Griff4AU

Nice job.

Our last NCL sailing the package was $49, and there were a lot of drinks it didn't cover... At least nearly everything is covered with the new price points... NCL folks must be bigger drinkers as Princess and a few other lines are cheaper, and cover just as much...

We'll be on the Breakaway next week and will absolutely get the package... One thing in the value of the package that the spreadsheet can't calculate.... the benefit of not having to keep track of your bar receipts and "audit" your bill at the end of the cruise...

Again, thanks and well done.

Geeze folks... relax...

I knew the song before hitting the link too... and I dislike Carnival. I am sure I would have held it together had I been on this sailing.. (I'm way OVER that sound too.... )

I thought "you NCL folks" (I am one of you) were amongst the least uptight crowd... maybe not...

Somewhere in this sub-forum someone posted on PCA...Positive Cruise Attitude... Maybe it should be required reading... .

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2061395

I've been on the Sky, and most of the FLL and PoM ships, as we live here. The Sky gets much more of a party crowd, as do the short sailings on Carnival.... to some extent even RCCL and Princess.

But that video isn't representative of the Sky... and really, would a video of people being well behaved, courteous, laughing and smiling together while acting like "new-found long-lost-friends" really make it on YouTube? Of course not....

I am a Princess loyalist, but have had some really nice sailings on NCL and will be on the Breakaway next week.

Oh, and referencing the post above mine..... if the OP is considering Cunard, then you pretty much have no business on NCL, Carnival or any of the lines that attract a more fun crowd. I'd do another TA on Cunard, and that's about it. Putting an NCL'r on Cunard is like giving Babe Ruth a tennis racket... (it just doesn't work)

I too miss the formal days.... we dress formally on the formal nights... really look forward to them... but I am not sure anyone would call me a cranky old curmudgeon... So like his post I prefer classic and contemporary.. .a little "polish".. maybe that's why I like Princess so much as it does have a little more polish (albeit a little less fun) than NCL (just my opinion)... That said I would rather take one NCL cruise rather than 2 Cunard cruises.... (I am referring to fun, not price)

Sorry, I searched... nothing recent.

We booked a last minute sailing on the NCL Breakaway and will be in Bermuda next week. I know dive prices in Bermuda are insane... but the boss wants to get wet, so we will.

Anyone know who the NCL dive operator in Bermuda is? And better yet, an independent with better service?

Thanks,

Griff

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but its the only one that came up when searching for 'RCI diving excursions in Cozumel'.

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If anyone has a review of diving in Cozumel booked via RCI I would be grateful to read it before I make a decision on whether to book through the ship or go independent.

Dang... talk about resurrecting the dead..... 9 years old... well done!

I haven't sailed RCCL to Coz, so I can't offer any wisdom about who they use. But if you search this sub-forum about Cozumel, you'll find a few threads. There are two (in my mind) that stand out, Aldora and Deep Blue. Several also like Eagle Ray.

This is just my opinion... and it is worth exactly what you are paying me for it... I think the diving is way too spectacular in Cozumel to use a ship's excursion. There are too many inexperienced and/or non-current divers (air hogs) through the ships excursions because the only time these folks dive is when they are on a cruise. That's OK, and you may be one of them. I'm a DM, and have "worked" a few cattle boats... Cozumel isn't the place for a cattle boat of air hogs unless that's where you feel you will be the most comfortable...

Cozumel is the one place I would ABSOLUTELY use an independent. What I liked about Aldora is that they use steel 100s (ladies) and 120's (us guys), which carry much more air than the AL80s that are common throughout the industry. While we had only 5 on our trip (another reason to use independent operators), the DM had a 7 foot hose on his Octo in case there was an air hog... so we wouldn't have to abort the dive in case of an air hog.

Have a great dive...

Griff

As a long time cruiser I would skip Bermuda and take another Princess cruise :) Bermuda has beautiful beaches. ....the island is just too cluttered for me.

Absolutely... I used to travel there for business a few times a year. I would choose to avoid it, especially in the Summer months... I'd much prefer to get back on to Princess, and they are running some nice deals on the CB... Unfortunately their itineraries are a little stale, does any long-time cruiser ever really want to go back to Nassau (No), and the Boss wants to go to Bermuda now (she's never been).... So....

I wished some smaller ships were going in so we could skip King's Warf.. but no can do (now)...

