mengel246

I feel like I'm reading a few different things - does Norwegian Joy have basketball courts? What about a running/walking track?  Any idea if there is access to the Peloton app for strength workouts?

Also, I can not tell for the life of me if this ship has a spa - not just for services but for the whole relaxation atmosphere.  Thanks!

Has anyone ever changed one of the packaged they got to a different?  My husband did the alcohol one and the excursion one but the excursion one is pretty much a waste and I was wondering if it's possible to switch it to the dining one instead.

Thanks!

I was hoping someone could help me out with this.  We will be sailing on the dawn in April and I swear I thought I read somewhere that they do not have US outlets in the cabins.  Can someone confirm this for me so I can dig out our (what I'm assuming are European) converters?

Than you for all your help!

We are taking our second cruise this spring and will have our 6 and 8-year-old.  We did a cruise 3-4 years ago with them on the Getaway (or Breakaway.. I can't remember what it's called), where there were waterslides, rope course, big trampoline thing.  They were younger at the time and we didn't get to use most of those things.

I know Dawn does not have the slides/ropes course, etc.  Can anyone let me know what other things would be good for them on this ship?

Thanks!

You're certainly entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to disagree. You must not have kids, or you'd know that a toddler's mood can change on a dime. Nothing "unbelievable" about leaving a toddler to play in kids club with other kids instead of tagging along with adults doing an activity they'd rather not do. We've always planned our excursions to include a mixture of beach days that we all enjoy and more adult activities.

 

My kids are in their teens & early 20's now and they still talk about the fun they had in the kids' club. Strangely enough they really don't remember any of the excursions.

Hah I agree with you must not have kids or don't know about toddlers. My kids LOVED the Splash Academy and begged to be there nonstop. They would have complained nonstop on a beach about the sand and heat and waves on a day we didn't pick a place with a pool that was suitable for small children. And just because you have kids doesn't mean you can't have adult time anymore. It brings sanity back to you to make you a better parent. I returned from my hours away from my kids in Cozumel refreshed and excited to see my kids. I ran to the Splash academy and grabbed my kids and took them off the ship for an hour to go pick out a present for themselves at the port stores there. It was a win win for both.

First cruise ever on 5/1/16, DW has cruised before. This is the first NCL cruise for us and both of our first cruise with 2 daughters 12 and 15.

My DW and I have the Ultimate Drink Package promotion. Am I misreading the fact that my wife and I can just walk up and get soft drinks for my kids and then just go somewhere else a couple minutes later and get ourselves a couple cocktails? Thanks in advance

I did that.. I mean my kids don't drink soda but at the kids pool I kept forgetting to bring my husbands card so I just went to one bar and then went over to the next one with my own to get his drink. Watch me get flamed for admitting to that.

I really hope they were with other family and not in kids care while the parents left the ship for the day.

We left our toddlers on the boat in Cozumel and got back hours before leaving time because having the ship leave without us was my biggest fear.

It was our first cruise and I had read some review about someone missing the ship and his experience right before we left. Every port I took extra phone chargers, my own passport, credit cards and had a photo of the local contact just in case. I'm not an overly cautious person in everyday life but was so scared about that situation happening in a foreign place!

Hmm I don't know but my tall thin 5 year old was able to go. 3 year old brother wasn't

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What are your ports? We just went on our first cruise ever with our 3 and 5 year old. They loved it. We didn't go by normal schedules but definitely made them nap or have quiet time each day.

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Sounds like you had fun! And lots of excitement! :) Did you actually miss a port?

We did not miss any ports! And we had great weather during the day for all of them. There was one evening of thunderstorms that was cool to watch but nothing to interrupt everything we did.

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Hello -

We returned from the Getaway on the 17th and wanted to post a few things about our trip, as not just a first time cruiser but also as someone traveling with a 3 and 5 year old.

We flew from Baltimore to Ft. Lauderdale the day before and stayed at a random place (nothing to write home about). Drove to Miami the next afternoon and uber'ed to the port from the car return place. We decided to do a later boarding time to avoid lines and lots of waiting since we'd have two young children with us. This worked out amazing, as we boarded the ship within 10 minutes of getting there. The longest part from our arrival to the port and walking onto the Getaway was stopping 5 times for our kids to go to the bathroom

I'll do ship review and then ports. This might be random cause I'm writing while doing a few other things at home.

