McDebbie

I can't get 2 days out of a top in the Caribbean, just too much sweating. So I normally wear a specific tank top to dinner and then wear it during the day the next day or day after. 2 wearings but not both daytime.

I pack

3 shorts 2 tanks for each pair (6 tanks)

1 bathing suit bottom, 2 matching tops 1 coverup

2 dress pants (sometimes only one) and 2 matching tops for NCL night out

1 lounging/sun dress for cabin/balcony and trips to buffet

2 nightgowns 1 robe and 7 panties 3bra's (don't wear them much with the bathing suits) And any specialty undies for dress clothes

Try to only pack 3 shoes at the most and wear either sneakers or walking sandals. If we have a Behind the scenes tour planned most of them require closed toe shoes, otherwise I would not bring sneakers.

We get free laundry so we wash undies and nightclothes but not much else.

My BIG problem is DH"S size 11 shoes, there is just no way to pack light with those suckers. :D

I love Mousey's comment and was that way for many cruises. I just got sick and tired of packing it all and unpacking it all on the ship and then that last night spending time packing when I could be enjoying the cruise. That was a killer. Now it all justs gets thrown in the suitcase at the last possible minute. :p

Ant, you will be on our cruise! We have gone @ 4 times now and will probably go again since DH loves it. We normally go about 10am and stay until 2pm. We have always gone to Sunset Bar but as the others said it gets very crowded and the beach is very small now so we thought about trying the bar on the entry side (not sure of the name)

Last time we went it was $7.00 per person each way and the van/cabs are lined up past the shopping area, you can't miss it. Same with coming back, there are plenty of vans coming around to pick up passengers.

DH always gets one of those t-shirt/hat combo's, I think they are $20? Could be $25 by now. But he likes them and they have held up well.

Only other thing I can think of is the internet package. We normally get a nominal package to check on our parents but if you don't need to check in you can disregard that and just get online at the ports.

thanks dont-use-real-name :D, that list is similar to the one that was posted with September 2014 prices.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2096060&page=2&highlight=bar+setup

I'm going to give it another shot tomorrow. As we all know, different days often offer different responses.

On hold (20 minutes now) trying to order bar set up for Getaway cruise leaving 10/18. They are trying to add a 15% tip to the bottle and not charge the $3.00 service fee. The lady and her supervisor are telling me it has "always" been added. Which we all know is incorrect.

They spouted something about prices are always subject to change and now the tip will be added and not the service charge. If anyone has ordered TODAY (not yesterday or last week) please let me know your experience. I declined the order and advised them I would be contacting other NCL staff.

Excellent Disney advice here, I have stopped going with the grandkids because I can't stand the crowds. Will try some of these tips next time.

Xpto, we warned that Downtown Disney does get packed also during busy times. But at least it doesn't close.

We're on in 3 weeks, can't wait to hear how it went for you.

Thank you for clearing that up. I don't think it would be worth it for the Breakaway or Getaway but for the other ships it might.

Mine was hacked the other day so watch your charges. I only use it for cruise deposits, pay off and then on the cruise so it hasn't left my house for almost a year. I am thinking somebody in the travel agents office or NCL has hacked.

It looks like many of the posters are only thinking about the original Croc's and have never noticed the cute sandals and deck shoes. You probably walk by people wearing those on every cruise and never even know they are Croc's. Check out the web site or a store before classifying them all as "ugly".

Got a pair of 3 inch red high heeled sandals at the Croc's store today, so so cute. And so so going back - my high heeled days appear to be over. Walking in the living room was bad enough, can you imagine on the ship after a drink or two? :D I usually buy mine at Shoebuy but the Croc's store had buy 1 get 50% off the second pair. Not sure how long the sale lasts but if you have a Croc store close to you check it out.

Following along, we may be going in April - or we may not depending on how this review goes. :D

I suspect some of the super schmoozing (free wine, multiple daily visits) is probably directed at the highest suite levels. I have no problem with that as the service level should rise with the expense.

