grouchomarx

We've done cruise excursions on Christmas day before. We snorkeled in Belize on Christmas day several years ago. I think this has to do with NCL rather than the port.

Hmm interesting thanks for your replies. I was thinking to do Maya Chan for Costa Maya anyway but such mixed reviews. I’ll keep my eye out!

I have a Christmas cruise booked (Bliss) and noticed lots of excursion options except not one for the Costa Maya port. I never booked this far out before so I don’t know how it works.

Well today I cancelled the whole cruise and got all my payments back so that was pretty painless. (I got cold feet about sailing from Galveston, between the fog stories I've read and the issues getting from Houston to Galveston it was making me uneasy so I switched to Miami.) Thanks everyone for your replies.

For me Vibe access is very important. I don't want to sail without it so I booked it immediately after booking the cruise. It often sells out and on a Christmas cruise with a million kids it will be essential for me to have. Other stuff I would book much later on, except a Thermal pass is always good to book earlier too.

I put a deposit on a Christmas week cruise. I assume it will be quite busy and want to book some extras to make sure I secure them before they sell out. Yes I know it’s early. I want to know if I decide not to take the cruise before the cancellation penalty phase begins, is it relatively easy to get a refund on the extras I prepaid for? I don’t want a hassle about it, I could just wait to book those things but I do enjoy planning way ahead. For example FAS+, thermal suite, dining package.

Thanks for all this detailed info! Very helpful. I had a hunch the wine would not be included lol

I just booked a solo Christmas week cruise on Escape. I got a studio and wanted to ask for any feedback about this studio lounge and if it’s useful for meeting people or having drinks or food. And how is the cabin, it seems pretty ok from videos I’ve watched. I saw there is a wine dispenser in the studio lounge and not sure if this is included in the free drink package but I like a good late night glass of wine. TIA

I got a solo balcony for an upcoming 7 day Joy cruise to Bermuda. I thought the fare was very reasonable (1800), especially in comparison to any other cruise line. I am looking forward to have my balcony but I would do a studio if it was the only way to make a cruise affordable. The studio lounge looks like a nice place to get some extra breathing room, as well as a million other areas on the ship. FYI if you book a solo cabin that is not a studio you have access to the studio lounge, if there is one on your ship. Not all ships have them (Joy does not for example).

Thanks for all your replies. I have not seen Osso Buco served as lamb in any Italian restaurant I’ve been in and I eat in a lot of Italian restaurants. I would try it though as I do like lamb but the flavor would be stronger than veal.

On the menu for La Cucina it lists Osso Bucco Alla Milanese which should normally be veal shank but in the description it says lamb shank. Is this a mistake? Does anyone know if it’s veal or lamb? Just curious since all these new menu changes and cutbacks just happened. If it’s lamb they should not call it Osso Buco.

It’s not free if you’re like me and bought the FAS upgrade to get two more and then a 2 meal dining package on top of that! Only two of the six would be “free” minus gratuities.

If they dumb these menus down any more it won’t be worth the extra cost. It’s too bad this happened 2 weeks before I’m sailing. I’m all about specialty dining and some of the cut dishes were things I was planning on trying. Oh well.

Great idea thank you!

I totally agree and they cause me to not hydrate as well as I should because of the difficulty of opening and the bad taste. I just don’t want to drink from them. I might bring one of those rubber grip things to help with opening them.

We were on a cruise once that had these metal bottles and every single bartender would crack them open before handing them off because they knew how hard they are to open. I don’t like the way the water tastes either. I drank the least amount of water on that cruise that I ever have.

In the article I posted a link to above it says NCL can and will convert a "solo" cabin to double occupancy based on demand, since they are just regular cabins being marketed to solo cruisers. So perhaps at a different time of year or itinerary it could change. I got a solo balcony on Joy coming up in 3 weeks and only booked it 6 weeks in advance. I just did a quick scan of December Caribbean cruises and every one I looked at had solo cabins, some were sold out though. Perhaps inventory ebbs and flows with demand.

Check this article. It sounds like the entire fleet now has solo designated rooms including inside, oceanview, and balcony as well as studios on the ships that were built with them. https://www.frommers.com/blogs/passportable/blog_posts/norwegian-cruise-line-to-add-solo-cabins-to-all-of-its-ships-by-january

Thank you I appreciate it so much!

Thank you so much! I am so excited. I did book the main theater show for two nights, in case it’s something I want to repeat. Since I’m alone I probably will. I love all the info you have posted it’s so helpful! People like you are why I come to CC, to get the best most up to date info. You really contribute so much for people like me who are not sure what they are doing,

NCL Joy Manhattan to Bermuda 6/23. I’m three weeks out today and did online check in. I was able to select the earliest arrival time of 10am. I have no beneficial status with NCL, this is only my 4th cruise with them so I know I will not be getting ahead of anyone to board but I figured the earlier I arrive the better. Do you think I will get on the ship early enough to have lunch in the MDR? That is my goal. I find that a very relaxing way to start a cruise and I am thankful NCL offers that as not all cruise lines do. I don’t wanna face the buffet on day 1 if possible. Any insight you may have is appreciated!

I always do have a small carry on. I don’t like to check things like jewelry, electronics, or meds. But I never packed clothes before. I think I will do that just to be safe.

My plan I was hoping to execute would be to board, book some extra dinner reservations, have lunch and then go to the Vibe to relax in my cabana. I usually spend a lot of time on day 1 exploring the ship and seeing everything. I thought maybe I could change it up. If the weather is nice, that is. I have seen lots of folks at the pool and in the hot tub on day 1. I always wished I could do that.

Thanks for everyone who has given me so much knowledge about NCL Joy here on CC! I am almost out of questions! I want to know what is your general experience with when rooms are ready and when bags are delivered. The more recent cruises I’ve been on with other lines, the room is ready like almost or actually immediately (with a few exceptions) and the bags always come in the afternoon well ahead of dinner. If NCL is different I could pack a carry on tote to have swimwear for the afternoon and a dinner outfit just in case. Leaving from NYC to Bermuda end of June. Thanks!

No I mean cocktails and wine.