graphicguy

Not trying to dissuade you from NCL, but based on your post, I’d give Holland America a serious look!

I think ALL cruises are highly dependent on time of year….Spring Break, Christmas, Thanksgiving, July 4th, etc really draws out the kiddos. The issue, some feel their job as parents is suspended once they board. And, some adults suspend all sense of adulthood once they board, too. I have no proof, but just noticed this seems more prevalent on Carnival, but you’ll find it on all lines.

The only ones I care about... Gins....Tanguerey and it's "10" counterpart Vodka...Kettle One and Titos Bourbon...Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, 1792. Not a tequila person so don't know. Beers...Stella, Blue Moon OP..what are you looking for?

Probably the best time to book a spa treatment is on embarkation day. People haven't made up their minds on a spa treatment and subsequent treatments on the days after embarkation will start to fill up. Pricing? That I don't know. I know the discount is for port days, when most guests are off the ship.

OP...only one way to find out is to try Carnival. Who knows? You may love it. I've sailed a few Carnival Cruises. The deal has to be right, and I have to be "in the mood" for a Carnival cruise. Lots of similarities among Carnival, Royal and NCL. Carnival's a different "vibe". Their reputation as the "party-hearty" cruise is well deserved. If that's your thing, you'll feel at home. Their Alchemy Bar is fun (if you can find a seat). That said, the only Carnival cruise that vaguely interests me is the Venezia, which is a refurbished Costa ship (I think, not sure). Pics make it look nice and totally different from Carnival's other ships.

Just to add to the Haven experience (and true of any other experience on any other brands)... -an ounce of friendliness towards the staff, a little appreciation shown for the work they do, will net you a great experience. Don't bark at them. Don't be demanding. -give them tine to do their job. Mostly, they can do what you can't on board. But, it's not instantaneous. -a smile, a kind greeting, inquiring about their well being will do wonders in the job they will do for you

True. Even some cool evenings, I've dined on the Waterfront in shorts at LeBistro, Ocean Blue and La Cucina. I always bring a jacket with me, just in case. Works out well. Colder months? You're probably going to pack warmer clothes (like long pants) to begin with.

Amen to that sage advice. Could't agree more.

Frankly, I've seen a picture of an entire family wearing PJs during the day on what I think was a Royal cruise. If that's acceptable, then knit pants should be a shoo-in!

If you're on one of the Away, Away+ or Prima class ships, you can dine at their al fresco tableson the Waterfront. There, you won't need long pants.

Uh Oh…. Now you’ve gone and done it….😎

You want to know what a bad cruise is…. I happened to be on this one…. Point being, you cruise enough, stuff will happen….99.9% is mundane…(hash browns?)!

Would rather do oyster shooters, but I doubt they would make those either. Best to get those at one of the northern New England bars.

With you on Vegas. Used to go there a couple of times a year for conferences. 3 nites is my max, and that's pushing it. Also agree about a visit to Hoover Dam or Red Rocks. Those are worth a special trip. I'm not a Kenny Loggins fan, but my ex was. She drug me to see him at Red Rocks. Great concert is a great venue. I was pleasantly shocked. Go to a concert there if you ever get the chance.

My financial advisor is typing this. I trust him about as far as I can throw him. Actually, let me amend that, my financial advisor got me to retirement with debt paid off, the ability to cruise where ever I want, for however long I want, live in a house I built, while financing my son's 4 years in a private Jesuit school, 4 years undergraduate school leading to a Computer Science Degree. Being able to not worry about dining out at nice restaurants, visiting some of the most iconic places in the world, etc. I wouldn't consider him smart, just able to learn from his mistakes, which he's made a lot of over the years.

Well....you're right about one thing.....I'd never spend $10K on a 7-14 day cruise on ANY cruise line. I'm a value cruiser. If I see the value, I'll book a cruise. It's my perception, but based on your comparisons, I do NOT see the value going from a NCL Balcony cabin to an NCL Club Balcony Cabin. I've sailed in both. Using your chart, Club balcony runs arrpox $5K to $9K more...for a bigger bathroom sink, and a bag of free laundry. Further, your comparison shows Oceania and Viking to be $3K-$4K more for their standard balcony to NCL's standard balcony. Not trying to dissuade you. Just saying I just don't see the value equation. While probably not fair, I've seen some YouTube vids of both Viking and Oceania. Not my cup of tea. But, that's more of a personal preference. I'm a simple man. If I can wake up overlooking the water or a foreign port, I'm happy. If the food is better than I can cook at home, I'm happy. If the beer is cold and the bourbon good, I'm happy. I'll treat myself by sailing in the Haven on NCL or the Retreat on Celebrity. But, I'd never forgive myself if I ever paid more than $5K for either. Then again, I've owned BMW's, Cadillacs, and Mercedes'. I currently have a Honda Accord. Know what? My Accord makes me happier than the other ones I just mentioned because it runs well, is comfortable, is cheap to buy, maintain and own, which I couldn't say about all those other ones. Point being, thread count doesn't mean a hill of beans to me. But, I'm feeling feisty today. So, take my post with a grain of salt. 😉

NCL Bankrupt? Seriously? It is true all of the cruise lines. They all had to take on a large amount of debt to stay afloat during the shutdown. That's true of the ones based in the U.S. Cunard, owned by Carnival, was at one time a cruise line I suspected would be sold off. Cunard has not been immune to cost cutting as they are reportedly doing the same. Their parent Carnival is forcing them to do so. Are you saying Cunard is susceptible to bankruptcy as a brand? They have way fewer ships to spread out their cost structure. I'm sure they are on their own P&L. If I were a betting man, I'd bet on NCL to be strong and healthy. I keep jumping in and out of their stock as proof of my belief in their health.

Is there a good reason not to have a clean cabin? Is there a good reason for cold food that's supposed to be hot? Is there a good reason for billing snafus? No to all of them. I don't care how much you spend on a hotel, or a restaurant, or a cruise....mistakes happen. I've stayed in hotels around the world. I've dined in some mighty fine restaurants where the best food I ate was not at the most expensive nor nicest ones. I've been on 34 cruises, ½ of them on NCL. Stuff happens. Personnel are having a bad day. Maybe they are new to the job. Maybe they are having troubles at home. Who knows? Fact is, nothing is ever perfect. I'm willing to give anyone a break. If something goes wrong, tell them. Let them fix it. Now, if they refuse to fix it, there's your beef. However, we're all lucky to be able to cruise. If you don't like it, or like the line or ship you're cruising on, don't book it again. Whining about it helps no one. Again, let them fix it. If find 99% of the time, if you allow NCL, or any other cruise line ship, the opportunity to address any legitimate issue, they'll go the extra mile to do so.

Amen, my friend!

I did, too! But, from what I’m reading some are not able to use ID.me?

Saw Slam Allen on the Breakaway or Getaway a dozen or so years ago. Great performer. Great to hear he’s still shredding it!!!!!

So, is ID.me not accepted?

Thanks….appreciate the well wishes! Found out I had a hairline crack. So, taking a bit longer to heal up, but I’m getting there! Kind of focusing in on a Canadian Joy cruise! Some nice fares right now!

Funny…she and I were just talking about that this past weekend. Unfortunately, we can’t swing it. I’m sure you’ll have a great time. It’s a wonderful ship!

The only time I’ve checked luggage while staying in the Haven was last Oct. Was staying in Europe for a month (week and a half cruising). So had a big suitcase checked. IIRC, it was in my cabin around noon!