Had to finally book with NCL because Disney wanted me to sell my house... lol

[cruisnfamily]

I will report back! Will be just the hubby & me. Celebrating our 22nd anniversary (it's on 9/18). I'm trying to wade thru the cumbersome NCL planning pages to book shows, dining, etc. I'm just loving all this freedom with our time. No assigned dining time. I feel like a little hippie set free to run nekkid thru the forest! LOL!

You have to book shows? I don't think I"d like that!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

You have to book shows? I don't think I"d like that!

It's not hard. I find it quite liberating, really. They show each of the shows a couple times on a few different days so you can customize what works for you. On Disney each show is performed twice in one night, sometimes a matinee is offered. But what if you don't feel like going to a show that night? Well, you aren't seeing that one. Also, you don't have to reserve them. The first say 15 minutes the theater is open to seating reserved guests may go in. After that time it's open to general seating for anyone with or without a reservation. So you don't have to reserve seating. Hubby & I just like to get good seats. Usually we're in the group standing outside the Walt Disney Theater 15 minutes before the doors open. LOL!

 

[kaseyC]

GREAT!!!!! We will be on the same cruise. If you like lobster rolls they are offered on sea days for a nominal fee of $7.95. Also the steak house and Teppanyaki are to die for. This big kid rode the water slide 21 times in a row..you have to give them a try. PM me with any questions. If you are looking for a nice place to stay pre cruise the Crowne Plaza has some great rates right now.

Robert

Absolutely love the Lobster Rolls and the home made potato chips from the Ocean Blue take-away window. I love the whole waterfront concept.

 

[darwinsrule]

We did it! Booked our first NCL cruise in the Getaway for 9/19! I looked yesterday and there had been a price drop so we took the plunge. Sweet! Can't wait!

Nice. We promise not to break her (countdown is at 13 days).

Here are some quick tips:

1) Ropes course. Not my must do (fear of heights). DD10 dragged me around it last summer. Now 11 she is determined that we are doing it again. Convinced she is trying to kill me.
2) Honestly love the buffet more than Cabana's. LOVE the fact that you can go at 9 pm and grab a snack before bed. Missed that aspect in the Wonder in March.
3) Like Disney, arrive early to the shows. They aren't Disney quality, but then what is. Doors open about 30 min before show. We had second row seats last summer for Legally Blonde. Burn the Floor was the better show. Didn't think I was going to like it but was pleasantly surprised. Kids loved both.
4) Speaking of Burn the Floor, plan for dinner in the Tropicana Room the night they do a dance routine during dinner. Arrive early (like 5:30 - 5:45 if you want a table near the dance floor.
5) Avoid O'Sheehan's for breakfast. Yuck. If you love Prime Rib or Chicken and Waffles hit it for dinner (still don't get the Chicken and Waffle thing however).
6) Frankly we weren't impressed with the shopping onboard. Disney has this area down to an art and is always finding ways to part you with your money.
7) We have done a few of the specialty restaurants in the past (Cagneys x1, La Cucina x2). Plan is to do Moderno this trip. We haven't had an issue with the specialty or the main dining rooms. Food was, for the most part good.
8) Flamingo Grill had some nice things along with a great view. Tres Leche cake was good (have had better here in Toronto but it isn't something that is readily available here so I jump on it when I see it).
9) Avoid the buffet for embarkation lunch. We do this on Disney as well. One of Taste or Savor will be open on Deck 6. We were on the ship by noon and sitting down in a window seat shortly thereafter.
10) Yes they charge for soda. And yes you can bring your own. Last summer we staying Holiday Inn POM. Grabbed a case of Coke morning of the cruise from the CVS by the hotel and slapped a luggage tag on it. It showed up later in the day.

Usually we're in the group standing outside the Walt Disney Theater 15 minutes before the doors open. LOL!

 

[KashasMom]

This. My kids are so excited for the slides, ropes course, and mini golf. That's not to say we don't want to try Famtasy. But I'm not going to skip a year of travel to save enough for DCL.

