JLBKL

Thanks so much! Yes, $150 (American) (I'm Canadian, but paid it in U.S.)

Email is jlb10@wcgwave.ca

Thank you

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Hi all, my kids and I went on our first cruise last year (FABULOUS!!) and I bought the Cruise Reward, to be used by April 2018.

I can't see me using the reward anytime soon as I have a son who was accepted into university next month and a daughter graduating in two years - so life will be busy and expensive for me and they won't be able to (or want to?!) travel with their mom, I'm sure!

Anyway - is this transferable, can I sell it to someone, is anyone interested? How do I go about doing this, while there is still lots of time left for someone to use it? I don't even know where to start!

Thanks for any advice - much appreciated! :)

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As others said, yes it's open. We sailed on Sky and got there early to get on ship as soon as possible, and we headed to pool deck and to the outdoor buffet and got a table outside no problem and enjoyed eating and watching the action around the ship and the port, great experience! Then headed to the pool area and relaxed and enjoyed until rooms were ready.

You'll have a great time, we sure did! I did a review if you're interested. Not sure how to post a link though! (It was Sky - A Newbies review or something like that.

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Thanks for the review! We very much enjoyed the Sky as our first ever cruise, this March/April! We loved everything about it, what a great introduction to cruising! It gets you hooked for sure!

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I laminate the tags and then use a plastic cable tie. Never have had a problem.

Exactly what we did; laminated, hole punch, cable tie. Worked like a charm!

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I'm new at cruising, just had my first one. I don't know the ins and outs and I'm not sure if what happened to us is what everyone refers to as an upgrade? Please let me know if we got lucky, or if this is normal and we didn't get anything special! (Just curious for next time!)

We booked a guarantee inside cabin on website (about 4 months from sail date). I called NCL to ask questions a month or so later, and she told me my cabin was assigned. Ok great, so she was showing me where to find it on the ship map, and she said oh that's not a very good room, and did you know the prices have dropped, I think we can do better. She came back on, and said they could give me an ocean view on a much better deck if I like, no extra charge. Sounds great to me! She then told me to check back and keep eyes on prices and always ask if anything is available for OBC or upgrades.

I then called again with more questions about a month out from sailing and decided to ask if anything available, and I was told I could choose $50 OBC or I could upgrade to a balcony cabin for $30 each (three of us). I totally did the $30 each and had an amazing room!!!

So I'm not sure if I got a good deal or I got hosed, but I know I was very very happy, and I know my next cruise they will have me paying balcony fees for sure, as that was amazing!

So by giving me that, they will make more money from us, as I really loved the balcony and I can't imagine not having one now!

So experts, I would love to know, is all that considered upgrades or not really, just out of curiosity?!

Thanks! And good luck for your upgrade and have a great trip!!

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Hope this worked attaching them! My kids (14&16) realllly enjoyed! Met lots of great kids, had a blast! Highly recommend going first night for the initial meet up and get to know others and then they can pick and choose activities later as they wish!

Have fun! If you have specific questions, ask away, and I'll ask the kids for answers!

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Hi, I've got some pictures of the teen club ones from early April, if you like. Not the best photos (they ran out of copies so we took pics). I'll track them down and post them!

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I brought a letter from my kids father (my ex) and it was notarized. I got asked for the letter at US customs when we entered the states (we are Canadian) and at security at the port when we checked in and again at customs coming off the ship.

I would think a letter from the mother would be enough.

When my son went to states with a friends family, I signed a letter of consent but it never crossed my mind to have it also signed by his father too (he was well aware he was going, it just never dawned on either of us that we both should sign), there was no concern at border with just my permission.

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We were on the Sky, got to our hotel around 11:30/noon disembarkation day, hotel checked us in no problem even tho check in was 3:00, I believe; there are usually empty rooms ready and available. There were 2 other families who came from Port on same shuttle and we all got our rooms early.

If nothing else, I'm sure they would hold your luggage securely and you could go check out your surroundings for an hour or so!

Enjoy!!

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Just had my first cruise a few weeks ago; I WAY over packed...! Didn't listen to the experts on here who said to "pack light, you'll never wear it"! They were right!

Handiest thing someone suggested was magnet clips for important documents, tickets etc to post on your wall out of harms way from loss or spills!

All these seasoned pros definitely know what they are talking about and prepared me VERY well for my first cruise! And they are so very correct, be prepared to fall in love with cruising as it instantly became an addiction and I can't wait for the next one!

