TravelinFam

On 9/9/2019 at 7:37 AM, TheDougOut said:

Smoking Policy

 

Bliss, Joy and Encore have a designated smoking room within the Casino. On Encore, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, pipe smoking and vapor smoking devices are permitted Deck 8 portside. Cigar Smoking only is allowed in the Cigar Lounge.

 

So Deck 8 portside - I'm guessing this will be around the Sugarcane on the Waterfront bar area?  Anything else and it'll conflict with Onda / Cagney's on the Waterfront. 

 

Just when I thought NCL was making progress with the smoking situation... they plop the smoking area in the middle of the Waterfront.  I guess the Spice elimination continues to cause unfavorable consequences.  

 

So happy to hear about the smoking section on the ship...a place to relax with our drinks and have a cigarette...

On 9/9/2019 at 9:23 AM, Son of a son of a ... said:

 

Quite correct ... the elimination of Spice also eliminated the outdoor smoking section in Spice.  NCL needed to have one outside area for smoking and deck 8 was the only option.

True

👩

Last week, there were still passes 40 minutes after embarkation began.

 

 

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Hello! :)What's the cost for the week?

I had weight loss surgery last year, so I can only eat small amounts of food. I think ordering two appetizers would suit me (I'm also vegetarian, and I usually prefer the appetizer options to the entrees).

 

I know I could eat in the buffet (and did on a cruise with my mother last October) but I'm travelling solo on a 20 day cruise next month, and I would prefer to eat some of my meals in the MDR with other people.

 

Is it weird to just order appetizers?

I do it all the time when I go out to dinner...my mother does too.

Happy sailings!

I was using a little humor as the Epic bathroom set-up has been very controversial .

I will say it gave maximum flexibility but you feel you are out in the open when using both the toilet and the shower .Plus water would get on the floor from the shower and the vanity mirror lights were very poor .

It was an interesting idea splitting up the 3 fixtures but it hadn't been done before or since .

Don't get me started on the weird wavy walls .

;p:') Funny...lol...I still have so much to learn about these ships.

Honestly, I know so many families that would only sail DCL after trying other cruise lines...then they cruise NCL and these are the two exceptions...

And with a son in college, we need to save $$ We actually booked DCL Fantasy and I changed it to NCL Getaway. 2 reasons...save $$ and when our boys (son and nephew) travel throughout Europe they're treated as young men, not children. They are able to have wine with dinner, watch sports over a beer, and have cocktails. At least in NCL I can sign the waiver for my son and we are able to have wine together during dinner and beer otherwise (they are 20). And I have a feeling there's more for them to enjoy on the Getaway...

Yours is one of multiple posts that mention huge increases in DSL cruises . I was under the impression that they were always sky high and more then the rest . No ?

 

Funny but the same thing happened to me with NCL ! Two weeks before our Epic cruise they banned all carry on drinks . Was not happy .

If you want real luxury cruise on the Epic . The bathrooms are divided into 3 ! ;p

That is good to know...so convenient. I haven't looked into Epic. Honestly, I've only researched Breakaway, Getaway, and Escape

Thanks! :D

Sorry to say, but none of the things you mentioned except for the split bathrooms in some cabins (not all) are Disney-specific, but can be found on other (also mass market) cruise lines as well.

 

And yes, Disney does carry all the same well liquors as all other cruise lines - you can choose to pay for premium liquors on all other lines just as well.

Well, that was our experience each time throughout the years and we are happy we had that experience. Also, we didn't pay an up-charge for top shelf. As a matter of fact, believe it or not, we got buy backs...

And there's nothing to be sorry about...I hope that is true, that it's not Disney-specific. For a waiter to remember every night that my husband hates the taste of vinegar or mayo and to automatically make sure his entrees do not have it...Though I was told that NCL a la carte restaurants serve one entree, for what you just mentioned it appears if my son and nephew are still hungry at Le Bistro, they will be able to have a second entree at no extra charge.

