Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

andreat2639

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    37

  • Joined

 Content Type 

Posts posted by andreat2639

    Do sea band work? What should I get for the kids?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    When we took our kids from NYC to bermuda, my son who was 12 at the time was green. We bought sea bands once we reached land (Dramamine wasn't helping) and he was fine on the way back ( and seas were rough)

     

     

     

    I always get sea sick and just used Dramamine/bonine but now use sea bands. I'd give them two thumbs up!

     

     

     

    Thank you! Hope I can find them this morning

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Please forgive me BUT is DSC and my prepaid gratuities the same thing?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I’m so confused. I already paid $378 few days ago to prepay gratuities on my NCL account.

     

    Is this same thing as DSC?

     

    I’m so lost in all your acronyms.

     

    I just want to walk on the boat with zero owed.

     

    Why do so many talk about not paying DSC? It doesn’t appear there is any option to “opt out”. (Not that I would, just curious!)

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Do sea band work? What should I get for the kids?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    There are so many "good answers". Different people do different things. Many of course use nothing.

     

     

     

    Normal Dramaine - generic is the same stuff

     

    Non Drowsy

     

    Bands

     

    Patches

     

    Ginger

     

     

     

    I have had very good luck with generic non drowsy. I take one each evening/late afternoon. Last two cruises I have using ginger pills and they seem to work well.

     

     

     

    Personal opinion only>> Good for that Dr - not prescribing stuff.

     

     

     

    Should I give it to my boys “just in case” they’re 13 and 16.

     

    I’m going to go get us the bracelets.

     

    Thanks for al the help these weeks!

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I think a budget of $200 for each teen may be a little better, here's why: Without a soda plan, they can only drink water and juice from the buffet. They don't have convenient options for kids. Then there are a few treats that cost: bakery, ice cream. And a few activities that have a charge. Or get the soda plan and then $100 each. Make sure they read the dailies to see what there is to do each day!

     

     

     

    The teens may like Entourage if they are social, but if not social like my daughter they may prefer activities where they can be an observer. Plenty of those too. And make sure they learn where the free food is including O'Sheehan's.

     

     

     

    Oh and for adults if you are coffee lovers you will want to pay for better coffee some times.

     

     

     

    I think your plans for Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau are good and uber or the excursion bus to the beach at Canaveral is the way to go.

     

     

     

    December will be our third time on Breakaway. We did add-on dining last time and will do none this time - choosing to spend on ports instead. The dining rooms, buffet and O'Sheehan's are plenty of good food. Also we did Wine Lovers The Musical once and it was fun but once was enough. We haven't done Cirque yet because we hate to pay for a meal we don't want! Wish they had a show without dinner.

     

     

     

    Finally, if your teens are 16 or older they may love Rock of Ages. It has mature themes so wanted you to be aware, but if you are good with that, go and/or let them go. It's my daughter's and my favorite thing on the Breakaway!

     

     

     

    Thank you! This is great information. I am considering add the soda package. Weird question- anyone know if there is any other option for diet sodas?

    My son has diabetes and would only be getting diet soda or water.. Thanks a bunch

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I would spend half of your money and put the rest toward your next cruise. When we are trying not to spend money, we just pretend the paid things on the ship do not exist. Just imagine those extra restaurants, shops, etc are not there. There is so much to do that is free. Give the kids $100 each for the entire cruise and tell them that is final. If they spend it all in one day it is a good budgeting lesson. We do outside excursions or none at all. Every time i want to spend a lot of money on a ship, i think do I want to spend this now? Or take another cruise asap? Have a specific cruise in mind. It makes it more real.

     

     

     

    I like this train of thought!

    I do love bingo though, so it’s going to be hard! Lol

    I’ve canned the paid restaurant idea and the Cirque show.

     

    Going to spend on:

    Uber to cocoa beach

    Day pass in Nassau to a resort

    Bingo

    $100 each for the kids and DH - hahaha

     

    ;)

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Seriously, if that is just your spending money, everything else is paid, that is a ton!!! It's a family of 3 for us, and I can't even comprehend spending 1,000. I am not even sure what all we would spend it on. There's really nothing on board we spend money on. The only thing we will spend money on is spending cash at each port. The excursions are all prepaid before boarding. So food/fun/souvenirs is really all we will spend. This is first cruise with DD, so we will have some games on there I am sure. Last time, I bought a pair of earrings on board, that was the only money spent, besides drink taxes, which is very minimal (and we drank a TON).

     

    I wonder if my DD, 13, will want to do the teen club at all. I like the idea of asking her to go the first night. But it will be weird without communication. I may look into the cruiser to cruiser communication app.

     

     

     

    I have not booked excursions yet.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Everyone's budget is different. But $2700 for a family of four would be a TON of money for us. Especially considering you are not paying for your drinks. The most my family of 4 has ever spent on a 7 day cruise (obviously after the cruise, airfare and transportation were already paid for) was $1500. But that included two heavy drinking adults with no beverage plan. We do limit our kids accounts to $50 each at the start and when that is gone we will add more. It just allows us to control their spending. We also do not tend to take expesive excursions as we are all just beach bums.

