coolbluegreenseas

I am considering the bon voyage package of sparkling wine and balloons for our stateroom as a little fun treat. Is the sparkling wine decent? I prefer prosecco to champagne, but I do not like junk, either. Any comments?

They open the bag and look?:p

If you really enjoy your morning coffee order 2 pots! The pots they bring only hold about 2 cups unless something has changed.

Thanks for that fact. My hubby does not function without coffee, and he would easily finish the pot. We will order two.

We booked a Lanai, so the good reviews are pleasant to read. We like outside access, but since we are in Bermuda for four days. the private balcony made less sense. The Lanai is the perfect compromise.

Thank you so much for all the information. Celebrity kicks you off the boat on the final day, but being able to get breakfast for the last time puts a perfectly formed bow on your hard earned vacation. I was unaware of this benefit while cruising HAL, but this small detail will makes us so more likely to book another cruise with HAL in the future.

The surprise sounds like a blast. I hope you get an over the top, terrifico, mucho magnificent cabin!

We are getting excited about our cruise to Bermuda. On our Celebrity cruise, hubby and I went to formal night. On this cruise, I promised I would not force him to robe in dressy attire for the fancy night. Instead, we will either go to Lido Deck or order room service. It is my understanding we can order MDR food to our cabin on the nights we would like to to stay in. I have read we should order between 5-5:30, ship time, but can we specify a time we would like it delivered? On the first formal night, we will do a few hours in the spa, so we are thinking about 8:00 PM, delivery. Can we do this? Thank you for any information!

Thank you for the information.

We are sailing the Veendam on June 6th from Boston to Bermuda. Instead of formal night, we are considering a spa night during formal MDR hours (5-9). Should we buy the services before departing or should we wait until we are on board to see if there are any spa specials?

Thanks.

MJ

:p

Thank you for the info. I have been searching the board for additional tips. I did not see any reviews about cabin 115 or what type of alcohol is included with the drink package. I am going to check out the site you recommended.

So, I finally called Windstar to put a hold on the Tahiti cruise for June 26. They are working up airline prices for me now, but since Cruise Critic members have information that the cruise lines either do not want you to have or the CS simply does not know, I am posting here.

In general, do you get a better price on airfare if you book it yourself? I know transfers and hotel room the night before and day after the cruise are included in the price of the airfare. Do you find these two add- ons are worth it?

My husband is a single malt Scotch drinker. I like wine and occasional Martinis. The Windstar CS told us to check out the included drinks on the drink package before buying it. Does anyone out there have a drink package list? Also, if you go off the list do you pay the entire price of the drink or the difference?

I dive and snorkel and kayak. Are there places I can kayak to and just bring my snorkel gear?

Does Windstar feature food that is from the area?

Oh yes, how is cabin 115?

Thanks.

Thank you for all the information. As far as excursions go, I would be interesting in diving/snorkeling/doing absolutely nothing. :)

Can someone give me a definition of all inclusive? The website and brochure state "select spirits". What is select spirits? Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

MJ

I was chatting with a group of friends about tipping. One insisted that too large a tip is an insult. So I surveyed the group. Five of us, four had, at some time worked for tips. Guess which ones thought a large tip was just fine and guess who thought it would be an insult!

No one thinks a large tip is an insult.

I'm taking my girlfriend on her first cruise in August. We are taking the Breakaway to Bermuda! We started with booking a guarantee balcony, then went to a bump out, then an aft... And finally just upgraded to a Haven Spa Suite! It's my first time in a suite on any cruise line and her first cruise overall. Should we be psyched? I literally can't wait! Anyone stay in one of these? I'd love for your feedback!

Thanks!

 

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

I did exactly the same thing on our cruise. It was Celebrity. I started with Concierge, moved to Aqua and then upped the ante to a Sky Suite. I almost when to the Celebrity, but just before I upgraded again, it was gone! Yes, a suite is cool, it gives you nice extras and there is nothing better than breakfast in the morning either in the cabin or on the balcony.

Personally, I keep really loving the either of the Owner Suites. I know the deluxe has no balcony, but floor to ceiling windows are cool. The "plain" Owner suite has TWO balconies. OMG, to have such problems.

:p

The options are:

 

• Breakaway to Bermuda
  Pros: I've never been to Bermuda, the ship seems ideal (similar to the Epic which I loved)
  
  
  Cons: Long flight to NY and we won't have time to enjoy the city, flying into JFK or LGA is usually a hassle, questionable weather leaving NYC (maybe cold?), hurricane season, only one port of call

  
  

• Getaway to the eastern Caribbean
  Pros: Beautiful new ship, similar to the Epic which I loved, warm sail-away weather
  
  
  Cons: Hurricane season, ports that I've already been to that I'm not in love with

  
  

• Jewel Pacific Coastal
  Pros: Short flight from home (AZ), I've never been to Vancouver and have always wanted to, 5-day cruise (allows for a day in Seattle and a day in Vancouver)
  
  
  Cons: Cold(ish) weather(?), older ship, maybe an older crowd (not that there's anything wrong with that), 5-day cruise

  
  

 

Thanks in advance!

I cannot speak about the Pacific cruise, but I can help you with the other two.

