Does this sound like Norwegian to you?

[fiedav]

As for the person trying to persuade you from not taking the cruise - tell her where to go - while you are enjoying your cruise :D

 

I understand your POV about my wife's friend, but I like her a lot.

 

The trouble is that she is basing her opinion on a couple of people she's met that cruised. She is concerned about my wife.

 

There are some people that I would tried to avoid on a cruise that have posted videos on YouTube - but then, I can avoid them. I don't think my wife's friend has understood that.

 

But thanks for all the positive comments here. I've sent the URL for this thread to my wife and she has read a lot of posts.

[cruiser1955a]

 

I understand your POV about my wife's friend, but I like her a lot.

 

The trouble is that she is basing her opinion on a couple of people she's met that cruised. She is concerned about my wife.

 

There are some people that I would tried to avoid on a cruise that have posted videos on YouTube - but then, I can avoid them. I don't think my wife's friend has understood that.

 

But thanks for all the positive comments here. I've sent the URL for this thread to my wife and she has read a lot of posts.

 

If you are concerned about rowdy passengers, you want to avoid booking during school/college vacations. May & September cruises have a higher percentage of "less rowdy" passengers. Keep in mind that Sept is the peak of hurricane season.

[gcdogwalker]

My husband and I are both in our 70's and think there is nothing better than a cruise vacation. It is really a vacation and you can do as little or as much as you want. No one ever told us to eat but, let me tell you, we do! The food is so good and you will find just about anything you want. There will be others in wheelchairs, etc. and the staff and most of the others would be more than happy to help you out if you need it. We even cruised with a group of blind people and they were having a great time. If you can afford it, get a balcony. Even if you can't afford it you will find so much outdoor space and indoor space on the ship to sit and relax. I think your friend may be just a little bit jealous! I hope we get to meet you on our next cruise!!!!

[jerseymomof2]

I want to take my first cruise on the Dawn from Boston to Bermuda next year, and I want my wife to come.

 

I am disabled (in a powered wheelchair) and my wife is a big woman who has trouble walking more than a hundred yards.

 

She's ambivalent about going (she likes peace and quiet) and e-mailed a friend about this. Her friend replied:

 

"Do not go on a cruise. Make him go with someone else or not go at all. The only people I know who have enjoyed them are very outgoing and like to dance and go into each other's rooms and drink. G------ from work loves them. Imagine being trapped on a ship with her and her kind. On the other hand, someone I really like said it wasn't fun at all to be on a cruise. The workers were always insisting on over feeding her and pressuring her have fun. Do not give in, for Pete's sake. I mean, go if you want to, but don't let R----- brow beat you."

 

I don't ever recall reading about people's experience like this. I could understand that there are groups of people on any cruise who want to behave like this, but I'm sure they can be easily avoided. My wife would like to go and lie in the sun, read novels, and have a glass or two of wine a day. She's not that social.

 

We are both in our late 60s and don't look like anyone's idea of a good time. I have all the disabled stuff arranged. Can I take it that her friend's opinion doesn't have any real relevance to Norwegian cruising?

 

 

 

My family and I are going on the Dawn this July. This will be our second cruise, the first was with Carnival and we had a fantastic time. My kids were 17 and 13 then met a lot of nice kids and hung out with them most of the time. We insisted on having dinner everyday with them other than that we didn't see them to much on the ship.

 

My husband and I spent most of the days on the cruise together and we had a lot of fun. We are not drinkers so we didn't partake in any of that. We

went to the casino, laid out by the pool, went to craft classes, comedy shows, I mean we did everything that was offered. We were not bothered by the party goers and we weren't pressured into doing anything.

 

I think if you go you will have a nice time and make it what you both want. It will be great!

[fiedav]

Hello my name is Jo-Ann my last cruise was just this May 4 2013 ( 34 )

My husband is in a jazzy wheel chair and up until 4 years ago I had very bad knees , easy fix for me I now have two new ones.

 

I would like to share more info with you , not sure how to do that here on this thread or how you can contact me if any one knows please share

Hi Jo-Ann:

 

There is apparently no way of sending personal messages, but CC recommends you post your e-mail address in this form:

 

david(underscore)field(two thousand - in numbers [four digits]) at yahoo dot com

 

If this was someone else's e-mail address it would look like tom_cruise2000@yahoo.com

 

Hope you can understand this - I would like to hear from you.

 

Note to spammers - the only part of my body I want enlarged is my brain.

 

:D

[NLH Arizona]

fiedave, the best thing about NCL is that you don't have to worry about formal or smart casual; you can wear your shorts and t-shirts all the time.

[fiedav]

fiedave, the best thing about NCL is that you don't have to worry about formal or smart casual; you can wear your shorts and t-shirts all the time.

