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When do you put in those requests? Calling RCL customer service before the actual cruise? or on the first night while onboard?

Thank you for taking the time to do a review!

Thank you for taking the time to write your review!

OP here. Yes, many other cabins are available. I just thought the ones I mentioned would be nice as they have bigger balconies. We can't do aft balconies as these are only for 2 people and we'll be 4.

Our itinirary includes Antigua, St Lucia, and Barbados and St Kitts. Is there any preference in either port or starboard cabins?

Thank you!

Hello!

On our Jewel of the Seas cruise, we (2 adults + 2 kids) have the choices between D1 cabins 9584 (mid-hump), 9076 (larger balcony) or an E1 cabin 8102 (extra large balcony). The difference between E1 and D1 is about $200.

Which cabin would you pick? Are there disadvantages to the angled balconies (ie loss of privacy or limited view).

Also, will the cabins be extra noisy due to location close to centrum? Any cigarette smell since casino is in the open space below?

Thank you!

Hello,

We're a family of 4 (DS14 and DS10). Which ship would you pick for a Southern Carribean itinerary (same ports except Jewel is going to St. Thomas vs Adventure is going to St Marteen)?

Prices are very similar for a balcony, but on the Jewel, we can get one of the balconies on the hump with a larger balcony. My kids don't really do kids club, and we rarely go to shows. The main things we are looking for on a cruise are interesting ports, good food, and clean and fresh-looking rooms. I read that AOS staterooms were not renovated during dry-dock so I'm a bit worried about that. We're looking to book for December 2017, so any chance rooms will be updated by then? Were all staterooms on Jewel renovated during dry-dock? That might be a deciding factor for us.

Thank you for any input!

We were just there. I was making my way towards the Baths after paying my entrance fee, and the person at the counter actually called me back and pointed me to the direction of Devil's Bay. Not sure why, but she insisted that I go that way. When making our way thru the caves, I didn't feel one way was more crowded than the other. There were guides (with Speedy's Ferry sign) telling us where to go and when to stop to let a group going the opposite way through.

We took the 7:45 am ferry and actually had more than enough time. We even decided to catch the 11:30 am ferry back to Tortola to avoid the 12:40 rush. It was a great day!

Anyone knows the cancellation policy on these bookings? The price is really good, but we're not sure we can go due to our kids' summer schedule. Wonder if I can book now and cancel before 90 days if schedule doesn't work out.

Your underwater pictures are awesome! Did you use any type of enhancement software or did your pictures just came out looking this bright and colorful?

Thank you for sharing!

The 18% specialty dining service charge was introduced in March 2015, for people who paid the cover charge on board or purchased the UDP.

 

The promotional UDP perk continued to be totally free through April 2015. The terms made no mention of service charge or gratuity, because it wasn't an issue until then.

 

In May 2015 the promo changed from UDP to a small specialty dining credit, and the terms said "Includes applicable gratuities", which meant that you could use the credit to pay for both your meal and the new 18% specialty dining charge.

 

In June 2015 the UDP perk came back, but now they added this statement to the terms: "Guest is responsible for 18% gratuities & service charges on the retail value of the Ultimate Dining Package prior to cruise."

 

Starting in August 2015, the UDP perk was replaced by the SDP, and the service charge has always been extra on the free SDP for bookings through NCL US.

 

So the answer to the OP's question is June and July 2015. If you booked with the UDP perk before that, it was completely free. If you booked after that, you didn't get the UDP.

Thank you so much! That's what I was looking for. We booked end of April 2015, so the 18% service charge was included in the free perk at no extra cost.

Hi,

Can any of you remember when NCL started charging 18% service charge on the UDP that passengers get as a free perk?

Thanks!

I understand there is an extra tax for drinks consumed while the ship is in a US port, but what about food? We'll be having dinner at Cagney's at 6pm on the Escape on the first night and wondering if we'll incur an extra tax for that.

Thanks!

We'll be sailing on the Escape soon and was wondering if anyone has the new updated menu for Le Bistro.

Thanks!

I had the "old" UDP and was aboard the Escape last week. Ate lunch in Margaritaville every day and it was included - no charge. And, each day it was pretty empty there (it can be very hot in that location).

Thank you!

We have the old UDP, which has unlimited specialty dining, so technically going to Margaritaville will not count against our allotment of specialty dining since it's unlimited. Right?

We will be on the Escape this December and have the UDP as a perk. It is the old UDP with unlimited specialty (we booked April 2015). I remember a while back when Margaritaville was going a la carte that, per NCL, the old UDP will still cover Margaritaville. Anyone knows if it is still the case? I just wanted to make sure before I go there.

Thank you very much!

Is Margaritaville still included for those who have the original UDP (free specialty dining everyday)?

The Getaway alters their time to be the local time unlike Carnival. The private operator has generic instructions that is confusing things for ships that alter their time. Belize was 8am all around if i remember right. It is a tender port so you will need to book what time you want off and then a 15 minute boat ride or so.

Thank you very much!

We used über, it cost s $60'for 4 of us

Did you use uberX or uberXL. We're a family of 4 with 4 pieces of luggage, so I'm thinking we need SUV Or minivan

Thank you so much for posting the dailies!

Can you please tell me when docking in Belize if the local time matches ship time. I'm planning a private excursion and would like to know what time I need to schedule my tour. Thank you!

I made most of our reservations while waiting to board, I can't remember about the tenders. I think they were already there, but not sure. They will be in the entertainment section.

 

I can't remember the time changes, either. There will be a notecard in your room each night telling you whether you need to move your clocks forward or back.

Thank you for the tips!

You will be able to book them through the Iconcierge app as soon as you board. I think you can also do it through any of the touch screens or on your in-room television. They do not actually pass out tickets, no one needs to go pick them up.

 

I booked ours for the second tender of the day because we had a privately arranged tour, but didn't want to be in the mad rush for the first one. In reality, they were not even checking times, people were just boarding whenever they wanted to. It didn't seem to be a problem, though.

Thank you so much! I already have the app and will be sure to book something as soon as it lets me. I think I heard that one can even try to use the app while waiting to board.

Also, do you remember if Belize local time match NCL ship time?

I understand that we will need tender tickets on the Getaway for our stop in Belize. What is the best way of getting them and how soon can we try to get them (as soon as we board, the day before...)? We really need to be on one of the first tenders so we can be on time for our privately arranged excursion.

Thank you!

We didn't get to bed until after 3 am. And we had an excursion the next morning and an 8:15 am tender booked. Oops.

 

May I ask how you booked the 8:15 am tender. We will have a private excursion in Belize and will need the get off the ship as early as possible. Thank you!

Hi,

Would you please tell me how the water taxi ride to Caye Caulker was? Was it bumpy and uncomfortable and hot? A member of our party is prone to seasickness, so I just want to be prepared.

Also, was the water taxi crowded on your way back to Belize City? We are a bit worried about the water taxi being full for the 1:30pm departure and not being able to get on it and go back on time for sailaway.

Thank you!