med9114u

We had bought the Premium Drinks Package. Its $57 per person per day. There's loads of threads about drinks packages but we found it worked well for us. You can get any beer, wine (by the glass), frozen cocktail, cocktail, spirits, etc. up to the value of $12. There wasn't any drink we wanted that wasn't covered (including prosecco, daqueries, bombay gin, etc. You also get your coke cup to use at the free style Machines (located in a few places- deck 6 Centrum and Wind Jammer on Deck 9). You can also order soft drinks (not cans) from any bar or in the dining room if you don't want to walk to one of the machines.

Is there a limit on number of drinks you can get per day?

I've only sailed RCCL once and going on the Enchantment of the Seas in January. I purchased the Premium Beverage Package, are the packages "unlimited" number of drinks? Carnival has a limit of 15 drinks in a 24 hours period...and I understand that you can be cut off if you appear intoxicated.

Not trying to get flamed, but maybe it was done because SOME people felt that since they paid a fee to eat there then they feel that they do not have to tip.....I do, but there are probably others who do not. I pay to eat at a restaurant on land and then leave a tip also, so it is no biggie to me....I usually tip more than 18% anyways, but that is my personal preference. And we are fairly new to NCL, are the servers in the Specialty Restaurants included in the Service Fee that is paid?

The last time I parked at the Port (Last year), you paid before you exit. And they "ask" that bags be under 50 pounds, but I've never seen or heard of any enforcement of that. We live in Florida so our bags are over 50 pounds and never had an issue....also no limit on bags.

Just got this from the Port website...."Payment

All of our garages and Lot E accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or any major U.S. Traveler's Check. No debit cards are accepted." And it says Lot J is pre-paid parking only....not sure what is different about that lot though.

Been to Maho on a few occasions....my biggest problem is that it is getting SUPER crowded. There is practically NO beach left to stand on, so people line the roads to watch. We had to struggle just for a spot to see last month. I will not go back again just for that reason, it is neat to see once but not worth the struggle anymore.

If you go to your cruise docs, it should show you as Gold!

We have used safecruiseparking.com several times and never had any issues. You will have people telling you that these places are not secure and not to use them. Last time we used them we cruised with friends of ours....they parked at the Port and we used safecruiseparking.com. Our car was fine....their car got broken into at the Port! You take a chance no matter where you park.....

The tricky part with Miami is that most of the hotels that offer parking and transportation to the Port only offer the shuttle TO the Port...you are on your own to get back to the hotel (for the most part, I'm sure there are hotels that offer both ways but I've never found one).

Water shoes should be ok if they are closed toe....I did see them turn people away on the Sunshine for having flip flops on though.

As far as I know, they are just regular balcony cabins...not Spa cabins like the Breeze has. Yes, they are by the Spa, but not considered "Spa cabins". I may be wrong though....I thought the only ships with the Cloud 9 Spa rooms are the Breeze and Sunshine.

From my little experience, most Carnival (and all cruise lines as a matter of fact) "sales" are usually not "sales" at all. They usually raise the fares to match what the "sale" price will make it, so it works out to be the same price in the end.

It is Camp Carnival right now (switching to Camp Ocean though....not sure of schedule of roll out). She will be in the 2-5 year old group and you will get a phone checked out to you from the Camp when you go to the registration the first evening (usually in the main show lounge around 5 p.m.). Camp closes for FREE stay at 10 p.m. each evening (I believe...). After that you can leave her there for an hourly fee until 3 a.m. if you so desire (Believe it is around $6-8 an hour). On certain nights they will have "Owl Jams" party that goes from 10-midnight and cost extra....my daughter (4 now) has been on several cruises and LOVES the party!!

Yes, they do.

 

It is about a 2 mile walk to the main shopping area. I would recommend one of the shuttles. I think it is $4 per person

Maybe I'm confused...been to St Thomas several times and the shops are right there. I'm trying to attach a picture taken from Paradise Point, the red topped buildings are where all the duty free shops are. I have not had to tender there yet, so that would be new to me.

What you were told is correct. A mini-suite does not have suite amenities. A Spa mini-suite includes access to the Spa (hence the name).

Thank you...that is what I thought, I just wanted to clarify as I was confused by post #5 that states ALL suites get extra amenities.

Lol...this thread has me even more confused now. We are on the Getaway in October, we are in a Spa Mini Suite (Category M9). We were told that we get access to the Spa (obviously), but NO priority boarding, debarkation or anything else....please help me sort this out!!!

I've actually asked 2 Captain's this same question and gotten the exact same answer....it all depends on what maintenance needs to be done on the ship while in port. If there is painting to be done, then they will put that side to the pier for safety reasons.

Can someone on a cruise, or just back from a cruise verify that it is still 15 drinks per day....I know that is what it still says on the website, but a friend just got back off the Liberty and he said it was only 10 drinks per day with the new pricing plan.

Yes, we stayed in cabin 9126 and LOVED it!!! The view is amazing!! Loved the extra space as well...

Love the review!! My wife and I will be on the Getaway in October. This is our first cruise on NCL. It will be over our 10th anniversary, so we are leaving our 4 year old at home....but she LOVES cruising and looking at your pictures, I'm sure she would love this ship!

Couple of questions for a NCL newby:

-Do they do fireworks every cruise? I thought I read somewhere where Disney was the only cruise line allowed to do this....hope they do it, would be neat to see.

-I notice all the drinks are in plastic cups, is that normal for NCL?

Does anyone know if they check the bottles. I wanna bring some Rum but I'm not sure if it's allowed. I know wine can be brought on but I'm not sure about rum. Also do they check your bag to see what your carrying on.

Yes, they check the bags and any liquids they find in them...liquor bubbles differently than water, so they can tell. Also, they are on to the trick of putting liquor in a wine bottle...saw a few people get busted just last month in Port Canaveral trying this.

Yes, you can sail with your infant....

Yes, you can book it on the website...

Yes, you will be charged the regular 3rd and 4th person rate, a body is a body per the Coast Guard no matter what the age...

And if they are under 2 years old, you will NOT pay gratuities for them...although, we did tip the steward extra anyways.

Who can possibly spend that much on drinks? I think it's way too expensive for the budget

 

That is a matter of personal opinion....to me, if you spread 7-8 drinks out over the course of a day then it is worth it. I could spread 7-8 drinks out over the day, with meals and snacks in between and be completely sober.

There are no real "set" hours, it varies from day to day (sea day vs port day)...and I've found that it varies from ship to ship. On our Conquest cruise in February, there was a sea day that it was open from about 10 a.m until 3 a.m. in the morning (with added cost after I believe 10 p.m.). There were days when they were closed during lunch and at least 1 day where it stayed open during lunch. The Camp was not "open" during dinner, but you could take your child to Lido buffet where the Camp staff checked them in and then the kids all ate together while we went to the MDR. Our 4 year old chose to eat with the other kids every night....lol.

I've had this happen before, some of the Maitre 'd are very good about responding to emails...others not so much. Ken is the best, we exchanged so many emails prior to our cruise that we were like old friends the first night at dinner....lol

I see the "free" stuff from Carnival on Ebay all the time....like the ink pen in every cabin. The part that kills me and makes me laugh, is the people bidding on them and buying them!!!! Lol...