graphicguy

Yeah...that's a question only you can answer. Personally, I'll chintz out on a lot of things......underwear, Birthday Cards, umbrellas....vacations are hard for me to do that, though. If I worry about how much I'm spending, and I already budgeted for the cruise, last thing I want to do while on vacation is worry about if I can save a buck by not waking up to the view of the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, or sit out on my balcony at night and drink a night cap. That's an integral part of my cruise.

Now...that's a good idea!

That's really cool. I had forgotten that there was a big open space where they usually put pool(s). First time I saw it close up.

OP...probably the better question is what is your budget? We already know your intended itinerary. But, we don't know how much you're willing to spend? That will determine your cabin type.

No one was charged.... I posted pics of cookies everywhere. I personally found them on my Prima sailing. Point is, someone posts here, true or not, and it spreads like wildfire as fact.

Lobster is available in the Haven. Someone said they charged extra for extra lobsters. That proved to be untrue. So, what is the argument? Just curious, how many lobsters would it take to be satiated? 5? a dozen? What's the number?

Sometimes the stars align, the moon blocks the sun, I find 4-leaf clovers in my yard.....LOL! Have mentioned before, like you, I shop cruises like a fiend.

Great! Thank you! I'll check her out.

Frankly, if someone does not see the value in the Haven, it's probably not worth booking a Haven cabin. Same goes for the Yacht Club on MSC, Retreat on Celebrity or Star Class on Royal. All of them have their promoters and detractors. One thing that's common to all, no matter how much is offered, some always want more. I've personally have witnessed some crazy requests from Haven guests... (I just deleted a lengthy list of those I witnessed...some egregious enough that the CC mods might not like them). If the Haven service and "perks" are not enough, save your money. Don't book the Haven.

Well...the saving grace is, your videos look good. Mine look like they were filmed by a derelict (which come to think of it.......LOL!).

Yay...sexay lady....!!!!!

Posted this over on the roll call, but as we've noted, not much shaking over there. I agree about the pool deck sailaway meet up likely to be crazy. The outside bar at Cavern Club is nice, if anyone wants to meet up there say....around 5:30? Sailaway is at 6.

Hey Henry...Mentioned it over on your live review, but truly enjoyed it. Thanks! Thanks to all the other contributors who were your sail mates. It helps being in the Apple ecosystem. I travel with one of those multi- "mag-safe magnetic chargers". The iPhone becomes my nightstand clock, charging stand when set up horizontally. Those also charge my Apple Watch and my AirPods. So, just one connection for all of that. I do have to have a separate charger for my MacBook. That is probably the biggest charger I carry. The only other thing I charge is the Insta360 camera. But, it fits in the case with the camera. BTW....the little camera portion is magnetic and you can attach it to your shirt. Really nice (and way less bulky than a GoPro) way to video without having harnesses and/or "sticks" to carry around. Plus, it leaves your hands "free". As mentioned, it's been a little over a decade since I've been to Bermuda. While I doubt it's changed much, I am really looking forward to going back. Plus, while the Joy is the typical Breakaway plus ship (for those of you who are unfamiliar, the Joy, Escape, Encore are Breakaway plus ships, the largest in the NCL fleet), I am looking forward to seeing the refurb changes. @Laszlo..thanks for the suggestions. Not a "kayaker", per se. But, a private island tour might be on the agenda. Any suggestions for the private tour? Anyone you recommend? Will be following your trip, too!

As everyone says, each individual's calculator is different. I'm different than my good friend @ChiefMateJRK. No wrong answers here. Personally, I get claustrophobic (just ask the last Dr who ordered an MRI for me). So, while I've had inside cabins (NCL's solo cabins), I didn't like it. Not like being in a tube, but a little too confined for me. Anyway, my cabin pricing begins with Ocean Views. In general, the delta between an Ocean View and Balcony cabin is usually $200 or less....sometimes much less. Club Balcony is the same as a Balcony cabin, just with a bigger bathroom, something I care little about. So, unless it's an exceptional deal, I don't book Club Balconies. On the Jewel Clas, the non-Haven suites are the best deals on the ships. You get all the Haven amenities except for the teeny-tiny Haven pool area. And, they are significantly less than the Haven. Price threshold? $500 over a Balcony. Haven...I have a crazy set of rules for the Haven. First, the Haven on Breakaway class and above (including Epic) are the only Havens I'll consider. Spirit class has no Haven and Jewel Class I covered above...just too small. Using arbitrary numbers (but numbers I've personally seen given I've sailed NCL quite a bit), if the Haven is any more than $1,500-$2,000 more than a Balcony, I'll punt. But, if the Haven is less than $5K all in, I'll look at it. If it's under $4,500 all in, I'm booking it. Those fares are per cabin, not per person. I figure Balconies will run anywhere between $2,500-$3,000 for 7 nites, depending on ship, dates and itinerary. What is interesting are NCL's new solo Balcony Cabins. Being a (sometimes) solo, those would interest me quite a bit.

