danfiveoh

Wife and I are in our mid 50s and have been cruising for over 30 years. Most of our cruises have been on NCL (fondly remember the Norway!) and we've cruised most of the other lines. IMHO NCL has unfortunately gone downhill over the past 5 years or so. We just returned from our 2nd cruise on the Epic (we've been on the other NCL ships, Jewel class are our favorites). The staffing levels are down and most of the staff clearly are not the cheerful enthusiastic folks we saw in past years. They are now tasked with more work than ever. They also don't have the same incentives they had to promote up that they had in the past. I spoke with 2 different crew members who related that NCL now hires people into positions from outside more often. That takes away the incentive to move up from busing tables to waiting tables in the MDR to waiting tables in the specialty restaurants to becoming a maitre d'. We've also noticed that while the cost of specialty dining has gone up, the quality and quantity has gone down. On this last cruise, Our steaks were not cooked as ordered in two different specialty restaurants. On one occasion, after I sent both of them back and one came back even more well done that the previous (I ordered medium). I asked to speak with the maitre d'. I was told he was in a meeting and was not available. Rather than send it back a 2nd time, I ate the steak. Aside from the specialty restaurants, there were often lines at the bars due to the fact that most only had one or two bartenders working. They were working very hard, but just had trouble keeping up. I know this sounds like a lot of whining, but with over 30 cruises, we miss the exceptional service that we had come to expect from NCL. I spoke with several other couples and the general consensus was that NCL service is declining while they continue to find ways to charge for everything they can think of. I'm gonna miss NCL but I've had enough.

I spoke with an NCL Rep about that exact situation and she indicated that when we get to the port we can ask the agent to print off new documents. Keep your luggage with you until you get the new documents!!!

That may not be practical, the porters usually take your luggage when you arrive. Trying to drag all of your luggage through the line would be a pain, but can be done. The porters have blank tags that they will write your new room number on.

It's been a few years since I was on the Epic but from what I remember, you get a helmet and harness for gear. There wasn't really a time limit but the staff encouraged folks that were stuck to come down so things moved pretty well. The lines really depended on the time of day. Sometimes there was no line, other times there was a wait.

Since NCL is paying the Belize Government for the right to develop it exclusively for NCL ships, it is highly unlikely that other excursions will be allowed. Too bad since there are some good people running private excursions in Belize. On the plus side, they will likely develop a nice beach area similar to Roatan and the Bahamas private island.

In my experience, you are likely to find much better rates within a couple weeks of your arrival. I've got an Alamo rental (one day) for the upcoming weekend and it went from close to $100 when I first started checking to $58 about 3 weeks out to $37 last week.

cruisett is a good site to check all of your ports.

If you have a Costco membership, check their rates. I got a full size car (Alamo) for 1 night FLL-MIA $38.00 total.

Been to both numerous times and have to agree with those recommending a beach day in GC and touring Jamaica.

You will want to take a taxi. Don't do a ship tour, too easy to get a cab and go to any number of great beaches close by, but too far to walk. Tons of info on these boards about the beaches, we typically don't do all inclusive, just rent a chair and and buy a few drinks.

Brings up a question I have; for those with priority tendering, do you get it when returning to the ship? I'm assuming no, but thought I'd ask anyway. :-)

nope.

We were on the Jewel in November and we were at the airport by 10am. We didn't do self walk off and waited for the first couple of groups to get off, so we probably could have been there by 9:30. Hobby is relatively easy to get through but I personally wouldn't book a flight before noon, just too many things that could cause you to miss your flight.

Correction, it does leave on Saturday (confused it with our upcoming cruise on Sunday). We saw very little traffic on Saturday. I've read posts stating that a taxi is around $60 so given the very small difference between that and super shuttle, I would just take a cab. The bus was not a great experience, everyone waiting in the bag claim area for close to an hour, then attempting to move as a group across traffic lanes to where to bus was parked, no real line just lots of people worried that we wouldn't fit on the bus. We all fit, then waited for more to arrive.

Also, I've taken super shuttle numerous times on cruises to and from the port and they've never made additional stops. I have also used them for hotel transportation, and in that case they normally do make several stops.

We are very experienced cruisers (30 years) and did what you are doing back in November. We normally fly in the day before but couldn't do it this trip. We arrived at 12:30, took the NCL shuttle but had to wait 45 minutes at the airport for the bus to fill. I threw a 6 pack of soda and a few bottles of water in our checked bags. At each port, I just picked up a couple bottles of soda, and I agree wtih Starry Eyes, the ships water is good so we refilled bottles. Traffic shouldn't be an issue on a Sunday (there was very little when we went) and if I were doing it again, I would take super shuttle or a cab. Here is what I wrote just after we returned:

November 9th, 2014, 11:25 AM

We just returned yesterday. We did an NCL transfer to the ship (same port as Princess) for $35 each. I figured I would play it by ear for the return so didn't book anything in advance. Upon return, there was a long line of cabs and super shuttle "blue vans" lined up. I figured the super shuttle would be cheaper than a cab (when I checked on line, cab rates ranged from $50-$70). I walked up to the first blue van in the long line of vans and asked if he was going to hobby. He said yes and the rate was $23.50 per person. We jumped in and were on our way in about 10 minutes. Others in the van had pre-booked so I'm sure it is cheaper if you pre-pay. The driver said that super shuttle has a desk at Hobby so in hindsight, it would have been better to pre-book transport both ways through super shuttle. Our flight was at 1:20. We were at the airport by 10:00.

