2026 NCL Cruise Critic cruise (proposed)

[cruiseny4life]

32 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Good morning all! I got my passport renewed and am ready to rumble!

 

@cruiseny4life was thinking about you too this morning. Glad to hear all is well on the homestead. Sorry to hear that there is power at the office.

Amazing!! It had to be renewed - we must hear more about the adventures of Sugar!

 

And, thank you!

[Sugar Magnolia]

14 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

We are currently in the process of being approved to foster/adopt children.

 

14 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

We just picked up two foster puppies which are taking up all of our available time and energy, and my husband is interviewing for new jobs.

 

Such wonderful news and so happy for you guys. 

 

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

@JIMESOPUS  Checking out the specs - indeed, yours is most definitely appropriate to run many things inside a house off the grid, 3 ton central air and water pump, freezer/refrigerator and TV, while keeping the lights on.  Our co-op townhouse is spread across 12 city blocks out here and homeowners association prohibit us from wiring anything into the feeds - the small portable power station is adequate & sufficiently capable for power outage & failure, which we hasn't experience since moving here in 2020 as part of the downsizing scheme.  Mindful of 2012 Superstorm Sandy that surprised many. I trust all is well this morning up your way, seeing NWS news & other reports with photos about EF-0 touchdown & other "touchdowns" yesterday, hitting Rome/Utica area hard ... thinking of @cruiseny4life that, all is well & everyone is safe, that recovery teams are reaching the hardest hit area.   

 

Meanwhile, haven't seen Dan @graphicguy for the past few days as he's facing personal challenges of his own until we get a better sense of #schmoopie fest 2025 andn/or 2026 on the calendar.   The Boston NCL early 2026 cruise calendar with the BA and Aqua for NY to Bermuda isn't exactly inspiring ... plus further south in Phila with a 3rd NCL ship.  Excitement being silenced by what we are seeing thus far with upward pricing trends ...  Best friends of ours doing a 11 nights Caribbean "Odyssey" out of Cape Liberty next January as their land-casino dropped Norwegian offers for 2024 ... talking us into joining them with their discount, very tempting - between cruises, gotta renew my passport by early Fall for 2025 travel.  Tough choices on who to cruise with - looking at those Princess live trip report photos - ahead, for sure.  

No worries here.  

 

Trying to be back in the saddle by December.  But, that's dependent on everything going right with the surgery.  Heck, I'm still holding out hope for that December Southampton Encore cruise to Miami.  Balcony with FAS is around $1,300 even sailing solo.  Gotta love that!

 

'25 I'll definitely be sailing again.  Just got to see where I'm at next month, surgery is end of August.

 

 

[graphicguy]

49 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Amazing!! It had to be renewed - we must hear more about the adventures of Sugar!

 

And, thank you!

Yay!!!!

[graphicguy]

59 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

First - whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy do you do this to me?!?! 

Second - I think you mean 2025. 

Third - whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

Fourth - we only have something in February booked, so it's possible. 

 

Yacht Club is slightly less expensive than the NCL Bermuda cruises, but includes drinks, WiFi, and thermal suite, so we'd probably save more than $1,000 which makes it even more doable! 

 

It's on my radar...can't confirm anything right now though (or the foreseeable future). 

 

We are currently in the process of being approved to foster/adopt children. The last step is a medical review - apparently they want to be assured we won't drop dead when the child is dropped at our doorstep.

 

We just picked up two foster puppies which are taking up all of our available time and energy, and my husband is interviewing for new jobs. Way too much uncertainty right now, plus February was a really long booking window for us. I can't even imagine summer 2025 yet! 

 

Photos of puppies, because...well, can you ever have enough? 

 

Love this!!!!  (the pups) 😉

Edited July 17 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

@Sugar Magnolia...now that you have your brand spanking new Passport, I'll tell @schmoopie17 to quit calling the NSA.

[Sugar Magnolia]

17 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

@Sugar Magnolia...now that you have your brand spanking new Passport, I'll tell @schmoopie17 to quit calling the NSA.

 

Is that why all the alphabet agencies have been interviewing my neighbors?

 

[GALSews]

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

All is well on the homestead south of Utica! We had a few branches come down in the road and backyard. I haven't had a chance to check on our orchard, but am thinking it's ok since there are no large trees overlooking it. 

 

Unfortunately, my office still has power, so I'm in Utica today. Rome did get a wee bit destroyed in the downtown section. Oh well. Maybe the rebuild will make it a more inviting place to go...ooops, empathy cruiseny! Empathy...but really, no loss of life, so all is ok up here.

 

Thanks for asking!! 

 

That Princess live truly has me considering Princess. Even though I'll have to wear pants and a collared shirt! Looked at some of the new NCL cruises that just dropped. If booking early gets you a good price, I hate to see what the price for 2026 Bermuda cruises will be in a year or so. Yikes!! Over $3k for a basic Haven room per person for a week. Hi Princess!! 

Looking at prices everything seemed up, but then part of that is that NCL is now including port and taxes in the price. So I figure that is adding a couple hundred bucks to everything. 

