carohs

Do the water taxis to Medano beach go past the Arch? Also, is it possible to hail a taxi for the ride back without pre-arranging it?

2 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

This lady about twelve feet away has been coughing her lungs out ever since she sat down. I mean about a hundred times at least. I'm considering abandoning the rest of my dinner and going to the buffet...

Nuh uh. She should have brought ziplocks to squirrel her food for stateroom consumption. 

6 hours ago, wesorbeth said:

We were on a bus in GC and went past a cemetery.  We were at a stoplight, I glanced over and saw two tombstones next to each other, Rebecca and Elizabeth.  My sister is Rebecca and I am Elizabeth, I sent her a message and told her I will NEVER go to GC with her!

I just got Outlander vibes... creepy 

Our first cruise was supposed to have been the TA, in May 2020. It was $5600 for a family of 4 in an inside, so $6k is a deal. I wanna say opening day prices were about $7k.

My preferred TA showed no rooms available for 4 on the POA for the date we were looking at on NCL. I guess I coulda just called, but I booked a gty on NCL and transferred the reservation to the TA. This was even with making the reservation over a year in advance. I'm not stressing about the room assignment since I know we'll be mostly off the ship. 

So if the bonus points would put you at the next tier level, then you get that tier level on that cruise right? 

Beautiful ship! That water slide scares me a little... Thanks for another Sid review 🙂

It's $22 pppd. I mean how much are you drinking normally that you would tip more than $22 in your normal bar tab? That's your math. My math is maybe a drink at lunch and maybe a couple glasses at wine with dinner. Enough to get value from FAS but still $6 "tip" per drink. 

In reality bartenders wages and gratuities are part of their compensation which is part of their contract. How much extra you wish to contribute to that is up to you. 

That sucks that they weren't able to accommodate your friends but the terms clearly state you have to request deviation (flying in day prior) in advance. Count your flights as peace of mind you won't miss the cruise and relief of the hastle of rebooking/cancelling unfavorable day-of flights. 

That kids menu is totally uninspired. There's better options at the buffet right? Can the kids order off the regular menu in the MDR?

1 hour ago, fastpitchdad said:

 

LOL! It is just about the worst Champagne I have ever tasted. 

Can we please name names cuz I'm a little behind the times.

I'm not that picky about coffee but I'm all about delaying getting out of my PJs in the morning. Will this machine also get water hot enough for tea or for use in a pour over/French press?

2 hours ago, L1211 said:

Omg, OP bough NCL insurance AND NCL flights.   Both SHOULD give you confidence in a very expensive purchase.  Why all the OP blaming???  I too bought NCL insurance at one time that turned out to be worthless for my situation.  Live and learn but it can still suck!!

Because OP made assumptions instead of reading the terms and conditions. Yeah do we all click accept without reading most of the time? Sure. But we all know T&C are meant to protect the seller more than so than the buyer. When making a $20k purchase maybe don't just assume you know what you are buying. Also, you should always shop for insurance coverage. How many of us just purchase the 1st auto insurance offer without comparing? It really really sucks and I feel for OP. I'm glad they shared so we can learn from this mistake though. 

1. Are there any theme nights? I understand most dining is cruise casual but should I also pack for a 70s night or white party or something of the like?

2. Are the features available on the touch screens kiosks also available on the app? 

3. Did I read on here that the Dailies are not available on the app? What kind of functionality does the NCL offer once onboard (texting?)?

4. Do any inside rooms have a sofa? 

5. Are the pools heated, specifically on the Jewel?

6. How much is Bingo? I asked in a different post but didn't get a response. 

And I'm sure I'll think of more later. I'm kinda freaking out cuz I love cruising but usually DH is with me so he takes care of it all. This time I'm the planning lead, without DH, and now I'm going into overthinking mode. 

I'm all for practical/impractical solutions to this ridiculous problem. Ridiculous because of NCLs pricing/up charging for things we've essentially already should have paid for (meals) in the cruise faire. 

