DISNEY1975

I will be sailing with my family Easter week. I expect the ship will also be packed with families/kids. When you say there were long lines for the slides, how long is "long" !!

I read most of this thread, but not all.

Just wanted to mention Sinan Ulucay replaced Julie on the Getaway. I heard until the end of April. Not sure who will replace him after that.

I read through this whole thread and did not find my question answered!

Where do smokers smoke on the pool deck (Getaway)? I read somewhere about a "caged" area. Are they really confined so smoke does drift towards sunbathers / kids area?

TIA.

WOW - Note to Self: NEVER post a question about smoking or whether you really have to dress up on formal nights. :confused:

 

Signed, the OP

Or if kids can go in the hot tubs, or anything about tipping! :)

I dont know for sure, but read a review that said they are saltwater.

Does anyone know if all slides have a height requirment? Or are any ok for younger kids?

I heard that for 2 of the slides, you have to weigh at least 99 lbs. Not sure height and weight for the others.

2shar - All you need is the passport. No other documentation is required.

 

skyfire - proof of citizenship and a government issued picture ID, like a driver's license

Yes, 2Shar, all they need is the passport.

Skyfire, my hubby just became a citizen. I highly highly suggest your SIL get hers too. Rather than being pulled aside from immigration and waiting for all documents to get checked and rechecked and getting a stamp from the immigration officer, it is much much easier to pay for the passport (valid 10 years) and go on and off the ship without question.

My first cruise with hubby was very difficult and stressful... always being in separate lines on and off the ship, being called at 6:30am on the day of disembarkment to visit with immigration, and my constant fear of something going wrong and him not being allowed on the ship at any port.

Do the pools (adult and kids) and slides on the Getaway have fresh or salt water?

TIA.

Perfect information! I better start packing the night before!! Getting back from Nassau, getting ready for dinner and having dinner doesn't leaver too much time on the last night!

Thanks for the shops info too! I wont have to pack as many trinkets for the baskets and be able to fill with a few cool NCL things!!

Most of the time when the price drops, the perks go away too.

Maybe you paid $340 more, but were also offered OBC or something similar when booking.

My cruise price dropped $300 and I was given $75 OBC, but I also already had $100 OBC when I booked, which isn't being offered with the less expensive rate. So really my loss is only $125, which is well worth it since I have the cabin and location I want. The rooms left for this cheaper price are not in the best of locations.

Hope you enjoy your cruise! :)

Im sailing on the Getaway in just a little over a month! Easter week, to be exact. I have (for now) 2 questions...

1) Do the shops open on the first night? If so, until what time? I want to get a few NCL items to fill the easter baskets to be left out that night. I also have booked Illusionarium, so hoping to have time, if the shops are open.

2) When do you suggest packing and leaving your bags out at the end of the trip? Just realized we are in Nassua until 7pm the last night.

Thanks

Norwegian Cruise line has a few ships with "Singles" rooms. They are more than one person rate, but less than double. These rooms come with a private lounge area for solo travelers and concierge to help with any show/dining/excursion you may desire.

Maybe your agent can research those as well.

At any rate, enjoy your trip!:)

Ive been in both categories. When I was in a balcony cabin, I think I actually went outside on it a total of 20 minutes during the entire week. We were at the pool area on Sea Days and off the ship at ports. After dinner and a show, off to bed!

If you are a little more energetic, maybe the balcony would be nice if the kids were asleep and you wanted to sit outside for a while. That was my plan..never happened! Something about the sun and sea that puts me to sleep early!

If its the same as the Getaway, like everyone says it is, then no, it does not.

Actually, at least on the Getaway, anyone can make a reservation in any of the MDRs. From the Freestyle Daily:

 

"You may make reservations for all main dining rooms on a first come, first served basis." It goes on to say that you can request same time, same table each night if you prefer, but only between 5:00 and 5:30.

Hmmm...good to know. We will be on the Getaway next month. Only 4 of us this time, but a ressie would be nice on Sea Days!

Does anyone have a photo of a mini suite on the Getaway for 4 people with the beds showing?

I cant find a picture of the layout for the 4th person. Lots of posts of people guessing it comes from the ceiling, but I need to make sure there is, in fact, a 3rd bed.

Thanks

Yes you can smoke on the balcony.

The 8th deck balconies with frames are my favorite! Less wind and totally protected from rain if it should occur.

The difference between family and reg balcony is the location. You would think near kids activities or pool area, but on the Dawn, they are close to nothing! Family ocean views are actually right below the casino! I once asked what made this a family room and they said because its one floor above where you get on and off the ship at ports, making it easier for families ?????????? I took the GTY balcony and ended up on 8. LOVED it. Much better than my deck 9 balcony the year before.

I had absolutely no problems hearing the Spinnaker Lounge audience either. I never heard anything. I love this ship! Not to big, not to small, great staff and entertainment and 3 beautiful FULL days in Bermuda can not be beat!

Youre on vacation! Leave the phones at home!!!!!

I told hubby this last trip out of San Juan. His service provider told him SJ, PR was included in his plan. He started watching a soccer game on his phone just as we were leaving port. $500 later..the soccer game ended while we were well out into the ocean.

Lesson learned...;)

What happens if you have already booked your airfare?

Ive sailed 3 times on NCL. Twice with a group of 11. I was allowed to make a "day of" reservation for the MDR each day. I would reserve in the morning for that same evening. It could not be done any sooner.

My 3rd time sailing was with a group of 6. I didn't even try for a ressie as we weren't as organized and ate dinner...whenever!

And here we go again

:confused: What do you mean?

I have used a debit card on 3 NCL cruises. I have heard everyones warning about the hold and how they don't drop off for a month etc...

My experience, 3 times, exactly the same way each time, was..

The exact amount of what I spent on the ship was deducted from my account on the last day of my sailing.

Now whether they had any type of hold during the trip, I have no idea. I never checked my balance while I was away. But coming back, I checked when I got home, and never was another penny held on my acct since the day I returned.

As for cash..yes you can use it. I saw other passengers ahead of me in line use cash. They asked for $100 per passenger for a deposit. I assume as you start to run low, they will shut off your card until you add more to the acct. Im sure there is better info on this.

The one place I highly suggest using a CC (or cash) is on the islands. You really don't want to be using a debit card in another country.

Enjoy your trip!:)

Thanks for everyone's responses! We are going on the Norwegian Dawn out of Tampa. My husband decided to take a chance on the GTY room. We booked an inside GTY such that if we stay in the inside category, we are guaranteed something on at least the 8th floor, but if we end up getting upgraded all the way to an oceanview on the 4th or 5th floor, I think we will be ok with that as well even if we are farther away from other parts of the ship. It will be nice for tendering if we do end up there as well, which would be nice.

Most of the action on the Dawn is on 6 and 7. Only the pool area would be where you would need the elevator. Being on 4 or 5 would be nice, as you stated, for tendering and also dining, shopping, shows etc...

Best of luck with your cabin assignment and have a great cruise!

Cant wait to read and see more!! Thanks for sharing!

Can you buy a case of water at the Port of Miami, or do you have to bring with you?

If the latter, where can you purchase?

Which Embassy Suites is this? Miami?