doones2

If I don’t go in the pool, it’s usually because there are so many kids in the pool. That’s the way it was on my last cruise. Even the jacuzzis were full of kids with snorkels. I wish NCL had an adult pool.

Oh, that's an interesting take on it. I never thought of travel insurance being able to cover the non-refundable portion of the deposit, and I'd double check to make sure it did. But I suspect you are right. It is probably treated like any other non-refundable cost if you cancel for a reason covered by the policy. Thanks for bringing that up.

I know the insurance pays for it because we had to cancel last October because my husband became very ill and our trip insurance paid for the down payment on the cruise and our non refundable flight. We never travel without insurance and it’s certainly worth it

First off, it doesn't appear you can find the two cruises sailing the exact same weekend so you're not comparing apples to apples from a time frame and demand point of view.

 

Second, it seems you're pricing RCCL "non-refundalble" deposit rate compared to NCL "guaranteed rate". You're not comparing similar rates for the two ships.

 

Comparing the two sailings closest together to get the same time frame (September 2018) and using NCL's guaranteed rate compared to RCCL's regular sailing rate (not the non-refundable deposit rate or the current "bogo half price rate", then you get $3145 and $3285. Only $140 difference.

 

Now sure, you can do the non-refundable deposit rate and save $1000 dollars but you are committing $500 that you will not get back if you have to cancel for some reason and a lot of people are never going to want to book that type of rate.

We always take travel insurance, so the non refundable is not an issue. So the price for insurance would be more on the Dawn. I have sailed both cruise lines and I think they are similar. That’s why I questioned the price difference. The NCL pricing was without perks. Almost a $1000 is a big difference

Just checked prices for cruises to Bermuda out of Boston in September. A balcony guarantee on the Dawn is $3144 and a balcony where I choose the cabin on Serenade of the Seas is $2332. Why is there such a huge discrepancy? I believe the ships are similar

We did a sail away balcony on the Dawn and got a mini suite midship. Never done a guarantee before. In order to get the drink package and dinner package we would have had to spend an extra $300 pp plus the gratuities on those so call “perks”. We aren’t big drinkers either.

going to the beach might be a challenge with this due to the lack of storage

I think going to the beach on a moped with just about no storage is awful. The Twizzy must have more room than the moped

We took the NCL ferry to St George this week and it docked right in the center of town. The regular ferry docked much further from the center at Penno’s Wharf. We took that one back to the dockyard. The Sea express is a much faster ferry than the NCL ferry.

Are there still slot tournaments on the Dawn? Not much of a gambler but the tournaments were fun.

If you can afford a suite, I wouldn’t think an extra $6 for 2 or $42 a week would be such an issue

My husband and I will be on the same cruise. Wondering the same thing. I think it will be chilly so planning on packing jeans, sweatshirt, warm clothes. I hope I never have to wear them. But if this weather doesn’t change, I will be wearing them on the first day 💨☔️💦

Ok since we’re talking about pricing, we decided to book a sail away balcony. It was $300 cheaper per person. We couldn’t get the free drink package with the sail away but we saved $600 plus the almost $300 we would have paid in tips. I know we would not spend $600 in drinks for the week. But I also know some people do, so the package is good for them. It’s all good

about to say something similar. This topic pops up about once a week I think just like gratuities used to and still do from time to time; years ago it was bringing booze on and how to smuggle it in your luggage.

 

OP, you are getting perks free, all you are being assessed is for gratuities which you pay one way or the other anyway. So what is the real question?

I agree the free drink package is a great idea, but because of it, I see more drunks than ever now. Even on ships that do not have the free package, the drunks are doubled. I Like my wine and an occasional drink and my husband a beer now and then but the drinks prices are ridiculous. 🍺🍹

Was interested in St Maarten and US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. They all need the tourists and cruise ships to visit. I just thought it odd that NCL is waiting so long to visit.

Why doesn’t NCL cruise the eastern Caribbean? I think they are the only major line not to

5 days till the Dawn to Bermuda 😎😎

Goslings 151 proof rum IF you don't have to fly. :cool:

The liquor store near me sells the 151 proof.

We are looking forward to your report on Bermuda, especially the weather. We will be boarding the Dawn the day you get off. Also how was it cruising out of Boston so early in the season. Never been this time of year. :cool::*:*:cool::cool:

I thought that leaving the balcony door open wasn't allowed ?

As long as it’s not too hot or humid we always sleep with the door open. Love hearing the waves crashing against the ship.

We absolutely prefer NCL. Much better food, can't beat the free specialty dining offers. We have tween/teens and find the pool atmosphere way to laid back and boring on RCCL. We like entertainment and music. We also found RCCL to be more subdued in the things to do on the ship dept....much down time, aside from many spa seminars. We were not on a mega ship on either line. We will be going on the Escape in June so I have no idea how RCCL compares to NCL on the larger ships. We have been on the Pearl and IOTS.

I love both cruise lines but for different reasons. Not sure how you can say RCCL does not have enough to do. Even if you don’t go on the mega ships, there is ice skating, rock climbing, mini golf, surfing to name a few. NCL has the freestyle cruising and more complimentary dining options

The only time I ever hear conversation from our neighbors is when they are on their balcony. I haven’t noticed the banging of doors, but how about the noise every time someone flushes the toilet. Yikes now that’s loud.

We always bring home rum cakes that we purchase at the dockyard. I also like to buy a piece of jewelry made from the pink sand or sea glass. Goslings rum is the same price at home as it is on the island

Thank you all for your help! It is much appreciated! Lastly, I can't wait to rock my Buffalo Bills gear in Boston!!

OH NO🤔😲😲😲. A Bills fan. Haha. Welcome to Patriots country.

I like the Dawn, but I hate the pool. It’s small and crowded. I love RCCL because they have an adult pool with a jacuzzi.

Anyone know if my husband has to bring all his bottles of medication with him or can he use one of those plastic days of the week containers. We will be driving to the port

We are on the same cruise. This will be our 3rd time on the Dawn and we really like this ship. Never been in April, so hoping the weather is good because Bermuda is beautiful. Any weather is better than what we are having now in Massachusetts. It’s so cold