Has anyone done the weekend cruise to nowhere?

[OneParticularHarbour 71]

Hello,

In looking for weekend getaways, I found that NCL does a weekend cruise on the Dream out of Boston which is only about an hour from us. We have cruised several times on other lines as a family, but don't know what to expect from NCL. It would be a getaway for me & DH without the kids.

 

Are all the facilities/activities/shows, etc. available for the cruise? What type of dinner dress code for this type of cruise? How crowded would it be?

 

Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks. :)

[slotaddict]

I have done several out of New York. They are really fun. The downside is depending on the time of year, the public areas are really crowded, as most people are inside. The main dining rooms are not very crowded, the specialty restuarants are full. Dress is the same as a regular cruise, perhaps a little more relaxed.

 

Everything is open, stores, casinos, shows, everyone is trying to pack everything into one night. They are party ships plan and simple. We always go with a group and have a ball.

 

Its a fairly reasonable night out, that includes dinner, entertainment, casino, whatever.

 

If you go, I hope you have a great time. When exactly is the cruise. I realize that you said weekend, so two nights on the ship even better.

[Theresa522]

Hi, we are doing the April 18th 2 nighter out of NY. It will be our first one. I have heard it is basically the same exact thing but shorter. :( NCL is free style so casual dress would be fine.

 

Sorry I couldn't be of more help but I am sure others will chime in soon. :D

[BeachBumMama]

The 1 & 2 night cruises can be very crowded as everyone wants to get everything in. Just wanted to say that you shouldn't put any emphasis on how freestyle dining is since you've never sailed NCL before. There can be waits and everything will be crowded because it is such a short sailing. Also, the Dream is one of NCL's older ships so don't take that as indication of their ships either. The newer are specifically built for freestyle and 'bigger and better' as most new one's are.

 

They are fun though, have a good time.:)

[chiapet]

"slotaddict" is completely correct re: the CTN atmosphere on the ship ... and they really are fun. As for being reasonable, it is ... when you compare NYC prices to NYC CTNs ... and other ports w/ their own CTNs. But, NYs CTNs are usually higher than other ports (i.e. Miami, Boston, Vancouver ... even Honolulu) :rolleyes:

[OneParticularHarbour 71]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your input! It sounds like it would be a lot of fun & something a little different to do. The 2 night cruise is scheduled for May 9th so the weather will be a toss up, perhaps we'll get lucky with a warm spell. I wonder which direction it cruises - hopefully south a little, though I don't know how far it could get before having to turn around!

 

I also found on these boards that they offer an AFL-CIO discount which we could take advantage of, so that's an added incentive! I spoke to my DH and he said if I wanted to do it to go ahead & book it - first I need to talk to the grandparents now on babysitting the 3 kids...wish me luck! ;)

[trock]

Just booked NYC CTN on the Spirit...we did it last year on the Dawn and loved it so much we were determined to do it again..after checking and checking the prices just came down and we booked woo hoo!!!!!!!!!

So much fun..we had a blast

[ChBoxers800]

Just booked NYC CTN on the Spirit...we did it last year on the Dawn and loved it so much we were determined to do it again..after checking and checking the prices just came down and we booked woo hoo!!!!!!!!!

So much fun..we had a blast

 

I've never done one of these but I just checked on the prices for the one on the Sun out of Miami in April and was amazed at the low price. For an inside cabin, it's like 59 bucks per person. Where in the world can you go for $120 per person and get food, entertainment and a place to sleep for $120 (plus taxes, etc.) per couple. Amazing prices.

[trock]

I've never done one of these but I just checked on the prices for the one on the Sun out of Miami in April and was amazed at the low price. For an inside cabin, it's like 59 bucks per person. Where in the world can you go for $120 per person and get food, entertainment and a place to sleep for $120 per couple. Amazing prices.

 

that is so amazing.. can not even go out to dinner for that price

Youre lucky.. florida cruises are always priced better:D

i dont fly so NY/NJ is where i sail out of!

i just paid $470/couple for the ctn balcony

 

we had so much fun.. i am actually looking forward to this as much as my 8 day in may on Carnival...

[coka]

OneParticularHarbour71, I have done two cruises to nowhere out of New York and the Dream's 5/9 will by my third. If you book, please join our roll call on the "roll call boards." We are setting up a meet and greet for cruisecritics to meet each other.

 

The Dream is an older NCL ship and was not originally designed for Freestyle. I am not sure how it will work, but my goal is just a weekend getaway with entertainment and dancing with an extra night in Boston.

