mom22tinks

On 12/1/2021 at 8:01 AM, JohninDC said:

With a family and your constraints I would look at Paradise Beach - $5 admission/chair rental, nice beach, HUGE pool, good facilities and great service.  They ask that you spend $10/person which is easy with a couple of cokes/drinks/beers. Current taxi rates will be posted on a board near the cab line for your pier but should be about $15-17 each way (fare covers up to 4 in the cab - if your group is larger your fare will be higher)

It looks like Paradise Beach has a $60 PP fee for the pool, beach chair and food.  From the looks of the FB page and website I don't see that they let you come in for the $5.00 anymore. Does anyone know if they do?  

7 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

How much alcohol do you drink?

We really don't drink anymore.

8 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

Edit:  I just watched a youtube video of 8710 and it DOES have the glass wall on the balcony....(my bad)...nice video...check it out

Thank you!

11 hours ago, hallux said:

In a glass, yes.

Nope, you'll go hungry if you don't want to pay.

 

Kidding, of course there are complementary dining venues.  Depending on the ship there may be almost as many complementary as there are specialty (some ships have as many as 5 or 6 included venues and 7 specialty).

 

It is, but you can add it for the additional guests.

https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages

Keep in mind that those prices don't include gratuities.

 

Thank you thst answered so many questions that I don't have the time to research myself right now 🙂

33 minutes ago, AnitaVacation said:

Hello, which ship are you looking at?  Personally, I prefer the larger balcony...regular balconies are usually very small, two chairs and a table, barely big enough for two people...the larger balconies usually have 2 loungers, 2 chairs and a table and plenty big enough for 4... with the first option, you will get some freebies that may be worth the difference for you (you decide)...most of those perks are only for the 1st/2nd passenger and they will also charge a gratuity on them.  There are some restaurants included (no additional charge) along with the buffet...honestly, lately, I find NCL's additional fee for the premium restaurants is getting out of hand...but I think that is mostly because most of those meals are comp'd anyway (free at sea promo and also Platinum member comp)....and honestly, the food in the regular dining room is just as good for the most part...

It's the Getaway. 

The Sailaway balcony says it is a BX -  It says it is 304 sq. ft. and balcony size 129 sq. ft. - Deck 8 Forward

The Large balcony says 245 sq. ft - 70 sq. ft balcony - Deck 9 Forward. 

So, based on that description I wasn't sure if they were giving you a better room choice for the sailaway balcony.  Thank you for all your help.  I think you made the decision for me. Thank you 🙂

Hi. I am new to NCL.   We have sailed a few DCL and many CCL cruises.  If I book the Larger balcony with the free at sea it is about $3,150 (9 forward)OR I can book the Sailaway balcony (8 forward)with only $50 off the excurions for $2,200. This is for four of us.   Having not sailed with NCL I  have no idea how anythign works.  Can we get water to drink at dinner? Can we just eat dinner at a dining room without paying?  Does the free at sea sound better or cheaper?  It looks like the specialtiy restuarant price is only good for the first 2 people.  Help! Sorry..  Jessica

Hi.  Any ideas what hotel this may be?  It is a priceline express deal 4 star hotel in the French Quarter - Canal Street for $143.00.  I need a hotel for 4 from 12/28 to 12/30/18 and I was hoping to be in the French Quarter.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn last time in the French quarter and loved it.  It seems a little pricy this time.  Any ideas what hotel this is or is there one that you would recommend that would keep us close without breaking the bank? Thanks!

Hi. We will be debarking in Miami and have a late flight. I had hoped to do the hop on hop off bus in Miami, but that would be difficult with all our luggage. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do with it? Thanks!

We did a wave runner stingray city trip last year and LOVED it!! We booked it with Grand Cayman Cruise Excursions .We did stingray city and Rum Point. Really amazing! https://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/excursion/stingray-city-rum-point-beach-snorkeling-excursion-grand-cayman-waverunners/

Not to hijack the thread, but how did you get from the port to the resort? And how much did it cost? Thanks.

Thank you so much Saint Greg!