So next week I'll post up a Princess loyalist's perspective of the NCL Breakaway. I did notice that NCL has raised the price of their UBP from $49 to $59 /person/day (plus gratuity).. I hope Princess doesn't follow suit... Although I am guessing there are more heavy drinkers on NCL than on Princess. (let's please NOT turn this in to another "Only drunks get the UPB" thread... I was just only commenting on something I noticed)

Thanks folks. It came through today. They put us in a BA, Deck 13 mid-ship balcony. Not quite the score that others have landed, but I know we'll be very pleased. 5 days until sailing.... ready to go!

Magickpyggie, I think you are bang on... It works wonders in every facet of life. Since we're on a cruise forum, you know it's easy to tell who has the "PCA", and who doesn't, on the very first day of sailing.

You said it better than I ever could have, but my mantra has always been: "talk TO people, and not AT people." When mindful of that, especially with service personnel, I am rarely disappointed. I am not special or rich or important - but I make sure to talk TO people when on a cruise or at a restaurant or flying or traveling... and I NEVER get bad service.

Things really do look 25% to 33% larger under water. :)

Seems water is a natural magnifier.

LuLu

~~~

Fact. Every scuba diver will attest to this, especially the ones who remember their training. They also appear closer (for many, that corresponds with bigger).. slightly more in salt water than fresh water.

I only add emphasis to Lulu's point because if you are slightly near-sighted, you will likely not need any prescription in your mask. I'm a 30+ year diver, approacing 1000 dives... I have worn glasses for 34 years and never had an Rx lens in my mask. I'm only slightly near-sighted (1.25)... So my suggestion is that if your prescription is mild, you may not want to invest in the prescription mask initially.

It's to bad they don't have any cruise lines that go there from Florida or I'd be there 4 or 5 times a season. :D

RCCL Vision.... 10 day sailings a few times a year. Great rates for Florida residents (under $700 for inside for a 10 day sailing). Charleston, Bermuda, Nassau and Coco Cay... departing Fort Lauderdale. The next one is August 18th... If the new Mrs. Griff were patient, we'd be on that one.

Have you considered Royal Caribbean? They do Bermuda out of Cape Liberty, NJ, right outside of New York.

Thanks Wayne, but RCCL doesn't have the 7 day run "right now" (Mrs. Griff's timing), and X (my preferred 2nd choice line) only had the Summit, which has gotten some very mixed reviews. Although NCL is down on my favorite's list, a good friend is a Planner with them so we see some non-published fares. I really do want NCL to do well as I believe competition is a good thing and makes everyone better.

If we were patient, we would have sailed on the Vision for their 10 sailing in August (great itinerary and local for us), but I see us on another Princess boat (probably) in August.

It does seem like X and RCCL are most folks Plan B around here, at least with my demographic. Hopefully NCL is stepping up their game some with the Getaway and Breakaway.

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but "the boss" booked a BX Guarantee late last week for this Sunday's sailing. We'll be fine with the postage stamp balcony, or whatever we get. I hope it's nicer as she usually prefers inside and booked the balcony as a "gift" to me.

We're 6 days away from sailing... when does NCL typically assign the cabins? Or will this potentially be a "show up and be surprised at check-in"

Sorry for the newbie question.. We typically sail another line, but are looking forward to our 2nd NCL sailing.

I guess I'll bring this thread back up so it doesn't disappear too far down.

I did a search under the Princess threads for Breakaway to see if any Princess cruisers have sailed on her (I'm still going through the threads). While Princess is our line, we'll be on the Breakaway next Sunday. While it seems like some of NCL's ships are Carnival wannabe's, I am hoping the Breakaway and Getaway are different. We'll see and report. Living in South Florida, we've been tempted to hop on the Getaway (especially since we get Friends and Family rates), but the itinerary for an inaugural sailing absolutely stinks. We'll see how the Breakaway does.

I have tried to let this one go… But being simple minded, I guess I am going to jump back in to the pool... largely because water safety is involved, The Captain is right (he doesn’t need me to say that as he and every experienced waterman knows it)…

Yes Karin, you may share your opinion. It’s welcome here. And others are allowed to disagree. You know, opinions are like a$$.....s, everyone has one. The Captain is also welcome to share his opinion. His opinion is based on many years on and in the water, much of it in an official capacity.

