ParadiseTattoo

Really though?

 

 

It sounds like you're saying your room was on DND for three days, so what happened was ... the expected outcome.

 

(See the history of those on/off symbols here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_symbol)

 

That said, on my last GA cruise my stateroom cleanings were running extremely late, sometimes 3pm/8pm and later.

So it's not that I didn't understand the switches, it's that they didn't work as they should have. If you didn't jiggle them just right and check the lights above your door it would stay on DND. Poor design or possibly a faulty switch in our room. In any case I never even saw the attendant. So getting clean towels was not an option. If you had no difficulty then you were lucky, I was not so fortunate. Other cruises that I have been on the room attendants were always around and I prefer that.

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Just returned from the March 12, 2017 Western Caribbean sailing on Getaway. This was my third and will be my last cruise on NCL. Like some of the others I found the service awful in every venue with O'Sheeans by far the worst. There the servers speed by you with their heads down and avoid eye contact. It was nearly impossible to get a drink or order food. Although I felt the food tasted very good but it never came out hot. There are two different sections there and the sit down side was slightly better and had a larger menu. The extremely poor service alone will keep me away from NCL.

I didn't notice anyone mention the smoking onboard? This ship is a smokers paradise. Since I am not a smoker it is a deal breaker. The water front area is completely open to smoking even cigars. The casino occupies two decks, has an open atrium and you must walk through it for nearly everything and allows smoking. If you want to try the noodle bar which has great food expect to have someone playing blackjack and smoking 10' away.

We also did not see our room attendant until day 3. We could not figure out the do not disturb/ make up room switches and day 3 was the first time we had our room cleaned and towels changed. On RCI it seemed like the attendant was camping outside our cabin.

We did feel the food was pretty good across the board. But the meat at Moderno was very, very, very salty but had a great salad bar. I ordered the big porterhouse steak at Cagney's and it was exceptional. Noodle bar was delicious, sushi bar was not bad. Le Bistro the food was cold and sent it back. Since the service was terrible I never got a replacement meal and desert came instead.

Overall the ship was a disappointment, but the ports were great. Had a wonderful time at Little French Key in Roatan, Harvest Cay was nice and clean but expensive, paying $13 for a hamburger. Cozumel was fantastic and we rented a Jeep at Alamo in the port and drove around the island. Chen Rio on the far side is a must see. $60 seafood platter for four people is the best money spent on food ever. Delicious with an amazing view. Costa Maya was fantastic and should have been the model for Harvest Cay.

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I was hoping to find out if they sell distilled water on the ship.

 

Thanks.

Just ask your room steward. They will give it to you free of charge.

Case of water with a luggage tag did not get delivered to the room today on Oasis. Bottles is bags were there

I did both last year with no issue. Had 6 bottles in each of 4 suitcases and a case with a luggage tag tapped to it. Delivered to our cabin intact.

We did not buy a package on this or our past trips. But drinks were not expensive in my opinion. $5.50 for a beer, $8 for a screwdriver, $12 for a double Jameson all included tip.

One other thing. Major rule was we did not allow them to enter any stateroom but ours and not allow anyone in our stateroom, period.

I sailed with my then 10 & 14 girls last summer on Oasis. Royal Caribbean had a limited amount of iPhones that you could rent during the cruise. They would only work with each other and on the ship? I believe the rental was reasonable but we opted out of this idea, as my girls already had their own iPhones in tow for pictures.

What we did was this:

Day 1 - All stayed together, made sure the girls could direct us to the room, muster station and guest services. Also a few designated meeting areas, which we would use for the rest of the trip. Discussed emergency procedures.

Day 2 - Some freedom. We spent breakfast together and discussed the meeting places, muster station, etc. We quizzed them on the deck plans and navigating the ship. Left them at the flow rider, etc and met at designated times and places throughout the day. By day's end they had several friends and knew the ship in and out.

Day 3 - Port day, we stuck together talked about safety. By the time we're back on board they could navigate the ship with ease, safely.

Day 4 - They were enjoying lunches together and had plans with their new friends.

We would have fewer meeting places and times.

Day 5-7 - We were all very comfortable on board, had met plenty of families and crew. The girls were involved in many activities and were almost always with a large group of other children. We would meet for shows and some meals.

Overall this worked very well for us, one snafu occurred when ship time was off from our iPhone time by an hour this on the last sea day. The girls had planned for lunch at Izumi at 12:00. When the 10yr old didn't show up, her older sister waited 10 minutes, the notified the waitress to watch for her and went to guest services. They in turn activated their security force. In the meantime the 10yr old had come to the designated meeting area and reconnected with us. Security scoured the ship while we walked her to her lunch date. Were we found out security was looking for her. We went down to guest services to let them know we were with her and a very serious security officer with her picture in hand had us take him directly to her to verify she was okay. Only then did they call off the search. We felt our girls did a great job and I feel it was because we spent so much time discussing what to do if something were to happen.

Last two cruises we did not get the drink package. We did Oasis on both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. 7 day cruises with three ports of call. We are not heavy drinkers but had an $800 bar tab on the first one and about $600 on the second. So about equal to buying the drink package. If you are thirsty or traveling with a group of friends, the package would be a great deal. Basically a few beers in the afternoon and couple cocktails at a show and you are there.

Sorry, but, in my opiniun, there really shouldn't be a need for a sign or sticker to NOT hang stuff on the sprinkler head.