Breakaway to Bermuda - September in NYC can be absolutely gorgeous. Most of the humidity is gone, the skies get clear and it is still warm, but not hot. Unless there is a weird weather event, NYC will not be cold when you depart or come back.

I agree LGA and JFK can be a hassle. Newark is usually not better, but have you considered MacArthur Airport (ISP)? Southwest flies into ISP from PHX. It is about 90 minutes east of NYC, and the LIRR (Long Island RailRoad) station is a short cab ride away. The station where the airport is located is the Main Line, and the Ronkonkoma station is a hub. Lots of trains run to NYC.

If a hurricane did cancel the Bermuda cruise, New England usually is the default. New England in September is wonderful.

September 10th is peak of hurricane season. So far, NOAA is predicting a quieter than normal hurricane season.

As far as choice two goes, you will probably want to make that your last choice. You know you do not love the ports, so why re-visit? Figure it would be cool if you land an unbelievable deal.

You could always flip a coin, twice.

:D

Service was fine, but not what I would expect for a "premium" product. Hubby and I would get room service breakfast, and sometimes we received exactly what we ordered, and other times things were missing (butter, milk, melon). It had nothing to do with tipping as we tip well, so it was probably not my butler. Also, during our second night in the MDR (we ate at various places on the ship), the nice couple next to us could not get a Pinot Grigo, but when I ordered, it was brought to us. In other words, service was haphazard. When I walk into my local Chinese place, I know exactly what to expect. When I go to the local upscale restaurant, I know what to expect. And when I fly Southwest Airlines, I know I will get peanuts, a seat, and maybe a funny safety announcement. In other words, if you promise to deliver something, do it. Celebrity to some degree fell short. And that is besides a certain stuffiness.

I love the responses, and thank you for taking time to write. I agree we should not have done a port intensive cruise. I did not think sea days would be boring, but when hubby and I went to dance at 10:00 PM to find about 10 people in the "club", it was disappointing. Also, I believe my first mistake in booking it (I picked it) was not treating the cruise as a vacation in itself, but a conveyance. A cruise of the Caribbean would be good as we have been there several times and more than familiar with the culture, or even a Trans-Atlantic. Bermuda has hit the radar because of the consecutive days in port.

I have done cool boutique hotels in NOLA, NYC, Chicago, London and other places. Class and fun are not mutually exclusive and it seems NCL just might understand that concept.

Ten day forecasts are unreliable. Check about five days out for a better idea, and do not fret. The ship will still be fun even if the weather stinks.

Okay, as my signature indicates, hubby and I went on a cruise in 2012 with Celebrity. Overall, I was underwhelmed. I am not sure what it was exactly, but perhaps the stuffiness, or rude lady (passenger, not service) at the bar turned me off, not to mention the faux class so many passengers displayed. Also, we love to immerse ourselves in a culture making the port heavy itinerary we had a mistake. But, after the less than stunning experience with Celebrity, we are considering giving another cruise line a try. What I do like about NCL is the vibrancy and what appears to be an attitude of taking everything less serious. If we decide on this, it will be islands. We have been to the Caribbean several times, so culture immersion is less important or an island itinerary (the Canaries, for example). Why do you cruise with NCL? If you have done NCL and Celebrity, what are the similarities and differences? By the way, I love to dance, and is there lots of dancing on board? Celebrity pretty much went dead about 10:00 PM most nights.

:D

Thanks for sharing the great picture. We are actually really looking forward to a quiet launch to this vacation. We get very little relaxed alone time and really look forward to spending time in the cabin, on the balcony, exploring ports of call and tables for two for dinner. A co worker of hubby's heard we were on this cruise and surprised us and booked it so we could be cruise buddies and told us after he had it booked...we are not thrilled....going to have them over for dinner prior to final payment day, to explain our purpose for the cruise, what we have planned etc...they are not in a suite and we will not be giving up breakfast and lunch in Cagney's in order to eat at the buffet with them...we also do not do spa treatments, just not our thing, we are not avid shoppers, we love the beach, they do not...the other couple likes to do very separate activities...we like to spend time together....yea, we have a lot to talk about.....sigh

It never ceases to amaze me how some people think their presence is needed or wanted without inquiring. It would seem your husband's co-worker is incredibly presumptuous, and not a little bit rude. In any case, you should probably make your expectations clear in a phone call, or email as dinner will probably go very badly. Also, do this NOW, or as close to now as possible. You never know but the other couple may decide to cancel their booking if you and hubby will not be "cruise buddies." In addition, explain nothing beyond that this is a second honeymoon (it certainly sounds like it) for the two of you ONLY, and you are spending time together, ALONE. If they still insist on going, commit to one dinner, and maybe one show, but nothing else. It is a large ship, and you are in The Haven, so not seeing the "cruise buddies" should be easy.

But.....you get an ipad loaded with stuff {YAWN}.

But, I already own an iPad with stuff! :D

Brava! I have more people not understand why I like to travel alone. My absolute best trips are solo. I do as I want, do not worry about pleasing anyone and can change plans at the drop of a hat. Besides, sometimes I meet some really fun company on the trip!:)