TeresaJ

16 hours ago, Royally Ready to cruise said:

Thanks for all the great info in this thread. Planning family cruise next June 2025 on the POA.  We have a large group and I’m sure each family will go their own way at each port. Any suggestions for excursions not through NCL that anyone would recommend?  I think the excursions through NCL are going to be out of most of our families budgets.  Walking tours, botanical gardens, hiking? Luaus?  thanks in advance. Appreciate it!!

A lot of people rent cars and do things on their own.  Next time, we plan to do that now that we are more familiar with the area.  It was our first time to Hawaii and we booked it sort of last minute where I didn't have tons of planning time, so we went with NCL excursions.  You can save a lot of money doing things on your own and you are also on your own timeline.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I am sure you are torn but also feeling like this is what your dad would have wanted! Thank you for sharing. Life can change in an instant. 🙏

My husband's brother passed away unexpectedly at a young age about 10 days before our cruise last December. He was a big cruiser too! We went back and forth and decided to go because that's what he would have wanted. We did enjoy it and we got to relax after a whirlwind of flying to the funeral which was out of state and then to Florida for the cruise 4 days later. We are glad we went!

I hope you enjoy your cruise. I will be following.

We sailed on this ship in February and thought that even though it is a smaller, older ship, it's in really good condition. Everything felt clean and well cared for. We did not stay in a suite so I can't speak to that. We dined in the MDR most nights and the steakhouse one other night. Food was very good. Overall, it's an amazing cruise and great way to see the islands. I would definitely go again. Happy sailing.

I dont know what is going on but our balcony cabin on the Horizon last year in January was about 77 degrees early on during the cruuse. Called maintenance,  they tried to fix it. It cooled down to the mid 70s. Not ideal for sleeping that's for sure. I noticed our cabin on Mardi Grad was slightly warmer than normal this past January. Prior to this I always thought we had cool cabins. 

Generally, I am always cold and never hot.

Maybe they are adjusting the temps!

The Serenity area on Mardi Gras is awesome. You must check it out!

This is one of my favorite itineraries and ships! Enjoy!

3 minutes ago, MajSteve said:

I did not imply that weather was the fault of NCL.

You listed The Weather first in your Rant three list. Even though you say you are not blaming NCL, you put it on your list. lol

The weather would have been the same on another ship. Should not be considered a negative for NCL. They closed areas due to weather, again...same on another ship and/or other cruise line.  Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise.  The other items you stated are not deal breakers IMO.  

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear about this. I can imagine it is very disappointing! Did you make it to Kauai?

3 hours ago, Genealogy_Lover said:

Thanks for this info! We booked the Luau. I've heard half the ship goes to the one in Kauai!

Yes, it's very popular! We really enjoyed it.

Waimea canyon in Kauai is beautiful!  We did the ship excursion which was fine but renting a car and going on your own might be better. There are also helicopter tours over the canyon. Did not do that but I bet it's amazing.

Also did the luau Kalamaku in Kauai- fun and amazing!

In Kona, we did a snorkel excursion through the ship. Big Island Snorkel. Highly recommend!

16 hours ago, shof515 said:

most likely you are accidentally clicking on one of many ads on the site

It happens to me all the time as well, and I can assure you I am not clicking on anything.

This happens to me all the time on my phone and I don't know why! Hopefully someone will have an answer. It is annoying. 

On 2/10/2024 at 9:54 AM, ShipawayAtx said:

Hi all - for POA Hawaiian cruise, I’ve read about a white night, neon night and 80s night. Can anyone verify if these were on your cruise and if so, did anyone dress for the theme?

 

Is there any music/dancing on this boat? 
 

Thank you!

We just sailed in February and I can confirm that were was a glow/white night party on the same night.  I don't remember if there were other theme nights.  Since we were so busy on the islands all day, the evenings were a blur. 🙂 There was quite a bit of music and live bands to listen to which we enjoyed.

This is exciting news! I loved the Mardi Gras and we want to sail again on an Excel class ship however the meh itineraries keep holding us back from booking. I hope they put together some better itineraries for these ships. I'm so sick of Amber Cove and Nassau on practically every itinerary.  😫

On 3/23/2024 at 3:34 PM, Mr.Dude said:

Question on pre cruise Pearl Harbor tour with NCL - looks like it always occurs on a Friday. 

 

Has anyone done this recently? We leave in May and want to break off the tour to go to see Arizona memorial? What time does the tour actually arrive at PH and when is the best time to break off tour to go see Arizona? Need to get tix separately.

 

Any other advice appreciated. 

When are you going? I booked my reservations on the Perarl Harbor/USS Arizona site for $2.00. We just went there on our own.  Much cheaper and more freedom on the time we wanted to spend there.

We cruise both lines and feel they are more similar than different.  As long as you don't go on an old, small ship, you will be just fine! Happy cruising!

Thank you. I understand that VV does not have a drink package.  I was asking where I can actually see the bar tab I'm getting with this promo when I attempt to book.  I am leery because it does not show anything on the checkout screen and I want to see what I'm actually receiving and have confirmation of that before putting down a deposit.

GSC looks beautiful! We are 0-2 for stopping there and being able to tender.  Missed due to high winds both times.  Maybe someday we will get there. 🙂

Also, I agree NCL Wi-Fi is something to be desired.  We were on Pride of America a few weeks ago and I couldn't even get service in my room most of the time.

My husband thought the corn beef hash was odd too!

Enjoy your cruise; thanks for taking us along!

Any chance you can change your flight to earlier in the day or fly in day before? Seems like a stressful way to start your vacation. Like others have said, any flight delay will cause you to miss the ship.  

I got this email from Delta being a Skymiles member. I clicked on the link from the email and checked out some cruises. Where can I see the bar tab that we are getting? I find it confusing. I am used to other cruiselines where I can buy a drink package or it is included.

7 hours ago, Bonthewater said:

Currently sailing on the Encore and visited the CruiseNext desk. The individual I spoke to told me I can add 2 $250 to any balcony or higher booked. I can’t seem to find anything that doesn’t say the $500 is only for Haven.  I know they have promotions but he said that it’s always 2x$250 available for balcony and higher. I guess I am somewhat distrustful that he’s not trying to sell me more than I can use. 

There is a double up promotion running right now but I think it only lasts a few more days.  We just sailed NCL and I remember the CruiseNext gal telling us about it. 

1 hour ago, USC-UVIC said:

We had to cancel a Carnival cruise that we booked on an early saver deal. The deposit was non refundable. However, we did not realize it was also non transferrable. So instead of being able to transfer the deposit to a future cruise, we have now forfeited the deposit. Not sailing with this POC Carnival ever again.

Sorry to hear that but you should have read the terms before booking. When booking, Carnival will show multiple rates both refundable and non-refundable. Usually non-refundable is the least expensive.

Sorry to hear that but you should have read the terms before booking. When booking, Carnival will show multiple rates both refundable and non-refundable. Usually non-refundable is the least expensive.

How was the weather on your sea days? I've heard it can be a little cooler.  We are interested in the Mexican Riveria cruises this time of year but are hesitant to book if it will be cold.  We live in a cold climate so when we travel during the winter, we want to go to warm places.