 

Some of the cruise critics on the roll call board responded they are wearing cocktail dresses at night and whatever during the day. Even so, on the previous CTN's, people were dressed in all variations. The best part was that nobody cared who was wearing what...everyone was having fun fun fun!

 

Coka

[Theresa522]

Just booked NYC CTN on the Spirit...we did it last year on the Dawn and loved it so much we were determined to do it again..after checking and checking the prices just came down and we booked woo hoo!!!!!!!!!

So much fun..we had a blast

 

 

Hi, looking to book another one but can't find this? Is it a 2 nighter? :confused:

[chiapet]

Hi, looking to book another one but can't find this? Is it a 2 nighter? :confused:

 

No, the Spirit does 1-night CTN every Sat all thru Sept and part of Oct.

[trock]

Hi, looking to book another one but can't find this? Is it a 2 nighter? :confused:

 

No one night.. go to ncl under weekend cruises...

 

Carnival has a two nighter....in Oct on the Miracle..:)

[cruisedawgg]

My family booked the weekend cruise out of Miami on the Pearl in Oct, it goes to the NCL private island (can't remember the name at the moment). Anyone have any input on this cruise? Reviews?

 

Thanks!

[BeachBumMama]

My family booked the weekend cruise out of Miami on the Pearl in Oct, it goes to the NCL private island (can't remember the name at the moment). Anyone have any input on this cruise? Reviews?

 

Thanks!

I've read some great reviews on the Pearl, just scour the boards and you'll find tons of info. Have fun.:)

[amartin042]

My 12 yo DS and I will be on the Pearl out of Seattle on May 2. Dose anyone know if the kids programs will be open on a 2 night weekend cruise?

[trock]

My 12 yo DS and I will be on the Pearl out of Seattle on May 2. Dose anyone know if the kids programs will be open on a 2 night weekend cruise?

 

I may not be the best one to try to answer this, as i have done the ctn once.. I dont know if there are programs for kids, but i didnt see any kids on the ctn.. seems more like a party cruise for adults..

[NoPiratesPlease]

We did a one-night on the Spirit and a two-night on the Dawn from NY. They are a LOT of fun but the two-nighter is far preferable. We are on the Dream's 2-night in May from Boston.

 

It's a real mini-break.

[coneygal]

My family booked the weekend cruise out of Miami on the Pearl in Oct, it goes to the NCL private island (can't remember the name at the moment). Anyone have any input on this cruise? Reviews?

 

Thanks!

The island was the best part of a recent family cruise. We had 3 generations who all enjoyed it.

[trock]

We did a one-night on the Spirit and a two-night on the Dawn from NY. They are a LOT of fun but the two-nighter is far preferable. We are on the Dream's 2-night in May from Boston.

 

It's a real mini-break.

 

 

I loved the dawn, i think its my favorite ship !

I have to check out that 2 day out of Boston!!

[blackerbys17]

My family booked the weekend cruise out of Miami on the Pearl in Oct, it goes to the NCL private island (can't remember the name at the moment). Anyone have any input on this cruise? Reviews?

 

Thanks!

 

I say book it! I went on the Pearl for her inaugural sailing and we had a BLAST! It is a fabulous ship. If you decide to book, we'll see you on board. I really think the 1-2 night cruises are an excellent deal for a quick getaway if you live near the port.

[OneParticularHarbour 71]

OneParticularHarbour71, I have done two cruises to nowhere out of New York and the Dream's 5/9 will by my third. If you book, please join our roll call on the "roll call boards." We are setting up a meet and greet for cruisecritics to meet each other.

 

The Dream is an older NCL ship and was not originally designed for Freestyle. I am not sure how it will work, but my goal is just a weekend getaway with entertainment and dancing with an extra night in Boston.

 

Some of the cruise critics on the roll call board responded they are wearing cocktail dresses at night and whatever during the day. Even so, on the previous CTN's, people were dressed in all variations. The best part was that nobody cared who was wearing what...everyone was having fun fun fun!

 

Coka

 

Thanks - I looked at the roll call- looks like a good group :) Hopefully we will be joining shortly!

 

Does anyone know if these types of cruises sail full or is there a chance of the price coming down closer to sailing to fill cabins? The pricing of the CTN in Miami is unbelieveably low but I don't know if they ever discount out of Boston?

[merryecho]

Would anyone who has done this let me know what time they were allowed to disembark? Since there are no customs involved I am hoping we can get off early- I have to be back in Portland by 12, so if we get off in Seattle by 8 I will be OK.