 

OK. At the risk of starting another thread like I just did on the Celebrity section of this board, I'd like to know what the actual policy on dress is in all restaurants.

 

The official line is that only in the buffets, etc. are shorts permitted. Restaurants require pants.

 

As a paraplegic, getting dressed is an issue for me. Usually, after dressing or undressing, I'm out of breath. I get put to bed by an aide at 6 pm, and obviously I intend to stay up later on the cruise. It's hard to dress when your arms have to do all the work that your legs will do. In fact, I feel reasonably chipper at night before I go to bed, but sometimes I'm asleep within minutes. It's not easy.

 

So has anyone seen the actual practices on the restaurants? I wear shorts every day of the year. Making me change would wipe me out.

 

I could come in shorts and a t-shirt or a polo shirt, with a blanket over my legs. Do you think that something like that would be accepted by restaurant managers? I don't want to cause a fuss or look like a bum, and my clothes are usually fresh every season.

 

Maybe we can discuss this without descending to the insults that seem to characterize other dress code discussions. I understand Norwegian's code, but I would like to know what your experience is. No-one can guarantee what would happen, but maybe you can tell what you've seen.

 

Thanks. ;)

[david_sobe]

Cruises are very popular with the disabled. NCL has freestyle which allows you to do whatever you want at whatever time. They also have handicap cabins that will make cruising that much easier for you.

[skittl1321]

"Do not go on a cruise. Make him go with someone else or not go at all. The only people I know who have enjoyed them are very outgoing and like to dance and go into each other's rooms and drink. G------ from work loves them. Imagine being trapped on a ship with her and her kind. On the other hand, someone I really like said it wasn't fun at all to be on a cruise. The workers were always insisting on over feeding her and pressuring her have fun. Do not give in, for Pete's sake. I mean, go if you want to, but don't let R----- brow beat you."

 

I'm not outgoing, I don't like to dance or drink. I don't go to other people's rooms (is that an allusion to sleeping around?)

 

I've only cruised Carnival but never felted pressured to eat too much or have fun (lol). I really love the idea of being pressured into having fun. It reminds me if my husbands Air Force days when the had socials we called "mandatory hour of fun". Those were not fun.

 

I know cruising is not for everyone but I love it. I am not what my husband and I call "lido deck people" but give me a good trivia game on the way to the port, and it is one of the best, most affordable ways for us to vacation.

[skittl1321]

Fieday NCL officially allows shorts, just not in Le bistro or aft dining room. However I bet if you discussed your accessibility concerns with the Maitre d or guest services shorts and a lap blanket would be allowed. Even on a more formal line, if you have a blanket on your lap, how would they know you weren't wearing pants?

 

Dress cruise casual anytime during the day, in the buffet and in most specialty restaurants. For women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops. Khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts are fine for men

[NLH Arizona]

Fieday NCL officially allows shorts, just not in Le bistro or aft dining room. However I bet if you discussed your accessibility concerns with the Maitre d or guest services shorts and a lap blanket would be allowed. Even on a more formal line, if you have a blanket on your lap, how would they know you weren't wearing pants?

This was suggested over and over ad nauseam on the Celebrity board, but the OP just wanted to know why there was a dress code at all.

[IWORK2CRUISE]

I want to take my first cruise on the Dawn from Boston to Bermuda next year, and I want my wife to come.

 

I am disabled (in a powered wheelchair) and my wife is a big woman who has trouble walking more than a hundred yards.

 

She's ambivalent about going (she likes peace and quiet) and e-mailed a friend about this. Her friend replied:

 

"Do not go on a cruise. Make him go with someone else or not go at all. The only people I know who have enjoyed them are very outgoing and like to dance and go into each other's rooms and drink. G------ from work loves them. Imagine being trapped on a ship with her and her kind. On the other hand, someone I really like said it wasn't fun at all to be on a cruise. The workers were always insisting on over feeding her and pressuring her have fun. Do not give in, for Pete's sake. I mean, go if you want to, but don't let R----- brow beat you."

 

I don't ever recall reading about people's experience like this. I could understand that there are groups of people on any cruise who want to behave like this, but I'm sure they can be easily avoided. My wife would like to go and lie in the sun, read novels, and have a glass or two of wine a day. She's not that social.

 

We are both in our late 60s and don't look like anyone's idea of a good time. I have all the disabled stuff arranged. Can I take it that her friend's opinion doesn't have any real relevance to Norwegian cruising?

Cruising is what you make it. You can participate in many activities or no activities. If you or your wife want to lounge and read that is perfectly fine. If one of you decides to participate in some shipboard activities, that is also fine. That is part of the beauty of cruising. Do everything or nothing!

