jenn117

Thanks for all the information! We will definitely book direct, as that is our preference. I have a few smaller trips before our cruise in November so I haven't really started looking into what we are going to do yet. This has been on my bucket list since I saw them at Mystic Seaport so we will see you mid-November for sure!

Thank you so much - I will keep an eye out for that. Have a great cruise.

Hello! It will be our first time to the ABC islands in November (on Celebrity Beyond). I saw this company on Viator, which I have never booked with but usually book my own excursions (not with the cruise line). I saw blo-karts on display at the Mystic Seaport and said I was going to try it one day. Bonaire is the first port I have seen them available at. Any other tips/unique must sees for these three islands would be appreciated. TIA!

Sorry for the delay but I at least made it back before your cruise. Customer Service onboard seemed a little confused at our request. I went up with my oldest - even though they are 27 because they don't rock the boat and both of my children told me I was "bold" on this cruise. Apparently assertive is "bold" to anxious 20 somethings. They gave us the "card name must match passport" line. I had to reiterate that we were told pre-cruise to come to the Customer Service Desk once aboard to see what could be done - at least a note on the file so they weren't called Miss Chelsea all the time. It took persistence but they said they put a note on the file that should have come up whenever their card was scanned. We had hoped for a new card with the non-birth/passport name, but they make them all in advance now so embarkation goes more smoothly/quicker. We were on their rumored first completely full sailing since COVID and Customer Service was getting slammed so... People do lose their cards and have to pay to get new ones printed on the ship so it must be possible. I would have paid for them to print a new card - live and learn I guess. My oldest was so seasick on this cruise to Bermuda out of NYC in November (my bad but the only time all of us could go) that I doubt they will be cruising again anytime soon and will probably have the name change taken care of by then if they do. We did meet other trans people on the cruise and didn't run into any problems with anyone else on board. Teens might be a little harder - I know their generation is usually more open minded about these things but... My youngest had some "Mean Girls" when they tried the teen club years ago. Our cruise was overrun with teenagers and the usual mix I guess - some were little, inconsiderate snots and some were polite but it was easy to get caught up in the crowd mentality (as they traveled in packs on our cruise). Hope you have a great cruise!

We leave Saturday but I will let you know how it goes. I was told to check in with customer service once boarded and they can put a note on the account.

I had checked inventory at the time; I probably waited too long. NCL was really pushing the upgrade bids for this cruise (more than any previous ones I had been on) and even dropped the minimum bids on many types of rooms in the Haven. Probably best I don't get my oldest used to the Haven on their first cruise anyway. 🙂 Thanks - can't wait!

I have a question on upgrade bids into the Haven that doesn't seem to be covered in the fine print. Before someone mentions it, I did ask the agent I booked the cruise with but haven't heard back yet. I also like hearing from people's actual experiences. Do you get ALL the Haven amenities - specifically the Haven restaurant? The bid FAQs/fine print say you keep all the perks you had originally for your current room. It also says you get access to the Haven courtyard. While that is nice and all - and the extra space in the room would be wonderful for 3 adults in the same room - I would love to be able to have surf & turf in the Haven and the indisputable higher quality food overall . I miss when NCL had lobster night...I digress. Currently in Stateroom: 12226 (Club Balcony Suite: MB) on the Joy leaving on Nov 19 to Bermuda and will be perfectly happy to stay in that room. However, if I can get The Haven Forward-Facing Penthouse with Balcony (HG) for an extra $500 (total - that would be a bit over the min bid per person for the first two in the room) it seems crazy not to. Thanks in advance!

Thank you so much for the link, as I wasn't exactly sure where to find it. My daughter has Celiac and my oldest is diabetic (which I didn't even think about until seeing it on the form). We will all be on the Joy to Bermuda in November.

Thanks TheOldBear. I'll look into this "special needs" contact for NCL before boarding. I need to confirm what the line needs for advance notice for dining for my Celiac youngest daughter anyway.

I am cruising to Bermuda in November on NCL Joy with both of my adult children, including my oldest, a 27 yr old transman. As their passport still says their birth name, I didn't realize they could get a ship's ID with their chosen name on it. Is this something we'd just arrange at check-in when boarding? They are pretty quiet and introverted and won't want to rock the boat, but as the mama bear to two amazing human beings in the "alphabet soup" community I will do whatever I need to - ahead of time or at embarkation - to have them be more comfortable and not cringe every time they hear their birth name. Less important, but it may be helpful to staff as well since they look like a "Jay" and not a "Chelsea" for sure.

1) No. 2) I suspect you don't have priority boarding at all. What (other than luggage tags) makes you think you do? It is usually for high rewards (MANY cruises taken with NCL) members, Haven cabins, or the disabled. 3) Most people can only book onboard. Again, a perk for club "suites" and high reward members to book ahead of time. 5) Personally, I think the inside A/C areas get a bit cold. A light second layer is always recommended. 6) While I have never been overnight in the same port (on the Bermuda Joy itinerary for November), everything I can find says you may come and go as you please - as long as you are back on the ship before they leave the port of course. 10) I'd be interested in your opinion on this excursion if you do it, as that is the one my daughter is most interested in.