gotscrapz

It's just not my thing, That's ok, I know I will find options lol.

Omgosh so at least 10 for us to - but we have a Mardi Gras Havana Cabana booked for September. My daughter is- like, IDK mom, can we go back? LOL. For ref she last sailed in the Haven and will again next Sunday LOL. I haven't decided. I don't eat on Carnival -expert breakfast and the pizza, oh and the Italian. The food, just no. I do like the Havana area!!!! The ports are sad - we have been to them - DR etc.- but I had planned to stay on board. IDK I really want to do Alaska on NCL - but I booked this so long ago. I know that it will be fun though - Carnival is fun, I am just hungry lol. And the drink package is $$$. Sorry to hijack - just saw we have similar cruising history!

Seriously I have detailed itineraries and contacts if they like any of what we did - happy to share. Also - Get Rick Steve's Italy book - Amazon $17 if your local bookstore doesn't have it ( I am a shop local girl but you are short on time! ) and so much detailed information - especially transportation options with detailed directions plus tours/sights/restaurants - lists from a slice of pizza to a 6-course meal. Pull out Maps even! We sued this - we had Greece and Italy books of his. And we used them! And a big congratulations on his graduation! I have two sons in engineering programs - 1 mechanical engineer working on his bachelor's, 1 son in the military, 1 electrical engineer starting his master's, and my daughter who is halfway through Cosmo school. I just finished my master's this month as well - I am in healthcare. so I get it!

We flew American - it wasn't cheap - at the time gas $6.00 a gallon though. we are in Lake Tahoe so we flew from Reno - changed planes in Dallas and then straight to FCO in Rome. Same route back.

Ok I don't see much more info so I will brief - if you want more info let me know. I can send you company info etc because I am not sure of the rules on CC unless in the Port forum. This ws the 1st cruise that I booked so many NCL excursions and was happy to have the FAS $50 credits. Many our excursions were far from the port and I wanted to make sure we got back to the ship! Rome - Day 1 arrival - we were pretty central and did walking around to local things - like Plaza Navona, local architecture, and local restaurants. It was a busy day though. Spanish steps, local historical buildings - Pantheon. Day 2 - private our up the Amalfi coast - long but so worth it! We took the high-speed train from Rome to Naples and were picked up there - went to Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello. I think it was $300 E for 2. I know the price varies for the season, but we were in high season. Plus tip - we did $60 E I think. Nice clean car- Mercedes? The driver was great, we let him know how long in the area and modified it based on what we did and saw. It was hot and humid and he would get the car running and AC going before our meeting after each stop and had cold drinks. It's a long day 12 hours I think? and it was a snapshot really of each area - but so glad we did it and now we are planning a land trip for next year and know where we will go back too! Might be bookable? Day 3 the Vatican in the morning - walked from our hotel - group tour of like 16 max $120 E for two. Skip the line tickets. Truly again, worth every penny. We had a funny British guide - knowledgeable and humorous - and yes we did skip many lines. We did the Basilica as well because as a Christian I had to see The Pieta and the Sistine Chapel. This was about 3 1/2 4 hours if I recall. Then a little time in the square there. For us - it moved quickly but we saw a lot and it is a must-do. Should be easily bookable - many options. No idea what we did in the afternoon lol, I do know that night. Night 3 - we did, don't laugh, a golf cart tour. This was super fun and cheap. I think $100 ish E. We were picked up from our hotel and she went where we asked and some other really cool places. I know we went to the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and so many cute cobbled streets with gorgeous buildings and historical sites- the guide was super knowledgeable and flexible. It was so fun to see everything lit up and night and many local places that people together - so many amazing squares with street music and food and drink carts, the outdoor restaurant with the Umbrellas. It was 2 1/2 hours if I recall. Day 4 - cruise port! Sail away! we used a shared shuttle from Rome, which was super cheap but I personally wouldn't do it again. It was recommended here and groups of us the that other library faces place. We were with mostly cruise passengers. It was maybe 1-1/2 ride to port from Rome with all of the pick-ups. Our driver was a hot mess- rude, etc. People weren't always ready- one couple didn't cancel but hadn't told us so that was a mess - that took a while. We were squished lol. But I think it was like $35 E a person and we got there about 12 / 1230 if I recall. So it worked - but I am a point in life where I'd rather pay more and be comfortable. Easily bookable. Okay, I am not sure which day was what... Santorini - we did the ship's wine-tasting tour. We enjoyed this, It got us up to the top - which if you don't book an excursion is a situation itself. We went to a winery with breathtaking views - wine, snacks etc. It was extremely hot and humid and I didn't think the wine was the way to go lol. But we enjoyed the view and the setup - nice tables/chairs/ umbrellas. The staff was amazing - clean bathrooms! I do understand there are different wineries and may rotate - but ours was very nice. I can get you the name if you want. Then we went to - oh gosh - I am not sure, but where the famous blue & white building with the cross and the bell overlook.. breathtaking, saw a few of the famous photo spots and pretty areas with the white steps and bougainvilleas. After that guide took us to the main area/markets and we were on our own. We enjoyed walking around and buying some handmade things. They had everything from small and large paintings (I bought some 5x7s), pottery, and food/drinks. Fun stuff. Then we got in the long line to take the funicular down - important to watch the line - it is your way down and important to catch the tender back! Great views and a little fun lol. Ship booked- so check there. I did not want to this excursion - my mom booked it. I ended up really liking it and found we saw so much of the area and hit the highlights. IDK maybe $100 pp with excursion credit like $150 total for 2. Ok to be continued.. I am happy to send info and pics for anything they have an interest in.

