nhtravels

Ahhh mystery solved!  Thanks @mitsugirly!  (I spent the day reading about your Isla Mujeres trip.  Sounds like a great land trip!)

10 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

 

Have you read The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes? This novel is based on the real pack horse traveling librarians.

 

It's funny you recommended this!  I bought it a few years back, but it's in my TBR pile.  So I grabbed it this morning and am starting it today.  Thanks!

I do love a good book recommendation.  Makes me crave a good trip to my local library.  Oh the memories of hunting through the stacks.  And with a cruise for us in 30 days, I need a few new reads for sea days!

Alaska is our next bucket list!  So I am excited to follow along on your cruise with your dad!  I wanted to be a librarian who traveled the world when I was growing up.  I ended up in HR, who has only made it to the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Mexico (so far), so you are inspiring to me!

Welcome back!  We are looking forward to making some Joyful noise ourselves on 5/21!  

I've loved your past reviews and I'm sure this one will be just as enJoyable as the others!  (BTW Sakari is growing into a beautiful young lady!  I'll miss the mermaid tail this trip.)

Nice review!  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Prima.  We have yet to sail her, but are considering the Viva for 2024!

We have our first sailing on the Joy next month.  Our favorite is the Bliss, followed by the Encore, so we are eager to see how the Joy compares.  Our sailing is almost sold out so this will also add something to the mix as our last 2 sailings were in 2022 with 60-70% capacity!  Cruising is back! 😄

37 minutes ago, hallux said:

Oddly enough - Haven IS one that has a reduced supplement on May Bermuda cruises on the Joy, on the May 14 and May 28.

 

Wouldn't you know it?  We are going on the 21st 😞 . Darn!  I'll have to see if DH's brother-in-law and wife (who are also joining us would consider splitting the cost.  

I know CC does not allow us to request TA recommendations.  But I do have a question.  I know other TA's (for NCL, Celebrity, etc.) offer perks for booking (ie. OBC, prepaid gratuities, etc.). Do any TA's that book for Disney offer that?  

I usually book our NCL cruises through their Casinos At Sea, so I don't have a cruise TA.

TIA!  Our family of 17 is excited to book our first Disney Cruise for April, 2024

We are 37 days out from our cruise on the Joy.  My husband and I are considering bringing his mother, as his dad passed away earlier this year. We thought some Haven pampering and vitamin sea might be good at this time.  I'm wondering if NCL does the solo supplement, especially getting close to sailing dates.  

Thanks for any info! 

29 minutes ago, Antimony said:

 I got carrot orange ginger most mornings, and it was lovely.

That sounds delicious!  One more reason I can't wait for my upcoming May cruise!  Yum!

Thank you all!  I'm going to get a price quote from a TA for the cabins this week.  We aren't using our DVC points for the cruise.  Instead, we'll sell some points and using the cash to pay for the cruise.  

Of course now the "kids" want to consider the option of a 7 day on the Fantasy -or- the aforementioned split DW stay and 3 night cruise.  First world problems, when Mom and Dad are funding the trip!  LOL

18 minutes ago, Lreeves316 said:

Yes. You’re right. I kind of knew that but forgot because my son is 25 so it’s the alcohol package or I have to buy soda one full price. Last time I was on NCL they didn’t force the third person to get alcohol package too. They said since it was given free to first 2 people the third didn’t have to get it. I guess now that’s changed. I spoke to someone else and they basically said they don’t care about drs notes and him being autistic. He has to pay the full gratuities on the alcohol package. I just did it and I’m trying to forget about it lol. So would they force a pregnant woman to pay for the alcohol package too? A recovering alcoholic? 

Well technically no one is forcing a pregnant woman or a recovering alcoholic to pay for the package.  But the rules are the rules.  If a passenger takes the PWP, all passengers in the cabin have to pay for it.  

Otherwise, what is to stop Passenger 1 (the "big drinker") from taking the package and then maybe bringing Passenger 2 who didn't take it (someone who may have 1 drink a day) a drink?

Believe me, I get it. Our DIL is nursing and won't drink on our upcoming sailing.  But our son will.  So we pay for both.  Because it's the right way to do it.  

If you win an upgrade you will keep all the perks of your original booking, including the extra points.

8 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

I’ll be on the Joy next week and will also report back.

Please do, as we have 6 who have upgraded our package for our May 21st Joy sailing.

Happy Sailing!

As always @BirdTravels your review is informative, fun and makes us all want to travel with the Bird!  Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us!

The Encore was our first sailing after the Great Comeback, so she has a very special place in our hearts.  

Enjoy the rest of your cruise Bird!  

I will be following along!  I'm curious to hear your thoughts on MSC.  We are a little tempted to give it a try, as we have been offered a few comped cruises, but have yet to pull the plug.

DS and DDIL (with 3 littles) are joining us on our upcoming cruise.  Littles are 5, 2 and 8 months.  DDIL was planning to bring her Uppababy stroller, which I think might be too large.  (The Uppababy holds both the 2 and 8 month old).  

Any experience with this type of stroller?

We are a multi-generational family heading on the NCL Joy in May.  Myself (54,F), DH (53), DS (27), DDIL (28) and 3 beautiful grands (5, 2.5 and 8 mos.) plus DBIL (55) and DSIL (52).  DH and myself have never cruised to Bermuda but all the other adults have been.  It's a bucket list for me, and if it's as beautiful as I imagine, I expect we'll repeat this trip often!

Any good recommendations for family friendly ideas?  We are thinking of chartering a catamaran one day for a few hours.  And I was planning on Hamilton Nights. 

Long time NCL cruiser (and DVC owner), but new to DCL.  

We are considering a Disney cruise for next April vacation (combined with a stay at Copper Creek (one of our home resorts).  We'll need 4 cabins (DH and myself, who usually sail in the Haven on NCL), DS, DDIL and 2 littles (4 and 2), DS, DDIL and 3 littles (5, 3 and 20 mos.) and DD and 2 littles (7 and 5).

Is the best way to book this through a TA?  I'm well versed in booking my own NCL cruises and our DW stays, but this is new for me!  

Lastly, we were considering only doing a 3 night cruise (but not getting off in Nassau, instead staying on ship, effectively using that as our "Sea Day").  I normally like a 9-15 day cruise myself, but our kids want the cousins to have a DW experience as often as we can take them.  

Sounds like a great trip so far!  We are looking at the Prima for 2025 (Viva for next year).  We primarily sail in the Haven, so I truly appreciate your thoughts.  Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

Thank you @Greenpea2for sharing your non-sistahs cruise with us!  Looks like you and DH had a wonderful time on the Prima!  I'm so glad for that!  Maybe next time we'll be reading about the Sisters and their DHs having a crazy adventure!  Either way, so happy for you.  

You have inspired me.... I'm working on my 2 dear sistahs now to get something on our calendars! We should not wait for tomorrow when we could be living it up on a ship today! 🙂

27 minutes ago, Greenpea2 said:

The Carnival ship that is here too is the Horizon if anyone is interested. 

My sistah and her family are on the Horizon right now!  Wave hello for me!  Someday I'll convince her (and our baby sistah) to cruise with me in the Haven... Your last trip inspired me to try planning it!

We've been upgrading to PP+ for Starbucks/Baileys as well!  DH needs his fancy coffee and I need a "pick me up" in mine!  LOL 

Can't wait to follow along!  Your last Sistahs cruise had me in stitches!  And since the Prima Haven is in contention for our next booking, I will definitely appreciate your thoughts!

Thank you Sid for sharing your vacation with us!  You have such a way with words.  I hope this isn't your last Live, but if it truly is, I've enjoyed sharing your adventures!