ginagurl79

I see you found your roll call. ;) Don't forget the family forum for ideas.

I don't want to seem like an idiot, but whats that under? Im new to the forums, thanks :)

This was a bad joke. There is no such thing.

got it :) thanks

Another option (especially if you prefer Coke over Pepsi products) is to bring your own case of pop onboard.

 

And, if you are planning on bringing the kids to any of the Speciality or MDRs, NCL allows kids to wear "nice shorts" in any of their dining rooms (they don't have to wear long pants).

oh thanks :) we have the ultimate dining package- and have a 3 and 4 yo so thank you for that. Kids drink juice, heard its free-but i'm also bringing their drinks w/ me. Hubby and I dont drink much soda-so i'll just pay as we go i guess :)

Thank you for that :)

Go to the Roll Call forum, find NCL, find Gem, then look for the Roll Call for your dates of sailing. Post your question there since that is where some of the people on your cruise will see your post.

 

Also, you might want to ask on the Family Forum for ideas of activities for your kids.

Thank you :)

Maybe some type of paid chance game like Bingo or Deal No Deal? That's what I found on the web...

It's these little cardboard games- they have like 5 tabs you pull to take a chance to win 1-100000 . we have them at out bingo halls :)

What $50 per person disembarkation fee? Please don't give a person new to cruising bad / false information; they have enough hard time trying to understand what's avoidable and what's not in.....

did we get any further info on this?

28 days!! I can't wait. My OCD is kicking in big time. My DH may ban me from making anymore lists. (I have three separate lists on my iphone and a pre-packing pile hidden in the closet :D) We haven't had a real vacation in years. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone and having some fun!

I am with you- the closer it gets the crazier I get :) we haven't had a vacation since 2010 so it's WAY overdue. Hope to bump into you :)

Don't forget Parking fee's .

 

Boston cruise port parking is like $116 for 7 day's .

 

I think N.Y. is a couple hundred . :eek:

Ya we r taking the train to NYC (1 hr 45 min ride) its my kids first on a train too :)

Have a great time! You'll be so amazed when you step onboard!

Thanks-I cant wait :)

Just for grins - this is what I brought last year to the Western Carib trip. Not the best answer, but I thought it out. Note we had a high-end suite and did not expect to spend a lot on shore. But I did plan for breakfast and lunch tips at Cagneys.

 

tips plan 'A'

concierge $100

steward $50

butler 100-150 $10 per day per person = $300

kids club 20-50 $50

casino $500

Dining Tips $245 cash $15 for dinner, $10 for brk, lunch

Bar Tips $35 cash $5 for a glass

Excursion Cash total $610

Cozumel tips, cab, entry, shop, meals $200 have $90 in pesos

Belize Zoo, gas, meal $200 rental $100

Roatan ?? Shop $100

Costa Maya tips, massage, shop $200

 

 

cash

pack of 100 $1's $100

Pack of 40 $5's $200

Pack of 40 $10's $400

Pack of 5 $20's $100

pack of 10 $50's $500

pack of 16 $100's $1,600

$2,900

 

This was the plan. I think i went a little bigger in the casino, and we did not use the kids club. I estimated big and was pretty close. We are a family of four.

I hear you- we already paid excursions and such- all food is paid. We have talked about $2000, I think we will be okay :)

Its all about having a good time.

Completely subjective, some cruisers never use any services at all and can cruise for 7 days on the fare + 50.00 or less.

 

Some, like us, get to cruise once a year and blow it out. We don't carry 1K in cash like one poster said (I would probably lose it somewhere) but all the cash we do carry is for tips we just use our CC for everything else.

Indeed- thank you. See, with the CC- ours is linked to our checking- it's a debit/visa logo. They say not to use that because they put holds on it???

What is the recommendation? Cash or charge?

Once on board just go to any bar and buy it just for those in the family who will use it.

 

Have an amazing vacation- your enthusiasm is contagious! And ignore all the garbage going around this week....it's always something!

Happy Easter to you and your oodles of kidlettes"!!

Thank you SO MUCH!

I just realized we left the bed made up - a year ago.....:(

what? LOL

Hope you enjoy it! What do you have planned?

Well the first day we're going to get "acquainted" with our surroundings and important things we need to know where it is. (day care/kids club) for one. I also am going to sign us up for every Sponge Bob even there is.

The only OTHER thing we have in stone is the: Marine Life Encounter Eco Boat Tour in Great Stirrup Cay.

Other than that- I'm bouncing around here-cause I plan on the meet and greet for the Cruise Critic, along with the Latitude Rewards Party (if my family can attend to-or at least hubby).

I heard there's a great light show- so we want to go to that. I love dinner and shows-so we'll be attending that.

We are going to fit in some beach time, swimming and of course we ALL want to come back TAN :)

I'm not sure what else we will do- but my game plan is the next 10 days to try to plan. My husband is more laid back-take one day at a time. I want to shove it all in one day.

