SMerritt

Absinthe - Illegal in the US at the proof and bottling we bought on the French side of St. Martin - for medicinal purposes only ;o)

If you want a real fun gift - Sheridan's, sold on the ship! Our friends go nutz over it!! Fancy double-bottle, cream and liquer........almost impossible to find in the states and if you order online, the shipping is crazy. Check it out in the Duty Free shop, usually 2 for $44.00 but looks and tastes like a million bucks!

I got hooked because the ship shopping guide said "not sold in the U.S. That was a while ago, but I still can not find it.

I found the PS Official store in Cozumel had the best selection for your itinerary - Diamonds Intl is the easiest to deal with and sometimes better pricing

Most ships shopping guides have discount cards - go to their desk on the ship to inquire

I buy my extra bands on EBay

Browse the PS site and see the different styles and combinations available so you don't end up with something you are not happy with

Hey just my 2 cents but SMerritt change your countdown clock or we will be leaving without you:p

OMG! I grabbed my paperwork and calendar so FAST my heart is still pounding!:D

Note:The mere thought of changing cars, planes, and hotels will make you dizzy!

Fortunately - it is only my Cruise Critic Counter that is off:rolleyes:

I am so in need of our 2 Sea Days!!!!!!!!:D

Thank you for the positive review - we sail on the Breakaway in 7 Days. I am hoping sailing on some "big ships", Epic twice, Oasis once:mad:, and we have been to Bermuda before, that we are going to have a GREAT week.

Your scooter review is the best I have seen. We have been riding motorcycles together for over 45 years. This is the first time in all of our cruises that we have rented "two wheels", it was GREAT! Although, I was so worried about some of the people renting scooters - wearing flip-flops, shorts, and riding two-up with no bike experience at all.

I found the scooter fun but a little intense when it came to riding on the "left side" of the roads-I think I drove my DH nuts "back-seat driving", and the low HP is actually not as safe as some may think.

This cruise, I have packed some double-walled neoprene tubing & zip ties for the back of the basket:)

Again, thank you for taking the time to post a ton of great information.

So far.....we have found personal photos, "tours", of every cabin we have stayed in on YouTube - most are posted by excited cruisers and some are very professional.

Just google your NCL cabin number or, do a search in YouTube - we watch NCL YouTube passenger videos on the television a lot.

Western Caribbean ports - Cozumel, Jamaica, etc. Never again

Our Celebrity Cruise spent a day in Tobago. It was a new port for Celebrity and Tobago - We, and many other passengers did not get beyond the area in front of the port/dock, just a very "uncomfortable" atmosphere.

A couple we met back on the ship, had a frightening experience in a cab, with other locals jumping into the cab with them on the way to their destination - they jumped out!

Tobago was new so, possibly things have changed - does anyone have updates on Tobago?

I'm still giving renting a scooter serious thought. Perhaps for a day. Have an MC endorsement and can ride 800+ lbs Harley's but yes, understand the possible dangers riding in Bermuda. Then again, can be as bad or worse in the states.

 

Any particular rental place better than others? :confused:

45 years of riding together, 14 bikes, from Honda 750 to Triumph Rocket 2300cc the scooter was a blast and a giggle.

As others stated, just need common sense

We rented right in Dockyard at Oleander, had the scooter for 3 days - you park your scooter right by the ship. This time, I am bringing my own helmet,and we ride two-up, so, some neoprene tubing/padding for the basket on the back - It did dig into my back a little and I am smallish

I did just put my personal scooter observations and experiences here........

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1874423&page=4

I was on the Breakaway the week of July 14 and noticed that the prices dropped significantly the week before. I called and they gave me an upgrade from an interior to a balcony. It doesn't hurt to make the call yourself instead of waiting for a call. The worst thing that can happen is that they will say no.

Was your cruise booked directly through NCL or a TA?

*Walks in, kicks cruise counter...walks back out.*

Kick mine on your way!!!!

We really need to book something! Sept is just toooo far away!

Vegas in June......*sigh* guess we will "Cruise The Strip".....

Thanks to everyone for your comment. I am now thinking 2 cabins would work better for us. We travel A LOT with the other couple and always split a room, but the one comment about one bathroom + noro virus...no thank you!

 

All 4 of us are 49-51 in age.

 

For excersions, I'm thinking more of the sight seeing type.

 

Since we're all cruise rookies, we thought a 5 day would be a good starting point. Me personally, I'd LOVE one that lasts longer.

 

As for shopping, Hubby and I will celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 2014, and he's promised me some jewelry. I've heard prices are good in the islands, and he would be game for taking advantage of that.

You did not mention your "budget"........

If you really like sharing, possibly visit different cruise lines websites.

DH and I have stayed in many suites (mainly NCL for us) which would be good for four, most have a main bathroom with a smaller guest bath, 2-3 "rooms" - usually a king or queen bed and a queen sofa bed. And TONS of storage etc

I'd say that is more than OK!! We're so happy it's ridiculous. We'd all but written it off and were beginning to explore adoption so this is just amazing.

All good go with you, and much happiness to your family ~ :)

Possibly the cruise planning? Our Son and DIL were in the same "boat" :D

They decided to buy a ski boat.......then Surprise! They now have a happy, healthy 2 year old son, almost old enough to enjoy a Disney Cruise with Gramps and Gammie! :)

Put your itinerary in the front pocket of each bag - I also add cell numbers

Applied when we were 60 years old so had some "history", received our passports in 3 weeks, non-expedited

We made an appointment at our post office, filled out the forms in advance, arrived for our appointment with paperwork and photos we got at Walgreen's

The postal official checked all of our documents for accuracy, and made sure everything needed was correct and included. She then posted them for us.

