sweetpee_1993

Hi Kim! What a read! I just marathoned this review/report because it looks like I'll get to do a short cruise on the Epic soon. Yay! I've always thought she looked interesting!

I so hate that you didn't have the crazy amazing experience at the Baths that we did. I love doing adventurous things. Climbing around the rocks is fun still....and I'm over 40 & have also packed on entirely too many pounds. Ugh! I hope someday you can go back and take your time taking it in. Seeing all the granite rocks like that...its incredible. Devils Bay is a gorgeous beach. You have to go see it! The first time we went we did it DIY using Speedy's ferry service. I didn't like it. Second time was the first leg of our Escape b2b in May. My plan was to walk outside the port area and find one of the guys who are looking to fill their boat to go over. Worked great. We had 6 of us. I knew from my reading they would want 10. So when he quoted me the per person price I multiplied it out and offered him that much cash to leave now with just the 6 of us. And that's how I got my family a private charter to/from The Baths for under $500. We really liked the guy a lot. We arranged to do a private charter the next week when we returned. The price was more, I think $900, but we had a local build a trip to my family. From our preferred sodas to beer, he stocked up for us. We did 5 different stops. 3 were amazing snorkeling, best we've ever done. 2 were mind-blowing beaches to enjoy. It wasn't one of our best port days ever. Hands down.

The family drama. I appreciate the honesty. There's not a trip we go on that we done have pissy drama. I chalk it up to us just being a passionate bunch of people. It happens. Life isn't all sunshine & rainbows. Honesty in your writing is what keeps it authentic. Relatable. So thank you.

We loooooved Escape. That was a fabulous time. B2B. We homeschooled our sons thru high school and let them pick where they wanted to graduate. Son #1 wanted to graduate on the Panama Canal. We did that on Disney Wonder. Son #2 wanted to graduate on a ship in a bar with a beer. He specified not Disney. ((We burned him out for a bit.)) So, he graduated on the Escape in the 5 O'clock Somewhere Bar with a Corona. That's my boy! LOL! We adored the For the Record show on Escape! Honest, I think it's my favorite show I've ever seen on any cruise ship. I'm an 80s kid. John Hughes movies, the music, etc. It was amazing. My graduate didn't miss any performance over the 2 weeks. He also befriended most of the talent staying out late in the bars. It was crazy good. I hope y'all love the Escape as much as we did. It was crazy awesome. Heck, I'm ready to jump back onboard with you!

Have to give major kudos to you for being amaze-balls parents! My sibs played sports when I was a kid but I never cared to. Sports were not my deal. When I was 12 I decided I wanted to get certified to dive. I found all the info. My best friend's dad was a diver and was going to take us. I had it all arranged. But... my parents shut it down. They just didn't see the value. If I'd asked to play softball I'd have been in like Flynn. Dive? Uh, no. I'm over 40 and I know I'll get certified before I take up the dirt bed. I absolutely LOVE that you let your little mermaid girl be her fine little fishy self. It's beautiful to behold. Way to go, momma. Rockin it.

The wine. It's been very recent I've started developing my palate. I always hated wine. Loved beer. I questioned the validity of my girl-card. But then I started figuring out what I like. Sweet. I love the sweet. Moscatos. I prefer sparkling served chilled. I do NOT like dry. Still haven't found a taste for reds but I'm working into roses. But sparkling sweet ones. If you ever get the chance, try Moët Ice champagne. It's pricy. Admittedly. It's a nice splurge. Remember, I don't like strong or dry. Moët Ice is designed to be served over ice. The ice releases the full bouquet. It's fruity, a little sweet, not overpowering. Not dry at all. Also, ask for recommendations when at restaurants. I always ask for sweet, sparkling, NOT dry. No reds. They know what they have and should match you up. Or let you know they don't have that. That's when it's martini time!

Obviously I've traversed MCO a lot with all my Disney cruises. Don't even ask about all my trips to Disney parks. I'm one of those Disney fans....right down to being a shareholder. ;) Hey, you haven't lived until you've bar hopped the monorail loop! LOL! I agree with you, the airport in Orlando is really a nice one. Contrast it with Miami (ugh) or San Diego (gah). I've stayed in the Hyatt in MCO. Husband and I flew in late pre-cruise once. I'm not sure about other cruise lines but when you sail with Disney if you let them know at check-in that you're doing a Disney cruise they put you on a list and give you instructions for the next morning. Basically, when you leave your hotel room to go down to the bus check-in you leave your checked luggage in the room. They come collect it, deliver it to the cruise line, and next time you see your bags is on the ship when they are delivered. It's really neat! I don't see why they couldn't do that for other cruise lines, too. Hopefully they do.

Again, really enjoyed your review. Beautiful family. You do good work, girl. Take care!

The thermal suite has showers. It opens at 8:00. Closes at 10:00 except final night.

Thanks!

I've sailed on the Getaway and Escape. Looks like I'll be trying out the Epic on a short cruise in March. A dear friend of mine will be sharing an inside stateroom with me. She's sailed on Disney more than 20 times but never any other cruise line. We've roomed together in hotels & DCL suites before. This is going to be a bit of a departure for us. I was wondering if we had thermal suite passes would a locker room with shower facilities be available? Or is the gym locker room equipped? I'm just studying all my options. Looked for a YouTube video but haven't turned up anything as far as video or pics of said facilities. Pics would be very helpful.

