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

Hmmm.  I'm not much of a raw oyster guy (Rockafella Please!) but I've never heard of raw oysters with crackers!

I'm a New Englander so maybe it's a southern thing!

Cheers!

Gusman

No worries Marne... Have a great cruise in your suite!

Also, considering your friend doesn't drink alcohol, caffeine or sugary drinks, I'm guessing water is the primary beverage of choice.  Since cheers includes unlimited bottled water, that would certainly save some $$$ as it is a bit pricey on board at the bars.

Cheers!

Gusman

You said the suite price was less $$$ than the two cabins... how much less?  If it's close to the price of the cheers package, I'd just go with the upgraded cabin and buy cheers for both of you and just not use the second cheers package.

Plus... if you are a *big* drinker... the second package eliminates your 15 drink/day limit!

Win win, I'd say.

Gusman

I thought I was transported to the Carnival board!   Just kidding (Love Carnival too!).

As for the "That's it?" posters... I certainly would rather the horse made that comment rather than the rodent! 

Cheers....

Gusman

Hey 6chickens....

We love sailing out of Galveston even though we're from the east coast (Boston) since the flights are cheaper than flying to Florida. We are sailing on the Liberty of the Seas in Feb 2019.  

We love both Carnival and RCCL.... and find more similarities than differences between the two lines.  If your teens are more into activities than just hanging out RCCL definitely wins.   Flowrider, rock climbing, ice skating are unique to RCCL.  I have not sailed on the Vista, but I assume they have lots of casual food venues.. guys burgers, blue iguana cantina, Mongolian wok, seafood shack etc.  Both ships have pools, slides, mini golf arcades etc.

With ports and prices being equal... I would lean towards RCCL if your kids would take advantage of the ship's amenities.

Good Luck!

Gusman

I would definitely make reservations. You only need to pay a $10 per person deposit at the time of reservation with the rest paid upon arrival.

Worst thing that could happen is that you lose the deposit if the weather is lousy.

Enjoy.. it's a nice relaxing place.

Cheers....

Gusman

For what it's worth, my son did the zipline as part of our LFC visit last year and it was OUSTANDING. Very long and fast and the staff seemed very friendly and conscientious.

Gusman

Interesting topic! I love visiting new ports (and old ones too!).

I've been lucky enough to sail three cruises in the last 12 months... 2 carnival and an RCL...and managed to visit *9* new ports... after many cruises (12+?) on various eastern and western itineraries...

Carnival Journeys 11 night from Galveston - Grand Cayman, Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Martinique (new), St Maarten (been there) ending in San Juan.

RC Liberty OTS - From Galveston - Belize, Roatan (new) and Cozumel (been there).

Carnival Glory from Miami - Half Moon Key, Grand Turk (new - though I've been to Beaches AI in Turks and Caicos), St Thomas, and San Juan (been there).

Love new ports!

My first cruise in 1998... Carnival Destiny.... we stopped in St Croix... haven't been back... but would love to...

Gotta hit the southern Caribbean soon!

Cheers...

Gusman

Not sure what type of excursion you're looking for but if you're into snorkeling, definitely book a catamaran snorkel trip with Woodwind in Bonaire. The have one or two daily trips depending the number of ships in port.

We took the three hour afternoon trip a month ago and it was probably the best excursion I've ever taken while cruising. The crew is absolutely top notch and they provide excellent equipment, local knowledge and guidance for snorkelers of all ability. They separate the people into small groups each with a guide. On board they provided drinks (beer, wine, rum punch and soft drinks/water) and a great hot meal on the trip back to the ship.

The reef in Bonaire is really beautiful and the fish abundant. We saw two type of sea turtles as well... no sharks or rays this time but they do encounter them as well.

Best Regards,

Walter

Recently returned from a Journeys cruise on the Triumph.....

*LOVED* the "Remedy" cocktail from the Alchemy bar.... some rum concoction that really kicked your butt!

Awesome....

Gusman

I think a little more info is needed....

Were the "loud scream several times" two or three brief whines over a 90 minute dinner? Or prolonged crying fits several times? I've brought a young child into the dining room during early seating and if he were disruptive for more than a minute or so, I would have removed him. Like it or not, Carnival definitely targets families. Not that I would ever defend rude parents, but you do take you chances.

Now that my kids are older, a few random child noises/whines would never bother me... especially during early seating... a full blown hissy fit would be something different.

Just my opinion.....

Gusman

Hi All,

The $75.00 pp for an inside cabin deal was a VIFP past guest offer. I received the offer in the mail and it also came with $150 on board credit.

We booked the Triumph 11 night cruise out of Galveston ending in San Juan P.R. on October 24th, 2015. If we went with the inside cabin, it would have totaled around $450 w/port charges and fees. We upgraded to a balcony cabin ended spending right around $1100 total.

Pretty sweet deal..... so if you are looking at the Journeys cruises, make sure you are logged in with your VIFP number!

Cheers.....

Gusman

Can someone tell me how to access the Carnival gift card area of the Verizon Wireless website? I've looked around the site and can't seem to find anything related to gift cards.

Thanks!

Gusman

I too got the $150 with $150 OBC deal. Priced out a 10 night Sunshine cruise from Port Canaveral in the fall... $390 for an inside and right about $1000 for a balcony.

Unfortunately, with a 12 year old and two working parents, it's pretty much impossible to get 10 days away!

Nice deal though.... definitely not a casino deal as in all my Carnival cruises (6 or 7 so far) I haven't spent $100 total in the casinos. Now, if bar tabs count.........

Cheers...

Gusman

Hi All,

I sailed on the Navigator out of Galveston this past February and recall there being a fairly limited supply of "craft" beer. I didn't go thirsty, that's for sure! The three I remember drinking the most were Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Red Hook Long Hammer IPA, and Le Fin Du Monde out of Canada. I'm sure they had Sam Adams as well.

None were on tap. however.

Cheers!

Gusman