My only advice, make sure you slow down and enjoy every second of every day, it goes by WAY too fast! Have fun!!!

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I don't know if they differ from ship to ship for prices, but I was told if anyone will drink more than 4 pops a day (which seems like a lot but wasn't in the end), then it's worth it. I pre purchased package for my kids and bought that package for me before we left Miami, was definitely worth it, in my opinion. And my kids are not huge pop drinkers generally. But it's a vacation, and I didn't want to have to keep tabs on what they were drinking or how much the bill would be at the end. It gave them more freedom. My opinion! Enjoy your cruise!!

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We were on sky couple weeks ago, we took last selection time; choices were:

Walk off with luggage from 7:45-9:00

Then 8:40, 9:00, 9:15. We were in huge long line but it moved fairly quickly to get luggage. Customs was very quick once we had luggage.

We chose 9:15, walked off boat at approx 9:00 though, and our hotel shuttle was picking us up at approx 10:30. We got outside there at about 10:20.

So just over an hour once all was said and done.

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Sunrise in Nassau a couple weeks ago, on our first ever cruise.... What an amazing experience!

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We were on the Sky at the tail end of your American spring breaks (from what I understand), at the end of March. I had been very worried reading threads about behaviour during spring break etc. However, we were very fortunate that we didn't experience this type of behaviour a few weeks ago. There were a group or two of drunk young kids, but from what we saw, they were having fun, and were respectful, and just silly more than anything! They were entertaining with their dance moves, and danced with little kids that came around, and generally didn't bother anyone... It was fun! If something like this video occurred on our ship, then I didn't know about it and I'm glad me and my kids didn't witness it.

We can't judge all "spring breakers" by this group of morons (who look very old to be college kids if you ask me?!). This video is awful, I feel bad for security, certainly more I wish they would have done sooner, but they must have protocol to follow I can only assume. Would love to know what happened to that guy for the rest of the trip...!

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Great review!

 

 

 

Yes, it turns into an obsession. I am on this site daily, reading and learning and passing the time until my next cruise!

 

 

 

We too love NCL and the goal is to sail each ship at least once. The company culture just hits us "right"

Ohhhh it's such an obsession now!! Did they spike my morning coffee while on the ship, or something?! How can I be so addicted already?!!

I think I need to relocate my kids to Miami, so we can live closer to the port! I'm so glad I kept my New Years resolution this year "new year, new adventures"... What an adventure it was!

Can't wait for next time, and there will DEFINITELY be a next time!

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We were also just on the Sky, last week, and saw the comedian Russ Rivas, he was good, did a general family show as well as an adults only show.

I also saw the show: "VEGAS! The Show", it too was good, story of the entertainers over the years in Vegas.

I think there was another show, kind of a singing battle or something, didn't make it to that one.

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Was just at GSC last week, and coincidentally asked myself, how does anyone with wheelchair, walker, scooter, or general issues with walking, even walk to the beach or around island etc?

It was beautiful on the island and the tender process was a piece of cake (not windy at all that day and we went later in morning to void crowds).

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We were on the Sky last week! (Oh how I wish was there right now as the snow is falling AGAIN here!)

The ship was great! It was our first ever cruise, and we are in love! The ship was clean and the staff were beyond fantastic, plenty of choices at buffets, food was buffet food and I thought it was good, and I wasn't cooking! Lots to do for entertainment, casino was great, shows were good! Can always find something to do!

Kids checked out teen club, albeit hesitantly, but in no time made some great friends and had the time of their lives, again, the staff was amazing!

You won't be disappointed. How can anyone be disappointed on a cruise...what a vacation! Have fun!!

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We are sailing in 2 weeks and suppose to visit GSC. Now I'm

Thinking it might not happen :( I've been watching GSC videos on YouTube all month with my kids, they're so excited to go there! Fingers crossed!

 

Anyways, do we need a tender ticket? If we leave later after the crowd dies down do we still need it? My kids are only 3 & 4 yrs so staying out on the beach with the hot sun all day probably isn't a good idea so we're not in a rush to get off.

We were there last week, amazing, kids loved it! We had leisurely breakfast and took our time and watched the tendering from deck and relaxed, then went down and got right onto a tender, way easier than standing in lines or waiting in the theatre, who wants to waste time doing that?! Had no problem at all getting lounge chairs etc going later.

Coming back we left earlier to head to ship to again avoid the crowds and it was easy and walked right onto tender and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon on ship. Perfect!

