Treasure Hunter

We are on the Encore in February with 8 and 11 year olds. Leave and return to Miami with an assortment of Caribbean islands. They needed passports. Their mother got a special form for the father to sign ( it had to be notarized ) so he did not need to go to the Post Office appointment. She had the photos taken at CVS. Expedited for extra money. The whole thing cost a fortune. I think for the two it was more than $300. But she got them back in six weeks.

You will find close to zero kids. More modest entertainment. Much better food ( in general) . Tiny casino. No lines. Minimal smoking. Some more interesting ports. Very few days at sea. Older crowd. Obsession with trivia. If you have a butler it will help with the loss of the Haven concierge and the special perks of being in the Haven. But you will always find a lounge chair. There is no raucous music anywhere. It’s a snooze fest. But people are very friendly.

Tauck puts you in the Four Seasons ( no casino but top floors of Mandalay Bay). My Son stayed in the Cosmopolitan and absolutely loved it.

I’m looking at the Tauck bridges tour ( multi generational) from Scottsdale to Vegas. Kids will be 9 and 12. We will stay longer in Vegas after they go home with Mom

The only thing you can do in Bermuda in January is shop sales or maybe golf. Ten days is good unless you have kids. We were forced to fly to Miami for winter school break for $1000 a person for coach seats because NCL had no ships sailing in February for school break. Next year, unless there’s a change, we will pass on a cruise and take a Grand Canyon tour for Easter.

JillK you are a poet. What a lovely visual.

Sounds good. Only alternative is RCCL out of Bayonne in the winter.

You lose a day each way in the airport. I’d rather be on the ship in the casino and theater and being served dinner.And be home in a half hour when debarking and not worry about packing for flying. We just use it for escape from the winter blahs and never get off the ship anymore.

This is devastating. Cruises from NY always cost more but it meant that we didn’t have to fly to Florida. I hope that NCL reconsiders

My husband wears chino pants and Tommy Bahama tops. He might throw on a blazer once in a while. I wear nice cotton sweaters and black pants in the evening. Daytime it’s shorts and polos. I find the ship cool but my husband doesn’t. We don’t dress up anymore 50+ cruises. But you do you.

Sorry,.You are all correct. Just trying to be helpful from my own experience. Better safe than sorry.

It is a wonderful cruise . We did it 20 years ago on Princess. We stayed five days in Sydney pre cruise at the Four Seasons then flew to Auckland and stayed at the Hilton overlooking the sailboat races at the pier. Many people stopped in Fiji or Tahiti on the way home. Just bring two weeks extra of any medications and prescriptions in writing and back up eye glasses. Both Australia and New Zealand have excellent heath care. You will have a fabulous and memorable time. The only downside is the length of the flights.

If you ask, the answer will be no for the reasons stated above. That’s why if you bring cooked products and consume all you take , it should be ok.

Except if you bring fruit into the US. Then the dogs will catch you.

You are only checked when re boarding.

Go up to the buffet and make a bunch with what’s available ( croissants, bread, cheese, ham, tomato etc. ) take fruit and danish. Don’t ask. Just put in a carry bag. It is frowned on to take food off the ship. Consume or discard all before returning.

Viking does not have casinos. Oceania casinos are tiny and dead. The reason I like NCL Haven ship within a ship concept. Top of the line service and amenities and great BIG casino and entertainment in the main ship. Regent ( dead). We are on Celebrity Silhouette in January. After our two Edge cruises last winter we are giving Celebrity once last chance. Even in a Royal suite on the Edge we just felt it wasn’t as good as it should be.

Usually you fill out a form for the main shows while waiting in the Haven pre boarding room and then get confirmation that first afternoon . We would meet the concierge a half hour before the theater opened to go down in the crew elevator. Always got our pick of seats. Teppanyaki should be booked online as soon as restaurant bookings open, just to be safe. The concierge will try to make changes for you but a full ship may make it more difficult. The concierge will bring you down for tender ports also in the crew elevator to cut the line. Leaving on the last day is amazing, as they escort you to the front of the line for immigration. Ours also printed the New York Times crossword every day for us. You would be amazed at what they will do for you. And if you are trying to make a show, you can pre-order your starter and main course with the Maitre'd . Be served as soon as you sit down and then come back after the show for dessert. We also tip the head waiter extra.

Also you can have breakfast on the last day in the buffet, the main dining room or room service up until 8:00 when you must be out of your room. I have seen people on the ship sitting around until 9:30 am

Can’t answer all your questions but I would bring a lightweight folding stroller. Cabo is known for whale watching. I’m sure there are princess excursions but there might be age cut offs. Otherwise a beach? I personally would stay on board and have use of uncrowded pool deck. Weather could be gorgeous or cool. Last time we did that cruise in December it was cold.

I should have stated that last winter we were on the Breakaway from NY . This winter break there is no one week cruise from NY so we are on the Encore from Miami ( I’ve been on it before and the Encire and the Bliss are my favorite ships

Kids in the Haven rarely pay the same rate as adults. We have a two bedroom haven suite in February from Miami for ourselves and my daughter and two grandkids. The three of them are costing us about $500 each including insurance. Don’t worry, the kids will have a wonderful time ( and so will you just watching them). Our grandkids loved the kids club ( 7 and 10). The swimming pool, hot tubs and restaurant in the Haven. Service was fantastic and kind to them. They never went outdoors on the sundeck. No need to. And I told them not to. The front lounge is great for reading, card games, puzzles on a cool or rainy dat if you get shut out of the kids club. There was often a long line for the club because there were 1800 kids on board!!!!

Viking does not have casinos. We have five Oceania and casino is tiny( but food and itineraries very good). We love NCL HAVEN on the newer Breakaway+ ships. Best of all worlds. Great food in the restaurant. Terrific entertainment. Big casino jumping every night. No dressing up unless you want to. The Haven service can’t be topped but you pay for it. We have 35 cruises on Princess and we just got off the Emerald. I hit four handpays in the casino and had the time of m life but the food has really gone downhill. The new Princess Sun looks fabulous so might give it one more try.

We sailed twice on the Edge last winter( January and March) in a Celebrity suite and a Royal Suite. That “steak” was vile. In fact the food in Luminae was generally disappointing and weird. On the March cruise we ate all dinners in specialty restaurants because they were included. Next winter we will be on the Silhouette and I hope for the best. After that we are booked on NCL Encore Haven) Crystal Symphony and Oceania Allura. I’m tired of mystery meat.

Thanks. Then it makes zero sense to sail from NY in winter. I too love the lounge at the front of the ship ( big windows, comfy couches): also we don’t sit in the sun anymore ( meds and a bout with skin cancer) . Even in the Celebrity retreat ( we alternate) there isn’t enough shade on the new ships. Finding a lounge under an umbrella is a blood sport. The cruise lines are trying for a younger ( uninformed about sun danger) crowd. Thats really a shame.