You snorkeled while wearing a full life jacket. That’s great, and I am glad you enjoyed it. You clearly weren’t afraid of the water. Perhaps you just never learned to swim, but you didn’t fear the water. The original poster referred to his/her mother who has never taken a swimming lesson and not capable of floating on the water (she probably is capable unless built like a super muscular tank, but that’s another mater)…. that sounds like a woman who probably has concerns about the water (that’s an assumption), but would likely want to please her family. There probably aren’t a lot of similarities between you and Jalinga’s mom.

What I will tell you, factually (I’ll save my opinion for later), is that nearly every lifeguard/divemaster/instructor will agree that when you went snorkeling with your full life jacket, you probably caught the intention of every “pro” there because you were looked at as “risky”(because you were)… and the same will be the case for Jalinga’s mom if she tries it. Those who get wet professionally or for a living already have enough to deal with. The Captain shared his opinion, as you did yours. His was based on experience, and yours was based on your one occasion…. His is rooted in safety, and yours is not.

You can have the opinion that it’s safe to light up a cigarette while pumping gas at a gas station although you just spilled gas on your hands…. that may be your opinion… although it certainly doesn’t make it an intelligent opinion. If something happened, the news folks would write about it and readers would say to themselves “Darwin won”… pretty much the same thing as an older woman who can’t swim, has never swum, has a fear of the water, and was trying to snorkel. We’re all entitled to our opinions…. Some just seem to be a bit wiser than others.

Jalinga: if your mom doesn’t have a fear of the water and she wants to try it, please have someone with strong water skills “babysit” your mom the entire time. She really can float… so keeping her calm and comfortable in the water is a key to her having fun. Maybe even buy a mask/snorkel and have her try it in the bath tub to get used to the feeling…. Yes, instructors and DM’s have been telling their students who have trouble getting used to the mask/snorkel to practice in their bathtub for decades… Good luck, and have fun.

.... And you had to carry your gear for 2 miles each way.... Up hill.... In the snow.... while wearing your fins......

Just kidding Skipper.... You have me by a few years.... But you do remind me of a different time....

I will share that I am glad that the newbies don't have to go through what we (more you than me) did. Dive training today is more approachable that it was in the day, and for that I am thankful. I don't think newbies need to go through what you and I (more you) did. That said, I assisted a class to SDI (the recreational side of TDI) standards a few years back and I thought it was too easy/casual. We didn't even touch the Tables. Maybe I'm just a cranky old curmudgeon. I'm approaching 1000 dives and I still do the tables nearly every dive.... Even the shallow training dives.... just for the mental exercise.... I guess I AM a cranky curmudgeon.

I guess we've digressed a bit... but it is a fun trip down memory lane!

Back to our newbie seastars..... I suspect you'll do great, and thanks for putting up with the old timers around here. I think you'll do great in your class, whatever you choose to do. With only 5mg of Lisinopril (which I think is how this started), you don't have a medical disqualifier in the real world. If you need to say yes on the form, get a docs signature before the wet work. Or you can be like Nancy Reagan and "Just Say No!" (How's that for memory lane!)

I strongly encourage you to knock out your training pre-cruise. Your dives on your vacation will be significantly better.

There is a whole other world out there....one the snorkelers can only see from the periphery. Go get it....and you'll be amazed....

Please re-read Capt BJ's last post.... It's they way many (most) organizations in the South do it now. Here's a rough break-down of the schedule that Capt BJ mentioned. I'm a DM here in South Florida (not my day job.. just for fun and free diving), and here's the way just about every shop does it:

1.) Online book-work at home. 8 - 10 hours through PADI. Most, but not all, shops are PADI down here. Finish up and print out your certificate.

2.) Friday evening meet at the dive shop to do your paperwork (including that form from an earlier post that you checked the "No" box for everything) and get fitted for your gear. We'll actually go through the online course work to make sure you actually understand what you've learned. Some shops actually do this step early on Saturday morning. Note... any Yes boxes on the form and you'll need a note from your doctor BEFORE we'll even let you in the pool.

3.) Saturday morning - pool work to work on your skills.

4.) Saturday afternoon - 2 Open Water beach dives, primarily working on the same skills you just did in the swimming pool.

5.) Sunday afternoon - 2 more beach or boat dives. One of the dives is some more skills, the second dive is usually a play dive.

Boom... you are done and are now an Open Water SCUBA diver.

One weekend... and you are a safe and comfortable diver.

