NanciRDH

Thanks for the help...apparently it doesn't like Chrome on my desktop, even after clearing it out, but its ok with it on my tablet and DDs laptop. Weird. I didn't try the tablet at first because I know its misbehaved on mobile devices for me before, but that was my old ipad.

I was on deck 2 on Indy, sister ship to Liberty, and we liked the location. We were all the way fwd, but it was just one deck down from the nightclub my room mates spent most nights in, and far enough away for it not to be noisy.

Tenders usually load from deck 1 I think, but the line starts higher up than that, probably deck 3 or more and winds down the stairs.

72 hour sale, and the website says its on vacation, please call. I want to book now, and I'm on hold because "we are experiencing a higher than normal call volume" Maybe someday they'll get their IT department sorted out...

She is finishing the last of the contract, and signs off tomorrow, and has no plans yet. Officially she was hired thru Nickelodeon, so she's not really an NCL employee. Which is why I suppose the new CEO decided to ditch Team Nick. But she loves working out to sea, and will probably start the audition process again. After a few weeks of rest and relaxation...she was gone 9 months this time, she and the rest of her team decided to extend the last 3 months and end the company contract together, plus getting the chacne to do the Mexican Riverera, places she hadn't been to before. We would love for her to get on with DCL or Royal Caribbean...we love both those lines, and cruise them often lol.

Great trip report! I *know* you from another site, and I'm one of the Disboutiquers too, I've always loved the customs you've made for Claire thru the years. Anyhoo, I lurk the NCL boards on occasion for reports from the Jewel, and I knew yours would be good. :) My oldest DD is part of Team Nickelodeon, and I'm always checking trip reports to see if I can spy her in a pic or two, and I did, though mostly when she was *friends* with SpongeBob, lol, thanks for including those pics too! We did this same cruise with her in May, and had a great time, but agree that DCL just does it better. Our excursions were different than yours, but now you make me want to go back and do it again.

Our first family DCL cruise was the 7th for our youngest...she's been cruising since she was a toddler, and was 6 at the time, and well used to daycare settings, and the camp programs on other cruiselines. That being said, she hated the kids program on the Dream, and would much rather stay with us. There were just too many kids for her comfort. Fast forward to age 9, back again on the Dream, and she was much happier. I'd have to guess the kid count was the same, both times the ship was sold out, and there seemed to be kids everywhere. And while she was ok spending time in camp, she was always ok leaving, when on other lines it was difficult to get her to want to leave. Her comments when I asked...it was just too crazy sometimes, too many kids just left to do what they wanted. Apparently my kid prefers some organization, but you'd never know it to meet her lol

They look like the magic bands Disney is using in their resorts, and the ID band they have for the kids onboard the ships. I liked that all my DD's info was on it, but it wasn't removable, so that was annoying for photos, and there was a $12.95 charge if we didn't return it on the last night. is there a surcharge for these too? The resort ones were free, and we've got dozens of those, if I had known I'd have brought one with us,

Is the entire ship chartered? If not, they can't really stop you from taking the same cruise.

This is my thought too...I may not be officially a chaperone, but I would be on that ship!

But, if it's been chartered for a high school event, not sure I'd want to be the adults in charge of all those hormonal teens! LOL :eek:

I had my info filled out months ago, went to print it last weekend, and discovered it wasn't complete, which was weird because I know I did it all. The identification part was listed as incomplete, but I know I had done it. When I tried to do it again, it kept failing like the OP mentioned. I finally gave up. I've checked in before with Disney without their version of the set sail, and it was easy. That was my fault, I had all the info filled in online, but forgot to print it in time.

Nickelodeon is done on Epic, the final contracts end on January 3rd for the other ships.

We did the breakfast party in May on the Jewel...while it was fun, I agree there are better meet and greet opportunities onboard throughout the week, but you won't find all the characters in one place at the same time. The food was only meh, high in sugar and definitely geared towards kids. Some items aren't available except for during this event, but a trip to Dunkin Donuts at home can cure that lol. For the money you do get some party favors...plastic cups, a rubber bracelet and a foil pompon shaker. Pretty much dollar tree party favors. For us it was a free perk...the benefit of having a daughter who was a member of Team Nick. If we weren't onboard to see her, we wouldn't have spent the $$ for this.

I know - I probably won't even need any snacks but didn't want to get them taken away if I even tried to bring them on board.

 

And I'm sure the snacks on board are probably double the cost than what WalMart charges - so if I can save a few bucks then I'm all for that. :)

Yep, WAY more expensive in the gift shop lol...we commented that my full sized $1.00 can of Pringles was worth more than we realized, and we had a small fortune back in the cabin. :p.

