shipgeeks

Personally, we would take an OV, on any deck, over a balcony any time. I consider a balcony a type of obstructed view, with all that metal outside my window. The only time we've booked them is when they were cheaper than OV....and we were not pleased.

I so agree! I recall a post some time ago, in which a cruiser wrote about the importance of forcing her senior mother to drink gallons of water on the ship and ashore. Being of an age (80) that grew up on the occasional water fountain drink in school, no water til PE class/college sport/aerobics class was over, my first thought was that Mom is going to need a bathroom as soon as they get ashore, and will probably be uncomfortable with what is available (if any). I know the younger generation now doesn't even go to the store without bottles of water for everyone, but that is just so foreign to me. So far I have been successful in saying No, but I hope I do not reach the point of not being able to fight back. However, I do appreciate the help with heavy luggage, and perhaps the occasional arm to steady myself on uneven terrain.

Grams604, I just noticed that there is another post here about Coral World. It has some info that might be of use to you. When we've gone there, it was as a package of transportation plus entrance fee. I believe the entrance fee for non-residents is high enough that doing a package is good value. Also, the driver that we had stayed there, and when we all thought about going back earlier than our scheduled time, he was fine with that.

We have been to Coral World three times over the years, though not with NCL. I imagine that the arrangements are similar on all the cruiselines. We find it a pleasant way to spend a few hours. Mostly outdoor pools and exhibits. A structure that allows you to walk down to seabed level and observe the sea life through windows. Another building with a continuous tank, with fish swimming. There are other options there, such as an underwater tank walk ($). There is a food stand, restrooms, and gift shop. There should be a website with further info, if you need it.

As far as I know, RC and C are keeping their usual lots, and NCL will use a separate lot and shuttle pax in. There should not be any problems with your cruise.

Eureka! That is the concept I've been searching for, in defining what luxury is. Many people seem to focus on the number of Things that make a cruise luxurious/pampering or not. To me, sometimes it's the things that are removed, that indicate to me that the person is truly paying attention to what I want. I do want a paper daily planner in my cabin, but I do not want towel animals, ice buckets, fruit plate. In the dining room, I appreciate having my coffee and water topped up when it's time. I do not want a lobster (ugh) set in front of me along with my vegetarian dinner as "a treat for you", nor ice cream that I did not order. As long as this good service continues (and it is), and as long as my ship still has access to the sea and sky, I'm happy.

Personally, we learned that we do not like balcony cabins, even when the fare is the same as an inside, and even though many consider a balcony the epitome or necessary way to go. I guess the lesson is that no matter how much advice we share, it might not be the right answer for the other person, especially a new cruiser. And I guess even "would I enjoy a cruise?" depends on the individual. I know that I would not enjoy being taken to a golf resort or an RV vacation, but a cruise is bliss.

Packing: Things that will be on hangers are packed on hangers. When we are ready to unpack onboard, just pick up, hang, done. We also cross-pack some things (his/hers) in case one suitcase should be lost (has never happened). Seasickness: We started cruising before anyone warned about it, so never took any meds. Have never been seasick. We don't plan to ever pack or take any meds or devices. "Things": Many current posts recommend "the 10/30/50 most important items you must have for your cruise". Lots include a link to Amazon. Apart from clothing, we've never bought, nor wished we had, any of the items we've seen on these lists.

Actually, Vision, November 24 - December 2. For us, no flights involved; we can do a local bus company package with transportation both ways. Thanks for all the replies. Looks like we are heading towards doing it! I just hope they have the usual turkey dinner on the menu one night!

I would imagine they are on the wall with the beer and wine dispensing machines. Pay, of course. Or at least that's what we had on Seaside, at the rear center of the buffet area.

On our three TAs, around six or seven sea days to start. To and from Hawaii, five days each way, as I recall. On a freighter, many years ago, the entire voyage from NY to Australia was 42 days. I'm guessing that close to 30 of those days, between Panama and Australia, were sea days, with no ports, just sea, sky, and varying weather. It was great!

We are looking at a 9-nighter that starts on the day after Thanksgiving. Is the following week a school break for many kids?

Deck plans usually look like they are divided into thirds, with midships being the center section. Of course, within that middle third, there can be "middle" and "end of middle". The other thing to keep in mind, for the best stability, is to be as low as possible - deck 2, for example. And then at the midpoint between port and starboard side, which would be an inside cabin. Barring that, midships is still the best starting point.

The September 14 cruise was extended by two days, leaving only three days for what was to have been a Bermuda cruise. So she is filling in the three days without pax, biding her time until Thursday.

Soda dispensing machines, like the wine dispensing machines, are pay, so that area, mentioned in the review, is not the place to get tap water. The area with the freebies - juice, coffee, etc. - has water.

Unfortunately, having the balcony door open will shut off your AC, and that of surrounding cabins.

Yes!

I just saw a post advocating packing "at least 9 bathing suits for every 7 days of a cruise". Many posts over the years stress how important it is to pack a bathing suit in carryon, so you can hit the pool immediately upon boarding. I guess DH and I are at the opposite end of that, because we don't even pack bathing suits anymore, after we realized we don't use them. We've rarely been in a pool, lost interest in hot tubs, and never sunbathe. If we go to a private island or beach, it will probably be in shorts and shirt, parked in comfortable chairs and looking at the ocean. Where do you place yourself in this continuum?

We've been to Halifax several times on cruises, and we like it a lot. We have never even remotely considered doing a tour; there is so much of interest within walking distance that we always just DIY. The boardwalk, the Maritime Museum (yes, walkable, along the boardwalk), Citadel, botanic gardens, food kiosks, breweries, etc.

In chronological order of first time on each: Premier NCL Celebrity Regal HAL MSC Cunard Royal Caribbean Fred. Olsen Carnival Princess Eleven lines, 50 cruises total so far.....

And limited hours on RC.

We were booked on the HOHO for this past week, but our cruise was re-routed to the Bahamas. I wonder if the bus closed early when many ships had to cancel their stops there recently, due to the storms?

Medical emergency.

OP, Are you familiar with MSC's Status Match? Do you have a good loyalty level with any other cruise line? If so, this is worth exploring, as it could give you some perks.

We have only sailed Bella, twice on Seaside. We loved it. Much bigger ship than we are used to elsewhere, but we didn't find that a negative at all. The only crowds we experienced were on the stairways heading to dinner each night. Apart from current reviews of poor behavior and crowding on 3- and 4-night cruises, most of the negative reviews I've read seem to focus on what I consider petty or ill-informed issues: "My husband ordered toast every morning and did not automatically get butter!" (Europeans do not use butter as some Americans do.) Overall, we really enjoyed the ambience of the many nationalities, compared to the hometown feeling of many of our other cruises, and the little differences due to the European background made it feel like being "away" for a change. I say go for it!