karen119

I wholeheartedly agree -- we were on the Breakaway in 2013 and I can't believe 3 years later, the same shows are there. We are sailing the Breakaway this coming weekend and I'm going to have to find something else to do in the evenings. I saw Rock of Ages on Broadway years ago, then again on Breakaway in 2013. I'm done -- we need a new show!

I understand the financial piece of it, but this cruise is EXPENSIVE for me and it would be nice to see SOME kind of change several years later. If RoA is cost prohibitive, perhaps they need to switch out Burn the Floor with something else. Perhaps, generally speaking, keep the headliner (RofA, Blue Man Group, etc.) and switch out the lesser popular shows annually. Then repeat cruisers (which is a BIG part of cruise business) will be more likely to sail that same ship again.

We were on the Breakaway in Nov 2013 and most of the specialty dining restaurants were a set price. While making my reservations for our June cruise, I noticed that Cagney's, La Bistro, and La Cuchina are now a la carte. We have the Ultimate Dining Package, so we're good, but we're traveling with others who will be paying.

I'd like to give them an idea of how much each place will cost for the average diner. Any recent cruisers with any info? I can't find a thing on the NCL web site.

TIA!

Disappointed with the October 7-day itineraries. I can't pull my son out of school for an entire week. Perhaps a long weekend, but anything longer than that is a problem. I guess Disney didn't consider school age children that are old enough that missing a week of school is difficult. Very disappointing. Was hoping for a summer itinerary like they did years ago.

Important note -- if your reservations are linked, that means if anyone wants to purchase an alcohol beverage package, everyone 21+ must purchase it, even those in other cabins via a linked reservation.

I agree, the Port Canaveral/GSC/Nassau itinerary at this time of year is lame. I've done it twice and missed GSC both times. On this trip, we didn't get off the ship at PC and went to Atlantis in Nassau. I realize a one-week trip out of NYC offers limited options, but they are going to lose repeat cruisers this time of year. I'm already tired of this itinerary and won't likely do it again, even though I loved the ship.

Splash Academy was wonderful. However, the check-in process was a complete nightmare. One night, I stood in line for 30 minutes, which is absolutely ridiculous. The SA entrance is located at the end of the bank of elevators on deck 12 and the line would snake through the bank of elevators and down (or up) the stairs. I booked rooms near SA, so this is the elevators we had to use. It was near impossible for my mother (who is disabled and uses a scooter) to use the elevators from about 6:50-7:45 pm. It's a horrible system that needs to be changed. Part of the issue is that people who decide to register their children at opening time were in the same line as those checking in their children. Later in the week, the lines were a little better, but you still had a long wait. We were on the Jewel last year and while it was crowded at check-in, we didn't have a wait like this.

So, if you have kids the age for SA, register them when you get on the ship. SA is open for registration almost all that day for registration, so there is plenty of time to do so before and after sailaway.

I use a walker, and the elevators are so busy the first day. Go to O'Sheans with your Mom with her scooter, it is on the floor that you get on. Great food.

Great idea -- thanks! :D

This is all great info -- we are sailing in less than 3 weeks. I think I'm going to go for that pot pie for sure!

I was wondering what is the best restaurant to go to when you first board. We prefer table service -- mom is in a scooter and it's difficult to navigate the buffet. Looking for a nice relaxing lunch before sailaway.

My daughter has been working as a Youth Counselor on the Dream for the last 2 months. She has shown us some photos, but nothing compares to what you so gloriously gave us.

 

The quality of your photographs were astounding and the way you carefully cataloged everything for us was spectacular.

 

Thank you so very much!!

Please tell your daughter that my DS8 LOVES the youth activities on the Dream. I can't get him to sit through dinner without asking a bunch of times, when is dinner over, when can I go to the kids club, etc. etc. He loves it and the counselors are nothing short of amazing. Job well done.

Browntown Bus in Old Bridge is very good, but they have 10-passenger vans only, so it's less expensive if you get a group together. We will be using Express Limo (getting an SUV) for the 4 of us. They were reasonable, but I can't say how good they are because I've never used them before. I posted asking about them and one person told me he knows someone who uses them to the airport regularly and was very happy with them.

No- the Jewel does not have a lap pool. The Pearl and the Gem have indoor pools in their spas, but the Jewel only has a large hot tub in the co-ed area (and a smaller hot tub in the ladies area). The co-ed pool has a special name (?) but it's really just a large hot tub with some horizontal rods to sit on. No lap swimming possible!

Hmmmm.....without a pool, I'm not sure it's worth it. I guess I'll opt for the tour when we board and see if it looks interesting. Thanks for all of the feedback!

Is there a lap pool available in the Jewel spa? I was hoping that I could find some kind of adult pool area for when my son is at the kids club.

Thanks!

Can anyone tell me the cost and what is included with a spa pass on the Jewel?

We sail in about 3 weeks and I'm considering it. Not sure if it's worth it or not.

Thanks!

Your picture brought back so many great memories of our Bermuda cruise in 2008. My son was only 3 at the time and he had the time of his life in the kids club. He loved the t-rex pool area as well. However, I hated where the kids pool was located. It's at the very back of the ship and you are sort of stranded back there. My advice is to make plans to have other adults visit you back there, perhaps bring you a drink or a bite -- there is nothing there but the kids pool.