BurtonRiderT6

Typically I make sure I'm either, on a "new to me" ship, or stopping at ports I've never been to.

The biggest thing I like to consider is....do I have to wake up and go to work on either itinerary, if the answer is no then I'm happy with that one.

Has anyone rented a car through Alamo at Puerta Maya Pier and what was your experience with them? We could rent a car cheaper through Isis Rentadora or some of the other local agencies but my husband is an insurance agent and insists on full coverage, zero deductible insurance which the local agencies don't offer.

Personally, I would not rent from the locals. From my readings and research I've found this to be the average answer. Too many people get scammed. I just rented two jeeps through Alamo for my cruise October 2nd when we visit Cozumel on the 7th. They were $109 each with the "everything" insurance. I prefer to go with Alamo as they are a large brand that is not exclusive to Mexico. I've also read that the vehicles you rent from locals will have non working gauges, gas and speedo to be precise.

Last time I came to Roatan was in 2010. NCL docked at the Port of Roatan, I'm curious because I hear a lot of talk about Mahogany Bay. Is this the new pier for cruise ships or will I be docked at the Port of Roatan again?

It won't take them long to do it once on board. Last cruise our steward threw everything in a pillow case and put it under the bed. Not a very good hiding place since that's where we put our luggage after we unpack.

Wait...So Harvest Caye will not be treated like Great Stirrup Cay? Meaning you have to purchase food and drink on their newest private island?

 

In fairness, she did ask, "If NCL is freestyle, doesn't that relate to attire as well?". And yes, it certainly does, but it should not be assumed from that question that she feels she should be able to wear a bikini into the MDR

Whoa careful there, on some days we grab breakfast in the buffet just because we want a small breakfast. I'll never forget the furry man in the banana hammock that graced us with his presence while we were eating. The best part is he wasn't passing through, he was getting a plate of food practically in the nude. :eek::eek:

EDIT: I'm aware you said MDR but just a warning that you see all sorts at the buffet.

It's pretty easy clothing wise really. Bottoms I pack boardshorts (swim days), cargo shorts (all days), and a nice pair of jeans, rips/tears (cool windy nights/some restaurants). Tops I pack T-shirts, polo shirts, and maybe a few button up short sleeve shirts. Footwear I pack flip flops, sneakers, and a pair of nice Rockport shoes. Few hats and visors and the obvious undergarments. With the above you can eat anywhere and do everything on the ship. No need for slacks unless you want your boys to wear them.

If you're getting any drink package and others with you are not then DO NOT link the reservations. Otherwise they'll say that they need to get the drink package as well.

Pretty sure it has to completely generate its own lift all the time, under any conditions (except while crashing, of course).

 

/just sayin'

There are three basic flight conditions for a helicopter: hover, forward flight and the transition between the two.

Hover

Hovering is the most challenging part of flying a helicopter. This is because a helicopter generates its own gusty air while in a hover, which acts against the fuselage and flight control surfaces. The end result is constant control inputs and corrections by the pilot to keep the helicopter where it is required to be.[68] Despite the complexity of the task, the control inputs in a hover are simple. The cyclic is used to eliminate drift in the horizontal plane, that is to control forward and back, right and left. The collective is used to maintain altitude. The pedals are used to control nose direction or heading. It is the interaction of these controls that makes hovering so difficult, since an adjustment in any one control requires an adjustment of the other two, creating a cycle of constant correction.

Transition from hover to forward flight

As a helicopter moves from hover to forward flight it enters a state called translational lift which provides extra lift without increasing power. This state, most typically, occurs when the airspeed reaches approximately 16–24 knots, and may be necessary for a helicopter to obtain flight.

Forward flight

In forward flight a helicopter's flight controls behave more like those of a fixed-wing aircraft. Displacing the cyclic forward will cause the nose to pitch down, with a resultant increase in airspeed and loss of altitude. Aft cyclic will cause the nose to pitch up, slowing the helicopter and causing it to climb. Increasing collective (power) while maintaining a constant airspeed will induce a climb while decreasing collective will cause a descent. Coordinating these two inputs, down collective plus aft cyclic or up collective plus forward cyclic, will result in airspeed changes while maintaining a constant altitude. The pedals serve the same function in both a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, to maintain balanced flight. This is done by applying a pedal input in whichever direction is necessary to center the ball in the turn and bank indicator.

RESEARCH GOES A LONG WAY....."JUS SAYIN"

From my understanding it's actually easier for them to do all this while the ship is moving. At a stand still the ship will be rocking all over the place in a more unpredictable manner, and the "choppa" has to completely generate it's own lift. Moving gives the "choppa" more stability, hence having the ship move in a direction that is favorable to the winds for the "choppa". I read about it on video I watched on reddit a while back. It was an evac in some crazy seas, and a few USCG men chimed into the discussion and explained it all.

