vswan

Another option might be the club balcony with large balcony - not sure if they have these on the Bliss, but I think so. On Escape there were 2 loungers and 2 regular chairs.

Yes, my daughter had to reprint her letter, load up her ex and so both of them could sign a new copy in front of a notory. I can see this would be a real hassle if you didn't live near each other or really didn't get along well. But it makes me feel much more comfortable having it done.

The good thing is he's very strong and can help with the bags.... We have always been close and I only have 2 grandchildren - the other is only 2 yrs old, and I am not crazy enough to take him on my own. At 14 he is the perfect age, and I've had "the talk" about what he better not do, etc. At first the paperwork was two steps forward and three steps back. I'm down to one step forward and one step back. Progress. I'll get there.

Hi all, original poster here. I am so honored that this thread seems to be helpful to so many. An update. I leave tomorrow for Seattle with my 14 yr old grandson where we board an NCL ship for my first semi-solo cruise. Traveling with a 14 yr old I felt that was a good option. My last 2 Alaska were on HAL and I feel very comfortable with HAL, but not so sure about a teenager, so opted for NCL. When my daughter realized I was taking her son, she said she had a bunch of vacation too and would love to go, so we are scheduled on a each intensive cruise for just the two of us for November. My moms SO passed less than a month after my DH, and she has many friends who winter in Florida, so I'm going to be looking at my actually solo entrance sometime in January. Figure I will deliver her to visit her friends and hop on a ship. Maybe even a B2B. I was looking at the 35 day south pacific, but figured I better try something a little shorter prior to see how I do. Much paperwork and estate mess still going on, but it's time for me to get out of here. I'm all packed and all planning/paperwork complete. Thank you all for your support

A number of years ago did a New England cruise on NCL. This cruise had the best musicians/bands on board of any ship I have ever been on. I attributed that to the fact that is was sailing from NY, who knows. It was just the best!

In fact, I liked this room so much tried to book one on my next cruise but they were all gone. Am in a regular balcony and I would have been willing to pay more for one of these because of the large balcony and convenient location - they were all gone so stayed in my balcony.

There are a number of these rooms on in a row on each side of the ship. We had one of the club balconies further mid, not as far forward - which I would suggest. I do experience motion sickness and don't remember this cruise being bad in the room - but, everyday onboard I always take a bonine as a precaution. What I really liked about this room was how close it was to the District Brew House for grabbing a beer to relax on the balcony. I am easy to please - priorities! In the past I have done a interior qty and ended up in the "nose" of the ship. That was really bad for motion and I had a hard time in that room.

I called NCL and they said I should be fine. Went to the Canada website and I said notorizing will make easier, but doesn't say it is required. Of course I'm always worried that websites are not updated and that NCL reps don't know what goes on at the port. My daughter said she would go today and get it notorized so that I don't worry. Taken care of.

Leave Saturday for Alaska with my grandson. Have had my daughter fill out the form on NCLs website, write a letter for Canada. Have the driver's license front and back of both parents. Have my daughters marriage and divorce papers with her listed as having full custody, but have also gotten the signature of her ex on the paperwork. I have been reading that these now need to be notorized but there is nowhere on the NCL form that has a space for notorizing and the letter for Canada only says preferably notorized, not must be notorized. Is this enough or do I need them to find a notory today? Don't want to get to the port and not be able to get on the ship.

I have rented a car like this several times. I like having a car so I can go to the beach, restaurant or even grocery store. I would drop off the luggage, and return the car with maybe one other person. I would drop off anyone who is in same cabin together so they could get started checking in. It's also great on the way back if the flights are later in the day. Why hang at the airport all that time.

I was in one on the Escape on deck 8 and it was great. 2 regular deck chairs with a table and 2 loungers. Lots of room and the area closest to the door was shady most of the time. Not sure if this differs on the Getaway.

Some people just like to complain. Before retiring, for "work" I used to consult with owners and managers of many businesses, and in many instances interface with the workforce. Never failed that at least some of the worker bees would complain non-stop about their jobs - and these complaints were made to me - a consultant hired and working for their bosses and company owners. I always walked away thinking if you really hate your job so much, why are you here? Life is to short, if you don't like something a cruise line is doing, try another. Still not happy, try a land vacation. If what they are doing causes passengers to walk away, they may do something else. And yes, I agree with talking up when you have an issue. One restaurant owner (client) asked how my meal was, not so good, did you say something?, no, not comfortable speaking up, not that big of a deal. His response, if you don't say something they don't know and can't fix.

Geez, must be losing my mind so close to my cruise. The cruise I referenced above is on NCL. I am going on Royal in November with my daughter so have been watching both forums. Sorry for the confusion.