 

One thing I also noted is that there are a lot less 3 and 4 person in the room free or else $99, not that that would usually apply to us, but as my sister is in the Bay state, a cruise out of Boston including her could be a possibility some time. (If we ever do that, I just have to remember that my sister will be passenger 1 or 2 as served in the Air Force, so she gets that 10% off.)

Edited July 17 by GALSews
Left a lot of words out

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Just noticed on Cruise Hive that the Jewel is to start sailing from Philadelphia part of the year.  Don’t remember when that begins, but will add a new port to the NE coast.

Edited July 17 by MagnoliaBlossom

[laudergayle]

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

First - whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy do you do this to me?!?! 

Second - I think you mean 2025. 

Third - whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

Fourth - we only have something in February booked, so it's possible

Lol…yes 2025.  So you have more than 365 days to ponder.

 

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

We are currently in the process of being approved to foster/adopt children. The last step is a medical review - apparently they want to be assured we won't drop dead when the child is dropped at our doorstep.

Wow…that is HUGE.  Both from a news perspective, but also from a humanitarian perspective.  You and hubby have such kind hearts.  
 

SMOOOOOCHES 💋💋🥰🥰❤️❤️

[debenson0723]

11 hours ago, graphicguy said:

No worries here.  

 

Trying to be back in the saddle by December.  But, that's dependent on everything going right with the surgery.  Heck, I'm still holding out hope for that December Southampton Encore cruise to Miami.  Balcony with FAS is around $1,300 even sailing solo.  Gotta love that!

 

'25 I'll definitely be sailing again.  Just got to see where I'm at next month, surgery is end of August.

 

 

Glad to hear you have the surgery scheduled. I have a client who had the same procedure done last Monday morning, was home by afternoon and doing well today, 48 hours or so later. So you should be good to go for sure by December (maybe even November?????...a girl can dream).

 

And don't tell @schmoopie17 this but I am looking at the NCL Spirit for Japan in April 2025 (instead of the Joy in February). I know you had mentioned wanting to sail on the Spirit (as do I) and Japan is high on my bucket list...just throwing this out there.  I am also looking at a Princess cruise for late next year (so I could do both Joy in Feb and this one) but the fact I can't book a solo cabin myself, the fare which is considerably higher than NCL and the airfare at that time vs in April are making me lean towards the Spirit. 

So many cruises, so little time.

[schmoopie17]

So much news to catch up on.

 

Congrats to @cruiseny4lifeand @Sugar Magnolia.

 

Prayers to @graphicguyfor a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

 

As for @debenson0723, don't feel guilty about considering the Spirit to Japan. We had been considering an Asia cruise...or a South Pacific cruise. But I hate flying, so making that long trek back and forth is out of the question. In my Army days I flew back and forth from Thailand (twice) and that was enough for my lifetime. Just flying to LA and then back from Miami for our Panama Canal cruise will be bad enough. Not to mention our upcoming round trip flights from Chicago to Rome and back. But the FAS package...I mean the free drinks on the Rome flights...will allow me to power through. 

 

Edited July 18 by schmoopie17

[graphicguy]

10 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

Glad to hear you have the surgery scheduled. I have a client who had the same procedure done last Monday morning, was home by afternoon and doing well today, 48 hours or so later. So you should be good to go for sure by December (maybe even November?????...a girl can dream).

 

And don't tell @schmoopie17 this but I am looking at the NCL Spirit for Japan in April 2025 (instead of the Joy in February). I know you had mentioned wanting to sail on the Spirit (as do I) and Japan is high on my bucket list...just throwing this out there.  I am also looking at a Princess cruise for late next year (so I could do both Joy in Feb and this one) but the fact I can't book a solo cabin myself, the fare which is considerably higher than NCL and the airfare at that time vs in April are making me lean towards the Spirit. 

So many cruises, so little time.

Thanks, Deb.  It helps hearing that.  

 

Don't know why, but this surgery is scaring me.  IT shouldn't.  I've literally had needles stuck in my eye, was face down for days at a time (due to the same eye surgery), had stents put in the 'ole heart, had screws put in my ankle, etc.

 

This shouldn't be as bad as any of those, but I think I'm turning into a wimp.  Appreciate the positive reports, though.

 

Hoping to make that Southampton TA Cruise.  We'll see.

 

BTW....Japan is a bucket list cruise for me, too!

 

So many cruises, so little time.

 

@schmoopie17....could not agree with you more..... 😉

Edited July 18 by graphicguy

[debenson0723]

26 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

So much news to catch up on.

 

Congrats to @cruiseny4lifeand @Sugar Magnolia.

 

Prayers to @graphicguyfor a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

 

As for @debenson0723, don't feel guilty about considering the Spirit to Japan. We had been considering an Asia cruise...or a South Pacific cruise. But I hate flying, so making that long trek back and forth is out of the question. In my Army days I flew back and forth from Thailand (twice) and that was enough for my lifetime. Just flying to LA and then back from Miami for our Panama Canal cruise will be bad enough. Not to mention our upcoming round trip flights from Chicago to Rome and back. But the FAS package...I mean the free drinks on the Rome flights...will allow me to power through. 