Not trying to fire up the Epic bathroom debate or anything. Just trying to be prepared.

Also! For those who have sailed the *away class & Epic... Is the open casino and wandering smoke smells on other decks a thing on Epic?

I grew up in New Orleans. Expect a in-depth report on the food. 😊 Assuming I return.

We lived in the NOLA area many years. I'm not expecting the food at Tiana's to be overly remarkable by what we know & love. Hopefully they'll surprise me. I'm not counting on it, though. This time next week we'all be having our first sleep of the cruise!

you get a bigger bonus per certificate if you buy 2 or more.

instead of $100 obc each, you get $125 each when you buy 2+!!!

so in this case, the cruise consultants were actually trying to give you a better deal.

 

or has that changed? (it's been a year since I bought mine.)

Right. But not everyone wants or needs more than 1 certificate. In the next 4 years my in-laws have many other trips in the works. Only 1 certificate would be of use. It's when you get a message alluding to some issue with a purchase that needs to be discussed only to get pressure sales tactics over the phone. I was sitting next to her when she made the call. I could hear every word. It was really odd. You shouldn't need to say no-thank-you politely over and over and over dodging every angle repeatedly. If you don't need something, no amount of badgering can make it a value. I get that it's a better "deal" but only if you are going to use both. If not, the 2nd certificate is useless.

The sales pitch is really quite tacky. My mother-in-law bought a single certificate using the app. She got the exact same message followed by sales pitch to buy more. This was her first NCL cruise. It just came off so tacky. Hubby had discussed buying a couple certificates to give our sons but after the whole scenario played out with his mom he changed his mind.

I'll be clinging to this review like a lifeline! We set sail on our b2b Escapes the day you disembark. Warm the ship up for us! Can't wait for more!

I am the group leader for the May 21st sailing on the Escape, so I guess I'll find out what, if anything is included... I am not really expecting anything, I'm happy just to be on board...

Our fearless leader! I hope they crown you and rollout the red carpet. :D:p

Thanks all.

I looked through the FAQs and somehow missed it. Hmmm....

I wonder why no Visa for the calls. That's interesting. I guess I'll make sure Mom has a MC.

Mom only has a simple flip phone. She can access her email & bank accounts but really doesn't have the technical wherewithal to do much else. So all the other avenues of communication won't be much use. I plan to call every few days. I marked her calendar for our St. Thomas days & turnaround day so she knows the days we can pick up her calls. It's just tough being out of contact for the first time since my brother passed away. I'm who is left for them. I want them to know I'm never *really* out of reach so they'll have that peace of mind.

Thank you for the kindness.

Sorry for bumping such an old thread. I need to verify this is still the correct procedure for emergency contact on our upcoming b2b Escape cruises. I need to give my folks a way to contact me if an emergency should arise.

I just read thru my edocs. I saw no mention of the emergency contact. Tried google, too. ;)

Thank you muchly!

Should we bring a night light so we don't stumble around at night and wake everyone?

Bring a couple battery operated LED tea lights. You can set one in the bathroom + one in the room if needed.

^^^^

Not on NCL but on another line departing a closed loop cruise from Florida, my friend who I was cruising with forgot her passport at home. She had her husband scan & email her original birth certificate the night before we sailed. Our hotel was nice enough to print it for her. She was able to sail with a printed emailed COPY of her birth certificate. We didn't talk anyone into anything. She presented it, a supervisor looked at it, and off we went. These aren't rules set forth by the cruise lines. It's not advisable in case of emergency but you can sail with a photocopy. I never would've believed it had I not seen it happen with my own eyes.

Thanks so much for the input and advice. I really appreciate it. So just wanted to update: talked to hubby again this morning. Read him all your responses. I called Hilton and was referred to the Advanced Purchase Dept. The nice person there gave us the option to pay a $25 cancellation fee on the existing "non-refundable" room and rebook an advance purchase rate at a property in Key West. We chose a Hilton Garden Inn (I think it was) for about $100 more than the first Home2. I know it's not ideal in Old Town but I didn't want to spend $500+ for the properties down there. We won't be in KW long enough for all that. I'm really pleased with this rearrangement of plans. I think we did the right thing.

Thanks again, friends, for the advice and kind responses.

Now, best recommendation for a good, Key West dinner??? Looking for a good balance of food + ambiance but not loud & crazy. Laid back is more our speed. Also, I e always been intrigued by the Better Than S*x dessert place. Any experiences there?

We are flying into MIA on a Thursday 2 days before our cruise in May. We really wanted to make the drive down to Key West. We are renting a car and have a room booked at the Home2 in Florida City. Will that location make the drive down to Key West on Friday morning easier in terms of time? We had planned to drive down in the earlier morning, have lunch, do a little wandering, then drive back to the Homewood Blue Lagoon at MIA. My other son & inlaws will be arriving very late the night before we sail, hence the hotel close to the airport.

