Bella O

Thanks so much!

Any app based uber/rideshare in bermuda? 

How much would a cab be from St George's to Clearwater beach?

Thanks so much for the review. We are considering Christmas Week river cruises  so this was so helpful!

Thanks so much for your review. We are on the Anthem next June, and I was questioning whether the genie added much value - And it sure sounds like it! Just the info I needed.

Having sailed twice on NCL in the haven I can see why RCL will be adding this; they simply need to to compete in this arena. Im sure they will add this to other new ships.

We've been in the Haven twice, once on the Escape and once on the Getaway, which was the same cruise you are doing. One of the best benefits with this cruise is the priority disembarkation in the ports. This is especially vital in Russia, where passport control can be looooong. It was an amazing perk to be one of the first on the line! You will meet in the CL as soon as they give the all clear. Do utlizie this - its the best!

The snacks everyday are great. Don't be shy to let your butler know if you prefer certain snacks. I kept forgetting! Breakfast in your room on early port days is fabulous! We loved the restaurant both times, but if I'm remembering correctly, the menu doesnt change, so we really enjoyed the specialty dining venues. We did not eat in the main dining rooms at all.

I think you made the right choice to stay in the Haven - its great to enjoy the proximity to everything the first time. Also on this itinerary you will hopefully be in all the wonderful ports so there is not nearly as much time to just enjoy the room/balcony.

About the ports, I would suggest using a private tour provider for Russia so you will see the maiximum amount. People that took the ship's excursions here just didn't get to see as much. We did take a ship tour in Finland which was fabulous.

You will love this cruise, soak it all up!

So it’s a difference of about $350 dollars. According to RCCL the room and balcony are quite a bit larger. But like the above poster said, based on photos and utube it looks the same or maybe even smaller. Just wondering if the photos are a fair representation of the room

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So wondering if any experts out there know if the owner's loft suite is worth extra $ vs a grand loft? Both are Star class suites. I thought the owner's loft suite would give us a larger balcony, but looking at a video of the room it really doesn't seem like it. Anyone ever been in both suites?

I booked last week through RCL's web-site for a 2019 anthem sailing in a Grand Loft (Star class). Lots to choose from in that category but I was interested in the Owner's Loft. It would show up as an option until you clicked on it, at that point it would say not available. Just had a feeling that either there was a glitch on their web-site or they were intentionally holding back that room. Sure enough today when I had time I went on an on-line TA and the Owner's Loft was available for our sailing! I called RC and had booking moved to that room with no issues.

I don't know why this happens but it does. I have decided next time I will probably use a TA - my husband just prefers more control and doing it ourselves, but I've had it with their web-site!

It's best to prepared for all kinds of weather. We did this cruise 2nd week of June last year, and we had tempertures that ranged from the cold low 50's to the high 70's (I believe it reached above 80 degrees in St Petersburg). We had rain one day, and sunny weather for most of it. We stopped in Iceland for a few days on the way over and that was for sure the coldest (and rainiest). We were far forward and with the wind we really couldnt use the balcony most days

Thanks for your review! Will be taking this cruise, so your info is helpful.

I too never received an invoice/statement via email like they always used to do. It doesn't seem right that they don't automatically send this. I've never bought something in which they don't email a statement with breakdown of costs and total price to be paid or paid. This seems really shady to me. I will never book on their web-site again.

And just a reminder that suite reservations are always non-refundable. Im guessing all rooms will have non-refundable deposits down the line.

My favorite of any ship/line I have ever cruised is Allure. Best ship ever! My least favorite was the Vision a year ago. Really showing her age, and entertainment was really poor. I guess I like them big:D

Cruising Anthem next year, and I'm a little nervous with the reviews, but it'll be our first time ever in a Star class room, so I think we'll be more than happy.

I also prefer deck 9, but I'm sure 12 is just as amazing. Best balcony I have ever sailed with! Perfection. I like 9 because its so close to 8 and the waterfront. If we were going to the Haven, we would walk down to 8 and cross the ship there. So much more pleasant than going through interior hallways.

I loved the aft suite so much I think Ill next cruise will be on the Escape, just to get to be in that suite again!

This has me wanting to up my aft Haven bid for our June Escape sailing. Can you tell me...are the forward PH not worth spending the extra $ on?

I think it's still worth it because I think being in the Haven is worth the extra cost. We were in an owner's suite one time and the room was gorgeous. It's just that there is a lot of breeze and wind in the front, it was too cold early spring to be on the balcony much at all. But maybe in the summer that would be a good thing?

But beyond the balcony, those front PH look fantastic!

Definitely one of the best cruises we've ever taken! Everything from arrival at terminal to cab ride back to airport went smoothly!

Embarkation: arrived at port and were in the conceirge lounge onboard in less than 45 minutes total - incredible!

On-board dining: we had lots of on-board credit as well as the sdp so we ate pretty much everywhere: Food Republic, Le Bistro, Cagneys, Cucina , Teppanyaki, Haven Restaurant and Bayamo. Food Republic was ok - thought it was pricey for small plates. We loved Bistro, and Bayamo, both amazing meals. Highly recommend! Cagney's was also good. The only real disappointment was Cucina. Service was some of the best we had on the whole cruise, and I loved sitting on the waterfront. But my food was basically inedible. Both my dh and dd liked their meals, so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Last cruise on NCL was the same, so I won't visit this restaurant again.

