sixesandeights

I know no reason for not discussing the shows on here. I have been on 9 Carnival cruises and the shows have always been fantastic. I will be on the same cruise that you are going on and, I am sure, that we won't be disappointed. There is always the Welcoming show on the first night and then the big show usually the second night and smaller versions as the cruise progresses. Being an 8 day cruise, there might even be 2 big shows. Hope you (and I) have a great time.

Any specifics? For example, if I was sailing on the NCL Escape I would have reservations to a few shows at this point. I would know exactly what shows were going to be playing. I can't seem to find that information for Carnival.

6&8

Is entertainment something that is not discussed on the Carnival board? It is a constant topic on all other lines boards......are there no shows on Carnival?

I am going on my second Carnival Cruise in about 45 days on the Conquest. What shows are running currently on the Conquest? Are they good? What are the best locations for night time entertainment? Thanks for the help!

6&8

It is no contest. RCCL is far better with entertainment.

Personally, I could go for a Starbucks, but that's just me.

1/2 price Lattes.....thats a good deal

I love to go back to back with my alcohol and Brawndo!

It's got what Cruisers crave!

6&8

Co-Sleep. Saves a ton of room.

A premium buffet area, pay a little extra but you don't have to stand behind the person that takes 10 minutes to scoop out mashed potatoes. Seriously if Carnival had people serving the buffet food it would go so much faster.

Sounds like you don't do the buffet correctly. It is not linear. You go to the item you want and take it. You dont have to shuffle down the entire length of the buffet to get your food.

6&8

We will be sailing over Halloween this year with my two children. My 4 year old LOVES Halloween and Trick or treating. Do the kids dress up on the ship? Do they have any Trick or Treating? Do the adults dress up? Are there any Halloween parties or anything? Any Halloween information is greatly appreciated.

6&8

There is no reason for them to make this change unless drink price increases are right around the corner.

Much better cards out there.

If he is with you and behaving it will be fine.

Stands for Faster To The Fun. It's a one time cost of 69.00 per cabin that allows all occupants certain perks. You get to embark onto the ship after diamond and platinum passengers and before everyone else. You also get your bags delivered to your cabin first, a dedicated roped off line at customer service, priority disembarkation and priority embarkation at any tender ports.

Just checked for my cruise, and it is $79.95. It is in October of this year. Not sure if there was an increase, but wanted to pass along what I was seeing.

6&8

OK I need HELP!! My husband and I are taking our first cruise for our 10th anniversary in May. I have to say I have steered away from cruises because they seemed confusing. Hubby talked me into it and I am SO confused!!! Any help would be appreciated!!

 

1. Called NCL and they told me to book dining 60 days out. I have read on here 90. Is it 90?? Guy didn't seem to know what he was talking about on other questions I had so I don't really trust his answers!

 

2. How do we get tickets for the Vibe Beach Club? Is it worth it?

 

3. What about entertainment? Should we book that in advance?

 

Thanks for your help in advance!!!!

1) You can book 90 days out for regular rooms. If you want to eat at the specialties at normal times BOOK ASAP. On the boat the only times available (even right away the first day) were 9:30.

2) You have to show up to the cruise terminal very early to get in one of the first groups, as soon as you get on the boat go to Guest services and there will be a line to buy passes. They only sell a select number of them. As far as if it is worth it or not that is pretty personal. My wife and I enjoyed Posh (same deal) on the Epic. Its an adult only private area.

3) You can book the main shows in advance, but we were able to walk in no problem to shows on the Escape. We did not enjoy any of the main shows at all. Usually NCL has great entertainment, but both of these shows (after midnight and Million Dollar) were snoozers. My wife and I are both very early 30's so that might be the problem, but even my 60 year old Dad found the shows boring. Some people seem to enjoy them, so to each their own but we did not find reservations 100% mandatory.

6&8

We are cruising next month on the getaway. we booked last year during the 3-8 pax free as well as other "free" promotions. We chose the prepaid service charges since we (parents) don't drink that much. I called ncl to prepay the kids' dsc and was told that I didn't have to, it didn't show up on their system. I then emailed ncl to get a copy of the amenity invoice and it has dh and I listed as having the dsc prepaid. my question is, so what happened to the kids dsc? do I not have to pay for it b/c they were free to begin with? just trying to prepay everything before we board since we booked in cdn funds. if i have to pay onboard, the dsc for 2 kids is much higher in us funds.

Only if they are over 3. 3 and under dont get DSC.

6&8

What are the "benefits" if I put together a group of 8 cabins?