I've always packed a jar of peanuts when we travel...it was my DHs family thing, no vacation is complete without it lol. When we have a port intensive cruise I've also packed items like you've mentioned to bring off with us on excursions. It's never been an issue, and it's always in my checked luggage. We know there are plenty of choices for food onboard, but sometimes you just need a snack, right? You aren't allowed to bring fresh food off the ship, but pre packaged items are ok.

Thanks!

Thanks everyone! One perk I didn't see, but heard from a friend who cruised in March 2015, was a few drinks during the usual concierge cocktail time, but they were free in various bars around the ship. She was drinking wine, so I'm not sure if she said it included anything else. This was on Liberty.

It's been a while since I've seen the current list of C & A perks...I know the coupon book is a thing of the past, and we get a list of discounts and freebies left in the cabin on embarkation day...does anyone have the current list for D+?

Sorry if this is a repeat post, I couldn't get the search to behave for me, not sure if that's a site issue, or my tablet, and I looked thru 10 pages of the recent post topics without success. Thanks for any help you can provide. :)

We just got off the Jewel, and my 10yo DD loved Splash Academy! She said it was way better than Disney...where she was at the top of the age group (9) for that cruise. Splash seemed better organized, and had scheduled activities vs the mostly free for all we would see on DCL.

They won't question her at dinner. They have been trying to give mine a glass of wine at dinner (when we order a bottle) since she was 14 :rolleyes: Wine with meals is extremely common in all cultures except Americans.

Ok,thanks! She looks older than 18, and is often offered a drink when out with the family. Which irritates her 22 yo sister to no end, she looks very young and is often offered a children's menu! LOL

On a side note...love your screen name...my oldest is Marissa, pet name Sissa, so I'm a Sissa's mommy too! :)

From the NCL website:

The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Norwegian Cruise Line ships is 21. Guests who are 18 - 20 years of age can purchase and consume beer or wine when the ship is in international waters (3 miles out of US territorial waters). The age modification does not apply for Alaska and Hawaii sailings. The parent or legal guardian must be onboard the sailing with the young adult and present themselves at the Front Desk so they can sign the form allowing the consumption of beer and wine only. A notarized Parent Consent Form or any other document allowing for temporary guardianship for the purposes of the sailing only will not be accepted.

For purposes of complying with the minimum drinking age requirements, a guest’s age is established upon embarkation (beginning of the cruise). If a guest celebrates their birthday during the cruise, and thereby becomes of age to consume alcohol, the guest may thereafter ask the Guest Services Manager to modify ship’s records to permit their consumption of alcohol during the remainder of the cruise. The guest will be required to appear at Guest Services to present a government issued form of identification to permit verification of their age.

So the age modification doesn't apply for Alaska and Seattle...I'm taking that to mean it's 21 only. We sail on Jewel next weekend. My DD doesn't drink, but we would have let her enjoy a glass of wine with us at dinner if she'd like. Maybe in a few years. :p

Just curious...I thought any cruise originating in the US had a 21 age minimum on drinking. Or am I confusing it with other lines? I know I had a friend with a young adult son who was of age in the UK, but not here, and he refused to take US originating cruises until he was 21, but would go if it was sailing on the other side of the pond. Again, priorities, lol.

We did 3 in an OV on liberty 2 months ago, and it's totally doable. The spa showers are nice, I didn't mind volunteering to go there. Our room was deck 2, and very quiet.

They can, you will just have to ask your steward as it isn't done automatically.

Ill post back here in 3 weeks after our first NCL cruise. We have experience with Royal, DCL and Carnival, and because we cruise often, They've been thru all the levels with each company, with Royal being their favorite.

Suite, hands down...we've done both ships,in both suite and 2 balconies, and we truly enjoyed being spoiled in the family suite. Are you a family of 5, plus two grandparents? If so, the suite is truly the way to go. It also has a tub,which is great if your kids are young. I have to agree with the others that Nassau isn't a favorite port, but you do have the choice to stay onboard and enjoy a very nice ship!

I'm cruising the Jewel soon, what ate the perks of a spa pass, and what does it get you? It's a 7 day, and I'd assume the pricing would be similar to Epic.

Speaking as someone who likes to book connecting cabins with friends and has trouble finding them, I appreciate people who DON'T book them when they don't need them.

Ditto on this! It's frustrating, especially when I need them for my kids. We once had a cruise booked that had all of one of the connecting cabins booked. There were plenty of cabins available, but no 2 connected. When I made my booking the idiot on the phone gave me cabins that did connect, just not to each other. I realized it when I was emailed my docs and could compare them to floor plans...this was a new ship, and we were booked for the inaugural, and floor plans weren't out officially yet. Called back to fix it, and had to argue with her that yes, they were connecting cabins, bu not to each other! (and no, this wasn't NCL)