MagnoliaBlossom

Nothing with a heating element is allowed in the cabins, with the exception of curling irons. Etc.   It’s a fire hazard and they will confiscate the item if you bring your own onboard.  It’s a huge complaint of mine against CCL because I love to have a cup of coffee on the balcony each morning.

Only way to find out is do it today.

I’ve been getting that Play n Chill offer for months, every day by email, today I got it as a post card.  Problem is recently it is only for four or five day cruises from LA or Miami.   We have four booked this year through that offer code out of our home port of Galveston and a TA from New Orleans.

lately though Galvestons traffic has really picked up and they are just not there.  😩

Great news.  We will board her on 6/24 for a family cruise, first time on NCL for others so hoping for a good impression.

Interesting article.

We cruise often and bought out shares at rock bottom price during the COVID shut down.  We’ve more than made our money back and still have the goose, laying those golden eggs.  We use it on Princess well as Carnival.  It is good on all Carnival lines.

Thank you all for your comments and photos.  I am a huge fan of chopping, but that serving is enormous!  We have a lot of OBC so we are looking forward to several nice meals.  Based on comments and the menu, I’ve booked two nights at Rudi’s.  We now live in Texas, so we can get excellent steaks anywhere, so this will be a nice treat for us.  

We are Louisiana natives and accustomed to good seafood, although lobster and scallops are outside our area of local product,  hope what is offered is well prepared.

1 hour ago, weezal said:

search for rudi's seagrill

Yes, I have the menus, I was hoping for personal experience .

We will be on the Jubilee in two weeks and the menu for the seafood restaurant has me drooling.  Anyone who has eaten there, can you describe your experience, please?

I don’t know how Princess does it, but when we sail from Galvestonbwe are always on the ship between 10:20 and 10:30.  So nice to walk straight on.

I know they were offering the ant cabin double up offer in February when we were on the Prima.  We booked a cruise onboard and another after coming home before the offer expired.  

Call the casino number and talk to a human.

Recap for late viewers.

1) Go to Military Appreciation area of the NCL page and verify your status via IDMe.  Takes about five minutes.  If you have a spouse, register them, too.

2) the MAP discount will automatically appear on any quotes and bookings in the future,  No one should have to re-verify your status, it’s attached to your profile.

3) if you are travelling with family and they are not military, the veteran can book one cabin and receive a discount, and the spouse of the vet can book the other and receive the discount.

4) We have received an invite for the gathering on every cruise since the program began.

Well said. A very confusing issue for many people.

The peach sangria is very nice and refreshing.  Made with white wine or Prosecco, don’t remember which.

It is not a discount but non-refundable OBC.  Amount varies by length of cruise, anywhere from $50-250 per cabin.  You must have 100 shares and there is no limit on how many times you can use it.  I’ve used it on 1 cruises since we bought it at rock bottom during the shut down.

onlt restriction is, it is not available if you are on a complimentary cruise such as a casino comp.  Very easy to apply for,,

oops I did not see the above post before posting. 🤭

If push comes to shove, go the CN desk and they can help you.  We found the first few days on the Prima frustrating, but once we had the deck plan down, we really enjoyed it.  Hope you will too.

If yyou’re u go through Galveston.com, there is a plethora of good information, including the list of shuttle services that operate from both airports.

56 minutes ago, expectthebest said:

This. Exactly!!!

Its a race to the bottom!!!

 

I did hear through a reliable NCL Insider (and by insider I mean they always book an inside cabin) that NCL was going to offer as part of their free at sea program a “manners at sea” where most of the ships officers will teach you how to act in public spaces on your current cruise. Expect to see the rollout in the beginning of September 2024.

It will be mandatory, right after you check in at your muster stations.  Those who do not comply will be locked in their cabin for the duration of the voyage. 😉

12 hours ago, IAcruising said:

 

Uh, no. They are not.

 

While they are similar, I think NCL has a superior product for OUR tastes.  Better sit down dining options on NCL but there’s a lot to be said for Guy’s and other breakfast and lunch time options.  The buffet is pretty anemic on CCL vs NCL, and night time dining is very limited.  CCLs sea day brunch is quite nice,

As someone said, if you drink more than two mixed drinks per day, you are ahead of the game with FAS.  And NCL even gives you a bamboo straw, not that disgusting' sticky, taste altering candy straw foisted on you by CCL.

we get better casino offers from CCL than NCL, and have more luck.

The loyalty program on CCL pales in comparison to Not even close.  Their most worthwhile perk to us is the priority disembarking in an orderly fashion, usually from one of the MDRs. The Diamond brunch with free drinks and a photo is nice, but doesn’t compare overall to NCL.

now having said all that, it doesn’t stop us from driving to Galveston several times a year to hop on a casino offer special, but if I’m going to pay full price for a ship, it most likely will not be on Carnival.

I am Diamond on both CCL and NCL but find NCL a better fit for us.  Especially for interesting itineraries overseas.  

On 3/27/2024 at 1:12 PM, Sand and Seas said:

I've been watching for a cruise that sails from Galveston and repositions to Miami or other port in 2025 or 2026.    We loved our prior cruise from Galveston to Miami and are doing the same itinerary next month.   

So far, I can't find where Prima or Viva goes after Galveston in 2025 & 2026.

 

This may work for your, Lisbon to Galveston, 15 night, Viva, 11/28/25

On 3/26/2024 at 10:00 PM, amindu said:

Yup, looking for end of May/June.  Hopefully some good ones from Galveston

Afraid you’re out of luck with those dates.  NCL is long gone from the Caribbean by then.

Some are already out, through April, I think.  I booked on the Viva in January.