Kinda of like the signs that say no parking on railroad tracks.

 

Andy

I would guess that most people know what a sprinkler head looks like. But surely not everyone, especially kids. Some countries may not even have them. On Oasis you could barely tell what it was sticking out of the ceiling.

IMO everything needs a sign, but most people just don't read them.

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We order room service and hang onto a tray for that very reason.

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If you like to see the inner operations of a ship it is well worth the money. They involve a lot of walking, but IMO very cool. The bridge is amazing and my favorite part.

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Did you kill the kids and that's why next cruise is without them?

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Just sailed Oasis 6/21-6/28/14 Western Caribbean

Our first M&M. It was early on day 2, set up by the ship. They had plenty of giveaways and raffle items. It was a great way to meet a few of the people posting on CC. We met some really great new friends and for us it made the cruise much more enjoyable. Glad we did it.

Crew member

They raffled off:

Free Internet

Wine

Hats

Other good stuff

About 10 or more items total, we did not win.

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Just sailed Oasis 6/21-6/28/14 Western Caribbean

We ate Izumi 3 times (2 lunch). The food is fresh, reasonable and the right temperature. It is not the very best I've had, but it is very good. The waiters were nice and attentive. The menu has a fair selection of fresh fish and specialties. It is a nice alternative to the other restaurants onboard.

Dinner menu is more extensive then lunch. Fresh steamed edame is served gratis. Fine selection of Saki.

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Just sailed Oasis 6/21-6/28/14 Western Caribbean and is was available several nights. It was not savory every time we had it though. First night seemed the best. Scallops and shrimp cocktail were also available.

MDR Escargot

MDR Shrimp Cocktail

Chops Grill Shrimp Cocktail

Chops Grill Scallops

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My question concerns clothing for my 7 year old boys in the MDR. We are sailing on FOS in September. Will shorts be allowed for my sons? I'm thinking of nice khaki shorts with a button down shirt and loafers.

 

It's our first cruise with our children. I appreciate any input.

 

 

Blessings,

 

Jenny

So I think a fair answer is whatever works for your family will be fine. You seem to want to dress them very nicely and appropriately. Do what's comfortable for your family. If you feel overdressed, dress down, or vice versa. If you want pictures aboard, bring outfits for that. Plenty of photo ops while cruising. Just relax and have fun, IMO that's what the crew wants for you too, so there is not going to be a lot of confrontation about attire.

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Do people really expect a seven year old to wear a tuxedo or dark suit? If so, you need to be sailing Cunard, not RCCL!

Expect it? I don't think so.......but I did see even younger boys in suits on formal night. Both of my son's had suits every year of their lives. The girls had beautiful dresses too. It's nice to get dressed up and take pictures on your vacation or a special occasion. Granted it's not for everyone or every family. But if they are brought up with formal attire, they will always feel comfortable in it and always enjoy that great feeling of something special.

8th Grade graduation. 12pm, 85 degrees in the shade. Mine is the one in the Tux, that's what he chose to wear.

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We stayed at the Hilton Marina and it was great $130 on KYAK. Neighborhood is pretty safe as long as you don't venture to far. Some industrial areas within 7-8 blocks could be sketchy late night. Lots to do within walking distance of 2-3 blocks.

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For me the biggest waste of time is.......

The seven days it takes for my cruise to end and I love every last minute of it. Can't wait to waste some more time on vacation.

:)

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Sailed Oasis 6/21-6/28/-14 Western Caribbean

Other than formal nights you should have no problem. We had our DD's 14 & 10 along and they wore nice shorts some nights without an issue. We did MTD and I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

They do have a sign that states "No Shorts" at the entryway on Deck 5, but we saw men, women and children wearing shorts to the MDR. Some not so nice.

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We sailed Oasis 6/21-6/28/14 Western Caribbean

My DW was not allowed into the Windjammer in bathing suit during the evening hours. They asked her to step into the stairwell and put clothes on top. They did allow her to come in with shorts and a tee shirt.

MDR I saw both male and female passengers of all ages in shorts. This was only on the casual nights. I did not notice anyone in shorts on the one formal night we ate there. That night we were on Deck 3, starboard side and it was supper hot and I wished I had shorts on. I could not sit through the meal with my jacket on.

Towards the end of the cruise many people seemed more relaxed and did not follow the dress code as strictly. My DD's both wore shorts at their last meal in the MDR.

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My daughter is divorced and has joint custody. However there is a court order stating father can't see child until age 18. Court order also states mom does not need fathers permission to travel outside of US. Is this enough with passport, birth certificate, marriage and divorce decree? It is not possible to get notarized letter from father as no contact in last 5 yrs per court order. I know we may not be asked for anything but just trying to be prepared in case they do ask.

This would only be an educated guess and not fact:

With the paperwork you have you should be fine. Bring originals and copies to be safe.

This is a fun read........so go on.....

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Sunblock, maybe mosquito repellent, cash in mixed small bills $200 minimum for 2 people, 1 CC, your sea pass (ship ID), Port Officer's contact info (in case you miss the ship) and a passport or at least picture ID per person.

I feel these are the essentials anything beyond this is your call based on excursions, personal plans, etc.

Sunblock and Mosquito repellent are expensive in ports so we find it essential. I paid $50 at Paradise Island in the Bahamas for sunblock once because we forgot it.

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