Also keep in mind that the perks now have the gratuities factored into the final cost not shown until the perk is selected. I booked my October 2016 cruise in March 2015 before those fees were added.

On our Epic cruise we were booked in an Inside Cabin (basic), I think it was our 5th cruise and we were silver or gold members. I called my PCC after the final payment about 30ish days out. We were upgraded from the Inside to a Family Balcony at no extra charge, sounds great right? We found out why it was at no charge. I work on military ships for a living.... I've never had to start on the STBD side and walk INBD, FWD, INBD to OUTBD, AFT, OUTBD, and AFT again to get to a PORT side space. It was the funkiest PWAY I've ever encountered. I'm really surprised we made it back after the Margarita tasting and the Ice bar.

That cruise we did find out the only time we really used the balcony was one time when we got to the ship a little early and decided to watch the pier runners. It may have been different if we had friends/family with us or on either side of us but we typically spend little time in our room.

Keep in mind those mixed drinks above $15 come in a souvenir cup, I'm sure you could get them in a non souvenir cup for a lower price.

So my brother is going on a cruise with me and the person he is bringing may or may not be able to go now. Final payment is due in July, if he goes solo the price should drop based on the taxes/promo gratuities/DSC for the other person, correct? Does he need to know prior to final payment?

Here's a thought.....

You get an email from Chili's (or some nationwide restaurant chain) offering you a free dinner for your birthday month. So you go and eat, order a water with your meal even though a soda is included. Server checks on you a few times during your meal, provides good service. They bring the check, $20. You give them the email birthday voucher and they bring back the tab saying $0. Do you get up and leave or do you tip for the service provided?

I think the same principle applies with NCL and charging gratuities.

Many, many years ago I had Irish coffee in a pub in Co Galway on Lough Corrib.

 

Scalding hot coffee is poured into a glass. The Jameson's is then carefully poured down the side of the tilted glass so it collects at the bottom. No cream or sugar is used.

 

A more complicated version involved moistening the glass and swirling some brown sugar so it sticks to the inside, high proof booze is then swirled and set on fire so the sugar melts & sticks to the glass, then you add the coffee etc as above.

 

My main beef with restaurants most places is that it or espresso are never served hot enough. Could often say the same for the food nowadays !

Being that the boiling point of alcohol is significantly less than that of water there is a reason you can't serve it but so hot. Otherwise the drink will lose it's potency.

Swedish Weave vs Norwegian Cruise Line: Neighbors at War

Sounds like a good documentary.

I just wish they'd include the specialty coffees in the package :( Ship water is just as good as bottled water, so I just bring a camel back with me off the ship. No real need for soda unless it's a mixer :D

Did they improve the room service menu or just start charging people for it?

Only food "items" in commercially sealed packages are allowed on or off the ship.

What TrumpyNor said. On our 2nd cruise, my fiance and I had to either stuff our face with some baked goods her friend made for my fiances birthday (birthday cruise) or throw them out. We took a bite and threw it out. They're very serious about bringing unsealed stuff on/off the ship. Same with produce.

I bring zip lock bags and make mini turkey and cheese sandwiches off the breakfast Bar. I have never had problems.

Never had any problems because you probably stuff it in a bag where no one can see it and since there is no X-ray going on when you leave the ship nothing is said. Just so you know, if you are ever caught you will be fined heavily.

So what is Harvest Caye going to be exactly? Is it going to be another Private Island exclusively for NCL just like Great Stirrup Cay?

According to the site they'll have an attendant on departure day manning each garage. We're going on a 10 day and driving from Va. It's either cram 4 adults and luggage into a mid-size SUV or take a 3500 full size pickup with a crew cab and tons of cabin space.

My question is how do they determine if your vehicle is over 20ft ($20 additional per night) or not? Anyone else drive a large vehicle and park it at the port?

I would assume they would not be included as someone can drink all cruise, do the math and get the UBP if its cheaper than their bar tab. Again I'm just guessing here.

SeaCookie94,

Stop watching movies such as, Titanic, Poseidon, The Perfect Storm, etc..

Going on a 10 day cruise on the Pearl in March. The last 10+ day cruise I went on was on the smaller ship Sun, in the sports bar everyday they had happy hour. It was a buy one get one. I was able to get a 12 pack of beer for the price of 5 since it was buy a bucket of 5 and get the 6th free then with the buy one get one hour doubled it. Is this still true or do they not do happy hour on the larger ships?