Linda the Book Lover

Thank you so much. We will try this. My husband put in the e-ticket number so this is very helpful.

I am trying to get seat information for the NCL flight on Delta we booked. It did not show on the Delta website. Is there another place to check seat information or do I have to call NCL? Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the info. On the other Carnival ships I sailed, I enjoyed lunch in the Italian restaurant and other venues. I have to admit the older I get (in my 70's) the lazier I have become as far as sitting down and being served...😂

Thanks I appreciate the information as we are still in the deciding stage for 2025.

Are breakfast and lunch available on port days on a journey cruise? I am not a fan of the buffet and hoped the longer cruise might offer meals in the dining room. I am trying to decide about the transatlantic from Barcelona to US.

Has anyone flown from Sacramento to Barcelona using NCL Air and requesting 2-days before your cruise?

This was good to read about the seats as we are in a decision mode about NCL Air transatlantic flights from SMF (Sacramento) to Barcelona and then New York back to Sacramento.

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You are right about Carnival using it to make money, I sometimes wish there other options. Meanwhile since my daughter and I are not true drinkers at home every time we go back and forth on if we should get it. For us, sometimes it boils down to just getting it and not thinking about it. Most times we do not get the drink package. Since we fly into the port city it is just easier to purchase the bottled water, and yes I know we can fill up in the buffet. Also without the package, we bring two bottles of wine for me (each of us carrying on a bottle).

Thanks for sharing these!

Looks excellent since I will be on the Radiance in 126 days! Actually, I am more interested and excited about the Dutch Double Chocolate Pave. 😉

The VIP train is on the list. Thank you again for sharing your experience. The travel back and forth to the other coast is not on my list to do either since I am in my 70s. Lucky for me Alaska is on the same coast where we live and has a reasonable air flight time up the coast to Seattle. Our return flights from our recent trip back east took the wind out of my sails.

I agree with you on getting the most bang for your buck. My husband and I booked private and small group excursions so we could enjoy everything in a small group and I feel it was the best decision. Alaska is so beautiful and I am looking forward to this time sailing again with my DD.

Great pictures!

Since we live in Northern and previously Southern California the Mexican Riveria is a plus for us as no long air travel. We did sail on the Star in March years back and the weather was great. We did not need any sweaters etc once we arrived in Mexico and when we boarded we did not have any jackets on leaving from Los Angeles. The rest of the cruises were all in the summer months. The weather will not be "summer temperatures" but it will not be cold.

Thanks! We booked Le Bistro twice this sailing and I am happy you enjoyed it.

Thanks for your review. Did you eat at any of the specialty restaurants?

Best crab cake I had at dinner was in Ocean Blue on the Getaway. I am guessing it depends on who is in the kitchen cooking.

My daughter and I booked the Haven Spa Suite in celebration of her 1/2 century. Our favorite hands down is the heated stone chaises. As soon as you lie down it is like a nice heating pad over your whole body. The thermal pool is great! I have a heart condition which now precludes me from the rollers and the "waterfall" but it is great for warm water walking. She usually likes to book a massage and takes advantage of the first day tour that offers the specials. We book the spa unless we are sailing with my granddaughter.

The food sounds good and I am looking forward to my daughter's birthday cruise in June.

Twice enjoyed and loved.

Actually the pool area in the Haven is small and on a different deck. The Epic Haven sun deck area is not as large area as on some of the newer larger ships which is most likely why there are not pre-purchase options for the few passes. On the NCL ships with the Vibe Beach Club it is open to anyone with a pass or staying in the Haven. The Haven Sundeck is reserved for guests staying in the Haven Suites.

I am also not sure why they do either but I think it is for more revenue as the area is never extremely busy. There are two bartenders for a small amount of people and there is never a real wait for a drink. I think I may have seen three bartenders during the sea days on the Carribean cruise but most of the time on the Med cruise there was only one (port intensive). I guess they want to keep the bartenders busy.

Yes there are only a few passes. We have been on the Epic twice and enjoyed Posh and the Haven. Be aware you will see and elevator in the corner which goes to the Haven pool area but it only works using a keycard so if you have access to Posh and not staying in the Haven you will not be able to go to the pool. The Caribbean cruise is busy yet we never had an issue finding a seat though the bar area was hopping especially after returning to the ship after a port stop. The Med cruise it was quiet (weather difference) I am sure is the reason.

Yes we will be on the Escape