Cruzinnana47

Shortly after we made final payment on our Breakaway cruise, the prices for our Balcony category dropped drastically. We were aware NCL didn't have to offer anything, but we did contact them and we were upgraded to a mini-suite on a higher deck. At least it was something.

Have heard of other passengers receiving OBC. Can't hurt to call and check it out. Good luck!

It's easier to get around Boston by either walking (if you have an idea where you're headed) or by cab, if you'd rather not deal with public transit (bus or subway). I agree with previous posters--trying to drive in the city can be a hassle--and a GPS may not work accurately, given the road projects going on at any given time.

Actually, many here have provided good advice. With a group your size, I would avoid renting a car (or cars) and suggest a hotel closer to the Fenway area, if you intend to visit the park.

Our 1st Princess Cruise was on the Crown Princess in her inaugural year - 2006 - sailed out of the then=new Red Hook terminal in Brooklyn. Favorite Princess cruise (so far) was on the Coral Princess in 2008 through the Panama Canal.

Just sailed on the new NCL Breakaway in Jan. They use the same system as well--we actually used a grocery store card, instead of our cabin card, which worked fine. Seems like it's a system which will be used now by several new builds.

Don't know about Capt. Kent; however, we sailed on the Coral Princess some years back with Capt. Roger Bilton in command - he was very friendly and personable--always happy to talk with passengers. He even took part in the staff vs. passengers water polo competition one afternoon on a sea day. One of our favorite Captains!

The show is fine--some amazing entertainers -- BUT, IMO, the concept of eating in the dark while trying to watch the show (not easy from some of the tables) is flawed. I would have been fine with just the show, or at the very least, the meal first, with the show to follow.

Our experience was not a positive one--which was unfortunate. We had a rude woman seated at our table who was making multiple demands of the poor servers, who were doing the best they could--I sure wouldn't want to serve meals in the dark and have to deal with ignorant people.

Like you, we were upgraded from a Balcony Cabin to a Family Mini-Suite on Deck 12 down the hall from the Splash Academy (our cruise was Jan.5-17 on the Breakaway). There weren't many kids on our cruise - i believe they said about 100 for that sailing. Although our cabin was farther down the deck that you will be, we never experienced any problems with noise.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

We expect to get a good amount of snow here as well in SE MA (they predict 15+ inches). Leaving tomorrow to take AMTRAK to NYC to board the Breakaway on Jan. 5th. Already had to cancel 2 train reservations--now hopefully leaving LATE tomorrow. Won't relax until we reach our hotel.:eek:

Good luck to all of you in the blizzard -- just keep thinking of your next upcoming cruise!;):)

We have a video taken by my DH's cousin of the pool through the portholes in the hidden room. It was so funny being "voyeurs", watching the people in the pool. Also have video of that really long passageway that looks like the ship was actually twisting from side to side as we walked along. Again, to repeat myself, what a fantastic experience to have sailed on this special ship twice.

Don't think there are any other ships out there still sailing today that could match the SS Norway.

Thanks to those who posted the links for the cruise during 9/11 and the footage from the Today show. Great to see!

Always so pleased to see a thread start up again on the SS Norway! We were very fortunate to have sailed on her twice in 1995 and 2001 and in the same cabin both times.

Yes, the ship was a little dated, but we never have had another similar cruising experience on any other ship - small or large. Truly a throwback to a much more elegant mode of cruising. The grand staircase into the dining room, wonderful shows, the ice cream shop, fantastic midnight buffet, and the "hidden" room under one of the pools were just some of the highlights for us. Glad the tenders "little Norway 1 and 2" are still in use.

The Norway was definitely our favorite ship and we are glad to have our memories of her. Too bad she came to such a sad ending.

Thanks for taking the time to write your review. You did a great job with your details and descriptions of the ship and acitivities throughout your cruise. Anxious to see your photos of the ship as we'll be sailing on the Breakaway next January. Good for you that you were prepared for the rough seas with your seasick remedies. We know how rough it can be going to or coming from Bermuda. When we sailed from Boston a few years back it was so rough DH and I were the only ones at our table for 10 in the dining room!

Again, thank you for your review!

Got sick on our last cruise (NCL GEM) to Canada and back. I saw the ship dr. the day we were in port in Quebec. The charges for the dr. and medicine totalled $245. Medicare did not cover, my medigap insurance did not cover, but thank goodness we always get travel insurance. This time was through the cruiseline. I submitted the claim (along with denial from Medicare) and the claim was covered and I was reimbursed for all charges. Would never travel and/or cruise without travel insurance. Incidentally, this was the 1st time we ever had to put in a claim -- well worth the price, IMHO.

Thank you for posting your photos of the S/S Norway. We were so fortunate to have sailed her in 1995 and 2001 (in the same stateroom--N49 on the Norway deck). What a wonderful ship. Our cruises on her gave us a taste of what her past life had been as a true ocean liner. I am still obsessed with her and appreciate seeing any info./photos I can find of her. And thank you also for posting the name of the book--I will try to find it in our local bookstore.

We try not to think of the unfortunate end to this lovely vessel, but focus on the great memories we have of sailing on her.

We enjoyed hearing the husband/wife team of Arvin and Emily on the Spirit in 2010. Believe they may have been from the Phillipines. They were fantastic. One of the nights they sang Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand tunes in one of the lounges and did a great job.

So truly sorry for your loss. At least you can be comforted by the fact that your Dad was with his loving family one last time, experiencing something that he truly enjoyed.

Thank you so much for sharing your touching story with all of us here at CC.

God Bless you and your family.

This is on the Port (left) side of the ship. We were in E723 on the Emerald a few months ago and loved the location of our mini--aft, covered and quiet.

During sailaway, it's more fun to be out on one of the decks, but being on your balcony is nice as well. We met up with some folks from our Roll Call for an informal get-together after the muster drill during sailaway at Outrigger's Bar (aft).

Enjoy!

Not interested in returning to Jamaica; Cartagena, Columbia; Progesso, MX. No desire to cruise to middle eastern/African ports and not quite ready for Alaska yet--but maybe when we've retired and have had our fill of the Caribbean.;)