gunther619

Thank you for this thread. I'm trying to get a "cruise crew" together for May/June or 2019 (I know the itin. isn't out yet). I feel like the Escape is a no brainer, but sister had been on the Dawn is being very stubborn about trying a bigger ship. Everyone else wants to do the Escape. That said, I made a comparison sheet and still I keep coming up with the Escape. We would be traveling with small children, so the bigger ship would be better for kids.

-Because the Dawn goes Friday to Friday, I would need to take an additional vacation day (6 days total)

- Dawn is closer to us by 2 hours, so that's the only perk I'm seeing.

- Based on 2018 prices, the Escape has cheaper balcony cabins. When I add in the cost of the longer shuttle to NYC, it's still cheaper overall.

- Another con for the dawn was that the balcony cabins only accommodate up to 3 people. For a family of 4 you would have to get an outside cabin or pay the higher rate for a mini suite.

 

It's just looks like the Escape is the obvious choice

I'm happy to find out I can get a drinks for my friends (that have the UPB) if I bring their card.

 

I find it very interesting how many people get all "but why should I tip extra?". No one said you had to, it's just a nice thing to do.

 

As a former bartender, it's much appreciated. Think of it like this...you go to a bar and always leave $.50 per beer. Only you go somewhere and your bartender is great, you see him or her handing out drinks at the speed of light and is still smiling, so instead you leave $1.00 per beer.

Pub Crawl sounds genius....I'm totally making a list to hand out to my crew :-)

 

So if we have more than six people, there's really no way to smuggle them into the cabana?

 

I was wondering this myself. I rented a cabana for my group of 10. Not at all trying to abuse it, but a few years ago, we rented a cabana at Half Moon Cay (Carnival) and I also had a large group then, but some of us went off and did some excursions while some stayed back and were in the water. The cabana was more of the meeting/chill spot and a place to drop our bags when we went in the water. I'm curious if there is an up charge. I think it would be a waste to get 2 cabanas, cause we typically don't hang out IN the cabana, but mostly outside of it. I'm just assuming only 6 people will get the golf cart ride...

Hi, I'm in the same boat, kind of. I would rather pay a bit more to NOT bring a car seat.

 

If you're coming straight from the airport, I would get a private shuttle to the pier that offers carseats.

 

My issue is, we have private shuttles for my group of 11 to and from the airport, but I don't have a shuttle from my hotel to the pier and its only 2 miles away. My plan was to have the rest uber and we'll (myself, husband and 3 year old) have to pay a little more ...but I don't even know who would offer this service for such a short drive.

Stupid question...but would be allowed to take a sandwich off the boat?

 

If I have to walk to a restaurant to eat, I'd rather just walk a little more and go on board for a free bite to eat and head back to the beach.

I thought the current promo gives you beverage and dining package for free. I'll be going on the Getaway for 7 nights and am receiving a 4 day dining package. I'm excited to try all the food, including the "free" stuff.

I was wondering the same thing for my cruise in March. I see the same excursions posted above on the site, but nothing about the cabanas.

 

$400+ for a SMALL cabana?!:eek: Yikes. I was hoping that would be the price for a large one...might have to rethink this.

Thank you! I will google that and check it out! I, too, am sailing there January 2017----on January 15. After 2 days of rainy, cold days here in Buffalo, NY, I am ready to cruise NOW!! Lol!

 

I'm going on the getaway in March 2017. I've been trying to keeps tabs on Harvest Caye. I read on here that their trying to make the island kind of like Grand Turk. Where you have to pay for everything ...doesn't make any sense to me. Cruise private islands (Half moon Cay + Labadee) are usually all inclusive where they offer a buffet and drinks can be charged to your room...or free if you have the UBP. If you search, there's a thread somewhere on here that has all the rumor. It's really just that, until NCL puts the info out there.

 

OP - Awesome Review! I'm really enjoying it

There is an amazing lobster roll at the take out counter of Ocean Blue that you can get at lunch time on seas days( 12pm-2pm) .

