sirfuller

On 2/13/2019 at 1:02 PM, medicrfg said:

How long are the Rock Of Ages and Burn The Floor shows. We want to schedule our dinner after the early show, just don't know how long it is. 

Just off the Breakaway. Burn the Floor is about 1 hour and Rock of Ages is 105 minutes.

I hope Trip Advisor doesn't get rid of their app too. Lets move forward not backwards

6 hours ago, LD Silver said:

I've found the pizza on all NCL ships to be bad and not worth the calories.  

My question is, why is the pizza so terrible on NCL? I've cruised across several different cruise lines and the pizza on NCL is by far the worst. It's not even close.

We will be on Summit to Bermuda on 8/20 sailing. We booked anytime dining Question is can we reserve traditional for some nights? There are 14 in our group - do you think we will be able to sit at one table?

I was thinking to make reservations on the sea days and do anytime dining on the days we dock in Bermuda

Haven't been to Bermuda since I was 19 - very excited!!!

Thanks for your advice

I am in similar predicament as I'm traveling with a group of 10. What I did was got everyone's reservation numbers and made a reservation for the first two nights and last two nights of the sailing. We are playing it by ear the other nights. They only let you make reservations (at least online) for groups of up to 10 so perhaps they don't have tables larger than that? You may need to split up your reservations to two groups of six and eight.

Southwest calendar is updated to March 7th, the banner that shows flight schedules is updated to the 7th even shows when in July the next release is. The only thing missing is the schedules themselves. Never seen that before with them. Don't they have fairly new computer system they went to?

 

Just came up.

 

Al

I noticed that too. I always book right when the schedule opens because that is usually the cheapest rate. I work the midnight shift so was able to watch the Southwest site overnight. It varies but generally the new flight schedules are synched up by 06:15 AM eastern. This time around the new schedules became available around 6 AM but did not sync up so you could book until around 08:15 AM.

All is well. I got a great rate for my February cruise out of New Orleans, which can be a pricey flight from Pittsburgh :D

any place you can get raspberry mojitos on board?

 

thanks for the review!

I didn't see it on any of the bar menus but that that doesn't mean they don't make them. They'll make whatever you want, just ask [emoji2]

When do you check your suitcases . . . outside the "registration building" when you first get there or inside the "registration" building?

You check your baggage with a porter outside when you first arrive. When I cruised out of PC two weeks ago, the longest line was to get inside the building to go through security. Once through, there was barely any line to checkin as they had different lines based on what deck your cabin is on.

Overall, I had a relaxing time aboard the Norwegian Epic (as I always do on cruises). This was my ninth cruise and fourth as a solo. I stayed in a solo studio but did not really take part in their nightly solo meeting. I'm not much of a "social butterfly" and on cruises I tend to enjoy the "me" time.

I flew in a day early from Pittsburgh and took a transfer from MCO on cruise day via Stylus. It was a large bus with Wi-Fi so that worked out well. The only issue was getting into Port Canaveral as traffic was a mess. This was around noon so that can be expected. It took a 30-minute wait just to get into the drop off area. The line to get through security was a little under an hour, which I feel is very normal when coming at peak time. Once checked-in, I did not need a boarding number as they let everyone embark.

Muster drill went very well. My station was at the Spiegel Tent and it lasted around 15 minutes. My experience on NCL is a good one when it comes to muster drill.

I loved having the beverage package as my perk. It was nice not to have to pay attention to drink costs. Some of the drinks of the day were good especially the painkiller and the bushwhacker. However, I would often go back to my classic drink - gin and tonic.

I loved the production shows. "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" was fantastic. The cirque-style dinner show was also very enjoyable. The comedians at Headliners were just OK. They had a comedy magic show for a night in the main show lounge and he did some tricks that still boggle my mind! I booked most of my reservations via the iConcierge app on the first night. However, I did wait in the standby line once for "Burn the Floor" and had no problem getting in. I did not take part in much nightlife outside of the shows as I tend to be an early riser on cruises so would be in bed by 10 PM most nights. I also did not partake in the casino as there is one close to home so it did not appeal to me.

Food was good -- most hits and very few misses. I ate at the buffet mostly and liked the theme nights. The only theme that was a little weak was Asian night. Their desserts could use some work as well. The food in Taste and at O'Sheehan's was also pretty good. I'm not picky though. I did not eat at any specialty restaurants during the week. I also liked the Great Outdoors area near the pool, they usually had a good selection of grilled items or snacks and you could usually find a seat nearby.

