ACeruland

Sailing on Vista in August in a Havana Cabana, but booked after all the FTTF was sold out. Would it be possible for us to leave things like a larger carry on bag on our cabin patio before the room is ready? I don't want to be in the way of the stewards getting the room ready, so if it's not allowed (or technically allowed but not nice) I wouldn't do it, I was just curious to see if anyone has done this. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the replies! We were mostly on the side of NOT taking the "upgrade" already, and you've definitely convinced us to stay put. 🙂 

Currently booked in a cove balcony on deck 5 of the Mardi Gras for the 12/1 sailing and got an email from Carnival with an offer to upgrade to a standard balcony on a higher deck. I'm not convinced it is truly an upgrade, but this would be my first time in a stateroom on a low deck. Are there any pitfalls to deck 5 that I'm not thinking of? (I've checked the deck plans to see what is above/below and no concerns there.) Will we have more elevator issues than if we were higher? We plan to take the stairs down as much as possible, but probably won't be able to take stairs up more than one or two decks due to knee issues.

We have used Avis in the past. Pick up at the airport and drop off at the downtown location (SE 2nd St.), and they have a shuttle to POM.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not the serve beef Wellington at any point on Getaway (either MDR or specialty restaurant). We usually cruise Celebrity, but are trying out NCL in a couple of weeks, and they usually serve it at some point in the MDR. My husband absolutely loves beef Wellington and I wouldn't want to miss it. Thanks!

That is unfortunate, but sometimes things break. Sounds like NCL is trying to make it right with the credit, but if a broken jacuzzi ruins your vacation, you're doing it wrong...

I agree. I won’t be out of my home country without it on me. Period. Americans are the only people in the world who have hangups about carrying their passports when traveling abroad. It’s bizarre.

I think this is probably because, generally speaking, Americans don't travel abroad as frequently/easily as citizens of other countries - especially Europeans. In Europe, one can hop on a train or in the car and travel to several different countries within hours. The only land borders we have here are with Canada and Mexico, and we didn't even need passports to visit either place until about 10 years ago. We're just not used to carrying them. There are many, many Americans who don't even HAVE a passport.

That being said, this American carries her passport at all times when out of the country.

Once you have the UPB, you may feel more free, and that is priceless. You may just break even, but not having to count the cost on every drink makes it more of a care free vacation, from what I can see and calculate.

 

Hope that helps.

THIS. My husband can be a little uptight about money (it's good that one of us is! :')), and the piece of mind having the UPB brings is so, so worth it to us.

Daniel's is a ways away from Coxen Hole. My suggestion would be to go to Maya Key first, leave early and then go to Daniel's. Give yourself an hour plus for transportation time to and from and make sure you're using ship time not island time. Roatan is on Central Standard time (UTC -6 ) and does not observe day light savings time. Daniel's on FB so maybe you can contact him through his page and see what times he's open. Getting to be a very popular stop and many tour operators head there.

Thanks! That is basically what I was thinking, but just wanted confirmation. :)

We are planning to do an NCL excursion to Maya Key (we normally arrange our own tours, but we have a shore excursion credit this time around), but I also want to visit Daniel Johnson's, for which we would be on our own. We're only in port from 10am-6pm. The possible departure times to Maya Key are 10:30, 11, and 11:30. If we hurry off the ship as soon as possible, would we have enough time to cuddle some sloths and get back in time for the 11:30 departure, or is it better to leave Maya Key early and just go to Daniel Johnson's from there?

Thanks!

we havent, but considered buying it.

i got the full details from my PCC.

Thanks for the info! We leave in a few weeks, and I just got the email today. Normally, we wouldn't even consider travel insurance, but the past six months have been spectacularly unlucky for us (mostly me), so we're definitely thinking about it.

Sailing on Getaway 12/10 and booked in a mini-suite. Just called and got all the promos added, plus our OBC was doubled for a little over $150.

Cruising on the Getaway next month. Here is what I have via the NCL planning site:

Cirque Dreams & Steam

Banquet Seating - $11.80 w/SDP (I think $30 or $35 without)

Floor Seating - $17.70 w/SDP ($40 or $45 w/o)

Wine Lovers the Musical - $29.50

All prices include the 18% gratuity.

I got an amazing Priceline "express" deal on the JW Marriott for 12/9/17, and an even better one on the JW Marriott Marquis a couple of years ago. The Marquis was a little closer to the port, but most of the downtown Miami hotels are an inexpensive Uber ride to the POM.

