JustMe19

17 hours ago, Peachypooh said:

What is it about the Pearl that doesn't appeal to you? We have her booked again in May which would make 4 times. Maybe I can answer some questions. Just so you know the Jade, Jewell and Gem along with the

Pearl are all sister ships.

 

I really can't explain it.  In watching the videos, I really didn't get a good feeling about it.  Like it wasn't the type of ship where I said "oh I gotta get on there" sort of feeling.  Did you ever look at something and know you don't like it but can't really explain why you don't like it?  I know I sound like I am off the wall over here 😞  

On 10/5/2019 at 7:12 AM, newmexicoNita said:

Not meant to be a downer, but remember March is also Spring break time so any ship you take is going to have a lot of families on the ship and are going to be crowded, especially the newer mega ships. As already mentioned the mid ship location will be a bit smoother. that being said, we have sailed in the spring many times and not have a lot of rocking and rolling. We have had rain or cool breezy weather a few times. 

 

For us the ideal ships are the Jewel class ones, not to big but big enough to have activities going on most of the time. 

You're right!  I never thought about Spring Break!!  

On 10/6/2019 at 9:48 AM, texasgirl29 said:

If you are anxious about being at sea, I think you should go with a ship that's more sedate --no water slides, zip lines, go carts. It seems to me that being on a thrill ride 17 stories above the ocean is not ideal. I would look at Celebrity and enjoy dining, entertainment and just relaxing. If you can get idea of what your SO thinks is a good time, that would be helpful. 

 

You'll have to decide if fresh air from a balcony or just being able to see the horizon from a window would suit you. 

 

i would recommend looking at videos on youtube to help you decide. You can see interiors of ships including different kinds of staterooms.

I have been looking at videos and NCL Pearl did not appeal to me at all.  I just didn't get a good feel for the ship. I never thought about the water slides and zip lines.  I am not a fan of either.  I will check Celebrity out, thank you!

On 10/6/2019 at 1:57 PM, Peachypooh said:

My only piece of advice is make it easy on yourself. Cruising out of Bayonne or New York are

within driving distance for you so you won't have to think about flying. Can you push your trip into May? We did

a 5 day Bermuda cruise out of Bayonne on RCL that was great. I suffer from both seasickness and claustrophobia

but have found the magic solution. I always get a balcony to be able to step out and look at the horizon which cures both.

 

Cruising out of Bayonne does sound nice and would probably be less than a two hour drive from my house.  I haven't made any definitive plans as I am still trying to figure out where to go.  If not March, then I was hoping to go in April.  But May wouldn't be bad either, just longer to wait!  Which gives me more time to get bathing suit ready 🙂 

On 10/6/2019 at 10:51 PM, Robinsoncruiseso said:

If you can push the date back a little, look at Virgin Cruise Line. Shorter cruises, brand new ship, over 18 only.

I will check it out, thank you!  Nothing is set in stone yet and I have until Christmas to decide on the destination.  I was looking at Key West/Cozumel. But last night I had mentioned an article I read about Carnival Cruise line having a burst pipe and they were in Cozumel when it happened.  Purposely told him that to "feel" him out and he said he would never want to go to Mexico.  Ugh!

22 hours ago, StormiB said:

You will absolutely feel the waves more in a balcony than in an interior room. So you will need to balance your need for "feeling confined" with visually seeing the water line. We have cruised multiple times and each time I bring sea-bands for our wrists but have never had to use them. You can pick them up at CVS/Walgreen's/Amazon. The only cruise that was very choppy for us was out of NYC this past December, spring is generally been a smoother ride in our experience. 

Thank you!  I will definitely be stocking up on those!!

1 hour ago, smplybcause said:

 

So limiting it to 3-5 days will greatly limit your options ship wise. Except for a few rare exceptions, all the big ships on NCL & RCL are 7 day cruises. You also can't get to the Virgin Islands from Florida in 5 days or less (at least I've never seen a cruise that short head out there). For 3/4 day cruises RCL will have the better ships - they made a big change to shift slightly bigger ships to the 3/4 day routes and amped them. They're a decent size, but a bit smaller than NCL's -Away class (and look like babies next to Oasis, but the -Away class kinda does too lol).

 

Also, you're likely locked into going to the Bahamas - which usually includes the private islands. There might be a few exceptions though since a lot of ships winter in Florida. 

 

BTW - if you cruise to an island and then fly home you'll still have to pay for the entire cost of the cruise. And assuming the cruise ship is ok with it, they'll probably charge you a fee for doing so. 

I am learning I am probably stuck with the Bahamas.  There is a 5 night Celebrity that leaves from Miami and cruises to Cozumel and Key West.  And another ship that is 4 nights from Miami to Cozumel.  But I really don't know anything about Celebrity and they are also running a special with the air right now.

1 hour ago, gooch47 said:

We love cruising out of New Orleans.  You could do a day or so before and/or after and see the city.