 

Very delicious . There is a $10 charge but it is totally worth it.

 

You'll see a lot of the ship's officers eating here. This venue is a "do not miss" for us.

 

 

I love lobster, but I'm from Massachusetts so I have high lobster standards...anyone from New England say these lobster rolls are just as good??? ;-)

I don't know why, but I'm looking at all these places and seeing $220-$300+. And I'm looking at AAA and military discounts ....They're all very expensive! Maybe because I'm looking at March 2017?

I'm cruising with my 3 year old this spring so this information was really helpful to me. I really like the tip about the child eating their food while you eat your app and then bringing them up to the club.

I'm going to follow along here, because I will have a 3 year old with me and I'm curious about transportation because I don't want to lug the car seat with me.

 

I was thinking of staying in Miami and walking to the port (while everyone grabs a taxi with luggage) but on another post people said it didn't look so safe, so that's out of the question. I'm not so worried about the 30 minute shuttle...there are many who will provide car seats, but more so worried about the quick 5 minute ride from FLL airport to FLL hotel or miami hotel to port.

Bookmarking!

 

...Has anyone actually ever ziplined with a small child? Didn't realize they did that :eek:

Following! Great start! Can't wait to read more!

I have not been on any of these ships, so I guess I'm probably not as helpful as others...BUT I just booked the getaway. I was trying to decide between an oasis class ship, freedom of the seas and the Getaway. I have been eyeing these cruises for a while, and had a spread sheet with all the prices. At the end of the day we went with the Getaway. It was much less in price and also included a lot more. From what I've read, the children programs were similar too....and hey, it's a brand new ship :-)

I prices have been climbing. I say them when they were super cheap and now I'm kicking myself in the ass. I'm hoping when they release the May 2017 dates, I can catch a break :confused:

Freezing Lobster should be a sin :eek:

Thanks all. All these drink packages lead me to believe there was almost nothing for free...but she'll be good with the free stuff.

[quote name='Havingfun2010']However, if you want to load them up with sugar and caffeine, you can purchase a "child's" package for $4.00 a day.[/quote]

LOL That doesn't sound like a fun to me :D...I'm trying to tire her out so she sleeps like an angel!!!:p

I have a legit sharing question.

If I got the replenish package, would I be able to share with my 3 year old. I would never get her a package for soda, just hopeing to give her a lemonaid or some juice in the morning. She usually drinks water, and maybe something a little extra throughout the day.

Also, What drinks are free on board? Is milk included?

I'm in the same boat (no pun intented). My DD is 18 months and I'm planning on going on the Harmony in Spring 2017. I think this will be great, cause she'll be 3 and able to use the kids club. I'm leaning more towards booking early so I can get all the price drops, if any.

 

Not that I plan on cancelling, but life happens. What if for any reason, I can't go last minute? Do I lose all my money. I'm wonding if I should pay vacation insurance, since it's so far in advance.

I'm new to RCI and have decided to book on the Harmony for spring 2017. I would book now, but I have a potential group of 8 rooms or more and am waiting for everyone to commit to going(or not). Do the prices for new ships usually stay low for a while or do they typically jack up the prices? My original plan was to book in November, but now I'm not so sure.

 

This ship looks like a lot of fun. I can't wait to sail :-)

I'm just curious why everyone is highly suggesting a TA? I'm just now getting a group together for the Harmony of the Seas in Spring 2017.

 

I spoke to someone at RC and they also offer the free person (per each 8 cabins), automatic OBC for each room booked and will inform us of all price reductions and additional OBC...which I plan on watching myself, anyways. They also said they reserve the rooms and everyone can call in seperately to put down the deposit and select their room. I guess I'm just confused as to why people would be handleing all the money if all guests can book themselves under the group ID...?

Awesome Review. Short, sweet and to the point. I've only done a couple carnival cruises and was just starting to look into going on the Harmony of the Seas - Western Caribbean cruise. The information in your review was very helpful :-)

I think I got a DoD in the monkey head?....but maybe I had too many beverages to remember :o