[cruiser1955a]

There were men in shorts at both the Venetian & Aqua restaurants on the Dawn last week at dinner. I'm sure the upcharge restaurants would be accomodating as well.

[jaja]

My husband and I are not the partying type either. We love cruising on ncl. No one has ever tried to pressure us into any activities or food. If you like sun,fresh air,being waited on everyday and very friendly people then you will love cruising. Our favorite thing to do is sit on our balcony and have coffee or cocktails delivered to us out there. Go!! You'll love it!!!

Ditto !!!....:D:D

[medicalma'am]

My late DH died of ALS and I am well versed in the dressing a disabled person. How about some of those zip off pants that can be shorts, or zip the 'legs' on and they become long pants?

 

I love the blanket on the lap idea too - that is brilliant!

 

GO......have a great time.......let your wife decide for herself if she likes cruising. To me and my hubby, it is the MOST relaxing vacation because I don't have to do ANYTHING, not even make the bed!

 

We like to cruise September through May, but avoid holidays and school breaks. It seems that the people most like us cruise then also.

[chrislynnet]

I am quite introverted and go on cruises so I can have long periods of time to myself. My teenager is my cruising buddy and he does his own thing all day. Then in the evening we like to watch... wait for it... movies on the TV! And then we read the books we brought! Brilliantly exciting, but it works for us. :)

 

No one is going to pressure either of you to do anything.

[halos]

I want to take my first cruise on the Dawn from Boston to Bermuda next year, and I want my wife to come.

 

I am disabled (in a powered wheelchair) and my wife is a big woman who has trouble walking more than a hundred yards.

 

She's ambivalent about going (she likes peace and quiet) and e-mailed a friend about this. Her friend replied:

 

"Do not go on a cruise. Make him go with someone else or not go at all. The only people I know who have enjoyed them are very outgoing and like to dance and go into each other's rooms and drink. G------ from work loves them. Imagine being trapped on a ship with her and her kind. On the other hand, someone I really like said it wasn't fun at all to be on a cruise. The workers were always insisting on over feeding her and pressuring her have fun. Do not give in, for Pete's sake. I mean, go if you want to, but don't let R----- brow beat you."

 

I don't ever recall reading about people's experience like this. I could understand that there are groups of people on any cruise who want to behave like this, but I'm sure they can be easily avoided. My wife would like to go and lie in the sun, read novels, and have a glass or two of wine a day. She's not that social.

 

We are both in our late 60s and don't look like anyone's idea of a good time. I have all the disabled stuff arranged. Can I take it that her friend's opinion doesn't have any real relevance to Norwegian cruising?

 

MY first thought when reading that was this friend of hers sounds like a shrew.

Seriously....

I would hope your wife doesn't ask a lot of advice from this person....

 

If your wife is looking for an excuse not to go, then this would definitely be the one she was searching for. I am sorry that she doesn't want to even try to cruise with you, especially if it's something you'd like to do. That's pretty sad....the saddest thing is she has NO clue what she's missing.

Cruising (at least the ones I have taken) vary all the time...depending on what I want on that cruise. I am sure this goes for everyone else as well. basically you can 'form' your own cruise and partying NEVER has to be included if that is not appealing to you.

The peace and serenity you can have being on a ship on the sea is so amazing and it makes me smh to think that this friend of your wife's may talk her out of even trying it for herself. I know you like this friend, but she is NOT looking out for your wife's best interest here as you seem to think.

She is jealous, plain and simple. Just the comment she made about the coworker, 'her and her kind' is appalling....and to accuse you of brow-beating your wife just because you want to try to talk her into it???????

This 'friend' sounds like NO friend I'd want to have for goodness sake.

[dustyroad]

It depends on what cruiseline you are on as to what type of passengers you will find. If you take a 3-4 day "Booze" cruise on another very popular line, you will find what your wife's friend is describing (actually, you have a good chance of finding that on that line's 7 day cruises).

 

On NCL, you will find some of what was described to you. Hopefully, those passengers will not be on your deck. The majority will be as others have described - people enjoying a quiet, relaxing time.

 

NCL is a good entry level line to try for your first cruise. You can judge from your experience on the cruise what you may wish to look for on your next cruise (either still on NCL or another line).

 

The one thing you may wish to consider about the Bermuda cruise is if your ship is docked out at the Navy wharf (the north end of the island chain) you will be very isolated from the rest of Bermuda and will need to spend a lot of time on buses and ferries to do any type of sightseeing.

 

this is not everyones experience on these cruises. I am a single lady, in my late 50's and been on this cruise line to the Caribbean and have not encountered these problems. I had a wonderful time. every cruise line has party people around the pools and in the lounges/bars. ncl is a nice cruiseline and a good start but don't overlook other lines.

