marciemi
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 29, 1999
Well, you're probably more recent than us since our last NCL cruise was on the Norway back in 1991 right after we got back from the first Gulf War! (Incidentally, they did give us Latitudes credit for that despite their policy that they don't give credit for cruises before 1995 so we'll get a free pin - woo!). It's a Western (Ocho Rios, Cayman, Cozumel) and we got another aft but not a huge wrap or anything like we've had on Carnival. Going back to Paradise Beach in Cozumel which I remember talking to you about in 2010 when Royce took Matt & GF on a Carnival cruise. Booked it just under a package special right now where you could pick either OBC, drinks or specialty meals. We decided to go with the drinks and just do one or two specialty. But when you add in the cost of Cirque (included in the UDP the first night) and two specialty restaurants, it was only $30pp to add it for the whole week and get 7 days of it instead of 2. Military/AARP rates were just like $30 cheaper and then you didn't get the drinks so money-wise it was a no-brainer!
Sorry to hear about your experience - as you know (like you!) the cabin choice is huge for us so I'd be pretty upset about that too! Apparently on NCL the drink package doesn't include specialty coffees (ie cappuccinos and espresso) but does include any alcoholic coffee drink - kind of funny that espresso isn't included but an espresso martini is! Since we're also not big coffee drinkers, this isn't a big deal to us either. I'll let you know how it goes! (Celebrity is one of the lines we've never done alone with HAL).
Sorry to hear about your experience - as you know (like you!) the cabin choice is huge for us so I'd be pretty upset about that too! Apparently on NCL the drink package doesn't include specialty coffees (ie cappuccinos and espresso) but does include any alcoholic coffee drink - kind of funny that espresso isn't included but an espresso martini is! Since we're also not big coffee drinkers, this isn't a big deal to us either. I'll let you know how it goes! (Celebrity is one of the lines we've never done alone with HAL).
why yes, I have cruised NCL. it's been a while and on an older ship (Star, north to Alaska). The Epic is newer with so many decks & amenities, looks nice. So, an Eastern or Western & did u score resident, military or pack & cruise rate? inquiring minds need to know.Anyway, NCL is the one line I'd think twice before booking again
. I called to canceled an excursion the week prior to sale date. Something made me check the reservation before we sailed. the rep had cancelled the whole reservation!!! had booked thru a TA, it was a real mess to get it reinstated since line wouldn't talk to me since TA 'owned' the res. I was an unhappy camper to say the least. you know that nobody in their right mind would routinely cancel after final payment date. We lost 'the perfect' cabin but NCL did throw us a dinner & OBC. That said, the food in MDR was inedible
a first, we aren't picky. we did enjoy all the specialty dining venues (the Italian place became a favorite) and an evening at the lido buffet (which turned out to be one of the better buffets we've experienced other than DCL). I'm thinking our experience was specific to that ship but have yet to give NCL another whirl. You should be fine with the specialty venues
. I was disappointed that getting over the flu last month, I wasn't able to do our 'free' drink pkg justice on Celebrity. it was really nice to have specialty coffee and fresh-squeezed OJ in the am. only thing that surprised me was that alcohol wasn't included in the French restaurant on the ship (celebrity summit) bit of a surprise when check came lol. Have fun & come back & let us know how it went.
but just giving a warning. "If" you lend someone your Uni AP so they can use it only for the "After 4pm Express Pass" there is a chance that they'll be asked for ID and then have your AP confiscated at a ride. And then you have to go to Guest Services and plead ignorance and get a new one. Just saying. Not from personal experience or anything. 
.........love Tink and damo's dogs too.......forgot to mention yesterday.
........I like I can get on between 9 and 10 am our time, as it was always down for maintenance during that hour. Wish they had a purple color scheme though...........I would have that 