I was looking forward to this cruise but now even more...Thank you!

Holy bleep Disney's prices are higher than NCL.

 

What do you get for that price, besides a prettier boat and Mickey? I've heard the food is largely equivalent.

The staterooms are slightly larger, the bathrooms are split (shower and sink in one room and toilet and sink in another) The staff gets to know everything about you and your family from day one. So if you need anything they know just what to do to make it happen. Whether it's dinner, activities...likes, dislikes...hubby loved that.

I cant compare the food to NCL's since it's been years since I've cruised with NCL. But dinning in DCL was always a great experience. The food was amazing and the desserts as well. My husband and son often had two appetizers and entrees without asking. The ship is gorgeous, but that is not why we sail DCL. It's the attention to detail in everything each cast member (staff) did. If we didn't finish the wine during dinner, we had the option to take it to the stateroom or have it with dinner the following night...I wonder if NCL does that? I'll have to find out.

We often teared as we got off, we became friends with the cast members (staff) and often like family...because we would see the same again and again.

The first time I cruised with DCL was 14 years ago and I was alone with my 5yr old son. I was the only single parent on the ship but I was never alone. Every time I turned around there was someone there helping me or keeping me company while my son was in the kids club. Also, I just would not trust any other company with my son.

Going back after our son had grown, hubby and I participated in a lot of the adults only activities and hardly ever ran in to small children. Participated in excellent mixology classes, Tequila tastings, whiskey tastings...and they were all fun! The adults only pool was great. The adults only restaurants (dinner at Palo $25 and dinner at Remy $50) was well worth it. We never had anything less than top shelf or premium liquor...I'm not sure if they even carry anything less than. (Do other ships carry well or rail brands?)

Also, the other guests...people were just so nice...throughout the years we made friends with so many other families from other states and in Europe. I've read so many complaints about other guests in NCL it's sad...and that's not a reflection on NCL. But we did pay more for the entire experience.

We are prepared for a completely new experience in our upcoming NCL cruise...keeping an open mind and open to a new and different experience...without comparing the two...

I hope this helps...

Thank you...but I meant on Embarkation Day...which full service restaurants are open for lunch?Thank you!

I just saw an embarkation day Getaway daily from 2015...and it shows O'Sheehan's opened at 11:30AM and Savor & Flamingo opened at noon. I wonder if that means Margaritaville will be open at noon as well since it took Flamingo's place.

If you think NJ Transit is any more reliable than the LIRR, you're mistaken...their on-time record is awful...and NJ Transit still doesn't have the safety equipment in place to help prevent crashes that is required by the federal government . I have no idea if the LIRR has it, but the point is that neither railroad is that great. Oh, and I've lived on both LI and in NJ and ridden both railroads more times than I can count, so I have years of personal experience with both.

 

That aside, my main point is that you were providing incorrect information when you said the EWR AirTrain will take you to Penn Station, because it doesn't. You still have to change trains just as you do if taking the JFK AirTrain.

You are right, I am wrong...I will unsubscribe to this thread.

The EWR AirTrain only takes you from the airport terminals to the Amtrak/NJ Transit Newark Airport station. From there you have to take an Amtrak or NJ Transit train to get to NY Penn Station. Other than being a shorter trip it's no easier than taking the JFK AirTrain to Jamaica and then transferring to the Long Island Railroad, which also takes you into NY Penn Station, or a subway to get to the West Side of Manhattan.

I grew up in Queens and lived in LI...LIRR trains aren't reliable & I never felt safe at the Jamaica terminal. I did that route once when my child was younger. Again, my personal preference.

The executives I assist also prefer the commute to/from EWR.

But everyone has their preferences and valid points.

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I tried to attached the Newark AirTrain info...

ewr-airtrain-brochure-english.pdf

I arrange travel at work, including car service. This is a message from one of the car service companies we use, and others advice of the same:

Changes in LaGuardia Airport Service

To all clients:

As of August 11, 2016:

With the long-term construction and the resulting traffic atLaGuardia Airport, we have to modify service options:

For Passenger Pick Ups:

• 
  
• No Inside Meet & Greet service. The cause is no parking.
  
