poohdreaming
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Posts posted by poohdreaming
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You & your child can take a cab to coral world. There's the coki beach next to it.
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7 hours ago, Sauer-kraut said:
Good heavens! It's a closed loop cruise and you don't even need a passport!! As a U.S. citizen you can sail under a certified BIRTH CERTIFICATE and a Government Issued ID ...PERIOD. Expiration date doesn't apply.
I heard it is not the case now with the coronavirus. Everyone would need a passport. This is how they can make sure you did not traveled to China. A birth certificate would not work now. If it does work, then why the news of 2 ladies that was going to get married on one of NCL cruise ship received an email about letting them know that their guests would need a passport? NCL policy is wrong. It does not have to be someone from China or traveled to China to get the coronavirus. This time, the coroavirus is tricky is that if one person get better, can get sick again. Isolated for 14 days or more wont work.
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Nothing special, just a piece of postcard / paper full size art work. If you do not attend the art auction, you can also pick it up at the art hallway or the time listed on the ncl freestyle newsletter. If you like them, you can pick it up. But not worth it. The only reason some people sit through or attend the start of the art auction is for the free drink. Even the drink is not good.
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Passport is the best way for a long term. Real ID - only work in the U.S.
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5 hours ago, yoolykeme said:
Do people really book dinner 4 months out?
I dont know what I want to eat on whatever night until I get on the ship and figure out what the special at the buffet is.
Yes, people do reserve 4 months out in order to make sure they are able to use their dining perk. If you book too late, you might not be able to get to use it or have the time you want to have dinner.
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If you are booked a cruise through CAS, you might get a free casino @ sea drink card waiting in your cabin. Yes, you can mention that you are a CAS guest when arriving at the port to get you faster in another line to get your ship card if you arrive at the opening time of the port.
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11 minutes ago, dporter said:
Depending on when you are cruising will determine the demographics of your fellow cruisers. Traveling during spring break does increase the college aged crowds. Trips that are 7 days or shorter tend to have younger crowds while trips 10 days and longer have older crowds; this would be the same on most cruise lines.
If you found Carnival's Cheers program worth it then you will definitely find NCL's beverage package worth it. NCL has main dining rooms and a buffet just like Carnival, the difference in the main dining room is that it is set up like Your Time Dining. You can choose to make a reservation or just show up when they are open, if you just show up it will be just like going to a restaurant near your home where depending on volume you may have a little wait.
The NCL beverage package costs can be found here: https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/beverage-packages The one that is a perk is now called the Premium Beverage Package and is $99 per person, per day. The beverage perk and specialty dining perk, if you choose them, you are only paying the gratuity on the package value and tax.
You can purchase additional specialty dining packages for your 3rd person, if this is a child they can eat for free off the kids meal, even in the specialty restaurants. You can find dining package information here: https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages
Here is a link about Breakaway you can also look at the deck plans to see the various restaurants: https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/breakaway
The entertainment on board will be similar to Carnival, depending on the ship and sailing the entertainers may change. They will typically have at least 2 big productions shows on a 7 day cruise.
Enjoy your cruise!
I'm not so sure about the child eating for free anymore.
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2 hours ago, Sersee said:
I’m booking under the Free at Sea. I see when I add the open bar, I pay the gratuities. This is fine because I would be tipping anyway buying single drinks. We found in Carnival the Cheers was worth it for us. I have seen people complain that it isn’t really free which I don’t understand. It is free... the package. I just lay tip and taxes correct?
If you are booked under the Free at Sea - it depends on which cabin you booked. If you booked at a balcony or higher - the number of perks is more than the studio or an inside cabin. Anyway, for the drinking package as well as the dining package - you paid the 20% gratuities included in the final payment.
How much is the Drink package on NCL ? I’m having trouble finding an answer.
Here's are some links:
https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages
3 meal specialty restaurant plan - cost $99.00 - buy ahead of time, not on board.
