AwesomO

I'm guessing no, but has anyone come across the roll out schedule for the different ships?

I don't think it's hard to say no lounge-wear or athletic wear. That would take out shorts like basketball shorts and sweat pants. they can also throw in the old standard "finger tip length or longer" dress code that all of us ladies had to deal with when we were in school (in the US). I personally don't care, but it just doesn't seem like rocket science to me if they actually wanted to go that route. but I think they don't care that much either.

the future is here 😂

hotel rooms are larger than a cruise ship. When we travel as a family, we do our very best to keep things tidy and not make extra work for housekeeping. We have definitely noticed the decrease in housekeeping in a hotel. We don't need sheets every day, or new towels every day, but it's very helpful to have them come in and clear out the trash (that we make sure to gather up and fit as much as we can into the small trash cans) and work their magic with all the little odds and ends that a busy parent can't get to as we hurry out the door for our next planned activity. A cabin on a cruise ship is much smaller and keeping it even tidier than a hotel room is absolutely key. Again, I don't expect stewards to clean up after us like we're animals who forget how to pick up a towel or throw trash into a can just because we are on vacarion, but a little bit of tidying and helping us prepare sleeping arrangements (and tidy them up afterwards) goes a long way, much more so than in a hotel room where I might have two full beds, a couch, a table, and a large dresser and closet to spread out our "mess." Part of the appeal to a vacation in a hotel or on a cruise is not having to "clean up" for a week. It's the closest thing a mom (and dad) gets to a break! I am not a frequent cruiser. We will be going on only our 2nd cruise, that we booked almost 2 years ago during COVID lock down burnout. To us, this vacation is a big deal as we don't get to do these things often. We're usually a camping kind of family because thats the kind of vacation we can afford (no complaints!). It's just kind of a let down that so many things keep changing. If I could go back and do it over, I'd probably pick a land based resort. But we're past final payment now. We're still excited, and we're going to be happy to be on vacation otherwise. I still dont have to cook or do laundry. But it's just lost a little bit of luster since we first booked (and not just because of this).

They're not the leader in this, at least. RCL started it first

not sure about a cruise, but hotel rooms tend to have a little more space to move around which helps. but besides the couch, the Pullmans especially seem more annoying. We didn't need it on our last cruise, but our family used it in their inside room and it was very tight in there while it was down. Sheets day for my kids' bunk bed is one of my least favorite chores, so not excited to deal with that on vacation. it's not a deal breaker, obviously, and other cruise lines are making similar changes. But I think it's fair to feel a little annoyed about it, particularly as all the little changes here and there keep adding up.

this is going to be a little annoying for those of us using the extra beds- couch or Pullmans. means they'll either set it up or put it away, but not both.

AA and United has placed price caps on flights to/from some of the impacted cities. might be worth it to check prices again. I generally love SW, but I wouldn't fly them this week if I really, really needed to get somewhere.

Has anyone used the splash academy with their children? I'm curious what kind of activities they have available. I'm not keen on it, but I'm thinking we may need to bring our Nintendo with us (I know, I know. the controversy). But my kids are 5 and 9, and with the Gem having less entertainment amenities, and the potential for extra sea days (we have 4 already) since we're sailing out of NYC in February, just feel like I may need to come prepared.

As much of a bummer it is to be missing two ports, I'd definitely prefer hanging out in NYC than trying to sail through this crazy weather. good luck! hopefully it's smooth sailing once you do depart.

Happy to be mistaken that the Encore has visited at leastnonce since March. Not sure how many more times that was the case. Too bad it's not easier information to find.

