davy jones

I think that the Seattle's Best is OK. If you're fussy, you can buy the fancy grinds at the onboard Starbux.

If they handed out 8.5 x 11 inch paper menus, the next thread would be about how the new menu is a cutback and cheapens the dining experience. I don't think a cruise line can win here.

We go back and forth between balconies, OV, and interiors. Balconies are nice, but we have never really thought, "boy I miss that balcony". However, there have been cruises where we said, "I'm glad we have an inside." Those have been because of weather. One was when we had fog and drizzle most days on a 7 day Canada cruise. Another was when we sailed through a Hurricane. We are happy just happy to cruise.

Hello, my sister and I are taking a cruise on the Epic in April. This will be the first time either of us have ever taken a cruise. We are BEYOND excited.

 

I keep reading that experienced "cruise takers" can spot a newbie in a split second. So my question is, how can you tell?

 

Thanks!

p.s. these boards are great, I'm picking up a lot of good info!

Not all first time cruisers are obvious and there are some experienced cruisers who still exhibit the first timer stereotypes. First time cruisers don't wear signs stating such. That said, some cruise lines do color code their key cards according to the passenger's frequent cruiser status. NCL is not one of those lines.

I propose that you will not look like a first time cruiser because you are here gathering information and information is power. You will know most of what to expect in advance. Read the information on the NCL web site and here and ask questions in advance. You'll be fine.

Haven't sailed NCL many years.

 

Looking to book a cruise. Looking for the best deal, so I am gathering that it may be better to book with an agency.

 

I need two cabins close to each other. Can I still do that if I book with an agency? Just worried about them switching one or both of cabins do to "free upgrade". After I book with an agency, can I still go to NCL to add dining options and such?

 

Thanks

 

upskingsale @ yahoo

Anything requests that you can make directly with NCL, you should be able to through a certified. TA. Just make you request known to the TA and they should be able to work with NCL. Make sure that they link the two cabin reservations to each other.

Once the booking is established, you should be able to go to NCL to make dining reservations, reserve shore excursions and such.

Through the TV show, that ship got a lot of people interested in cruising. But even the Oasis will eventually have a similar demise.

The tutti salad is excellent.

Another tip: The MDR burger is much better than the WJ burger. I believe that the MDR uses the same burgers as Johnny Rockets, without the upcharge. I don't know what the burger in the WJ is.

IMO: The best onboard lunch is the MDR burger with a tutti salad.

We are sailing the Explorer later this year, so I am very interested in Explorer reviews.

We were in Samana a few months back on NCL. I understand what many say about Samana because of the poverty, but we had a great beach day at Cayo Levantado.

Worst was on Carnival.

 

The person with the lowest score was brought to the front and presented with a "ship on a stick" while being serenaded with a chorus of "loser" chants. Many thought it was hilarious. I thought it was humiliating!

I've played a lot of trivia on Carinval and never saw that. Unless there was some kind of inside joke, that is simply poor behavior on part of the cruise staff running the trivia.

As some have said, please ask this question on both boards because there are some on both sides who will argue to the death for their preferred line. However, both boards have many people who will give objective opinions

The line that you prefer depends on your preferences and the ships that you have sailed. They are more alike than different, but there are some differences. I'll will state my preferences.

Standard Cabins: Both are fine, but Carnival wins because they are larger than the corresponding Royal category.

Service: Fine on both.

Food: Perhaps the most subjective category.

Breakfast: Buffets are comparable. MDR food is similar but Carnival is more of a "brunch", giving the edge to Royal because of atmosphere

Lunch: Buffets are similar. . However, Carnival has other options that Royal lacks like the burrito bar, Guy's burger bar, deli, and decent pizza. MDR edge to Royal for reasons stated above and tutti salad. Since I prefer a simple casual lunch, Carnival has the overall edge because of the options and superior standard burger.

Dinner: Both are fine. A tie here.

Daily Activities: Similar activities. That said, we prefer to get away from the main pool for a more solace. Some will point out the DJ vs the band near the pool. Some like the band, some like the DJ. Since I avoid the main pool, it's a tie. If you just want to relax, they're similar.

If you want more physical pursuits, some Royal ships have zip lines and flow riders and rock walls, which would give them a decided advantage. Workout buffs will find similar fitness centers on each.

Evening Entertainment: Used to be similar. Not anymore. Carnival's 2.0 "upgrades" downgraded the production shows and relies more on passenger participation like the marriage game show, or quest game. Carnival has a lot stand up comedy shows in venues that can't handle the demand.

Royal now has superior production shows and parties. Advantage Royal.

Caveat: Carnival ships without the 2.0 "upgrades" still have the old production shows, so the difference between Carnival and Royal is less.

Overall: We sail both depending on price, ship, and itinerary. We have a good time on both, but now give Royal the edge because of the evening entertainment.

