We are pretty new to cruising, did one 14 years ago when my kids were 3 and 9 months on Royal Caribbean (not a great experience). We did a Disney cruise about 9 years ago as a whole family for my dad's retirement, and that was nice. This time it's just us 4, celebrating my daughter's high school graduation and our 20th wedding anniversary. Kids wanted to do a Caribbean cruise, so we booked this NCL. I'm not only having a little buyer's remorse, I need help deciding if we should do excursions and need other advice.
1. Excursions: does anyone have first-hand recommendations for Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and Tortola?
2. Dinners/formal attire: I did not realize NCL was a "freestyle" cruise line and didn't do formal nights. I'm a bit disappointed as I love getting dressed up. If we wear suits/cocktail dresses to dinner, will we be totally out of place?
3. Planning: I'm such a planner, and I find NCL's website and app to be completely non-user friendly. The UX is awful and I can't find much info. Do we really not have to plan anything in advance besides excursions?
Any other tips/recommendations for this ship so we have the best time?
Thanks in advance for any help!
We are a family of four - teens are 14 and 17. We love the outdoors and trying something new, kids love the beach, snorkeling. Really open to anything!