Victorious8

Just landed in Miami! I'll probably hit up Starbucks and change out of my suitable for San Francisco flight clothes and then grab a cab/uber! Anyone know which is usually cheaper to get to the port from MIA?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Have a good flight and enjoy your trip. If you get a chance to snap a pic of a few dailies this week, myself and everyone else on the Aug 14th 6 day sailing would be very appreciative.

 

TIA

I will definitely try and snap and post the day of. I almost always lose them throughout the day and I definitely will not take the trouble to scan them when I get back.

Also beer has worked to calm anxieties. I am a bit worried that my week of sobriety leading up to the bar exam has lowered my tolerance...

 

Tip: Be sure to know these rules so that you are not turned away:

1. Nothing is allowed in your pockets

2. Must wear tennis shoes or (closed toes?) shoes that fit securely around your heels

3. No cameras allowed, even if secured

4. No wet clothing (so don't come from the pool with your wet swimming trunks)

5. I also read on another review you have to wear a t-shirt or shirt with sleeves. No tanktops allowed

Oh snap I don't have any of that packed with me. I have secure sandals (straps all around my foot) and cowgirl boots! Hopefully one of those will work! If not, I will be fine!

Apparently using the option of "best" with the photos makes them small and blurry. Interesting. Here's my first drink. Starting to prepare for my run of The District. Am I allowed to call in home yet DougOut? I feel like I should wait until I actually go there!

(It's a Almanac Saison Dolores)

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Trying to mess with the photos. I can't tell which ones are giving a more quality picture. I guess I'll need to investigate with my laptop once I get through security.

I may have over packed! Luckily I have a luggage scale and my suitcase was at 49.5 lbs!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm also starting to feel anxious for the first time about going alone! Logically I know I'll have a blast but I have all sorts of butterflies! Hopefully some sleep on the plane and a bloody in the morning and I'll have more pep in my step!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sorry about all of the car snaps/singing. My friend has a CD I made in high school (so like 12 years ago) so they are all my favorite jams [emoji51]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Your first post written was beautiful- I am scheduled to go in mid-December on the ship. Did you keep the studio or try to upgrade?

 

 

I had tickets to game 7 of the NLCS in 2010 (PHL vs SF) but SF beat the Phils game 6 :( It was tied 2-2 through the 8th. Game 7th would have been on the eve of my birthday as well!

Did not try to upgrade! I've only had oceans views and I don't plan to stay in my room at all. Had a friend come with me I would have looked at a balcony.

I went to Game 1 of the NLCS in 2014 in STL. Going to Iowa allowed me to see the Giants all over the Midwest. Always such an adventure (usually by myself). I actually made the Sports Illustrated Instagram during the NLCS:

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Have a fantastic cruise. I'm also in San Francisco and took the red eye non stop to MIA last November. It went very smoothly. Definitely take a taxi to the port vs. using NCL's shuttle.

 

 

 

The Bruce Bochy photo made me laugh out loud.

 

Beverly

Yeah I love him so much! I actually have two "Bochy" jerseys! I got one of them signed earlier in the summer in STL. My friend said that when he saw me he had a look on his face like "oh man it's her again". Can't wait to say hello again in Miami! I hope by then we are out of this slump!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The time has FINALLY come! In just a few short hours I will be on my way to SFO for a direct red eye flight in Miami! Although I have always flown in days before cruises I decided this time, since I was by myself, I would just fly in the morning of. It's a direct flight that will get me in around 6am. I am confident that if something wonky happens with my travel plans I will have more than enough time to get it sorted because the Escape leaves.

So a little about myself, you can call me Vic (please don't quote this post because I might want to edit out some identifying information later depending on how this report goes [emoji6]). I just graduated from law school and a master of social work program this past May. A few days ago I took the grueling California bar. This trip is a present to myself for the hard work I have put in over the last 3 years.

I started cruising 6 years ago when my Nana decided that life is short and so why not spend her $$$ on her family. She took 19 of us on a 12 Princess Grand Mediterranean cruise. It was wonderful. My last cruise with my Nana was on a 12 day British Isles shortly before I started law school. That trip was incredible, our family had gotten the hang of cruising and we were THAT family on the boat.

Unfortunately, almost two years ago my Nana was diagnosed with cancer. Despite going on African safaris and hiking Machu Picchu she was apparently very sick. Through it all she had the most incredible attitude, always referring to it as just another adventure.

A little over a year ago I was chatting with her about trips we might take to celebrate my graduation when I was finished taking the bar. This time however she told me that she didn't want to plan anything that far out because she wasn't sure she would make it. I somehow held my tears in while in the car, but as soon as I got my bags and headed into the airport I started hysterically. I knew I probably didn't have much more time with her.

