enyaw

Sweet! We're booked in that cabin. Thanks everyone for your help :)

Looks like an old post -- but the information is priceless :)

Looking at these cabins for my Majestic Princess cruise in Australia. BOTH are available right now -- and I'm leaning towards grabbing one.

Anyone else have any insight? Opinion?

Thanks!!

On the Harmony a few weeks ago -- walking through the Promenade was like walking through a straw market in Jamaica. It was beyond obnoxious hearing come look at my watches. check out this necklace. sign up for this offer. Out of all of my cruises, it was definitely the worst.

Hi there!

I have not written a review in a LONG TIME. Probably at least a decade -- and have been on several cruises since. I guess I'm compelled to write one after our recent trip. Keep in mind, we're 38 and 45. Diamond Plus and have done all of the islands. So, we decided to book for the ship, not the itinerary.

We booked a standard balcony room on deck 9, forward. Great location -- but the noise was extremely loud. I don't remember this on any other ship. The cabin steward was loud, as were our neighbors. The door slammed all night. Even during an afternoon nap. Vacuum was being hit against the walls, not the greatest for staying on the ship -- sleeping in at port calls, etc. Are the walls made thinner on this one?

The Diamond lounge was OVERFLOWING. I mean packed to the brim. I usually don't go there, but stopped by since our dining reservations were messed up and no one would fix them. So, I stopped by the concierge and Raj did a nice job getting what we originally booked. Which brings me to my next thing -- double check all reservations at each restaurant on day one. NOTHING was right. I truly don't understand, but happy I had my print-out with me.

As for the restaurants:

Jamie's: A. Great manager who made sure we tried everything!

Chops: B-. Didn't have the greatest tasting steak. Sides were cold. Not the best Chops experience

Sabor: A++++. My favorite. DELICIOUS. especially the Barbacoa Tacos. I couldn't believe how cheap this place is. SO GOOD. It's a must. Just wish the Guac was tableside as described, but no big deal.

Izumi Hibachi: A. Usual Benihana like experience. Lots of fun, clapping, and great drinks!

Main Dining Room: Eh. Seems like they're understaffed and took awhile to get meals every night.

I would only book the dining package in the future and NOT eat in the main dining room.

The service just wasn't there. Anywhere on the ship. It was the first time I walked off and wasn't raving about the service, or the cruise in general. The ship is beautiful, but maybe the older I'm getting -- I realize I don't need the slides, parades, etc.

As a D+, it's nice to walk into the room to something. Strawberries, etc ... this time NOTHING. Not one item sent. I get there are plenty of us, but after 450 cruise points -- you would think ONE THING would be sent to the room. Not a huge thing, but something that I thought was a little bizarre.

As I mentioned before, we stayed onboard the entire time. So, I can't talk about the ports, etc.

By no means did I hate my trip. It was an enjoyable week with lots of sunshine. I'm looking forward to my next cruise on the Empress heading to Cuba at the end of the year!

Happy to answer any questions!

Newbie8 -- China is NEVER on any of the sales. We waited and waited and decided to book. Only got the D+ balcony discount. Nothing else .. but we enjoyed the Quantum so much and being one of the few Americans onboard made it that much cooler!

Expect a VERY different style of cruise -- but all in all one of our favorites.

I was on the Splendour out of Dubai in January. One of the best cruises, yet. Since you'll be at many ports -- don't let the ship stop you from going. The culture, the people, the food ... EVERYTHING was so memorable.

I highly suggest the Omani Fjords excursion in Khasab. Out of my 50+ cruises, it has to be the most amazing shore excuursion. Swimming where few have ever swam before is an experience you'll always remember.

Enjoy!

I live in Downtown Seattle. If I had a flight leaving at 11:15 -- I would leave my house ESPECIALLY on an early Sunday Morning (NO TRAFFIC AT ALL) at 9:15.

I went to Alaska 2 weeks ago and we were home by 8:30 and walked off the ship at 8. You'll be fine. Especially with priority in a suite.

Have fun!

LOVE LOVE this post. We're on the Epic in October and I was wondering the same thing. We're boarding in Rome -- so the easy embarkation day seems WONDERFUL. Especially if the weather is nice and we get a pool day before the BUSY itinerary we have ahead :)

Thanks so much for the reply! Can't wait for the trip :)

Hi there!

Going on the Jewel of the Seas leaving Rome in mid-October and going to all of the places in Greece -- crete, mykonos, santorini, athens along with Kusadasi and Naples. Wondering if anyone has been during October?!