We've been to Key West on port stops several times. I was just reading some other threads about the drive and now I'm a bit nervous. Is this an unrealistic plan? I've looked at hotels on Key West for the Thursday night. I suppose that's what I should've done to begin with but yikes at the prices! (Expensive hotels + resort fees + parking = $$$$!). I booked the Florida City Home2 on an advanced purchase price which I'm sure is non-refundable. Still yet, I'm looking at those Key West hotels and considering ditching the money and going for it.

So unsure what to do! I've even considered talking the husband and son into just staying at the Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood but I know they'll nix that. They want to do the drive!

I need a like button! People can really s u c k. Wash your hands. If hot water is available, do it. Agreed. :cool:

I'd like to know what's coming to the Supper Club on Escape. Still nothing on the website.

How bout you just not let 18 year olds drink?? we all waited till we were 21:rolleyes:

I didn't. :eek::cool:

It may be too close to sailing for the OP but worth a look, what about an online pharmacy from another country? You can buy all sorts of stuff (non-narcotic) online from online pharmacies for pretty cheap. It's legal and legit. Prednisone is a pretty ordinary oral steroid. The cream, I'll bet, isn't a real hard to get one. Do a little searching. We stay stocked with basics like antibiotics as a just in case especially for travel.

Please forgive me, as I am new to cruising. When you say upsell, are you referring to upgrading current reservations? And when you talk about 750, 1000, pp are you referring to that amount on top of your previous amount already paid?

 

 

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Yes, upgrading current booked room to a higher category. The 750 & 1000 pp is that much money per person up to a maximum of 2 (3rd + other occupants are no charge) to upgrade. Yes, that is on top of what us already paid. I know it seems like a lot but these people are upgrading into Haven suites. For example, say I paid $3k for my family if 4 in a balcony room on the Escape. I call the upsell folks & get a $750 pp offer to upgrade to a H4 (Haven 2 bedroom suite). Now I've paid a total of $4500 for a room that if I booked right now would cost $9700. That's a more than 50% savings!

Thoroughly enjoyed your review.

I agree on where they bring guests into the ship at. I was a bit perplexed by it on the Getaway, too. Make that first moment a gasp in a good way.

I hadn't thought much about the Glow party for my 18 & 20 yro sons. I suppose I could bring some glowy stuff for them in case they decide to stick with the party like you did.

The video of the best dancer onboard. That fella was feelin the moment! Loved that! Seriously. Life goals right there.

Enjoyed your review. Sure is getting me pumped for our b2b in May. WooHOO!

I personally think it's ridiculous that a 20 year old couple who have been drinking legally at home for a year or two, will take a cruise vacation and be told they're not allowed to drink.

 

In my province, the drinking age is 19 and 10 minutes across the bridge it's 18.

 

NCL has no legal reason to have a drinking age to match the US, as others have said, the rest of the world has a lower drinking age. If parents want to sign the waiver, I see nothing wrong with it. OP, you will likely not be able to sign for the friend, but I would have a signed letter from their parents just in case.

Agreed.

The OP was lit up for asking to do something completely legal on NCL. I couldn't imagine this thread if the OP said they had a 17 year old she was going to give alcohol to, which also happens.

Which also happens legally. In Texas a parent may serve their own children (not friends or nieces/nephews) in both the public and home. If I'm in a restaurant with my (now 18 & 20 yro) sons I can purchase drinks that are served to me and I may legally give the drink to my son. Not all establishments wish for this practice to take place in their restaurant in which case it's correct to defer to the wishes of the owners and not do it. Their place, their rules apply. I drank legally in restaurants in Texas when I was 19-20 because I was married, with my husband who was over 21, and he gave me the drinks. Servers cannot serve to anyone under 21 but a parent or spouse of someone under 21 can.

I always find it odd how topics can devolve from a question of rules to a question of morals. The rule is clear - 18 year olds, with parental permission, may drink beer and wine onboard. Whether your morals allow you to sign that waiver and give permission is completely up to you and no one else. I personally have no issue with it, but if the rule on board was 21, I would not allow my 19 year old to drink, because I'm a stickler for rules, even though he is legal in our country to consume alcohol at 19.

 

When he was 18, he toured Europe and had a Heineken at McDonalds. The rules are different depending where you are.

 

IMO I would rather see an 18 year old having a beer than buying a firearm, but those are not the rules in the US.

Agreed. Ask a question, usher in the morality police. Such is the norm of a forum. LOL!

I'm curious if being a b2b would give me any advantage to snag some passes on the 2nd leg/turnaround day. Interesting.

I did the ropes course! They have an obstacle that I consider scary (one of the long thin beams out near the edge of the ship) as the first one and I almost went back down the stairs, but I mustered up the courage and I'm glad I did. It's so fun! We were allowed to use our GoPro with head mount.

 

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This was me on the Getaway's ropes course. First thing I did was a beam at the edge and it really freaked me out. It messes with your head without even really looking. My first thought was "I'm done!" but I didn't want to be a wuss in front of my hubby. I pushed on. I'm so glad I did because I really got comfortable with myself and had such a fabulous time. Cannot wait to do the ropes course with the whole family on Escape!