AlohaLivin

Oh good - we were booked for the NCL Haven so absorbing it wasn’t an option ? Most things allow for separation (even excursions if through the cruise line - unless it is a shareable purchase so a cabana). I am sure it will be fabulous ?

It definitely has the potential to be uncomfortable, but also great fun! We cruise with a friend (actually a half sister of my half sister who I met 4 years ago) and hubby and I share a CC and she puts down her own. But there are a few things that are hard to split 3 ways (as you mention, a room service surcharge; excursion deposits are another). For us, the key is for everyone to be honest (moochers aren’t allowed ?) and to keep up with those bundled charges so after the cruise someone sends a check to the person designated to pay. It’s easy for us since it’s really just two entities, I think possible one designated payer would make keeping up simpler. To ward off hard feelings, I find it essential to be up front about methods and expectations before hand. BUT, unexpected problems can show up though - before our Alaska cruise last year she found out that her debit card had been hacked and they were sending her a new one, the problem was that she was leaving early the next morning for Vancouver. She was actually able to get a duplicate in Skagway, but we did front her a great deal of money on that trip (which she paid in full). One area of sharing with friends where there is a real potential for trouble is if one is not able to go. The way the cruise lines are chopping up the fares, insurance is not going to cover everyone equally even though you all are splitting it equally. We ran into that problem at the first of the year; it worked out, she was able to go, but there was no way to insure her for the actual amount of her 3 way split. That could get dicey. Not trying to be a downer, but we almost learned the hard way how likely that can be. Have fun!

Just making sure I am following your question... do mean the panoramic view stateroom or the Oceanview Panoramic Suite? There are only two of the suites at the front of the ship and those are much larger and have a second “bedroom” with bunk beads. I am assuming the former since the prices would be much more comparable to a balcony, but assuming isn’t usually wise, so I thought I should ask. And if you somewhere and I missed it, sorry Edit: I just noticed that in a later post someone mentioned cabin1864 which is the non-suite and someone smaller option (It was just at the answer for me would’ve been very different depending on which type, so I was trying to clear that up! Happy sailing!

Having lived in N. VA when Maj. hubby was stationed at Naval Observatory/Crystal City, I know that if you made it to one and it turned out that you were wrong it would take you 2 days to drive to the other! ?

We are family, ... my my my my sister and me.... lalalala ??

:: happy dance :: Thanks! ??

Delta is our much preferred airline, not sure about some comments from people suggesting it has “issues” as it usually comes out near the top on most measures of the biggest players. Of course being from Atlanta we know more than our fair share of Delta employees and are surrounded by more diamond medallions than red ants, but we will always #flydelta.

I have just never scrolled enough to get this far so I completely missed this entire live blog (and the run up to it!). But I read all of your entries here tonight and it was great fun! I was so glad that you and your family has this experience and you will get joy on and on remembering it. Next time I will try to make the party before it’s over!! Lynn

We’ve been in early January - during our visit, the water was choppy and there was a pretty rough storm (you don’t want to be in a small boat with 15’ swells and a need to get back to land through it). But a storm can come up at any time at any point in the year. The water was warm enough for swimming, but not very warm (around 80). Orlando’s weather should be mild as the very least and likely 70ish (my sister lives there, it is rarely truly cold).

Ivan... ugh. Definitely prime time is hurricane season and you never know. But you surely hope to avoid 35’ swells ?

What am I missing here? I guess that I didn’t read it as everyone else. I am sorry they had such problems. They are irritated, I am sure that I would be too. Hindsight is 20-20, but it might be less easy to figure it all out on the fly (especially for people who haven’t traveled a great deal) and they were just seeking assistance from some rep who might be able to lead them in the right direction. For what it’s worth.

We did one years ago - when I checked recently it seemed many of them seemed super pricey (maybe because there are less of them?). We went in October and while you never know what the weather will be, we froze our tuchuses off! ️ It just made it fairly miserable. Next time around I am thinking August...

I guess people perceive these things differently, and I never claimed to be in the mid portion of the normal curve on most variables, but it is one day and to me it would be crazy to spend that much on 1 thing or even on 1 day. As you point out, someone could take a cruise for that price. But that is just how I see it. I can enjoy my day quite a lot either way ?? But, I am definitely not criticizing those who pay for those things at all, everyone has a right to their own priories in life and there are people that I like quite a lot that pay for cabanas (and such) regularly. And I had had lots of friends who have wanted one and invited us to join them (anyone who wants to do so in the future, feel free ??). But, in my “worthwhile” calculation those usually fail horribly here 15 years from retirement. I did find a bungalow for our coco cay visit in May that was just under $200 and that we went for since I had a carcinoma on my face in my mid 30’s because of how fair I am - guaranteed shade at that price (and them delivering lunch) made it a “go” ? To your first comment - the vast majority of the people here are super nice and very helpful. Sure, snarkiness and ego do occasionaly rear their heads, but it is rare and is far, far, FAR less than you will find anywhere else (and sometimes I think it’s from those who mistakenly think that dry humor translates in writing when it comes out seeming mean or terse). You will like it here, the members have a weatlth of cruise-related experience to offer. Welcome, glad you are here ?

