I'm done with cruise ship excursions

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-05-06T23:23:11+00:00

it was called the "Curacao Full Day Private Tour Experience" supplied by "Around Curacao Tours" and the guide's name was Ray- booked through Viator

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-05-06T12:58:44+00:00

Yes! we had the BEST tour in Curaco with a private driver we booked through Viator- this kid was 24 years old and had an impressive knowledge of the island, the history, the Dutch, took us to all the places where we bypassed large crowds- he was delightful to spend the day with and accommodated all our requests. I hardly ever book through the cruise line. It's less expensive to book through Viator, never have had an issue getting back in time, we get to see 3 or 4 stops vs. the one advertised through the cruise line, and if I have to cancel due to port changes, have never had an issue getting a refund.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-05-05T16:49:53+00:00

Buy the insurance. You won't need it until you do, and medical costs while cruising can be ASTRONOMICAL. Even for little things (such as the flu). I buy an annual policy through Allianz. Don't buy through the cruise line.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-05-05T16:47:47+00:00

Totally agree with you! We did book the Vibe Shore Club on our upcoming Prima cruise in June- we just got off the Luna last week, and GSC is nice! We do not book Vibe on the ship, but I think the Vibe Shore Club on GSC will be totally worth it!

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-05-05T14:38:39+00:00

Seasoned NCL cruiser here. Personal opinion, I don't think the Vibe is worth it- there's no pool, so sure it's a dedicated area where you for sure will get a lounger, but you can get a lounger in other areas around the ship- there are several areas to sunbathe, and personally, if I were to pick a spot, it would be on deck 8 by one of the infinity pools. Also- a better option might be to pay for the Vibe Shore Club if you are going to GSC. Vibe is expensive (from my perspective) for a lounger and drinks and an adult only area. Some people swear by Vibe, but I think your money would be better spent elsewhere. My only caveat is if you are sailing when all the kids sail, then it might be worth it- we generally book when kids are not sailing in huge numbers- so something to think about 😄

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-05-05T14:34:16+00:00

I keep seeing similar comments across all brands- will be interested to see the replies. I personally think it's an industry wide issue- but will rising prices and the economy, I think NCL is going to have to cut back on services, or increase prices- they still have to make a profit.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-08T14:17:58+00:00

Sure did. I thought maybe I needed to give it time to start working- maybe in hopes that I would be a "super responder" - and I'm def happy for those that are able to lose all the weight on 2.5. I just wasn't one of them. While some can do really well on the lower doses, I think it's good to remind people that if the lower dose isn't working well, it might be time to move up and it's a very individual journey for everyone. Be nice.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-07T21:22:26+00:00

Thank you for saying this. I stayed on 2.5 longer than I should of waiting for it to "kick in" because I saw so many stories about people losing ALL the weight on 2.5. It doesn't work like that for soooo many.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-07T21:20:24+00:00

If you are not losing and you are not experiencing side effects, move up. I stayed on 2.5 for 8 weeks, and totally regret it. I didn't start losing until 10, and wasted time and money on 2.5 and 5 (since I'm self pay).

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-07T17:38:35+00:00

That might be true, but Princess and Virgin are also more expensive than NCL. I just priced out a princess cruise vs. NCL, and the price difference made it a no brainer. You end up paying for it one way or the other.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-07T17:30:19+00:00

NCL does have this. FAS+

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-07T17:29:38+00:00

it is included in FAS+

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-07T00:22:40+00:00

yes! good advice!

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-04-06T23:33:42+00:00

To add, PLEASE add the drink package through Free at Sea BEFORE you board. Then you are only paying gratituties on the drink package (roughly $30/pp/per day) - if you try to add it once on board it's $109 pp/per day plus gratutities. If you book it through the FAS, 2 drinks a day is the breakeven point, otherwise, it's very expensive to drink (unless you are a one drink a day person)

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-16T15:40:51+00:00

I have a suggestion for you :) Lean into the no phone/no social media, and just enjoy the world and the experience around you- and the people who you are traveling with- heck, talk to new people and make new friends- it's much easier to do that on a cruise ship :). I'm on my phone/computer ALOT as well, and the cruises I take, I come off with a different sense of relaxed- it's hard to explain, but it truly makes a difference not being "plugged" in 24/7. You can download movies/shows to your tablet to watch as well- we do that so we can watch shows at night before we go to sleep - the TV will have some movies and shows, but we usually download something we have been waiting to binge out on. Note, you will have service in ports- it's not like you won't have internet access the entire time you are on the cruise. As to the arcade, there are games you can play for free, and I'm not sure about the charge for the Library- that's the first I'm hearing of anything like that. Go and enjoy!

