ZsaZsa2019

Thanks for the info on the deck balconies! As for Vibe, that's more than I was expecting, so probably going to be a pass from our group. Plus, we are looking at mid March and it would likely be hard to get at this point anyway.

I'm feeling much better about it. All those negative reviews just hit me like a punch in the face, but I've found some good reviews now too. Plus, it has the stops we want. A few questions, as we might be getting closer to booking now..........We are going for a balcony.........do I understand correctly that Deck 10 does not have a water view, but a pool view? I'm not wanting that. Also, how much for Vibe (and do you get that once you are on board)?

That's when we are looking, probably 3/10-17th. I think you are right. Just wasn't expecting to read all those bad reviews on a newer ship.

Finally found a cruise that is ticking most of my ports of call boxes and started to read some not-so-stellar reviews of the ship - small and crowded public areas, crowded pools and no loungers, long lines for food and shows, no seats..........etc. Granted with stops every day on the southern caribbean cruise, there isn't a lot of time to be spent ON the ship, but I don't want to feel frustrated. Kind of would like to stay with NCL becuase of their "free" promotions (mostly the drink pkgs). Other cruise lines were pricing out much higher once that was added. Or am I stressing too much over the ship?

We have done NCL before, last was back in 2019 on the Bliss for Alaska. I believe the "free" offers were the same then, so I think we have the correct expectations. I'm not sure if we will want/need to upgrade the drinking pkg. Seems to me there was a limit and I enjoy my wine with dinner. But that can be figured out.

I did just finally find another post on this topic, and it was helpful. I think I will continue to book directly with the cruise line (if we decide to go) since I don't have someone I'm comfortable working with.

We have been booking our own vacations for years, but we don't do a lot of cruises and it's been a while. Considering one for March, kind of last minute I know. I had heard for cruises it might be best to use a travel agent. I don't have one here locally, do you guys use on line travel agents? I saw you can't post TA names, but just looking for some guidance. I'm currently looking at an NCL Cruise, assuming they keep the "free" promo's going for a few days while we can decide. We are going with another couple.

I know someone that just came back from the Equinox this past week. They cruise a lot and have done Celebrity serveral times in addition to all the others. He said it was very noticeable how much smaller the buffets were this trip. They were told they are cutting back because there has been so much wasted food in the past.

Great, good to know. I would likely do the hold and have all of us book on line as I don't have a TA that I work with. Thank you!

I'm a planner and haven't really used a travel agent in years. I'm starting to look and plan a cruise on Celebrity Reflection for November with two other parties and will need three rooms, preferably close together. Is there a way to do that on line, yet allowing the other two parties to book with their CC and pay? Are people mostly booking on their own, or do they use TA's?

Not new to cruising, but only did it a few times. I'm looking to go the week of Nov 25th 2023 for my birthday, bringing two other couples with us. We prefer a deal on a drink pkg as we enjoy our drinks and I enjoy my wine with dinner. I'm looking at these right now, which would you guys lean towards? Price is a factor, so adding in a drink pkgs looks horrendous to me, unless I'm missing something? Do I wait for a sale, do these guys offer AI pkgs? Celebrity Reflection Nov 25 8 days NCL Escape Nov 25 7 days Princess Sky Princess Nov 25 7 days I did see a Royal Caribbean for that week also, but not sure on them? We cruised them about 20 years ago. Also, should note that our same group did NCL Bliss in Alaska a few years ago, with a drink/tip/etc pkg included in the price. That worked out well for us.