 

When choosing a cabin be sure to look at the deck plans and see what is above and below your cabin.  Try to pick one that has cabins above and below to reduce the chance of noise.

 

I suffer from slight claustrophobia so I really need a balcony cabin.

 

Be careful of the "free" offers on NCL.  They sometimes have added on "gratuities" that makes them far from free.

Thank you!  I will be leaving from any of the FL ports or Bayonne.  

22 minutes ago, smplybcause said:

 

Considering they said "the things we do for love" and it being a surprise, I'm guessing they're going to go with a significant other. 

Yes, me and my b/f.  He is fine in the water - me not so much.  

20 minutes ago, DinaS said:

Where do you want to go on your cruise?  What do you want to do? 

 

Do you want to just explore places on your own, or do actual excursions? 

 

Do you just want a cruise to relax, or do you want a ship full of waterparks, games, adventure, etc?

 

First you need to decide those two things, and then find a ship.

 

I do have to say, however, if your fear of water is really terrible - you may not enjoy a cruise.  What if you have a panic attack when the ship leaves the dock?  They aren't going to turn around and drop you off.

 

No matter what you do - get travel insurance.  Make sure you get travel insurance that includes a "cancel for any reason" option.  It will be expensive, but will save you money if you back out.

I would like to go to Key West, or the Virgin Islands.  The cruise is only going to be 3-5 days long. Something small.  Since it is just my b/f and I we do not need the waterparks, etc.  Mainly going to just relax.  We love to hike and sight see and the majority of our vacations have had some hiking in them.  We don't mind walking and sightseeing.  I have thought about the panic attacks.  Just last night I started thinking about possibly cruising to an Island and then flying home.  That way once off the ship, I won't have to worry about getting back on it (assuming I have a bad experience while on it).  I am like a hamster on the wheel for the past month 😞 

16 minutes ago, DinaS said:

 

Studio cabins only hold one person.   The OP is getting this as a surprise birthday gift - and they are going as well.   It sounds like two people are traveling.

Yes, there will be two of us 🙂 

18 minutes ago, smplybcause said:

The bigger the ship, the less likely you are to feel movement - for NCL that would be the -Away class ships. Cruises out of the northeast in the winter can be a bit bumpy if there's winter storms. Cruises out of Florida can be bumpy if there's a hurricane (prime season is in Sept & Oct with it sometimes being in Aug & Nov too). My cruise out of Alaska in May had some movement when we were in the open sea. The Oasis class on RCL are a lot large and consequently you feel the movement on them a lot less, but it's not a guarantee - I was on Oasis and one night was kept up by hangers in my closet banging around until the ship turned to a more favorable direction. 

 

The best cabins are mid ship and as low down as you can get for feeling no movement. I've been midship but on the upper decks and you still feel it. Some say they feel less sick they can see the ocean, which the -Away class ships have more opportunities for that, but it's not like the Oasis class are enclosed boxes they just have more interior no windows venues.

 

NCL is a more casual dress line. RCL still has formal nights, but they are a lot more relaxed than they used to be. 

 

NCL dining is all freestyle - dine when/where you want. RCL is still mostly set dining times where you eat at the same time every night and at the same table. They do have some anytime dining - you can pick the time and the table might not be the same but the dining room usually is. 

 

I think the entertainment is comparable between Oasis and -Away class - they both have Broadway shows. The activities vary, but both have options. I also feel the food is similar enough - there's some things I like more on RCL and others I like more on NCL. 

 

I wouldn't hesitate to book again on either, but NCL currently has cruises booked for me due to their studios and the included drink package - those combine to make NCL way more affordable. 

Thank you for the info!  I do live in the Northeast and would be leaving in March.  But with NCL offering free flights, I would fly out of any of the ports in Florida.  I live in NJ and could leave from Bayonne but since it will be March, I fear the waters may still be choppy and if mother nature is in a mood, she may decide to rain on my parade so to speak.  I was thinking of getting a balcony room in the hopes of it helping with me not feeling like I am in a confined space.  I am excited but fearful at the same time.

18 minutes ago, trivimp said:

What was it that you didn't like about the Pearl?  Your response may help folks target your preferences more accurately.

It was just an overall feeling I got while looking at the ship.  There wasn't anything about it that said "wow, I can't wait to get on that ship" or "this ship looks like fun."

Which NCL ship do you recommend for a first time cruiser?  In watching videos, I am drawn to RC but they don't have the deals so to speak that NCL seems to have.  I am really nervous about being on a cruise ship (terrible fear of water) but they say "the things we do for love".  This is going to be a surprise birthday gift!  But I want to make sure I am not sick the entire time.  I have read that the best cabins are the cabins that are in the middle of the ship as you feel less movement.  I appreciate any help in deciding b/t NCL and RC.  I did look at NCL Pearl and I didn't like it.  Thanks for the help!