Yeah....Disney is a whole different animal, especially financially. I still don't get their cruise fares, either. I did a little financial comparison a long time ago when looking at cruises vs other types of vacations. Cruises always came out on top, plus I was overlooking beautiful waters and visiting multiple exotic locales along the way. Spent a month in Europe last year. About 2 weeks of it was sailing around the Mediterranean. I was in a 2BR Haven Suite on the Epic in Spain, France and Italy. Spent another weeks on land while in Italy visiting relatives. My land based portion cost me 3X what the cruise cost. Cruising is the better value.

Do it!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! Love your vids!

Cookies on Jewel and Joy, posted here recently on CC….

And…we’re right back where we started. Lobster tails may or may not have been available in the restaurants on board which may or may not have a charge! Apparently, Lobster Tails are “on” again. 😉

That would be a tough grab…highly perishable product, resisted and/or rejected by your customer base. Tough sell, even harder to make money!

No issue! One of my companies offices were there. I had couple of direct reports in that office. So, I was there quite a bit. That said m, I could leave. I would even go to Wrigley when my Reds played there. They always treated me well! Loved going to Gibson’s for steak and to Rosebud for Italian! Great museums! Taste of Chicago was quite a party!!!! I enjoyed it!

Yeah…we’ve been through this over and over. It’s a tax. It’s levied by the locality (in this case, Spain). As you say, the cruise lines have to charge it, as such. How they do or don’t account for it is up to the cruise line. Add it to the fare, or show it as a line item (as NCL does).

Correct! Some cruise lines add the VAT into the fare. NCL breaks it out. They ate the VAT on my cruise. But, I don't sail the Mediterranean that often. From my understanding, when I cruised in October, there was some sort of "law change" regarding VAT and how it was changed and collected by the Spanish ports. That change caused quite a bit of heated discussion. It's a pass through charge by NCL. They just happen to show it whereas the other cruise lines just add it into their fares and don't break it out seperately. I know MSC just adds it ti other fares instead of making it another line item. That's been my experience.

In addition to comparing fares to other cruise lines, itineraries, cruise ships, time of year, etc...I compare the fares to a land based vacation, too. For example, I'm in OH. I like Chicago. Spend lots of long weekends there. A hotel, either around the museums or Michigan Ave, where all the activities are, is going to run me at least $200-$250/nite (at least for a decent one). Add in parking ($40-$75/nite). Add in food ($150-$200/day). Gas to drive there and back ...$100 (that's low, but I drive a hybrid). Activities (like Shedd Aquarium, Natural History Museum, Art Museum, etc)...$20-$40 ea for entry. Chicago River Tour is $54/pp. So, let's say you stay 3 nites for an average cost of $225/nite=$675 Parking for 3 nites=$120 (minimum) Parking at museums is $10 each=$30 Museum entrance charges (3)=$60/ea Food=$450 Gas=$100 Total=$1,495 (and that's being WAY conservative with no drinks)...add in another $100 for the river cruise. So, using that as a base, search for a cruise in that price range to wherever it is you want to cruise. More than likely, you'll find one with Free at Sea and free 2nd person flight. And, your cruise will include meals. You can do as much or as little, spend as much (or nothing) on board and at the port(s). Is a balcony worth it to you? We don't know. Value is a personal measurement. You decide. A little leg work will yield good results. Good luck in your search.

@Sthrngary...good point. NCL seems to be reacting in real time to feedback. I don't know if it's the feedback from CC (although it kind of seems so), which mean they're monitoring these threads. Or, they are reacting to the feedback on board. Either way, it's good to see they are atune to the guests. That's a rarity these days on cruise lines.