DKane

We did a b2b on the Splendor a few years ago.  Different itinerary each week and we were able to stay in our cabin at the end of the first week, which was great.

The benefits are when you reach the end of your first week, boy does it feel good to not have to pack to go home.  Another thing is seeing different ports.  We don't travel for the shows, so seeing the same shows is no biggie to us.  And as for the menus, there is more than enough selections for two weeks.  The staff get to know you so it feels like old home week on the second leg.

At the end of the first week, those of us who were cruising again met in one of the lounges for a cocktail and appetizer party.  

I'm looking for another cruise to do this again.   Do it!  Do it!  And do it on a ship that appeals to everyone.

On 1/7/2020 at 12:22 PM, jp2746 said:

I was just speaking to my cousin who was in Nassau a few months ago.  She said that they put some eye cream on her eye and she said no thank you and walked away.  They were really mad and were giving her a hard time. However, the next day she woke up and one eye had visibly less wrinkles.  It lasted for a couple of days.  She is going to find out what the name of the product is for me.   I may be interested in that.  But... for both eyes so I don't look like a dork on the next day of the cruise looking 20 years old on one side of my face and 50 on the other side.  😉

 

Oh, it works temporarily and I hear Preparation H does the same thing.

On 4/25/2019 at 5:42 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

This is totally me. I’d move it and then dare them to question me about it. 

I have witnessed some really nasty confrontations, close to physical alteractions, when people have done this.  If you look like and are built like Dwayne Johson, I say go for it.

On 4/25/2019 at 7:33 PM, Arzeena said:

See above post ....that is the reply I get many times from the staff.

Never heard that response before.

I don't know why people do not complain to one of the staff  and tell them you want to use a lounger and to please remove items from chairs that are not being used.  If this is done enough, the hogs will get the message.

So sorry you experienced this.  We ate in Cagney's three times last month and every meal was an excellent one.  

We were in a Haven forward facing penthouse on the Gem last July.  It was an awesome experience.  I expected high winds but there were none due to the fact that the cabins are set back from the very front of the ship (the bow?).  The balcony was huge, about 112/114 sq. feet.  20 people could have stood on our balcony for a cocktail party.

The view was spectactular and the rattan deck loungers, with padding, were so comfortable.  We also had a table and two other rattan chairs for dining, or whatever.

We always check our bags.  We're on vacation and don't intend to schlep our bags around with us.  

This advisory goes out every year it seems right before the high season.  We just returned from Nassau and if you stay in areas that are full of tourists you'll be okay.

Just don't go venturing out by yourself at night.  Stay where the crowds are.  

We stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ridgefield Park, NJ.  This is our go to place when we sail from Manhattan.  Great deal!  

When we couldn't tender at GSC the captain made arrangement for our ship to dock in Nassau at 1pm and we did an overnight there.

21 hours ago, LittleRed27 said:

@Dkane thanks for the info 🙂 It sounds just like the vibe I am looking for. I don't mind other people so as long as I can get a chair, & I will definitely try the hammock, I love hammocks. I just realized the hotel is pet friendly? any issues with that? I would assume they aren't allowed on the beach or common areas? at least not without leash? 

Actually, I've never seen any pets there.  At least not on the beach or by the pool.

14 minutes ago, Marine Mom said:

Did you make the reservation through Resort for the Day?  Curious if that is legit.

 

14 minutes ago, Marine Mom said:

Did you make the reservation through Resort for the Day?  Curious if that is legit.

 

We didn't make one this year because I waited too late and they were sold out.  So, I called the hotel directly and they told me to come in and they would accommodate us.  

Last summer, I made a reservation through Resort for a Day and it only cost $2 more than going directly to the hotel.  It really is better making a reservation to go there though because you never know if they're topped out for any reason.

Yes, you should receive an offer.  We bid on our last two cruises, CAS offers, and won both bids.  But I do hear folks on CC say that everyone does not receive an offer to bid.  Don't know how true that is though.

On 7/19/2018 at 3:57 PM, pmcx68 said:

Hello

My wife has a starbucks gift card loaded with cash. Does anyone know if we can use that?

You cannot use your Starbucks gift card on the Escape but I don't know about the Bliss.  I met quite a few folks last week who purchased gift cards for themselves and were told they couldn't use them.  Land only, is what the ship's officer said.

4 hours ago, Oakman58 said:

When I logged into my NCL account to view my January cruise on the Epic I had an email notification.  What a shock when I opened the email and discovered that NCL has awarded me Platinum Plus Latitudes status AND they are giving me a complimentary upgrade for this cruise to a Haven Courtyard Penthouse from our balcony cabin.   Not only that, they are also giving my wife and I each a $200 onboard credit.  According to the email, they are doing this because of my cruise feedback and all of the positive reviews I have posted on Cruise Critic.  Woo Hoo!!  Has anyone else gotten this?

 

We noticed when we logged in that we have a free suite for life.

Hilton Garden Inn is what you're looking for.  

If you stand in the back of the ship on the Waterfront deck you will be able to see both sides of the river when sailing and yes, you will definitely see Lady Liberty.

On 3/22/2019 at 6:09 PM, smile145 said:

 

Thank you so much!   And do you call them when you get off the ship or do you arrange a time and place?  I assume it’s chaos finding a car when everyone is getting off in NY.

You call when you're ready to be picked up.  They always tell you to walk across the street and wait for them there but they always come and pick us up on the 2nd deck right in front of the ship.  We just came back yesterday from our cruise and it's still fresh in my mind.

We just returned from our cruise on Sunday and we stayed, as we do every year, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ridgefield Park, NJ.  When we originally booked, the cost of the hotel/services came to $328 (including tax).  I kept checking their website and noticed three weeks before sail date the price came down to $278 (including tax).  The cost to park at the pier is about $280.00.

The hotel never disappoints us.  It has been refurbished and has a very pleasant vibe.  

We just disembarked from the Escape on Sunday and we were so amazed how quickly we got off the ship.  

We were at the Melia last year.  It cost $50.00 for use of the premises, a towel, and a voucher for any size beverage at the Starbucks in the hotel lobby.  I can't report on the food but the drinks they were serving on the beach were the worst I ever had (at $13-15).  Literally left a bad taste in my mouth.  The frappuccino was excellent though.

As I just said in another post, I was pulled into one of their stores as well.  I smelled a rat before I even entered the building.  You can't let them play on your vanity.

As I said in other posts, we were there last week and I want to say steer clear of the Tresor Rare shops.  They are extremely pushy and rude while trying to get you to buy their products.  Before your trip, google them and read the reviews.  One person was duped into spending $7,500.00.  I was pulled into one of the shops and luckily I have enough street smarts to smell something rotten.

Don't let your vanity get the best of you because that's what they play to.

We were just there last week and we paid $80pp which includes use of the property, chairs, umbrellas, towels and a $40 food/beverage credit pp.  I believe Resort for a Day charges $82pp.