JLMoran Posted July 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 20 minutes ago, jaullram said: Also beware on NCL that "Free at Sea" still will add several hundreds of dollars to your cruise fare if you choose drink package and specialty dining. It may still come out even because you have to get the drink package on Royal but I just wanted to point it out. I'm guessing you mean the gratuities that I just saw are not included when you choose those packages? Yup, that would definitely add a pretty penny at $17.80 pp/pd for two Ultimate Packages, plus another $1.59 pp/pd for the kids' soda packages (which they'd get as minors), plus $16.80 pp (not per night!) for the four specialty dining packages. $338.66 isn't chump change, but it's still a lot less than the $1,456 I had calculated out on Royal. Speaking of which -- I just realized that calculation did not include the 18% gratuities -- actual cost is $1,850 after adding grats and switching to four 4-night dining packages instead of two. Yikes! Still a $1,500+ savings over Royal (before wifi packages) if I went with NCL. C'mon @Matt, announce those 2020 group cruises already! I got decisions to make here! Matt and cruiselife 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaullram Posted July 9, 2018 Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 Yes, that is what I was referring to. I know from experience it adds a bit. I am surprised it is still less expensive...it usually nets out when I compare the two lines. I haven't been on that particular NCL ship so I can't comment specifically but look at the deck plans as I find there are very few (small) pools on NCL which was a big downside for us. I look forward to hearing what you choose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted July 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 Well, this sucks. I just checked the calendar for my older daughter's college and younger daughter's high school. ZERO alignment for winter break or anything else! Older daughter, depending on what classes she chooses to take her Sophomore year, may not even have a winter break! They follow a "4-1-4" pattern, with fall semester going September through late December, then a 1-month "Winter Session" from two days after Fall semester ends until mid-January, and then the Spring semester from two days after that ends until May. Doubtful she'd do the "Summer Session" that follows from May to early August, but who knows. Younger daughter's high school is same as middle school -- they get from Christmas through New Years Day, and are back in school the day after that. So at this point I'm going to be in the situation of only being able to book cruises between June and September if I want to do it with the whole family, or else it'll just be the wife and me doing those trips unless the kids can get away with being out of school for a week or two. And for something like a 50th birthday celebration, I'd kind of like it to be my whole family! So I'm kind of back to waiting until November for the remaining 2020 deployments and whatever announcement Matt makes for group cruises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 20 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Well, this sucks. I just checked the calendar for my older daughter's college and younger daughter's high school. ZERO alignment for winter break or anything else! Older daughter, depending on what classes she chooses to take her Sophomore year, may not even have a winter break! They follow a "4-1-4" pattern, with fall semester going September through late December, then a 1-month "Winter Session" from two days after Fall semester ends until mid-January, and then the Spring semester from two days after that ends until May. Doubtful she'd do the "Summer Session" that follows from May to early August, but who knows. Younger daughter's high school is same as middle school -- they get from Christmas through New Years Day, and are back in school the day after that. So at this point I'm going to be in the situation of only being able to book cruises between June and September if I want to do it with the whole family, or else it'll just be the wife and me doing those trips unless the kids can get away with being out of school for a week or two. And for something like a 50th birthday celebration, I'd kind of like it to be my whole family! So I'm kind of back to waiting until November for the remaining 2020 deployments and whatever announcement Matt makes for group cruises. Welcome to many of our worlds. It's easy when they are young, but gets more complex when they are older. Once they all leave the nest? Well, that's a story for another day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 34 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Well, this sucks. I just checked the calendar for my older daughter's college and younger daughter's high school. ZERO alignment for winter break or anything else! Older daughter, depending on what classes she chooses to take her Sophomore year, may not even have a winter break! They follow a "4-1-4" pattern, with fall semester going September through late December, then a 1-month "Winter Session" from two days after Fall semester ends until mid-January, and then the Spring semester from two days after that ends until May. Doubtful she'd do the "Summer Session" that follows from May to early August, but who knows. Younger daughter's high school is same as middle school -- they get from Christmas through New Years Day, and are back in school the day after that. So at this point I'm going to be in the situation of only being able to book cruises between June and September if I want to do it with the whole family, or else it'll just be the wife and me doing those trips unless the kids can get away with being out of school for a week or two. And for something like a 50th birthday celebration, I'd kind of like it to be my whole