McDebbie

On the Dawn 16 day the pass started at $199 but we did not go until about 4 days in to the cruise and they brought it down to $119. Of course they did not sell out for that cruise, not sure why because there were lots of sea days and it was cold.

We are looking to change from our Aft. suite to a SD in Jan. the cost is near the same, any guess on the best one to pick? we don't want a balcony that has odd shapes to it, from what I have seen is the 2nd and 3rd cabins from the front look the best.

Depends on if you want a bigger room or bigger balcony. If you booked directly with NCL they have the sq feet for each. The balcony's were biggest for 12522 and 12022 but not sure how much smaller the suite is. I think there is like a 20sq foot range.

Thanks for the pictures! We will be on in 45 days in cabin 12022 and can't wait.

Thanks for the pictures, we are in 12022 this October and looking forward to those double sinks in the bathroom. :)

Thanks for all the great ideas and links. We have a 16 day cruise from Quebec to Tampa so multiple temp variations this October. I don't think I can do a carry on but hoping for one checked bag for both DH and myself.

Keep the suggestions coming!

P.s. I love and only wear crocs! Not closed though, only the sandals. Check them out, the sandals are really cute.

Only the sauna and steam rooms are seperated by sex correct? (Dawn) Would like to spend some time with DH in the whirlpool if it is not too crowded.

I've never seen many kids in September or October either. And because it is still hurricane season the prices tend to be lower.

So glad the surprise worked out!

Nice 1st day review! I had no idea about getting the lobster tails in the suite, will remember that for October!

I saw the pictures on your other thread, I really prefer the aft balcony but think I will keep the sd suite for the bathroom and all the space. Hope you all are having a great time. Take pictures of 12022 if you get the chance! ;)

You guys are great, thanks for the info, we switched to 12022. Hopefully it will be far enough away from the pool so we don't hear alot of music. Although Canada/New England in October may not have a lot of pool music. :D

Uh oh we booked 12530 thinking it was bigger!! Should we move? Still lots open for our Canada cruise. Which would be best and where did you see the pictures YouTube?

Great pictures, thanks for posting. Glad I ate lunch before looking at them though. :D

Also a good tip, put the bench at the end of the bed underneath the desk/counter that is across from it. It gives you so much more room. After bumping in to it 4 times, I finally figured that out.

I second that, we did that on the Pearl after hitting too many shins. Not sure why it is even there.

Congrats on your marriage and so glad you had a great time! Great review and great pictures! I wonder if Virginia is the same Virginia we had on Sky two years ago? She was the best!

The first night they expect that some people will not have their luggage in time for the dining room so just about anything (except for bathing suits) will be permitted in the Carnival main dining rooms. Or a chain mail dress, look it up, she was turned away. :eek::eek:

I always bring a beach towel from home but it is a light weight almost treadbare towel, nothing worse than lugging those big old heavy towels around a port. But then, we do other things than the beach so if all you are going to do is the beach then skip the towel.

Don't worry too much about what is posted on these boards, they are great guidelines but only about 10% of cruisers ever visit here. The rest of the people on your cruise will not even know as much as you do!

great review, only got through the first day so far and must get back to work. Thanks for all the details, I believe I am ready for Hawaii also in 2013.

But you are probably better off saving for $200 and using it for cash back. Then booking everything on your NCL card onboard. $200 OBC is 20,000 points... $200 cash back is 20,000 points. Get the cash back and charge/spend that $200 onboard and you'll get more points that way.

Ah, I think I get it now, wasn't sure why you would think $200 cash back would be better than the $200 OBC. So I cash it out, apply the cash to my NCL CC, charge another $200 on board (which has already been "paid" by the cash out) and I get 400 points (double points) for my on board costs?

Good point about prepaying the excursions with the NCL card also. And would that also work with the tips? Still double points? Sorry if this has been asked before.

We prefer to sail on NCL and CCL but must agree the "class" on HAL's promanade deck is superior. You can't beat the teak deck chairs for feeling like you are really on a cruise liner.

I looked for you! :D We were out on the balcony until after the navy yard which was pretty cool all lit up. There are some mighty fine homes along there, we picked out a few for when we win the lottery. Thanks for thinking of us.

thanks again so much, we decided on the balcony cabin on the side instead of at the front thanks to your pictures. We are star board and will probably see you if you are taking pictures 2/28 but since this is grandboys first cruise I think we will be up on deck for sail away. Hey, maybe we will get a picture of YOU taking pictures of US. :D

I am so glad you started posting these pictures. We are taking grandboy on his first cruise 2/28 on the 5 day and I have been going round and round about the cabin. There are supposed to be balcony suites on the deck over the bridge in the front, some with obstructed balconys and some not. From your pictures it appears even the unobstructed would not meet wth DH's approval. Do you happen to have any other shots close to the front that show those balcony cabins? The only reason I really liked them is that they are on the same deck as Camp Carnival.

My DH loves to go to Port Everglades and take pictures of the ships going out. He doesn't get on CC but I will have to start posting some of his shots to the roll calls. They are not good enough/close enough to ID any one person but they would be fun to have.

Thanks for all the info in you review, I am going back and re-reading everything to get Plan B ideas. Just in case.... :D

Orthonurse, come join our roll call. We have some Florida people, some from England and some from Austraila! Here is the link

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1044909

Suzy, hope you feel better soon.

A newbie stands in the first buffet line they come to instead of looking around to see if that is even the line they want to be in. (poor DH STILL does this) Every cruise I hear "oh, I didn't want salad"

After losing my S&S card in a slot machine I do wear the lanyard to the casino, that way I can't walk off without my card. I prefer the coil type things though.

great review, I am following right along.

I hate to jump ahead but noticed you had the Behind the Scenes notice, did you take that tour? We are not sure what to do now since it is on St Kitts days, we wanted to take the railroad but the only railway tours are at 8:30 and 10:30 so it doesn't seem we can do both. :(

We only use point and shoot cameras so this might be way out of our range. I would like to get some tips about lighting, posing, etc but maybe we should look elsewhere for that?