PADI online course I think is $145. Our shop (I do not work for them) is $199 for the "wet work", which includes all rental gear. $345 and you're done, and competant.

Florida is unique, and you're "up there" in NY, but you could do it on a weekend. I know shops all the way up to Virginia now do the certifications this way (I haven't lived North of the Mason Dixon line in a long time).

I am not certified. I've never been diving in my life. I've done my fair share of snorkeling, which I understand has nothing to do with diving, but that's about as far as it goes.

OK, that helps a lot. .....OK, here comes the "advice' part, which is worth exactly as much as you're paying for it ;-) .....

I'd recommend a Discover Scuba, although honestly I am not sure you need it. Let me tell you why... I think you already have the right mindset and dedication to 'know' you want to be a SCUBA diver.

Any Divemaster or Instructor will tell you that there are 3 primary obstacles in someone learning how to dive:

1.) Do you know how to swim? If you can't, you're not going to be a diver. Swimming is in every Open Water certification test. 'Sounds like you can do this.

2.) "breathing through one of those skinny tubes" (snorkel)... You have said you can snorkel.. so let's check that one off your list.

3.) When doing certifications, here's where folks (who pass 1 & 2) get tripped up... mask clearing. You're going to have to flood and clear, and also take off and replace your mask. You need to do it. Sounds scary... it isn't . Keep calm and remember that we actually have been swimming our entire lives in swimming pools without a mask... so mask clearing is easy.

So if you're reasonably fit and can handle numbers 1 - 3 above, you'll be fine.

As for getting certified up there versus while on your cruise, I strongly suggest getting certified before your cruise. The course material is about the same (all the certification agencies have guidelines each shop must follow)... but getting certified at home will allow you more time to ask questions at a more relaxed pace.

Also, do you really want to do your pool work on the cruise ship? Do you really want to do your skills requirements while on vacation? You're on a vacation!!! I am a true blond and have a simple rule... no tests while on vacation... So do the "work" at home, and save the "play" for your cruise... Others may (and will) disagree, but that's simply my opinion.

Some good advice up there. A couple of tidbits, without trying to overwhelm you with information or caution.

“One good dive” – I’d choose Cozumel over Costa Maya, but that’s just an opinion.

Giving up on your dream because of 5mg of Lisinopril? No way. Please read what the others have said, many of us are on mild meds and dive often, some semi-professionally (on this thread).

The medical forms are written by attorneys.. Nuff said. Any DM, instructor, or knowledgeable & experienced (not synonymous) diver can you, usually while still on the boat, who the potential rescues are. A form by attorneys can’t do that.

I concur with WreckDiver’s comment, 100%. If your doctor doesn’t know the physical and emotional impacts of diving, you’re possibly wasting your time. A majority (not all) of the dive emergencies that occur with inexperienced divers happen because of the emotional factors and not the physical stress on the body. Keep calm.

You refer to Safety Course.. I too am clueless what you mean. Are you certified? It’s a yes or no. If you are, then maybe a refresher, which any instructor of Divemaster (not the same as a Master Diver, who cannot perform them) can perform.

If you are not certified, then a DD, or DSD (Discover Scuba Diving), might be a good call. I do them all the time (living in SoFL) and if you do one, as Capt BJ mentioned, you’ll know very soon if SCUBA is for you.

As for DAN suggesting a MD, I wouldn’t count on that unless their stance on that has changed. Diving emergency? They know who to send you to. General practice MDs? They used to stay away from MD’s they don’t know. It may simply be a question of whether they know someone in your area. If they don’t know anyone, they will gladly be a resource for your General Practitioner.

That's an fairly low dose of Lisinopril, so I am guessing your BP isn't too out of whack to begin with (and/or you are very tiny).

As some others have suggested, you should speak with your doctor. As the Captain suggested above, I would absolutely call DAN. Actually, I would call them first. The DAN folks are all medical experts who only deal with divers... Most MDs don't know squat about diving (and how it impacts us physically and psychologically). I personally think that anyone who travels to dive is foolish to not to carry DAN (or other) dive insurance. If you have a dive emergency, DAN is there. The internet stories of divers not having access to a chamber or travel back to the CONUS after an emergency because they don't have insurance to cover the costs, albeit rare (in real life), are true.

Simply put, DAN (or other) dive insurance is the smartest money a diver can spend. 'Sorry if my opinion is a little strong here. I'm one of those "DAN was there" stories, although not dive related.

