Juvesgirl

A few people have mentioned that Margaritaville is a la carte. I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that it was transitioning to a flat fee. Definitely correct me if I am wrong!!

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And here it is...

 

 

I truly hope this does not come across the wrong way, but, in reading these descriptions, it seems like they have been translated into English from another language. Are these from the NCL site?

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I think I read somewhere that the Cilantro tasting like soap reaction might be genetic. It's related to what a prior poster said about the aldehydes.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/24/why-does-cilantro-taste-bad-like-soap_n_7653808.html

Your welcome! I love how we both look good together in blue, especially on a dark background.

 

Las Caletas was fun. I liked the food and included drinks. The crew on the boat did an excellent job of keeping everyone entertained. It was a good experience overall.

 

I cannot tell you when CAS boarded in LA. We were supposed to board before others, but Monica the concierge was late getting to the room, so they starting boarding groups even before the Suite/VIP area had gone.

Thanks so much for getting back to me! That is a bummer that you didn't get the VIP early boarding perk - that is probably the most important perk for me (if I were lucky enough to get VIP!). We usually sail the bigger ships and really like the Vibe, and those passes are hard to come by!

Thanks again so much!

This is such an amazing review - thank you so much for all of the time and energy you have put into sharing your trip with us! Like everyone else, I love the blue dresses :) I found your Las Caletas pictures especially helpful - I am going to the Mexican Riviera with my DH in October and we are considering Las Caletas as an option!

I do have one question, and no problem if you don't remember. I have sailed NCL a bunch of times, but for the very first time we are sailing on a cruise through a CAS (casino) promotion. Do you happen to remember if the CAS passengers had priority boarding? They do in NY, but I heard they don't in other ports (and of course, the one time I sail out of a port other than NY, we are CAS! ;) ). I just couldn't tell what the priority signs said in your pics of the boarding area and thought you might remember. But no worries if not!!!

Thanks again!

Andy Stuart also said Elvis Duran listeners who book a new cruise get $100 onboard credit, so make sure you mention it with new bookings!

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Back in August we speculated that the casino will have an enclosed smoking section based on this added wall on the deck plan:

 

 

I’m not sure if we’ve noticed this yet, but if you look closely at the far-left side of this rendering of the Skyline bar...

 

 

...you’ll see a vertical line between what appears to be two panes of glass...

 

 

At least within the renderings, NCL has solved what many consider to be a big flaw with the BA/BA+ ships... and that’s the stale smoke smell lingering throughout 6-7-8 Ocean Place.

Wow, talk about an eye for detail...that is almost imperceptible!

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We are sailing on the Breakaway this Friday. It it the first time we have sailed NCL in about 10 years. We have a 3:00PM departure time, so, I would assume we will be boarding about 11ish. I know they serve lunch in the buffet, but are any of the 3 main dining rooms also open for lunch and what time might they be open from?

Cheers

Len

We always eat at Taste/Savor upon boarding (whichever is open); it's our boarding tradition. Food is always good and I find the service pretty quick.

I don't know about platinum, but can confirm CAS gets priority boarding in NY (but not sure if before or after Platinum).

Anyone know if CAS gets priority boarding in LA/Long Beach? Headed on Bliss in October...

I second many of the prior suggestions, especially trip insurance, packing a bag with essentials (such as medications), and muster (and bars/restaurants shutting down just prior).

Also, I agree with the pre-warning about the lines, but maybe you can spin it in a positive way. For example, to avoid lines for disembarking and reboarding the ship at the ports, you can tell them the "trick" to avoid the lines is to disembark an hour after allowed, etc., instead of saying how terrible the line will be.

I think it is great you are trying to make this a positive experience for all involved. Best wishes for a wonderful trip!!

What are past cruisers opinion of the thermal spa on the Getaway

I think it is a beautiful space with wonderful amenities. My husband absolutely loves it. I am not much of a sauna/steam/jacuzzi person, but he could stay there all day. Heated loungers are amazing, but can be hard to get as people tend to hold on to them for hours. If you like a traditional spa, the Getaway thermal spa has everything you are used to. The indoor pool has lots of different water therapies, there is tea and fresh fruit, there are several steam rooms and saunas, etc.

Don't have any experience with food allergies (although I frequently read posts praising how NCL handles), but wanted to point out that, in my experience, on the larger NCL ships, they don't have the traditional different show every night in the theater that you may find on smaller NCL ships or different lines. For example, on Bliss, they will have Jersey Boys - this will be offered 2-3 nights of the cruise at an earlier and later time. If you see it the first time it is offered, the other nights it is in the theater, there wouldn't be another traditional show option. There will be plenty of other entertainment options (live music, trivia, etc.). But in my experience, there are two big shows (each on 2-3 nights) and 1-2 smaller shows (each one night, like a juggler magician or a singer). Hope that helps.

They really should just clone Beau and permanently install him in both DBHs. Supposedly he’s back on the Escape this week... so maybe we’ll hear some reports in the coming days.

 

If anybody wants to start a #SendBeauToBliss campaign, I’ll gladly contribute.

Agreed - fingers crossed he is on the 10/5 Bliss sailing!