[Norwaylin]

I have been on three NCL ships. The first two (Norway and Starward) were shared with a friend. After the friend moved out of state, I went on another cruise alone (Seaward). I had a great time. I never felt like anyone was pushing me to do anything I didn't want to do. There are excursions planned for different types of tours and they do accommodate handicapped people. A good part of the experience is getting off the ship, but not everyone chooses to get off -- they tend to stay onboard and go to the pool or sun deck to read, etc., getting their peace and quiet.

[love2travel41]

I want to take my first cruise on the Dawn from Boston to Bermuda next year, and I want my wife to come.

 

I am disabled (in a powered wheelchair) and my wife is a big woman who has trouble walking more than a hundred yards.

 

She's ambivalent about going (she likes peace and quiet) and e-mailed a friend about this. Her friend replied:

 

"Do not go on a cruise. Make him go with someone else or not go at all. The only people I know who have enjoyed them are very outgoing and like to dance and go into each other's rooms and drink. G------ from work loves them. Imagine being trapped on a ship with her and her kind. On the other hand, someone I really like said it wasn't fun at all to be on a cruise. The workers were always insisting on over feeding her and pressuring her have fun. Do not give in, for Pete's sake. I mean, go if you want to, but don't let R----- brow beat you."

 

I don't ever recall reading about people's experience like this. I could understand that there are groups of people on any cruise who want to behave like this, but I'm sure they can be easily avoided. My wife would like to go and lie in the sun, read novels, and have a glass or two of wine a day. She's not that social.

 

We are both in our late 60s and don't look like anyone's idea of a good time. I have all the disabled stuff arranged. Can I take it that her friend's opinion doesn't have any real relevance to Norwegian cruising?

 

 

Wow--she doesn't know what she's talking about. A cruise will be what you make it. If you like to be sociable--spend time on the deck or in the bars or other gathering places. If you want to be a loner, get a balcony cabin and use room service. You would not have to interact with anyone.

Ofcourse, there is a happy medium also.

[shelly11]

I've had plenty of moments on a cruise where I'm involved in lots of activities and plenty of times to sit by myself and just relax. This person obviously has never cruised. NCL also has people to assist you with your wheelchair or scooter, you just call ahead with any needs you have.

[DMLyons]

Don't believe everything you hear. I'm introverted and love to sit in the sun and read. I had no problem finding someplace to read 4 books on the Dawn, which I just sailed on in April. There was no pressure from crew members to participate in something I didn't want to do or to be fed, although there are plenty of dining options onboard.

 

I highly recommend that your wife try it out and form an opinion for herself. I was skeptical of cruising but once I tried it, I was total convert. And the Dawn is a great ship to try it on.

 

Savoy! Since you're a lot like my husband and myself, please... Can you suggest the best places on the Dawn to do this. To sit and have quiet conversations, read a book, etc. We could be quite comfortable in our room, if necessary, but we've been looking for places aboard Dawn to do this out of the room as well.

 

Thanks much in advance! ;)

 

DML

[SissasMomE]

Please allow me to translate:

 

Don't go on a cruise! I've never been on one and I'm afraid to go on one. If you go and have a good time I will be jealous. And after writing this I will look like an idiot. Please stay home and be miserable along with me.

 

LOL!! Good one!

 

OP - go and have fun! We have been on RCCL, Princess, NCL, and once on Carnival with friends. RCCL, Princess, and NCL all have freestyle now. You can dine alone if you wish, relax, and do all or nothing! You will have a great time.

[newmexicoNita]

Oh my, I guess I must not have been on a cruise ship last year, when I ran into all those people who were in motorized chairs or those using walkers or canes? I don't know what it was, I guess it was a floating hotel, but I always thought floating hotels were the same as cruise ships.

 

As for the people staying up, dancing, drinking etc, damn, where were they when I tried to find them?

 

Oh and too much food, holy cow, if this is the case, why are so many complaining about the servings being too small and they have to ask for seconds??

 

Yes, the ships can get really noisy, and cruising is only for outgoing people, that is why I we never know if there are people in the cabin next door to us cause we never see or hear anyone?

[johnsak123]

The reason I love NCL is because it is freestyle and you can do what you want when you want or do nothing at all

There are activities all day and you and your wife can participate or not. No one forces you to do anything. I prefer not to participate in most activities and just enjoy laying around the room, on the balcony or wandering the decks. You should take a cruise and figure it out for yourself. Whats the worst that will happen. You will have a bad time.

Even so, you will be away, out on the beautiful ocean sailing off in to the sunset with your loved one

What can be better

Enjoy!!