Ron_L

Since many have the UBP and the new bar menus have limited drinks listed, I have created a list of beverages that have been mentioned on Cruise Critic. Here is the LINK for Beverage List.

Thanks for the list!

Once you fill out all your info, your edocs should be ready to print with in a day or two. You only NEED the first page, BUT I would bring them all if there is any problem, about what you did not did not pay up front. I think having them on a PDF file could only help things. So to answer your questions, Yes, Yes and Yes

 

Have a good cruise

I thought eDocs weren't available until 60 days before the cruise?

We're undecided between LFK and Maya Key. We're on NCL so we will dock at Coxen Hole and MK is right there. I the long ride to LFK worth it? It's my wife and I and we enjoy snorkeling and relaxing.

Punta Sur. http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/punta_sur.cfm

 

Without any doubt the best beach on the island. It's also the best kept secret.

You have 2 options to get there. Rent a car/jeep (get the full insurance) or a taxi for the day. If you have more then 4 or just don't want to drive get a cab.

 

Make sure you have the price hammered out per hour, write it down, have you both sign it and shake hands. Plan on a good tip ($20-$25).

The beach is about a mile long. Snorkeling is fantastic. Free boat ride to look for gaters. Food available and good. Plan on a stop at the lighthouse, incredible views.

 

Have your driver take the coast road back. Enjoy. ;)

Do you have an estimate of the cost for a taxi to do this?

Also, can you snorkel off shore?

I'm interested in this, too! It looks like we are on the same sailing, have you joined our roll call?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2158122

I'd like to see some pictures, too.

Worst case, we'll be on the Star in November and I can take some then.

For us, non of the recent changes are deal breakers, but we will take them into consideration when booking our next cruise.

It's really not the cost. We're in a position where we can afford the incremental charges, and I think cruising is still a bargain. If we get to the point where we can't afford to cruise, we'll find another way to vacation.

What does bother me is the incremental changes and they way they have been handled. We did our first cruise on NCL a year ago and loved the whole freestyle concept. We enjoyed it so much that we booked again for this fall. Since booking NCL has done the following...

• Increased the DSC - not a big deal, the crew deserves it.
  
• Increased the mandatory gratuity on drinks - I'm not a fan of mandatory gratuities in the first place, but this is common on other cruise lines.
  
• Implemented a mandatory gratuity of the specialty restaurants - Again, not a fan of mandatory grats. In this case I think it will cost the crew members money because folks who would have left more than 18% won't bother now
  
• Added a service charge on room service
  
• prohibited taking food back to the cabin
  

Non of these were in place when we booked. If they had been, I MAY have decided to book with another line.

Also, i see a lot of folks mentioning food in the hallways. When we have ordered room service in the past the crew member who dropped it off told us to leave the tray outside our door when we are done, so I doubt that the prohibition on food in the cabin will end that.

We've stayed at the Hampton at Brickell and the Intercontinental, which is across the street from Bayside. Both are nice and both are convenient to shopping and dining. Give the choice, I prefer the Intercontinental and you can find some good deals online if you look around.

When I travel on land I take a small electric water kettle, a hand grinder, an Aeropress and my home roast coffee. Since I can't take my water kettle on the ship, and the chances of getting water hot enough to make a decent cup of coffee via room service are slim to none, I will typically make a trip to the coffee shop (if the ship has one) or go to the buffet with a couple of Tervis cups.

We did have a small coffee machine in our balcony cabin on the Epic, but I didn't bring my coffee and grinder. I seriously doubt that we will ever have a suite or Haven cabin.

Thanks for the review! I'd love to see pictures of the ship if you have them!

Thanks for coming back and following up!

We went to Maya Chan last year so I am thinking about Blue Key this fall for a change. Do you have any pictures that you can share? I've seen Mitsugirly's pictures but always like to see more :D

Would you go back?