The Escape was damaged when trying to leave Taino Bay back in March of this year. Yes, it was winds that caused the issue. But since then, none of NCL's larger ships have gone to Taino Bay. In my own research, the only NCL ship I have confirmation of stopping there since then has been the Sky, one of their smallest ships. Every other DR visit has been into Amber Cove. Not sure why you are so adamant that it's the weather keeping NCL out of Taino Bay when there has been months of evidence that NCL is avoiding Taino Bay with its larger ships.

the port NCL uses in Puerto Plata can't handle the large NCL ships so they've had to use Amber Cove. but Amber Cove can only handle 2 ships and is owned by Carnival, so they get dibs. This is been a reoccurring issue that is not at all difficult to predict. 2 Carnival and Co ships scheduled in port, NCL isn't going to stop there. Not weather related at all, nor is it "unforseen"

that will be fun! it's a fun show! Not super appropriate for little kids, but they'll probably adapt it for a cruise

I hear you, I do. My February itinerary just had several changes (Cancelled Grand Turk and St Maarten, and added Puerto Rico and Bermuda, neither of which I'm interested in sailing to, as I also have kids and wanted easy beach itineraries) and DR is another scheduled stop that may or may not happen. So at this point, it's really not even the same cruise. It's frustrating, but we're past final payment so nothing I can do. It's been booked for 2 years now. Even if I could cancel/reschedule, nothing is in that same price bracket for a holiday week at this point in time. It's not right, but NCL has made sure they can't be held financially liable for these changes.

I'd check the school schedule for the schools closest to the port you're looking at and then guess there would likely be at least slightly more kids on that cruise.

but it also says "at any time." Ships have tried to come in to port and have had to turn away last minute because waters are too choppy. The list is just way too long to list all potential reasons why a ship may not be able to make it to their scheduled stops within any given time frame. Some can be predicted, some can't. But their terms of services covers it all. Am I saying I agree with how they handle these things, particularly in cases like DR when they know they won't be able to make it weeks, if not months in advance? No, absolutely not. I just don't think there would be anything there legally because of the terms of service. But maybe there's a lawyer out there who would take it on 🤷‍♀️

not sure if you'd have anything to stand on since terms of service explicitly says ports can be changed at any time for any reason.

I'll be sailing out of NY that week in February with my family (as Im also a local teacher with the week off). On our sailing, a lot of the cabin categories were showing sold out when I checked about a week ago, and prices have really jumped. I expect a very full ship.

I was wondering the same about the bath mat, or if one can be requested. My kids need one at home. I'll pack one if we really need it, but would be great if they could provide one

I don't think cruise mapper differentiates the listing between Taino Bay and Amber Cove. both are in Puerto Plata and I don't see a separate listing just for Taino Bay. So theoretically, there could be 2 scheduled for AC and 2 scheduled for TB, but with TB seemingly out of commission (at least for NCL), may as well assume NCL will get the boot from the schedule

Neither Amber Cove nor Taino Bay have any ships posted on their website calendars after January 2023. Hopefully it gets updated soon and we have a better idea of realistic expectations.

I think it also depends on the ship you choose. The smaller ships don't seem to get the more acclaimed shows.

Yes, I knew about that incident. But I don't think Taino Bay has been sitting empty since March. I believe ships have stopped there, but I'm not sure if any have been from NCL. Has the new dredging actually been started? Our DR day has been rescheduled with the new itinerary and currently 2 Carnival ships and the NCL Escape are due on our new DR day. It just doesn't sound good. I really don't want Nassau or GSC. We already replaced Grand Turk with Bermuda (in February 😭) and St. Maarten with Puerto Rico. I'm running out of ports to look forward to. And the Gem, while a nice ship, isn't exactly a destination in and of itself, particularly with young kids. Anyway, I'm just whining now. Hopefully we get some further reports about Taino Bay soon.

does anyone know when's the last time a ship has gone to Taino Bay? I'm hopeful that maybe some of the smaller ships are docking there more easily than the big ones... 🤞 I booked a February 2023 Grand Turk and DR cruise two years ago and Grand Turk (and St. Maarten for unknown reasons) were removed a week ago, and if DR gets removed too, it will be just a huge bummer. Theres 4 ships scheduled to be in port that day, from my knowledge, so it doesnt look good if Taino Bay isnt being used. I know it is what it is, but just sucks to look forward to a cruise for two years and then its basically not at all what you even booked because of all the changes. I know it could be worse, don't book for the ports, etc., etc.