MyTMo777

Been a few years since I sailed without a drink package so I can't recall (or there may have been changes). When I order a drink at the bar and they hand me the slip to sign, is there a tip automatically included on that slip? I know there's an option to add a tip, but checking to see if that would be on top of a percentage that is already added.

For snorkeling, we took a chance with our shoes and towels from the ship and left them on the beach with no problems. I also left my shorts and shirt. This was in Mexico. We purchased waterproof fanny packs that easily held our small amount of cash, phone, ship card and credit card. We figured if someone stole our clothes we'd be fine, and the towels aren't ours to begin with.

We've walked off with our bags and we've had them out the night before disembarkation for the ship to handle. It totally depends on what's important to you. When we knew we weren't in a hurry to get our bags and grab transportation because we were staying in port for another night and arranging our own transportation to the hotel, having the ship handle our baggage was very nice. But when we had to wait WAY too long to get our luggage from the terminal while freaking out that we were going to miss our prepaid (not through NCL) shuttle to the airport, we really wished we had walked off with our bags. After that experience, we generally walk off with our bags - unless we know we have time to spare. So there's no right or wrong answer.

We did a full transit on the Jewel in November 2022. We started through the locks later than we did when we were on the Bliss in 2018. It varies because of the tides and which locks you're going through. They will announce what time you will begin your transit, and I would say to head for the bow about an hour before the time they announce if it really matters to you. Access to the bow may or may not be open, but you can probably wait in line. I didn't head for the bow right away on either cruise, but I did find a spot at the railing eventually on both cruises. Keep in mind that you're going through locks for quite a while in the morning and again in the afternoon, and you're not going to want to spend the entire time on the bow. If you watch one lock from start to finish from the bow railing, you're good. Then watch a full one from the aft railing as well!

We used it going from Edmonton, AB to LAX, returning Panama City to Edmonton. We were quite happy with it, and saved over $1200 using it. Our flights were at reasonable times, our layovers were just long enough to not feel rushed but to still make our next flight (even after getting turned around in the Atlanta airport on the way home and having to retrace our steps a LOOOONG way!). There were only two of us traveling together. A lot of the complaints I hear about the free airfare is when there are larger groups traveling together and they get split up. We asked to fly in an extra day early and extended our stay the full two days allowed (I'd NEVER EVER fly in the day of embarkation!!). Be patient waiting for your flight confirmation; it may come as late as two weeks before departure. As soon as we got ours, I logged in to each airline's website and paid to choose our seats - well worth it for the peace of mind.

When we transited the canal, once on the Bliss and once on the Jewel, they had snacks and drinks out well before 6 am. They had them in several locations around the ship, including the bow. If you're heading for your spot on the bow as soon as it opens, you'll find drinks and light snacks there - enough to hold you over until you get bored of all the locks looking the same and make a dash for the buffet. If you're on a ship like the Jewel with the Great Outdoors at the aft of the ship, grab some grub there and enjoy the aft view of the locks (after you've enjoyed the thrill of the first lock from the bow!).

How long after booking your cruise do you have to add NCL flights if you didn't book the when you booked your cruise?

There are good stories and bad about NCL flights. You are at their mercy for how the flights are aligned. We had great flights from Edmonton to LA, and then from Panama City back to Edmonton. Long flights home, but that wasn't on NCL; it's just a long way to go and you have to connect through somewhere to get to Edmonton. Here are a few things to know, though: 1) Always ask for your flights to the cruise to be booked 1-2 days in advance of embarkation day, just in case there are any delays. Two days is the maximum extension you can ask for. 2) As soon as you have your flight information (which may be only a few days before you fly), log into the websites for each airline on each leg of your trip and pay for your seat selection and luggage. Don't ask NCL for upgrades. It won't happen and you'll waste your time. 3) Have a back up plan if your flight is canceled or delayed to the point where you will miss your cruise. NCL will give a phone number to call in case of that, but they may not be able to help you in time. Be sure you have money available on a credit card to purchase your own last minute flights at the airport, and then sort out whether NCL or your insurance should reimburse you later. 4) Our rule of thumb is to only use NCL flights when they are significantly cheaper than booking our own flights. We also know the basic flight plans going from our nearest airport to other destinations. For instance, we know that any flight to the eastern U.S. or Caribbean from where we live is going to route through Toronto or Montreal - or very occasionally a northern U.S. city. This means they WILL book us on a redeye flight from Edmonton to Toronto or whichever airport it is, and leave us sitting in that airport for 4-6 hours before sending us on to our final destination. If we look up our own flights, that will always be the cheapest option. If we want a daytime flight to Toronto and an overnight layover long enough to get a good sleep in a hotel, we know we will have to book that ourselves and pay accordingly. So we balance out the cost of the NCL flights vs. the travel inconvenience to us.

I guess it depends what you want to see as you sail away. We like to watch the shore disappear into the distance, while watching what's along the shore as we go. So we rarely go to the poolside party because we can't see anything. We tend to roam the ship, taking in the view from various vantage points for an hour or two, while also familiarizing ourselves with the ship - all with a drink in hand, of course.

Just got off the Jewel today and noticed more crew in public places than ever, especially eating in the buffet later at night. We were at less than half capacity. We loved interacting with them!

Does anyone know if FCC is transferable? If we can't use it within the year, can we transfer it to someone else like you can with a CruiseNext certificate?

Anything I can use/wear on a regular basis (except t-shirts; just not a t-shirt person) - earrings, kitchen towels, cold drink cup, coffee mug, scarf. Things that remind me every day of my wonderful adventure.

I agree that just being together, things will naturally develop between them and you shouldn't force them. However, you mentioned that they have so much in common - but it seems that they just don't know it yet. Since you know what they have in common, open up conversations about those things. Ask them questions. Ask them to tell their story so that the other mother can hear her own story in the other woman's words. Then you can say things like, "Mom, didn't that happen to you when you were young also? How was your experience the same or different than hers?"

I started off cruising 9 years ago with probably 5-6 pairs of shoes - different ones to match different outfits. Five cruises later I'm down to 2 + water shoes for excursions. One pair of sandals and one pair of sandals. We cruise NCL so there are no dress up nights (unless you want to) so my sandals are good with everything.

Valid point for sure!