If you get overly concerned about things like that, you wouldn't go anywhere in public. There are outbreaks in schools, workplaces, and other places that the public gathers that happen far more often than cruise ship outbreaks. In most of these cases, the public gathering has scattered before symptoms appear, making it difficult to identify a common area.

Outbreaks on cruise ships make the news because of the fact that all of the affected exhibit their symptoms in the same place, the ship. That makes it easy for the CDC to track and the media jumps on it because they need something to fill their airwaves 24/7.

Cruise lines are constantly cleaning and disinfecting, generally more than most public places. The only thing you can really do is be diligent about the hand washing habits that you were taught to do as a child.

Blue Iguana is the burrito bar. There is also pizza on the port side by the aft pool.

This made the front page of CNN.com *surprise surprise* :rolleyes:

 

"Vacations gone wrong" in big bold letters. What they fail to mention is that this illness happens on land too, it's just not required to be reported. Smh.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/26/travel/cruise-ship-illness/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

It won't be long until they start calling it the poop cruise (or worse).

no upcharge.

The burgers, fries, and toppings are very good, but they need to improve the bacon.

Royal, NCL, and Carnival all run 8 to 11 day Eastern Itineraries from the NYC area at times during the year. There are also Bahamas and Bermuda runs.

The distance to/from NYC precludes Southern and Western itineraries.

This list may not be all inclusive. Princess, Celebrity, HAL, or others may also have occasional Caribbean runs. You could use some online TA search engine to get the full list of NYC area itineraries.

I play trivia. Sometimes I win, sometimes I don't. It's fun and more about how well I do than winning. I don't even argue if I disagree with the stated answer. I have seen some cheating, but, thankfully, not often. It's sad that a few choose to sell out their reputation for a trinket.

The best trivia prize that I ever saw was on the Explorer when the captain hosted nautical trivia. The prize was a cruise navigational chart signed by the captain. I did okay for a landlubber but was thoroughly beaten by some former sailors.

If they ever had "free cruise trivia", I imagine that it could get nasty.

The Feb cruise must be selling better because the price is up to $39 for an inside.

I have cruised to Bermuda when there was smaller ships. We could dock then in St.George and in Hamilton. We were there three to four days. Ahh! To bring back the smaller ships ! Really got to enjoy Bermuda. Going to the navel yard was not a choice you wanted to make. It has changed so much and glad they built it up -- and did a great job - also by adding more docking there too- for the now larger ships ---

I do miss the smaller ships and staying docked longer.

I also sailed some of those that called on St. George and Hamilton. It was very convenient because you could tour St. George and Hamilton without taking the bus or ferry. The ship left St. George around 7 AM and docked at Hamilton around 9 AM. If you had a multi day scooter rental, you had to disembark early and ride the scooter to Hamilton.

In 2011, HAL had an itinerary like that. I believe that it was the Veendam. We were in Hamilton when the ship was docked there and it left for the return voyage to NYC. There aren't many ships that can fit in those harbors these days and those that can are mostly luxury lines with corresponding price tags.

Panic ended. My cruise has returned. Looks like it was a temporary glitch. It's interesting that it happened on Royal's site and the online TA site.

I am booked on a cruise on the Explorer in October. I just went to the RCI web site to check if the fare has changed and the cruise was not even listed. My reservation was still listed under "My Cruises" though.

I double checked on another online TA site and did not find the cruise either.

Something tells me that I should be concerned. Does anyone have any experience with this and what are possible reasons that would cause this to happen. I fear that the cruise is being cancelled or taken over by a massive group.

We sailed on the 10/28 9 day. From what was said on the cruise, and reports on subsequent cruises, I can tell you the following.

1. The production show performers were leaving at the end of my sailing, to be replaced by a new cast. I can't say if that meant new shows or just new performers.

2. Julie the CD was leaving the ship and would be going on the Getaway. There is a new CD.

3. A large number of crew members were also leaving for the Getaway and new members were coming up to speed. I would imagine that those issues have been resolved.

I do believe that Jenny Lin stayed on the Gem as the Hotel Director though, she is very responsive to guest concerns.

The Gem is a great ship. You should have a good time, even if a number of faces have changed.

I took one a couple of years ago in better weather. It is more of a party atmosphere and there were long lines at the ship store to purchase liquor.

It was fun and we would do it again. Even with the taxes, it is a reasonably priced night "on the town". It is ironic that on the most recent sailing, pier parking cost almost as much as fare for 2. ($40 vs $44)

I have sailed to Bermuda on NCL, Royal, and Carnival. Royal and NCL were 7 day cruises that took 2 days to sail to Bermuda and 1 day back. Carnival was an 8 day cruise that took 2 days each way.

I believe that it is a combination of berth availability at the Dockyard and the desire to increase revenues from sources that are closed while the ship is docked, like the casino and the shops.

DW drinks very little, but does enjoy an occasional nip of a chocolate martini. Can she get them on the 123Go classic package? (even a smaller sized one).