There were a couple negatives on this cruise but nothing that would prevent me from sailing on the Epic again. My room was not in a great location. It was near the door where people enter the studio area. This door would slam when it closed, so I could hear it throughout the day and night. Thankfully, I'm a heavy sleeper but I would not recommend rooms 12514 and 12515. This was my own fault as I booked this cruise out a year in advance, so there were plenty of rooms to choose from. Other than that, I enjoyed my stay in a solo studio. It was very cozy and you can't beat the price when sailing solo especially if you can book a year in advance.

The lack of a promenade area was also a negative. I didn't realize how much this mattered to me until I was on a ship without one. The other problem was that if you went on an upper deck for a view, there were still eight foot tall tinted windows blocking your view with just a small slot for viewing. I agree with criticisms that this ship is like living in a shopping mall or a Las Vegas resort for a week.

I also felt that the Epic has some design flaws. With only two bays of elevators there was always a wait for one. I generally take the steps so this did not affect me that much. However, I overheard a lot of complaints from others during the week. There were also issues with crowd control as it often seemed like there were lines everywhere. I was on the Getaway last year and do not remember this issue on that ship.

Bar service could be a challenge especially at the Waves Bar (near the main pool). With so many having the drink package, you have to be persistent. I eventually found that the service was much better at Spice H20. The service was also great inside at the Martini Bar and at Maltings.

While the weather started out a bit chilly, after a day or two we had some beautiful days. I played it low key at the ports as I had been to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios several times. It was nice to come back to an empty ship after about an hour or two. GSC was gorgeous and a nice day to end the cruise with.

Disembarkation went very easily as I was off the ship and through customs by 9:15. I stayed in Orlando for an extra day so caught a cab to the local Avis Car Rental. I then spent the day at Kennedy Space Center and really enjoyed it. I hadn't been there since I was 8-years-old so most of it was new to me nearly 30 years later. There was much to do and I spent the day there until about 3 PM. I even got the chance to meet an astronaut and hear him talk about his voyage in space. I would highly recommended a trip there!

In the end, I had a very relaxing cruise. Got to see some great shows and got to escape the winter weather for a week. While my next booked cruise is aboard the Celebrity Summit to Bermuda this September, I look forward to my next Norwegian cruise aboard the Pearl from New Orleans next February!

If anyone has questions, feel free to ask :)

Has anyone ever stayed in this studio cabin. I have read reviews that it you can hear a door closing during the night.

I was in 12514 last week, which is right across the hall from 12515. You can hear that door slamming throughout the day and night. Try to move to a different cabin if possible. If not, what I did was I downloaded a white noise app on my cell phone and plugged headphones in and that drowned out all of the noise.

If I'm having issues logging into online checkin, would they be able to assist me or should I call my TA?

I ended up booking my September cruise through an online agent because I kept hitting an error when trying to book through the MSC site. So my question is, should I be able to access my booking now or after final payment date (7-5-16)? I was hoping to input passport and emergency contact information just to get all my ducks in a row.

I just got back from a great trip to the Western Caribbean aboard the Norwegian Getaway. A little background about me: this was my first cruise on NCL but my eighth cruise overall. Most of my experience has been on Carnival ships but I have also done an Alaskan cruise on Royal and a river cruise through the Netherlands. You will notice a lot of comparisons to Carnival since that is where most of my cruising experience is from. This was my third solo cruise, which tends to be more relaxing and low-key than when I cruise with family.

Overall, I had a great time. It was a very relaxing trip and I got a chance to see some shows, comedians and enjoyed the sunshine. While at home, I work the midnight shift for a bank in information technology so cruises are a great way for me to disconnect and see the sun for a change.

In comparison to Carnival, I felt this was definitely a step up. The food was pretty good overall and entertainment options were much better. I felt the staff is a bit happier on Carnival or they just act that way. My cabin steward seemed to be pretty miserable, but I wasn't sure if this was just an issue with his English or something else going on. No one was outright rude but they also did not normally greet in the hallways as you are walking by. I just thought it was weird more than anything. Otherwise, I was very happy with the decision to try out Norwegian.

I'm not completely sure if the NCL experience is what made it a step up or if it was due to being on a newer ship in which everything still looked fresh. Carnival has a lot of aging ships so it was nice to be on a newer ship that did not have any noticeable signs of age. It was also nice to break out of what I'm used to and try something new.

