wasabipearl

I'm going to Bermuda on the escape that same week. I live in Jersey but grew up in Michigan so those temps are perfect for us. It's 59 today in Jersey and I'm wearing shorts lol

17 hours ago, blcruising said:

Yes, I should have added the need to be very flexible with last minute bookings. Need to expect disappointments, too. If flexible, you have a great opportunity to cruise cheaply.

 

April to Bermuda, not so popular as evidenced by the price drops.

I need to try this. I usually plan ahead but I live 15 mins from the NYC port and my job is very flexible. I never thought that i'd be able to sail alone in a balcony for cheap. Only reason I haven't looked into it is because I didn't have any friends or family who are as flexible as I am.

Yes, I do this anytime I travel. It doesn't take too long and I am able to relax more knowing that I did it

Any answer about the singles events? I'm also going on the escape next year for the same reason you picked it (15 mins from my home). It would be nice to meet some people on the ship

Is dial 7 cheaper or better than uber or lyft? Just curious as to why you picked them

Why would she do that? Makes no sense at all!

Thanks for the detailed review. Any pics?

I couldn't get Carnival to pour doubles, which annoyed me. So I ended up getting long islands. Which is funny because they can pour more into a long island than just giving me a double Jack.

A long island is all cheap liquor and Jack is premium

Here's another view. I drink very little, on a 7 day cruise if I have 14 drinks that would be a lot, so I don't buy UBP, just simple economics. In the course of those 7 days if I happen to meet some one or group who has become friends with me and knowing full well that I don't have UBP but insist on buying me a drink, do I then become a parasite? Are they stealing from NCL? Is it really SOOOO bad in the scheme of life? Or because it's just one drink it's ok? When does it not become ok, if they insisted once a day?

You would not be a parasite because you didn't ask or beg. The person offering would be breaking the rules and risking loss of their UBP.

OP here, back from our cruise to report. I also went ahead and did an at-home, Brazilian blowout-like treatment (the product name is Uncurly) and it was a game changer! I was in shock with how much less time it took to dry and style. It also helped me keep my vibrant red hair color in place the entire cruise (it's usually significantly faded by the 2nd wash) and it stayed straight through everything! Beach, sweat, Caribbean humidity...Usually the moment I set foot in my home country Puerto Rico my hair instantly becomes a puff ball- not this time! Didn't even get the little baby hair curlies I usually get. And it feels sooo soft!

 

The negatives: it does feel a bit limp at the top, though I'm sure that can be fixed with some volumizing powder. I had to cut a bunch of it cut off because I apparently messed up my ends (probably overdid the flat iron while applying the treatment). And, although it says it is temporary and should wash out in around 3 months, I fear I might have permanently destroyed my curls, which means I'll be back to going through that awful top-curly, bottom straight phase that will force me to have to blow dry straight forever. But overall I'm still glad I did it. I got to enjoy my cruise much more and relax while still feeling good about myself.

 

 

The before

 

The after:

After a day at the beach in St Marteen (granted I didn't dip my head in the water- but it was hot!)

 

In PR

 

 

In the cruise

You look amazing! I like your hair both curly and straight. I have never heard of the product you posted but the reviews on amazon were good. I was getting Brazilian straight professionally but I started to miss my curls so I am currently in that half curly bottom straight thus I have to style my hair every day. I've been tempted so many times to just give up and go back to the salon and get it done again.

If this product really is temporary (the reviews suggest it is) I would love to try it! How is your hair when you get out of the shower and air dry? With the professional treatment my hair was pretty good and I would just run and electric heated brush through it a few times and be ready

Have you ever tried a curling wand? Imagine a roughly one inch curling iron, but no clip. It takes some practice but I have thick frizzy hair and I look like the lion king in the summer without it. Using a hair oil, try OGX, available at any drug store, with a curl mousse. ( I like tre semme 24hr) rough blow dry, then touch up with the wand. I get beachycurls and tons of compliments. I finish with a sugar spray. Less dry then salt and smells awesome. Eyelash extensions and a bright lipgloss and you’re good!

 

 

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This is the style I use when it's humid or hot as it is a waste of time for me to try and straighten my hair. However, I didn't invest in a special wand I just use a regular 1 inch curling iron but I don't open the clip part I just wrap my hair around it...done in 20-30 mins! Much less than straightening

I also have Bed Head's "deep wave artist" and love it too. So quick and easy

How is offering someone a drink on my package stealing? Can someone explain that? Let me just clear something up, people don’t ask for drinks if we offer to someone we just met who happens not to have the UBP that is not stealing. It’s our package and if choose to buy someone a drink that’s our choice and not stealing. Like how much alcohol can you drink on a cruise [emoji568]. Now for those who get the sail away cabin and then seek out people with the UBP that’s scheming.

