hladygirl

Why not? It sounds like a good idea to me. Having two bathrooms would be nice.

Last year I booked last minute (4 days before) on the Gem Boston to Bermuda 4/26. I was watching the prices drop for weeks. They dropped the solo supplement and came down to $250pp. After using 1 cruise next cert someone gifted me I ended up paying $260 total including gratuity. There were a lot of last minute solo cruisers. The only bummer part of going that time of year is the 1st and last sea days are very cold and the water in Bermuda is too cold to swim but other than that the weather was great. 

The pool in the spa is 3-4 ft deep. Not very long. The main pool is 5-6 feet deep depending on which end your on. These are just guestamations.

Don’t worry everyone! The biggest sale of the decade will probably extend again in 5 hours.

We usually go to the MDR as soon as it opens. Usually 1 hour total then plenty of time for game shows, theatre shows and casino.

55 minutes ago, MaryZ said:

Since you were assigned this room (I'm guessing you booked a guarantee) you don't get to change it with NCL unless you pay to upgrade.
 

That was my issue. No choice otherwise would have changed it. Traveled in one of those cabins by choice and regretted it. Live and learn. Booked my first ever guarantee cabin and gone assigned cabin in same area. That time is was more forward and a 100% worse.

2 hours ago, Cleo1611 said:

OMG really? here's a picture of the front of Encore -- hard to believe waves would be 'crashing' that high up in the Carib -- unless there's a hurricane I guess... our room is beside the bumpout in the middle, hard to see but...

 

 

r

Omg, yes really. Been in that location during rough seas. Not fun. Standing in the room during rough seas was dangerous. Could not even try to take a shower when seas were rough. I am not talking about little waves. Trust me the front is horribly rocky in rough seas.

Under the French restaurant.

1 hour ago, Travelling2Some said:

I'm glad the cabin stewards don't have to make them and I'm also glad I don't have to find a place to put them anymore.  I used to line them up on the back of the sofa cause I didn't want the steward to think his cute creations were unappreciated.  But, truthfully I never cared one way or the other about towel animals and I don't think I ever took a picture of one either.  I keep my cabin neat myself so all want is ice in the ice bucket twice a day.

You will have to ask for that ice bucket now.

Should be okay unless you hit rough seas. The front ( not forward) cabins can get really rocking and loud in rough seas. The sound of the waves crashing on the hull will be loud and scary. I would not recommend front cabins on deck 9 to anyone.

I don’t miss the towel animals so much but I do miss the old cruise experience. I miss the days ( I am talking a few years ago) when on Ncl there was a beach towel waiting for me and replaced by steward, ice bucket that was always filled, coffee maker available in my cabin, room service for free, my steward getting to know us the first day and never having to get up from my deck chair for a drink. My last 4-5 cruises drink service on the pool deck was almost nonexistent. I miss the servers knowing my name and drink preference. Cruising on NCL has lost the way they made their customers feel special while on vacation. I still love NCL but the experience has definitely gone from incredible to okay.

Last April I saw a 7 night cruise to Bermuda last minute. 4 days prior to sailing they dropped the solo supplement and were offering this cruise at unbelievably low prices. I looked at my husband of 35 years and said “I am going on a cruise by myself Friday”. He said “Go for it”. That was my first solo cruise. I thought at first I must be crazy. I had the best time doing or not doing whatever I wanted. I found out I am fine eating by myself but also can easily make friends on my own and join them. Went exploring Bermuda on my own each day and loved it. Went to bed early or late. Enjoyed the lazy days reading or sitting in a hot tub. Ate or did not eat when I wanted to. I would highly recommend that everyone try a solo vacation once. Sooo relaxing.

This is not always an issue with the steward. More likely an issue with NCL cutting back on room stewards and giving them too many cabins to attend to in a reasonable time. I went on my first cruise on NCL on the spirit in 2009. We had a housekeeper and steward. They were great. Next cruise NCL spirit 2010. Never saw the room steward. No housekeeper. Towels not replaced at times. Cabin not made up or turned down at times. Completely different experience since 2009 until now.

3 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Sounds good, but I’m just wondering what NCL would do if they need to redeploy the Spirit to a more family friendly market. Take for example the threat of the coronavirus in Asia or the ban on Cuba cruises. If a cruise line needs to scramble to redeploy a ship, not having certain facilities may make it harder to find a new home for them. 

They can bring it to the Boston! I know plenty of friends who would be thrilled with a 2 week cruise to the Caribbean without kids. LOL!

The cups are small. Bring your own. I always bring a large travel mug for coffee.

In Cozumel I would suggest Nachi cocum beach club. Google it and see if they have any reservations available for your day. Never crowded. Good beach, pool and swim up bar. Quiet and relaxing. Very reasonable price. Easy to get a taxi there $17 upto 4 passengers.

I wish they would move the spirit back to the US. Would love a small ship that does not encourage children to join. I love kids but not on my cruise filling the pools and hot tubs. We sailed on her for 15 night repo cruise Boston to New Orleans in 2010 and absolutely loved it. Best cruise so far out of our 10 with NCL. 

We were their twice years ago. We had a good time each day. Yes it can get a bit crowded. Food and drink were okay. There are little bay areas to swim. The breezes were beautiful. Would I go there again.? Probably not but definitely enjoyed it.

NCL Joy is on a 16 night Panama Canal cruise. They left on 1/17. I have friends onboard. They have had 3 emergency medical evacuations already. Hope all are well.

Book as soon as you get on the ship. Most times it will be available.

The concierge family insides are huge with two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Tons of storage. It also has a sitting and dining area with a virtual wall that shows real-time outdoor scene. It also includes all the perks. If it is affordable I would book this cabin for a family of 5.

19 minutes ago, k-cat said:

Sailed on the Gem October 2019 twenty of us from Boston to the Caribbean and returned to Boston.  We loved it.  Ncl moved the Gem back to New York.  Does anyone know if NCL plans to bring the Gem or another ship here for roundtrip Boston to Caribbean cruises. As of now just Bermuda cruises and canadian cruises.

We did this same cruise 2018 on the Dawn. It was great leaving and ending from Boston. Hope NCL schedules more in the future. Boston needs more options than Bermuda and Canada.

I would like to know also. Have friends onboard.

All of those sound great. I always bring a large travel coffee mug. It is amazing how many people don’t and stop to ask me where I got it. It beats those tiny cups in buffet.

7 hours ago, blue_water said:

Just curious what you paid with 6 ppl hladygirl?  OM's listed price for the White Bay and Sandy Spit excursion is $1,000 (with gas) + tip ($167/pp + tip if split between 6 ppl). That is much more than the Rebel Yell catamaran excursion. But we would also choose one of the private operators if we were going to Jost.

 

I see the Rebel Yell excursion through NCL is $139/pp + tip for 5 hrs, and the inflatables are $195/pp + tip for 3.5 hrs.

We were 8 ppl. Brought the cost down a bit. I believe it came out $140pp total. Well worth it. The cruise ship excursion was much shorter and cost about $20 less pp.