runner2013

Just checked on line and the cost of my upcoming cruise went down. Called my travel agent who spoke with NCL, since it's past the final payment date, they can't refund the difference but did give me an upgrade from the guaranteed inside to a guaranteed oceanview cabin.

May not be much but i'll take it. :D

Yay me

I would like to find a 3-5 day cruise that leaves before and returns after the Christmas holiday. Convenient departure ports would be Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

Does anyone know of such cruises?

Norwegian has one leaving from Miami, Dec 22nd and returning Dec 26th. Try looking at some websites selling cruises and plug in your desired criteria.

Hi all,

I'll be sailing on the Sky in a few weeks. I have an At&t phone and am trying to find out if I set it to airplane mode, can I use it for taking pictures and the alarm clock feature ONLY without charges.?

I have NO intention of making calls or surfing the web. When I cruise I enjoy staying unplugged from reality:)

So far I've found everything from there's no charge to you may still be billed if someone calls me even if I don't answer. (which I do understand):confused:

Any info to straighten it all out is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Patty

Hi all,

Has anyone sailed on the Norwegian Sky in a guaranteed inside room?

Looking for info, good or bad.

Any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Patty

I take a bank book with us. Opening balance is the budget for the cruise.

 

Everything spent is logged in. Everything. Onboard. Ashore. Doesn't matter. It gets logged. OBC gets logged. Tips get logged. Dropping a quarter into that sweepy machine in the casino gets logged. Laundry gets logged.

 

Now, having said that, I also make darn sure that I over budget. This last cruise (May 2014) I wound up with almost $600 left in the bank book. And, never EVER felt like we were missing out on anything that we wanted to do.

 

We also took the allowed 2 bottles of wine onboard. Although that did save money, we most likely won't be doing that again - just felt like we were not really on holiday with our own wine. :-)

Love this idea of a bankbook/checkbook.

I may try it on my upcoming Christmas cruise.

Love your review of Little French key. The Animal Sanctuary is absolutely beautiful.

Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures..

Patty

I live in South Florida and usually the weather is mid 70's during the day and 60's at night at that time of year .

Good to know, thanks

Patty

Oh no,,

So sad to read its gone. :eek:

thanks for the info

Hello all,

Taking my first NCL cruise over Christmas on the Sky. Is there a night they have some sort of chocolate buffet?:p

Any info greatly appreciated

Thanks

Patty

Well, if you pack now, everything will be so creased...put all your summer stuff NEAR the suitcase, but don't actually pack, yet!

 

The Bahamas weather is pretty much Florida weather....too soon to tell what the forecast is!

Yes, at this point i'll just lay everything out and not actually put things in the suitcase until the night before.

It's just fun to see everything waiting to go;)

Taking a Christmas cruise from Miami to Bahamas leaving Dec 22nd.

Two questions:

1-Will the weather still be on the warmer side?

2-Is it too soon to start packing:p

(Guess I'm just a little excited)

Have a wonderful time!!

What ship and for how long?

Hello,

Every worker I've spoken with says the rooms are incredibly tiny, sometimes squeezing 3 people in them ..They don't have room for anything extra and, in my humble opinion, I'd say cash is the only thing they really want.

:D

Love reading your review of the Sun, your pictures are great.

I see the Sun had a shower curtain instead of a door. I have an inside room for my upcoming trip on the Sky, was hoping for a door but after seeing your pics of the Sun I'm guessing I'll have a curtain as well??

Kinda bums me out. Somehow the idea of 'sharing' a curtain with strangers who went before me doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling :(

Anyway, thanks for all your time and effort to give such a great review. Looking forward to what's next

Thanks

Patty

Sailing on the Sky Dec 22nd through 26th..

Patty

Yes.

 

My cabin mate and I boarded at different times. When I got to the cabin I opened the envelope outside the cabin door but there was only one sea pass in it, which had my cabin mate's name on it.

 

So I went along the hallway and called Guest Services.

 

They said, "use your cabin mate's sea pass to enter the cabin".

I said, "but what if she is not on the ship yet won't that be a security issue".

Their reply was "no, just use the card to enter the cabin and your sea pass will be in the cabin".

I don't like that idea at all. Who knows what could happen to your card or what a stranger could do to your room before you got there. :(

Thanks everyone for your answers.

I've thought on it, and talked to my sister and I am going on the cruise.

She admitted she would be sad to not have me there, but she also understands how I'm feeling right now and this is what I need to do for me.

I'll be with her for Thanksgiving (she is only right down the road which is great) so we will all make the most of that.

That being said, I'm really excited ..Bahamas here I come!!! woo hoo

Patty

Wow, I really didn't mean to cause such a controversy when I asked my question.

To all those who took your valuable time to answer my question--THANK YOU-

To everyone else, can't we all just agree to disagree and keep things 'friendly and respectable'.

Shouldn't this be a somewhat happy place for us?;)

Hi all,

First time cruising on Norwegian and first time I won't be purchasing a drink package.

My question is, do I tip the bartender or waiter each/every time I order a drink or is it already included on the slip I will have to sign?

Don't want to shortchange anyone:D

Thanks

Its the Sky. Leaving on Dec 22nd, returning on Dec 26th

Patty

Hi all

Have what might be a strange question for everyone.

I'm seriously thinking of booking a Xmas cruise this year as a present to myself.

Was going to book the flights this week, hopefully before the prices go higher than what they are now, and then watch the rates for the cruise as it gets closer.

Was hoping I could get a last minute rate that's a bit better than what's out there now. But I realize I might end up paying more or even not getting anything at all so its a gamble.

Is that a good idea or am I being crazy? should I just book everything now and stop looking at rates all together?

Any input good or bad appreciated

Thanks

Patty

Considering the Sky for a solo Christmas cruise. Has anyone been on her in the past for Christmas and can offer feedback, good or bad.

I am aware since its a holiday week there will be lots of kids and families celebrating. More concerned with on dining, on board activities in general and/or for solos.

I'm usually a RC cruiser so this will be my first time on Norwegian.

Any input greatly appreciated

Patty

Forgot to mention I'm aware there will be a lot of kids, families on these cruises and I'm ok with that as well.. :D

Ok all you seasoned solo cruisers I'm looking for some help, advice, opinions. I'm toying with the idea of a Holiday cruise. I found several leaving on Dec 22 and returning Fri Dec 26 or Sat Dec 27. I'm at peace with the price for both the cruise and flights, etc so that won't be an issue, (or at least I won't let it be an issue) and I'll even be going on someone other than RC which is my preferred line.

I've always wanted to be somewhere warm/different for Christmas, and since I'm now single again, no kids, and have just a small family of siblings and nieces/nephews, I guess I'm having a little bit of guilt about bailing out on them. Honestly, I'm not big into Christmas at all, haven't been for many years, and I know they would understand if I did go without any hard feeling on their end.

I guess I'm having some guilt about spending the money on myself, feeling sort of selfish, especially when all we hear about is how we should 'give to others' during this 'festive' time. I would still get something for each of them but just wouldn't be there when they opened it Christmas day.

So what do you all think? :confused:

Should I do what would really make me happy and get out of the cold and snow, spending the holiday with complete strangers, or stay and try to make the best of it? I love my family to the moon and back but I just don't think I can take another freezing holiday right now.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Patty

Thanks everyone for your input. There is just so much info to read about the different lines it can make you dizzy :eek:

I'm 46 so I'm definitely not looking for the 'party party party' atmosphere. I'd say a little more upscale with a variety of activities to try.

I have seen some trips with Princess that peak my interest so who knows, maybe i'll give them or NCL a try on my next go round. :p

Patty