jb456

what room where you in?

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HiHmm $83 obc for each person..sounds like you should have complained and negotiated a lot more. Especially for staying in a Haven suite.

Hate to tell you this but we had a minor issue at time of booking where the employee gave incorrect info. We complained (as it was actually an inconvenience) and received $250 obc before even stepping on the ship and we were only booked in an inside.

On the ship wasting precious vaca time dealing with a stinky toilet in a suite no less. That's not fun! I would be right at guest services speaking with a manager.

You should get the nice DSC removal form and remove everyone's DSC charges. With a DSC refund for the 6 of you and that $500 obc they gave you should be enough to make you happy!

Enjoy the rest of your vaca!

OK, for those of you who have lived in both North Fla and South Fla can you tell me (a few details) why you don't like South Florida. I am not set in stone as to where we live. I just thought living close to any cruise port would be nice and I don't want to have to get in a car to go grocery shopping. Something neighborhoody but nice ocean breeze and nice view. I'm not interested in a family neighborhood. Can someone offer some suggestions?

Everyone is different we prefer the South over the North. We're from Canada but have had vaca homes in several places in Florida since the 80s. For us we settled on the South. We are in Lighthouse Point on the Intercoastal between Pompano Beach and Deerfiels Beach. 4 miles to the beach, if we want more action 15ish min to Fort Lauderdale Beach, 25 min to FLL airport.

Funny though although we are in South Florida and under an hour to Miami we very rarely go there other then for a cruise or people visiting. It's just to busy, hectic and pricey .

One reason we prefer the South is its convenient not only for us but for family and friends that visit. Lots to do, 3 airports close (West palm, FLL, MIA) It gives our visitors more options to see things, nightlife, etc and still areas to relax away from the hustle / bustle and tourists. Also within driving distance to pretty much every other part in Florida other then the far North. When the grandkids come 2.5 hours drive to Disney so it's not that bad.

You do have to be careful what areas you consider to relocate to in the South between crime and bad neighborhoods. One Street could be a gated community and the next street a bad area. So it does really depend on your preferences.

For us although we do visit North and West coast often its not somewhere we would consider moving to. Find some areas to much like the country, other areas nothing to do or just to much of a relaxed lifestyle.

We do like the West side in Englewood but not enough for a long term stay. Beautiful Beach's in that area, less humid, homes are like your in the suburbs but you go a few miles inland and it's like your in the country with fields of horses. Everything is somewhat spread out and depending on the area it's long drives to different places. Nice place just not our taste.

Orlando / Kissimie area would never consider living there either. Besides endless golf courses it's basically theme park after theme park with tons of tourists and over an hour drive to the beach.

Cocoa Beach is lovely, nice atmosphere etc could probably live around that area but for us airports are not as convenient. Besides our area in the South offers similar options. If we lived full time in Florida might be a different story but not right now.

Port Saint Lucie area another place not for us. Really to dead around that area in our opinion anyways.

You would really have to start taking vacations to different areas of Florida to see what you prefer. Then you can narrow your research to specific areas. Check VRBO website where you can rent condos and homes for vacation rentals.

Keep on paying that DSC LOL

If your current income allows consider investing in a foreclosed handyman special home. Decent homes at a cheap price. If anyone in your family is in construction then even better low cost to renovate ;)..

Then rent it out either full time or if it's in a good location for tourists rent it out to snowbirds for more $$$... By the time you retire in 10 years it will be paid off. If you still like the area in 10 years move in to it and enjoy retirement or sell it for another place or keep it for additional income.

We have 3 down in South Florida all paid off by the lovely renters. One of them we only rent out to snowbirds so when we want to go down for a couple months it's available.

Lots of great places and suggestions on this thread. You would really need to spend time visiting different areas to see what type you like best.

Alamo offers free shuttle from MIA.. Rent the car from FLL and drop off at MIA. Then you take their shuttle to cruise port.

