kcwingwalker

Just for fun....who was your great butler on ncl?

 

Mine was Walter Haven/Pearl

We had Walter on the Jewel. The following year we were on the Pearl and Walter was there and took the time to visit with us. He really is special!

2 hour delay getting off NCL breakaway here in NYC. Announcements saying there's congestion in customs...still waiting!!!!!!

 

 

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Delays do happen and are frustrating. But in my experience delays are the exception and not the rule. A few times I have been able to get to airport well ahead of time and book an earlier flight so it goes both ways.

Hope you can relax and not lose that wonderful vacation glow!

There are differences for sure: yes, they have the same restaurant choices for starters, and they are similar is sie but we much prefer the Jewel class ships. The Dawn has slightly larger cabins, but it is harder to navigate. It took us the entire 12 days to figure out where we were going. The Le Bistro on the Dawn isn't nearly as upscale and much more crowded than on the Pearl. The spa on the dawn is very old and not anything like th

 

Did we enjoy the Dawn? Yes, very much, cause we met a lot of super nice people and had some great stops, but we love the Pearl. The Jewel class ships are top of the line for us. Everyone has his/her own ideas about what is good and bad. I will say the staff on both are outstanding.:cool:

Agree! Given a choice I would prefer the Pearl or any of the Jewel class ships.

Love the Pearl!

Some are simply clueless and really are not good parents. They do not take parenting seriously and probably don't take much responsibility for what most of us consider common sense. These are the folks that arrive late and seem unaware that their lateness is inconsiderate to everyone.

Unfortunately there is little you or I can do. But we cannot blame the children. We can hope that these children will eventually be influenced by others with better manners.

No flame for OP!

We used to visit the Caribbean in the summer when our kids were in school. It can be great and prices are lower. BUT you will be keeping a close eye out for tropical storms and hurricanes. Visiting places like Aruba, St. Thomas or any of the islands will not be as crowded. However it is HOT with only a little relief in the evening.

So it makes sense that NCL has most of it ships in places other than the Caribbean.

I am totally confused about how my observations are construed as mainly negative. It isn't below my standard, it was different than I expected. Like when you are craving a banana split sundae and get a slice of apple pie.

Cruises can be different than expected. I recently had this happen and it didn't ruin my cruise. It's easy to avoid what does not please you. Sometimes you meet people that ordinarily you would not get the chance. Try a little conversation and you might be pleasantly surprised. I found myself making friends with a lady that usually I would not encounter. She laughed and said "Oh I know your kind!" and quickly ticked off the things we did not have in common including politics. But we did find there were lots of things we did have in common. I quickly knew where she was from in Boston and she quickly replied that Brookline was my address.

I love going to the pool and sometimes there will be quite a "show" and if it's not for me then I'll head to my balcony. When you cruise bring your good attitude, be optimistic, be polite and friendly and you'll have a great time.

And I love the Jewel class ships.

.......unless that bar is not fountained up, in which case they will pour your glass from a bottle or a can.

That's the way I have seen it in the past. But if you want your soda in the can unopened just tip the waiter or bartender a buck and it's yours. I like to have a few cans of soda in my cabin and this works for me. Easy workaround especially if you have the UBP. Happy waiter Happy Cruiser!

Happy Cruising................."suite" deal:)

There is a larger bath with a tub which is nice for many. But the tub has some problems. I do not know if this applies to all NCL ships but does for the Gem glass. The tub is high and has sliding doors. If you are short or have problems taking a high step it will be difficult for you to use the tub or shower. And because the sides of tub are high and the sliding doors move over only about a third it would be challenging to wash a small child.

We had a mini suite on the Pearl and DD loved the tub. Shorty Mom with a cranky knee decided she would only shower when it was smooth sailing.

thanks! that's the thing i'm looking for. my husband doesn't want to do it, but i do. hmm.