Unfortunately, this is a personal trial-and-error thing. What works for one person may not work for another (as you can see from the many varied responses). As someone who is extremely prone to motion sickness, and has tried literally every possible remedy under the sun, the only thing that works well for me is the prescription scopolamine patch. Bonine would be my second choice, but it makes me pretty drowsy after taking it for more than a few days.

I would recommend planning on bringing a backup remedy just in case the first thing you bring doesn't work.

When I first went to reserve the restaurants on my most recent cruise online, I was initially asked to pay in advance. On a previous cruise, I was not asked to pay in advance for anything. I too wanted the flexibility to make changes and use OBC, because I really was not too sure about what we wanted to do and when. (even tho they would have refunded me, I know). I was also making reservations for five, 2 were my friends who were going to pay for themselves.

 

If I remember correctly, I ended up calling NCL and making the reservations. They did not charge me over the phone. I know for a fact that I was not charged anything before getting on the ship. When I got on the ship, I was not actually charged until we ate at the restaurant. (I reserved three restaurants and changed one to Cirque after getting on board). Welcome!

I just booked Cirque for my 12/10 cruise a couple weeks ago, and I did have to pay upfront. We have the SDP, so we only had to pay $17/pp. My NCL rep also said that if we didn't want to use our SDP on Cirque, we could pay the difference once onboard.

4. Are you telling me that EVERY gay person has been unable to stay closeted for one day in Jamaica? Perhaps stay away from river rafting and do the zip line?

 

I just stumbled upon this thread, and I had to say something about this comment, which I find to be enormously insulting and ignorant. It's 2017. No one should be forced back into the closet out of fear for their safety, and they certainly shouldn't have to pay for the privilege of doing so. I'm certainly glad you're not MY travel agent.

OP - I'm so happy things worked out for you! I wish you were sailing on Getaway a week later so I could buy you and your new husband a drink to toast your marriage. Congratulations!

Hi - I just wanted to add that you may not be able to book Cirque at 90 days out. I was having a problem booking online, so I called my NCL rep and he told me that it couldn't be booked until 60 days out. Weirdly though, I ended up being able to book the show online at about 75 days out, so who knows what the truth is? Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you have a similar issue.

We are sailing on the Getaway on 12/10, and this is what has been offered to us:

Cabin Booked: Mini Suite

Haven Spa Suite $400-$2,000

Haven Forward Penthouse $400-$2,000

Haven Aft Penthouse $750-$2,500

Haven Courtyard Penthouse $400-$2,000

Haven 2 Bedroom Family $1000-$2,750

Haven Owners Suite/Deluxe Owners Suite $1,500-$3,000

Margaritaville BUT PLEASE do not do as we witnessed during one family re-union.

First couple arrived, they asked staff to pull together 3 tables - ordered ONE bowl of nachos - Finally all eleven family members arrived. Staff handed out menus, put placemats at everyone's seating - + sideplates and the family proceeded to share out the one bowl of nachos between them. UGH!

It is a great place to meet up as its quieter - but please - make sure everyone knows to order something - its not expensive and the drinks are super and included in the drinks package.

Wow. Rude. No worries for us there - I don't think one bowl of nachos would last too long between just my husband and I, let alone 8 other people, lol! I didn't know Margaritaville would be open on embarkation day. That sounds like a great spot to meet. Thanks! :D

You will still be able to text or call while still in port.

I know, but my life will be made easier if I can just tell my MIL and her sister exactly where to go. :D

We will be meeting up with family who are arriving separately from us. Once on board, where is the best place to meet? Need a place that has a concreate location, as we are hoping to avoid having to wade through the crowds to find each other in the buffet or sun deck. Which bars (if any) will be open?

Following - I'm curious about this as well. :)

Hi,

 

Does anyone know why I cannot book the Cirque Dreams show online? I am 83 days out before sailing on the Getaway on Nov 26th. I can book just about everything else, Burn, MDQ, dinners, excusions except Cirque. The shows are not sold out as I have been checking since day 91 and it has always stated the same ". . . . . not available for booking. Check back later or on board."

 

Has anyone had a similar issue or does the Cirque Dream booking open closer to sailings. Thanks for your help.

Was having the same issue for the 12/10 sailing, called my NCL rep, and was told that you have to wait until 60 days out to book Cirque.

Just talked to my NCL "personal cruise consultant", and he said they aren't doing reservations for Cirque until 60 days out from the sail date. I guess it was selling out super fast and people who don't plan as early as we do were complaining.