goldmom

Yes, you can check your carry-ons. Just make sure they don't have any medications, electronics or anything fragile or valuable. Enjoy!

All the suites around the Courtyard area have the same size balcony.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. At least it isn't just me. Guess I'll just continue to ask nicely if I have a special request, but not really expect anything.

I'm not a fan of the pasta dish. I even prefer the pasta at the local. I did ask in the Haven on Getaway if I could have the pasta from the Local (or O'sheenan's) brought to the Haven but was told no. I've heard of others making special requests for the next night but it didn't work for me even though I asked in advance.

If you put the plate of cookies on your balcony in the sun, they become nice and warm and gooey. Also, you are not allowed to bring food items back onboard unless they are in the factory sealed packaging. You should have seen everyone scarfing down their "Holey Donuts" as they wouldn't let us bring them on the ship. That said, it's not like they are going to frisk you but if they go through the x-ray machine they will catch them. Not that I'm advocating breaking the rules!

I agree, the menu gets a bit boring. The last time we were on the Joy, the Haven restaurant did offer daily specials for entrees and desserts. I'm guessing it was just meals that were available in the Main dining rooms but it was nice to have a couple of extra choices. More recently on the Getaway 10 night cruise there were no specials offered so it must be up to the individual staff on each ship.

Our waiter on the Getaway actually suggested doing that. But it's still really silly as then the filet wasn't eaten, so there was more food waste. Hopefully they figure out a better way.

Who knows. You could probably get the crab cake. The whole thing is just really ridiculous. And, not having it printed on the menu puts the poor staff in the position of having to tell the passenger. Hopefully they will revisit this and remove the upcharge or at least limit passengers to say 2 lobster tails. We'll see.

We were on the Getaway about a month ago. I noticed the Haven menu didn't mention the upcharge for the lobster. When I asked about changing the turf for surf the waiter then said that there was an extra charge. I hope you're right and they did away with the extra charge, but I wouldn't count on it just because it isn't showing on the menu.

I did the same and the loungers were there when we boarded the last time we were on the Joy. I figured it's easier for the stewards to move things before the passengers board. Yes, we are on the May 19th sailing also but on the starboard side. One of us will have a sea view and the other a Bermuda view! Either is good to me. Enjoy!

Welcome to Japan. That is what the streets look like. I think that's probably inside the train station. The stations are like underground cities! Buses in Japan are especially fun, there is literally not even an inch between you and the next person whether you're standing or sitting. But Japan is a fascinating place and definitely worth a visit! Loving this review and look forward to following along.

We're doing the Joy to Bermuda in May and the Breakaway to Canada in October. I prefer the Joy to the Breakaway. More restaurants, love the Horizon Lounge and the balconies on deck 17 are deep enough to squeeze in a lounge chair. I'd probably pick Bermuda, but you can'r go wrong either way. Enjoy!

I would think that if you booked the cruise through CAS, then you can use the CAS check-in.

Well, it's not just ships that have to leave passengers. We were on a ship's tour in Athens. The last stop was for some shopping in town. Everyone was given a specific time to meet the bus to go back to the ship. Well, one couple was missing. We waited almost an hour and a half and still no couple. The tour guide was in constant contact with I'm assuming the tour staff on the ship. She finally said we had waited as long as we could and had to leave as it was getting close to sail away time and traffic was always a concern. She did reassure us that the ship would wait for us. As we made the trip back to the ship she received a phone call that the missing passengers were onboard. They had decided they didn't want to shop and got a taxi back to the ship. I can tell you, we were a pretty annoyed group of people. Not at the tour guide of course, but at the inconsiderate passengers who left without letting anyone know. We did get to the ship on time. But, if the passengers hadn't gone back to the ship at some point they would have been left in Athens as the tour group had to leave.

I wish there was something between Pearl and Sapphire, especially now that you only need 4,000 points for Pearl. I normally earn about 10,000-12,000 points a year. I just can't seem to get to that 15,000. However, on my last cruise I probably cut back on my gambling as I figured there was no way I was making Sapphire so I might as well save my money. Basically I earned enough points to get a CAS Next certificate and then cut back. There's just no real incentive to keep gambling once you get your 4,000 points if you know there's no chance of making Sapphire. Unless you're winning and/or having fun!

The Haven waiting area in NYC is not special. It is small and the seats are hard, but they do have snacks. That's about the best I can say about it. Enjoy!

It's difficult to tell from the rendering, but I seem to think that they were making this into a 3 bedroom suite along the lines of the Garden Villas on the Jewel class ships. I had seen somewhere (don't remember where) a better view and it seemed as if the 2 second bedrooms were a bit nicer than the second bedroom in the Haven 2 bed suites. But, not sure just speculating. Hopefully someone will post a video soon.

It may vary. We were recently on the Getaway. We started the week with coffee mate (liquid, not powdered) and ended the week with half and half. Don't know if they were switching back to the half and half or if the were just using it until they were re-supplied with coffee mate. Enjoy!

If I recall correctly, the deck 10 balconies are deeper that the deck 9 balconies and a lounge chair will fit facing the water. At least that was my experience on the Gem (sister ship). Try to find some Youtube videos showing the suites on deck 10, that should give you a better idea. The bathroom is small, but the dressing table area helps a bit. No real living room just a curtain between the bed and the small loveseat. If you want a separate living area then either look at the 2 bedroom suites or the Haven suites or Owners Suites. If the non-Haven 2 bedroom suites are available, they may be an option as they are less expensive that the Haven but they do have a small balcony. The balcony on the forward cabins is hit and miss. We've had cruises where we could use it every day without a problem and other cruises where the furniture was tied up for most of the cruise which was really disappointing for me as I love my balcony and spend a lot of time out there. Whatever you choose. Enjoy!

Generally it's breakfast in Moderno and lunch in Cagney's.

Interesting. I just looked at my 2 cruises, one in May and one in October. Both the Spa Pass and appointments for spa appointments are available for booking for both cruises.

I sent the e-mail to vicepresidentguestservices@ncl.com. It was or still is Katy Byrd. I just asked them to forward it to the proper person or to advise me of who I can contact with my concerns. I haven't heard anything yet, but it was sent on a Saturday. I may or may not hear from them, but at least I tried.

Thanks for the info. Well, that wouldn't get me far. Just sent an e-mail to NCL expressing my displeasure with these changes. Probably wouldn't do anything but I least I got to vent a bit.

Has anyone asked yet about what the new "water package" will be? We mostly used the CAS drink card for water. Hoping the new package will be generous, but doubt it. LOL!

That really stinks. If that's the case then CAS is making a very stupid change.