Ask4Jay

Why NCL? It suits us.

We have cruised Oceania and Azamara in their start-up days. But they are now “above our pay grade”. We always book an aft-facing balcony cabin and mostly transatlantic crossings on the Jewel class ships. We enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the friendly crew - and the buffet. We don’t “do” the shows. Not our thing, too old. Both of us have our iToys pre-loaded with books and videos. But most of our time in spent on our balcony. Not to forget: NO SCHEDULE.

We keep stuff that’s too large for the safe under the bed in a locked suitcase. A thief would have to cut the suitcase to get at whatever is in there. To use my iPad you would have to have my finger print or break my long password.

Crepes in the GardenCafé after dinner with DW and our favorite cruising couple - and good conversation.

If you can handle a balcony? In my very biaseopinion, try an aft-facing cabin. There is no wind while the ship is cruising, so you can sit on the balcony with a hoody on and enjoy the scenery on BOTH sides. All our 17 cruises, mostly Trans-Atlantics, have been in aft B1 cabins. And the Great Outdoors buffet is a couple of decks above.

Out

R cruising kit consists of one regular 6/Ft extension cord. 2 iPhones and 2 iPad minis. Haven’t had a single problem on 13 cruises.

We were on Getaway’s TA last Novrmber and found that little coffee maker in our cabin. Now we have the same machine at home. I have Impaired vision and, with the help of it, I can brew my own cuppa. Next cruise I’ll bring my own supply of coffee pods.

Try googling for 9-volt light. It’s a small plastic piece with two tiny LEDs that fits onto the terminals of a 9-volt battery. At the Lo setting it lasts way over 100 hours. We bought ours for camping about 15 years ago.

A plain six-foot household extension cord. Turns one outlet into three for charging our iToys simultaneously.

It’s vacation. We don’t want to go by a schedule. We start in late afternoon to check the menu boxes of the MDRs. If we see some items we really like, we’ll come back after 7 pm and ask for a table for 2. If they don’t have one available now, we may settle for later - or we go to the next MDR. That M.O. has never failed us. At times we bypass the MDRs and head straight for the Garden Café for some Asian food.

DW and cruised down the Rhine River a few years ago and enjoyed it - but we prefer the freedom, flexibility and anonymity that every NCL ship offers.

Guys, guys, not so fast!

You forgot the “me”, as for me it’s worth it.

I am with the OP, I’d rather stay on board and enjoy the empty ship. Remember that we all have different interests and priorities. Good trip to all, regardless ...

Agree. Asked and answered.

We were on the Getaway in a balcony cabin, which featured a small single-cup coffee maker. It comes with a daily supply of Senseo coffee pods. Greatest thing since ... you could search for Lavazza coffee pods.

Maybe they have an inside cabin and no other place to sit and relax?

The Dawn did not have the Great Outdoors (buffet) aft when we cruised. That may have changed, but for us it would be a deal breaker.

B1 is the only way to go.

Oh no, now I’ll have foam all over my mustachio when I drink my beer

I use the reamer on my Swiss Army Knife to drill a hole in the corner that shows our Assembly Point.

Then I thread about 3 ft of lamp chain through that hole and connect the ends with a little thingy that comes with the chain (at any decent hardware store). That chain keeps the card from flying over your shoulder in a breeze.

We are P+ as well and usually join the line for Great Unwashed. As you may know, while that line is longer, it has a greater number of staffers to handle the volume. And it avoids negative feelings if the request is denied. Works for us.

We were on a TA Copenhagen to Miami last November and we had an enjoyable cruise. The ship felt very crowded, in spite of its size. Our aft balcony was large enough, with two lounge chairs. Spent a lot of time there. We are over 80 and have outgrown the night life. Don’t drink, don’t gamble. A glass of Sherry on the balcony - no wind way aft, what more do we need?

Two things we did like:

The Asian Section in the buffet and - wait for it - the little coffee machine that uses individual coffee pods and brews one mug of coffee in 4 minutes. Bought one within a week of coming home. Now I can brew my own coffee, even though I am visually handicapped.

I called NCL, paid DSC snd had a correct email confirmation a short while later. Case closed.

We have done 15 two-week cruises and in those 200+ days i have not purchased a single bottle of water. Why would I? There are two faucets in my cabin and plenty of others all over the ship where I can refill my bottle. DW and I each carry our own 6-oz bottle. They need frequent refills but are most practical for travelers. Small enough for a purse or shoulder bag and small enough to empty at Airport Security - if you forgot to empty them in time. And, once on the other side, refill them at a water fountain or - yes, in the nearest restroom.

Full disclosure: we are both 83 years old and reasonably fit, free water notwithstanding. I do suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease and therefor need to maintain a high water intake.

In other words, OP, I have no answer for you, just my take on hydration. J

“. . . nor any drop to drink.”

DW and I have 15 cruises behind us, all of them, without exception, in an aft cabin / balcony.” Best seat in the house”. One advantage that has not been mentioned yet that you will appreciate: It is windstill aft. With appropriate dress like a hoodie, you can sit out there, protected from the wind when the ship is underway.

US passport holders do not need a Customs Form, even when coming off a TA from Europs.

My SOP is Coffee at dawn! Not Coffee on Dawn. On the Getaway we had a one-cup coffee machine in our cabin that uses coffee pods. They were new to us, like round pillows stuffed with ground coffee. Like a round tea bag on steroids. Pop one of those thingies into the machine and, voilá! 4 minutes later you have a cup of fresh coffee. Hope you have one of those in your cabin. J