cruzndiz

Wow, that is some interesting news about the "free" cruise.... on Carnival it absolutely was a free cruise and the only thing you had to pay for was if you wanted to upgrade to balcony for example and taxes. Of course, that bingo session filled the entire theater so I am sure they got their money for the cruise prize up front and then some!

On my recent NCL cruise the bingo was held in Dazzles and wasn't nearly so crowded -- maybe everyone has learned :p

I was able to get a behind the scenes Galley Tour for our M & G group and the Executive Chef gave us a very very very intensive and all-encompassing tour! It all depends on the staff on your ship if they will be able to accommodate some type of tour, if the time is available and if they are affable to doing it. If you are lucky enough to be given a tour of any type, however, you should be THANKFUL and GRACIOUS and that's all I'm saying about that ;)

My husband and I did DePalm Island on our trip to Aruba last year and we are doing it again next week. If this was our first time to Aruba we'd probably do something else (sightseeing, one of the many pretty beaches) but having seen all that we decided to try DePalm and I'm glad we did.

Yes, it does have activities for children including the aforementioned small waterpark (although I saw as many adults as children in that area) but it also had quite a bit for us (50s) to do as well.

Complimentary food and drinks, plenty of lounge chairs in sun and shade, snorkeling, snuba, volley and basketball, hair raising banana boat ride to name a few. We found it to be a perfect place to spend a few hours.

We had signed up and paid for the helmet dive but chose not to participate... didn't realize it was so structured and would have to sit through presentations, waiting for ppl in the group to sign off on medical releases, etc. I know all about "island time" but I'm not spending any part of my vacation waiting in line!

Ditto the comments of poster above... we cruised in February and bought the spa passes to get away from the crowds and have a place to relax. The heated loungers were NEVER available unless you got there the moment the spa opened; same for the jacuzzis in the women's locker room (I got to use one once all week). And if you did score a heated lounger or jacuzzi, there was always someone looming over waiting to use it should you get up/out. The only chairs you could usually find were the regular loungers -- you can find the same ones right out on the deck for free! I can't say the spa was crowded but it definitely doesn't have enough facilities for the 100+ people who go in it on sea days.

You must put cash in the machine to play. Casinos on NCL are some of the best on sea. Not to compare them to land based casinos, of course, but comparing them between different ship lines, NCL has a very good product.

BTW, if you are a frequent player, be sure to sign up for a player's card and use it at all times to reap the full benefits.

Just came across this thread and so happy to see that others feel the same way about the Oceanic. I took my first cruise on that ship in 1970, as a very young girl with my grandparents. I remember how excited we were to be taking our first cruise and how much time we spent shopping beforehand -- Grandma had a new evening gown for every night and I got plenty of fancy new clothes as well. We cruised with our neighbors and their daughter (considerably older than me) who met and fell in love with one of the workers. I thought it was so exotic and romantic. They ended up getting married later that year when his contract was up and then they both ended up going to work on a ship (but not sure if that was the Oceanic as well). The ship was so luxurious and elegant and rocky! Even now, cruising luxury line Regent, the experience doesn't have quite the elegance that the Oceanic did back in the day.

On my February cruise, I hit a royal on 25 cent VP for $1000 and the guy two machines down from me hit a royal playing on Super Times Pay for $8000. My daughter also hit 4 Aces for $500

NCL has some really nice casino action!

Does anyone know if they would offer anything in advance for an upcoming first-time cruiser that has a high rating at another well known land based-casino? I am a Diamond card with Harrah's. Just curious.

If you are a diamond level with Harrah's, you should book NCL through their Casinos at Sea (CAS) department. If you do, you will get a substantial discount on the booking PLUS you will receive in your stateroom upon boarding a Player's Card attached to which is a free drink certificate allowing you complimentary drinks in the casino while you are playing. In addition to that (and it's a very nice perk indeed!), you will ALSO receive lovely little treats sent to your cabin during the cruise (i.e. chocolate covered strawberries, imported cheese platter, hand made chocolates, etc.). Last but not least, based on your play, you should receive money off of your cruise folio at the end of the cruise.

In fact, I don't even like mainstream cruising but I cruise NCL primarily BECAUSE OF their wonderful casino perks to players at my level (and as a diamond I'm sure your level as well). And, of course, they really do have some of the friendliest staff at sea!

A couple of thoughts about the above posts:

1. It is unusual for a cabin steward to remove your door sign (especially if you've tipped them right off the bat;))

2. It is highly likely that if your door decorations are attractive they will be removed by fellow pax.

3. Cheaper even than Vista Print is to design your own sign using Microsoft Word or Publisher and then buy the sticky magnets at the local craft store. They cost about 30 cents.

4. Dry Erase boards are the most fun (I always find the magnetic ones at the dollar store) but do NOT do this if you have kids cruising with you. On both Carnival and NCL I have come back to my cabin, or woken up in the a.m., with the most "interesting" and "vulgar" messages, offers and suggestions. Some of them even with descriptive pictures! :eek:

5. If your roll call is a sleeper, elect yourself head cheerleader and spur everyone into action by posting again and again ad nauseum. Eventually, someone else will get "on board" (pun intended:p )

Have fun on your cruise!