Yes, when checking rentals use the MIA location. As John said, there are companies that run buses to/from POM. If you find a better deal from a company that doesn't shuttle, just figure the extra $25 to get you to MIA by cab. Depending on traffic (not an issue on the weekend) you are looking at about 40-45 minute drive to FLL. Sorry, can't help with the mall location.

It's about a 40 minute ride depending on traffic and where you are in Fort Lauderdale. We have also used SAS several times and they were great. With 10 of you, it might be a good idea to check into renting a van. That way you have transportation the night before for dinner and shopping. There are several rental companies that provide a free shuttle from MIA to POM. There is also no additional charge for picking up in FLL and dropping in MIA. We've done this several times and are doing it again in a few weeks.

I had a reservation there for just one night and had convinced myself it wouldn't be that bad, despite the reviews. Then I got on google earth and viewed the area. That was enough to convince me to cancel.

Hello, We are taking our first family cruise. Our stops are Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I am so excited to finally get to see the Caribbean, but nervous about our ports. I know if I book an excursion through the ship, we will be safe...but at the Montego Bay port, I want to go see the Blue Hole. My concern is our safety & time.

 

Being that the cruise doesn't have any excursions that include a Blue Hole tour, we have to find outside guides. I have found 2 that have very high reviews on trip advisor, but I am still concerned about our travels to and from the Blue Hole...The traffic (not making it back to the ship in time) The safety of traveling outside the tourist areas (random islanders, not the tour guide) and the safety of walking through the tropical terrain (spiders, snakes, gators) Please don't think I'm being judgmental against Jamaica, but I am a mother and can't help but to question rumors about violence & safety in the area.

 

Is the Blue Hole a place that is just out in the middle of nowhere, or is it a park where you pay to get in, with employees?

 

I also have heard that the road to get there is a bit dangerous too. I am traveling with my husband and 2 teens. I would love to hear your opinions, experiences and advice.

 

Also, If you can think of any excursions that you recommend (or don't recommend) in Grand Cayman & Cozumel I would love to hear that too. We are looking at Grand Cayman or Cozumel to just do a "beach day" at a resort with the best views and activities for my teens. Not wanting to spend more than $200 for all of us for this excursion. We were considering Paradise Beach...but would love to hear others that you recommend.

 

Lastly, if you have any advice or warnings about any dangers or things "not to do" please let me know. You can call me a paranoid person...but that's okay. I am not use to being this far away from home. We have never even traveled by plane..so this will be a first for us also.

 

I'm open to any advice, suggestions and opinions you can give on any of these topics! Thank you!

I'll try to address most of your questions. We've been cruising for nearly 30 years and have been to all 3 ports many times. IMHO Jamaica is the most likely place in the Caribbean to have an issue. Most locals on any island know that if they mess with cruise passengers, the Police will come down hard on them (lots of money involved) but Jamaica has lots of very aggressive "vendors" , some that will try to sell you and your teens drugs. Since this is your first cruise, and likely not your last (they are addictive) I would do a ships excursion in Jamaica (costs more and doesn't go to Blue Hole but piece of mind is probably worth it) then do a local tour next time when you are more comfortable. Grand Cayman and Cozumel are both very safe and very easy to do on your own. Caymen has 7-mile beach which is easy and cheap to get to by local bus or taxi (lots of info on the Caymen board). Paradise beach is a very good choice in Cozumel because of the decent beach, pool and water toys that your teens will enjoy.

Super Shuttle is the cheapest. I made the mistake of taking the NCL transport to the port. Glad I didn't book the return. Jumped in a blue super shuttle van when we got off the ship. It was cheaper and much faster. The driver told me that you can reserve on-line ahead of time or there is a desk at Hobby where you can walk up and purchase.

Hopefully someone with more recent experience can comment but we were on Turtle Beach about 5 years ago and rented chairs with a waiter that brought us drinks on the beach.

This just happened to me, again. First time was about 2 years ago. This time, I have a cruise booked, all docs show my "old" Lat number (just cruised in November on that number). When I logged into my NCL to check on a cruise we are taking in a couple of weeks, instead of Platinum, I was "past guest" with a new Lat number. I called and spoke to a nice rep with NCL who said it "happens all the time" and that all she could do is e-mail because there is no number to call. I waited a day, called back and vented a bit to a different NCL rep. She got a supervisor involved and had my Platinum statues restored in about 5 minutes (under the new number). Still doesn't show past cruises but all I cared about was being Platinum for the upcoming cruise.

NCL really needs to get their act together. I have had various levels of past guest numbers with most of the other lines and not one of them has ever messed up past cruises or status.

yes you can do it either direction. Most web sites auto select "return to same location" Most of the time, there is a box to un-check, that will open another line to add the drop location.

We've used SAS several times with no issues at all. Very good service.

I'm not sure if the Emerald goes out of Galveston or the Port of Houston but if it is the Port of Houston, there is absolutely nothing near the port (other than industrial). I would call the Marriott and ask about stores near the hotel. Also, if you haven't finalized your flights yet, Hobby is closer to the ports than IAH. We've flown into both for cruises out of Galveston and the port of Houston.

To rent a car FLL to FLL is defiantly cheapper. I don't mind $15 per person for the 45+ minute shuttle to POM.

Do you know how far the shuttle pick up stop from the car rentals?

Check several different rental companies. I was able to get a FLL - MIA rental for the same price as FLL - FLL with Alamo.

We were on the Jewel in November and if I remember correctly, there was also additional Texas tax added on while in Texas waters.