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Can you tell me more about the massages at the caves at the Grotto. I had no heard of that. What is the cost and can it be booked in advance. Thanks

I would say we are using I-70. We are awaiting AAA info. Thanks

Your DH will be in good company. There will no doubt be folks much larger than him. It is a diverse crowd. I don't know his age but if mobility is an issue there will be others as well.

We are driving from Ohio to NYC for the Breakaway cruise this weekend. We had originally planned to try and use a hotel where we would leave the car in New Jersey to save parking fees. However, because we have 2 kids who fall under car seat rules, we decided to just stay somewhere an hours or so out in New Jersey and drive to Manhattan the morning of the cruise. Also, we need to get on the road early after debarkation and don't want to wait for a 10:30 shuttle to Jersey.

Can anyone recommend reasonable hotels about an hour or so out from Manhattan? We are 3-4 star type people. Thanks

We are 4 people in a minisuite, 2 adults, 2 small kids. Is there a curtain divider between the bed and the sofa bed?

We've booked the spa many times. My DH would not cruise without it.

That being said, the spas differ by ship. While we prefer the one on the Epic, generally the newer ships have the best spas. I think the Pearl is an exception and has a nice spa.

There are many wonderful things about the spa. Some of the not so wonderfull things are: people getting into the thera pool and shouting to be heard over the sounds of the water, people draping towels over loungers and leaving them there.

DH generally showered in the spa and I showered in the cabin. It allowed both of us to get ready for dinner at the same time.

You only get a 1099 if one win is over $1200 or over. On your taxes it can be offset by any losses in the year. You need to itemize in order to use the losses as an offset.

Geez... how many people do you have to offend tonight?!? :)

 

Enjoying the review. Tomahawk!! Looks like it would tip your car over when strapped to the side.

Is this an inside joke or am I just dense? I don't get what you mean TheDougOut.

I really miss Coka's reviews. Seemed like she cruised a ton on NCL. Anyone know anything about her?

I cruise a lot, much more since I retired. This is my main entertainment. I don't like movies, we don't eat out a lot, we buy much fewer clothes since we retired. DH has his hobbies, does not like to cruise much.

My one downfall is my love of the casino. I have won some nice jackpots that I put away for cruising and anything significant I win goes back in. It doesn't cover everything but does cover a lot.

My cruises are comped by CAS so it would be a lot harder to cruise if I did not have that. CAS will give me an inside or oceanview even if I am by myself and I just pay port and taxes (about $300 for a 7 day cruise). I shop around for airfare.

We charge all our purchases and pay our bills off at the end of the month. That allows me to get most of my airfare (we do not live near a port) free and I also shop the discount airlines.

I just decided I am not getting any younger and I intend to enjoy life. I do have some mobility issues so unfortunately I cannot do all the active water things I love but that is just life.

We are far from rich, live in a smaller house and keep our cars a long time. DH does most of our maintenance around the house and we try to keep our food expenses down.

Do what you can safely afford and just enjoy.

I have cruised solo several times. I get comped from CAS so I don't have to pay the single supplement so I am generally in insides or oceanviews.

I can still go to all the solo gatherings (meet each night to plan).

There is nothing like having a day where you want to do exactly what you want and not have to worry about anyone else. That is one of the things I like about solo cruising. Sometimes I feel like a long afternoon nap and then stay up really late (I am almost 64) and I don't have to worry about disturbing anyone else.

I was a bit nervous the first time but you will find there are many solo cruisers out there. I am also married, my DH just does not like to cruise that much. Go for it and enjoy!

Be aware of times to be picked up at ship for return if you are staying in NJ. One we looked at picked you up at the ship 10:45 a.m. That puts on the road maybe at 11:30. Much too late when driver has to work the next day. We'll just bite the bullet, stay a couple hours out, get up early and park at the port. I find getting off the ship the most grueling (just because trip is over). We just want to hit the road and sleep in our own beds that night.

Do the Escape and go for a Vibe pass or Spa passs. Makes up for not having a balcony.

Just taking an informal survey. When I play a slot or video poker machine I always play max credits. Of course, it does not take long to go through money that way. But I cannot fathom hitting a big one and finding out I did not get it because I was not playing max credits.

That being said, as I wonder about either land or ship casinos I find many, many players playing 40, 50, 100, etc. credits instead of 300 or 400 (the max). I just can't get over the disappointment when I hit a good one or a bonus playing low credits.

How many credits do you play and why?

We have eaten in Cagney's and Moderno (Brazilian) many times. In my opinion, Moderno does not even begin to compare to Cagney's.

I am a seasoned cruiser and am takiing my DD and two grandkids (3 and 5) to Bermuda on the Breakaway mid September. They have cruised twice before but to the Caribbean.

I know they will go to the kids club but will there be enough for them to do on the ship going from NYC to Bermuda and back? Of course, September weather is unpredictable and we don't know if it will be warm enough to use the pools.

Anyone who has gone down the coast this time of year with little ones, any ideas? Thanks.

Some may have had different scenarios, but when I have called the Upsell Dept. they have told me they only do upsells to Suites.

• Grandkids love when Grammy take them on a cruise - they just can't figure out where the boat is because it is so much like land... they are just 3 and 4.
  
• Grammy just loves to cruise with anyone, anywhere.
  
• Grammy and Grampy aren't in the best of health but it sure beats not getting up in the morning.
  
• DD loves when she is invited also
  
• Grammy wants a license plate that says "I love to cruise"
  

Yes, NCL, we miss some things and we wish they had not changed. But you might take away some freebies or other things but you can't take away the cruise.

Keep on cruising...lost a nephew last week at age 47. He loved to crusie and he loved to do just about anything. Keeping his memory alive.

Until they take away my casino, I'll keep on cruising. It's been a "hell" of a week but the weekend is here so let's think positive. Life many other places is a mess, life here is sometimes a mess as well. I will love cruising till I take my last breath!

Decided to give up complaining about what has changed at NCL and Just Enjoy My Upcoming Cruises. I am 63 and who know what is around the bend.

Enjoy!

Has CAS quit sending out offers for in house tournaments (slot). I used to receiv 1-3 per year but have not received any in about a year or so.

I am a very liberal casino player and get comped cabins evey time I ask but no tournaments. They were run though I never won.

Also, kids will be 5 and 3. What about carseat laws, etc.?

It is for 2 adults and 2 small kids.

We are going on the Breakaway mid September and need a reasonable hotel in New Jersey where we can leave our car and also some sort of transportation from hotel to Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Thanks for any help you can give.

I often sail solo in an inside or oceanview comped by CAS. Although I pay taxes and port fees of about $300 per cruise, does any other line offer:

Comped cruises to a solo person and only have to pay fees for one person even though in a comped cabin?

Studios?

These are a couple of the things that keep me coming back.

It is said here that MSC offers same status from another line. So with 25+ cruises, I would come to them at the top status? Is that correct? Do they offer good casino perks such as free staterooms? Do they have "anytime" type dining?

I'm not opposed to change but am wary of not having what I have now. Much of the stuff that is gone does not bother me, however, some of it does.

For example, on a recent cruise my friend got a terrible migraine. It was evening and she wanted some tea and toast as she had not eaten all day. I went up to the buffet and asked if I could get some toast and for some reason they could not but the staff offered to "grill" some bread for her. I essentially had a plate of "toast" and got her tea and she proceeded to improve. It saved her the cost of room service but before the room service charges she could have just ordered tea and toast.