debenson0723

Another vote for Bonine. Never had an issue with sea sickness in the Caribbean but did once in Alaska.

Yes, it it's an aft balcony. But honestly, you won't be sitting in one place during the Canal transit. You want to check out the Observation Lounge, the open bow of the ship, sit out on both sides of the Waterfront. I typically have a balcony but prefer to be up top during Sailaway so my view isn't limited but if you are in a regular balcony (not an angeled one) it will be a tight squeeze with 3 chairs. Enjoy your cruise.

There many places to drop off your luggage in NYC after the cruise...we did that and went to a Broadway matinee, then took a private transfer to the airport. Or if you are flying out of JFK, book a day room at the TWA hotel and hang out there. Last resort, if you can find a better flight on your own, book that and just forget about the NCL flight home.

Must be only the Jade...I have been on Encore, Escape, Bliss, Prima and even the Jade in the past 18 months and ate lunch in the MDR on embarkation day on all of them. Will find out next week if it is still happening when I embark on the Joy.

Depends on the ship...Jewel class and the other smaller ships will usually let you check it in a bar but I don't know how secure it is (you do get a claim check but it is out in the open). Breakaway class and above do not have this available.

We had an overnight in St Petersburg a few years ago...had a private tour take us around the city at night, which was spectacular, and ended up doing vodka shots and eating caviar in a bar with locals. It was a night to remember and we got back to the ship around 1am to one sleepy immigration agent to check us back into the port. That 6am wake up call came way too early but we had another 10 hour tour starting at 7am! I am looking at a cruise with an overnight in Florence and if I do it, will get a hotel room in Florence or somewhere else nearby instead of going back and forth to the ship.

Your eye for photography is truly amazing...you are in the wrong business. I was on this ship 12 days and you have brought a whole new perspective to it. I saw things but I didn't really 'see' them like you do. Thanks for a great review.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. A quick search on this forum plus going back a page or two will get you most of the information you requested, on this topic or others. Luckily, @BirdTravelshas provided what you requested. I would base the package cost on my consumption, not the hours of the venue. I don't drink enough to make the package economical so I just use my Starbucks app onboard (and receive reward points too).

I am 333 but have been here from the beginning...

I have done it many times. Even without any supplement.

So just curious...what are you looking for in a walking track? Haven't been on the Joy (going next week) but have been on the sister ships Bliss and Encore multiple times. Deck 7 is where the lifeboats are and you can indeed walk around it. There are no chairs, restaurants or anything else that I can remember...just the deck and the boats. So I don't know what would stop you from using this as your walking track or what more you need. I also walk many times a day around the Waterfront, as the view is better. Yes, you cannot go completely around but cut across inside...doesn't really make a difference.

Best pizza I have ever eaten anywhere!

No, Joy out of California. Just a short 5-day getaway. Been trying to get on the Joy for awhile...been on the Encore twice and Bliss 3 times so this will complete the trifecta.

I leave in 11 days and not able to book. Will keep checking as I would like to get this off my to do list.

In my experience, you can ask for a bathrobe and one will be provided.

He is at the Metropolitan bar.

This is what we do...2 of us, 2 trips with each using their credit or if we use our credit at another restaurant, we pay out of pocket. 2 items each is more than enough.

I like Harvest Cay because I didn't have to tender but like GSC because I don't have to pay for food/drink. I am not a beach person so probably only spend 2 hours at either one. Give me an empty Thermal Spa while everyone is off the ship and that's where I'll spend the day.

So again, that is something that was set up with your charter company and NCL...not the norm. Personally I would never pay outright for the drink package...I drink enough to cover the gratuities but not enough to cover the daily cost of the whole package. A recent RCL cruise I took had the drink package at $89.99 a day plus 18% gratuities and it was a no brainer for me to skip that...made me appreciate the FAS even more. Enjoy your cruise.

This is exactly what just happened on the cruise I booked last week (which leaves in 2 weeks). I had the option of the Sailaway rate without the FAS or a guarantee balcony cabin with the FAS, which I ended up purchasing. The price difference between the 2 was $50, plus the FAS gratuities (so about $160 total). I didn't know if paying that higher price would actually put me in a better cabin but was willing to take the risk (I could have done the same with an inside but when I looked on another site at what was available, the only options were on deck 5 below the theatre). 2 days after booking I received my cabin number, which is mid ship, higher deck. I have done this several times on various ships and always been happy with what I have received. Just for fun, I also did an upgrade bid for the Haven, even though every site I check shows it is sold out. Maybe my luck will hold and someone will cancel...if not, I am happy where I am.

You apparently won't get FAS because that is the way your charter is set up. In the US, FAS is offered to anyone booking thru the NCL website or a travel agent...it has nothing to do with status. If you are a Platinum Latitudes member (or higher) you will get 2 additional dinners in a specialty restaurant, a bag of laundry and a few other perks but the only discounts are 10%-15% on shore excursions...nothing with the drink package.

@FoggyEthanit's really very simple...if you don't like the way NCL runs their business then don't sail with them. I don't go to land base restaurants and ask them how they deal with their tips, or if their employees are overworked...I base my impressions on the service I receive while I am there, not what I read in several places. If I don't like my experience, I will go to a competitor. I have been on NCLs competition and always find myself coming back. As @BirdTravelssays, I have not received any lackluster service but maybe it is because of my positive attitude towards the staff when I am cruising (and a few extra dollars directly to those I do encounter).

As long as my dishes are removed (I seem to accumulate them), the bed is made and I have fresh towels, I am a happy camper. I am tidy also and don't need that much service. Once a day is fine with me and sometimes I don't even need that. I travel often on business and have gotten used to the 'once every 3 days' of housekeeping that has become typical from many of the big chains.

Yes you can.

A friend was using RCL air to fly to NYC with his kids last year for a cruise out of Bayonne. They were actually on the plane when United cancelled their flight. They could not get another flight that day and ended up taking a red-eye on Delta to get to NYC, paying out of pocket. They made the cruise but were exhausted after only getting sleep on the plane. Unbeknownst to him, since he missed the first leg of the United flight, his 2nd leg was cancelled (which is common when using the same airline for both legs). He didn't find out until he went to check in the day before (while he was on the ship). So make sure if you don't use the 1st leg of your flight that the 2nd leg isn't cancelled by the airline.