tjc78

Thanks for the reminder! I have to throw an extension cord in my bag. As for the water… I travel frequently for work and stopped using it, because it’s a hassle. I didn’t really notice a difference.

The cheesecakes are actually made down the turnpike in Burlington NJ

I have bids out there (both Haven) for our cruise leaving Xmas Eve. I fully expect not to get them, but I also won’t get into a bidding war. If I do happen to win one it will be a heck of a deal. I only bid on them because they emailed me the offer and it was a lower opening bid than last time.

Many years ago we were on 10 and I don’t remember it being noisy at all. 11 is terrible with the crew moving the chairs every morning. We definitely heard that on our second Gem cruise.

I’m sure by now some of the older ships are big money makers for the line… I’m sure they will keep them in service until they are no longer safe or don’t meet some sort of government regulations.

I saw that video. They showed a high traffic area of the hot tubs that the tile was a little worn/stained. I’d say that’s orettt common for even a few year old ship. We sail Epic in 17 days. Can’t wait.

Have a great time! 83 days until I sail Epic!

We are on Epic Christmas week this year. We have never been away for the holiday and wanted to try something different. Instead of hosting both Christmas Eve (7 fishes) and Christmas Day we will be relaxing on the ship. My wife’s birthday is on Christmas so for once I wanted it to be relaxing for her. Kids are 8 and 9 and barely believe in Santa, so despite our little lies about when gifts will be delivered this may be the end.

Alway order your first drink or two with the good stuff, then once you have a buzz it doesn’t matter 😎

@graphicguy I will be looking forward to your live review. I just changed our Christmas week cruise from Breakaway out of New Orleans to Epic out of Port Canaveral. Obviously much different itineraries! Yours sounds amazing.

Both leave on Christmas Eve.

Taking the family (two kids 8 & 9) on a Christmas week cruise. We have Breakaway booked out of NOLA, but now that the Epic is doing an itinerary out of Port Canaveral we are torn. We have a family club balcony booked and would do same on Epic. Epic comes in around $1000 cheaper and is a closer drive from our home. If we take Epic we would take that savings and do Disney for two days before. Thoughts on what ship is better for the kids? The ports aren’t a big deal, we would mostly only do beach excursions anyway

$5.00 to deliver a tray of breakfast to the cabin is worth it to me… better than carrying a tray back from the buffet

Thanks… gonna compare pricing and itinerary to what I have booked.

Were the two December Epic sailings added recently? I don’t remember seeing them when I booked Breakaway out of NOLA for Christmas week. The itinerary is better on the Breakway, but I’ve always wanted to sail Epic.

It’s been over ten years since I did the Chef’s table on the Gem, it was fantastic while they offered it.

Didn’t know that. Thank you!!

Exactly… if you can tell the difference between Goose and Tito’s in a Bloody you must have one heck of a refined palate. Good to know about Bulleit and JWB.. either of those will keep me plenty “happy”.

On my last land vacation to an all inclusive, their bourbon selection wasn’t great. They did always have plenty of Johnny Black so that’s what I drank. Wife and I keep going back and forth on upgrading the drink package for our December cruise. The included one seems to be fine for us except maybe the wines… will have to see.

I wonder about how they put the tiers together. Screwball ($25) is on the plus package and yet Johnnie Black and Chivas which cost more are on the regular. I’m sure there are other examples but this one stuck out to me.

Thanks!

I wouldn’t have thought to bring an extension cord since I haven’t sailed with my Cpap yet, thanks! While on the topic.. can you get distilled water from NCL or do you need to bring your own?