family! So I'm kind of back to waiting until November for the remaining 2020 deployments and whatever announcement Matt makes for group cruises. Well, there is always the week of Christmas & New Years and Spring Break !! Woo-hoo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 49 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Well, this sucks. I just checked the calendar for my older daughter's college and younger daughter's high school. ZERO alignment for winter break or anything else! Older daughter, depending on what classes she chooses to take her Sophomore year, may not even have a winter break! They follow a "4-1-4" pattern, with fall semester going September through late December, then a 1-month "Winter Session" from two days after Fall semester ends until mid-January, and then the Spring semester from two days after that ends until May. Doubtful she'd do the "Summer Session" that follows from May to early August, but who knows. Younger daughter's high school is same as middle school -- they get from Christmas through New Years Day, and are back in school the day after that. So at this point I'm going to be in the situation of only being able to book cruises between June and September if I want to do it with the whole family, or else it'll just be the wife and me doing those trips unless the kids can get away with being out of school for a week or two. And for something like a 50th birthday celebration, I'd kind of like it to be my whole family! So I'm kind of back to waiting until November for the remaining 2020 deployments and whatever announcement Matt makes for group cruises. Ok @Matt...see my petition in the FB group... @JLMoran would you go for a Canada/NE GC July 1st 2020 or after?? I am rounding up supporters lol Matt and JLMoran 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutcherl Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 Before my daughter hit school age, we were able to take advantage of off peak prices. Now we are forced to go peak season- June -August. It definitely changes the costs of cruising. And we enjoy the newer, bigger ships so that doesn’t help with the costs. Luckily, we are fortunate to be able to still go but definitely stings a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 On 6/27/2018 at 6:40 PM, WAAAYTOOO said: Joe, I like NCL. Frankly, I find the 2 lines more similar than dissimilar and I would say that if you find a cruise that fits your schedule and budget, go for it. If it weren’t for the casino benefits related to Royal, I could just as easily be a loyal Norwegian customer as I am loyal to Royal. I’m not quite as fond of the MDR concept on NCL as I am with RC but NCL was the originator of specialty dining so they’ve de-emphasized the MDR for some time. On the newer ships even the entertainment has improved vastly. If there’s a reason, I say give NCL a try. I enjoy NCL as well. They do have the “Haven” which is pretty spectacular. I’m in the same boat (npi) as WAAAYTOOO where the RC casino program is basically the only reason I don’t just make the switch over to NCL. The newer ships are more similar then they are different as they all have the same basic premise which is to pack as much stuff as possible onto a ship. Royal has an ice rink and NCL has a go cart track. I would give NCL a try, especially if you can get a really good deal on a Haven Suite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose City Cruiser Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 39 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said: I enjoy NCL as well. They do have the “Haven” which is pretty spectacular. I’m in the same boat (npi) as WAAAYTOOO where the RC casino program is basically the only reason I don’t just make the switch over to NCL. The newer ships are more similar then they are different as they all have the same basic premise which is to pack as much stuff as possible onto a ship. Royal has an ice rink and NCL has a go cart track. I would give NCL a try, especially if you can get a really good deal on a Haven Suite! If you have Harrah's Total Rewards card, they give discounts depending on tier level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted July 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 19 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Ok @Matt...see my petition in the FB group... @JLMoran would you go for a Canada/NE GC July 1st 2020 or after?? I am rounding up supporters lol Sign me up! What'll it take, @Matt? Top-tier INSIDER subscription? Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted July 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 20 hours ago, princevaliantus said: Well, there is always the week of Christmas & New Years and Spring Break !! Woo-hoo!! Talk about peak expense!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 9 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Sign me up! What'll it take, @Matt? Top-tier INSIDER subscription? He's looking for the million dollar subscriber lol. @Matt, @JLMoran is celebrating his 50th! GC to celebrate with him in style! Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 48 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Talk about peak expense!! $4.200 for two weeks? Peesha !! Chump change!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 1 hour ago, JLMoran said: Sign me up! What'll it take, @Matt? Top-tier INSIDER subscription? You cannot bribe your will to a GC....but it can't hurt! JLMoran, accio7 and Lovetocruise2002 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl_nj Posted July 26, 2018 Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 Not that it matters anymore, due to the vacation schedule issues, but the mini-suite on the newer NCL ships since Breakaway is basically the same as a regular balcony, but with a huge bathroom. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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