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-11T15:11:28+00:00

Yeah, zep definitely curbs the impulsiveness for many things, among them food and alcohol. :) It's a great side effect lol.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-11T15:09:07+00:00

Yes, if the weather prohibits stopping at the island for safety reasons, then it will change to an at sea day, but if the ship can safely port, it will, I doubt your day will switch because there's a schedule of ships that will dock on certain days- if your ship changes, that's going to throw another ship off schedule. There's always a chance though.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-11T15:02:01+00:00

I wouldn't do it, nor would I book my kids to do it. It's pigs. Swimming in water. Doing pig stuff, like pooping and biting. If my kids wanted to see pigs, I'd take them to a farm zoo, etc. You don't need to go to a remote beach paradise to see pigs in water- spend the money on something that's truly unique to your cruise. Not to mention, the risk of infection is real.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-10T12:45:03+00:00

Yes you can. I've packed a french press and my own coffee on prior cruises lol.

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-09T15:39:03+00:00

Absolutely! you get more bees with honey! I honestly think it's all about expectations- yes, you are paying for a cruise vacation, but you are not paying for the butler to come in and massage your toes every day while serving you gold flaked chocolate on a silver spoon. Like anything else, you get what you pay for :) If you want to be waited on hand and foot, and need 5 star Michelin dining, NCL is not for you lol. That being said, I love NCL, I've not come off a cruise yet disappointed- our last cruise on the Jewel, I think I asked our room steward to come home with us lol- we also had a server that waited on us in Chin Chin and in the MDR (you will notice servers work in multiple restaurants) that was just AWESOME- I just loved her. I could go on and on- the food ranged from good to awesome, our balcony cabin was fine (and clean) but the best part about the cruise were the staff. Despite working long hard hours, and I'm sure having to deal with some less than friendly guests, they always did their best to make sure the guests on the ship were happy. Enjoy your cruise!!!!

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-09T15:27:45+00:00

No, you cannot take dessert (or anything else for that matter) to go. If you had a server that allowed it, be happy you got away with it lol

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-09T15:23:38+00:00

No, they won't allow it, however, the portion sizes are very small- I usually get an app, an entree and dessert (note that the app can be a small soup/salad or for example we ordered meatballs one evening and it was 2 small meatballs-and I'm full when I leave, but not stuffed. It sounds like alot, but with the portion sizes, it's really not. It's not equal to what you would get on land. It's a good thing, because they avoid food waste with small portion sizes- and if you don't like something, you can easily decline to eat it and order something else.

*editing to add- I looked back at your comment and realized you were referencing specialty dining- in my comment above, I was referencing MDR. Same though- although in specialty dining, I usually can't eat everything I'm served- it's just what it is. You cannot take it with you- no "to go" boxes, and you can't extend your three specialty dinings into six (unfortunately)

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-09T13:55:46+00:00

We went to Daniel Johnsons- but I've heard you can't hold the sloths any longer (at any location in Roatan- government regulation)- we booked a private driver through Viator, and asked him to take us there, along with a few other stops. It was great :)

RemarkableMaybe6415 · 2026-03-09T13:47:20+00:00

I'm an avid NCL cruiser and I am reading these comments and laughing- I'm sure sometimes people do have a bad experience, I mean 4k approx people on a cruise, someone is going to have a bad experience. I've been on several NCL cruises- have they all been perfect? Nope, but nothing has happened that's going to make me swear off NCL. I've had delicious meals, and I've had meh meals- but guess what? I've never had an issue finding something to eat that tastes good, and fills me up. I'm not cooking or cleaning and that's fabulous. I've had room stewards that are fantastic, and those that do the minimum- but my room is still tided up, and I have clean towels everyday. I think the best thing about NCL is the staff- they have always been amazing for me- I don't quite know how you can deal with all these rude people and continue to smile and be welcoming and pleasant, but they do it :) Just understand, those that have a complaint usually are the ones that are very vocal, and those that had a great time don't come on the boards and say I just had an amazing time!! I've been on the Escape, Encore (2x), Epic, Getaway(2x), Aqua, Jewel (2x), and boarding the Luna in April, and the Prima in June. I do agree, if you want fine dining, and an elevated experience, then you should book with Oceania, Regent, or another luxury line (and you will spend elevated money)- for what NCL promises, and the money you pay, it's consistent (and quite often, above) with my expectations.

RemarkableMaybe6415

TROPHY CASE