I don't have any comparisons for ships so I thought the Getaway was nice and clean and big. I know there were a ton of people on it but besides around pool area it never felt that way to me. We were originally an inside. That got pushed to an oceanview but 2 days before leaving I called to try getting a balcony and ended up getting an amazing deal (while probably pissing off the NCL customer service people). I thought I screwed myself getting a balcony but we ended up in a great room on the 9th deck in the aft. Zero complaints about the location. I guess people say it could be far from places but we live in the city and walk a lot anyways so nothing felt like a long walk ever.

I bought myself a pass to the thermal spa prior to us leaving and can't say enough about that. I didn't think I would use it but I ended up going for a couple of hours each day or evening. I could have probably been fine just going down to the Waterfront (which I LOVED) but then I got to thinking that if we happened to have awful weather the whole week the spa would have been great. It's kind of pricey for the week but I knew me and that I'd want some alone time and it was great.

I cannot say enough good things about the camp. We used it daily and my kids never wanted to leave. The staff are amazing and whenever they saw my kids at ports or somewhere outside of the camp area they knew their names and came over to say hi. My 3 year old son.. god bless him but he's a handful. He was stopped a hundred times through our cruise complimenting his hair or his looks and I kept trying to give him away and said that he has to be so good looking to make up for his annoying 3 year phase. But the camp handled him amazing and never complained to us about him. The only time I ever felt he was something with them was at the circus show when I saw he had to be surrounded by two counselors while nobody else needed that. His big sis was on the complete other side of the stage. She told me he was being naughty and didn't want to stand near him then. When we were leaving the ship on the last day we dropped off a tip for the camp counselors.

People complained about the food on these boards so I went in there really expecting the worst but it wasn't bad at all. My husband loved the Garden Cafe but I finally put my foot down and said we're on vacation and I want someone to wait on me and me not wait on our family for a change. We ate at Teppenyaki, Moderno, Cagneys, O'Sheenen's (sp?), Flamingo Bar, Taste and Savor. My husband wasn't impressed with Moderno but everything else we thought was excellent.

I also read on these boards about bad attitudes with the crew on the Getaway but overall I didn't see or experience that at all. There was one situation at the end of our meal at Moderno where all of a sudden our server became short and moody with us. We didn't know if we did something but it came out of no where. There was also one particular bartender at the Mojito bar that was pretty unfriendly. But besides that I can't complain. There was nobody memorable for going out of their way but I guess I didn't expect that so I wasn't bothered.

The one thing I have to kind of bring up was the Cuban Refugee event. We were stopped for several hours and I heard lots of people share concerns and watch on. But then there were people complaining about missing a port because of this. And then two pretty unclassy events happened. The first was when we were leaving the pool deck area to go back inside and passed by the adult pool. Some game was starting where people were poking fun of the situation and took me by surprise. The second event was the same evening when I stopped at Sunset Bar to grab a drink before I met up with my husband (he was at the gym) and a man was at the bar going on about how we should have shot down the refugees. It was a real turn off to hear that and to have to be stuck on a ship with people that actually think like that. Not to get political, but I don't think any of us, who can afford to go on these cruises, can imagine getting on a homemade raft to go find a better life somewhere else. And the poking fun and comments and (the atrocity, us missing a port day to help people) really got to me.

Finally, onto the ports..

I have several friends that take their children to Jewel Runaway Bay in Ochos Rios so I used Resort for a day (or something like that) to get passes for us. It was pricy but the place was gorgeous and exactly what I knew would work for us. They had a beautiful beach, an amazing kids water park and pools for the kids. My husband and I took a turn each getting a break to go onto the beach (my kids are a rarity and complain whenever they're on one so I knew the water park would be great for them). It was all inclusive so lots of food and drinks throughout the day. Transportation was easy.