Shows: I thought both were fine, but not great. I liked the music and dance of After Midnight, and the Brat Pack had good talent, but kind of weak the way it was compiled. We were happy we went to see them though as we love shows....but I do believe RCL has better entertainment. Heard some of the music on board - all good. We tried twice to get into the dueling piano show but it was always packed and never made it in the doors.

Spa: my dd and I each had a message. Very good and not as much as a hard sell for product as I had in the past.

Ports/Excursions: we had a blast in each port. I don't like bus tours, but I do like smaller excursions and tours, and though we'd been to all the ports before (except Grand Cayman) I like to get out and see something different than before.

Jamaica: Konoko Falls, Green Gotto Caves and Bolt Usain's pub for lunch. We used Know Jamaica and thought they were fantastic! Excellent and fun being somewhat off the beaten track. Would not hesitate to use them again!

Grand Cayman: Native Way "Rays Reef & Rum Point". Weather was not the best; cold and windy, and a pretty full boat with a large group of 25 that was all together, and then the three of us. Not the best dynamic, but we made the best of it, and it was a good tour, and Chris was a good captain. Had amazing snorkeling, and we did enjoy our day.

GSC: we did make it in, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We had reserved a small cabana as I wanted to spend the day, but because of my skin cancers I worry about sun exposure. The cabana is probably not necessary if you get there early to score a shady spot, but man, did we enjoy it! Comfortable, and private, our own paradise. Had great service - drinks and even got us lunch! Worth the money for a day of sheer perfection!

Nassau: did something a little different and took the Bahamian Tru Food tour. We loved it! Really fun day and for those who have btdt multiple times in Nassau, this was a nice change of pace.

The Haven: absolutely a heavenly experience. Excellent service, restaurant was great, and loved the sun deck. We were on board a prime spring break week mid-March. The ship was just packed to the gills, and I was so thankful we were in the Haven where, even with everyone wanting to be on the sun deck, they made room for all and added loungers so all could find a place. I loved the sun beds for the shade. When a group of guys were cursing up a blue streak and really making the other guests uncomfortable, the conceirge Anoop talked to them personally and effectively restored the peaceful vibe. A++

Aft penthouse suite: the best room ever. And I mean ever. Ever. We were on the 9th floor and I pretty much lived on that deck. Simply amazing in every way. I would book the Escape again just to stay in that room again. Not one negative, just fabulous!

Butler and Conceirge: this is our 2nd time in the Haven, and really didnt think we would use the butler much at all. In fact, we didn't really, until my daughter developed a bad cold and ended up staying in the room the last few days. Dilip was great - he brought her chicken soup, and lunches, and then even thought to bring her some special tea. Very sweet and went the extra step.

Anoop and all the conceirge staff were fabulous. Helped us score a really hard dinner reservation last minute, and always informed us about tenders and priority emabark/disembark in ports.

The haven experience for us is what makes the NCL experience. I rather sail less in a haven room than sail more without it. This is totally a personal choice, but I don't think I would have enjoyed myself with all the crowds on a peak spring break week if I did not have a balcony or haven to escape from the Escape crowds.

We loved our week on the Escape Haven - one of our best cruises and I cannot wait to do it again!

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• Just off the Escape and we ate at FR first night with the 50% off the first night. It was more than 1/2 full when we were there. This was our first time on the Escape so I have nothing to compare it to. We were glad we tried it, it was ok - lamb chops were the only thing that was outstanding - didn't feel it would be worth a second full price visit.
  

Be thankful that you are even getting to Nynäshamn. When we were due to go to Stockholm we never even got to Nynäshamn due to adverse weather!!

That they say Stockholm when they actually berth in Nynäshamn is common with many cruise ports. If want to really get annoyed about that look at Princess as they do it with very many ports; they even say London when they use Southampton or Dover.

NCL specifies some routes are Nynashamn and some Stockholm. The cruises that specify Stockholm cost 10% more than the routes that say Nynashamn.

Stockholm is absolutely amazing - and so smart to book an itinerary that includes an overnight! It is beautiful and so worth touring.

We were supposed to dock in Stockholm so we had to scramble to change tour, etc. the biggest issue is that it is far from Stockholm (and we hit huge traffic) and really eats into the limited time you have in port. I was also personally really disappointed not to go through the archipelago.

I'm curious as to how many Getaway cruises actually ported in Stockholm. We paid extra to dock in Stockholm and it felt a bit like a bait and switch to advertise docking in Stockholm when in reality it seems to hardly happen.

When we were there, you were up a creek without a paddle if you hadn't made prior tour plans. There is nothing there, and the train is a good hike away. It might be changed now, but last June, the port was nothing but a tiny shed and a big parking lot.

Really enjoying your review of the ship I'll be on in two weeks! Appreciate you taking the time, and loving your pics,

We did the Getaway Baltic last June. We were in the haven which we loved (and we liked the ship alot). We missed going to Berlin, and Estonia, and were delayed in Russia. We were also not able to get into Stockholm but ported in Nyhansan (sorry for incorrect spelling!). This was a total drag and we paid extra for this itinerary when I secretly believe NCL knew they would never be able to get around the archipelago. If we did it again I would totally choose a smaller ship as the whole point was to see the ports. I was very disappointed to miss Estonia, as I probably won't have the opportunity again. Other ships were able to dock although we were not. It was a bitter pill to swallow!

I don't know if the Breakaway is any smaller than the Getaway but man, if I could do it over I would choose the ship that gets into the ports.

One of the best meals we have ever had on a cruise! We went at the end of our trip, otherwise I would have been tempted to go again! A do not miss imo.