I was a little concerned because my DH father was born in Korea (entreprenuer - had a gold mine)

You can absolutely avoid formal attire requirements by eating in any one of Allure's excellent specialty restaurants. You may see a few folks in formal attire in the specialty restaurants, but most will be dressed as they would in a typical land-based table service restaurant for dinner.

 

Chops and Giovanni's Table are favorite places of ours to dine on formal nights. Just make sure you make reservations or you might not be able to get a seat or you might have a long wait.

 

I hope you like Allure as much as we do. Allure is our very favorite ship.

On the Oasis we saw a few amazing gowns and tuxedos (very few) to jeans and T-Shirts. I wore a sparkly top with pants, DH wore a dark Tommy Bahama style shirt, dark pants and street shoes.....it was anything goes with no issues

Would they let you cover the door w white butcher paper and put a Sharpie on a string so people could sign it as they walk by? That could be fun...

 

-KD

Just be VERY CAREFUL of the paper and pens you use - a sharpie could bleed through - destroy the door and you will be charged for the damage :(

JMO but I think the worst part of this trip is going to be those first 3 days. For me the very thought of 3 days of bus trips with "the herd" would have me seeking desperately for a doctor with a very friendly prescription pad! This is where your patience will be tested. Is there any way that you can opt out of this portion of the trip? I hate to be such a downer when everyone else is being so helpful but from reading your posts I just don't see this as being something that you're going to end up enjoying. Can you tolerated it for the sake of family harmony? Sure, but I'm pretty certain this is going to live down to your expectations. But try to leave that experience behind you at the pier so it doesn't taint the rest of the trip.

I've found (in my limited experience) the ships themselves to be very relaxing. Reading and chatting with others. On our cruise to Alaska I enjoyed talking with the rangers onboard and we had some very interesting guest lecturers. We generally don't go on any excursions and just find one or two things in each port that we'd like to see. We wait for the mad dash ashore to be over and then go off at our leisure. Yes you do have to be back at a set time but if you don't try to cram to much in at each port it's really not an issue.

If you can make it through those first few days I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the actual cruising part of your trip.

Best of luck to you!

Oh yeah if there is any way you can manage it get a balcony cabin. It's an essential for me as I really need to know I have a little place I can retreat to when the need arises.

Thank you Sea42.....this has been on my mind since I saw the itinerary, you are going to be double-thrilled to get on the ship after all of the pre-tours, just too structured, running for buses, even riding buses, makes me crazy.

The more you plan, the more disappointments - come home with what you missed or didn't see.

We have sailed on the Milenium, charming atmosphere with great decor. There are little "cubbys" by the windows to curl up in to read or just watch the sea. Also, there is a cool "tower" in the library with windows, I rarely saw anyone up there - maybe because it was so well hidden?

Have a great cruise, get on the beautiful ship, unpack, and UNWIND!

Sheila (S.F. Bay Area Native)

For me the absolute worst is the afternoon before debarkation. Packing the suitcase and putting it out really brings home the fact that my cruise is just about over.

 

TP is not an issue with me. I grew up generally with a choice between leaves and thin wax coated 4" squares of paper.

I guess we should be thankful Sears catalogs and telephone books are not readily available anymore ;)

I now pack before going to bed and carry my bags off - lengthens the cruise and the possibly of me walking off the ship barefoot or in my nitegown

In the end those of upshot can cruise are so very lucky.

 

Keith

You got it! Amen.........We treat every cruise like kids at Christmas and feel blessed to be able to get away a few weeks a year and live the good life.

Cruising keeps us going and going and.........

Upgraded internet.....

Internet access has made cruising possible for us but the painfully slow speed sometimes makes me grumpy

We have our own business and have to go online a few times a day, if I could just zip through my "work", life would be good and I could TOTALLY relax.

On the plus side, I have learned that a lot of things can be "bookmarked" until we get home

I am not rich but would pay double for SPEED :D

A cruise line offering high speed internet might get us to book.

Also grateful for the emails from the dogs

After cruises on Celebrity, Carnival and Princess we sailed on the Oasis which was our first RC cruise and right after, the NCL Dawn, our first NCL cruise. Loved both for different reasons. As far as nickeled and dimed all the cruiseline's do it to some extent. We loved RC's My Time Dining and NCL Freestyle concept. We are so over formal nights. We would sail on both lines again in a heartbeat. Booked the Breakaway for next year from NY and are looking at the FOS...:)

trish1c wrote: You are asking us to tell you whether you will like vanilla or chocolate ice cream better. It can't be done. Both lines have their fans & their detractors

janetz - your cruise history sounds a little like ours - we just booked the Breakaway for next September and I am more EXCITED than any other cruise! Bermuda was amazing last month, the ship (NCL) was fun, along with all of the sea and in port days.

As above, opinions vary - We are Epic fans but are doing Princess in January..........

Gianni Russo, the actor that played Carlo in the Godfather was our neighbor on the star a few weeks ago!

69 years old & looked absolutely amazing!:p

Charming, flamboyant, full of stories - from the rat pack to his 12 children with 10 moms....He made the cruise double fun and exciting!

Per above: Check DeckPlanGenius.com

If you are sharing the costs, NCL and many other cruise lines have deals on larger suites - one luxury suite for 4 might be the same price, or less, than two standard cabins with more amenities.

We have stayed in some very roomy two bedroom suites....

Again as the above (some humorous but serious) posters say....don't share a regular cabin with bunk beds or hide-a-bed