TravelDiva88

I've had 3 cruises on the Sky. I've NEVER seen that level of insanity.

It was during college spring break (I know my alma mater starts spring break the first Monday in March)

Take it with a grain of salt.

And honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if that guy is having a bad trip. I've been pretty drunk in my life, but never so drunk that it took a pile of security guards to subdue me

This would be great to ask on the Florida departures board :)

I of course don't know for sure, but I'm going to venture a guess.

Unless it's an extreme circumstance, the $12 DSC is a guaranteed revenue from passengers.

NCL-issued OBC is non-refundable, so if you don't use it, you lose it (and therefor the cruise line takes a smaller hit to their profit margin).

So by restricting the OBC usage, they ensure they get your $12pp/pd DSC AND can hedge their bets that perhaps you may not use all of your OBC, which then means additional profit.

OK, I guess I need to better understand the on board account. Why would I add money to it? Isn't it like a hotel room that I charge everything on the ship to, then they put it on the credit card I had provided in the beginning? Do I have to estimate what I'll charge to the account up front? That would sure put a damper on the excitement of vacation.

Some people do not use credit cards.

The Caves are actually closer to St. George.

What you could actually do is take the ferry to St. George and then take a bus back to the caves.

You would have a longer ferry ride but a shorter bus ride.

In my personal opinion the ferry is much more comfortable than the bus and that is the route that I would take.

Only downside is that the first Ferry to St. George is much later, and by doing Ferry to Hamilton and then bus out to the caves, you can beat the shorex groups.

I prefer to fly into FLL (Southwest!) and then spend the night in Miami pre-cruise. SAS is reasonable, there's also public transit that's not complicated but it does take time.

Perhaps someone could advise me on going with a TA. I tend to book early, like a year and a half early. I have found that cabin prices generally go up. Also, the cruises that we like require spending a lot on airfare, since we don't do Caribbean.

 

I always check three or four of the TAs that other cruisers tell me about and never find a deal worth going with, so I stick with NCL or Celebrity (our other favorite).

 

Some have told me that you go to the TAs and look for the specials, but since I book early, my cruises are not listed in specials, sometimes not listed at all.

 

Are the TAs you use the online TAs or local to your area? I know you cannot mention specific TAs here on cc.

I used a big-box agency for the OBC a few times before I got into the industry myself. Honestly it was just as much (if not) more work going through the Big-box agency as it was to just book direct with NCL and rebook with price drops myself.

With many smaller/home-based agents you'll find someone who sells travel on the side/part time/as a stay-at home mom gig and they often carry lower client loads than an office-based TA or a big-box TA online. I can only speak for myself, but I have reminders set to check for price drops/upgrades for all of my clients on a monthly basis, and then on a weekly basis when approaching final payment. That's a level of service you can't get from a big-box agent.

I just wrote a very detailed review of the Breakaway- I was on the June 8 sailing: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2057828

Here are a few links that I found helpful when planning my Bermuda trip:

Bermuda Events Calendar: http://www.gotobermuda.com/what-to-do/events-calendar/

Bermuda Events Calendar #2: http://nothingtodoinbermuda.com/berm...dar.html#/?i=2

Bermuda Water Testing: http://www.gov.bm/portal/erver.pt/po...=2&cached=true

NCL Pocket Ship Guide: http://www.ncl.com/downloads/ship-mini-pocket-guides

Port of Bermuda Webcam: http://www.portbermudawebcam.com/

Ferry Schedule: http://www.marineandports.bm/Documen...ule%202014.pdf

NCL Theme Song: http://www.ncl.com/csimages/116/1008...inal_s04wj.mp3

Bermuda Bus Schedule: http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?s...ommunityID=252

High quality Bermuda Tourist Map & Brochures: http://www.gotobermuda.com/get-here/maps-and-brochures/

Get a 3 day transportation pass. It's good on the buses and ferries, and it will most likely save you money- but it will definitely save you the hassle of figuring out bus fares and having correct change (no paper currency accepted on the buses) DO NOT WASTE MONEY ON EXCURSIONS THROUGH THE CRUISE LINE. THEY ARE OVER PRICED AND BERMUDA IS ONE OF THE EASIEST ISLANDS TO TOUR ON YOUR OWN

I think the "safest" bet for touring is to start Day 1 with the sights you want to see that are farthest from the ship- St. Georges would be as far from the ship as you can get. I would suggest taking the Ferry to Hamilton, and then taking the Bus (#1 or #3) to the Caves, have a quick lunch at the Swizzle Inn, and then continue on to St. Georges where you can visit Fort St. Catherine and swim at Tobacco Bay.