Not my gripes, but I recall seeing...

 

1 - possible loss of Howl at the Moon

2 - loss of Modernos

3 - loss of sports deck / basketball

4 - More fee activities (go-kart)

5 - Continuation of Margaritaville debacle

6 - District Brew House not expanded to all of deck 8

I'm okay with all of these except I did enjoy HATM. When we were on Escape, the entertainment in DBH wasn't nearly as good as what we all vicariously lived through via Doug's review :) If DBH is more like Doug's experience than mine, I am fine losing HATM - I agree with prior posts that not every ship has to be the same!

March is one of those months that is impossible to predict! You can have a glorious sunny day or you can have a snow storm! I agree with the other posts that you will need to unfortunately wait until closer to the sailing and check the forecasts. That probably doesn't help you decide whether or not to book...

Good luck!

Around that deck there should be some office space for hotel operations I think. Might be behind Guest Services.

Makes sense - hope I don't need to go back there again! The Hotel Ops folks on the Breakaway were kind enough to help me a few years ago. I had an allergic reaction after snorkeling through some jellyfish when in Bermuda on the Breakaway and they helped me cancel a private shore excursion for the next day. Hope that was my first and last time in the Hotel Ops offices.

Juvesgirl, pretty sure all the Breakaway class ships have a similar area, the Getaway does too... I got the impression it might include store rooms as when liquors ran out at the Atrium bar that’s where the crew went to before returning with additional supplies.

 

 

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You mean the bar supply room isn't a public space? LOL Thanks for clarifying. You would think that after sailing the Breakaway, Getaway, and Escape, I would have noticed that by now!!

The Escape has a similar area. It's probably just a crew area and not for the public.

Ah, makes sense. Thanks!! I didn't remember that from the Escape. Should have compared the floor plans!

What do you think this unmarked space will be?? A kitchen maybe?

 

 

 

 

 

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I am curious about this, too, and still seems to be unnamed?

I asked someone working ont he joy, she saiid it s a 1m40 restriction, which makes more sense than an age restriction .

Thank you :)

And thanks, too, for all of everyone's amazing posts and answers and info - so excited to sail Oct 5th!

This is literally exactly what I was deciding two days ago. Got CAS offer, decided to go with 8 day Bliss to Mexican Riviera. Was choosing between inside and balcony.

On the one hand, I have always had a balcony when we have sailed, and I find that we frequently use it. I read out there quite frequently. When one of us is in the shower getting ready for dinner, the other of us is usually on the balcony (I sail with my husband). I love listening to the waves, watching the sunset, seeing the view as we depart a port, and generally just being outside. It is one of the reasons why we love NCL and the -away ships and their Waterfront - we just love being by the water, and a balcony enhances that for us.

On the other hand, I didn't want to spend a lot of money, we usually don't cruise that time of year, and thought it might be best to save if we can. The CAS was an unexpected surprise (first time we got such an offer), so it is also an unexpected expense.

NCL ultimately made the decision for us - for some strange reason, the insides were not available when I was booking, so we went with the balcony. I have always wanted an angled balcony and got one, so I think the universe was telling us to treat ourselves. Of course, the insides are available again and we could always switch to an inside, but I think we are going to stick with the angled balcony and just enjoy the splurge.

So strange - reading your post was as if I had written it!

Let us know what you decide :) I am also on your roll call!

I haven't found much for reviews on this ship. I've been on the Divina and loved it. hoping things will be similar if not better[emoji3] . looking for any information. Will be traveling with my 5 year old daughter and 18 year teen. do's and dont's for excursions. lastly does anyone know of they will do a cruise critic meet and greet? thank you so much. happy cruising [emoji568] [emoji568]

 

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I will be sailing this itinerary/ship in three weeks so feel free to message me afterwards with any questions.

No wonder he was so inexpensive :D

:')

We also used them two weeks ago and it was the highlight of the trip. We were able to find people through the roll call to make it affordable. Is it worth seeing if any other ships are in port that day and post on their roll call?

 

We did see other boats that looked like they were taking day passengers and not a private excursion. I didn't pick up on any names. Maybe you can find something through TripAdvisor.

 

 

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Great idea to look to see if any other ships will be in port that day - that will be my next effort! Thanks for the suggestion.

We used Nautilus for a private boat tour in 2014. It was fabulous. We got a group together from our board check in. About 15 of us went out on a covered speed boat/yacht. He stopped three different private places where some of us swam & some jumped off small cliff. The last place he cooked us a wonderful Greek meal right off the back of the boat! I believe they will customize your experience. He met us and dropped us off real close to the ship. Cost was 60 or 70 E each, which included the Greek seafood meal. We were gone from 830 to 230. Don't know if they do afternoon tour. It was one of our favorite tours!

I am dying to book an excursion with Nautilis but unfortunately it is way too expensive for us. We are only two people and we are traveling on an MSC cruise ship, which caters to Europeans, so as Americans we know absolutely no one on the ship. Our roll call only has one other Canadian family and they haven't responded to my post! So I know we will be there to gather enough people to make this an affordable option.

Thanks for the great suggestion, though!