Morgsmom

I have always had lunch in the DR upon embarkation; really can't deal with the crowds in the buffet then! It is such a pleasant way to start the cruise.

I would love to see a raw juice bar on a ship. We've been juicing for about a year and a half, and I really miss it when I sail.

 

Since you've gone paleo, I would suggest reaching out to the Food & Beverage Director, and see if there is an extractor onboard and how you could go about putting in a standing order for raw green juice. You may not be able to get all of the things you would put in it at home, but I'll bet they'll do what they can to accommodate you.

 

Please be sure to post your experience when you return!

 

TIA

 

;)

I hope to not come across as snarky, but I am sure that some will find this to be so.

As regards above, I know that this would be a request, but going Paleo is a lifestyle choice, vs true allergens that people have. (My daughter has a severe shellfish allergy. We carry an epi-pen and hole up in cabin on the much revered "lobster night".)

To take up the F&B Director's time to see if someone could have special juices made for them seems selfish (again, my opinion). There are multiple thousands of guests to be fed, as well as another 1,000 crewmembers a day. I'd prefer that said F&B director deal with life-threatening allergies/cross contamination issues rather than lifestyle choices. Heck, I prefer organic vanilla almond milk in my cereal but would never in a zillion years expect a cruise line to carry it for me! And if I was eating "all organic" I would not expect a cruise line to only serve me organic food.

Off my soapbox now.

Thanks, everyone!! Looking forward to it now.

Ok, hopefully someone can give me some information... I am looking at a Studio Cabin for my first solo cruise and ALL of the cabins on deck 12 are sold out, while deck 11 is almost entirely wide open. Is there something "better"/more advantageous about being on Deck 12??

Hi everyone,

without violating any rules, can you please let me know if you generally book NCL cruises directly, or through any online agencies? My favorite online service which allows TA's to bid for your services doesn't represent NCL.

Any gentle suggestions much appreciated.

Thank you!

valid all next week, they still have the Allure and the Oasis with only 110% single supplement (mid and late September)-- Balconies are around $850 including taxes! I am thinking that I might go on my first SOLO cruise on one of these itineraries.

Cabin 12165 is nicely positioned on the ship and will posibly have a small amount of shade from the overhang if the sun is very high in the sky, you can see that the shadow is really only affecting deck 13 above your cabin. It has the benefit of only really having one balcony next to it so in that sense is a bit more private.

It is also very convenient for the lifts that go straight down to the MDRs and the Atrium/reception area see the deck plan image below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabin 13170 is slightly shaded by the overhang from deck 14 if you really want the sun then a move down a deck or two would be better provided it is on one of the three humps and if it is on the front hump make sure it has a glass balcony not a metal one

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have no worries at all about the shade from the overhang you just look down on a lifeboat but that's no real big deal. It would be if you were on deck 8.

 

 

Hope this helps everybody.

 

Pete

Oh, phooey, we are in 13150 -- should we move??? Looks like that is an impacted cabin... Getting leery about this whole booking.

We just came back from a cruise with a stop on Curacao. We had a private tour with Natasja from Dushi Taxi and it was REAL fun. She is upbeat, knows her stuff and brought us to many interesting spots. I will post a review of our day in Curacao soon.

 

We really recommend her as a driver, she made our stop unforgettable.

Would you mind sharing how long you went out for and what the rate was?

trying to determine if we should book ahead or not!

Bumping...

So, I know I can pre-book Stingray City for about $45pp... what do people pay at the dock to "fill the boat?" Just trying to gauge what I should negotiate. Thanks!

I looked and today's rates on that TA are much, much more...:(

HI everyone,

I was wondering ... for those of you who got off the boat in Grand Cayman and "negotiated" a trip to Stingray City or a Taxi Tour around the island (vs pre-arranging) what is the best price you have gotten?

Thinking of winging it this time...

I just Googled but couldn't find a contact for Patrice - can anyone provide a website address?

Hi everyone,

Just an update for those adventurous souls. DD (15) and I were in Antigua last week and following the great advice here we easily took the #17 bus out to Nelson's Dockyard and English Harbor. We did not want a beach day after a harrowing riptide experience in Virgin Gorda the day before, so I changed my plans to take the bus to Valley Church and went to the Dockyard instead.

Basically if you took the tour through the cruiseline it was $55; if you got off the ship and asked at the Visitor's Information office they were ferrying folks to buses that would take you for $25 + $7 admission; we went the route of the $3 RT bus...

Just to let you know, we are both petite blondes, well traveled with a normal degree of caution and a bit of "don't mess with me" tough-guy-ness. We felt completely comfortable the entire experience and would recommend the buses in Antigua.

Antigua Bus Routes

#17 - Valley Rd, Joseph's Lane, All Saints Road, Belmont, Clarks Hill, All Saints Village, Liberta Village, Falmouth, Cobbs Cross, English Harbour.

