5280mom

Would someone be able to share personal pictures of the Barefoot Beach Hilltop cabanas and the Nellie’s over the water?  We have reserved the Nellie’s one but now I’m second guessing.  We have a couple travelers that will spend most of the day in the shade as well as ones in and out of the water.  I’d rather be on Barefoot but unsure of the hike being mentioned.  Thanks!!

Random question, were they able to scan your Starbucks app on your phone or did you need an actual gift card?

We’re on the Symphony sailing, good mix of ports and sea days.  Wonder was our preferred, we were booking three cabins in close proximity to each other and could not make it work on this sailing.  I guess I waited too long to make a decision.  Symphony will be new to us, looking forward to ringing in the new year at sea. 

We’re seeing a healthy price increase as well and since we continue on to Sydney after Honolulu we really just have to accept the increase in price.  

Ports are not exactly the same, one less port in New Zealand, one less in French 
Polynesia and no overnights on the Hawaiian ports.  We prefer the fall sailing overall and it sounds like the slow sail west is easier.  

We’ve had one in this area before and enjoyed it.  Our kids were teens and it was easy/convenient for them to just jump in the water right at our cabana instead of navigating the crowds on the beach.

DH and I are considering this B2B on the Edge.  Any thoughts on going this direction versus the April version coming back to Vancouver?  Looking at a Sky Suite and according to the website can secure both legs in the same suite.  We will confirm this when booking with our travel agent.  We are new to Celebrity having been mostly on RCCL.  Thank you for weighing in and sharing your thoughts!

We are considering booking on the Freedom next March out of San Juan.  Looking at a Promenade room and a balcony across the hall for our group.  Does anyone have a picture of the view out of room 8329 the Promenade room?  Hoping its not of the rafters, trying to do a little leg work before reserving.  Thanks for any help!

New have done a land vacation there and it is stunning.  I would say it is the most European island we have stayed on, and while not the friendliest, we managed just fine.  Our villa had its own pool so we actually stayed there a lot and just ventured out twice a day for dinner or a snack.  Funny enough, restaurants/businesses did close in the middle of the day for several hours.  We truly enjoyed the uncommercialized nature on this visit.  We never saw a cruise ship in our five days there but did notice a few yachts in the marina at night.  I can’t  imagine a mega ship visiting here, just not enough to do and no way to move that many people around at one time.  

Yes!!   We used our Starbucks apps all week on Oasis.  Loved our afternoon espresso runs.  Enjoy!!

On our Christmas week cruise there was menorah lighting.  Also, Christmas carols the night of the 24th (crew passed out music sheets) and also Santa visited on the 25th.  There is as little or as much as you want to partake in.  Have a fabulous vacation.

Carambola Beach Club is always a good option.

 Can anyone give me an idea of the average age of guests on this itinerary?  We would love to take this trip but are  mid to late 40s. 😉

We have sailed in the Haven twice with NCL in a 2 bedroom suite.  Awesome set up and we truly enjoyed the Haven areas-pool, restaurant, priority embarkation, disembarkation, show seats, etc.  However, outside the blissful seclusion of this area, the ships are a crowded and noisy experience.  To be fair, we have been on the Getaway and the Epic, both large ships but no bigger than the Oasis which never felt crowded or noisy.  We will no longer be considering this line for several reasons.  Also, I would not consider rooming outside the immediate Haven area.  Having to haul your pool stuff and kids to the Haven to swim, relax at the bar or eat is not an ideal situation.  

Phone app worked fine on Oasis.

Just a follow up for anyone needing clarification...  we went to Pearl Harbor on Friday and I carried an NFL logo clear bag and sailed through the entrance line.  No problem at all and it was nice to have someplace to carry our sweaty water bottles!

We are taking a tour next week that includes Pearl Harbor.  As far as clear bags go, is anything that is accepted at sporting events considered acceptable at Pearl Harbor?  Think NFL game type/sized item.  Thanks for any direction here!

Yes-Oasis has a licensed Starbucks.  I happily visited every afternoon on our cruise for a doppio iced espresso and earned points on my card for doing so.  Major plus in my book and something I truly missed on our most recent NCL sailing.  Enjoy!

Thank you so much for the info and pictures!  I guess I can expect it to be half as good as the Oasis last year 😉. That one is nearly perfect, under cover and a dedicated area.  I’ll check it out and if it is too crowded will find a treadmill.  

Can anyone share info regarding the walking track on the Epic?  We sail this weekend and I'd prefer walking the track versus on a treadmill.  Is the track around an already occupied area (chairs, people to dodge) or is it a dedicated area with less traffic, conducive to getting a workout?

I’d like to have a packable snorkel vest for my daughter for our trip next week.  Have to order from Amazon.  Can anyone recommend a good quality vest for her so we can both enjoy our time in the water?  She is 15 but tires before the rest of us and ends up back onboard early.  Thanks!!

We are sailing Christmas week on the Epic.  DS is receiving a small Nintendo game box from “Santa”. Are the TVs set up to be able to connect this to so he can try it out?  Don’t worry-it won’t be a sit in the room and play video games all week situation, just know he would like to play with it and try it out.  We are in the Haven if the TVs are different on this ship.  Thanks!!

An H4 Haven cabin is your friend.  Two bedrooms plus a sofa bed if the kids don't want to share the bunk room.  Extra bathroom as well.  This is the only scenario that we use when sailing NCL.  Other lines its two connecting mini suites or balconies so everyone has their own sleeping space.  My opposite sex teens would not be happy to bunk together and the second bathroom is always a plus!

Can anyone share photos of the Haven fitness area on the Epic?  We are interested in what is in this location...  cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, etc?   Thanks!

I always use a straw, my front teeth are crazy sensitive to cold and tea stains :). We’ll be packing straws for our December cruise. To each their own.

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