     

     

     

    Can we preload their accounts with a certain amount?

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    If your $2700 for the entire cruise includes cruise fare, then that will be tight, IMO. If it doesn't include cruise fare, then you can "do it all".

     

     

    Cruise

    Gratuity

    Parking — all paid for.

     

    $2700 is what is left.

     

    We have UBP.

     

    Haven’t paid for excursions but thinking 2 jet skis at GSC and taxi to Melia for Day pass in Nassau. Friends we are traveling with booked private cabana on GSC.

     

    I’m bringing our own snorkel gear.

     

    After reading responses, will not do dining plan. May consider spa treatment for me instead ;)

     

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Wow! You have saved much more than we did when we sailed with our kids when they were teenagers! We went with the theory that the cruise was enough and maybe spent an additional $1000 for the week. We took local transportation, planned our own excursions and limited the kids in their spending lol. We didn't spend money on a bunch of souvenirs.

     

     

     

    We bought the soda package (if they wanted it) and then let the kids spend $15 per day on whatever they wanted--if they wanted a virgin drink or play in the arcade or rent a movie in the room....they found plenty to eat and do without running up a bill. It can be done and you will have a great vacation without feeling deprived if you take advantage of the "free" things on board. If you want to spend money; they will take it too! Just depends on what experience you want. It was a great way to teach them to budget their money and be responsible for their own decisions....delayed gratification is not easy for a teen.

     

     

     

    We never ate at the pay venues with the kids. We found the dining rooms to be just fine for us. We would play one game of bingo and share a card, played trivia or just hung out at the pool. It must have worked; as our kids are now grown and still want to cruise with us! :)

     

     

     

    This response has made my day!

    Actually all of you have! Thank you!

     

    I will take these tips and use them.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    If the money you have saved is just for on board expenses' date=' you have plenty! We are a family of 4 and have sailed this cruise with less than $300 in on board expenses, excluding the daily service charge.

    I agree, if this is your first cruise you don't need the dining plan. There is lots of variety in the main dining rooms as well as the buffet and O'Sheehans.

    The ship has lots of things to keep active children busy. A word of caution, either disable spending on the children's cabin cards or watch their charges like a hawk (you can monitor account spending on your in cabin television). Arcade game charges add up fast.

    I would also consider getting off the ship in Florida, there is inexpensive transportation to Cocoa Beach where you can play for free.

    We've been on breakaway 3 times and done this itinerary 4 times so feel free to ask any questions.

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[/quote']

     

     

    Budget is for entire cruise, I’ll leave some cash aside for Nassau and the resort day trip. Otherwise rest will be loaded.

     

    Can I put a daily limit on their spending cards?

     

    Did you kiddos like the kid programs? Entourage? My boys are 16 and 13 and my 16 yo doesn’t want to go!

     

    Is Cirque worth it?

     

    Let me think of more questions and I’ll back to you.

    Did I tell you we are sharing a balcony stateroom! [emoji23]

     

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Do you have the beverage plan as a promo? If you are worried about budget, maybe skip the dining plan. On our Getaway cruise (our first) we found the food in the dining rooms and OSheehans to be all we needed.

     

     

     

    Yes! Definitely got the beverage plan! Need that for sure!

     

    I was thinking of skipping the dinner plan..

     

    What about the Cirque show? Worth it?

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Let’s talk budget - Family of 4

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Hello!

    We are about to head on our first cruise (well we took one for our honeymoon 20 yrs ago) on 10/1 on the Breakaway.

     

    I’m stressing about budget— I don’t want to use CC and have diligently been trying to save.

     

    I have prepaid our gratuities and have the $280 for parking aside as well.

     

    Also, we won’t be getting off in FL for excursions.

     

    I have saved $2700. Ugh, tell me this will be enough? Two teenage boys, my husband will gamble with small budget...

     

    I am thinking of buying the dining plan, 2 jet skis and Mejia Day Pass. Our friends rented private cabana in GSC. I’m also bringing my own snorkel gear.

     

    What’s your opinion, do you think it’ll work?

     

    Jeez I’m stressing so bad - hurricane, money, sick Mom...

     

    Tia for any advice. Snarky comments NOT needed.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Breakaway 10/1 NYC - thoughts?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    We are also on the 01-Oct BA. My prediction - as long as there are no more hurricanes prior - we will make Port Canaveral and Nassau - but not GSC.

     

    Really - we will be on vacation - sailing somewhere - with a drink and a captain who will keep us safe.

     

    My BIL just arrived here safely from Tampa - so I am happy that our family is out of harms way now and pray for the rest of FLA and all others impacted.

     

     

     

    I'd like Nassau for two days!

     

    I totally agree about anything is good, just prefer warm weather over Canada.

     

    I'm not booking my GSC excursions just yet because I don't think we will make it either.

     

    See you in 3 weeks!! :)

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

×
×
  • Create New...