gamecockinnc

Thank you to all who took time to reply.....I am still conflicted but hopefully we can figure it out within the next 24 hours.

Thank you for your replies. We have been on the FOS and they did love it!!!

Bear3412, I agree with your choices and the port is another consideration. If sail in the FOS we can drive down from eastern NC. But if we sail out of FLL or MIA that will be around 830 miles and I honestly don't think I am up to that taking them on my own but also needing this cruise to try and relax without my littlest guy.......though I will miss him so much!

Thank you for your quick responses. We are definitely fans of free style dining and not traditional dining.

Is there a charge for the hard/scooped ice cream?

Having growing boys that eat everything they like to have snacks aka ice cream cones at odd hours. Is the ice cream only available during set hours like lunch or dinner?

Being fans of anytime dining (free style) our schedules are much different than being at home so the need to have a snack is vital. And I don't want to be small charges to add up.

Hi,

I am trying to plan a last minute spring break cruise for April. Sailing will be myself, our oldest son (soon to be 16) and our middle son who is 12.

Having sailed on the CCL. Breeze in October I am leaning toward it or the CCL Conquest. In addition the past cruiser rates make the price affordable considering how much air fare is the week of Easter.

My husband and I sailed on the CCL Breeze in October and it was nice. But how would my boys like the Conquest? Several years ago we cruised on the on the Glory and the Freedom.

My sons have looked up the NCL Getaway and think it looks "fun" with its water slides and sports complex. But we have never sailed Norwegian before and I have been told they nickel and dime you.

In addition to the Carnival cruises I listed above we are also looking into the NCL Getaway and RCI FOS, RCI Oasis and the RCI Independence of the Seas.

This cruise is soon......7 weeks so I am trying to budget for airfare and excursions. We also like that Carnival provides free beverages (lemonade, juices) and has free soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt. This is meant to be a laid back cruise just myself and our 2 eldest son while our toddler stays with Nana and my husband has to work.

Please be honest. I do not favor one cruise line over another and need to book our cruise ASAP. But I will admit that going with Carnival is the more "comfortable" decision since we have cruised with them so many times.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

TA

Hi,

I am trying to plan a last minute spring break cruise for April. Sailing will be myself, our oldest son (soon to be 16) and our middle son who is 12.

We are considering the NCL Getaway but have never sailed Norwegian before. I have been told they nickel and dime you. We are trying to decide between the NCL Getaway and RCI FOS and RCI Oasis and maybe the RCI a Indepence? Possibly CCL Conquest or CCL. Breeze.

We have sailed on the FOS before. But I can't recall what beverages

What can we expect on NCL in regards to beverages. Meaning lemonade, punch etc. Are any beverages free? We normally don't drink soft drinks but I wasn't sure if NCL or RCI provides juices, lemonade, punch etc. free as Carnival does?

The same questions about self serve soft ice cream and frozen serve yogurt.

Is there a charge for room service?

Having never sailed NCL I am worried because I have heard they nickel and dime you. But the boys like the "look" of NCL Getaway. This is meant to be a laid back cruise just myself and our 2 eldest son while our toddler stays with Nana and my husband has to work.

Please be honest. I do not favor one cruise line over another and need to book our cruise ASAP.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

TA

Hi,

I am trying to plan a last minute spring break cruise for April. We are experienced cruisers but have never sailed on Norwegian. Sailing will be myself, our oldest son (soon to be 16) and our middle son who is 12.

We are trying to decide between the NCL Getaway and RCI FOS and RCI Oasis. Possibly CCL Conquest or CCL. Breeze.

What can we expect on NCL in regards to beverages. Meaning lemonade, punch etc. Are any beverages free? We normally don't drink soft drinks but I wasn't sure if NCL provides lemonade, punch etc. free as. Carnival does?

(I did find the following on NCL website:

Iced Tea, some juices in the buffet (for breakfast), regular coffee, tea and ice water)

The same questions about self serve soft ice cream and yogurt?

Is there a charge for room service?

I have read and have book marked the restaurants that are free but I have also read that there is a $12 for the buffet?

I am pretty confused at this point. This is meant to be a laid back cruise just myself and our 2 eldest son while our toddler stays with Nana and my husband has to work.

Please be honest. I do not favor one cruise line over another but having never sailed NCL I have a lot of questions and I need to book this cruise today.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

TA

Yes I believe if you have knee problems you can manage. But there are stairs off of the back of the catamaran the you go down and up to access the water and tiny beach.

I am glad someone else mentioned the rum punch on the See Antigua by Sea and the "over drinking issue". We went on this excursion last September and the catamaran was excellent. The crew was good. The food ok. Snorkeling not so much. And the little beach they anchor at is tiny with no facilities. But to swim or cool off the water was calm and pretty. But what made it awesome was the the circumnavigates of Antigua. That long ride to the snorkeling spot and tiny beach was well worth it.

But the rum punch and drinking was out of control. I can't drink because of a medical problem. My husband is a big guy and only drinks beer had the rum punch and we both could tell it effected him so he switched to water.

The worst part of this excursion were those who over indulged and or didn't realize how strong the rum punch was. They started throwing up all over. They were making out with each other and not always their partner. It was crazy. A seen from a spring break video.

I will say this was a mid September cruise and most of the people on our cruise were adults, groups of adults and couples. There were a lot of people who were very upset with the drinking and out of control party. We did manage to ignore the main party group and we took over one side on the front catamaran and turned our backs to the puking, making out and strip tease shows. Our "side" managed to have a lovely time by ignoring those who were out of control.

Did it ruin the excursion, no. But it put a damper on it.

We are doing the same itinerary in October on the CCL Breeze and I believe I may book the Lobster and Champagne excursion though I don't eat lobster or drink champagne because I am worried about the same thing that happened last year. It may be a fluke meaning the punch is so strong it catches people off guard but in the event it isn't I am worried to book it again through that ride in the catamaran was so scenic and beautiful.

Any thoughts or has anyone done both?

Thanks,

TA

Oh, I forgot a roll of quarters too! Most of these material items can be bought at a Dollar Store ie clothes pins, little flash lights etc. even organizers and room freshners.

Pump hand sanitizer

Pump anti bacterial soap

Mini hand sanitzers

Clothes pins for hanging things to dry in the bathroom and balcony and they won't blow off.

Stick Up's or Renuzits usually 2 one first of the week and one for mid week.

Kitchen drawstring trash bags

Ziplock bags

Fill a travel bottle with liquid laundry detergent

Tide stain stick

Sometimes a travel bottle with liquid dish soap to wash out soda cups etc. (RCI and DCL)

Ear plugs

Little flash lights and extra batteries

Depending on the ship little travel alarm clock

Small Collapsible cooler

If traveling with a group I take scotch tape to tape notes to doors

I always take a pad of paper and sharpie too leave notes for family or my husband in our cabin.