Proud Grandparents

Thanks for the information. This has been very helpful.

We will be in Majorca on the Epic in March. Would like to visit the aquarium. NCL wants $89/person for transportation and admission. I can purchase an admission ticket on line for about $25. Has anyone taken a taxi from the cruise terminal to the aquarium, and if so about how much did it cost? Is it easy to get a taxi back to the ship from the aquarium? Frankly I hate the idea of giving NCL almost $130 for the two of us for a bus to and from the aquarium!

We plan on staying in Barcelona for a few days after our cruise in March. We have been to Barcelona before but did not have an opportunity to see La Sagrada Familia. I would appreciate any recommendations for a guided (skip the line) tour of just this site.

"You got to be kidding". I wouldn't have gone round and round but just cancelled and found something else to do with my money. I agree your TA did a poor job at best. That being said NCL doesn't seem to understand the meaning of "customer service" when in fact they are in the customer service business. I use a TA that does nothing but cruises and responds to my e-mails the same day. She has always gotten us what we want/need and I've never had to speak to the cruise line. I've done numerous cruises on Princess, and have always been happy. I am booked on NCL for a Med. cruise in March and depending on our experience I might be "one and done".

Is anyone aware of where I can see the menus for the various specialty restaurants on the Epic? We have the ultimate dining package and I would like to see our choices prior to making reservations (which will be shortly). This will be our first NCL cruise as we usually cruise on Princess and therefore have no idea of what is being offered.

We are on the same cruise. I also saw what you saw....contacted my TA who looked into it. I have already purchased our airline tickets, and trip insurance so you can understand my concern. She was able to book that cruise so nothing to worry about.

As a retired educator I have worked with a number of students on the spectrum. I would contact NCL with regards to boarding but my gut is that I would board later rather than early as the lines/wait are much shorter. If you can I would also suggest a balcony as your son might like sitting on the balcony which can be very relaxing. Meals will be a major problem...frankly I would try to stay away from the buffet because of the number of people at any given time. Room service would be an option for breakfast and lunch and request a table for two in the dining room for dinners. Hope things work out well for both of you.

I am thinking of using the tour company "share a shore excursion in Italy" for an upcoming cruise. Has anyone used them? I would appreciate your feedback (both positive and or negative) before booking.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Has anyone used the tour company "share a shore excursion in Italy"? I am looking into using them on an upcoming cruise and would appreciate any feedback (both positive and or negative).

Thanks in advance for you input.

Don't waste your time, or money. Recently (Feb.) was on the Coral to the Caribbean and saw a Tag that was "on sale". $3,500 seemed a good price (didn't buy it) until I did an on-line search and found it for hundreds less with free shipping and no sales tax.

I had a similar problem.....number of hotels listed with "no available" ended up booking Hotel 1898 for pre and post cruise.

First time on NCL...many cruises on Princess. For our last cruise I thought the food was (being polite) not so great. We have the dining package so I expect to have dinner in a specialty each of our twelve nights onboard. We already have two airline tickets to Barcelona so cancelling at this point makes no sense for us. I love the ports we are going to so I can only hope that NCL lives up to my expectations. If not it will be one and done for me.

Not sure how you came up with the dollar number. We are in a balcony...increase is 55 cents/person/day. I come up with $13.20 for the two of us on a twelve day cruise.

We will be starting and ending our cruise in Barcelona...flying in a day early and then staying for an additional day at the end of our cruise. We are booked at the "Hotel 1898" in the Ramblas area. If anyone has stayed at this hotel I would appreciate any recommendations for dinner that is in walking distance from the hotel. Any recommendations from those who have also stayed pre or post cruise in the area for lunch or dinner would be great.

We have been on a number of cruises....all of which have been on Princess. Currently looking at the March 2016 12 day Med. cruise on the Epic. I have looked and have been unable to find information on the Epic specialty restaurants. Is there a site where I can see sample menus and what are the additional charges per person? It also seems from what I gather that some of the evening entertainment is also at an additional charge. Again I would be curious as to the amount and if you feel it is worth the cost.

Since as I said this would be our first NCL cruise I welcome anyone's feedback.

As I'm sure others have said there is a range of clothing you will see. We were on the Coral this past Feb., and most men were is suits not formal. There will be multiple picture opportunities on formal nights so that might help you decide what to wear. We enjoyed the cruise as I have no doubt you will as well.

We did this cruise on the Coral this past February. The weather was very nice...sunny and not really hot...warm I would say. I would say of all of the ports Cartagena was the hottest.

We did a Princess Med. cruise and found that most passengers were from the US. You will find that English is spoken/learned as a second language in most countries (unlike the United States). I'm sure you will have no problems communicating with other passengers. Same when you go ashore.

We did that same cruise a few years ago. Depending on what month just be aware it will be VERY HOT while you are off the ship.

I was on the Coral in February. Had my eye on a Tag that after ALL discounts Princess was giving away for about $3,500 (no tax of course). Checked on line when I got home....same exact watch (new in the box, etc.) was $2,300 on line and also no sales tax because of the state it was being sold from.

The stores on the ship are there to make a profit....you be the judge to buy on board or not....I choose not.

I was on the Coral in February. Had my eye on a Tag that after ALL discounts Princess was giving away for about $3,500 (no tax of course). Checked on line when I got home....same exact watch (new in the box, etc.) was $2,300 on line and also no sales tax because of the state it was being sold from.

The stores on the ship are there to make a profit....you be the judge to buy on board or not....I choose not.

I agree with you....we were on the Coral about a month ago and I would rate the food at a 3 on a 1 to 5. Breakfast was the best meal of the day (how sad). It's not that the food is bad it's just nothing special. Quantity does not make up for quality. I think they are looking to cut costs and this is one way to do it.

We did a half day tour of Florence with the balance of the day on our own. Loved the tour as we saw most of the "must sees" had great pizza for lunch at a little place we found (only Americans there) and did some serious shopping for leather goods. Also saw jewelry that "was to die for" but decided not to splurge. All in all a great day and looking forward to returning to Florence. Did not go to Pisa and frankly didn't miss it.

Nothing free other than water. If you are a coffee drinker I would suggest buying a coffee card....only place to get "real" coffee and not from concentrate. They do serve some food (no charge). It is open 24 hours which is always a plus.

Don't expect much and you will not be unhappy. The slot machines seem to be from the mid 90's at best....a few blackjack tables etc. VERY SMALL casino on ALL the ships. If your thinking Vegas better think again. I did see something new on our last trip which was a "Texas hold-um" table.