In Cayman Islands we visited Turtle Farm. I booked this myself, not through NCL and saved a ton of money. My son was free and I got 20% off the rest of us. We used public transportation and it was a quick easy walk to get the bus. Turtle Farm didn't impress me so much and I really wanted to be on a beach but my toddlers loved going in the turtle pools and then the water area (not the snorkeling area but the water area with a slide). I was hoping we could make it to a beach for a while but it never happened. We also didn't eat at all there so can't say anything about the food. Transportation was very easy too. I believe the public "buses" were $2.50/pp.

By Cozumel my husband and I kind of wanted a break from the kids and I really wanted a beach day so we opted to leave them in camp all day, rent a scooter and find a random beach. I had researched some things for us as a family in advance but at the last minute we went to Mr. Sanchos. My husband isn't a big drinker and I knew I didn't need $55 worth of food and drink myself so we opted to not go the all inclusive route. We walked in for free and found loungers on the beach and hung around for a few hours. Ordered some drinks a la carte and then went back to return the scooter. We've never ever been on a scooter before but it was a fun adventure. I think we were passed by everyone along the way cause I wouldn't let my husband go more than 25 mph.

I LOVED GSC. Thanks to Cruise Critic I heard about taking the tram straight to the lagoon. We left the ship kind of late to go to GSC so didn't need a tender ticket. As soon as we arrived it was jam packed and no seats were available. We found the tram and went to the lagoon where it was basically empty. We had no lines for drinks or food there. It was beautiful and amazing. My kids found friends from camp and played all afternoon. I know people say it's not as gorgeous as other private islands, but as someone who has nothing to compare it to it was my idea of paradise. I wish I could rent a house there for a week.

Ok I think that's it. This came out to be a book!

Editing to add: I didn't want to do a cruise but my husband wanted to try one out. I'm not sure they're for me. I really liked going off the boat for ports and think I'm much more of a resort person but he said he would do one again in the future.

I was just on the Getaway. I purposely potty trained my 3 year old for this trip based on people saying no diaper rules.

We spent lots of hours on sea days in the kid area of the pools and I saw several children his age and younger (and a couple that looked older) with swim diapers under the bathing suits. And then there was the kid in just a swim diaper with no suit to even cover it.

It was kinda annoying to see but as a parent of a young one I get that you wanted your kid to get some time in the pool too. I just wish these parents at least put rubber pants on over the kids swim diapers (at our swim club you're required to do that with kids in swim diapers).

I'm sure I'll get yelled at for this but if you're going to do it, I'd say at least buy those rubber pant things to put on over the swim diaper (I used to buy them at Target but not sure if they're out for the season yet. I think they're Gerber Waterproof pants. They run really big though so if you ever buy them size down

What about Chankanaab national park? I really don't know how that works. Do you just show up? Does anyone know cost to get there and if that's worth it?

We leave on Sunday on the Getaway and I realized I never booked anything for Cozumel. We'll be traveling with our 3 and 5 year old children. Any suggestions for good, not breaking the bank ideas to go with them?

I've read about Mr. Sanchos and Playa Mia (I believe that's the name of it).. didn't know if there were any other good suggestions for extremely last minute ideas. Or if anyone just got off the boat and winged it? I like a beach and relaxing but the kids like kid water play areas better (smaller slides,etc).. but it doesn't necessarily have to be a water based day.

Thanks!

Hello!

We are traveling this weekend on our first cruise with a 3 and 5 year old. I remember reading a while ago on one of the boards about giving the kids (and myself) motion sickness pills a day before we start cruising.

Has anyone done this and what dosage did you give? On Bonine's website it says 1-2 tablets daily an hour before traveling so not sure about starting the day before?

My husband and I took a ferry from Spain to Morocco (and then a bus from Tangier to Fez) years ago and were so traumatized from the motion sickness I went out and bought almost $100 worth of bonine/sea bands to bring just in case (I know a ferry is much much different than a cruise ship.. I'm still paranoid). One of my biggest fears about our first cruise was us all being sick the entire time.

Thanks!

This is a little bit of an oversimplified, you are also giving up a perk in the switch so you might want to decide how much the internet perk is worth to you. For some it could be almost zero value, for others, more like $100.