I stayed in a studio on the Getaway and absolutely loved the accommodations. While the rooms are small, they are quite cozy. Normally, I'm rarely in the room when I get an inside but found myself having a good level of comfort in the studio. Usually insides can make you feel a little boxed in but this one didn't really have that feeling for some reason. The only issue with the space that I had was with the shower as I'm 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds. I loved the shower I took when I got home with much more space and water pressure! Other than that, it was a great time and I've already booked another solo cruise next winter on the Epic.

I'm from Pittsburgh, so flew to the Miami area two days early to enjoy the weather and ensure that I could get to Florida in case of a storm. During my pre-cruise stay, I just hung around for the most part and got to experience those crazy South Florida drivers once again! I think when you come to the area, everyone forgets how to use their turn signals and must drive 30 miles over the speed limit :) I also did a hop on hop off tour around Miami. There is a really good deal for such a tour on Groupon if interested. It was a nice way to see the sights and the ticket was good for two days but I was able to easily see everything in one.

I returned my rental car to FLL and caught a shuttle with QLS to Port of Miami. I did not arrive to the port until around noon and it was a hot mess! The line took forever to get through and I got on board a little after 2 PM. In retrospect, I should've gotten to the port earlier and will likely do that whenever I cruise out of Miami again.

The muster drill on Norwegian was such a better experience than the ones I have experienced on Carnival. My muster station was in the Getaway Theatre where we actually got to take a seat and was pretty painless. The ones on Carnival were such a cluster with crowding tons of people out by the lifeboats where it seemed to last forever.

I felt the food was good in the MDRs and I liked the décor and layout. On Carnival ships, they tend to put smaller tables very close together so much so that it can be awkward if you're not very social, which I'm not. As a solo cruiser, one thing I've noticed on this cruise and other solo cruises I've been on is eating by yourself makes the wait staff very nervous. It seems like they do not know how to handle you. Some will give you tons of attention and others avoid you. I got this feeling aboard the Getaway as well, which was surprising given the amount of solo cabins on board. Granted, not all of the people staying in studios are truly solo but there has to be at least a handful who dine alone. I was glad that the dinner buffet had quite a few options so throughout the week, I would alternate buffet one night and then MDR the next.

During this sailing, I ate in one specialty dining restaurant - La Cucina. I got the Lobster Fettuccini and thought everything was good. Service was pretty quick and my waiter was friendly. My dinners in the MDR during the week were also pretty good. I thought the service was a bit slow but I never had to wait for a table and I felt the food was better than what I've had on Carnival. The only thing I missed was the cult favorite Warm Chocolate Melting Cake although NCL did have their version called a Lava Cake on the menu, which I weirdly never tried.

The buffet was huge and had a lot of items to choose from. I'm a pescetarian and easily found options to suit my diet at the buffet. In comparison to Carnival, the buffet is much larger and has better hours. There is usually a dead spot where there are few food options available on Carnival in the mid-afternoon. There was always something at the buffet until late night. The dinner buffet also had some good options like a pasta station as well as a crepe station that improved the offerings.

There were many entertainment options to choose from and I caught two comedy shows, Burn the Floor and saw an occasional show in the Atrium. I also played a game of Bingo as well as Deal or No Deal, which I really enjoyed. I had planned to see "Legally Blonde" but ended up going to bed early that night. While the shows are pretty good, the venues are not the best. The Atrium has limited seating and the Getaway Theatre is not as comfortable as the main show lounges on Carnival. However, I liked the Headliners Comedy Club. I also liked the fact that the comedians are featured in the Getaway Theatre during the week for a showcase-style presentation.

I was one of the few people that did not have the UBP on the sailing. When I booked this cruise last April, the promo was not offered to insides and studios. By the time it was offered to my category, the fare had increased by about $400 so it did not make any sense to rebook in order to get the promo. So I got by. I would usually buy the drink of the day and perhaps a beer or two. The Pisco Punch was my favorite. I also got some rum and whiskey on board with a decoy shampoo bottle and some rum runners. I also brought a bottle of champagne on in my carry on. When they x-rayed my bag, they did not say anything to me so I just walked right by the corkage fee table without a problem. Don't judge! Ha ha.

When it came to the ports, they were all places I had been before except Great Stirrup Cay. I stayed on the ship during our call to Ocho Rios and enjoyed an empty pool area as well as a serene Spice H20. I'm an avid reader and got a chance to read some novels on my book club's schedule this year -- "Hombre" by Elmore Leonard and "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah.

In Grand Cayman, I got off the ship early in order to catch a tender easily. While there, I took a shared taxi to the beach, which was a complete mad house as there were several ships in port that day. I originally planned to go to Royal Palms but everyone in the shuttle wanted to go to the free beach so I just went with the crowd. I made my way back to the ship by noon and had no problem getting a tender.