As to the OP, without question DAN will be able to speak about your exact condition better than your MD would (for diving), unless your MD is a diver him/herself. When I had my "little" medical episode, DAN literally called my hospital (neurological surgery department) every day checking on me, and I was in the CONUS on a non-dive related problem. DAN spoke with the attending, spoke with how my issue was treated, and cleared me to dive with no restrictions. That was nearly 400 dives ago. Oh, and I take Alplazolam (liked it better than Lisinopril). DAN rocks...

Join DAN. OK, I'll get off my soapbox.

As for the dive sites, look through this forum. Scroll down a few pages. I just recently did a review on Aldora Divers in Cozumel. Lots of decent advice around here. Most will suggest you stay away from the ship's excursion and use the independents for a better dive experience for less money.

Good luck,

Griff

Adding what was said above... toothPASTE... and not gel.

The cheaper the better. Think Gleem. Ultrabrite... Nothing harsh or abrasive in there.. All you are trying to do is remove the film.

If you are a diver, I recommend booking with your dive op separately and ahead of time. Send the non-divers to Mr. Sanchos without them and meet them after the day of diving. Heck, you might even be able to ask your op if they an drop you off there instead of taking you back to the marina.

Good recommendation. Cozumel is some of the best diving anywhere, and likely the best drift diving in the Caribbean (my opinion). There are some nice comments about Mr. Sanchos, but for some of the best diving you may ever experience (depending on how active of a diver you are) I'd strongly recommend using a dive operator, and not a tourist operator who offers diving. Huge difference. Check this CC forum. I recently did a write-up on Aldora Divers... They are a very good operator (but not super fancy) that uses steel 80's and 100's for greatly increased bottom times.

To piggyback Skittl, we did our SI at Mr. Sanchos and depending on what dive sites you select with Aldora, they will absolutely drop you off at Mr. Sanchos.

You're going to where some of the best diving any recreational diver will ever see... use a dive operator that focuses on diving.

http://www.aldora.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150809-d536616-Reviews-Aldora_Divers-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

Very good advice there.

If she can't swim, and is scared to even think about it, then she will likely be terrified and not enjoy it. And honestly it will reduce the enjoyment for you and the others. No one wins.

Honestly, it seems like your mom will enjoy Grand Turk more shopping and enjoying the beach.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

There are a lot of threads on the CB. You just need to be willing to go back a few pages of threads on drink packages and dress codes (everyone's favorite subects) to find them.

At one point when when the CB came out of drydock (just a few short weeks ago) there were 5 threads on the same page regarding the CB.

Sorry folks.. I've searched (maybe not hard enough) and didn't find an answer.

Living in SoFL, we get to cruise a lot (4-5 a year), but I have never had the privilege of sailing RCCL. We're Princess regulars and NCL part-timers (best friend a PVP for them), but we'll probably fit in to RCCL well. My RCCL void is going to be filled soon as it looks like we're going to take the Vision to Bermuda.

Other than the web site pricing going bi-polar (my net prices, after OBC, were better BEFORE the WOW sale - and we know prices can change frequently), the Boss is looking at two of the super forward inside cabins on the Vision, 7015 and 7513. She likes insides because of the quiet and dark, plus they allow us co cruise more. I will get her to a balcony one day, but for this sailing we're looking inside.

Those two cabins look like an afterthought (maybe on a refurb). With the Theater below (we'll be up later than the shows) and nothing above, they look like they should be OK. Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance for your help... and I apologize if there are 50 threads on this subject that I simply didn't see (I said I looked, but not for very long)...

Griff

We were just on the CP May 15th 4 night cruise and they had "smart dress night" (2nd night) night on this cruise. Not really formal but most of the passengers were dressed up.

They cal lit "Dress to Impress", although it was still pretty casual.

I think there were a total of 4 men in formal-wear (outside of the ship's officers), and I was one of them.. Then again, I proposed that night, so I probably should have dressed...

Princess is still my line, but she has gotten much more casual. Short cruises will always attract a more casual crowd, but allowing shorts and t-shirts in the MDR? That tends to be more Carnival / NCL-ish...

Anyway, back to the CB post drydock.... She's a great ship. I think there are 3 or 4 threads going about her right now... They all pretty much sum it up... The Boss and I are thinking about hopping back on her late June or early July.