wsurrette2424

Hey Jamman54.... awesome trip report! Just curious.... How did you book your all inclusive day at Barcelo in Aruba? I can't seem to find it on their website... but it looks awesome! I'll be there in a few weeks... Thanks!

Hi All, New to NCL... do you really have to wait until just 21 days prior to sailing to do your online check in? Maybe I'm just a bit anxious to go! Leaving on the 25th of November....so it's now 21 days... still can't check in. Of course it's just after midnight so I should give the App some time to catch up. Cheer! Gusman

Hi All... We did a Journeys cruise several years ago... I don't know how, but it was available to us for a "free" cruise offer (not a casino deal). Inside room for Port charges and fees only. We upgraded to a balcony for about $1000 more. 10 nights.. from Galveston to San Juan... with stops in Grand Caymen, Aruba, Bonaire, Granada, Martinique and St Maarten. Fabulous! In addition to the rare port stops... several on board "retro" experiences. Throw back events (think horse racing on the lido, midnight buffet, and meet and greet with ships officers). Great cruises from Carnival! Cheers... Gusman

Hi WeBeCruisinMon, I had this exact same question. Are you cruising relatively soon? We are doing a canal transit and will arrive in Panama the day before the official debarkation day. The itinerary is exactly like yours with the two different port names in Panama City. I called NCL to try to get clarification (and a whole lot of googling) and now believe that the Pacific Cruise Terminal and Fuerte Amador port are one in the same. Our issue was that the best flight out of Panama to Boston was at 10:00AM... the airport is quite a distance from the port and there is no way we could make it in time. So, our plan was to debark the first day and book a hotel at the airport.... get up early and board our plane. We called NCL and asked if that was possible.. they said no, that is not allowed. I'm not sure why... as you will have cleared customs in Panama the first morning. I'm pretty sure they won't have guards at the debarkation ramp preventing from taking your luggage off the ship. We have come up with a different strategy, but PM me.... for a bit more information. Cheers! Gusman

Hey All.. Thank you so much for all the great replies.... clears things up nicely! We're really looking forward to our first NCL cruise. Having done bit more research... looks like the free dining choices will suit us quite nicely. I'm assuming the nightly MDR menus change nightly? Seems the MDR breakfast and lunch menus are fixed. Still trying to decide our two specialty restos... Can anyone comment on Food Republic? Looks like lots of small plates at reasonable prices. I can see us stopping in just after opening and have a bit of sushi/apps and then heading to the MDR for an entree. Thanks again! It's going to be a busy 90 days! Cheers... Gus

Followup... Looking at the dining options... I see Taste and Savor as the MDRs and a bunch of specialty restaurants, but no mention of a buffet or O'Sheehans type venues.... am I missing something? Thanks! Gus

Hi All.... New to NCL but I've done many cruises on Carnival, RCL, Celebrity and Disney.... Just booked a (sort of) a last minute cruise on the Norwegian Joy... 11 night Miami to Panama Canal transit in November. We have a balcony stateroom on deck 11.. with the FAS drink package, 2 specialty dining option and WIFI. We're usually OK with MDR food... but would like recommendations for our 2 specialty dining options. Also, any can't miss entertainment options? Finally... we need to fly out of Panama City to Boston... we would really like to fly out the 1st day we dock in Panama City (we overnight there and officially disembark the next day). Whom at NCL do we need to call at NCL to arrange that? Thanks! Really looking trying NCL... love new experiences! Cheers.. Gus

We got two "free" cruise offers from Carnival several (many?) years ago. Neither were casino offers (we don't gamble at all). We took advantage of both offers upgrading to balcony staterooms both times for fairly minimal costs. The best was a 11 night Journeys cruise from Galveston to San Juan on the Triumph. Upgraded to an aft wrap balcony for a total of like $1100 total for two people. Ports were Grand Cayman, Aruba, Bonaire, Granada, Martinique and St Maarten. Absolutely fabulous and the longest I've been at sea! Never could figure out why we got two deals within a year or so. And have never received any other "free" deals since! Cheers.. Gusman

Hey All... Thanks for the info! Very much appreciated! We're probably fine with main dining room and buffet food as well as the casual venues. Are there any upgraded dining plans available or are all upgraded venues Ala carte? We're definitely considering sushi and the lawn seafood restaurant. Oh... and apparently long pants are required for the MDR.... true? Love nice shorts but slacks or dockers are cool too. Any can't miss entertainment venues? Thanks again! Looking forward to a new cruising experience! Cheers and Best Regards... Gusman

Hey all... Looking for some information about the Celebrity Silhouette.. Long time Carnival/Royal Caribbean cruiser that booked a last moment 4 night cruise on the Silhouette. First time Celebrity cruiser so I was wondering what to expect. I'm expecting a bit mellower crowd (we're late 50's but young at heart) but hope to have some entertainment options. I was wondering about dining options... we have anytime dining but wonder about alternative options beyond the buffet. Any casual venues? We just booked tonight so I'll be researching everything! Much appreciated... Cheers! Gusman