6&8

Yes, the larger ships are more fun. They offer far more activities then the smaller ships. The smaller ships have their purposes, but the big new ships with the water slides, rope courses, etc are amazing. The Epic, which it sounds like you are considering, is my favorite NCL ship (and I have been on the Escape). I just really loved that ship. If you enjoyed the small ones the bigger ones will blow you away.

6&8

The debate was pretty hot and heavy for a while but we never got an answer. On a Norwegian ship how much liquor is in a LIT? We know that it has many several types of liquor but what is the quantity? Is it a partial shot of 5 liquors to give you a total of 1.5 oz of booze in end or is it multiple shots of liquor giving you something very strong to drink for a good price?

 

I know what they do at the bars here on land, but what is done on a cruise ship?

Multiple shots. It was a glass of liquor (FAR FAR more then 1.5oz, they were not measured pours so I cant be exact). Was on the Escape for the 11/28 sailing.

6&8

Time to renew my passport. Is it true that I can renew and just get the card only without getting the book? Quite a difference in cost and will not be doing any international travel, only Caribbean, Mexico... Thank for your help!

Honestly, if you are not going to get the book then dont renew. Just travel with a birth certificate. The Card does not provide any of the protections the book does, and is no different then just using a BC. Save your money.

6&8

Does NCL have their own version of RC's Quest game?

Have never seen quest on an NCL ship.

6&8

We are a family of 4 with 2 small boys (4 and 6 years old). We are booking on the Norwegian Sun from Vancouver to Seward at the end of August. Right now we are booked on a mid ship inside stateroom(highest category for inside room type), mainly due to size and cost.

 

We are debating if we should change to an ocean view room. The partially obstructed porthole will be $200 more. The picture window room is about $700 more. The ocean view room seems to be a bit smaller, cost more, but with view which is something to consider since we will be in Alaska. I was thinking may be we should switch to a partially obstructed one, but not sure. I tried to check the photo online on several sites, but still not sure how obstructed those particular rooms might be.

 

We (the parents) cruised to the Caribbean a few times in inside staterooms and felt no need for the view inside the cabins. But would we regret not having a room with some view on an Alaska cruise? Would they announced something so we know to go outside of the room to the deck if there are something of particular interest?

 

Any comment please? Thank you so much in advance.

On an Alaska cruise I would never consider anything under a Balcony. Unlike a Caribbean cruise (where many spend little time in the room) spending time on the balcony and watching the beauty of Alaska is something that can not be missed. I would find a way to upgrade to a balcony, you will not be sorry.

6&8

One comment about the Howl at the moon show. This is my favorite show on any cruise ship. I think it is even better then the diving show on the Allure. This last trip however the Howl at the moon players would get so drunk later in evening. The songs simply degraded into fowl language combined with piano playing. One evening they went on for 15 minutes about a pussy cat. I know that after 11 it is an adults only show, and I am no prude. I have no issues with adult entertainment, violence on tv or swearing but they went too far on multiple nights.

Howl at the Moon on the Escape was the worst I have ever been to. They rarely finished any songs. They rarely sang the correct words to any songs. They told the exact same jokes at each show...it was overall terrible. HatM is usually my favorite entertainment on the ship, but the people on the Escape are a joke.

I also ate at Moderno and thought the meat quality was the worst I have ever experienced. If it wasn't for the sushi on the buffet it would have been a complete waste. La Cuchina was also very bad on this ship (service and food). We did love, Cagney's, Tep, and Le Bistro though. They were all fantastic. We also had no problems at the Buffet, and the Eggs Benedict stations were a very welcome site, as on previous trips we had to wait in the omelette line to request them.

6&8

I there a cruise line that does not necessitate suit?

Technically a suit is not needed on most mainstream lines. On NCL long pants are even optional. You can eat in almost every restaurant in shorts. The only exceptions are Le Bistro (French specialty) and the Manhattan Room (more formal MDR). Shorts are 100% allowed and acceptable everywhere else. There are also no formal nights on NCL. This laid back dress code is a huge selling point for NCL IMHO.

6&8

Just curious as to the status of the UDP on the "Escape".....Is there any extra charge for the Premium Items in Cagney's and Le Bistro's? Is there any charge for dining at Margaritaville? Seems like a few months ago the UDP was a hot mess with all the changes.

Everything on the menu is available with the UDP in all specialties with no up charges for any items. You can still eat at two places in one day with the old UDP (did this twice on the 11/28 sailing). We even got 25% off at Food Republic when we produced the Terms that specifically mention it and a little effort.

6&8

Is if necessary to book reservations for all the shows and specialty dining in advance? Do they hold back some reservations for on the ship?

100% book in advance....on the Escape this past week on board we could only get 9:30 reservations. We had every day booked but 1 in advance figuring we could just wing it....not the case.

6&8