rach1fun

42 minutes ago, vichastwins said:

How far ahead before your cruise were you able to book? We are about 3 and a half weeks out and still it is not showing in the app. 

I read somewhere recently that it's 25 days for Haven, 21 days for general public

13 hours ago, delaware32 said:

We're booked on the Joy out of NYC mid-October 2023. I don't how long you're longing for, but our trip is 12 days.

I did see that one, but that's too long for us.  My kids will already be missing 3 days of school, can't do more...

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I am trying for a Caribbean cruise for Oct 2023 because it works with my kids school schedule.  I see there are cruises out for later in 2023 and 2024, but not October.  Any reason there is a blackout for that month?  Maybe they'll come out later?  We've done 4 Oct cruises in the past, and they have them scheduled for this year October, so I know it's not that they just don't cruise the caribbean then...  I know there is plenty of time, but I'm antsy lol.  

I have sailed Carnival and NCL multiple times each.  As far as experience, I feel like a newer ship on NCL and a newer ship on Carnival are pretty much the same.  We choose your-time dining on Carnival, and the food seems similar in caliber for both.  The price on the front end is more expensive with NCL, but I like the freedom the Free-at-Sea gives me.  I wouldn't pay for a drink package on Carnival, I'm not much of a drinker at home, but I like the ability to get a drink when I feel like it on vacation.  When I was on Carnival, I would find myself limiting what drinks I would get, because they are $$$.  I once graphed out what apples-to-apples would be on the two lines, and I felt like NCL was a better deal for us.  Even if I'm still paying for the package in the increased price of the cruise, I can pay it ahead and not worry about it. 

25 minutes ago, cruiserbear55 said:

  I am more than certain that your then 18 year old adult son will find SOMETHING to do on a ship like the Encore.

It's not about finding something to do, he is a social kid and would like to link up with kids his age to hang out with

My son is turning 18 two weeks before we sail on Encore.  He's bummed that he won't be able to meet kids his age in Entourage programs.  Does NCL have any events for "kids" his age?

no reservations, just walk up and enjoy!!

How is this not an extra sea day if we sail at 4am Friday? We were supposed to be in Nassau til 8pm Thursday. If we leave at 4am Friday....that IS an extra sea day. What is there to do in Nassau between 8pm and 4am?

Sorry, I misunderstood. I didnt think 4am was a leave time. It looked to me like they said the day started at 4am because you have already been there all night.

Whatever it is, it is unfortunate.

Wow so you are getting an extra sea day instead of port. I thought they had other options already as an alternative. I sail October 30 with the same itinerary and really hope this is not the case. Although I'm happy to be on vacation either way but I would much rather stop at a 3rd port.

Not an extra sea day, an extra day at Nassau. I have the same itinerary Nov 6th, i'm hoping this doesn't happen to us, but if I were a placing a bet, this is where I'd put my money :(

OP here,

Turns out it may be a moot point. The excursion is in Freeport, which is currently closed. Cruise is in 3 1/2 weeks. Odds are we will be rerouted to a different port that day.

You are really worked up about $16.50 ??? Really ???

 

 

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Its the principle of it, not the dollar amount itself. And $16.50 is a couple drinks on the ship, it all adds up...

Grrrr! Just received a reply to my request for the 110% price guarantee on excursions, and I am NOT a happy camper.

First of all, I don't normally buy my excursions thru the cruise line, but this one was only offered thru Carnival. I found an independent tour operator that had the same excursion for $15 cheaper, but they only picked up at hotels. Turns out, it is the EXACT SAME tour operator that does the excursion for Carnival, and they have a contract with the cruise lines so they don't sell to cruise guests.

Loophole for them so they don't have to pay out on their guarantee. Just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, when I should be excited for the cruise, now I'm upset....

Does anyone know if they give the free bottle of wine on 1st night if its only a 4 night cruise? We are going on the Valor in 4 weeks...

Anyone have a recommendation for a catamaran tour in either Nassau or Freeport? Snorkeling stops would be cool, but not necessary. Going on the Valor in November. Thanks for any help you can give me!! ( I did find one thru Viator-Sail and Snorkel), but havent seen any reviews to speak of...

Thanks for the responses. Right now I am not getting DH to see that 2 rooms is the way to go. He says $400 is $400 and isn't wanting to spend it. But we aren't ready to book and I'll work on him.

 

I asked him about a balcony/inside room option and he doesn't want the kids with their own entrance w/o us being able to get there too (like with an adjoining door).

You can get a key card to their room, and if it's right across the hall, it wouldn't be too different than an adjoining room. ..

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I would say nine times out of ten you would be fine, but you never know how long getting through customs will take for the ship before they start letting passengers off. I guess I wouldn't risk it, but I like to leave plenty of time for transportation.

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37 quick sleeps!

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I just purchased the specialty dining package for 4 days for my hubby and I for our upcoming cruise. Our kids, 10 and 7, are coming with us. As I understand it, there used to be a 50% fee for kids in the specialty restaurant. That would be a better deal than buying the package for them. I was planning on letting them decide that night if they wanted to order from the complimentary kids menu or get something off of the specialty menu. Turns out, now they have taken away the kids rates and they pay regular price if they want to order from specialty menu. Now I need to decide ahead of time what I think they will do. My older kid is a no brainer, always orders from adult menu, but unsure on the 7 yr old what he will want to do :( First of all, bummed at the change (though I understand that if I were going to a regular restaurant on land it would be the same way)...but then, does anyone have a copy of the kids menu so I can try to judge what my 7 yr old will do? What would you do?

177 wish it were sooner!!!

I am debating on which island to see during our cruise in October. It would be either the stingray encounter and beach at Balmoral or the Beach day with all of the water toys and bouncies at Blue Lagoon. My hubby and I are taking our kids, boys 10 and 7, with us for the first time this cruise. Which do you think would be better for the kids? How about us? Opinions appreciated!! :p

Family of 4, with a 6yo and 9yo boys from Anoka, MN. They will be going on their first cruise with us next October. They are very excited, but wishing is wasn't a whole year away, lol!! MEA break!!!

Loving you review! Hate the issues you had to deal with, but absolutely love your positive attitude. I know people that could learn a lot from you. :rolleyes:

 

Anyway, did you notice anyone renting snorkel equipment at Coki? We too plan to go to Coki but I don't want to have to bring snorkel equipment.

You can rent snorkel gear at Coki Dive Center at the top of the stairs. It is where the people are going scuba diving from. :D

Will be going with my 10 and 7 year old next year, one of our stops will be San Juan. We have been before, but not with kids. Any ideas for something fun with the kiddos?

Looking at 2 cruises, all variables the same except the ship. Breeze vs Sunshine. I was on the Breeze last year and loved it. I know that the Sunshine is a rebuilt "older ship", but has all the goodies of the newest and greatest.... Anyone have any strong views on one over the other?