Heleftherakiss

Sorry, I can't for the life of me figure out the public transport here. I'm just trying to see if there is a relatively convenient way (other than taxi) of getting from the Sheraton at MIA to the Bayside marketplace. All help much appreciated...

Due to a last minute mix up, I ended up at a different hotel than what I originally planned for. I had wanted to go to the Cuban restaurant Versailles for dinner and am not sure the best way to do that from here. Also looking to hit a drugstore for some sunscreen and other essentials. Anyone familiar with the area have any suggestions? If I just take a taxi, can I get one back to the hotel after? (Forgive my ignorance, Vermonters don't take taxis...)

Thanks for all the info, I think between my discover card and some cash, I should be all set. I don't plan on making any major purchases, but if I do, that's what mom is for. :)

Does anyone know if NCL accepts Discover for the on board account? I don't use credit cards anymore and just realized that that is the only card I have that is not expired. On a related note, if you use cash to fund your account, when do you set that up? If it's going to be a big hassle, I might just see if I can use one of my mom's cards and pay her back. Or if we both used one card, can they separate the charges so you can see what each person spent?

Thank you, and to follow up, does anyone know if Norwegian accepts Discover cards? I don't use credit cards anymore and that is the only one I currently have a card for. If you use cash to fund your account, do you do that as you board?

This may be a silly question, but if you use a credit card for your on board account, do they keep the physical card? I want to be able to take the same card to ports so I don't have to carry around lots of cash. Thanks!

DSC=daily service charge. :)

Is this the same thing as the gratuity? We prepaid the $12 per person per day, is there an additional daily service charge on top of that?

I've never gambled before but would like to try blackjack and craps. I understand the basics (well, not so much for craps) but would like to know if there's a little "learn how to play" class or something I can go to. Also wondering what the minimum bets are. Thanks!

I am arriving in Miami the day before my cruise and staying at the Hyatt airport-west/Doral. We had booked the shuttle from the airport to the port (and for return trip), but that means we will need to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport, then the shuttle to the port, which seems like a hassle. Also, if the standard fare from the airport to the port is $25 (which I read on here), it seems like it should be similar from the hotel to the port, and that would be less expensive than the shuttle. Is there any reason why taking the shuttle is better than a taxi? Or vice versa? Thanks!

I'm planning to bring my ipad with me but want to make sure it will fit in the safe in the cabin, since I won't be bringing it on excursions. Does anyone have experience with this? Actually, my mom will probably have hers as well, so roomy enough for two ipads? Thanks!

I'm sailing on my first cruise (NCL Sky) in a week and I've done quite a bit of research and I know my mom and I will have a blast. I'm just wondering if there are "first day" or embarktion tips that we should be sure not to miss. We're planning on bringing swimsuits in a day pack, and someone posted that the MDR is open for lunch that day which not many people know about. And I gather that everyone goes out to watch when the ship leaves port. Are there other "must do" activities or things people typically do that first day? We're also planning on arriving at the port (Miami) around 10 or 10:30, since we're spending the night before in a hotel.

Thanks so much, everyone's advice has been super helpful, especially for someone like me who likes to plan and know what to expect!

Not too far from the MIA airport and Doral is Versailles - the world famous Cuban restaurant; it would be worth a cab ride from your hotel if you are back for dinner.

World famous? Is it pricey? Good food?

Do the slot machines on the Sky take coins/money or is it those swipe cards?

I will check out the market place, thanks. Any food recommendations? I'm thinking cuban is a good idea, but my mom really loves seafood too.

My mom and I are arriving in Miami the day before our cruise (Sunday 3/30) and are looking for some suggestions on what to do with our day. We'll be arriving about 11:30 am and have a room at the Miami Doral Hyatt. I've never been to Florida and my mom only has when leaving for a cruise once before, so everything is new to us. We're looking to do something fairly inexpensive or free. We won't have a car so we'll need to use public transport/ taxi. If we had enough time I would have liked to go to Disney since I've never been (big kid at heart) but that's too far. Maybe a tour of some kind? A show? I'm kind of at a loss and would appreciate all suggestions. I'm 34 and my mom is early 60s and not at all "older" so no restrictions there. Thanks!

Thanks for all the great advice! This site is the best! I love doing research before I go somewhere so I know what to expect and all the best things to do.

How convenient is it to get back on the ship (and off again) when in port in Nassau? I'd like to spend a little time looking around and shopping and hit the beach later on. Is it best to bring everything with you for the day, or can you easily get back on board to drop things off and change into swimsuits? Thanks for the info.

I think I read that there isn't a formal dress night on the Sky, is that correct? I'm not planning on eating in any of the specialty restaurants. For dinner in the main dining room would denim capris be okay? Nice ones, not cut offs or anything ripped.

I am sailing on the Sky in a little over a week (yay!) and I happen to have a friend who just came back from her first cruise on the Breakaway. She said one of the best parts of the trip for her was the lagoon at Great Stirrup Cay. She said its one of three areas on the island and since she didn't visit the other areas I'm just wondering how it compares. Also wondering if you can snorkel there, since that's one of the things I want to do a lot of on the trip. Not bringing any of my own equipment, just going to rent it.

Thanks!

A few more last minute questions...

How do we know that our cabin is set up with 2 beds instead of the 1 queen?

What do people recommend bringing in terms of payment? I know they keep a credit card on file for things on the ship, but are there things you can't charge to your room? Casino? Any a la carte food items? And for in port (Great Stirrup Cay, Nassau and Freeport) is better to have cash, credit, or both? We did prepay our tips, though I know it's wise to have some extra cash for that as well.

Thanks!

Would I be likely to find a cribbage board for use on the ship (NCL Sky)? I love to play but don't really want to lug one around.

Thanks for all the info. I was originally referring to just the beach on great stirrup cay, and don't plan on leaving anything of real value on any beach, but I didn't know if people are a little less vigilant on the private islands. I was hoping to bring the kindle to save space and also cause I can never decide what I'm going to want to read, but I get that it all comes down to people's honesty. Thanks again, it's good to hear what other people do.

Howdy, neighbor, are you dug out yet?

Nope! And I couldn't be happier about getting away from all this snow!

Thanks for the tips! (No pun intended...)

I'm going on my first cruise to the Bahamas in a couple of weeks, and our first stop is at Great Stirrup Cay. I'm wondering how safe it is to leave belongings on the beach/ in chairs while swimming or snorkeling. I'll be traveling with my mom, but chances are there will be times when both of us are in the water. I don't plan on bringing anything too expensive, but it would be nice to have a camera and my kindle for when I'm not in the water. Also I understand we need to have our room card with us? Will these things likely be safe in a backpack or do people have other tips?

Thanks!

I'm going on my first cruise in a couple weeks and I want to be sure I understand the tipping expectations. I've tried to read up a fair amount and understand that NCL charges a $12 per person gratuity per day. What I'm not entirely clear on is what this covers. Am I expected to tip over and above this for anyone? At this point I think I am only doing an official excursion in Freeport, and I would expect to tip the people who run that. Not planning on using any spa services but going to spend a little time at the casino. I'm also planning on renting snorkeling equipment for the snorkeling "excursion" on Great Stirrup Cay, but is there really a need to tip for that? Anyone else that I should expect to tip separately?

Thanks!