We just got off the Getaway last week....six adults and 5 kids. It was amazing!! One of the best cruises we've been on.

 

[kaseyC]

With DCL's change in Alcohol policy and the really high corkage fee. NCL and other cruise lines with their beverage packages are looking better and better. Especially considering the beverage package and specialty dining package were included with my upcoming bookings at no extra cost.

 

[Scoobypop]

I just spent an hour reading all 10 pages of that thread about the alcohol policy change. As we stated on this thread earlier, "changes" "cutbacks" whatever you want to call them happen on every cruise line. We never carried our own alcohol on DCL anyway, so didn't affect us, but I see people being upset if it was something that affects them. I will say however, we LOVED the ultimate beverage package on our NCL cruise. It was awesome to just order whatever, wherever. We also bought the beverage package on Allure last year, but the fact that it seems to be "included" with NCL bookings these days, really was an awesome perk for us.

As for entertainment, we only did the Star, so can't speak for all NCL. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and how much we loved every show onboard! And we don't get "bored" with DCL shows-literally we have sat through every show on all 14 sailings, every time. I never get bored with Golden Mickeys, or even the opening and closing night shows. But we thought NCL shows were amazing! Oh-and sweetpee-if you're still reading this thread, we also were blown away by Chicago on Allure.

Looking forward to hearing your guys' experiences on your first NCL cruises, as well as Escape reviews, as that is our next one next spring!

 

[perditax]

I probably linked this a few weeks back, but here's my TR for my solo Getaway cruise in June:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2224767

Of note:

1) Sorry, but I was solo and I don't have kids, plus it was my first cruise, so there is probably limited useful info for the typical Disney family. (I was looking for quiet time, and my coordination levels would have made something like the ropes course hilarious.) The families and kids I did see seemed quite happy, other than the occasional "but what time should we have dinner?" angst.

2) It's mostly text based until the final pages, when I belatedly added some photos.

3) If it's not apparent in the first post or two (when I was still overwhelmed--I was posting each day of the cruise), the conclusion was that I loved it.

4) ... although I am side-eyeing the financial sleight-of-hand they keep performing with the specialty dining, my favorite foods on the ship were all complimentary anyway, and it hasn't stopped me from wistfully pricing potential future NCL cruises.

 

[tinkerone]

I probably linked this a few weeks back, but here's my TR for my solo Getaway cruise in June:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2224767

Of note:

1) Sorry, but I was solo and I don't have kids, plus it was my first cruise, so there is probably limited useful info for the typical Disney family. (I was looking for quiet time, and my coordination levels would have made something like the ropes course hilarious.) The families and kids I did see seemed quite happy, other than the occasional "but what time should we have dinner?" angst.

2) It's mostly text based until the final pages, when I belatedly added some photos.

3) If it's not apparent in the first post or two (when I was still overwhelmed--I was posting each day of the cruise), the conclusion was that I loved it.

4) ... although I am side-eyeing the financial sleight-of-hand they keep performing with the specialty dining, my favorite foods on the ship were all complimentary anyway, and it hasn't stopped me from wistfully pricing potential future NCL cruises.

oh, i'm going to go read this now. although i do still have some dcl cruises booked we are looking elsewhere and its always nice to get takes on other ships and cruise lines. we have an rccl booked next nov which was to be our first non dcl but i think we may be taking some before that and i really think dcl is out of the picture soon.
thanks again, i'm off to read…..

 

[momof2n2]

Can I complain here that the overwhelming majority of NCL posters on CC are consumed with complaining? LOL
It is close to impossible to ask a simple question and get a simple answer.
AND - you always run the risk of a snarky response for a genuine question. (I suppose the same can be said of TPAS.... which is why I LOVE the DIS DCL page. ♥)

For Pete's sake - we even have a running NCL thread amidst the DCL page and get no angst!