Reserve a rental for after cruise from MIA drop off FLL. Print your reservation so after cruise you can show driver at cruise port. They will shuttle you from cruise port back to MIA to pick up your rental.

Why not a car rental? Usually around $40 for pick up at MiA drop off at FLL.

Check Alamo they offer a free shuttle from POM that drops you off at airport to pick up car.

Here is an example.

Go on Priceline and enter September 9 checkin / checkout the 10th. Now leave that page open and open a second page for express deals.

There is a 3.5 Star for $77 (save 40% regular price $128) that says Fort Lauderdale Downtown - Cruise Port - Convention Center Area Hotel

Here is how you figure out which hotel it is.

On your list view page on left hand side you have option to select areas. Select "Ft Lauderdale Downtown - Cruise Port - Convention Center"

This brings amount of hotels down to 17 in the area.

The hidden hotel is 3.5 stars so next on list view page select 3 stars.

This brings amount of hotels down to 5 hotels. You will notice two are 3 stars so you can scratch those of your list leaving you with 3 hotels at 3.5 stars.

Now you check the amenities listed on express deal. (Business center, pet friendly, etc,etc) Go back your list view page and enter some one by one.

So first click business center. It brings hotels down to 4 hotels but it was a 3 star that disappeared so not really a help as your hidden hotel is one of the 3.5 stars.

Next click Pet Friendly. Now the list is down to 3 hotels. One 3 star and two 3.5 stars which will be one of the hotels of your express deals.

Embassy Suites at $144 a night on list view

Riverside Hotel at $129 a night on list view.

The 3.5 express deal says save 40% off regular price $128. The close hotel at the price you have left on your list view is Riverside hotel so 99% chance thats the hotel you will get.

But we can get that one percent sometimes to confirm exactly the hotel. In this case we can. On express deal click book. The next page you have room options. 2 queens, 1 king, BUT some of the options also say "CITY VIEW"

So now go to your list view page and click on Embassy Suites booking. You will notice the hotel room options DO NOT say "City View"...Go back and do the booking options on Riverside hide. You will see some view options say "City View"

Now you know 100% that if you book the 3.5 star hidden deal you will be getting Riverside Hotel...So before booking you can research that hotel.

Happy searching :) :)

There's a sticky at top on these forums where people post winning bids.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1835573

You could also check betterbidding.com

On another note if you seen anything on PriceLine Express deals it's rather easy to figure out which hotel it is before booking. (Hotwire hidden deals to is pretty easy) Open a list view page and an express deal page. Start entering the ammenties and area of express deal on list page. It will keep shorting the list till your down to only a few hotels. Majority of time you can then figure out which hotel it is.

Wow $40 a night to park. Crazy!. Sounds like it's cheaper to do a one way car rental each way.

Here :)

http://partners.ncl.com/destroot/norwegian/files/download/pieces/60014/terms/FreeStyleChoiceAugust2015_Terms.html

Thanks for your quick reply. We haven't reserved a hotel yet. I didn't think the route from airport to port was likely but it didn't hurt to ask. My friend & I are flying in in September & leaving out of Fort Lauderdale port on the Oasis. It looks like a cab is the best bet especially because of the timing. I would hate to wait around for a shuttle at the airport & get to the port late. I'm nervous enough about flying in the day of the cruise but that's what my friend wanted to do. It's her turn for arrangements this trip.

 

DH & I are driving in in March to Port Canaveral & parking our PU. I don't have to worry about transportation for that cruise.

Yes when you land jump in a taxi or if you do uber that's another option.

If you research these forums many threads mention hotels with shuttles. Generally hotels on 17th street offer them. You can also visit http://www.sunny.org that is usually up to date on hotels with shuttles. If you don't find exactly what your looking for after the cruise (shuttle from Port to hotel) the easiest is probably just giving the hotel a quick call and asking them what options you have to get a shuttle from cruise port to hotel.