 

 

It would probably be more fun to just get it and enjoy drinks without worry about cost. No thinking, geez, that drink wasn't very good for $13. I think about half the popularity of the plan is just the freedom that comes with being on it.

I was kind of hoping to not have any internet available and to be able to disconnect from emails and social media for a week and have more time with family/husband. Having it available would definitely make it so I would use it (even if I said I wouldn't.. I would). I was estimating drinks to be around $13-$18 a drink and told my husband that if we had 13 drinks at $15/drink (I could easily do that alone) it would cost more than the upgrade. He told me he wants to think about it tonight..

I currently have the dining and internet package but I'm trying to decide if I should pay around $190 to "upgrade" (?) to the beverage package instead. My husband isn't a big drinker but definitely would drink a few drinks. I like to have 1-2 (let's not lie.. 2) drinks with dinner.. usually wine but have been getting into mixed drinks a lot lately. And on vacation the drinking game might go up (we're traveling with two toddlers).

Is it worth it to do the drink plan or just pay per drinks?

We are traveling on the Getaway this weekend if that makes a difference.

Thank you all for easing so many of my nerves. Besides going to the shore for a week or two each summer (where we have lots of family around to help) this is the first time we've taken the kids away. It's their first time on a plane and all of ours on a cruise. I was the most hesitant about this but have secretly become the most excited because of these boards.

I wouldn't be concerned about movement. My only concern with this location is the fact that you said you booked a spa pass. Nothing horrible, you will just have a long walk each time you want to go as the spa as it's in the front of the ship.

 

Assuming it didn't cost much more, i would still rather have this balcony over an ocean view.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

-Matt

Hah this makes me wickedly excited! My forms of exercise on land are masters swims or yoga. I was stressing on what I was going to do for a week without either. This answers that :)

Sorry I didnt mean to post this and dont know how to delete!

This is my second post for today about balconies. Sorry. And sorry in advance if it's lengthy.

I might have screwed ourselves by getting a balcony. I called the reservations # earlier today about upping to a balcony (we were in an ocean view). The first person I spoke to I believe quoted me a price significantly lower than he was supposed to. When I called back to book the guaranteed balcony at that price they wanted $400 more than that. After 30 minutes back and forth they finally gave me the original price. I think I really pissed off the Norwegian employee (manager) but was gracious about her giving me what was originally quoted.

I just logged on to print out the new cruise documents and I see we're now on the 9th deck in the aft (9914 I believe). I'm not familiar with ships (this is our first cruise).

Does anyone have experience about being waaaay in the back of the ship? I'm not complaining.. I think I just need to be mentally prepared about motion sickness, and noise levels (we will be with our 3 and 5 year old).

This is the first time we're traveling somewhere with our kids (asides from a beach for a week or a weekend here or there. Their first times on an airplane and all of ours on a cruise) and my nerves have the best of me.

I'm assuming you mean a regular balcony in the aft end, and not one of the actual aft balconies that have an actual view of the aft. The true aft balconies are highly coveted, as they are slightly larger.

 

No worries on being in the aft.... that is our preferred cabin area. We like being just a few floors or a short elevator ride away from the Garden Cafe. I don't think the motion is any worse here than anywhere else.

The documents say "9914 - AFT DECK 9".. This is our first cruise and I'm not familiar with ship terms at all. Is the balcony view going to be of just the ship or will you be able to see the actual ocean?

Thank you for your encouraging words.

I think I really screwed myself over. We're now at the complete back of the ship. I'm pretty sure the supervisor that I went back and forth with did this on purpose. Does that mean we will be seasick the entire time ?

We are are family of 4 (have a 3 and 5 year old) sailing on the Getaway this weekend. We're currently booked in an ocean view on the 5th floor but I called and can get a guaranteed balcony pretty cheap, however lose one of the meals in our meal plan. Is it worth it to switch from ocean view with 4 meals to guaranteed balcony and 3 meals? I also booked myself the spa pass for the week if that makes a difference.

This is the first time we have ever been on a cruise so I'm not sure of the best choice.

Thanks!

Thank you! I figured but and thought it was a silly question but just was thinking about having to schlep him back to a room every time he had to go