Ok I did one similiar - Rome - Santorini - Athens - Mykonos - Valleta / Malta - Naples - Messina - Livorno / Florence - Rome. I went in September and researched for a few months. I have lots of info. we spent a few days pre-cruise in Rome and went up the Amalfi coast on a private tour and to the Vatican etc. We did a mix of the ship and private tours - it was a blast, and exhausting. If you want specific booking info, it would be easier to email - but I will say many of our excursions, etc sold out well before we sailed. I will read a bit further down to see what they like and what ports they are still looking for.

I don't like it either - tastes raw to me. But now the icecream..

I am excited to read about your cruise and hope you had a wonderful time! I had been reading your reviews for years on other cruise lines, not sure if you remember me - there are a lot of us lol. I guess I feel like I know you since we both have girls who are definite mermaids- full tails with monofins and matching swimsuits lol. Well, mine is 20 now, and my boys are older, but we still reminisce and she jokes about needing one again. Maybe in several years, we will have little mermaids again 🙂 Sorry to hijack, but I had to - off to read your review!

I forgot about coconut water! Yes, a lot of places had that!

It was not on the Vista when I had an aft Havana balcony many years ago when she was new.

I think they have vitamin water - but I could be mixing up with NCL which we sail more. Any drinks that like are usually easiest found at Java Blue and I think at the spa / gym desk.

That. But also if your room is nearby, there is a small breakfast buffet set up in Ocean Plaza. We were in the Havana section and I would pop out and grab some breakfast for our balcony or sometimes we just go on over and then take it right outside on the deck where they have tables. We would grab a coffee and the little crossword from there. The breakfast doesn't have everything but it was so close to our cabin and enough for us. Some basics - eggs, bacon, potatoes and usually waffles or pancakes, fruit, cereal, all of the juices, yogurts, and a few other things. It was nice too if dd wanted to sleep in and I wanted to go to the MDR. I pack her a plate and drop in the room and head to the MDR or wherever. We also used the morning door tag for the basics sometimes too. Tip - if there is a big line, the Ocean Plaza bar - is just a few steps across from the coffee / shake spot and the little buffet could make most of the the coffee drinks there too. It has had many several years since I sailed the Vista tho. Also - love the Cuban coffee in Havana- especially with the spun sugar they spin in the espresso, but Saint Greg is right, it opens late, and on a warm weather cruise sometimes it was too hot even at 10/1030 for me to want coffee anymore.

Although my adult daughter will be at Starbucks every morning I am sure and could bring me a coffee. I am boring and like just a great black coffee though.

My mom asked for a coffee maker on our last cruise and was happy they brought it. Silly since we ordered coffee and at least a few items every day away from room service. But we were in Europe and up and off the ship very early every day except 2 sea days.. and she insisted she needed it as soon as she had 1 eye open lol. I am excited to have french press coffee for room service in a month- I love a good coffee and croissant on the balcony.

The multiple account thing showed for my daughter on our upcoming sailing but not for me. They said there over 10 accounts for her and no sailings, I was like nope, she is 2 points away from platinum like her mama lol! They fixed, well I hope - it shows accurate online in our reservation now.

I have to say I am not a fan of those fabric things over the big light fixture ... from far away maybe, but not a fan lol!

Looking at the pano down the side of the ship and seeing those delicious mini chocolate croissants makes me even more excited for my cruise on her in less than a month! I love the tranquility of sitting on the balcony with coffee and those little croissants and watching the sun on the water...

Such an amazingly detailed review and I love all of the pics! Can't wait to read and see more!

I should add that my balcony was a regular glass sliding balcony door and did not have a giant warning on it lol. We did need to close the curtain at night for the bridge.

I have sailed on the Bliss forward-facing penthouse Haven suite we loved it. The balcony is smaller than other Haven rooms but we liked being outside of the Haven, having a nice large soaking tub and the spa shower, and having a nice living room an also loved the unobstructed views from the front. It was amazing coming up through Canada and under a few bridges. I hope you love it too!

I am sorry I missed your question in response to my statement. Yes, they do have a messaging app, fairly cheap but it has been hit or miss on a few ships. We have iPhones and turn on airplane mode and use iMessage for free and haven't had any issues connecting. Same as you - just needed for kid updates!

Would you mind saying why? I have been all over the Caribbean, but somehow never to St. Lucia and it's somewhere I think I'd really like to go at some point. However, I recently started going to Europe and so have been focusing my money there.. but keep thinking I need another Caribbean cruise so I can go to St Lucia so I would love to hear the pros and cons. Sorry for the slight hijack!

Nothing to add but you are sailing on the Encore before I hop on 🙂

Not the Breakaway but sailed out of Rome (CIV) on the Escape in September. We had a 5 pm sail away I think? We got there at about 12 noon and walked right on. The cabin was ready as well. I am never one to wait in giant lines, I would rather just show up once people are done fighting to get onboard EXCEPT last year when I sailed in the Haven. Last year was my 1st time in the Haven and I got there at 10 and boarded at about 1030am for a 4:00pm sail away. I am sailing out in May on the Encore in the Haven and I will probably arrive around 10 am as well. We sail out at 3 pm. Btw the Breakaway was my 1st ever NCL cruise - had cruised other lines but the Breakaway was my 1st NCL cruise 🙂

I hope you're having a blast! Please have a lemon drop me lol!