many choices and I'm way indecisive. Honestly I haven't heard much about NCL....I feel after DCL, RCC comes up next...BUT the idea of cool, NEW ships on NCL has me thinking. There is an Escape cruise that would work with our schedule. And I imagine it's like the Getaway, which has good reviews, right? What are your experiences? Why are you choosing to cruise NCL over the others? Thank you for any help!:D

What first got us to try NCL years back was the price - it was comparable to Carnival, and much lower than all the rest of the big lines. That's become less necessary nowadays, but still nice.

Having done RCC in the past, as well as several others, but not DCL, the thing that first kept me coming back to NCL was the freestyle and anytime dining. While we've always had good luck with our table mates on fixed dining cruises, there's something nice about not needing to rush or wait for dinner. Since then, I know lots of other lines have introduced this concept, but when we recently did it on Princess last summer, it wasn't handled quite as smoothly as it is on NCL. We've liked the variety of specialty restaurants as well, even if we only do a few of them on each cruse.

We also REALLY like the quality of entertainment on NCL compared to a lot of the other lines, but I believe DCL and RCC have good entertainment as well, relative to the others. That said, Howl at the Moon, the dueling pianos exclusive to NCL, has been a favorite of ours in the recent years.

How do cabanas work? Is the cost of the cabana in addition to the vibe pass?

Cabanas include entrance to Vibe for 2 people, as well as a cabana that's "reserved" for the week. The cabanas hold 2.

FWIW -- I agree with Smokey, who simply asked the Original Poster to follow the rules. The big picture to me is not whether the OP's 17-year-old would behave well in Vibe but whether passengers should follow the rules.

 

It is too easy for someone to say--it is more convenient for me to do what I want, so I won't bother following the rules. The result is chair hogs, smokers in non-smoking areas, people that skip muster drills (resulting in others having to wait), people that are late getting back to the excursion bus (causing others to have to wait), people trying to sneak liquor on board (causing more security measures and more waiting for others), etc.

 

People are very creative in finding a reason why in their particular, individual, special-circumstances case they shouldn't have to follow the rules. An adults-only area is a great idea and a benefit for those who want a little peace or quiet. The fact that loud obnoxious drunks ruin the area for those wanting a little peace and quiet is no reason to let others bring in their kids to an adult area.

This is probably the best post on this thread, or many others here.

In light of the overwhelming changes in such a short span is it enough to get you to cancel your current bookings?

 

Personally for my family and I the answer is YES, 2 Suites Cancelled and I'm not looking back at this train wreck until they realize constantly changing the product makes people feel uneasy and abused.

You mean how I got a free UBP for this next cruise that I didn't have on the one earlier this year? No, I like that.

Paying taxes (mandated by law) and paying "forced gratuities" (mandated by cruise line policy) are two completely different animals. One is dictated by law, the other by greed and ability of slick marketing to think someone is getting something free when it's not. Most likely (at least it is my belief) the "forced gratuity" will most likely cover the base price of the alcohol as paid for by NCL and therefore they don't really lose anything in the deal.

 

BTW, your friend didn't have to pay the taxes, he simply could have refused the car. Even he had an option.

BTW, you didn't have to pay the "forced gratuities," you simply could have chosen a different package.

We have been in both a mini-suite and balcony on the Getaway. Yes, the bathroom was nice but I would be fine in a balcony again. The room, bed, and balcony was the same size in both. Unless you get a super good deal on a mini, I wouldn't spend extra for one. Having said that....the Getaway is a great ship. Have a wonderful cruise:)

We were upgraded for free (price drop after final payment, blah blah blah) from a balcony to a minisuite. I loved the extra room in the bathroom (no sharing a sink!) and the bed felt bigger than a queen. The only downside is that DH now only wants to book minisuites and above! I'll never take him to the Haven!

Movies are shown constantly on the stateroom tv after sailaway. Some are repeated throughout the week but most are pretty recent releases (obviously not first run but within the past 6 mths or so). Also, they will occasionally have movies in the atrium, but, imo, this isn't the most ideal place to watch a movie as there are untold distractions.

On the Getaway this past January, there were also movies shown (some in 3D) in the theater during the day.

We are fairly seasoned cruisers but have always sailed with RCCL. We have another Royal cruise booked for next year but I snagged a great deal last minute aboard the Getaway. We leave in 2 weeks.

 

What are some of the differences we will notice? Any tips for a family used to the Royal Caribbean product now trying NCL?

 

Thanks!!

Freestyle dining - you pick when and where you want to eat.

Shows on the new NCL ships are comparable to the Royal shows.

Just saw this. I hope its true.

 

http://www.howlatthemoon.com/norwegian-cruise-lines/

Awesome. Howl was one of our favorite parts of our last few NCL cruises, and one of the things we missed most on Princess. We're already booked for January, so that will be a nice surprise.

Only room service serves pizza 24/7 (there is a delivery fee for room service). Buffet has pizza slices available for most of the day.

If I remember correctly, they'll actually deliver the pizza to anywhere you want on the ship, not just your room. We ordered pizza a piano bar at one point, others did it to the pool.

There's a "charm" to the smaller, older ships that a lot of people enjoy. I think a lot of it comes down to room at the pool, and the small town feel. I've done both, and cruised as a child long before the megaships existed at all. That said, it comes down to what you're looking for in a vacation. If you're cruising for your destination, and mostly using the ship as a floating hotel, it's not going to matter (much) to you whether you have a new or old ship. If you're cruising for the experience of the ship itself, you'll want to go with one of the newer ones. If you're going for a value cruise (or, in the opposite direction, a 6,000 sf stateroom) the older ships will be a better fit.

THAT said, NCL has added a lot of the "newer" amenities to their older ships when they've been in dry dock, so you'll have the waterslides, etc. on some of the older ships.