BIGGEST THING OF ALL make MEMORIES :)

Have you ever been on the gem? have you went to the Bahamas? if so what did you like the best? what do you recommend?

You mentioned you're not big drinkers, but soft drinks are extra. You might consider the soda plan for each of you. It's only $4.5/day (you buy for the entire cruise) and $6.50 for adults. It just takes two drinks per day to cover the cost of the child package and 3 for the adult. If you want it for your family you can purchase online prior to the cruise. If you just want for the adults you can purchase onboard.

Thank you-let me rephrase it- we drink, but for celebrations (like may 7 I'm sure we will for our anniversary). My kids don't drink soda-so when I was going to buy the package it was for all of us- we couldn't just buy it for the adults :(

Is it different once we board, can we just buy it for the adults?

We got one on our first cruise. Ds was spongebob fan at that time. It showed up before dinner and the Stuart did use it to setup the bed

Thanks so much I have a 3 and 4 yo so I ordered 2.

My little one who just turned 3- anytime he sees spongebob he gets so ecstatic- so I'm so anxious I know how happy they will be.

Now all the accessories it comes with they can take home correct? I'm sure they can- but I'm just so anxious :) It's going to be such a great trip :)

Have a great cruise. Let me know how you like that cabin location. We're booked in 11500 on Gem in September. It looks like a nice quiet part of the ship and we've never had a balcony before. We can't wait either, and we have a lot longer to wait.

Most definitely, please do remember this is our first cruise-so I have nothing to compare it to. I hope it is a little quieter, we have 3 and 4 yo boys who are coming along with us :)

We are way over due for a vacation :) 10 year anniversary celebration (it's on the 7th of may and we will be on the ship) and the celebration of the adoption of our 2 boys :) couldn't ask for anything better than that ;)

I hope you enjoy as well. Where are you going in September?

Just read this part sorry.

 

So that will add a bit, the kids will want some snacks and drinks in Port, [are they twins BTW]. And for your anniversary throw in at least a specialty diner on the night.

np- they are 4 & 5. (I cant wait to do meet and greets with spongebob)

We actually had a complaint because our travel agent through ncl was supposed to keep up to date with promotions- and when my husband called to ask why they weren't answering our calls-they through in wine and a cake for our anniversary :)

We have the unlimited dining package so we most certainly are going to have a few nights free from the kids (esp our anniversary-its an at sea day anyways) and do the casino, show, dinner, something just the 2 of us.

We have 4 kids total in our home (3, 4, 5 and 6) so we desperately need an adult night.

As per the suit- I am also having my husband bring some dress clothes for that night as well. I also heard they do professional pics correct? so I want all of us to look at least presentable :) (Not just some NY Travelling fools lol)

There is no pre-booking of shows on the Gem :D Just go to the theater and grab a seat, some get there half an hour before showtime to get a good one.

 

You'll find out the schedule every day in the Freestyle Daily that will placed in your cabin.

OH man it's all a surprise then?? I didn't plan on booking (we have 2 children so there's none of that) but I was told there's some great shows :(

Any in particular you recommend?

One thing forgot to add because for me it's every cruise is first day I send my suit to be cleaned, it costs about half what I pay at home and then it's smick for dinner.

Okay- thank you for that- question....when we usually go on vaca (remember this is different from the norm from us) we go somewhere warm, where it's shorts, shirts, sunglasses and beach.

is there dress codes?

Can one attend even if they are just a member since booking date?

Also, is it ONLY the member-or their family can attend as well?

Oh thank you all- I have it all planned out and you just confirmed it all for me :)

I CANNOT WAIT :)

I am concerned about not having cell service, so thank you- I have to check in with 2 of our children who will be staying home with a sitter.

:)

Is there internet there? do you recall how much if so?

Which ship?

I'm sorry the Gem. We are going to Florida/Bahamas May 2-9

Thanks :)

Tipping for anyone who you feel went above & beyond

Any onboard shopping & there's lots of opportunities

Drinks - alcohol or pop

Specialty coffees

Pull tabs

Casino

Photos

Port shopping book (I do not recommend)

Spa services or products

Laundry

Room service - either just tipping if off the old menu, some things are a $7.95 fee

 

I'm sure I've forgotten some.

Thank you-and I see you've been on a lot of cruises. My friend Christa also has- and we work together. She tries to give me pointers (I'm ocd about things) but we're so busy at work so I really appreciate this forum :) Thanks for your insight.

Having 2 children coming with us- I want to make sure we ALL enjoy ourselves. We are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and the adoption of our 2 boys :)

Thank you- I just am so overwhelmed with everything-I'm trying to take it all in.

The next 29 days is killing me :) LOL we haven't been on vacation since 2010 and NOW it's a cruise and all :) WE CANT WAIT!