genealogyfan

Thanks, I'm aware of NJ schools being off that week, just haven't heard it referred as Jersey week. I know Disney is usually crowded that week. For the original poster, I would suggest checking some local NJ school system calendars.

What is "jersey week"?

When we were in Bar Harbor, NCL used some local bigger boats for the tender, as well as their lifeboats.I toon this same cruise at the end of Oct in 2022. It was the last sailing of the season and we lucked out with the weather being so nice. All great places. I did research and ate locally but took ship excursions. Peggy’s Cove is beautiful. Lots of local places for lobster roll. The walking tour of Bar Harbor was nice. Although on an earlier sailing, I took the small group tour to Acadia park which was nice too. Research this board and other sites too. If you can, eat locally.

We took the same cruise last Fall in Sept (left from Boston and one way to Quebec City). My friend attended some night activities and talked with the cruise director several times. The cruise director told my friend he was having trouble finding passengers to attend these later night activities. He said the passengers tend to not stay up late and went back to the cabins. The cruise director seemed perplexed why he was having trouble. Both Deal or No Deal games were canceled because not enough participation. It was a fun cruise, but as you mentioned the majority demographic of this particular cruise wasn't the young party crowd.

I guess it depends if you need to reserve or request anything that might sell out, then you want the earliest port check in time. For example, I was on the Epic in April and wanted to request a Posh Pass (like a beach vibe, private deck). They normally only have 10-20 for non Haven guests. I wanted the first check in time, because I wanted to board as early as possible. For my next cruise, I don't have anything I need to reserve or request first thing, so I won't "need" to board first.

Not sure what you mean by "while they OLD some tables". Some people aren't as particular as you when it comes do dining times, etc.. I will give an answer as best as I know it and do answer what I think is correct. Each sailing is different when it comes to availability of dining, restaurants and seating. One answer doesn't apply to every sailing. Sorry but I don't work for NCL like you think you do. I also admit I don't know every detail or all knowledge about cruising, or NCL or aspects of cruises, unlike some people.

Depending on your latitude rewards status (which I assume since this is your first NCL cruise, you are at the first level), then you can book your dining 120 days in advance. Don't worry if you go to book something and it's not available. I was told by an NCL rep, that only 20% of dining reservations are made available in advance. Others have been told different percentages, though. Most people will get online at midnight of 120 days in advance and book the dining.

It's not allowed in non smoking areas on cruise ships for one. I guess you don't care if someone doesn't follow the rules that are there for your safety, but I do.

Unless you see the person definitely smoking, it's hard to see where the smoke is coming from. I thought I saw a person on a lower deck vaping on their deck, but I wasn't 100% sure and I didn't want to report someone who was innocent. I definitely would have if I was positive.

I wonder if sailings have alot of balcony g I just tried doing a mock booking of that sailing, and gives me specific balcony rooms for Deck 8 and 9, lots of them.

Unfortunately I have seen self centered people sneak vaping in non smoking areas on ships. As soon as they saw me they put it away and walk away before I could report them. I could smell smoke off my balcony and thought I saw someone vaping but wasn’t sure enough to report the right cabin. I wish people would stay in the smoking areas, it’s so dangerous and selfish.

Is it easy to get the vans to return to the ship? Do they have a prearranged time to return?

Good to know, just saw recommendations about Nachi Cocom and was wondering the same thing, since I would be going solo too.

I noticed once when I was thinking of submitting an upgrade bid, after I kept canceling out without finalizing it, I eventually got a lower "minimum bid" for the specific cabin type that I was looking at. Obviously some computer knew what I was looking at. None of the other upgrade offers went away though.

Since you are overnight in a couple stops, I highly recommend looking at private excursions. We used Roberts Hawaii for some excursions. We used another for the Road to Hana. I definitely recommend a private excursion for a Luau and not the ship excursion. I remember watching bus after bus leave the ship for their cruise sponsored luau. We took a private excursion luau and I found out it was less crowded an we got more for our money. We went to the Smith Family Garden Luau.

I would suggest looking for your airfare separately and see about how much it is directly with the airlines. It could be that the airfare is $1618 for one person with the airline, then it's truly 50% off or 2nd guest is free. If the airfare direct with the airline is $809, then it's a ripoff.

I sailed from Boston to Quebec City in early Sept and we had great weather. I then sailed a round trip from NYC with stops in Newport, Portland, Bar Harbor, St. John New Brunswick, Halifax at the end of October/early November and the weather was gorgeous. Unusually warm. On the sailing back to NYC, it was so warm and nice, I sat on my balcony for several hours

Just unselect the free at sea items and it'll reduce your price. I don't select the drink package and that reduces my total. It's technically not "free at sea".

Yes $50 per cabin, per port. How much discount does yours show? Depending on latitude rewards, you may get a further discount. https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/free-at-sea

The free at sea, free wifi minutes depends on the length of your sailing, so it might be different then 300 minutes. I couldn't edit my above post. I buy the unlimited so I don't have to worry about the minutes.

The $50 discount is applied when you book and pay for the excursion online ahead of the cruise..

If you included the free at sea, you will get a $50 discount at each port (that's for the first person on the reservation. You can then book excursions separately. Wifi is included in free at sea - up to 300 minutes. Each time you use the wifi, then you need to "log off", otherwise you use up all the minutes. Specialty dining you can reserve (along with free dining) either 120 days in advance (125+ for platinum reward members and above). I've been on ships where we didn't book in advance and didn't have an issue. I have been told by an NCL rep on the phone that they only make 20% of restaurants available for reservations before sailing (others have been told different percentages) My last cruise, I booked all reservations in advance (except a couple) as it was a large ship and pretty full (the Epic). On other sailings, we didn't make any reservations. You can always try and change times/restaurants on the ship, if you book something that isn't your first choice. I've used the wifi, and sometimes it's slow when everyone is awake, but I just use it mostly for social media or email, I've never made calls. I've never used NCL air, but I have read alot of horror stories using them. I prefer to have control over what flights to choose, seats, etc..

Thanks for the info. I'll be in Athens at the end of Sept (not on a cruise).

I was looking into taking this exact cruise, glad to hear you liked it. About how many people were on the boat? I liked the option of being picked up and dropped off at the hotels too.

I'm not 100% clear what you are asking. Are you asking if you already booked a cruise, can you apply a cruise next certificate as partial payment or do you want to save your CN certificate for a possible new cruise booking? In the last few weeks in June, NCL was allowing a triple up deposit and I was able to apply one $250 cruise next certificate each to two current upcoming reservations I have and hadn't did a final payment for either at the time. It was 4 months ahead and my reservations were both for balcony cabins. https://www.ncl.com/cruisenext