My intuition was correct and a few weeks later I received word that she only had a few hours to live. I was in Iowa for school and frantically tried to get back to California. Luckily for me my Nana was still a fighter and was upbeat as ever when I got there the next morning. I was lucky to be able to spend an entire week with her before having to go back to Iowa to finish law school like she wanted me to. A few weeks later she passed comfortably and on her own terms, the best way I could imagine something that always felt unimaginable to me.

My Nana was my closest friend, and my biggest supporter. She was loud, silly and loved to travel. I wouldn't be where I am without all that she did for me. So while I am "solo" on this trip I know that she is with me. It's with some of the generous gift that she gave me when she passed that I am even able to take this trip. My Nana was one to never give a hoot about what people thought.

This was us on our British Isles cruise in August 2013.

Alight, enough sappy stuff because Nana was never one for tears! So like I said this is my celebration cruise. I tried to plan things with friends but no one ever wanted to commit to a trip. I finally got tired of all of that so I decided just to book something myself. This is my first time on NCL and I basically chose it because of the Studios. However, the more I have learned over the last 8 months the more and more excited I have become!

I plan to spend most of my time on board, I have nothing planned in the ports and there could be a chance I don't even get off at some of them. I do plan to use my UBP to the fullest. The few things for this trip that I have planned are as follows:

1. Get a Vibe pass

2. Win the beer drinking contest in The District aka "home"

3. Relax

That is really about it. I am an extreme extrovert so I don't think meeting people will be much of a problem. I just hope I can stay out of trouble [emoji51]. After the cruise I have four nights in Miami. On August 8th, my birthday the SF Giants will be in town so I am going to at least two games before I fly out. I have a fancy seat right behind home for my birthday where I will get unlimited beer and wine delivered to my seat. More excitingly I will be able to get into the stadium two hours before the game so I can hopefully get autographs and pictures. I'm obsessed with Bruce Bochy:

I have the unlimited wifi so hopefully this live review is able to happen! I have also decided that I will share my snapchat handle on here for those that use snapchat! As long as the cruise wifi cooperates I have a feeling that might be extra entertaining! Feel free to add me using the info below (again please don't quote so I can edit that out after the cruise). The picture is pretty small so it is hard to see that my screen name is "feltamazing" (it is an old joke and not as weird as it sounds).

So I think that's it for now! I'm just finishing up packing which has been a struggle since I am a notorious over packer! Thanks for coming along with me on this journey! I promise, it'll be an interesting one!

-Vic

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Crankypants old people are the reason I performed "Baby Got Back" (complete with dance moves) at a karaoke event on a European Princess cruise lmao. It was the singing competition event so it was in a main lounge and attended by a ton of old people. It was amazing.

Thanks! Loving this! I can't believe I get to get on her so soon!!!

I couldn't agree more on the waterfront. With the release of each new megaship, it feels as if the relationship between passenger and ocean is further stressed and distanced. The introduction of the waterfront reversed course... putting us back in touch with what makes cruising unique and special.

 

The waterfront is definitely one of my happy places.

 

Great photos and review... thanks for sharing!

So excited! Also DougOut, what apps did you use to do your live review (pictures and stuff)?

We had dinner at Teppanyaki last night. At the end of the meal, the chef mentioned to me that this was the last week that lobster would be available in Teppanyaki.

 

I have no confirmation of this, but I wanted to share it in case it matters to anyone sailing on Norwegian Escape starting next week.

Not making any promises but I will try and see if this is the case next week. Could you possibly try and ask someone about the internet?

YASSSS! So glad you are back! I sail Sunday. I really wish this was finished before I left because I am hanging onto every word of yours and feel like we and kindred spirits. If you want to give me a quick "must do" list I would LOVE that. I am a SOLO so while I am excited I am a bit nervous... Now just ONE more day of the CA Bar Exam and then I can officially be in vacation mode!!!

Just curious to know the age range of your group. It helps me to better interpret the review! I sail in just under a week and I am SO excited!!! I'm all ready to win the beer competition in The District.

Sure thing! The age range of our group goes from 27 up through 33. My wife and I are both educators during the year, so we love having summers to take vacations like this.

