cruisingwiththe family

I have a question that I just don't know the answer to...but everyone else might know.  🙂  I was due to be on a cruise as we speak, but of course it is cancelled.  We are seasoned cruisers, having cruised many, many times.  This was a senior cruise for my son who was due to graduate in June.  I opted to get my money refunded, rather than reschedule at another time, due to the fact that there are no many unknowns at this time, plus the fact we were going with a group.  I also have no way of knowing what my summer will look like, as my son will be planning to leave for college in the fall.  Here is my question:  Our travel agent, whom I love and books all of our cruises, seemed very disappointed that we were cancelling.  Does she lose money, or have to refund her commission, once I was refunded?  I only ask because I really like her and would like to send her a stipend if that is the case.  Thanks in advance!  Stay safe everyone!

We will be in St. Thomas in a few weeks from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm one day.  We have been several times, but we are looking for something new.  Looking for suggestions for a private tour that might allow us to explore multiple things in a short time.  Help!!!

On 9/19/2018 at 7:05 AM, mjkacmom said:

It’s not an NCL beach, it’s Rose Island, a Sandy Toes excursion that can be booked privately from Nassau. It appears that they acquired a few pigs, not feral pigs found on Exuma.

Its actually Treasure Island NOT Rose Island

I heard terrible things about it as it does not go to Exuma.

On 11/22/2018 at 1:41 PM, cruiser123! said:

Have you done the one from GSC or Exuma?  I was thinking of the GSC one but haven’t seen any reviews yet

 I have seen and heard nothing but bad things on the one that goes from the Norwegian ship. It is not actually go to Exuma.  I really want to do this excursion and I’m trying to find a way to book outside of the cruise line.

Do you pay for the food that is brought out from the ship to the buffet?

Just got off the Escape in August.  Loved it!!  Restaurants were great and had few issues.  Just booked Epic for Spring Break in April.  Anyone been on both and can tell me diffrences?  Similarities?  Are restaurants and entertainment similar?  Any information will be great!!

I’m interested in using the spa. I don’t think that I will use the spa enough to pay $199 for the week. Here’s my question: if you are getting a spa service (massage etc..) can you use the other parts of the spa that day (thermal chairs, snow room etc)? Thanks!

You don't need a tour. A guide takes you down into the caves .

 

Since you're on the Escape. you can take the free NCL ferry to St. George and then a #1,3,10 or 11 bus to the caves. If the timing of the free NCL ferry to St. George doesn't meet your needs, or the ferry fills up, you can take the public ferry instead, followed by one of the buses.

 

Alternatively you can take the public ferry to Hamilton and then one of the above buses to the caves,

How much time to allow for caves?

Hi Darcy!

 

We are going to be in Bermuda this June. I have already reserved a two-day for our stay. I will try to remember to post about the experience. I can tell you the company has been great to work with so far.. they sent directions on how to download a map of the island and then how to get it to show where the charging stations are. One thing I have found out is there is only a small glove box so don't count on having a secure place to store anything. My DH and I were th er 40 years ago for our honeymoon and did the mopeds. We much prefer to explore on our own.

How was your experience? Looking to rent one in 2 weeks!!!

Download the iconcierge app before you go. While you are sitting waiting to board, you can log in and make reservations.

 

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Are the reservations open at that time (the ones that they hold back until you board)?

Thank you everyone!

Any advice on getting a reservation at a restaurant that is booked? My husband wants to eat at Cagneys but we booked yesterday and no reservations. Any idea what to do to get in on a cancelled one? On board? Thanks!

Mojito bar

 

 

We’ve been to Bermuda a few times. We actually had two Bermuda cruises scheduled last year. One from New York and one from New Jersey. This link give you an idea of what’s available on the ship (this year the Breakaway’s sister ship is doing the itinerary) https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2504449

 

We did horseshoe bay. There are shuttles right on the dock that take you all the way to the beach ($7 per person each way). You can catch a public bus, but it drops you at the top of “heart attack hill” which you need to climb down/up.

 

We caught the public ferry ($4.50 per person each way) over to Hamilton. And we did an island tour to see the island.

 

Also did the Harbor Nights festival in Hamilton. (wedesday night).

 

Lots to do in three days.

 

Our second cruise to Bermuda last year ended up in Halifax running from a Hurricane.

Thank you SOOOO much! Best information so far!

