joestein514

Between the service charges on the drink package and the daily charges - I think NCL makes most of their profit off service charges.

I have only been cruising on NCL once before... June 22 on the NCL Breakaway. Most of my more recent cruises are with RCL. The main difference I noted between the entertainment is that NCL seems to have this rotating group of 3 or 4 performers who do their thing for 45 mins and leave to perform elsewhere. Then a new act comes on. On RCL - I know that a performer will be at a specific revenue for the whole cruise at specific times. An example is Nick at the Schooner Bar on Harmony of the Seas. He was there every night from 9pm - midnight. He did take 15 min breaks each hour. We enjoyed ending our night each day at the Schooner Bar with people with met at the pool. Sometimes we would all head over the pub where the music continued to 1am each day. I really enjoyed that setup much more. Also too much takes place in the Atrium on NCL - it is such an bad event space - too much traffic moving through - the opposite of an intimate space.

I booked a 2 person wave runner - I have always wanted to try one. Both of my kids will are thinking about joining. They said they will think about it. I assume I can always do it solo.

I am looking at the excursions available on Great Stirrup Cay on my NCL Joy cruise that departs NYC on 8/20. I read about all these different things to do on GSC, like stingray city or spa treatments. I only see various cabanas, zip lines and wave runners. Where are all the other activities? Also - if you book something on the Island, do you still get the $50 excursion credit?

After seeing the prices for Parking - I think we will just UBER to the pier and back. Much cheaper than 10 days parking.

SO I was able to buy 2 more at $69. But I am on a 10 day cruise - I would love to buy another 2 more at the discounted price.

So, we just booked the NCL Joy cruise for 8/20 out of NYC. I have only cruised with NCL once - I am used to cruising on RCL, so I have a couple of questions. $50 credit for excursions - I understand it is only for the first person in a room. Is this per excursion or per port? If my kids book an excursion to go zip lining - they would save $50. If we then booked an excursion for a boat trip would we also save $50? What about Bermuda - where you are there for 2 days? I was able to buy a 2 dinner upgrade for $69/person plus grat. The rest of the meal upgrades are more money - can you buy the 2 dinner upgrade again? Do they sell the dinner packages onboard? Are there any sales on excursions or upgrades other than what they offer all the time? Also... any recommendations about getting to the PIER - we live in NJ - does it pay to take an UBER/Car service or to park there?

I would recommend search the internet. The ONLY reason to use a travel agent is the OBC or other benefits they offer. Otherwise they are just a layer between you and cruise line.

Apparently I am not allow to post the agent.

I get great perks. This week there are special perks on NCL cruises - 10% of the cruise fare back in OBC and prepaid gratuities. If I book the 2 balconies that I am thinking of, that is currently $8,562 (was $8,242 yesterday) together so I will get back $856 OBC plus gratuities on the 2 rooms. They only cover gratuities on the first 2 people in a room. But that works for us.

We are looking at booking the 8/20/23 10 day cruise on the NCL Joy. I noticed that as soon as the FLASH sale started, the prices went up a few hundred dollars in almost all the cabins we were looking at. Do you think that it might go down again when the sale ends or what? Generally I book with a travel agent as I get a bunch of perks - but they won't adjust to the better price if it changes. Thoughts?

We are considering booking a Haven aft-penthouse suite on NCL Joy. My question is about the sleeping arrangements for my college age kids. Is there just a pull out or also a bunk bed? What size is the pull out equal to? King or Queen or Double? Any help appreciated.

Pre-covid, there was always someone pushing dining deals on the ship. They would usually have a BOGO deal for the first night. Plus you could get discounts on the individual resturants later in the cruise. Is this still happening?

I found a company called Aquamax adventures. It appears to be located on or near the ship port in St. Kitts. They have a full day excursion (6 hrs) called 'two islands one paradise'. It looks very similar to the 'Fan-ta-Sea to Nevis' excursion offered by Royal Carribean. However, the excursion is sold out on RCL. Does anybody have any experience with this tour operator? or have any knowledge? Any help would be appreciated. Joe

I was not planning on bringing any long pants. Certainly, no jeans. I guess I will pack one or two pair of Khakis. I really don't want to wear long pants on the cruise - I will look very presentable with shorts. I have nice shorts - they are not ripped or sweat shorts. They are similar to Khaki's - just short. I go to really nice and expensive restaurants in the summer and wear these shorts. I dont mind a polo or a button down shirt. I wouldn't book anything in the fancier rooms, but dinner reservations are so hard to come by - it is tough to change them. Now I understand why there were always more reservations in the Manhattan room.

Do any restaurants require long pants? Also is the rule enforced? I have seen many main dining rooms on other ships say long pants, but they are never enforced. I saw a video that said Manhattan room requires long pants and is enforced.

I I have no comment on Rony's but to compare his to Victor Bodden and say that Bodden is like Walmart is just ridiculous. They are all small business on the island.

I noticed that NCl sells an unlimited arcade package. I noticed it said 'online price'. Do they offer the package on the ship? Can you buy it later in the cruise and then only pay for the remaining days? Or can you just buy it for a day?

Thanks - I took friendly's advice and ordered the protocored test and asked for expedited mailings. Should be fine.

we are about 2 weeks away from the our NCL Breakaway cruise. How does the COVID testing work? I understand I need a test within 48 Hours of boarding. BUT, do I just get a test and bring whatever they provide me? Does the testing center have to file something? I thought there would be something in my e-docs, but I dont see anything. Also on this topic - we are all vaccinated and boosted. Do I need to bring the original vaccine cards with me? Are copies OK? I have 'docket' which is an app that is used by NJ (and Utah and Minnesota?) to display your vaccine record - would they accept that? Any help would be appreciated.

So, the credits are specifically for one person, vs the people in the room?

waiver means they can drink alcohol? My kids have never tried any. I have tried to get them to try some at family gatherings, but they wont.

Does the ship have anything for older teens? I have 19YO daughters. They are not the typical partying type girls. They always enjoyed the teen clubs in the past and some of the activities or just hanging there and playing video games.

Does the 2 meal package have to split between the two occupants? Can 1 person use 2 or does each person need to use 1?

I thought you were making fun of her - then I realized that is her actual screen name.