What if I sit down at Specialty and order my meal. In the time it takes to make my order run up to buffet and get a plate full of appetizers/salads/sides/whatever. Go back down and enjoy my multiple course meal in peace no argument necessary. Or will they argue that with me too? 

I don't feel anymore unsafe going to Mexico than I do sending my kids to school. In fact, I probably feel safer going to Mexico. At least there the cartels have a known target: each other. And motivation to keep away from tourism. School shootings are random, tragic, unpredictable, and just all around horrible with the objective seemingly to hurt as many innocent bystanders. Sorry side rant, but I've never felt unsafe visiting any touristy areas during the day. 

I don't think you should go by the FAS offers summary. Mine is showing different wi-fi allotment than what we are getting if I scroll down the the included add-ons section.

2 hours ago, 9tee2Sea said:

I am a very early riser ( usually up and about around  6-6:30am ( even on a cruise).  As we all know, the cabins are a bit tight ( and don't say I should splurge on Haven Suites), especially if someone else is still sleeping and you don't want to bother them.  I go up to the buffet and have my breakfast.  After about 1 hour or so, I make up a continental breakfast plate of assorted muffins and cheeses along with coffee or juice, and take it back to the cabin for the other person.

DH does the same for me. As a recipient of this very kind gesture, I applaud you. There's just something so nice to waking up on vacation with a cup of coffee I didn't have to make or get myself, after sleeping in no less!

4 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

There are actually multiple recipes online claiming to be Carnival's Lava Cake.  I've not been able to make any of the ones I tried come out as good as they do on the ship.

They have gone downhill. DS got one and it was super delicious so DD and I both got one the next day. Mine tasted like rubber, and hers was soupy. Even Carnival doesn't always get it right.

On 1/20/2023 at 10:42 AM, thesmiths said:

told her that was for a Mountain trip we are doing in February which we are not. 

Uh oh. How does she handle disappointment? I know I would be if I was looking forward to something to find out later it's not happening. Maybe you reveal the cruise at the same time as you "cancel" the trip to soften the blow? 

My kids can never hold back surprises from me. They're too exited. Anyway, I ask them not to tell me what it is, but instead to give me clues. Makes it more fun for all of us. You could do let her know the trip in Feb is just a decoy and to figure out the real vacation she has to solve a series of clues. Have something like a golden gate bridge, a cruise ship, and some salmon as the clues. Maybe even wedding rings or something so she figures the date too. 

57 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

If you have to pay everyone more, the cost of everything goes up and poof! there goes your extra wages. 

I'm like minded. I always felt that when min wage increased the cost of everything going up more than ate up the tiny increase to the paycheck.

I also don't use ziploc baggies. Goes right there with plastic straws. Maybe I'm tacky but I do put food on my plate and bring it back to my stateroom; or even eat in the elevator! People walk around with food/drinks all the time. I never saw it as an issue.

14 hours ago, Dorhead1230 said:

I think it’s maybe only good for the first two guests on the reservation, as some of the other promos are. We are booked in 2 cabins next month (one for DH and me and another for my mom and DS, her little roommate); he’s 4 but has full promos (soda package, of course) because he’s guest 2. Her reservation says 6Lx2 for the water.

If guest 3 is 21+, would guest 3 have gotten the water with FAS then? Anyone have a 3rd adult in the room that could answer?

76 days Jewel

250 POA

Mine is also showing two with four in the cabin. I assume since the other two are minors they don't get the drink package, hence no water?

LAX is a major socal airport. It'd make no sense for NCL not to support flights there. 

15 hours ago, Bees29 said:

My view on the kids clubs, I’m bringing my kids on vacation to spend time with them, not have someone else watch them. 

I spend time with my kids every day. I bring my kids on vacation so they can have a vacation too. If they want to go to kids club, I'm gonna let them. We still eat all meals together and do a few activities too, but we don't need to hang on each other 24/7 either.