Just be aware that the latest Ferry from St. Georges back to the Dockyard is at 5:30PM, otherwise you are looking at a VERY long bus ride home.

On Wednesday evenings in Hamilton there is Harbor Nights- a street festival. There are many art vendors, food vendors, and traditional Bermudian dancing.

On Thursday, try to hit things in the middle of the island, and then on Friday you can stick closer to the Dockyard so you don't have to worry about missing the ship.

The base rate you pay should be similar- NCL forbids agents to discount, and NCL corporate has to approve any additional incentives outside of what would be received through booking group space.

So in the case of the $75 back after sailing, that TA is likely doing something that would get them in hot water with NCL.

Let me rephrase

We boarded the Breakaway in Boarding Group #7 on June 8th. We were in our cabin that was completely made up and ready for our use by 12:45 PM. The door was not wide open- the cabin was ready for occupancy.

It was announced repeatedly in the terminal that our cabins would be "ready' for our bags upon boarding- though our stewards may still be putting finishing touches (read: the plastic luggage sheet, beach towels, refilling the soap dispensers in the shower) on the cabins though.

They start room turnover at 8AM on the day you arrive back in port. Each steward has +/- 16 cabins to attend to. That's 15 minutes a cabin for turnover. Not unreasonable at all. I have several friends who have worked in the hospitality industry and they averaged between 8 and 10 minutes for turnovers on checkout days- and hotel rooms are much larger than the cabins.

Wear shorts and a T-shirt, pack a hoodie and slacks/capris in your carry-on.

FWIW, I was in the water within 30 minutes of boarding the ship, and lived in a bathing suit and short cover up the entire time we were at sea (going and coming) on the June 8th sailing out of NYC.

If you only had to do one cave, which would it be, Crystal or Fantasy?

Crystal, hands down!

Hi! If it is not to late to put in a request...

1) can you possibly find out how quickly the cabanas and loungers in the vibe sold out? And, if possible, if they were gone in the first boarding group?

2) would it be possible for you to give a sense of whether the area on the opposite side of vibe (free side) with loungers and clam shells seemed busy/full? I heard also that there is a bar, cool, towels, and fruit for that free area, too. If you could find out if that is true, I would begrateful.

3) I would generally like to hear about what you did off the ship, since you're writing a review.

 

If I'm asking too late, I understand.

 

Have a FABULOUS time!!

1) If it helps you, I was on the June 8 sailing, and the Vibe passes sold out by Boarding Group #8. The cabanas were all sold out by the time we boarded. The folks behind me got the end of the passes.

2) I didn't make it over there, unfortunately.

3) We did Harbor Nights in Hamilton, Crystal & Fantasy Caves (highly recommend), Lunch @ The Swizzle Inn, Tobacco Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Alexandra Battery Park, Warwick Long Bay/Jobson's Cove, and spent an afternoon shopping in Hamilton. And of course some shopping at the Dockyard.

Past trips have included the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, the Bermuda Aquarium/Museum/Zoo (Highly Recommend), Fort St. Catherine (love it), the National Gallery in Hamilton (a total gem of an art museum), The Unfinished Church (you can no longer tour), Snorkel Park (skip it), and several other smaller attractions that I'd have to pull out my photo book to get the names of.

On the Sun, can I wake up in the morning, can we claim a chair with a towel and go grab breakfast?

Sure- if you don't mind another guest removing your towel from the chair that you are not using so that they can then occupy it.

Serious answer- no, you cannot. It's rude, it's ridiculous, and there is a prohibition against such behavior that is printed in the freestyle daily.

We had no issues walking in to a few shows while onboard. The only one that was really crowded was the 7PM show the last night

O'sheehans is open as well

Had ours before muster.

