PCLMassachusetts

..... I can't imagine paying already thousands more for getting that service per person and then turning around to tip them more. I just don't think paying soooooooooo much more for their service.... and then tip then also is worth it. I hope I am not taken wrong...don't want to start WW3 lol!! Maybe if I am more enlightened to just what they do I might appreciate the extra expense. Be easy on me now as I truely believe in tipping

I would just like to point out that depending on a particular cruisers situation, it may not cost more at all for a suite and the benefits. We are a family of 5 so two cabins are necessary. We were looking into 2 connecting balcony cabins for our upcoming Dawn cruise. We found that by booking a family suite with balcony that we can all fit into we are actually saving $400.00 and getting a $300.00 OBC.

As far as what they do to earn the tip I cannot say as this will be a first for us. Just assume that it always more expensive for everyone.

We were able to do this on the Gem. You should be able to do it also.

Great idea. Perhaps you and others could include the name of dish that is in the photo so that we know what we are looking at. Looking forwadd to this thread growing.

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It really is no different than going out to eat at home. You can't expect to walk into a decent restaurant at home at 6 or 630 without a reservation and have no wait. Same thing on the ship. If go at a slightly off time like 530 or 730ish you shouldn't have an issue. Or you can make a reservation earlier in the day for time that you want.

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Just park in the garage at the terminal. Easiest way to do it.

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It is both paper and on file. We just wrnt through this last week. We couldn't find the paper. When we called to book the cruise, as soon as they entered my information into the computer there it was. No problems.

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My two thoughts

A) Time for NCL to change the name of mini-suites to something else to avoid the confusion.

2) Judging from our GEM experience you shouldn't have any trouble making specialty reservations once you are on the ship. The first day we chose which night we wanted Teppanyaki and booked it. The other days we would decide in the morning where we wanted to dine that night and made the reservations before going to port (if it was a port day). A few of the nights we ate in the MDR and made those reservations as well. We were a party of 10 and never had a problem getting the time or restaurant that we wanted.

Enjoy your cruise.

We were driving from the MA/RI border to the NY cruise terminal in April, so weather wasn't really a concern. 3 hrs 36 min according to mapquest. We went down the night before and got a hotel. $130 well worth the peace of mind and it allows you to be wake up in the morning and be fresh and ready for the cruise. We too have kids that are fine in the car but chose to spend the relatively little bit of money for the convenience. It all comes down to personal preference.

Thanks everyone for all of the great replies. Very helpful.

Sparkygirl, my main question regarding the suite would be any concerns with noise from the deck above. When I called to book I was told that the only thing directly above me would be a small outdoor restaurant. So I'm guessing that it shouldn't be too noisy early in the morning or late at night.

Thanks for the info on the suite life with kids. I'm sure it will be great having the afternoon snacks available in the suite after getting back on the ship.

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Which/what type of cabin is this? (not everyone knows all the cabin numbers by heart

it is a family suite with a balcony.

Just booked the Dawn for December 28 to January 4th sailing from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean. Can any of you help me with a few questions?

1. Booked suite # 12520. Myself, wife and 3 kids. Have any of you stayed in this cabin? Any concerns with its location? First time with a suite and we are really looking forward to the experience. On our last cruise we had two balcony cabins and the cost for the suite isn't that much more than the two cabins.

2. Never done the Western Caribbean before. Any thoughts on this itinerary? Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

3. We have a room booked at the Hampton Inn & Suites Convention Center for the night before the cruise. Any thoughts on this particular hotel or the area in general? Things to do in the immediate area, safety etc.

Thanks for the help.

Guess what? A friend of mine just called me and said Hey idiot, what's a Champagne Bar. And I said its the gold bar on the Star. duh He said thats called Gatsby's. Im like oh yeah it was the champagne bar on the EPIC, and he said no idiot, that was Shakers. Well Im thinking there must be an NCL champagne bar because I am having a very blonde moment AGAIN.

 

 

LOL:D

This is taken from www.beyondships.com : Star's champagne/martini bar is Gatsby's

So I guess you are also correct. It may not be called "the champagne bar" but according to this site it s A champagne bar.

By far one of the best reviews that I have ever read. Sailing out of Boston to Bermuda on the Dawn in May and while it isn't this same exact ship/trip, the review is great.

Because some children enjoy dressing up and eating out at a nice restaurant. Some children enjoy trying new foods. Some children behave totally appropriate in specialty restaurants.

 

 

Some parents really like to spend as much time with their children while they are young because they grow up so fast.

 

 

Children are passengers same as everyone else on the ship. They deserve more than chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and hot dogs if they so choose.

Great answer!!!

We dine out both with and without our children. They enjoy going to restaurants and know how to behave.

If you take your children out to eat at an early age and teach them what is expected of them there is absolutely no reason why you can't do it with them on a vacation as well. If you never take them out and expose them to different foods then that is when they only know how to eat chicken nuggets and have a 2 minute attention span.

It must be purchased at least 2 days before the cruise starts, so I think it's safe to say anyone purchasing this will be doing so before they leave domestic waters.

Not true. We were just on the GEM and purchased it after we got on the ship. In fact, while at one of the bars on the 2nd day I saw someone purchase it. They had to pay for the entire 7 days but were still able to purchase it mid cruise. No clue of they had to pay tax or not, but you can certainly buy it after you get on the ship.

 

 

This is the one I liked...

 

 

 

framer

That is a great shot! Definitely frame worthy.

Trying to figure out what a "smart water" liter is?

From top of Empire State Building

F

Fountain at Rockefeller Plazza

From top of Empire State Building

try this website

 

http://deckplangenius.com/

Any idea why this site does not include any NCL ships? Sailing on the Gem in April, 2012 and I would love to find out about my cabins but no luck on that site.