Since your staying a few days after cruise and many hotel options in the area of the port don't limit yourself to just hotels that offer a free shuttle. Your going in September which is low season so end of July beginning of August hotels in September will start becoming cheap. Using sites like Hotwire or Priceline you can likely get a nice Beach hotel for cheap that is close to cruise and airport.

We are flying in to FLL from Balti the day of cruise, arriving around 10:00. We will be staying 2 nights after the cruise. Do you think the hotel we stay at will shuttle us to the port from FLL (pre cruise) as well as from port to the hotel (post cruise) then hotel to FLL? I guess if not, we'll probably take a cab. About how much should we plan on for the cab?

 

Thanks for any help. This is the first time I've flown for a cruise.

You never mentioned name of hotel but no a hotel won't drive you from airport to cruise when your not even a guest of theirs yet. Never heard of such a route either. Hotels that offer shuttles usually have a shuttle from hotel to airport and a shuttle from hotel to cruise port. Not airport to cruise.

After cruise your best bet is to call them directly and ask what shuttle options they offer.

From FLL to Port Everglades it's only 3 miles. A taxi is around $15 plus tip.

Save your money and just book an inside. Lots to do on the sky and since it's a short cruise relaxing on a balcony or in a suite is not worth it IMO. Our 4 night Sky trip the only time spent in the room was to shower, change and a couple hours sleep. Who wants to be in a room on such a short cruise? Lol

Hopefully your itinerary has Great Stirrup Cay. That's a great day with open bar ;)

Alamo does for dropoff at MIA. I think thrifty and dollar to (someone will confirm that). Only have used Alamo excellent service at both FLL and MIA.

At MIA once you pull in garage a worker scans a barcode on car and hands you the receipt. (Keep receipt to show bus driver) You then walk into airport and take elevator (forget the floor number just ask the worker) walk out the door and the shuttle buses are right there.

Return was excellent service to picked up right at cruise port and dropped back off at MIA to get rental. Before cruise we did online check-in on Alamo site so we could avoid waiting in a line to talk with counter rep. They have kiosk machines that you just type your reservation and it prints it out so you then go straight to garage.

One thing to note. If you hit any tolls they won't be shown on receipt or charged when you drop off the car. It was like two months later two toll charges appeared on credit card statement for us using the express exit from MIA to I95.

Overall excellent service with Alamo. Fast and efficient. Google Alamo Promo Codes and search the different forums as people post great promo codes. We found one for $30 off if you use a Visa (expired now though) but search for new ones.

Also if your a Costco member enter the Costco corporate id on their booking site and you get additional driver free. You can actually double up promos so for example if you found a $15 off coupon you can put that code in and the Costco ID to get the Costco discount and 2nd driver free plus the $15 off.

Lastly play with the times of booking sometimes price changes alot. Example don't leave it at pickup 12 dropoff 12. Try pickup 1130 drop off 10:00 and it might reduce the price.

Edit oh be sure to fill up car somewhere away from MIA airport. Fill it up in Fort Lauderdale or pull off highway closer to MIA before the car rental at MIA there are gas stations and the price is like triple the actual gas prices. They know how to make money lol

Happy deal hunting ;)

I thought there was a good variety for night dancing/partying, the following were all at Spice (weather permitting and if rain, they sometimes move to Skyline Bar) I didn't experience all of them and got the info from my dallies.

 

10:30-close DJ favorites

10:15 - close Norwegian's night out dance party

11- close Latin Music

10:30-close 80's party (I thought was fun and well attended)

10:15-close Glow Party

10:30-close R and B DJ party

 

The Skyline Bar seemed to be open late....4AM a few times I saw. There was a DJ and they called it Party Music some nights and Club Music other. DJ would start at midnight. Before that, there was a duo that played.

 

Beer at 4/5? Your best chance is casino, O'Sheehan's or Skyline....it will vary, no doubt.