• The On Demand, Standby and Outside Reservation options are available but will require additional response time during peak hours such as from 5 PM to 9 PM
  

For Passenger Drop Offs:

• 
  
• Add extra travel time both to reach the airport and pass through TSA screening upon arrival.
  

Recommendations:

• 
  
• Use Newark Liberty International (EWR) and John F Kennedy (JFK) airports whenever alternate flight choices are available.
  

As far as the Airtrain from JFK...I'm a New Yorker and find it a pain in the @$$...I wouldn't recommend it to a tourist. Most the clients (also New Yorkers) I arrange travel for prefer Newark if using public transportation. The Airtrain leaves you in Penn Station which is in the West Side of NYC withing 30min. There are plenty of yellow cabs...grab one to the NCL port.

Under normal circumstances, I personally prefer LGA for the convenience...but I have to agree with another post...NY airports are a mess...both LGA and JFK.

I hope all our suggestions help...Happy Sailings! :cool:

No matter how self empowered you think you are, you should never touch any one else's property. Even if it is a pool towel that they are personally responsible for.

Take care though; towels are one thing but personal items are totally different. I used to walk round the promenade deck about 6.30 am and there were lots of chairs with stuff on. If I was walking again at 9am and the stuff was still there looking as it did earlier I would have a word with customer services. Let the staff deal with it but do keep informing them; do NOT moan.

Agreed...and yes, don't sweat the small stuff.

Just of the Getaway, Savor and/or Taste are open for lunch, but not on port days.

 

 

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Thank you...but I meant on Embarkation Day...which full service restaurants are open for lunch?

Thank you!

On the Getaway, which full service restaurants are available for lunch? (Not buffet) Thank you

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There has never been a white party on Getaway. It's been the Glow party from the start. It's a bunch of booming loud dance music that is somehow drowned out by the cruise staff yelling, "Make some noise!!" and "Somebody scream!!!" and "Get up and dance!!!!" over and over and over again. That's about it.

I love how they have something for everyone...that is just right up my mother's alley...she's 77 yrs old, loves loud music, and the "Somebody scream" takes her back to the 80's. No one needs to tell her to "Get up and Dance" She's always the first...God Bless her.

BTW Thank you for the description, we were just wondering if they had the White Party. But she will still love the Glow Party. I cant keep up with her...

That's exactly right! That's why we got out of there fairly quickly. I much preferred the 80s party, at which they played old music videos.

I would prefer an 80's party as well...but maybe a 70's party more...Disco...

Thanks again for your replies. I will be unsubscribing now that I've gotten may helpful answers and before we get replies that get off topic.

Happy sailing everyone!

Thank you all for your replies. Very helpful, we're so looking forward to it.

Hi! :)

We're traveling next month on the Getaway and we were wondering if they still have the white party? Anyone who has sailed on the Getaway recently?

Thank you! ;)

Yes, there are vending machines. We had a 9:30 check-in and the terminal waiting area was not at all crowded at that time. There was also coffee, tea, water and I think, juice set-up and available for free. We had some time to wait until boarding, but we waited in seats and not a line.

Great...thank you! :)

Something I see missing - isn't it customary to tip the porters $1/bag like at the airport with curbside check in or a hotel bellboy?

yeap...it was covered...

VideoTech...this is so helpful.

Quick "?" Are there kiosks/vending machines in the terminal to buy refreshments or snacks? If not, are we able to take any to the terminal?

*TravelinFam "...swim up bar in Costa Maya and my family and I would like to go. What's the name and where is it?" When you come off the Cruise Ship, at Costa Maya, there's many shops you stroll through and right in center is the pool which is FREE to use and has a swim up bar, you can't miss it! They are also repairing the area to offer encounter with dolphins. :D

Great, thank you!

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