graphicguy

I'm conflicted.... On the one hand, I get the whole "Scooters are everywhere" scenario. No issue if they're stored in the cabins. Quite another when they're left abandoned in the aisles blocking the room stewards and everyone just trying to get by. The rest is just proof that some don't appreciate cruising the way others do. Resorts? You are not going to escape the speedos and bikini thongs there, either. If anything, they'll be more prevalent. The lines? There are bars in abundance on a cruise ship. It befuddles me when I hear "I waited 20 minutes for a drink". Who's to blame for that? Again, if you can't get a drink at one bar, there's another 75 feet away in either direction. Go to where there is no line. Same for the buffet. How long do you have to wait in line for something you want? 2 minutes, maybe 3 minutes? Tops. Pricing? I've made these comparisons, before. Go to any city, any resort...even a cabin in the Smokies....to get a decent place to stay, you're talking at LEAST $200/nite....most probably more. That doesn't include the resort fees, the parking fees (if any)...it does not include 3 meals/day. It does not include drinks (FAS). It does not include ANY entertainment. Plus, you're stuck in a single space. Even the "Sandal's" type of all inclusive keeps you as a captive audience on their grounds. I have done family vacations in the Smoky MOUNTAINS and rented a cabin. It was fine, for the first 2 nites. Past that, you can only play so much HillBilly Golf, eat so much taffy, and take a tour or "Ripley's Believe it or Not" (which by the way, are all extra cost). Dropping the OP's $2k on a cruise includes all of the entertainment, eats, drinks and usually docks in an exotic locale to explore...spending nothing or as much as your heart desires in doing so. Cruising isn't for everyone. No issue if it's not the OP's cup of tea. At least he tried it. Didn't like it. That's OK! Don't agree with the reasons, but we're all different. I know people who don't understand my fascination with cruising, either. Just an aside, I'm a Home Audio hobbyist. I set up my own multichannel Home Theater, I have a vintage stereo system that I totally refurbished on my own. There was an Audio Show in Schaumburg, IL last week that I attended. Just looked at what I spent. 3 nites @~$250/nite + $25/nite resort fee (not sure how they get Shaumburg as being a resort. =$825 Food (3 meals/day, not crazy expensive but not McDonalds) ~$125/day =$375 Parking was $25/day at the exposition center=$75 None of that includes the gas to get there and back (from Cincinnati), nor the meals on the way there and back, again. Total=~$1,275 just looked up a 5 nite cruise next month to the Caribbean on NCL...including FAS (drinks, Specialty dining, some internet and some excursion credits. OceanView cabin, for 2, all in with FAS included. =~$1,100. $1,275 to stain in Schaumburg or 3 nites or $1,100 for me and the GF to sail in the Caribbean, drinks, food, entertainment included. We'll choose the Caribbean every time.

I think they source the burgers for ALL the ship's restaurants from the same source, at least I believe that to be the case given the behind the scenes tours I've taken including the galleys on the different ships. That said, I also think the differences in burger quality is mainly due to the differences between cook to order (as is the case for Haven Restaurants and American Diner) vs the burgers in the Buffet which are cooked and then stacked under a heat lamp.

Personally, I'd bring the cash with you. Last NCL cruise I had, I needed to break a $100 bill at Customer Service. It was a hassle, not sure why. Then, I heard Customer Service would no longer be "changing" currency any more. Don't know if that means changing foreign currency, or just all currency in general. The times I went to the ATM it was out of service. Anyway, my next cruise I'm bringing all the cash I'll need along with all denominations (except for coins) I might use.

I LIKE IT! Toothbrush/toothpaste...underwear....meds. That's it. Clothes on your back and buy more as needed.

This is from 6 months ago and sailing in the Haven, but lots of pics of the ship and review of the cruise overall.....might help....

Thanks a bunch!!!!!!

Igotanidea.......don't pack anything except the clothes on your back. See if you can flesh out your wardrobe with ship store clothing and refresh it at your first port. I've been tempted to do that more than once. Just walk on to the ship with a back pack....nothing else.

I read some of the posts like this and wonder what NCL is thinking? Whomever is doing their spreadsheets showing financials of skipping ports (regardless of the reasons they give for doing so), do not take into consideration the long term outlook this would negatively impact somewhere down the road. This will eventually hit their reputation with those of us who will now start to question the cruise we're looking at may not be the itinerary they're advertising. After final payment itinerary changes (always seem to happen after final payment) is a bad look for NCL. Their announcements are written as some sort of fiction. We can see through those press releases.