 

I think you will be happy with your options. I thought one of the best things about the Escape was the variety of bars with entertainment. Just because entertainment would stop at 12:30 or 1, doesn't mean they stopped serving. Of course, it depends on the customers.

Thank you so much for this :)

Anyways there are many other airlines from ATL to FLL if you don't like Spirit.

Southwest is usually $44 to 80 and I believe first two checked bags are free....then Delta and AA usually run in the $70s price range.

It still comes to cheaper then driving. Say $100 roundtrip in gas, $150 hotel, plus parking for week while on cruise..

Pretty much breaking even or cheaper plus saving 18 hours of your life from driving.

Spirit has the worst record and customer satisfaction of any airline on the planet.

 

I'd also drive before I'd fly them! LOL!

I guess to each their own as some would put it. We use Spirit from Canada (Well across the border to FLL) 7 or 8 times a year for the last couple years and have always had excellent service. Sure it's not as spacious as other airlines but when your paying $68 roundtrip compared to $550 from Canada nothing to complain about :)

Sorry to bother you again but I have another question.

For the watersides, ropes course, zip lining, mini putt are they all complimentary or at an additional cost?

Thanks

Sup JB,

 

Spice is a sun deck on Deck 17 aft. It is adults only until 7 PM, after which time they have family movies and other events depending on the night. The Glow party is out there and it's a real club vibe but it was only one night.

 

The bars shut down and stop serving around 1 AM or earlier, but you can get food in O'Sheehans all night. You can probably ask for a beer; you may or may not get served depending on the server/policy.

 

There is a contest in the brewhouse to try the most different kinds of beer. People who try the most varieties get put on a tally on the TV screens in there. If you like craft beer, it's a lot of fun!

 

I can't think of any other specific parties I can think of, but there are various entertainers, musicians and DJ's throughout the ship, particularly the brewhouse (Beau the keyboard player), the casino bar, the atrium, and the 5 o'clock bar. The Victory had a nightclub on board years ago, but I think NCL is moving away from that trend. :(

 

I hope you have a great time if you're sailing soon!

Thanks for the great reply!

Sounds like a contest I plan on winning :)

1am shutdown is disappointing will have to stock up through the day :) Maybe the casino serves drinks later. I did notice on older dailies that some days bar service lists a closing time (12:00p - 1:00a) then other days (sea days) it does not says (12:00p - Close) which I presume means till they end up closing when guests leave. I hope thats the case. I can't see an entire ship of 4000 guests all wanting to be in bed at 1am lol.

Appreciate your help and glad you enjoyed the cruise!

Capt, I was honestly joking. Hope I didn't upset you. [emoji58] thank you for the photos, JB! I appreciate it!

No problem! If you do decide to go to that area just ask the cabbie to drive you to the Elbo Room. It's a famous bar thats been there since 1938 so every driver will know what your talking about LOL. You will be right in the middle of everything :)

Is spice the nightclub? Is it only outside on the deck or is there an actual nightclub on the ship for late night fun?

Any idea latest time you can get a beer? 4/5 am?

Whats this contest you speak of at the brew-house? lol

Any other parties besides the Glow Party?

Drinking lol

If I was in your shoes I probably would take $15pp shared shuttle back to FLL. Leave bags at airport with bagstogo.net.

Jump in a taxi to Fort Lauderdale Strip which is 6 miles from airport. Here Beach is on one side other side is bars, restaurants and shops. Taxi should be about $20.

Enjoy a few hours, have a nice meal then taxi back to airport.

Instead of driving 9 hours and paying parking have they considered flying?

They could fly for $34 each way via Spirit. A checked bag is $30 each way. 9 hour drive they might be divorced by the time they get there JOKING lol.

If they are going in November it's to early to book flight. Spirit deals are always around a month before departure so just have them start watching prices mid September. Multiple flights per day between FLL n ATL.

When you factor in the gas, parking and what 18 hours of driving is worth to them it's cheaper to just fly. Taxi to port from airport is no more then $20.