 

Thanks @schmoopie17. Before I start seriously looking at 2025, I need to get to my Prima TA with @Sugar Magnoliain November. While I have airfare, hotel and excursions booked for that one, I haven't booked the cruise yet. Everything is refundable/cancelable but the cruise is after final payment and I have some life issues I need to deal with before I make that committment. 

 

As far as flying, especially long distances, I am one of those disgusting people that is asleep before wheels up (most of the time). It's like a drug to me and I have no idea why. Unless you like drool and snoring, my best advice is don't sit next to me on a plane. 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

On 7/3/2024 at 1:46 PM, justhappy said:

Maybe they will love NO and the river aspect of the cruise.

I was raised in NOLA, so I love sailing from there.  Now that we are in Texas, it’s about a 6-7 hour drive, but still better than flying.  But the itineraries from NO do not usually differ much from those fron Galveston, which is only 4 a 4 hour drive,

[schmoopie17]

9 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

Unless you like drool and snoring, my best advice is don't sit next to me on a plane. 

I can honestly say that I have not slept even one minute on any of the more than 100 flights I have taken in my life. I envy you...

[MagnoliaBlossom]

On 7/6/2024 at 2:23 PM, graphicguy said:

@mking8288...thanks!  Good news....probably because I'm a T-Mobile customer.

 

Been pleased with T-Mobile (coming from Verizon).  Have had them for a few years, now.  No real  complaints....even when traveling internationally.  And, I find the WiFi calling and speed on NCL (using NCL WiFi minutes) to be more than acceptable.

 

This sounds like it will be available in more places.  And, unless I'm reading the PR wrong, by cutting out ship based WiFi entirely if you have "line of sight" access to Starlink.

We were on the Dawn this month in the British Isles and our T Mobile worked fine most days.   The one day I desperately needed it,Edinburgh, (we couldn’t dock and I needed to speak with our private tour guide) it wasn’t available.  But all in all I was pleased and it is included in our plan at no additional cost,  

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Graphicguy, did you finally get a surgery date?

[Travelicious]

58 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

We had been considering an Asia cruise...or a South Pacific cruise. But I hate flying, so making that long trek back and forth is out of the question. 

 

We are booked on the March 13, 2026 sailing of the Island Princess.  It is round trip from LA.  You should check it out.  It will be our first time on Princess, but YVRteacher is making it look very appealing.

[graphicguy]

42 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Graphicguy, did you finally get a surgery date?

Good to see your smiling face, again (on your avatar).  Hope you and yours are well.

 

I did get a date.  August 26.  Should take a couple hours to fix the abductor muscle and another couple for the hip replacement.

 

They wanted to do it sooner.  I am just being a baby and trying to wrap my head around surgery and recovery. 

 

 

 

Edited July 18 by graphicguy

[PartyPlannerLady]

On 6/19/2024 at 5:05 PM, schmoopie17 said:

Here's what I think (not that anyone cares).

 

2026 will probably be our last NCL cruise (assuming we make it that far. Once you hit 70, you just never know).

 

We should schedule an NCL CC Board cruise. It would have to be somewhere cool...and a minimum of 10 days (seven days is way too short).

 

It would be great to cruise with all of you...well, most of you 😛   

 

Having said all that, it wouldn't necessarily have to be NCL. We have been looking to "expand our horizons" and would consider Princess, MSC, etc.

 

 

 

 

No thanks.  No interest what-so-ever.

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

I can honestly say that I have not slept even one minute on any of the more than 100 flights I have taken in my life. I envy you...

When I was still working, the EU, California trips, Hong Kong trips, South American trips.....seems like the company scheduled red-eye trips or early, early a.m. trips.

 

Became adept at sleeping on planes.  Not necessarily restful sleeps, but sleep nonetheless.

 

YOU MUST join us on these cruises.  After all, they're named after you... 😉

[schmoopie17]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

 

YOU MUST join us on these cruises.  After all, they're named after you... 😉

We're already booked on the Feb, 2025 #Schmoopiefest cruise through the Panama Canal. Still waiting to see how many others join. Sounds as though @debenson0723may have an alternate plan. 

 

As for the 2026 Fest, when the consensus settles on a cruise...wherever it is...I'm sure we'll be joining (even if there are flights involved). Still holding out hope for Croatia, etc...(realizing that you can't drive to Croatia).

[schmoopie17]

2 hours ago, Travelicious said:

We are booked on the March 13, 2026 sailing of the Island Princess.  It is round trip from LA.  You should check it out.  

I actually approached Mrs. Schmoopie about this cruise a couple months ago, due to the awesome itinerary. However, when I told her it was 54 days and would be at least $30,000 (not including several thousands more in spending money, excursions, etc.)...well, you can guess the rest.

[yakcruiser]

13 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

 I am looking at the NCL Spirit for Japan in April 2025 (instead of the Joy in February). I know you had mentioned wanting to sail on the Spirit (as do I) and Japan is high on my bucket list.

I did a Tokyo to Taipei cruise on the Spirit in May. Had a great time! The Spirit seems to be the perfect ship for that cruise.