Looked up some weather and from the sounds of it -- looks great. Also, many shops seem like they're closed for the season, will there be stuff to see and do?

It's the only time we can both be gone from work, so we'll make the best of it, as we're SO excited to check these places out.

Thanks for all of your help!

Hi, everyone!

We just took a two week adventure in Asia -- and 5 of those nights we spent on the Quantum. Amazing ship -- which I hear looks a bit different than when it cruised out of New Jersey. I'm trying to upload a review with pictures, so I'm going to try this out. Anyone know how to include pics?

Hello! Cruising on the Quantum in October and looking for a recommendation on a transfer/tour from Tianjin to Beijing. Possibly going to the Great Wall and then drop off at hotel.

Thanks in advance!

Hello, everyone! Happy New Year!

So, we'll be on the POA at the end of May and I'm researching flights for my parents. There's a flight that LEAVES HNL at 8:30am. Which means you've got to get to the airport at 7:30 am, etc. There's only one flight to their hometown (nonstop) that day.

Since the POA doesn't have to deal with customs clearing the ship, what's the EARLIEST you can leave?

Is there any way?

Thanks for your help!

The cruise is in March -- so hopefully the kinks have been worked out of the disembarkation process. And the ship comes back on a Saturday morning, so shouldn't be as messy as a usual rush hour commute.

Any experience from Explorer cruisers?!

Hello!

I know the Quantum isn't out yet -- but we're planning on a cruise in March of next year. I'm looking to purchase my air now, since fares seem to be very low. Would a 9:40am flight out of Newark be to early? Are there usually taxis outside the pier? I've never cruised out of NJ before.

How far is the port from the airport? I'm also D+, so I can use the expedited departure option.

Thanks for your help!

OK

Here is my opinion... We have sailed on the Magic the last 2 cruise which of course is a sister ship. Last Cruise we stayed in a cove balcony. We happen to have one that was not under a lifeboat which made it feel bigger and they are much more private and being able to see fishes at the port and really hear the waves and feel part of the ocean was great. Loved this room. So the cruise 3 months prior we traveled in the Spa balcony room. View was awesome!!! Wow the twelfth deck is high. NO real noise of the ocean boat does rock a a little more. Furnishings are slightly better. Quiet as can be and we were the next cabin to the water works never was a problem. Loved both of them would again have a hard time to decide between the the 2.

 

So here is my close call....

I personally took a shower everyday in the Spa when we stayed in the Spa room. These showers are awesome and steps from your room plus you dont have to wait for your spouse/ kid. While you are just hanging around waiting on what ever there is always a spa or pool to sit in and again only steps away and ther is no crowd and it is so pleasant. Shampoo and bath wash is better also plus you have a bracelet and dont have to check in and get a pass to get in. Just loved these rooms.

 

Ok so next trip we do cove...

Cove wow!!! How can you be so close to the water?!?!?! Love it!! Boat is real calm down there also quiet. We did buy the spa pass and only used it 20% of the time we did when we were there. Elevator time hassle etc. But the cove balcony really puts you there with the sea.

 

So take that as a coin flip..

 

This next cruise we are doing a Premium aft balcony on the Sunshine cause of the spa differences and no cove so fingers crossed!!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this review/opinion. Still doesn't give me clarity -- but nonetheless, thanks for the information. I think I'm leaning towards staying in the cove balconies.

One question -- when you were in the spa was it ever crowded? Is it same-sex or unisex?

Thanks again!!

Hello, everyone!

I'm on the Breeze on an 8n-ighter in January. 2 cabins booked in a Cove Balcony -- and we chose that because they look so cool! What a unique experience to be so low to the water.

Buttt -- I just discovered Spa Balconies. We love spa "stuff" -- and would buy the spa thermal suite pass no matter where we're located (I know it's free when you get the spa balconies). But with the cost difference, it would come out to be the same price (cove cheaper than spa).

Should we move up? Stay in a cove? Anyone have experiences on both?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

I'll be on the Jade in January -- doing this itinerary: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Provence (Toulon), France; Barcelona, Spain; Valencia, Spain; Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy; Carthage, Tunisia; Palermo, Sicily; Naples, Italy

I'm EXCITED!!!

I've always wanted to do the Med, but wanted to avoid the hectic and hot summer season. NCL was one of the few lines who cruise Europe in the winter. Has anyone done this itinerary in the winter months? What can we expect? How's the weather?

Thanks!!