suz1607

Exactly. In addition, I am sure there are many passengers annoyed by the fact that they played by the rules and left their beloved pets at home. I've spent hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars boarding my pets over the years while I've traveled. I would have much rather brought a dog along with me at times, but I played by the rules.

I too think this may be the case. We just boarded our "4-legged son" while we were on a HAL cruise for the last few weeks. It is very costly! He would have enjoyed being with us and we would have enjoyed having him. I know for a fact that the "papers" are easy to get as I have a neighbor who has done so. The owner seems to have to also have a "feeling of entitlement" [ie. front row on bus, etc.] which can cause other passengers to resent her. Put all this together and you have a situation like this waiting to happen! My only thought is that HAL should perhaps monitor more closely.

I must say this has gotten absurd! The more cruise lines restrict smoking the more complaints I read about smokers! It is about to turn me off of even reading cruise critic --- thanks for having only one thread which I can avoid if I want! The whole situation has almost become a power play. I know smoking is not good for anyone --- smokers and non-smokers alike --- but many other things are like that. I have cruised happily for 50 years. Guess that was back in the time when people were just happy to have a vacation and did not try to regulate what everyone around them did. Kind of reminds me of what I read about prohibition in the 1920's. Just getting this off my chest --- and am sure I will get flamed!

Yes, we were just there last month and there was way more than enough for the 2 of us! As I remember, we had 3 dips, Dorita type chips and fresh fruit. If the water is rough or the wind is strong be sure to go over to the lagoon!

As a many time repeat cruiser on both NCL and HAL they are both wonderful ---each in their own way.

HAL has the best itineraries, MDR food, sometimes shore excursions and more day activities that interest me. NCL has the best suites and suite service of any cruise line afloat including those that are much more expensive, best night entertainment, best casinos and casino service, and best specialty restaurant food. Please realize that this is my informed very subjective opinion!

I do smoke so balcony smoking is important to me. We have sailed HAL for years and intend to continue!

Yes, I have never been bothered by balcony smoke in over 100 cruises! This issue has become a "cause celeb" for too many people!

Just cancelled 3 cruises [ a total of 35 days] so you all non-smokers have at least 3 more lovely suites to choose from! Enjoy!

Knowing how much many of us love this area and being concerned for passenger and crew safety, NCL has,I understand, bought an island off the coast of Belize. This "new" private island will allow the cruise line to control security while passengers enjoy this lovely part of the western Caribbean. I suspect that this "new" port will replace 1 or more of the current port calls in the area. Not sure whether this has been officially announced yet.

Meanwhile, and more importantly, our prayers and thoughts should focus on Jacob, his family, friends and fellow crew members.

I have been on 3 cruises since Jan. and all points were calculated on the last night. As VIP I only am comped mini -suite so am not sure that a change to Golden will mean much!

As we did this excursion recently , I will try to answer.

Yes, there is a point you can use your camera. It is unlike and better than any "swim with dolphins excursion" I have ever done. Do not know about their pictures as others in family checked that out. Did not need water shoes at any time. Yes, they have showers lockers and changing rooms. No one in our group changed as we just were going back to the ship. I would recommend that you take advantage of the swim vests as water is over your head and that allows you to relax and interact with dolphins. Snorkeling is good even if there were no dolphins present. All in all an excellent excursion!

They will let you use the deck 14 door to return to your cabin, if you ask but you have to go into the spa thru deck 15 entrance so that they know you are there!

Just want to also mention that I don't know if it's technically allowed or not up there. I've never noticed a smoking or no smoking sign and I've never noticed ashtrays. I guess people just ask the CY butler for an ashtray.

Just returned from Jewel's Haven and was told I could smoke on the sundeck to the right as you come up the stairs. Butler will bring you an ashtray or you can bring the one up from your balcony. I am not sure the sundeck is always open. You would need to check on this.

I heard that NCL bought an island off the coast of Belize. Wonder if that will be the Banana Coast stop? "They" say the island should be ready this year.

Epic already has a lounge chair on the balcony and Getaway has room for one but just barely. You have to ask room steward to bring one and tip him nicely!

I have cruised on all these cruise lines and am a late comer to NCL. That being said, once I found NCL, although I have been on the newer ships on other lines, I find I am happiest with the freedom to do what I want when I want that NCL offers. The only reason that I sail any other line is for a new itinerary or ports that NCL does not offer. I have to believe that the people who voted have never had the good fortune to join all of us on a NCL cruise!!!!

Have done both --- choose the Breakaway --- wonderful new ship with better service and entertainment. The food in the MDR is not as good but NCL's specialty restaurants are better. Enjoy Bermuda and be sure to go to St. Georges!

I hope NCL creates some new itineraries for the smaller ships --- all over the world. We now cruise NCL because we prefer to due to ships, service, etc. but have to switch to HAL for itineraries that we have not done.

Have a great cruise and get her ready for us next week!

Yes you can book back-to-back but each has to be based on play from a different cruise or at least that is what they told me when I just booked a back-to-back.

I would chose NCL over HAL for this cruise because of the diverse ages and "freestyle" atmosphere of NCL. True NCL dining room food is not generally as good as HAL but NCL's specialty restaurants are much better. NCL's entertainment is much better! As a plus you do not have to carry dressy clothes for all the children or adults either, unless you want to. My children and grandchildren have sailed on RCL, NCL and HAL and all prefer NCL. I just returned from HAL and was very disappointed in the attitude and service of some of the crew - have never encountered this on NCL. Basically, I sail HAL for itinerary and NCL when I want a fun, relaxing cruise with family!

Be sure to cut off your data roaming service when at sea!

We were on the same cruise. Boarding and disembarkation were the worst I have ever experienced! Not sure I will go through Fort Lauderdale again because the airport was a zoo, as well. richarduk is correct on all points. From now on I will cruise HAL for the itinerary and not expect it to be the HAL that I knew and loved. Otherwise it is back to NCL for us!!!!

We cruised on a Viking river cruise this Fall and the food did not compare with HAL. In fact, in all my cruising experience [over 100 ] I have never been served food that was as consistently unappealing and I don't consider myself "hard to please". They even ran out of most German foods the day they served the German buffet! Based on just this one experience, I could not recommend Viking to anyone.

Just off Sojourn --- my understanding is the "new-build" will have an additional deck and be "similar" to the Odyssey class but not exact. May have some new features.

Jade, I think.