I would have to agree with this. She was great when we were in the Owners Suite on Sky but not so attentive when we were in the SD on Dawn. And I did hear her speak rather sharply to one lady at disembarkation on the Dawn. And she always speaks to my husband more than me - like he's the one that's going to be tipping. hahaha I don't think he even knows how much I give them.

Our October Getaway cruise will be the first one where we will NOT be in a suite since 2005. It's a little scary and I keep watching the prices but the only suite that has a balcony as big as the regular aft balcony is more than twice as much. It's the first cruise we will be Platinum though so I am hoping the perks will make up for it. I do think we will really miss the Haven breakfast and lunch but that did get old after a few days. I'm sure we will enjoy it anyway.

Great review, can't wait to read the rest. We will be going in October and starting to get excited.

We were notified by phone (robo call) when our Sky cruise was rerouted a few years ago. I would check your contact info and make sure your cell phone is the first number listed as they called our home phone. Luckily we live within driving distance so we were still home. It was almost 24 hours notice so we had plenty of time to plan other excursions but I think that amount of notice is rare.

Happy Honeymoon!

We've been in 8130, 8132 and 8134 all at the back. The bowling alley bothered us during the day if we were trying to take a nap but the nightclub never did. You are far enough forward that I doubt either will bother you. That bump out section below you is the bar and the entry area so no music will be right underneath. And if you are going to Alaska there is not much activity there at night because everybody is tired.

Enjoy!

I'm a smoker and would love to quit but haven't done it yet. The thing that bothers me the most is the time line. We have Getaway booked for 10/18, what if NCL suddenly said "no smoking on balconies after 10/09" ?? The people who fly already have their airfare and hotels booked so they are screwed. I'm not going to debate if it is good, bad or ugly but I think they could have been more respectful of their CURRENT customers and given at least a 6 month warning that it was going to happen. I think those that are royally pissed have a point, don't make a change like this when the customer already has all their plans in place. This change couldn't have waited until 1/01/15??

I would have a $$ amount in mind and the ability to go up or down from there. In our experience we have received much better service on the smaller ships (Sky) than the larger (Pearl) and ended up tipping more for a 4 day cruise then we did for a 7 day. We start with $5 pp per day for the butler and $10 pp per day for the concierge. One time most of the money went to the butler and very little to the concierge. We don't have parties or anything like that in our cabin which would increase the the normal amount of work they do.

I have a feeling that most of them will be very happy with what ever you give them. Remember, most cruisers aren't on CC and if they book a suite I'm not sure if they even know the butler and concierge are not included in the DSC.

Hm, I need to try some of that math on DH. This next cruise on the Getaway will be the first time we haven't had a suite and I'm not sure I can stand it. Can't wait to see if you thought it all was worth it.

Can't wait for the rest!

So glad the surgery went well. We love Bayside and luckily can go often, I admire your restraint in your menu options. Can't wait to hear how you did the rest of the week.

Love Charlotte by the way, we fly into there often when visiting the kids in Columbia SC.

Looking forward to more.

Thanks for the dining review. We had already decided not to get it because we get 2 free dinners in Le Bistro but the tip about the Tropicana Room is good.

Oh, and we love Conch Fritters in Nassau. I do not beleive they had free wifi when we were last there but I don't think we checked for it. Good to know.

Great review, I can't wait to go in October.

Uh, so sorry about the start of your cruise in FLL. I have to say that I hate that K-mart with a passion (my work is the next exit down on 95). I wish there was an area that we could post "do not go" warnings. :D

Loving the rest of the review, just finished Day 2. Thanks for all the pictures, can't wait to go in October.

Oh, and those emails with the $149 rates are really few and far between. And crappy rooms at that rate and you have to go within the week. So don't leave Columbus for 99 degree FLL weather - just saying... (originally from Akron)