He may grumble now, but he won't be grumbling after your cruise!:)

Just noticed from your header that you will be on the Gem. You will love the Jewel class. Not too big and not too small. I would not hesitate to go with the two bedroom.

the upgrade is for the penthouse suite, not the haven. regular suite perks. the aft penthouse (only one available) is on deck 8, the 2 bedrooms are on deck 11 forward.

Which ship?

i was offered the chance to upgrade from our balcony guarantee room port aft on the 9th deck to a penthouse suite for $1500 total. we already have the UDP and specialty dining. we are a family of three (one 10 year old son). is this a good deal? is this worth it? first time cruising NCL. ???

forgot to say also offered 2 bedroom for same price. so either penthouse with large balcony or the 2 bedroom.

I would upgrade for that price. The aft penthouse suites are fantastic. But your son will be sleeping on the pull out sofa. You will all be in the same room so not too much privacy. You will also have a longish walk to the Haven.

The two bedroom will give you more room and privacy. The full bath will be very nice and most also have a half bath. You will probably be in the Haven. It really depends on the ship. Do make sure that you have a balcony. On the Dawn there is a two bedroom suite without a balcony! I met a couple who were upgraded to this suite and did not know they would not have a balcony and were so disappointed.

Enjoy!

Ncl Dawn -- I have $750 in credit from by BoA card and $250 from a future booking.

 

 

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If you like the Dawn, I would either flip a coin or go for the best price. I'm lukewarm at best when it comes to the Dawn. But do keep in mind that the Dawn has many loyal followers who consider it to be their favorite NCL ship.

I don't know if it's true or not but it kind of freaked it out when I heard it. A couple of years ago we were told in one of the dining rooms that if we noticed all of a sudden that ice cream was being pushed - served everywhere. It probably meant a dead body was in the freezer. Especially on an older ship.

It might not be the same on all ships, but most have a "mini morgue" in the medical center. The Spirit is older and does have a mini morgue. My thoughts are that someone was enjoying passing around a jaw dropping rumour. If I had heard that one, I would have avoided the ice cream too.

I never ever get emails from NCL. Without the good folks at CC I would be even more clueless..................thanks!

Last cruise was in November 2017 and I believe the basic rate was $13.50 daily per person. So an increase of 49 cents? No too bad.

Besides buffet, MDR is also AYCE. Order as much as you want so long as you don't waste food.

It took me a minute to figure out AYCE and you gave me a good chuckle. Lots of passengers belong to the AYCE club.

Thanks!:)

After several cruises we encountered the "Bickersons" on our last cruise. Not terrible, but annoying. TV often blaring and the wife loudly commenting on anything or everything from the balcony to her husband in the cabin "Herb! Lifetime guarantee" and lots of comments about the upcoming election. She was rooting for Trump, but we were never sure who her husband was for.

And every afternoon a friend joined the couple and they had drinks on the balcony. Very nice for them and something we enjoy too. But without the blaring TV and the running commentary from the wife.

Towards the end of our repo from Boston to New Orleans lots of people were checking their photos and making their choices for purchase. But one voice could be heard above everyone else. "Herb! There's a special on the pictures!"

Certainly this behavior was not even close to reporting nor would I knock on the cabin and ask if they could tone it down a bit. I doubt if they had a clue they were annoying. They were on vacation and having a good time. Some neighbors are better than others and mine were harmless.

MSC has become one of the cruise lines I'm thinking about. NCL has made many changes and my last cruise just didn't push my buttons.

Will be following this thread and see what others have to say.

I've never seen any vending machines on a NCL ship. The price for soda at a bar isn't too bad and will be charged to your card. With a smile and a tip the bartender will give you the unopened can. The price for the soda package is reasonable if you drink a lot of soda.

We love the Jewel class ships and the Pearl is our favorite. Even after the recent updates we were disappointed with the Dawn.

No and No

Bobby pins! Hard to find in Bermuda, but DS saved the day:)

Things sure are messed up. Perhaps CC has gone snow blind:D