phillygirl63

It takes me at least 4 days to figure out which is forward and which is aft when I get off the elevators. :) I would definitely suggest at least 7 days for a first cruise. Have fun. You will love it.

I have a related question - I'm not a big drinker but I do enjoy having a glass of wine with dinner. Can I still do that if I'm taking anti nausea pills?

 

I was travelling last weekend and I've been unwell with a mild stomach virus and winter cold. The combination made me get carsick! I took some pills and they knocked me out for over 24 hours. I know what I won't be taking on my cruise!! I won't ever be taking them again.

I have never had a problem with drinking while taking Bonine, and I have more than just that one drink with dinner for sure. Actually, I seem to feel better if we hit the bar for a drink (usually a martini or a glass of wine) as soon as possible after boarding the ship.

I take Bonine before bedtime. It helps me sleep better (as I usually don't the first night in a strange bed), and I don't feel any drowsiness during the day.

There is an outlet in the bathroom, but it is not the typical US 3-pronged plug. Ours had a nightlight in it that was very hard to remove, so we just let it stay there. My understanding is that plug can only be used for electric razors and maybe an electric toothbrush. We had plenty of US plugs in the room.

We used ours toward the beverage package. Money well spent IMO.

The Passenger does not need to be special to avoid the corkage fee, but the Wine does-

 

By that I mean that if you've purchased bottles of wine ashore which are distinctive or unique, the fee is almost always waived.

 

If your imported wine is largely similar or a duplicate of what the ship has on offer in its' Cellars, the fee stands.

 

I'm bringing Cliff Lede Stardust Heaven Cabernet. Maybe special enough?

I love those flimsy black dress pants that you just pull on, worn with very dressy tops to mix & match throughout the cruise. They are very comfortable, easy to pack and wrinkles fall out quickly. I bring about 4 pairs of those pants and 1 top for each night and then mix & match. I also bring a light sweater or jacket for those cool evenings and if the air is too cold in the dining room. What to wear in the evenings is easy -- it's what to wear for during the day that always throws me.

There will be plenty of taxis outside the terminal to take you to LGA.

I have reserved an evening in Privee for my upcoming cruise, and the cost was $250. Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of whether they charged the corkage fee for bottles of wine you brought on board yourself?

I second the Oil of Olay approach to fighting those dreaded wrinkles!

Someone said that you weren't allowed to bring a steamer on board. I have brought mine on every cruise. I thought it was just irons that were not permitted. Maybe different lines have different rules about that, and I will have to check that out for my upcoming cruise. I also fold everything with a sheet of tissue paper that you use for gifts and don't really have to use the steamer that much anyway.

Thanks IN will buy plenty of booze onboard. Wine drinkers are allowed to have their own wine. We don't drink wine so we feel we should be able to have something we do drink.

Since you are planning to "buy plenty of booze onboard," then I would suggest you purchase a drink package that will allow you to drink whatever you want whenever you want. That way you don't have to "smuggle" anything in, thus ending this discussion.

Although I do not agree with the harshness of some of the previous posters, I do agree that rules are rules and when the rules are broken, we all pay in the long run. The reason that most cruise lines do not allow booze (not talking wine) to be brought on board is because that is where they make most of their profit and how those lines can keep their fares lower. The lines that do allow booze to be brought on board are generally your more luxury lines and they come with a higher price tag. Let's not forget that most lines, with the exception of the high-end all-inclusive ones, even charge a corkage fee for wine brought on board. It's all about profit.

If you are insistent on trying it, then try it and see what happens. But, I would bet that if you are sailing on NCL, RCCL, Carnival or the like, you will not have that bottle in your room during your cruise, and I look forward to your pictures of the naughty room.

Which NCL ship? I've been on the Jade, Pride of America and Breakaway. I enjoyed the Jade and POA much more than the Breakaway. Absolutely love the martini tastings on Jade and POA. Breakaway was fun but just too big with too many people (and kids if I am being honest) for my taste. Also, because of being able to book specialty restaurants online in advance, those restaurants were fully booked within a day for the rest of the week. However, the entertainment on Breakaway was great, especially the dueling pianos show and Burning the Floor. The pool was a lot better too, especially for kids.

I've never been on Princess, but Celebrity is definitely a step up from NCL. However, a cruise is a cruise. You make of it what you want.

Thanks for the pix. Looks like we have a much better vantage point than the other B3's which have the long walls on both sides. I'm not concerned about us being seen while out on the deck, but it does look like my neighbors' verandah is right there in full view from my railing, so I will try to extra mindful of that and hope that they do the same.

I think OBC is best used toward one of the beverage packages. Wait until after you board to purchase.

When they mean sandals aren't allowed, do they mean flip-flops or sandals you'd wear by the pool? What about wedge sandals?

The dress code states that "athletic footwear or sandals" are not permitted in the Grand Dining Room or the specialty restaurants. Dressy sandals are totally appropriate, as that's what most women wear when dressed up. Just don't show up wearing flip flops, Crocs, those plastic slip ons, etc. It's common sense IMO.

