C&F

Great review, thanks. We board in 4 weeks!

I love both lines, but NCL for young adults hands down. We cruise with a large group and create our fun on Celebrity, but entertainment on NCL is top notch.

I totally agree about the music situation on Celebrity. I think Vibes was on our Reflection cruise last April. As a musician in a similar type band, I thought they had potential, but never hit a stride. I totally agree about the Pink Floyd!! I may even like some Floyd, but it NOT cruise pool deck type music. NCL has great bands and may be swaying me over there for that reason!

Glad you enjoyed your cruise and thanks for the review!

Not sure what NCL offers, but on Celebrity, the excursion was basically a ferry to the island and then we got an open air bus on our own. We agreed on a time to be picked up. It was very easy and relaxed. I think it was only $40. If NCL offers something similar, it's a good deal.

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Ocean Sky Hotel and Resort for $150 plus tax ($181) for The Saturday of the first weekend in April. 3 or 3.5 star, depending on which site says what. Right on the beach. I'm happy.

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Many have shuttles to the port and are fairly close.

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On our last few cruises we didn't get the info about when it was. Some friends did and some didn't. Kind of strange.

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I've gone on the Summit during spring break a few times. This is really a peak week and I've always seen lots of loungers available. If more kids are onboard, I'd imagine adults attached to those kids are with them by the pool. It can get crowded in the solarium, but not like the outside pools.

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Great review, Chris! Maybe I'll get around to writing one!

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Sounds like a good plan. Passport Bar is the starting point!

 

Thank you :D

 

Donna

Let us know your final route! Sounds fun! Gonna try one on Reflection in 2 weeks.

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Great review! Looking forward to my cruise in 3 weeks!

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Thanks folks!

 

 

 

jenniebnyc, I did in fact plan to take all sorts of pics but I soon decided I was going to just enjoy the cruise and rely on my mind's camera to capture the memories. I barely remember my first Stones concert in 1978 cuz I was too busy taking 140 odd photos. :rolleyes:

I used to take my camera to so many concerts! After a few in the front row, I realized I was snapping too many pics and not taking in the moment enough. Now I just enjoy it for what it is at the moment! Same with cruises now' I'll take a few scenic shots, but that's it.

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2 years ago I got the Intercontinental for only $100 through Priceline. From my recollection, however, they did NOT offer a shuttle to the port. We took a cab.

This year I got the B2 Hotel in downtown Miami for $100 through Priceline and they offer a shuttle for $6 pp. Good luck!

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Downtown Miami is near Bayside Marketplace, which is essentially an outdoor mall. We stayed at Intercontinental 2 years ago and it was a short pleasant walk through a park. This year we are at B2 Hotel, right across the street from it. Got both places on Priceline for $100.

As an above poster mentioned, stores open later on Sundays.

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B2 Hotel in Downtown Miami, 2 rooms, $100 each through Priceline. I'm very happy.

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Thanks for all the responses! Our bet is to lose 40 pounds BY the cruise starting January 1st. After the weigh in, I intend to eat, drink, drink some more, drink yet again, and be merry. I have well over those 40 pounds to lose, but this was a great motivation to get a head start BEFORE the cruise. Once the cruise is over, I will continue on towards my next goal. So far, I'm doing very well. I haven't seen or heard about my friend's progress. While I wish him well and hope for his success, I do NOT want to be wearing the tiny shorts, sparkly tank top, and fuzzy wig!! All this snow shoveling in NYC has been a tremendous workout EVERY DAY!!

Be well,

Freddie

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There was last Nov.

Glad to hear it, thanks!

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Does anyone know if there's a scale on the Reflection? A friend and I have a bet going about who can lose more weight by our cruise. We are hoping to weigh in as soon as we board. Loser dresses like Richard Simmons for Sail away party. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Freddie

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Our last 4 or 5 cruises have been on Celebrity and we love the line for many reasons. That being said, if it were just my wife and I, I'd pick NCL. We usually travel with a large group. We have a blast and provide our own entertainment. This is a good thing, as Celebrity's entertainment is quite lacking. If you're not into the production shows, you might catch a few minutes if a band or maybe a DJ for an hour or so. Other than that, it's kind of dead pretty early on Celebrity.

We were faced with the same predicament as you a few years back. We had sailed on Summit in early spring with people, but were going as a couple in summer. I booked the NCL Gem as I knew we'd want some livelier entertainment being that our gang of misfits would not be along for the ride. Entertainment on NCL is miles ahead of Celebrity. Everything else, we enjoyed about both lines about equally. Celebrity has the better beverage package also.

Either way, you will have a great cruise. Both lines are great, but different in some areas.

Enjoy.

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Great videos! Thanks for sharing!

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I guess some passengers would say 15% is way to much. Didn't intend to open another "tipping" debate here on this thread, but lets just say some of us like to make sure those individuals who serve you well get to receive just compensation above 15%. Works for me.

I'm with you. I often throw a few extra bucks as well. I totally empathize with how hard these folks work. It's very customary to leave large tips in pubs/bars here in NYC, and I transfer that to the ships as well. If it keeps my face fresh in the the bartender's head, no harm no foul.

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So here are my cruise experience expectations for my June 2014 Reflection Med cruise.

 

1. Cold Beer

2. Daily spot at the Mast Bar and cold beer

3. Good food in Blu. Just bring me a steak or seafood and cold beer and a glass of wine.

4. A spot in the smoking area of the Mast Bar for an occasional cigar and cold beer or glass of scotch.

5. A regular spot at the Mast bar for cold beer and a good hamburger

6. A regular spot at the pool bar and cold beer

7. Nice comfy bead with a working shower and cold beer

8. Spot at Michaels and cold foo-foo beer.

9. Coffee early in the AM followed by an Bloody Mary then cold beer.

 

If X can deliver on these marks I'll be living the dream for 11 nights this summer. Are my expectations for X to high?

Hysterical! Love it! And fully agree!

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Do they offer a shuttle from the Miami airport to the hotel, if not what is the cab fare,

The cab fare from airport to IC was about $30 if I remember correctly. I don't think they offered a shuttle from airport, but I remember that they do NOT offer a shuttle to the port.

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Love hearing this about the Intercontinental! We're staying there this time , last cruise we stayed at the Holiday Inn, it was nice, but we wanted to try someplace different.

We stayed at IC 2 years ago and loved it. We walked to Bayside and had dinner at a nice place in the Marketplace. Then we found a outdoor balcony type area at the hotel and gathered with our friends there and shared a 12 pack of beer from CVS down the street.

If you get there early in the day, check out the pool area and their Tiki type bar. Very cool.

The morning of embarkation I went to the cvs and got all of our toiletries for the cruise. It's a very convenient area. Cvs also has wine if you're interested.

The cab ride was about 5 minutes to the port. I forget the price, but I believe it was around $20. Enjoy and have a great cruise!

Cheers,

Freddie

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Last year on the Summit, my wife was able to get any martini from the menu with the classic package, but they were smaller. Not a problem at all as they would gladly refill her glass quickly.

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