2 hours ago, Sersee said:
specialty Dining... I don’t know much about it. Are the restaurants good? The specialty dining covers two of us but not my third person. So I just pay out of pocket for him correct? I’m only paying gratuities with the free at sea correct? I’m just wondering if I should skip that one?Yes - specialty restaurants are good. Try different ones throughout the cruise. If you have the dining package, reserve ahead of time when you are allowed to do so. If not, then on the first day - head next to the guest service where they help with reservations/cancellations for these restaurants or go straight to that specific restaurant / or go to the touch screen (usually near the stairs) or use the tv to reserve.
2 hours ago, Sersee said:i will be on the Breakaway. Are there a lot of places to eat? I have friends who told me I have to reserve everything so I may not like NCL and that it is a party atmosphere with a lot of college age kids? We are a family so I’m not into that even to much. We like fun and on carnival there were lots and lots of families. Is the Breakaway similar?
Yes, there are plenty of places to eat. You just need to reserve ahead of time for specialty restaurants and for shows that you are interested in. For MDR/Savor/Taste - the wait for dinner shouldnt be that bad if you did not reserve. Say if Taste have a waiting line, then you or anyone in your family can go to Savor. Menu are the same.
2 hours ago, Sersee said:Is the entertainment to “old “ for teenagers?
No, the entertainment on the Breakaway is not too old for teenagers. Check out:
https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/breakaway/whats-on-board/Entertainment
I liked Burn the Floor as well as the Howl at the Moon.
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With this coronavirus - it is similar to a regular flu. Those that had it - some did not have a fever or shown signs that they had it. Only known when they went to the airport and was scanned. Heard that it started from the chest being in pain.
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Of the three cruise ships you listed - Escape is the newest one. There's the district brew house on the Escape and a beautiful waterfront you can walk around with bars/tables outside. If you want to, you can use this link:
https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/escape#!#whats-on-board
On the Escape: After Midnight, Escape the Big Top and Howl at the Moon, Levity Entertainment Group
On the Dawn - Elements, Showdown and Soul Rockin' Nights
https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/dawn/whats-on-board/Entertainment
If I were you, I will choose to cruise on the Escape or the Bliss. More activities and entertainments on the Escape compared to the Dawn and Pearl.
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3 hours ago, Broons77 said:
I'll be booking ahead as well. You spend all this money, you want to get the most out of it so why not take the 15 mins ahead of time and book your dinners rather than wait until getting on board?
As you made mention, I'm curious if the size of the ship plays into it. A bigger boat tends to be the attraction so many of the folks on board are there because of all the choices. Smaller boat with fewer choices, people may not feel so bad about exploring in the port.
It is best to book ahead. If you need to make any changes on board like a cancellation, so do before the 24 hr for that specific restaurant. Of course, the size of the cruise ship will play a role in it. But either ways, most people will spend the night / eat dinner on board. They paid for this, why spend extra monies on food. A fish sandwich or a lobster roll - you can try it. But this is usually in the morning / during the tour. But for a family dinner - it sound more costly. Only spend monies on special food that the cruise ship does not have.
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In my opinion - I will say specialty restaurants will still be booked solid. On my last cruise, I heard someone who had the dining package wasnt able to reserve for any restaurants because she booked too late or did not like any time/booking spots left (late hours/ time).
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Not a glitch. It is because you reserved for the show at 7:30 pm.
Change either the time for the dinner or the show.
If you want a dinner at 5:30 pm at MDR - you can still do so.
Just let the server know that you want to see the 7:30 pm show.
You can also ask to see the dessert menu too and order it ahead of time or skip desserts.
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Dont be or try to feel discourage.
That's why you are here on CC (Cruise Critic).
You will be able to search as well as ask any questions on here.
First join the roll call for your cruise and you should attend the meet & greet.
You can go to NCL and login to your account or create a new account.
You can reserve for shows and dinners (MDR) as well as for any specialty restaurants if you have the dining package.
Your ship card will have a sticker showing that you have the dining package. The same thing if you have the drink package.
Since you say the sailing is less than 2 months - you should be able to book for any specialty restaurant under your account.
