Linday

I'm glad I ordered before they started adding the 15%. That just pushes the price beyond crazy.

Wow, I'm sending them a note - who can afford $15pp...we're a group of 11 and we have budgeted $25 r/t per cab. They communicated that the taxi fare was $8 - $10 each way. No reference to per person. I've never known a cab to charge pp so I never questioned it. I'll keep you posted.

 

Nancy

I'll be following what you find out. My daughter is the one who was billed $15 pp RT. We are a group of six adults and she arranged transportation with Larry a month or so ago. He just sent her the $92 + invoice (w/ PayPal fees) and I guess in my mind I had been thinking $15 a couple. We are now anxiously waiting to hear about taxi fares from the people who went this week, go next, etc. It's crazy to pay almost as much to travel less than 8 miles as it is to spend the day at their resort.

Linda

I found this list interesting that was posted in 1/2014. It is a picture of brands/prices if you order onboard. There is no Absolute but there is Belvedere and several other vodkas plus brands of other types of liquor - none of which are on the bar set-up list. Perhaps they feel they offer enough options in the bar setup. Sadly for me they must have Makers Mark under the Top Mast Ultra Premium category.

see post #82

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1966071&page=5

Linda

Thanks for the heads up about Island Marketing. Can't seem to find out if it is possible to just pay the deposit with them or do we have to pay the full amount up front.

 

 

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I was automatically charged just the deposit by IM - $13.75 each. FYI - the charge goes through the Cayman Islands and our credit card company charged us a foreign charge fee of 82¢. No big deal...just different.

I booked this week for mid-November with no problem but I also booked through Island Marketing.

In Oct. 2010 we were in 8632 and my daughter and her husband were in 8630 on the Pearl out of Miami. We had absolutely no problems with noise and loved the aft location. We both had a wonderful butler - Jonathan and enjoyed the priority boarding and tendering. We loved the deck 8 as well because it was a quick walk to the Blue Lagoon or right down the stairs to everything on deck 7 right the BL. We've booked the exact same cabins for the Jewel in November.

Edited to add that breakfast and lunch at Cagney's is one of the best perks of booking an NCL suite.

Google : tranquil bay beach resort...we're renting a cabana for the day at this private retreat ... Private owners and they limit guests to 20 for a day pass .... 15 minutes outside of town and we asked the owners to coordinate a cab for us...awesome owners and most helpful...good luck! Yes, park is nice...but u have to enjoy ship excursions :)...the park is closed to the general public when ships are at port...otherwise it's free or a minimal entry fee!

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Is there a cost advantage to having the owner arrange the cab?

I've been unable to find an independent tour for the airboats. I'll be following this thread to see if anyone else replies. We did it through NCL in 05 and it was a lot of fun but I'm hoping for a cheaper price.

We're planning on visiting Texas for Thanksgiving. On a whim, I booked an aft balcony for a Western Caribbean cruise, leaving from Houston the week prior.

 

This afternoon, I was researching a possible upgrade to a mini suite. While looking, I happened across an aft penthouse that was not available during my original booking.

 

I called NCL and they secured the suite for us! I couldn't believe it was actually available.

 

Is this the 11/15 sailing? If so, check out the roll call. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=43552506#post43552506

We'll be in an aft penthouse too but on deck 8 as we needed two next to each other - one for us, one for a DD/SIL. Another DD/SIL will be in an aft balcony one cabin away from us. We loved the cabin and location on the Pearl so we're happy!

A fondue restaurant like The Melting Pot would be fun.

Thanks you two. Your input on your husband and mother really helps.

Thanks!

Even though I won't be able to get suchi (sushi). I just wanted to point out that I'm aware of my typo above. ;)

Is Teppanyaki included in the Ultimate Dining Package? I did try searching before asking but couldn't find my answer. I don't know if Teppanyaki is considered a la carte while I know the suchi restaurant would be.

Thanks...

We planned on going here in Nov. because it sounded perfect and then I read a review about how hard the sand was to walk in. I wish I could remember who wrote the very informative review. Her pictures looked like someone had been trudging through quicksand to get to the water and from what I remember they left the beach and spent the day at the pool instead. My husband has some difficulty walking and usually uses a cane although on most beaches he had no problem walking to the water without one. I'm worried that won't be the case at Nachi.

I definitely don't doubt her review but I've read many reviews here and on TA and haven't seen anyone else mention the sand being difficult to walk in. I don't recall the sand being mentioned at all. Can anyone else share your experience with this part so I have a better idea?

I think you have to be very specific when you ask about drink packages as the UDP package (booze) package must be purchased by everyone but the soda package does not.

This is incorrect...at least as far a pre-ordering. I do not know when this policy changed because my husband used to buy it and I didn't but that is no longer the case. To everyone who keeps telling the OP this (probably based upon their prior experience)...if you have booked a cruise within the last 3 weeks or less, please go to your online reservation and try to order it for one person in your cabin. If you are able to do so I will be surprised, apologize for being wrong and ask NLC to let me do it too.

That is why I never go to the salon--the hard sell on the products. I am always afraid the poor kid will be in trouble if I don't buy something !!

I have heard on many occasions that they are very good at cutting hair.

It was the same way after a facial in the spa. The facial was beyond fantastic...so relaxing, almost hypnotic but all that good feeling left when she kept trying to sell me $100's of worth of products after. It seriously ruined the experience and I won't do another.

I had mine cut on the Pearl 4 years ago and it was a great cut - comparable to the ones I get at Toni & Guy. I had several inches cut off and styled into a bob so it wasn't just a trim. A friend has had her hair cut a couple of times on NCL cruises and was happy each time. My only complaint was him trying to sell me products. A $50 vitamin for my hair???? :eek:

I agree with most of you that the OP should probably cancel and rebook with Carnival. You can't go into a vacation with such negative feelings and hope to enjoy it.

However...if she booked recently she is correct in stating that she cannot pre-order the soda package for just her son and not for the other guests in her cabin. I booked 3 weeks ago and the info below is from my reservation page under the soda package. Both my husband and my name are checked...no way to uncheck either. We buy for both or we buy for neither. Same as the UBP. Now if that is different onboard we have no way of knowing yet.

Adult & Teen Soda Package

$6.50 USD per person per day (Adults & Teens Ages 13+)

$4.50 USD per child per day (Kids Ages 3-12)

Package Includes: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. Unlimited Fountain Soda. The entire cruise must be purchased and is non-refundable. Souvenir thermal mug is included in the purchase of the program. Children ages 3-12 staying in the same stateroom will be required to purchase the Children's Soda Package.

Applicable beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom for the entire length of the cruise.

I have to agree with this. We always fly first class - just refuse to fly coach. Personal preference. I can't imagine what it would be like if they allowed non-first class fliers to board with their family :rolleyes: I can't imagine asking for suite perks for non-suite guests, either. In fact, we nixed the idea of a suite on the Getaway because I knew my parents would not waste the money on a suite on a cruise ship. I just don't understand why the question would even be asked. :confused:

Perhaps she asked because she didn't know the answer??? Everyone doesn't cruise in suites every time (nor fly first class). She didn't assume anything and some people on here have become so snarky if anyone even asks something they don't like. There are always a few who will jump in and act like the OP took time out of their day forcing them to read and reply. What are these boards for anyway? They have sure changed since I spent time here planning my last cruise.

It must depend upon when you booked your cruise. I just booked on 6/20 and I have no options on the soda package - both my husband and I are checked with no way to change it to just one of us.

I want the UBP and he wants the soda package so we won't be buying either. NCL will make less on us since we won't spend the $487 those two would have cost. (He'll bring on his preferred Diet Coke).