Have fun! It's amazing!!

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I am speaking for myself. Insult or not, the behavior on ships have declined as the prices have declined.

 

Standing in line at the buffet with a toothless man, smelling like butt, with a stained tank top, using profanity with every other word is not my idea of a fun time. I am guessing, and only guessing that the $499.00 base rate is what attracted this guy and made it possible for him to cruise. This is the same guy you see in line at GS to remove the "service charge".

 

My apologies if what I feel and communicated offended you, but I do not retract what I said.

The $499 base rate allows the rest of us to cruise; we have all our teeth, we don't smell like butt, nor do we use profanity; and I more than happily prepaid the service charges, and in fact tipped some more while on board as the service was outstanding and more than I ever expected.

While yes the inexpensive cruise fare allowed me and my children a once in a lifetime experience, I don't believe we hindered anyone's experience in anyway.

I don't think it matters if it's $499 or $4999; there will always be rude, inconsiderate people regardless of income or background. Unfortunately that's our society today.

When I booked our cruise, I didn't think twice about the prepaid gratuity, I considered it part of the cost of the trip, just like airfare. And all huge extra costs on airfare after the base rate! Whether another cruise line hides it or tells you up front, it's part of their paycheque and they deserve it. Especially after seeing the employees in action, they more than deserve it!!

I would not want to have to put up with some of the behaviour and actions I saw towards the employees, that's for sure! I felt bad for them and I ensured me and my children were extra polite and grateful for what they did for us onboard. It was a dream to be served and looked after like that, and it was worth every penny of the gratuities, in my humble opinion!

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Just added a couple of pictures for my review; I'm sure all you seasoned cruisers are used to sites like these! This was a first and it was indeed mind blowing!

I have not experienced such relaxation and beauty on a vacation before....

I can't wait to sail again, I'm saving my pennies and I sure hope I can make this a regular vacation and keep dragging different people with me to expose them to the cruising world!

I wasn't sure about all you passionate addicted CC members before I went, now I understand! You're not crazy, you're brilliant!

Thanks to everyone who answered all my questions before the trip, this is an amazing resource for new cruisers and returning cruisers. I'm grateful for your assistance and help in making this dream trip come true! Cheers everyone!!

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It was wonderful to read about your first time cruise! You sound like a great mother and I am certain that your children will remember this trip always!

 

 

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Wow... Thank you very much for that :)

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What a great review. That is so awesome that you got 2 upgrades!!! I love your detail and your comparison on the Days Inn and Hilton. We have stayed at both and understand what you are saying. Perfect phrase.

 

We have never cruised before either and are booked on the Sky for this coming November. Glad you loved your first cruise and want to go again!

 

I just checked out the LaQuinta and I think we may stay there as well. Thank you for the recommendation. I had two other hotels I was looking at but this may work out better with the shuttle situation and free breakfast.

 

I am curious since you originally booked an inside cabin, did you happen to go and take a look at one while you were on the ship? We have an inside cabin booked as well purely for economic reasons. I can only hope for an upgrade by the time November comes around :)

 

Hope to be a Norwegian one day myself.

I had a chance to peek across the hall into an inside cabin and I walked back into our room and said to the kids, oh thank goodness we have natural light and a balcony!

I understand your decision fiscally to book the inside room, same reason I had! I will have a window for sure but most likely a balcony next time too; coffee in the morning and a drink at night, it can't be beat. It's definitely my thing, may not be everyone, but I liked the private time and not having to be up on deck all the time to see the water or sunrise!

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Terrific review!! Glad you had a great time. You made a great choice of finding cruise critic before you sailed as well! This site is a wonderful way to educate a new cruiser, turning you from a "newbie" to a "seasoned vet" before you've even stepped foot on the ship! I'm sensing that cruising will quickly become your newest obsession!

 

 

 

Of course, any seasoned vet knows that you will be planning your next cruise immediately upon your return (or sometimes before you even embark ;) ). This is the only way to combat "post cruise depression" :D...So next time, you may even decide to purchase a future cruise credit while you are on board. A $250 credit ends up costing you $150 and can be used toward your next NCL cruise within the next 4 years!

 

 

 

Happy cruising! :)

haha guess what?!! I did book before leaving the ship and have my cruise credit! Can't believe I did it, but I agree, it'll be my obsession! I'm already working on a group of friends to go for a friends 40th bday!

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