As for the NCL app - this is not necessary to have unless you want to. You cannot use it now until you get onboard.
As for the shore excursion credit - it is per each port and it will be taken off after the shore excursion was done.
You can check this on your account on the tv on board at the end of the day. If you want to make sure you have shore excursion promotion - you can check on your account too on NCL. And do not pay or book yourself online. Call the shore excursion line to book ahead if you want to.
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6 minutes ago, VegasMIGolf said:
No. This is “freestyle” cruising. Lol. To my understanding NCL keeps open a percentage of tables in each restaurant for online booking and another for onboard bookings (in person, TV, public screens by elevators). If others have better insight please let us know as we want to change a reservation also and it’s full online.
Yes, this is true - they hold some for on board booking. So on the first day, it is best to go to that specific restaurant or next to guest services where they list out menus and help with cancellation/changing time or to book for a restaurant.
To change or want to reserve ahead of time - you can call this number: 1.866.234.7350
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Any cancellations - do it before the 24-hour onboard.
The time listed online - if any are left - are usually late hours.
But when you board on the first day, head to where they make reservation for dinners.
If too late - reservations are filled up and no guarantee for you to use it.
It is best to reserve for the time or whatever spot is left right now & then change it on board.
From NCL Website:
What is your Restaurant Cancellation policy?
Cancellations of dinner reservations must be made 24 hours prior to the scheduled dining time. If cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours’ notice, the full price of the cover per guest will be charged. We strive for excellent service; therefore, we can only hold your dinner reservation for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the unclaimed reservation will be released and the full price of the cover per guest will be charged to you. In the case of pre-paid reservation, no refunds will be issued for cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice. -
You can reserve on your account on NCL or when you are on the cruise ship - go to the box office.
For dinner reservations for the MDR - it is not necessary, but if you want to - you can also reserve it online under your account on NCL or when you are on the cruise ship - you go to the MDR, on the tv to reserve, or one of those touch screen.
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You can choose whatever you want to do. You can reserve for a specialty restaurant and can also go to MDR for a late dinner.
At MDR dinners - you can choose to only have 1 entree or as many as you want including desserts. No one will say anything. If the selection of dinner you chosen came and you did not like it - you can order something else.
As for the menu - the dinner ones will be posted a few hours before on that specific day. As for specialty restaurant menus - you can google online to have an idea of what to order.
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In my opinion - stay on Deck 13. And a balcony would be a good choice going to Alaska. Can hangout/look at ice glaciers as well as the ocean from your own balcony.
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I have not been there myself. But there's another thread posted about a map / walking tour guide of that port.
I heard about 27 mins walk to one of them and the other one is 10 mins walk. Use Google Map.
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The fort is closed at 6 pm. If you get off the cruise ship at 5 pm, there's still 1 hr for the fort.
If the fort is not an option - then just stroll around near the waterfront / streets that are safe.
What shore excursions are offered by the cruise line?
Walking tour? - This you can do yourself.
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If only 1 parent cruising with a 17 yrs old - then no.
But what Julig22 said is true - NCL does not look or will know if the 17 yrs old is going to be in the cabin that he was booked in.
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31 minutes ago, OceanBlueWaters said:
I think the Studios are GREAT other than the shower. They are small and there is nowhere to stow shampoo, conditioner, razor, shave cream, comb, etc. I always bring a collapsible, mesh, shower caddy and hang it over the shower head to stash my necessities.
JMO ☺️
Or like what some cruisers do - go to the gym to use the shower. Yea, that shower in the room is tiny. But other than this issue, everything else seem to be okay.
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The MDR, Savor or Taste for lunch to avoid the crowd of people. It is time to enjoy your vacation. Do not go to the buffet where they want to direct everyone to go there. It is also hard to find a seat and with all that luggage - it is not a good place to be at. Go to the MDR to be serve.
Self Guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan
in San Juan, PR
Posted
The original poster for the guide did mention before that only a gmail address work. "I tried, however Google rejected it because your email is not associated with any google account and that is the one way to use MAPS or DRIVE in google."