Backstage Traveler

thank you both for your help!

I was wondering if anyone knows if any trains are running between Schipol airport and Rotterdam with the strike going on?

We are due to arrive at AMS on Saturday Sept 17, and are leaving from Rotterdam on Sept 18. On the train website, there seem to be no trains available, does anyone know if they are they all shut down?

thanks for any information you can give!

Does anyone know if the PCR tests onboard Royal Caribbean ships are still being offered? All mentions have now disappeared from the website, and no mention of testing at the port either.

Does anyone know if we can still do PCR tests onboard prior to disembarkation?

The website suddenly no longers mentions being able to do these, and it is not mentioned in the app either...

I think gifts are unnecessary - you are probably staying in a Family Suite and are very likely to have a family in the other family suites next to you, so likely more tolerant of typical kid noises. If the kids got really out of hand, an apology would probably go over better than earplugs!

There was a scale there, but I didn't see it in use. I can see how it would be unsafe for someone if their weight was above what can be safely supported by the safety straps, though - I wouldn't chance it, and would rather be weighed to be sure!

Thanks for the compliment worktocruise610!

The zipline is at the end of the ropes course, so you have to do at least part of the ropes course to get to the zipline.

I'm not usually afraid of heights, but I was surprised to find it a bit scary once I got up there! (It didn't last long, thankfully!)

You can go up the stairs and just stand on that first section to try it out if you like - you will be able to judge if you can go out onto the rest of the course or not from there, and if you don't think it's for you, don't worry, you can come back down the "up" stairs. I saw a few people do that, and there were no problems doing so.

Although the safety lines are loaded onto the structure in sequence, there are places on the course where you can switch order with people behind you, so you can end up behind them instead of in front of them, and in this way go back down the way you came up without forcing all those who came up behind you to also go back down.

In the pictures on my review, you can see the tracks where the safety lines are attached. There are some round areas, where you can allow a line behind you to go around you on the side and move in front.

There is a round section right at the top of the stairs, so it is easy to get back down if ever you feel you can't go on to the rest of the course.

I encourage you to try it - it feels great to get out there and conquer those fears!

Good luck!

We went on the Breakaway in April. Not too cold for the waterslides, especially once out of NYC, as Keith mentioned. Our kids really enjoyed the activities, not just the waterslides (although they spent lots of time on them!). There's a climbing wall, ropes course (review here) and games room. Of course, there is the kid's club too if they want that.

We are a family of 5 and must either book one of the few (usually suites) cabins that can sleep that many people, or book 2 connecting cabins. Oftentimes, 2 connecting balconies are cheaper than one suite.

If you get NCL with a Kids Sail Free promotion, their 2-bedroom suites are our favorite for a family - 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms and the Haven is great.

Otherwise, we have been on the Allure in 2 connecting Boardwalk Balconies, and that was amazing, as we could watch the Aquatheater show right from our room (kids really loved that, still talk about it!).

We have been to Alaska with Celebrity and also with HAL. Kids were 1, 3 and 5 yo on Celebrity, and then went on HAL with kids aged 1, 5, 7 and 9 (multi-gen family trip with brother's family and grandparents). Both trips were great, and we never felt that the kids were a bother for anyone. There is so much to see right from your balcony - you won't regret it! Here is a review of our trip on HAL in 2011 on the Zuiderdam if you are interested. Enjoy your trip!

We tried the ropes course on the NCL Breakaway recently. Fun family cruising activity! Read more here...

NCL will automatically charge the gratuities to your cabin per person, so you don't tip individually. It is way better to pre-pay if you have a good exchange rate with NCL, since your credit card will for sure give you a much poorer one!

Rock of Ages is intended for mature audiences, and I was glad not to have taken my 13 and 11 year old kids! Fun for those who grew up in the 80s, but better to go as a couple's night out!

I don't know if they still do this cupcake tea, but if it is offered, don't miss it!

When we cruised last May, we received a reciept as usual with every beverage order, with the full price and automatic tip on it, as well as a space for an extra tip. We thought it was a mistake at first, but then it was explained to us that the UBP covered all drinks up to $11, and not to worry, it would not show up on the final bill, which was correct.

The good thing about this is that you can order any drink you want, and up to $11 was included. Meaning that if you ordered a glass of wine that cost $20, you would only be charged $9 plus the appropriate tip on your final bill. We did tip extra when we felt the service was extraordinary. Otherwise, it seems that the bar staff are getting their tips as before, even with the UBP.

Isn't there a particular OBC for the casino? Either way, if you take money out at the casino, you will be charged 3%. We are also Canadian and cruising soon, and very interested in the answers to these questions! Sounds like a good plan to sock away some OBC pre-cruise. Did you also pre-pay the gratuities?

When we took the NCL Breakaway from NYC to Bermuda recently, we got to try out the ropes course. A bit scary, but lots of fun for the whole family! I highly recommend that you try it, even those who are not normally "into" that kind of thing (ie: me!). My kids talked me into it and I did not regret it! If anyone is interested, my review is here. Great family activity, and great family cruise. Enjoy!

There is a shuttle at the airport in Fort Lauderdale that will take you to Miami - super shuttle?, we have used them several times. You get tickets at their booth at the airport. Sorry, I don't remember how much it cost.

On the Breakaway, there is a card slot inside the room next to the door that you put your room key in when you enter. It turns on all the electricity to your room. When you leave, you take it out and the electricity goes off. If you bring any spare card (loyalty card, old hotel room key, etc), you can leave that card in the slot and the electricity never goes off. But would be good to turn off the lights before leaving the room if you decide to do that!

Try the ropes course (pics here) and waterslides! Surprisingly fun and exhilarating. Go on a port day to avoid crowds, and don't wait too late to try the ropes course - if it gets too windy, they close it down, and you may miss your chance!

Really not very long. Maybe a few seconds and then you're done! Very mild thrills. But if you are a bit of a chicken like me, just perfect!

Our favorite was the french press coffee. Available in the specialty restaurants and Haven restaurant. Hot and strong!

Ok, trying again. Here it is!

If you are a carnivore, have dinner one night at Moderno. If you are more of a salad person - have dinner one night at Moderno!!! Best salad bar at sea. And the little cheese bread balls are incredibly addictive!!!

We were on Breakaway in a Haven Suite in April. The concierge could not get us the reservation we wanted on several nights, so we had to be flexible. I agree the problem is the number of passengers with UDP. Every place is full! So best to book something ahead of time, you can always change it later if necessary. Happy Anniversary!