goldmom

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.

Just booked a cruise through CAS today. My agent said that if you book through CAS you still get the free drinks in the Casino. We'll see if she's right.

Also, keep checking your reservation. The site can be glitchy. Sometimes when I've gone in I don't see a way to upgrade one person and the next time I go in it'll show both names with a little box next to each of them that you can check to upgrade just the one person. If you see it then do it immediately as the next time it may be gone again. LOL! If it never pops up then as said above easy to do on the ship. Enjoy!

Well, I don't understand why the OP has "cancel for any reason" insurance for a free cruise. I understand having lost luggage or health coverage insurance but the "cancel for any reason" insurance is usually very expensive. How much would you actually get back if you cancel if the cruise was free?

I was wondering the same thing. When I had my 3 adult children in one cabin the first 2 got the FAS drink package and the third one had to buy the package, even though he doesn't drink. I think that rule is in place to avoid the exact situation that the OP is asking about.

Yes, applies to Free at Sea package. You can keep the wine in your cabin. Enjoy!

I had read something about reserving a space and saving some money. Is there a coupon or a code to get the discount? Thanks

There is a Courtyard Butler who takes care of the Courtyard area during the day. He will bring drinks and breakfast or lunch to you in the CY. Not the same as on the bigger ships with a full Haven area, but at least it's something. Enjoy

Depending how far away your cruise is, I would keep checking to see if any other cabins in the same category become available. If a non-handicapped cabin becomes available or if one of the other available cabins have a price drop then I would switch my cabin just for peace of mind. Good luck.

If you get the 2 bedroom Haven suite ask for an egg crate topper. Makes a huge difference. We've stayed in both types of suites. And while I love the huge balcony on the aft suites I found that we stayed in our cabin more and probably didn't utilize the Haven as much as we could have. But then we're old and lazy! Lol! On the Joy, I think I would opt for the suite in the Haven. Joy has my favorite Haven with the adult only sundeck with hot tubs and the Observation (Horizon?) Lounge. It is really convenient to just pop out to the Lounge for coffee or a snack. And the suites with large balcony really do have a usable balcony and can fit 2 lounge chairs easily. Enjoy whatever you decide.

There is a "Behind the Scenes Tour" for a cost. It includes the Galley. You should be able to make reservations for the seafood restaurant once on board. Do that first thing after you get on the ship. Sorry, can't help with blackjack, but I remember thinking the minimum was high.

Not in the Garden Cafe, but on the Joy I would pop out to the Lounge in the morning to get coffee, muffins and fruit for DH and myself. I used the tray from the room under the ice bucket. It's small but was enough to carry a few items back to the room.