 

 

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Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable

This is from ncl

https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package

Just a word of caution as a platinum NCL cruiser I have experienced a new cruise parasite. These are the people who choose to get the sail away price with no perks, then befriend those who have the UBP and ask them to get them drinks never offer an extra waiter tip and expect you to keep them in drinks.

Just say "sorry, it's against the rules"

I have been on exactly one other cruise- that was on the NCL Sky to Alaska not long after we were married. I am now moments away from committing to a 20 year anniversary trip on the NCL Sky in September. It feels like we were "meant to" go on this cruise- as when I started looking at options, the good ol' Sky came up. By the way- we decided on that trip if we were ever lucky enough to get pregnant (the Alaska trip was a "just relax and maybe it will happen" trip), we would name a daughter after the ship. So- we have a daughter Skye :D

 

I can book for the exact same price on NCL, Costco, or some other discount website. They all offer me "2 free offers." Costco also offers me $140 Costco credit. The discount site offers some unknown shipboard credit plus an unknown amount on an Amazon gift card.

 

Is there any reason to give up the freebies to book directly with NCL? We do have a Latitude number (we thought we might cruise more than we have in the last 20 years- ha!), if that changes anything.

 

Would NCL- for example- be inclined to sweeten the pot somehow if I wait to book this until someone can answer the phones tomorrow?

 

I appreciate any input on this and apologize if it is a question asked and answered all the time.

Just a note about the costco booking. I was going to book through them because of the costco cash card but the "2 free offers" were already picked for you and you couldn't change them. I believe the beverage package and specialty dining. This doesn't work for me because I don't drink alcohol or drink soda so it would have been a waste. The price directly was the same plus I got to pick which "2 free offers" and got on board credit

Interesting read thanks for posting. Glad you were able to get your balcony problems resolved

Hope this reaches you in time. From personal experience. A friend got in trouble 2 and a half years ago. Just went on a cruise in June 2018. Went from Seattle up to Alaska and back to Seattle. One stop in Victoria Canada. Had no trouble whatsoever. Just don't get off the boat in Canada. U will get a customs card and just put 0 for number of days planning to spend in Canada. Went on a norwegian cruise. Don't worry, don't stress. He stressed the entire time up till the cruise ended for nothing. Enjoy your cruise and enjoy the whole boat to yourself when in Canada and everything will be fine. :D:D

Good to know from someone with experience. Mind sharing what your friend got in trouble with 2 years ago?

I would be in favor but that doesn't mean anything. Remember the ships are often under foreign flags

The information is still useful for other's going on the cruise who don't have the time to read all the posts back to 2014

You can check the past weather data on Bermuda here:

 

https://www.wunderground.com/weather/bm/hamilton/IPEMBROK5

 

 

and the Hurricane status of Bermuda here:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bermuda_hurricanes

 

 

The weather should be good, generally 70/55 give or take on either end, I think the biggest concern might be some things might not be open because it's off season

Thank you for this link! I also booked a November cruise (2019) and I was a little worried but these temps will be quite comfortable for us leaving NY/NJ.

I'm a big fan of eyelash extensions. I don't like to deal with putting on false lashes everyday so to me it's worth it to get the extensions and I get them done every 2 weeks

I will be going on my first cruise next May but I already know that I will not indulge in most of the food. I practice 16:8 intermittent fasting as a lifestyle but since I will not be cooking for the cruise I might switch to OMAD to offset the lack of control over the food. As with any other vacation I will run in the morning and take only the stairs. For me a vacation is about the experience and food is only a source of energy for my body and not a treat or reward. Of course no alcohol and I only drink water. To me it's not worth ruining my body right before swimsuit season just for a good time.

How are you drinking Clamato if you're allergic to tomatoes? It is literally clam and tomatoes

Do you really think it's necessary for each person to have binoculars? They seem expensive and I don't think I will use them after the cruise. I wondering if one would be good enough and we can share

Another area to avoid is being under the Pool Deck, lounge chairs will be dragged around early mornings being set up, deck will be hosed down, lots of noise early on that deck.

Oh no, I'm wondering if I should change my room. I just looked on that deck plan thing and we are under the pool. It will be to Alaska in May so maybe not many people will be swimming?

It is not listed on their site. Look on page 1 of your confirmation under Shore Excursions. The name is Shore Excursions Group LLC

Thank you! I found it