Great review! I have occasionally gazed at those resorts (mostly when Delta travel sends me emails trying to get me to bite), but I have never booked one. I had heard that the meals were MEH, but it helps a lot to hear your opinion since those others were from random post and I “know” you ?? Funny that the “opportunities” for up-charging were plentiful there - it seems to be a trend in travel and every other product type. I would think that one upside to those would be for those who want to spent extra time in a country in which you don’t feel entirely safe given the enhanced security compared to non-exclusive resort travel (e.g., you won’t end up with as much of the constant pleas from pot dealers and self-styled travel agents ?). We have friends who love these resorts since they love scuba diving, but they have noted there is a huge diversity in how friendly that the staff is across the properties (e.g., they said in one they felt ignored as compared to the European guests). Thanks again for that comprehensive peek in, it was very helpful ??????

I think the “pre-gold” with your user name display is based on the number of posts you have made here and not meant to mirror your RCL C&A status ?

We use this if we need our passports or other items we want to keep safe and dry - https://www.leisurepro.com/p-dpk69/dry-pak-multi-purpose-case-6-x-9-1525-cm-x-229-cm As @twangster noted, they are not necessary in most ports (although we tend to go with better safe than sorry).

We enjoy dressing up (it makes great photos for our Christmas cards!) - you can rent a tuxedo from RCL and we find it to be a great way for hubby to dress up with less hassle ?

So, I was thinking the same thing... did that say “a” bottle and “a” can of Coke? For real? I don’t know how they will stay in business ? I almost cannot believe that they put that out as a “benefit”. ? @princevaliantus - on the bottle of wine issue.... We also drink very little and I hate wine and champagne (sorry wine lovers). But when we have sailed in NCL’s Haven we always had 2 bottles of champagne in the cabin. At the end of our last journey with them we tried to give them to our Butler and room steward, but they said that they weren’t allowed to take it. ? So I told them that I would throw it off the balcony before I gave it back to Norwegian - the Butler then said they could take it for the crew’s bar and I happily handed them off. An option maybe?

I don’t know, but that is insane! It is 1 beach day for heaven’s sake; I would not pay that for 3 (but I am not much of a beach person and usually leave early so a more expensive cabana is silly for us anyway). I do hope that number improves for you!

You have made me so happy! I may still bring some just in case, but I am so glad to know that I can find it ? Now if I can find diet cherry 7up ? Party in my cabin!!!

Hummm this is a little spooky ? ? - the only soft drink that I really want available (and it never, ever is) is Diet Canada Dry Ginger Ale. It was actually part of our calculation in moving our loyalty from NCL to RCL (NCL has only regular ginger ale on tap that is disgustingly sweet and RCL allows me to bring 12 of them with me! ?). In fact, I just sent an email to our driver from airport to B&B for this May asking if it would be possible to hit a grocery store on the way so I can get my substance of choice ?). @Matt was in from the tap or in a can (fingers crossed for can)? Thanks!

To my knowledge they are included in all the upgraded areas from “beds” upward. @MicDay I realize that someone has already mentioned this, but that number really looks like that you clicked on all the individuals on the reservation and so it multiplied whichever number for that number of people (when you click the links does it show you which person(s) are being added? You only need to reserve it under one person‘s name even though 6 to 8 can be there.

I agree with @AshleyDillo in that there is zero chance of there being anything beyond basic masks. And you can’t wear glasses with a mask (and I would not even suggest contacts, but others may disagree). But please don’t give up! I love snorkeling and I would hate for someone to miss it because of the the “glasses” issues (I wore glasses from eighth grade on and only do not wear them now due to Lasix 10+ years ago). We use Cressi and Aqua Lung equipment and I know that they have prescription lens available for their masks. In fact, I think most of the better brands of snorkeling and diving masks do and at a more reasonable rate than I would have guessed (I have checked them out, hubby wears glasses). There should be a huge variety out there, I hope you find something that works for you !

I always dread the tendering - my patience could fit into a thimble so waiting for the mass of people to board is past tedious (especially if I am on a tight schedule). I had been dreading the possibility of that for Coco Cay in May so I hope this will lead to a happier morning that day for me!

What I remember about ages 15-16 is my mother saying to me repeatedly “you have a bad attitude.” Good luck, I have my fingers crossed! ?