We have 5098 booked on the Star for the Nov, 15th sailing. It's basically the same area as 5596 above but on the starboard side. I've read reviews on that area and no one has complained of noise. I think the cabins on deck 4 would be fine, too since they have cabins above them and should be quiet as well.

Every morning we order 2 pots of coffee, a fruit plate and a sweet roll. Definitely not worth the upcharge.

That's pretty close to our morning order, too.

Seems like they are saying the food remains complimentary as always. But to bring it to your door, it's $4.95 or $7.95. Sort of like the pizza has always been.

 

Or Im wrong

That's how I read it, too.

That is incorrect. Some come to the door free some for $4.95 and some for $7.95. At least that is how it was explained to me

 

 

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That's not what the FAQ entry quoted above says...

Individual items on the menu remain available on a complimentary basis and a convenience charge will be added to each order placed. As we test and refine this new room service menu the convenience charge will be $7.95 on Norwegian Breakaway and $4.95 on board Norwegian Getaway.

It says that the items are free, but there is a "convenience charge" for them to bring them to your cabin, and it is different on the BA vs. GA.

Thanks, Pam! I'm looking forward to the pictures!

Take a cab to the Money Bar. Snorkel from shore. Is is the same place that many tours operators drop off the herds of people from their boats. After snorkeling, enjoy a cold beer and some great food. No charge to snorkel and the prices on food and beverages are very reasonable. They have lockers to rent to make your stuff secure while you're snorkeling. We will be going there again next month.

How crowded does it get when the tours show up, Sk8man? We did a tour with Tiger's Adventures and he leaves from The Money Bar and it looked nice, but I would rather not fight a bunch of people in the water.

I just gotta say the pictures you are posting are amazing. One of these days I want to learn how to post a picture. I notice your pictures come out big on my computer almost covering the whole screen. I've seen other posts where the pictures were small thumbnails.

Without hijacking :D Posting pictures is easy. Upload them to a photo hosting site like Photobucket and then copy the IMG Code for each picture on Photobucket and paste it into your post on here.

We are in our cabin to sleep and change clothes, so I would go for the ship, especially with kids.

I live here- do NOT stay in Brandon or Ybor. Stay close to International or West Shore! I would recommend a Hilton.

Why not Ybor or Brandon?

I'm not familiar with the Tampa area. Where is West Shore? Is there a particular Hilton property that you recommend?

Thanks craig-n-carol! We're on the Star in November so I subscribed to this thread!

Thank you for asking - you are welcome to use them. Enjoy your cruise - we are also Star lovers.... and Sun lovers and Getaway lovers :))

Thanks!

Went to Kelley Point Park where the Columbia and Willamette Rivers meet and watched the Star come in to Portland. It was a beautiful day - sunny and upper 50's. First, here is a picture of our beautiful Mt. Hood. Not as much snow as usual because we've (sorry) had a fairly dry and warm winter.

Great pictures! Do you mind if I use a couple of them as my background pictures on my computer? We're on the Star in November.

We ate at Cagney's three times we enjoyed it so much. Moderno was also very good. Le Bistro was just OK. My entree was very good but my wife's lasagna was dry and not very good. La Cucina was very disappointing. We were seating in the area under the Cirque show and the bangs and booms coming from above made it difficult to hold a conversation and our waiter was very rude.

I would think that the water from the in room maker would be hotter than water from room service, but, as you indicated, you don't have that as an option, so it sounds like dealing with room service hot water or taking the press to the buffet are you only options.

As far as bringing whole bean coffee, why not get a hand grinder? I carry an Aeropress, water kettle and hand grinder when I travel so I can have my home roast coffee. I haven't bothered with this on the ship since I can't bring the kettle and don't like coffee prepared with water less that 190 degrees. I haven't bothered to take the temp of water from room service, but I doubt it is much above 180, probably lower than that.

We're heading there in Mid November on the NCL Star. It will be interesting to see how it is. I'm wondering if it will be possible to get to Ambergris Caye from there.