Son of a son of a ...

It would be helpful if you shared what works and doesn't work for your IBS - triggers differ among patients.

You will be absolutely fine. You fiancé can get his drink and then he can go get you a drink on another run. He might get timed out on the unlimited beverage package for the second trip, but he can just charge that drink on his card. Things will be so busy that bar staff just want a card, any card, for payment. You can drink up when in Bermuda.

I have toyed with the idea of booking a flight months in advance, but waiting until the day before the cruise to book a cabin in order to get a fire sale rate.

Be prepared to explain the context of the "European or gay?" song to your child. It all depends on the maturity of your child.

The most appreciated "ambassador gifts" are U.S. dollars. While we are pleasant, courteous, grateful, and polite when talking to crew, we refrain from prolonged conversations because these folks have jobs to do. Plus, it always feels like a one-side conversation.

From my experience in the service industry, a smile, nod, and thank you is enough to show your appreciation, together with a tip because to you this is vacation, but to me it is a job that I am doing for the paycheck.

Remember to bring closed toe shoes ... It was a requirement we we did it. The tour was VERY cool. I recommend everyone do it once.

For what it's worth, the movie was PG 13 and the show tracks closely to movie.

The show has some mature numbers such as the "bend and snap," but they will go over the heads of the very young.

Someone broke in and stole $127 worth of booze from the mini-bar ... that's a good one!

Very cool and God bless!

When we were on the Conquest, we left our then two-year old son, Chip, with a very excellent staff member. I think his name was Paul Hargis or sumtin. The kids loved him ... they were calling him "Uncle Paul" by the end of the cruise.

Speaking about the lady and hurricane we were onboard during a hurricane planning to stop at four ports but only getting to port at two because of the danger to us and the ship....you would not believe the complaining and cussing that we heard...heck we were just thankful that we had a good captain and crew to keep us from sinking :eek:. I work with the public and encounter complaining 75% of he time.

Ha, ha!

We were on the NCL Getaway when it was rerouted from ports due to Hurricane Gonzalo in October 2014. Exact same reactions ... people were complaining about the weather!

Get a pair of dark sunglasses and watch women ... ah to be 18 again :)

Motleyfan...Maybe you should sail with HAL. They seem to favor older folk.

I think Motley is cruising on the inaugural 7 day cruise, no?

Hmmmm ... guessing a correlation between bitterness of complaint and height/weight/age ratio. Take the stairs when you can.

The competition for customers is really beginning to heat up. This suggests that occupancy rates are falling and the cruise line is unable to attract any new customers with discounted rates. Therefore, the cruise line is forced to offer discounted rates to current customers on a targeted basis.

This is great news for us who already cruise with Carnival, but not a good business model. No offense, but the segment of current customers who live close to ports and can extend a cruise are probably not going to be spending as much as a new cruiser.

Flame away!

They forget to follow ship's time in Cozumel.

Google "running" in Cabo - you will find your answer.

Thanks!

We are looking at flights and a question came up. We have found a direct flight from BCN to PHL leaving at 10:45 a.m. on the morning we return to Bacelona. Assuming we ask nicely, tip generously, and play the Haven card to disembark early, is it possible to make this flight?

If this was a domestic cruise in the POM, then I would be uneasy, but consider it possible.

Any thoughts would be appreciated ... I thought I read that the Epic returns to port very early 6:30 a.m. How far is BCN from the port? Is there a customs process at disembarkation?

Thanks!

Hi all -

We (+ DW, MIL & BIL) have taken the plunge for a European, western Mediterranian cruise in May of 2016 out of Barcelona. CC as been a great help in giving us the confidence to plan this cruise. Many thanks to ya'll! :)

DW & I have been on 7 Carnivals, 1 RCI, and 1 NCL (Getaway) cruises. We really liked the Getaway cruise so we booked the Escaped for its inaugural 7-day cruise out of Miami on November 14th ... yeah!

The MIL & BIL ... not so much. I think they cruised once or twice on Carnival.

We booked a 2 BR Haven cabin ... this is a BIG bump up for us, but the specials (3 & 4 guest free) made it possible at a decent price. We are very psyched! (sorry for the old school reference, but DW & I are in our mid 40s :))

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce ourselves to the board for this trip because I would like to post some questions in the future and use this thread as a base. Already, from reading the posts, we are learning a lot and also understand that we still have much to learn about this cruise.

So, allow me to pre-apologize for the anticipated "stupid questions," but we are hesitant wanna-be international travelers willing to learn!

Thanks to all who have walked the path and willing to show the way!

Or ... book an inside cabin and start dating now... you have six months to find a roomie :D

I was going to recommend the public beach in Nassau, but you apparently have rejected it. The beach is walking distance from the ship. You would be just fine walking there in the daylight - if you can make it out of the straw market :)

* Junkanoo Beach

I was going to recommend the public beach in Nassau, but you apparently have rejected it. The beach is walking distance from the ship. You would be just fine walking there in the daylight - if you can make it out of the straw market :)

I agree with the OP. We booked a cabin on the Escape via an Internet TA without the freebies and saved $300 per person. If you don't want the packages, then you can definitely find cheaper cabins than on the NCL site.

You need, but don't have, data on whether this loyalty scheme (or any others) actually net the cruise line greater profits after costs. At some point, once you have a better-than-others program, there is no need to heap more benefits.

My recommendation for the pool towel replacements in your room and any other room issues: Give the steward a couple of Jacksons at the beginning of the cruise ... that gets many of our wants and needs fulfilled promptly.

If you truly want exceptional service, then get a cabin in the Haven.

Otherwise, strap on a steel beak and peck shyte with the rest of us birds :)