 

I am so excited for your trip next week! The District is an amazing place...I wanted to spend every waking moment there, but didn't always get to do so. Good luck in the competition! I think the all-time record was something like 89 beers. I can't even wrap my head around that. By the time I made it to the District at 3:30pm on Embarkation Day, someone was already at 9 beers. No way I can keep up with that pace...:eek:

Awesome! I will be turning 28 just two days after the cruise! Really excited for your review. 89 might be hard to beat since my sailing is 6 days. However, 9 on the first afternoon sounds plausible. Thanks to your review I now know I can order from Food Republic which will be wonderful! I am taking the CA Bar Exam this week so I will be ready to drink and forget all about these last 3 years :D:D:D

Enjoying the review!

Vic.... Will be keeping the fingers crossed that you pass with flying colors so the Patron and Fireball shots will go down that much sweeter.

I hope so, nothing worse than watering down your cocktails with your tears. I plan to channel any feelings of failure into motivation to win the weekly contest at The District. I am really curious if a female has ever won!

Sad this thread died! Did you do a full review somewhere I missed? Would love to get your thoughts. I said in less than a week and I am in the same age range. I'll be in a studio. Not sure how many specialty restaurants I will go to but will definitely go to Food Republic. I actually had sort of forgot about it. Is it open on embarkation day?

The time has come! I take the bar exam this Tuesday through Thursday. I am going to need all the positive vibes I can get. I am taking CA so despite being a smart cookie there is a good chance for failure. Either way I will be okay and there is always February! I can't wait for it to be a week from now when I will be on the Escape and forgetting about the exam!

Reallllllly hoping they get that wifi put on this week, it would surely make my Live thread much more interesting!

Just curious to know the age range of your group. It helps me to better interpret the review! I sail in just under a week and I am SO excited!!! I'm all ready to win the beer competition in The District.

I guess I have a slightly different opinion then some. As far as the room steward goes, I never told him he had to clean at 6:00 p.m., in fact I told him that I don't care if he just wanted to change out towels and empty the garbage cans that would be fine. Regardless though, I do believe that there is no reason for him to make me and/or my family feel uncomfortable about it. I did not complain to anyone about it because my point was not to cause him or anyone else trouble, it was just an observation that I had. I have had three cruises on NCL, all in the Haven, and never had any staff member give off that type of vibe before. However, I do feel that, while not the most convenient for him, he should have accommodated my schedule without any type of attitude. Honestly, it did not ruin my cruise but it resulted in him not receiving a $100 tip that I have given to my room stewards on each of my other cruises because I know that my family's schedule is not "normal" and I try to recognize that extra service deserves to be recognized in the tip you provide. Also, keep in mind that I would bet anything that the cruise line prefers my wife and/or I to be out late in the casino gambling and then sleeping in rather in the room by 10:00 p.m. so I can be out for the room to be cleaned each morning. Again just an observation about this particular cruise that I felt was worth mentioning as I have never had that experience on my previous cruises with NCL.

What a bummer. My sister and I have shared rooms on most the last cruises and tend to be sort of slobs (hey it's our vacation and we can relax the way we want). We always have a very real talk with our steward on Day 1. Basically: We know we will stress you out but just know that we 100% are not worried about you cleaning our room and giving us turn down service. We would just try and communicate with them our needs and they seemed to be really understanding. Despite us being younger (early twenties) we would tip and additional $20-30 (in addition to the standard tip and what I am almost sure was another extra tip from our Nana who paid for everything).

It's your vacation and as long as you aren't trying to have your cake AND eat it they should be more open to being flexible!

Do you happen to remember the WiFi prices?

I am going on the 6 day itinerary July 31st:

Internet - 100 minutes | Save $3.95 USD Activation Fee when you book online

The time plan gives you 100 minutes of internet connectivity.

PRICE $75.00

Internet - 250 minutes | Save $3.95 USD Activation Fee when you book online

The time plan gives you 250 minutes of internet connectivity.

PRICE $125.00

Internet - Unlimited | Save $3.95 Activation Fee when you book online.

Pay one price and be connected throughout the cruise.

PRICE $179.94

Still can't decide if it will be worth it. It is hard to know since I am going to be SOLO if i will be wanting to use it because I am alone and sort of bored, or if I will be too busy having fun to be bothered. I've never used wifi on any of my last cruises.

Ugh I really hope it improves soon! I want to do a live review since I will be cruising solo on the July 31st sailing but I don't have a lot of patience!

Another idea could be to preemptively show IDs (all of you) to the casino manager etc. When you arrive at the venue, more like being carded at the door so it doesn't feel as though he is singled out. Also just explain to him that it is common (which is very true) that almost everywhere it is industry standard to card someone until they look over 30 (older in some areas).

I still get carded regularly and I will be 28 in a few weeks and definitely look to be at least in my mid 20's.