 

[kaseyC]

Can I complain here that the overwhelming majority of NCL posters on CC are consumed with complaining? LOL
It is close to impossible to ask a simple question and get a simple answer.
AND - you always run the risk of a snarky response for a genuine question. (I suppose the same can be said of TPAS.... which is why I LOVE the DIS DCL page. ♥)

For Pete's sake - we even have a running NCL thread amidst the DCL page and get no angst!

We were just discussing that same thing on our FB group for our upcoming Escape cruise. Many of us are just staying away, it's just toxic over there.

 

[Pens Fan]

Can I complain here that the overwhelming majority of NCL posters on CC are consumed with complaining? LOL
It is close to impossible to ask a simple question and get a simple answer.
AND - you always run the risk of a snarky response for a genuine question. (I suppose the same can be said of TPAS.... which is why I LOVE the DIS DCL page. ♥)

For Pete's sake - we even have a running NCL thread amidst the DCL page and get no angst!

I'm so loving this thread. We have been eying NCL's North Cape from Copenhagen itinerary. We can't do it next summer - two land based trips already planned - but we are really hoping they offer something similar in 2017. I've been trying to lurk over at CC, but as you said it's just awful. By only reading that, you'd think NCL was run by the devil's spawn! I'm really enjoying hearing the great experiences the folks responding to this thread have had. I may just have to pull the trigger when 2017 sailings are released. I don't see us ever giving up on the Mouse entirely - we will be on the Canadian coastline cruise in 10/2016 - but we are looking for better destinations than Disney currently offers. We loved the Norway / Iceland cruise on the Magic this summer, but the prices they want for next year are roughly $4000 more than what we paid. I'm afraid Mickey in Europe is getting out of our comfort zone, especially with college tuition only a year away - Gulp!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Can I complain here that the overwhelming majority of NCL posters on CC are consumed with complaining? LOL
It is close to impossible to ask a simple question and get a simple answer.
AND - you always run the risk of a snarky response for a genuine question. (I suppose the same can be said of TPAS.... which is why I LOVE the DIS DCL page. ♥)

For Pete's sake - we even have a running NCL thread amidst the DCL page and get no angst!

I'm feelin' ya. There's more fussin' going on over there than people having fun planning. Heck, I've had more fun on this thread talkin' up our next cruise. And the All Things Escape thread over there is pretty upbeat.

I think over here everyone is fairly fresh to NCL or have DCL to contrast so they aren't on the floor rolling around over $100. I hope I didn't just make that sound wrong. A dollar is a dollar but compared to what we're familiar with paying just for cruise fare on DCL even paying a little more on NCL's rates we're still feeling like we're getting a huge bargain. Ya know?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I just spent an hour reading all 10 pages of that thread about the alcohol policy change. As we stated on this thread earlier, "changes" "cutbacks" whatever you want to call them happen on every cruise line. We never carried our own alcohol on DCL anyway, so didn't affect us, but I see people being upset if it was something that affects them. I will say however, we LOVED the ultimate beverage package on our NCL cruise. It was awesome to just order whatever, wherever. We also bought the beverage package on Allure last year, but the fact that it seems to be "included" with NCL bookings these days, really was an awesome perk for us.

As for entertainment, we only did the Star, so can't speak for all NCL. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and how much we loved every show onboard! And we don't get "bored" with DCL shows-literally we have sat through every show on all 14 sailings, every time. I never get bored with Golden Mickeys, or even the opening and closing night shows. But we thought NCL shows were amazing! Oh-and sweetpee-if you're still reading this thread, we also were blown away by Chicago on Allure.

Looking forward to hearing your guys' experiences on your first NCL cruises, as well as Escape reviews, as that is our next one next spring!

You saw me pretty active over on that thread. LOL!

Look, Imma be straight up with y'all right now. On the few DCL sailings I have booked beyond September this year I guarantee you I will be smuggling liquor onboard. If I get busted & they dump my stash I'll take it standing up and not pitch a fit. Can't blame a girl for trying.