I am on the Bliss sailing this weekend. I had the bidding for upgrades show up quite a while ago and submitted a very low bid on one cabin category - happy with my current balcony, but would have been happy to move up to a club balcony. I've been watching the open cabins on this sailing and most categories now show as sold out. My PCC called today to wish me a good cruise and asked if there was anything he could do to help me. I told him I had bid, but the cruise looks pretty well sold out. He took a look and said there is very little left on it. In the past I have called earlier and upgraded myself close to sailing, but with the extra latitude points on this one I will reach platinum and I booked NCL air which is an additional mess if upgrading. My advice. Book a cabin you are happy with. If you want to upgrade call early and just do it with your PCC/TA or NCL directly. Cruises are so full right now that hoping for a bidding upgrade is not very likely.

I've done this route twice, heading for the third time soon. I can have issues with motion sickness and generally take bonine every day just to be prepared. I usually try to book rooms low, mid ship, but last time decided to try an aft balcony after hearing all the praise. My first trip was very rough going up the outside the first day or so. There were "bags" out by every elevator and someone missed the bag in one of them. Spent most of the day in the cabin and when laying down the drawers from the nightstands were going in and out. My DH slept like a baby, me not so much. Very few people out and about, it was just very rough. The second cruise was much better, even on a higher floor aft - much less motion with this trip. Avoid the very front of the ship - doesn't seem to matter which floor, this area seems to have the most movement. Obviously the motion doesn't stop me from cruising, or taking this route. Sadly, I also avoid shore excursions on smaller boats. Tried salmon fishing and felt "green" the entire time.

Looked under gifts and it wasn't an option for me at this time. About the seltzer with cooler, now it is showing $54.99 per cooler and 6 pack, I bought for $43.99. The price on that seems to go up and down. It was the higher price, then when it dropped again I purchased it. I'm actually considering waiting for it to drop and buying a second set. At 6 x $7 that would be $42, not including the cooler bag and they didn't charge me for any gratuities.

I have to say, I'm a little depressed. I was really enjoying checking out this thread several times a day to keep up to date on all of the shenanigans, drinks and photos. Feel like I'm in withdrawal. Good thing for me is I get on a ship on Saturday - NCL with my grandson to Alaska. Thank you for your enjoyable commentary and getting me ready to sail - and I enjoyed your cruise with B. You are both highly entertaining. Thanks for what you do.

Where did you find this to purchase. I am traveling with my daughter and I don't drink anything but beer. With the carry on wine, a bottle that was part of the promo when I booked and a six pack of the hard seltzers with the carry bag I thought that would be plenty, but for the price I would love to get her some rum and coke. Haven't found it on my sailing things.

What ship are you on. District Brew House has a wonderful selection of beers.

I've cruised to Alaska 4 times and will doing my 5th later this month. Have gone on Princess, Celebrity, 2 on HAL and will doing NCL this month. Have done 1 NS, and 1 SN, and will be doing my second round trip Seattle next. (This time I'm going with my 14 year old grandson and felt NCL and round trip Seattle was the best option for just the two of us.) I have gone in May, July and August. There is no bad time to go. Things change and you see different things each month. Weather can be iffy any month. If a ship with more kids is not something you would like I would choose May or late in August when families are getting ready for school. I like July or early August for most likely warmest weather. Rain can happen at anytime. I have worn long pants and jackets one day and shorts and tank tops the next. You just never know and have to be prepared for it all. Things to keep in mind are port stops (how many ships are in/what the port times are). My favorite stop is Sitka and it is usually not available on a NS/SN, but I feel that those are preferable for a first timer. Both Princess and HAL have very established networks, and the experts HAL brings on are exceptional. The first time we went we booked an excursion for each day through Princess. Went salmon fishing in Ketchikan, rode the train in Scagway, and did a rain forest tour in Juneau. Should have gone to the glacier or whale watching in Juneau. No matter which line and date you choose, there is no bad cruise to Alaska.

Never been on the Pearl, but have done the Zaandam. Will be platinum on NCL after cruise this month and am 3 star on HAL. In my mid-60s and like both for different reasons. Am doing NCL next because going with my 14 yr old grandson. I would vote for the Zaandam. Although the convenience of going to/from Boston is a plus, the HAL cruise is longer, smaller ship and has OV. If you like to have more than a couple drinks per day, the NCL cruise might be better for you - more of a party atmosphere. HAL is more laid back and relaxed. Everyone is different, but at 80 your mom would have the security of flying with you helping her. My mom at 86 still flies on her own, but does appreciate when one of "us girls" is with to help with luggage, tickets, etc.

A bit of a different question. I've heard of others who have had coupons in their account. Where are those listed? I haven't found any place that they would be. (Currently gold, but will be platinum after a cruise later this month if that makes any difference.)

Just went and checked my account. I am a "Jade," whatever that means. Not a big gambler, but have gone to the casino occasionally, maybe it just says I've been there?

Been awhile since I've cruised RCL, but going on the Oasis this fall. What is a WOW band?

For many years I was thrilled just going to the Caribbean - I love going to the beach. Then we did Hawaii, Alaska and New England. Liked them all and saw much more of the country. For me, getting to any cruise port means a flight or a multi-day drive with hotel stays. Some ports are less expensive to get to than others, and I still like the beach and do the Caribbean much more often than other destinations. Have you tried the Panama Canal cruise - a partial that goes in and comes back out?