I spent 34 days in 7108 the BEST cabin massive deck, fantastic vista, nothing , nothing , nothing wrong with it....the best view from any cabin with a veranda on the whole ship...even Penthouses

Thanks, Hawaiidan. When I booked this cabin and did a search on the boards to see what people had said about it, there were some negative comments regarding the open side of the balcony and being able to see into other balconies. I almost changed the room because of those comments, but my consultant at Oceania talked me out of changing the room. I think I will be glad I kept it.

I will be in 7108 on Marina in August and will report back to let you know how it was.

AFAIK all staterooms have a handheld regular size hairdryer

I have thick hair & it works fine for me

 

I did not think the plug is the Bathroom was was dryers only electric shavers :confused:

You are right -- the plug in the bathroom is only for electric shavers, but for some reason I thought there was a hair dryer on the wall. Just can't remember that far back -- UGH!

Thanks for the replies. After talking to my wife, I think we're going to wait until the kids are a bit older and maybe do something like a Disney cruise with some friends who love Disney. I may also just take our oldest when she's a bit older (4 or 5) and do a fun cruise together.

I was just about to suggest a Disney cruise when I saw this post. I think you made a good choice to wait until your kids are a bit older. I was also going to suggest that you consider doing a few days at Disney World followed by the cruise. I believe Disney offers a cruise tour like this.

If she is truly pre-disposed to motion sickness, start taking whatever preventative a day BEFORE you start sailing...and continue for at least a day after the cruise. Meclazine or Bonine...something along those lines, is VERY effective.

This is the best advice. Any remedy should be started BEFORE you experience the symptoms. I actually start taking 2 Bonine pills at bedtime for at least 2 nights prior to getting on the ship. It has worked every time for me. Of course, with any over-the-counter medication, you should consult your doctor.

Your best chance is the premium lines like Seaborne and Oceania. They allow you to carry on as much alcohol as you wish. Of course, alcohol is included in the fare.

Alcohol is not included in the fare with Oceania unless a drink package is offered as a booking perk. However, they do allow wine to be brought on board with corkage fee charged. I am not personally sure whether they allow any other alcohol.

I believe the one provided is sufficient, but I always bring my own anyway. I am just more comfortable doing my hair at the desk while DH uses the one in the bathroom. That way we can both be getting ready at the same time.

To provide you all with more info--our NCL cruise is 2 weeks long, booked balcony with Unlimited beverage and 6 specialty dining nights.

 

The O cruise would be inside cabin for 10 nights. We would take the $400 pp OBC.

 

It's $1k total difference. We're in our 30's and look to relax, see some local culture, and unwind.

Since you posted here on the Oceania forum, you will naturally get more positive responses from those more loyal to Oceania. I have been on both Oceania and NCL, and have enjoyed both. Different circumstances -- other couples or kids with us on NCL and just DH and I on Oceania.

Let's put the cost difference aside. You said you are in your 30's and want to have a relaxing cruise. However, you have not told us which ships you are comparing and where you want to visit. For example, if you are thinking about NCL Breakaway or Getaway in the summer months, then you will definitely not get much of a relaxing atmosphere, since the ship is huge with 4000 passengers, many of which will be families with young kids. Specialty restaurants book up very quickly, as reservations can be made online in advance. You will not get that with Oceania, whose ships are nicely sized with less passengers. Everyone has guaranteed reservations in each of the 4 specialty restaurants, which are complimentary.

The age range for Oceania is a bit older, the average age being about 60. We are in our early 50's, but there were some (not many) couples your age on our cruise, who we enjoyed and hung out with quite a bit. There were only a few kids. Thus, it is very relaxing and quiet on the ship. You will also have more opportunity to meet a lot of well-traveled, interesting, and overall great people.

If you enjoy nightlife, then NCL would definitely be the better option. The shows on NCL were very good, the best being Howling at the Moon Dueling Pianos on the Breakaway. The bars stay open later with a lot of dancing and partying. Not so on Oceania.

Anyway, regardless of which you choose, any cruise is what you make of it.

You should check out the prestige beverage package if you want unlimited mixed drinks, wine, beer, etc. at any time of the day. We found it to be a pretty good deal, and you don't have to be concerned about your final alcohol bill. It may not be as cost effective though if the basic beverage package were included in your booking.

I was on POA a few years ago. Personally, given the limited time in port, I would never go on a cruise without some kind of plan of the most important things I wanted to see and do in each port. That way there is no wasted time. I'm actually an excessive planner, and have an itinerary figured out well in advance of the cruise. :) However, I do understand that some people don't care for such regimen. For Hawaii, I strongly suggest booking in advance car rentals and any helicopter or plane rides. Seeing Kawaii by plane was a highlight for us and was a great way to see all of the island.

Aulani was being built when we were staying in the Ko'olina Marriott next door, and it looked very nice. It's a bit out of the way though.

We made the scavi tour and St. Peter's Basilica our last stop of the day (per suggestion of our tour guide) before making the trip back to the ship. Our guide dropped us off at a side entrance and the swiss guards directed us right to the scavi office. The scavi tour ended in the papal grotto. After that, we went to the Basilica. At that time (I believe about 2:30), we didn't have to wait in line very long.