Yep, cutbacks & changes happen with all companies not just cruise lines. Think of the rolling around over on the CC boards that happened when the auto-grats were raised. Now, imagine that here. It's not a matter of if it will happen, eventually it will. DCL is going to have to keep up with the industry standard on that.

I really do hope they come out with some inclusive adult beverage packages on DCL. Even if I never get my full quarter's worth, the convenience and peace of mind is so worth it. And, yes, even if they have the packages available and I pay for one I will STILL pack some amount of liquor in my luggage. Did it when I sailed Allure and somehow that hooch tasted a whole lot sweeter. I'm such a little rebel, huh? LOL!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm so loving this thread. We have been eying NCL's North Cape from Copenhagen itinerary. We can't do it next summer - two land based trips already planned - but we are really hoping they offer something similar in 2017. I've been trying to lurk over at CC, but as you said it's just awful. By only reading that, you'd think NCL was run by the devil's spawn! I'm really enjoying hearing the great experiences the folks responding to this thread have had. I may just have to pull the trigger when 2017 sailings are released. I don't see us ever giving up on the Mouse entirely - we will be on the Canadian coastline cruise in 10/2016 - but we are looking for better destinations than Disney currently offers. We loved the Norway / Iceland cruise on the Magic this summer, but the prices they want for next year are roughly $4000 more than what we paid. I'm afraid Mickey in Europe is getting out of our comfort zone, especially with college tuition only a year away - Gulp!

I'll be sure to come here and make some comparisons when I get back.

Tell me about that tuition. In another year we'll have tuition x2! **sigh**

 

[littleblackegg]

I really hate that "casino scene." How well is it contained on NCL?

 

[TXDCLfan]

I'm feelin' ya. There's more fussin' going on over there than people having fun planning. Heck, I've had more fun on this thread talkin' up our next cruise. And the All Things Escape thread over there is pretty upbeat.

I think over here everyone is fairly fresh to NCL or have DCL to contrast so they aren't on the floor rolling around over $100. I hope I didn't just make that sound wrong. A dollar is a dollar but compared to what we're familiar with paying just for cruise fare on DCL even paying a little more on NCL's rates we're still feeling like we're getting a huge bargain. Ya know?

EXACTLY

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I really hate that "casino scene." How well is it contained on NCL?

I'm interested in this as well. I don't have the temperament for gambling. If I put my dollar in and it doesn't come back out of a machine I get mad. Seriously mad. Cannot explain it. Totally weird. I've tried to force myself to see it as entertainment dollars but I just can't. Then when I see the rotating lights on other people's machines and they are grinning ear to ear with their big win I just feel like smacking somebody. It's pitiful. So, no, no gambling here.

On Allure of the Seas we never saw the inside of the casino. I saw the sign pointing to it by the comedy club but I never had to pass thru the place. I can only confirm there is a casino on that ship because I saw the sign and heard advertising mention of it during the cruise. I feel like it depends largely on the layout of ships. On the Getaway it seems to be something that's open and central so I expect to see it. I won't be visiting, though.

 

[littleblackegg]

I'm interested in this as well. I don't have the temperament for gambling. If I put my dollar in and it doesn't come back out of a machine I get mad. Seriously mad. Cannot explain it. Totally weird. I've tried to force myself to see it as entertainment dollars but I just can't. Then when I see the rotating lights on other people's machines and they are grinning ear to ear with their big win I just feel like smacking somebody. It's pitiful. So, no, no gambling here.

On Allure of the Seas we never saw the inside of the casino. I saw the sign pointing to it by the comedy club but I never had to pass thru the place. I can only confirm there is a casino on that ship because I saw the sign and heard advertising mention of it during the cruise. I feel like it depends largely on the layout of ships. On the Getaway it seems to be something that's open and central so I expect to see it. I won't be visiting, though.

I just don't like the whole vibe. I'd much rather anthropomorphized ducks.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I just don't like the whole vibe. I'd much rather anthropomorphized ducks.

I think many of the ships are big enough that it wouldn't be difficult to avoid the casino areas.