I love it. If you don't mind, it would save me some time if you have the template. email is my Cruise Critic moniker at Yahoo.

American Diner used to have pretty good nachos and burgers. But, only ate there twice. It seems that space is kind of a "dead zone". I know NCL has tried 3-4 different things there, and none of them really weren't anywhere near what I'd call "busy". I think at one point, you could get a hot breakfast at whatever restaurant it started as on the "Away" ships.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You are definitely the teacher. I love it. Now, you're going to make me spend an inordinate amount of time making a calendar using some app that I'll probably never use again with different colors for activities and sub-divisions for different TYPES of activities.

Just as an FYI, Port Canaveral has always had issues with embarkation. Pier 88 in NY is another. And, last but not least, SEATAC (Seattle) is the other. None of those seem to have their port personnel "together". However, these are port issues, not NCL (or any cruise lines') issues.

How did I miss this? What a cool review. Thanks!

Amen....never could understand it either. I have showed up early (9:30-ish) because my flight came in early to the embarkation port. It's a mass of people who just disembarked from the previous cruise along with those who are trying to embark on the current cruise. We were all wandering around for at least an hour, maybe an hour and a half, just milling around the checkin area. In the Haven, while I appreciate the lemon water, coffee and cookies, it's still not worth "hanging around" getting there that early. If you're not in the Haven, you're vying for a seat in the waiting area. HINT....it's not comfortable and IT IS crowded. I'm a 12:30-1:30 person. I get there at that time, miss the big crowd, usually check right in and then board the ship immediately.

Tough to know. Their contracts complete at different times. May be the same as now, but probably 50-50 it will be someone different 6 months from now. They are all great in my experience, though.

The Atlantic weather always seems to be a little "rougher" than the Caribbean, for example. I personally kind of expect it. This is true of ANY cruise ship....if there's a line at one bar, walk 75 feet in either direction, and there will be another bar where there is no line.

Actually, sounds like a good cruise. Weather....well....it's weather. Only one entity I know if that can control it....and s/he wasn't Captaining your ship. But, good luck in your vacation searches and experiences going forward.

Sailed Prima in Feb. Would sail her or Viva in a heartbeat. Beautiful ship....upscale from NCL's other ships.

I'm excited for all of you on this cruise. I love sailing with CC friends.

I've seen the "what if?" game played regarding dress codes. I know there was debate a while ago about attire when sailing to Bermuda. It's not uncommon there to see business people wearing a sport coat with shorts.

Henry....AMEX OBC is non-refundable. Use it or lose it.

Ocean Blue has ALWAYS allowed me to sit outside to dine (which I prefer) while wearing shorts. It's also one of my favorite restaurants on ANY ship that has one. Found it humoress given I could look in the windows to see someone sitting at a window table no more than 5 feet from us. Silly to see it, as the only thing differentiating whether you need to wear long pants or not is a door between inside and outside, 5 feet apart. If you're going to go "Free Style", do it everywhere.

Kim….great to see you cruising, again. Can’t wait to follow along. Funny, I was just reading an article today about the best Japanese cars of all time. Thought of you because they listed these….

I usually kick my own derriere to drag myself out of bed, shower and get a start on my day by going to one of the sit down MDRs or Buffet for breakfast. On occasion, when I stayed up way too late the night before, I get room service. This was about 6 months ago on a Mediterranean Epic cruise, but the breakfast room service required "hang tags". I was similar to you, pastries, juice and a bagel. IT showed up within the time frame they said it would be delivered. I want to think it was a 15 minute window. Breakfast in the buffet? The earlier you get there, the better. Find out when the Garden Buffet opens and plan on being there then. That's your best shot at getting in and out quickly. Have fun!

DOn't want to spoil anything, but just looked. The entire ship is sold out except for one inside cabin. Haven cabins usually sell out first on ANY NCL cruise. You can't book a Haven cabin right now regardless of how much you bid for an upgrade. But, Bermuda is beautiful and the Joy is one of NCL's nicest ships, regardless of your cabin. I'd be hard pressed to thin k of a significantly better first cruise than one to Bermuda on the NCL Joy.