How soon is too soon to book? Cancellation policy? 10 day on Getaway with 3.5 year old?

[Abr155]

I've done a lot of digging and read a lot of old posts that cover my questions, but looking for fresh perspectives.

 

Looking at the 10 day Bermuda & Turks cruise out of NYC on the Getaway for February 2024.  Yes, I know, a LONG way away, but want to ensure that our daughter will be old enough for Splash Academy (assuming it'll be up and running by then...bound to be, right?) and potty trained.  She will be 3.5 at time of cruise.  My questions and concerns:

 

1. Is it too soon to book?  Total comes to about $5800 for balcony room for the 3 of us (includes all the free at sea promotions along with their gratuities).  I've scored some major deals on cruises before, so this is a bit of a sticker shock for me, but not sure if that's a fair price these days (last cruise was Jan. 2019) or if prices will eventually drop.

 

2. NCLs cancellation policy - correct me if I'm wrong, but looks to be 0 penalty if cancelled 120+ days out?  Does the refund go to original payment or FCC?

 

3.  Do we think 10 days is too long for a first cruise for a 3.5 year old?  Cruise has 4 total days at sea (2 at beginning with Bermuda in middle and 2 back to back on way home).  Explored the excursions for the ports, and we'd likely just do beach days at almost every location - maybe a dolphin experience.  

 

4. Tell me about the Getaway - most recent cruise was on RCL Anthem of the Seas and last NCL cruise was on the Star.  Getaway looks to fall somewhere between these two.  I've, of course, watched dozens of YouTube tours of her, just like to hear what others think!

 

Thank you for any advice and insight 🙂

 

 

[RocketMan275]

I've never found a time that was too early to book.

Once you put down a deposit, you don't have to worry about price increases.

Once you put down a deposit, you can always get a lower price if the price drops.

I've cancelled two cruises with NCL outside the 120 day window and received a refund of my deposit within three weeks to the credit card I used to book the cruise.

 

FWIW, I cancelled those two cruises when NCL imposed a mask mandate.

I rebooked those two cruises the day NCL lifted the mask mandate.

Got the same rooms, on the same ship, on the same date of the cruise.

The only significant change was that I saved several thousand (haven) on the rebooking.

 

I can't address the toddler.

[Abr155]

12 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Once you put down a deposit, you can always get a lower price if the price drops.

Ooo, this didn't even occur to me!  Right now they're running such reduced deposit deals, so would be so easy to book to lock in our perfect room and just keep an eye on the price over the next...2 years ugh haha

 

Thank you!

[RocketMan275]

4 hours ago, Abr155 said:

Ooo, this didn't even occur to me!  Right now they're running such reduced deposit deals, so would be so easy to book to lock in our perfect room and just keep an eye on the price over the next...2 years ugh haha

 

Thank you!

Just one thing.  If these reduced deposits are part of a promotion, it's possible that rebooking might cause an increase in the deposit.   If  you rebook, you must rebook under the terms of the promotion that's in effect at the time of the rebooking.

Edited February 28, 2022 by RocketMan275

[acct1975]

booking far in advance - you could always get trip insurance in case you have to cancel for life reasons so all you lose is your deposit (if I'm remembering all the particulars)

 

Cruising with toddlers - my son was around 3 on his 1st cruise and my nephew younger than that. It helps if your traveling with a group (not just spouse plus you) because then you have many more adults to keep the little one entertained. We never ended up using the Splash Academy or "cruise daycare" not because we didn't trust, more because the drop off times didn't work or we just wanted him around.  Also nice because then another family member can watch them and you can have a date night dinner on the cruise without worrying about kid's menus or crabby kiddos 😊

 

Have an umbrella stroller and use that on the ship so their little legs don't get tired and you don't end up carrying them EVERYWHERE. It's nice to get them in the stroller on the pool deck, they have a nap and you have a cocktail 🍸

 

Be prepared to think about what your child would like when it comes to excursion and not what you're into. Distillery tours are awesome for adults...not so much for kiddos. Some kids can handle the town exploration/history tours some don't.

 

Plan on not having much night life, you might get out an about but going to the casino or to the club might not work when the baby needs their sleep.

 

If you're flying in, don't travel with 9 days of pull ups, find a store in your port city to get a pack. Your luggage will be full enough as it is.

 

Finally, be prepared to be flexible. You might want to have a nice dinner in the MDR but you crabby bundle of joy just had a full day of sun and the swinging by the buffet for some quick eats might be all you can handle.

 

In the end, just have fun introducing your little one to wonderful world of cruising! 🛳️ 

[ChiefMateJRK]

I have five cruises booked in 2024 - 2025.  I occasionally will check prices but they rarely move (despite the many reports of prices going through the roof).

[Abr155]

30 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I have five cruises booked in 2024 - 2025.  I occasionally will check prices but they rarely move (despite the many reports of prices going through the roof).

That’s exciting! Do you always book that far in advance and, if so, have you found that the prices remain fairly stable?

[Abr155]

1 hour ago, acct1975 said:

We never ended up using the Splash Academy or "cruise daycare" not because we didn't trust, more because the drop off times didn't work or we just wanted him around.

This would probably be us too save an evening drop for a quick date dinner!
 

Thank you for the insight! It would, unfortunately, likely just be us and our kiddo unless we can talk some more into joining!

[ChiefMateJRK]

59 minutes ago, Abr155 said:

That’s exciting! Do you always book that far in advance and, if so, have you found that the prices remain fairly stable?

I have 12 cruises booked between now and 2025.  I book them as they become available.  I've probably found either price reductions or promo increases on four or five of them.  We'll probably sail on nine of those (or replacements if we update our plans/schedules).  

[Abr155]

12 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I have 12 cruises booked between now and 2025.  I book them as they become available.  I've probably found either price reductions or promo increases on four or five of them.  We'll probably sail on nine of those (or replacements if we update our plans/schedules).  

Last question (thank you for all your help).  Do you typically book through TA or direct with NCL? 

[RocketMan275]

44 minutes ago, Abr155 said:

Last question (thank you for all your help).  Do you typically book through TA or direct with NCL? 

I never book directly with the cruise line.  A good TA can save you 8+% off the cruise fare.

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, Abr155 said:

Last question (thank you for all your help).  Do you typically book through TA or direct with NCL? 

I just book through the NCL website.  I may need to start calling NCL reservations as final payment due dates approach, as I have a number of 10% FCC's and the website doesn't appear to let you apply two to a cruise booked on-line (one for each passenger in a cabin).  I think it just takes 10% off the fare for whichever passenger is logged in.  Somebody else will probably have more info on this.

[Purple_Pig]

I'm already book for summer 2024.