In Cozumel, I walked to the Hotel Cozumel and Resort for a day pass that I had purchased online. The pool area was pretty empty and the service was good. I tipped the waiter $10 when I got there and he kept the drinks coming all day. It was very relaxing and the accommodations were fine. It wasn't the nicest place in the world but was good enough for the price ($45) and was only a 15-minute walk from the pier. I plan to go back the next time I'm in Cozumel.

While in GSC, I once again caught an early tender however the weather wasn't great. The water was very choppy and it was a bit cloudy and cool outside. So, I walked around for a bit then headed back to enjoy the day on-board. Apparently, later in the day the weather turned for the better. GSC would be a great beach day when the weather cooperates.

Debarkation was a breeze because I had booked a post-cruise excursion since my flight was not until after 4 PM. It was an airboat tour through the Everglades with a drop off at Ft. Lauderdale Airport. We met in the Getaway Theatre and they guided us to a separate exit from the rest of the crowds. The tour itself was pretty cool even thought it was in the 50s outside. We saw two alligators during the tour and they also had a show afterwards in which they feed an alligator and showcase a large python.

Overall, this was very relaxing trip in which I got to experience a different cruise line. I have to honestly say that it will probably be a while until I go back to Carnival because I enjoyed everything so much. This experience will also make me more open to trying other lines if the dates and deals are there. As I previously stated, I already booked passage on the Epic for next January. I also usually take a fall cruise with my sister and we are considering a cruise to Bermuda on the Dawn although I may try out the MSC Divina for a completely different type of experience. Their half-off balcony deal also seems too good to miss!

Just treat Carnival as its own experience and you should be fine. The Liberty is a decent ship with a nice layout. I enjoyed the adult pool. The food in the MDR is fine but buffet options can leave a little to be desired. Carnival's comedians are usually pretty good but their shows in the theater are a little weak. This is such a port intensive cruise that the entertainment options won't matter as much since you'll be on the go so much.

Last week on the Getaway, I just put my bottle of champagne in my carry on and no one ever said a word to me so I just played dumb and walked right past the corkage table. As with anything in life, your mileage may vary!

Well I guess someone has to pay for all the UBP giveaways....

Thank you for this. Is the $20 per person the same for adults and children? We have two little ones age 3 and 1. The thought of spending $80 for the four of us is a bit of a stretch.

I was in St. Thomas two weeks ago aboard the Carnival Liberty and for what it's worth, there were a bunch of taxi drivers offering to bring us up to a lookout similar to Paradise Point for a cheaper cost. This could definitely be an option for you.

Is it $20 per person for the gondola or $20 per gondola for the ride up Paradise Point? Your review is prepping me when I board on Saturday! TIA!

$20 per person. Sometime you can save $1 or $2 by booking the excursion through your cruise line.

I'll be on the NCL Getaway as a solo in a few months and am starting to look at entertainment options. Is the Illusionarium seating super awkward for solos? What are your experiences?

I'm so glad we are going this year to the Southern Caribbean out of San Juan, because this time next year Carnival has the Fascination scheduled. Quite a bit smaller!

Me too! The Fascination would be a deal breaker for me but I understand why it doesn't matter to some due to the ports. This wouldn't be the first port that Carnival gave up on competing with newer and bigger ships. See Port Everglades.

Thanks.. I went with the Condado Plaza. I was leaning that way and your points made the decision easier for me :)

I've been doing some research on this for my upcoming trip in October. It seems that people seem to enjoy Ropa Vieja or Casa Lola for dinner and Hacienda Don Jose for breakfast.

Hope that helps!

I have a cruise in a few weeks and had made a reservation at both the Condado Plaza Hilton and Embassy Suites. The only difference is breakfast is included at the Embassy Suites and Condado Plaza is about $15 cheaper.

We will only be staying the night before our cruise.

Which would you choose?

Victory to Miami in November 2016 and Fascination to San Juan.

I think you'll be OK but you never know. I was cruising solo on the Paradise last summer and they seated me with two families of four. I definitely felt like the odd man out. I now make sure that I get My Time Dining on my solo cruises.

I hope carnival doesn't pull out, I hope to sail them out of Texas at some point

 

 

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Carnival isn't pulling out of Galveston any time soon. They recently went "all in" with plans to move some popular ships there such as the Liberty and the Breeze in addition to the Freedom just repositioning there earlier this year.