Rent a boston whaler, walk the beautiful beach path from Warwick to Horseshoe Bay, and if you are into history go to St. George and take a walking tour of the fort....fascinating!!!

Where are the pink sand beaches with regards to the cruise ship?

We did the BA to Bermuda last August and loved it. Bermuda is beautiful and the people are so friendly. It’s expensive to visit but IMO it’s worth it.

I will say the waters going down the coast were fairly high so the ship rocked quite a bit. But I would do the cruise again in a heartbeat

 

 

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What excursions and activities did you do?

Best excursions for a couple on their 20th anniversary with no kids. :D We have cruised many times and have done all of the swimming with dolphins, stingrays, ziplining etc.. Looking for things that are specific to Bermuda... Thanks in advance!

We have never done a cruise to Bermuda... Everyone's thoughts on this cruise? I'm just wondering if 1) there is plenty to do in Bermuda for 3 days, 2) people enjoy just being "parked" in Bermuda and 3) 2 days at sea to get there is fun. Thanks in advance!!!

Hoping someone can help me with a hotel recommendation in Miami. We are flying into Miami the day before our cruise. Can't remember where I stayed that would give us a shuttle to the cruise terminal, as well as a shuttle from the airport. I have no problem paying for the shuttle... I suppose I could just Uber, but wondered if anyone had a recommendation. Thanks in advance!

I have to laugh at some of the recommendations to make reservations for the MDR and call 120 days ahead to make sure you can "get in", etc.

 

NCL has two or three main dining rooms on each ship, and they are free. You don't have a set dining time, so you just walk up to the restaurant when you want to eat, you get seated, and you eat. There's also O'Sheehan's or an equivalent "pub style" food place that is free for things like burgers, wings, fries, and a special entree each night (prime rib, etc.). It all works just like on land, except they are included in your cruise fare.

 

NCL has some nice things that are free too. Usually a pool-side barbeque on sea days with really good food. Soft serve ice cream in the buffet that is available almost 24 hours a day, and scooped ice cream available from one of the buffet stations in the afternoons. CCL may have these too, I don't know.

 

On embarkation day, one of the main dining rooms will be open for a sit down lunch. We love this about NCL, because we hate the mad-house buffet on embarkation!

 

Other than the dining, with no set dining time and no set dining room, everything else is very similar to Carnival, RCL and Princess. There are extra cost items, but plenty of free items. There's a daily service charge per person just like on CCL. Drinks are extra, just like CCL. The staff is great, just like on CCL.

 

If you have specialty dining, it works like The Steakhouse, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen or Bonsai Teppanyaki on CCL. There's an extra charge for those dining establishments, and making a reservation is recommended on NCL just like on CCL. Cagney's is the steakhouse, Tepanyaki is the equivalent to "Bonsai Teppanyaki", and the other highly recommended restaurant is Le Bristro (a bit fancier and French food and steaks). If you get the free, 3 night dining package you pay just the 20% gratuity on the regular cost of dining there, so you'll pay under $20 for three meals.

 

You have to ignore about 75% of the negative comments on line about any cruise line because people complain a lot, and praise very little. I think you'll have a blast on NCL!

Thank you so much for your information. Yours was the best so far! I read a great deal about fees for entertainment and few casual places to eat (on CCL there are quite a few places to eat for casual stuff like sandwiches, grill, etc...) My travel agent also said that NCL had less of those types of places, so I was just curious. Thank you!

I am looking to book a last minute cruise on Norwegian. My husband and I wanted to try NCL, as we have always been Carnival cruisers. As I was looking at the message boards here, it seems as if there are a lot of hidden fees for restaurants and entertainment?! Plus you have to make reservations for entertainment? I am trying to figure out whether it is worth it. Someone please help me clarify this!!! :) :):):):)

This company is fantastic! Very accommodating and staff is great. Safe, gorgeous views, and decent amount of time on lines. My boys adrenaline junkies and the lines are not very high...but that is personal taste. Can't imagine any trouble considering staff...we ziplined last week on Christmas eve and they were all dressed up for Christmas... Enjoy!

I WANT to zipline on Christmas day...but there are no excursions available for San Juan at all. Were there some on the ship available when you got on board?

I will be in San Juan in Christmas day and am worried there will be nothing to do... All excursions are sold out online... :( Any ideas?