Stace894

We always put the cords and accessories in with the cpap so it all looks medical. I would never trust that they have enough cords to go around. I've heard too many times that people have asked and they were unable to provide. Better safe than sorry and bring your own.

Mine is in vacation summary on NCL as well as the summary sent to me from my TA. If not there I would call or speak to TA if you did not book directly with NCL.

Have taken 5 prev cruises all with Hubbys CPap. Def bring your own extension power cord. Plugs are never near the bed. We actually have one that is in a Y-shape. That way I get one on my side of the bed and DH gets one for his Cpap. We tuck it under the bed during the day, out of the way and just plug it in at night. We also bring a small non-surge protected power strip to allow for charging of other devices. Cpap is no much easier to travel with now as they are so small. When we first started traveling together 20 yrs ago ,they were the size of a small microwave!

We are taking our 6th cruise next Spring on NCL Escape (3rd with NCL) and I have a hard time booking with any other line at this point. I don't feel the nickel and Diming. To me its the most cost effective trip we can take as a family. Although not hard drinkers, we always take the UBP as that can be the biggest surprise at the end of a trip and I hate having to think 'Is this drink worth the money, will I really enjoy it". I can't imagine cruising without a beverage package at this point. We book about a year in advance and pay everything off before we go, Pre-pay Gratuities, Spa Passes and such. This way I can spread out the payments. Next trip is the first time we have had a Dining plan so will be nice to try specialty restaurants but have never had trouble finding great food to eat and new things to try. We usually leave the ship only owing about $200-300 dollars and pay that before we leave in cash. The next land based trip we take will probably kill me in having to pay for everything at the time of travel and separately!

We took our son on The Splendor for the first time when he was 13 and he LOVED it. Favorite ship so far. Make the teen go to the Teen Club at least the first night to try and meet some similarly aged kids. Once they hook up with a few other people they are usually set. We only saw our son when we had planned family events and meals. Otherwise he was always off with his friends. He loved that they showed movies at night on the deck under the stars and pizza available 24/7. I have heard good things about the younger kids clubs, but no personal experience. If you can get Spa passes (and don't have little ones that are not aged for kids clubs) do it! So far the Splendor had the best spa at sea that I have experienced. Some adult Down-Time! Enjoy your trip!

I second making them go the first night. Especially the Teens. My son had a blast on our prev cruises as he had met up with people to hang out with. . Barely saw him unless we had family plans. Made the mistake of not making him go the first night last trip. He never managed to hook up with anyone his own age and though "any cruise is a good cruise", I don't think he had as much fun as he could have.

I agree about a new Ship out of Boston. The Dawn was better before renovations as far as I am concerned. Going to NYC for Bermuda next Summer even though Boston is home. Would definitely try a new Ship out of Boston again if they gave us one.

I'm interested as well. If allowed,,, how would it work if the new "media" plans are implemented fleetwide. We are on the Escape next Summer and was hoping to be allowed to upgrade as they are not doing minutes any longer.

Never had a problem with my flat iron for my hair. I do keep it in a head-safe carrier

Not normal, haven't been on Escape yet...but usually had 2 visits a day from Steward as you prev stated. Once earlier in day to straighten room and then the turndown in the Evening. I would speak to him to let him know your expectations. As stated earlier, he may be new. As to the hallway not being ready... I would have thought that a quick walkthru of hallways by supervisors should have been done before the "all open" notification went out.

Going in June with a 16 yr old who loves trying new things Plan Cagney's and Moderno for certain. Not sure on LeBistro or LaCucina for 3rd. Leaning towards LeBistro. He enjoys fine dining and we go for good Italian at home. We do Teppanyaki often at home too so not a big deal to us.

We always go out to dinner the first night back to enjoy the last of our vacation. Always eat out the night before we leave as well to keep the Kitchen clean!

A must read for anyone who cruises. Its something that you hope never happens to you, but sometimes things happen and other than never leaving the ship, you should always be prepared.

Thanks for the great review. We are traveling on the Escape next June and it will be our first Mega-ship. We were concerned about the crowding, but it seems there are places we can get away from it if we want to. Plan on trying to get Spa Passes in advance as we are not really pool deck people either.

You have confirmation that you "owned" the room prior to the other people booking it. Why are you the one who is put out? NCL should call these other people, apologize and explain the computer error and have them choose a different room. You had the booking first. I would callback and try to speak to a supervisor.

I would wait until a week or before final payment is due. You can pay most of it off now and only hold off on a couple of hundred. Although I'm not sure it would apply to you as you are not using a TA. If the price drops and you have paid in full,, you can't take advantage of the price change. If you have not paid in full, you can take avantage.

I found Chapstick sized Tubes of OTC meds at my local Bed,Bath and Beyond and they are perfect to fit in my first aid kit and take up a lot less space. I can replace the generics with Brands if I feel the need, but on most things Generic is just fine. I can just keep refilling the tubes and they are all labeled! I've learned the hard way to make sure I have a small, concisely packed first aid kit on all trips. Hate those $5 bandaids.....or $12 bottles of tylenol....And they can run out on a ship. Hubby had a "Lobster" burn a few years ago on ship. Must have been a run on sunburns as I got the last bottle of Aloe with Lidocaine on board on cruise day 3. Would have hated to be someone with a burn on day 6....

I"m not a big beer drinker (sorry!) but that Caramel Cream Ale sounds wonderful. Can't wait to try it.

$140 is for the smaller ships with smaller spas. On Mega-Ships like the Escape I believe the cost "pre-boarding" is $199. I hope to grab 2 for my trip on the Escape next June.

Husband immediately orders a Mudslide. I tend to start with a Beer as I find it helps my seasickness somehow. Not Alcohol in general, but beer specifically. Maybe something with the hops.....Will get into my Pina Colada's later!

I don't think I have ever forgotten anything of consequence going on vacation. I tend to over pack. I did forget on the last night of one cruise to leave out a pair of socks before turning in our luggage. No way I was traveling all day back home in sneakers w/o socks. Hunted down a pair in the gift shop that night before they closed. Most $$ I have ever paid for socks,,but every time I wear them and see the little Mickey's I remember a great trip!

If room is ready, drop off carryons, go to MDR for Lunch (prefer table service) and enjoy my first of many beverages! Then explore the ship a bit, check into Teen center with DS. Once Luggage is delivered I don't feel completely on Vacation until I have things put away and organized. Then I'm happy to just find a comfy lounger and settle in with my Trip Reading list on Kindle and a good drink

We did NYC down to Nassau, freeport and Private Island a few years ago on the Splendor (Loved that ship!) Not sure if they plan to do that again.. was a 7 day trip and a bit cool the first and last days out of NYC.

Did self-disembark on last Dawn cruise.. We were off the ship by 8:45am as long as there are no ship delays. Getting over to Logan and all set thru there.....can't promise anything.

Should be plenty for the trip. I agree on the dining plan. Plenty of excellent food on board at no extra cost. Def watch the kids charges,, my son racked up $70 in arcade w/o being aware in about 40 min on his first trip. Make the 16yr old go at least to the first night activities in Entourage with the agreement that if he does not click/meet anyone to hang with he does not have to go back. Made my son go once,,, barely saw him the rest of the cruise as he had a group of kids his age to do things with. Last trip DH vetoed making him go, ,was still a nice trip but he did not have half as much fun hanging with the folks as he would have kids his age. On a ship that size he will meet someone if he goes that first night.

Have fun!