Midship inside cabin, deck 13

I know our staterooms were ready as soon as we boarded the breakaway (boarding group 7) so there was no reason to have a bag check. I've not yet heard if the same is true for the getaway

Don't worry about someone stealing your towel. Honestly they're not that nice- it's not like folks will covet them.

realy like your post , very helpful , I have a question we will be going to the cirque show I saw that the steak commes with shrimp ,since I am alergic do you think they will be able to consider this issue or I should just cancel and not go .I do not no if they are werry good with food alergies (on Princess they gave me a carde that I showed them.)

At the beginning of the wine luncheon they asked everyone at the table if they had food allergies, and I know they can be accommodated.

Before your cruise, I'd encourage you to contact the NCL access desk (866.584.9756) or email (accessdesk@ncl.com) and let them know about your food allergies.

Be sure to catch The Second City if you're in to improv. The cast on board right now is pretty awesome* and I've never been disappointed by a Second City show on NCL

*Slightly biased because I took 4 summers of improv classes with one of the current cast members. Jules is pretty awesome

Wine- Yes. $15 per 750ml bottle. No limit on how many you can carry aboard.

Beer- NO

Liquor- NO

Violate the rules at your own risk

Curious about this one....going on BA in January on the 12 night to the Caribbean and figure we may be looking for things to do. Is it the same menu as they give you for Cirque Dreams? I'd really appreciate knowing what they gave you to eat....and were the wines decent? Thanks.

We've had a few crises at home (skunked dog followed by sewer backup) and I haven't had a chance to scan and upload. I'll post the text from the menu in lieu of the uploads

Menu

Peking Duck Salad- Arugula, Boston, Green Asparagus, Fennel Walnut Oil Vinaigrette

Sirloin Manhattan Steak & Breaded Cajun Shrimp. Leek & Garlic Mash, Broccoli, Mushroom Sauce

Mocaccino Cheesecake with Banana & Dulce De Leche Sauce

Wines

1) Estancia Pinot Grigio, Monterey, California

2) Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

3) Penfolds Chardonnay, Barossa Valley, Australia

4) Beringer Founders Estate Pinot Noir, Napa Valley, California

5) North and South- NCL Proprietary Blend

6) Villa Sandi Prosecco Brut, Veneto, Italy

Thank you so much for your review! I'm so sorry you had issues with embarkation. You should have had a MUCH lower boarding number! It would annoy me to no end if I was among the first in the waiting area and received Boarding # 23!!!!!

 

I loved the Entertainment on the Breakaway! We, too, went to Howl at the Moon almost every night! The last night, many of the Rock of Ages performers along with some Second City cast were there the whole night and played Piano, drums, guitar, sang with us...my friend and I spent an hour talking to one of the leads of Rock of Ages. Such a Blast!!!

I was there as well! I know a lot of staff are about to sign off for shore leave and I think it's great that they were able to get together for a night of fun together before they all start taking leave!

I'm quite biased as a dear friend of mine is currently a Second City cast member on the Gem, but I will say the Second City cast is one of the best I've seen on land or at sea. Carley and Norm in particular are SO talented (and boy does Norm have a great voice!)

Can you tell me about the spa pass? Where can I get it? What does it include?

Thank you for this review, it's great!

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

You can purchase it at a table in the terminal, or at the spa. It's $199 and includes access to the thermal suite. The thermal suite has a large pool that is warmer than your average pool (it's a hydrotherapy pool). The pool itself has an area at the back that has a lounger of sorts you can recline on with jets, as well as a whirlpool area, and a glorious sculpture that dumps water on you- said sculpture beats the crap out of you, but I'll be darned if it didn't work all the knots out of my neck!

There are also 2 dry saunas, a steam room, the salt room, rainfall showers, and the heated tile loungers. Those loungers are heavenly. I have some chronic pain issues (I have high joint laxity which means existing usually results in a sprain every few weeks).

I didn't get any spa pictures myself, but I'll happily find some from google images :)

Here you can see the heated tile loungers, the hydrotherapy pool (and hot tub) along with the sculpture that beats the crap out of you!

SOURCE

And here is the salt room

ETA: As you can see there are also regular non-heated loungers. It's a great place to enjoy a book on a windy/rainy/cold sea day as well.

You do not actually book the cruise. You just buy the certificate for a cruise you book later. Therefore, you can use it for ANY* cruise on NCL.

 

The details and reminders will be in your room 489 times during the cruise!

Any cruise 6 days or longer :D