To Bus stop:

From the dock, you walk straight -- Keep going straight to Market Street and turn right. Then it's a short walk and you'll come to a fork in the road where you bear right (there's an enormous sculpture at that fork, you can't miss it). There is also the big public marketplace. Once past the fork you'll come to the bus station on the right. Some posters have described this walk as going through "seedy" areas. If you have ever lived in any metropolitan area or ventured out at all this area is not seedy; it's just 'real life.' Only danger is the uneven sidewalks. I would not recommend for anyone not physically fairly fit/active due to the uneveness of the roads and the fact that it is a good 10+ minute walk.

You do not buy tickets. Just look for Bus # 17 (or your desired route) - the buses are in "slots" with numbers assinged to them. We waited about 10 minutes to leave. We and a German tourist family were the only 'non Antiguans' on the bus. Cost was $1.50 each. The driver wanted payment up front. On the ride back we paid when we got off.

We took a lovely leisurely ride all the way to the last stop at Nelson's Dockyard and wandered around it, and the English Harbor for a bit. Flagged down a returning bus in a matter of minutes and took it back to the bus station. Since you are going terminus to terminus it was super easy. Granted, there was no narration involved, but a lot of scenery and 'real life.' On the ride back we were the only tourists on the bus.

Thank goodness for these boards! Yesterday upon leaving the Pan American pier I found another couple to split a taxi to the airport with AFTER being told by the female "dispatcher" that sharing cabs was not allowed (a big fat lie.)

We found a cab to take the four of us. Couple A was going to US Air (terminal D) and we were going to Spirit (terminal C). Sure enough when the first couple got out the driver demanded $22 from them AND $22 from us. Terminal C was 20 yards away. The man from the first couple went to reach for his wallet at which point I told the driver to pound salt and that all he was getting was the $24 I had in my hand for both of us. The driver got very mad.

Just hold your ground.

Yes, Eastern Itineary on the Emerald... We've been to the Eastern ports before (except Princess Cay) but it's the little Princess things I am curious about. I'd love to do the Captain's Table but I am traveling with my 14 year old DD and doubt that children are allowed.

We've cruised quite a bit, as our signature will show, but other lines (Disney, for example) have entire books of insider tips and tricks.

Anything that we absolutely should know? For example, certain off-menu room service items that they will bring you if you ask? Any other "secrets" or "secret handshake" items?

TA perks can run the gamut from 1) reduced pricing (from the cut in their commission that they take), 2) on board credits (OBC), and 3) stateroom gifts. The latter can be anything from (IMO) useless logo'd trinkets -- a cruiseline beach towel -- to bottle(s) of wine.

For me, the best perk is the best price combined with the best service. If they feel the need to make it even better, a nice OBC is welcome. After that, keep your frames/bags/towels/and coupon books, thank you.

ktcruiser: you are correct! if you board early enough and head to the spa you can ask if they are giving any demonstrations and if they need "models." I happened upon this on the Mariner of the Seas.. I was just wandering into the spa and it was early and the ladies asked me if I would like to be the demonstration model for the $200 Ionithermie "cellulite reducing treatment" (for free). Heck yeah! I had the treatment and laid on a table wrapped in towels and they paraded some tour groups by... did it work? I have to say that I was glad that I did it because I didn't see/feel any difference and was happy that it was not my $200 that I spent!!!

I have also seen folks "model" for tooth whitening sessions and chair massages -- all for free (if you are ok being part of the sales pitch). It's actually kind of fun, and not something I'd do on dry land, but something about being on a cruise makes you loosen your tightly wound self a bit :rolleyes:

We usually choose Late dining, especially in the Caribbean as I just can't stomach dinner while the sun is still shining.. For upcoming Med cruise we are switching to "first" seating, which will probably be 7:30 due to later European standards. Since it will be later in the year and the sun will be down, and we'll be exhausted from port intensive days, an "early" dinner then show might be just the ticket... (Late dinner on Costa can start at 9PM which DD definitely does not want!)

This is a great thread

I guess that I cruise to spend time with my DD (12). In the past years she has been through divorce, remarriage, death of a stepparent, moving as a result, you name it. We don't have a lot of money, but we do have a lot of love. I want to show her things and places and visit them together. We are mini-adventurers. She is the hesitant one (great loss at a young age makes you cautious, I think) and I try to expose her to new, safe travels. (We'll go off the beaten path in Jamaica, for example, but not too far, if that makes sense.) As a widowed/single parent I also enjoy the company and comraderie of cruising -- saying "hello" to complete strangers and "how'd you enjoy the show last night?" It's the sense of being among a group of like minded folks, who all love cruising and "Getting Out There" (apologies to RCI for stealing their tag line) that makes me happy. I haven't really dated since hubby #2's passing (figured I had better not tempt fate) so the re-connection with people outside of the daily school/work/school/home grind is what draws me.

... that, and the frou frou drinks of course :rolleyes: (just kidding)

MN Woman, can you please tell me (if your itineary included Key West) where you docked? (Navy Base or downtown near Duval Street?)

We leave next week, have a regular Oceanview in the non-stretched part of the ship (it was on sale yesterday on a one day Promowave), and while I don't have high expectations after being on the Mariner 3x I am hoping for the best...

Any "must do" advice?:cool:

All of the elevators announce decks in Italian, first, then English... after a week you'll be saying "Ponte due, deck two" like a native ....;) The European atmosphere is infectious!