love4god

We are through security and waiting to board the Joy in 2 hours. Once we are on the ship we are going to book our specialty restaurants. We already have Elements booked. Anything else we should be sure to book or check on once we board?

Do you do the shuttle through the cruiseline or a private company?

We're taking the Brightline back up to FLL when we get back. A short trip but should be fun.

Also, it's been several years since I've cruised. Is there breakfast before getting off the ship? Or do I need to plan for something to eat after we're off?

Did you arrange it ahead of time or just jump on a shuttle at the airport?

We have a cruise from Miami on Norwegian Joy. We are flying out of Fort Lauderdale later in the day, around 4pm. Our plan is to take the Brightline up to the FLL area for our flight. I am trying to book but I'm not sure what time I should book it for. I have plenty of time so there is no rush to get off of the ship and I would rather relax and make our way off slowly and miss a bulk of the crowd if possible and then grab our stuff and go. How long does it generally take to get off the ship when you disembark if you're not in a hurry? The schedule says Arrive 7am in Miami.

My wife and I are driving down to Miami w/ a one way rental that we have to drop off on Saturday morning. I was thinking of just taking an Uber, or maybe a shuttle back to our hotel and uber from there. Is there a better option to get from the Miami airport to the Cruise Terminal if I'm not flying in but dropping off my car?

My wife and I are leaving Saturday on the Joy. We have just the basic FAS w/ the beverage package. When you accept that you prepay your beverage package tips. Does that money go to the bartenders who are serving you? Do you still get a slip to sign when you order drinks and do people tip in addition to that? Or, do you just scan your card and go on your way. Not looking to start another tipping thread of people arguing about it, but I'm just curious how it works. Second question is about snorkeling. If heading out out on our own, like at West Bay in Honduras, what do you do w/ your stuff when you're snorkeling? I'm thinking we'll have shoes, wallets, phones, etc.. I can't imagine just leaving that stuff up on the beach. I was thinking of maybe getting a wet bag/backpack to keep everything in while snorkeling. It could keep my from diving when snorkeling but my wife basically stays at the top, if she tethers it, I guess it wouldn't be much trouble. And we could switch back and forth. Anyone have any experience with that? Maybe something like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YT12WDT/?tag=outsidview-20&th=1

I don't know about that specific everglades excursion but I know we did an airboat ride/alligator tour with the kids years ago in the everglades and they LOVED it. Very fast, very exciting ride.

I'll be on the same ship the next week, I'll wave as we pass each other getting off and on. If you can, please post pics of the dailies. I'll be following. Have a great Cruise!

Going on my first NCL cruise in about 2 weeks, have the unlimited that came with the cruise (not the upgrade). Part of that cost was paying for the gratuities. When you get a drink onboard do you just scan your card or sign a slip. Does the tip go to those bartenders? Do people still tip the bartenders or is the gratuities you paid what is expected of you when you get that package?

Any chance you took some pictures of the Dailies you could post? We're on the same cruise in a couple of weeks. Hope you're having a great cruise!

Were you able to book elements? I checked in then went to book elements and it said "not available to book". I supposed in the time it took to check in the pre-cruise slots may have gotten filled? But I was checking by maybe 12:20-12:25. Weird.

I already booked two of my 3 specialty meals. Just hoping to get that last Ocean Blue resv on embarkation day. I'll just need to try to book elements tonight after check in. Thanks!

How does the NCL check-in work? Saturday is 21 days out form my cruise on the Joy and I want to try to get an early embarkation slot if I can. Also, anything else I need to make sure I do early or when I get on the ship? I know if I want to get dining/show booked I'll need to do it right away when I get on, or do it on the app if I can connect while waiting. Also, I read there is a limited number of tickets on the Harvest Caye/Belize shuttle if I want to go to Placencia and I should get that right away. Anything else I'm missing that I should look for to reserve or get ready for when they become available? Thanks.