Thank you. Thought it couldn't hurt to ask :)

Does anyone have any suggestions for a hotel room with a balcony overlooking the streets in the French Quarter? We are a family of 4 and I was hoping for $225 or less. We will be there 1/3-1/4/17.

I have been to New Orleans several times. French Quarter is fun and always something going on. Other great hotels are the Monteleone (awesome rotating bar!) and The Saint Autograph

 

 

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Thank you.

And thank you for telling me not to trust hotwire!

It is listed as 4.5 stars and a 95% recommended. Listed as Boutique hotel | Business center | Fitness center | Pet friendly | Pool(s) | Restaurant(s) | Self-service laundry | Smoke-free rooms

And if it is the Royal Sonesta, what are the chances of getting a street balcony? Do I call them after I book and request or wait til I check in? Or do I shell out the extra bucks and book it straight to be sure to get what I want?

So, this is our first visit to New Orleans and would like to stay in the french quarter. There are 4 of us, me, dh and dd 14 and 16. I was hoping to get a balcony.

I was looking on hotwire and they have 3 options for 4 1/2 star hotels. Based on their amenities I narrowed down the possibility to: Royal Sonesta and Roosevelt New Orleans. They mentioned it was a boutique hotel. I was hoping its the Royal Sonesta. Does anyone have any current help? We will be there 1/3/17-1/4/17.

Also, am I crazy for staying in the french quarter? I just figured I don't know when we will be back and if we wanted, DH and I could walk around and leave our kids in the hotel.

Thank you!

Our plane doesn't leave until 5:00, so we are hoping to seee some of New Orleans sites after we get off the boat. We will have two carry-ons. Is there any place we can store these until we leave for the airport? I hate to carry them around with us all day. Thnaks,

Following :)

Thanks they decided on Playa Mia after seeing the big obstacle course they have out in the ocean to play on and all paddle boats, water trikes etc. included. Looks like they have a lot more "big kid" toys there. After checking out reviews the buffet food seemed to be pretty blah so I decided to get the ticket only package and buy a la carte from their menu which looks much better.

 

I think we'll do the same thing, pick a couple of items and just share them, from the photos I've seen the sizes they serve are huge. So we'll just get a variety and eat family

 

I wasn't sure when your cruise was, and was wondering if you'very gone already. And if you did, what did the family think of Playa mia?

I'm trying to decide between Laminai ruins in Belize or Chacchoben Ruins in Costa Maya. Has anyone done both? It's me and hubby and my 2 teenage girls, 14 and 16. Thank you!

Thank you both. That makes me feel a whole lot better. 😊 and Bill we stay to the left of the dive shop and are very aware of the coral :)

I have been to St. Thomas 5 times. The first time we did a tour and went to Coki Beach. The 4 other times we headed to Sapphire Beach, which we love. I've recently read in reviews that it is rocky and you need water shoes. I'm wondering if we should forego our usual trip to Sapphire and head over to St. John? I'm hesitant to go to St. John due to the cost of what it'll be to get my family there...which we could use in other islands instead.

Has Sapphire really gone down the tubes?

I would not even try it. The ship will come thru customs and if it's late you will be too. Plus you have to get the sticker for agriculture at the airport and go thru security. We've managed to be there thru self assist on ccl but just barely by 10. I'm sure your flight will be boarding around 9:30. Good luck and have a great trip.

Loving the review!

Hi folks. This is my families very first time in Aruba. I have two girls 12 and 15. We will be in Aruba from 8-4.

We are also going to:

Grand Turk - snorkeling "the wall"

La Romana- dreams All inclusive

Curacoa - Irie tours

Based on what we have already planned - what would you suggest we do in Aruba? I wanted to book the trikes but they are too expensive. Any other not too miss things??

Thanks!

Thanks for your help!

I found the website bluekaymahahaul dot com. It seems more expensive now. If im reading correctly its 30 pp for the day for chairs and drinks. Bit does not include kayaks, bikes and snorkeling or food. Is this correct or am i misreading? Thanks!