The Latest Information on the Norwegian Sky and Cuba!

So many of you Norwegian fans may have heard that the Sky will be going to Cuba in 2017. I was planning a trip on the Sky for my family to celebrate my son’s 18^th birthday in August so I looked into the sailings in detail for this alcohol included ship. :) My awesome cruise consultant gave me the most up to date information about the plans for Sky cruises to Cuba- as well as requirements for passengers sailing to Havana. Here is what I know:

-          1. The plans as of mid December 2016 are for the NCL Sky to begin cruising to Cuba on many-and most probably all 2017 four day cruises on her beginning in May 2017.

-         2. The 3 day weekend cruises on the Sky will not go to Havana.

-         3. The prices for the Cuba cruises are due to be released on or about December 20^th. There is a chance prices for the 3 day cruises will jump due to the impending itinerary change for the 4 day cruises. (Which is why we booked our cruise now)

-        4. You will need a Visa to travel to Cuba-
“The Cuban government requires anyone who is traveling to Cuba on a passport other than a valid Cuban passport to obtain a visa prior to their arrival into Cuba. For all visitors who were not born in Cuba, this visa, also known as a "tourist card” (or “rosada” which must have a pink and blue background irrespective of your country of residency), is required to enter (and depart from) Cuba for non-business purposes. The Cuban visa is valid for a single entry and allows the holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days. You may obtain this visa through Norwegian for a separate processing and procurement fee of $75 or on your own. Please note that you will not be allowed to board the vessel without proof of acquiring this visa.
The Cuban visa is a two-part card. Cuban immigration officials will take one half upon arrival in Cuba, and guests will surrender the other half to Cuban immigration officials upon departure. Guests should be sure to keep the Cuban visa in a safe place during the trip so they have it at the time of departure from Cuba.”

-     5. You also need a passport to travel to Cuba- a birth certificate will not suffice.

Norwegian is currently offering half off deposits so if you are debating a summer cruise and either do or don’t want to be on the 3 or 4 day itinerary I suggest you book now! :) We do plan to sail to Cuba once our son turns 18 next year and he can get his passport, since everyone needs a new one when they become an adult. :)

Bidding on your next Norwegian Cruise Upgrade

In late September of this year Norwegian initiated a new program for passengers to bid on upgraded rooms for their future cruise. This has not yet been offered for every cruise on every ship, although a sizable number of passengers have reported being offered to bid for a room upgrade roughly thirty days or less from embarkation. This method looks to replace the current upsell department, which passengers used to call often and repeatedly prior to cruising to get a more desirable room at a fraction of the cost. On forums such as Cruise Critic many people have cited success in both previous uses of the upsell department, as well as the current bidding program-revealing balcony to Haven upgrades for half the typical cost. However, there are restrictions and rules surrounding the new bidding process, which can seem a bit confusing. I decided to study and share the details here, hopefully in a simpler manner, as I am anticipating an "invitation to bid" for my early March cruise on the Pearl. After figuring out all the specifications I am still unsure of whether bidding will be a good choice for us, as we already have a suite booked. :) Take a look at the bidding  program's details:

The bid you offer may or may not be accepted- In other words, don't count on having an accepted bid until your credit card is charged and you receive a new room assignment. So if there is a cabin you really want secure it when you book your cruise rather than take a chance that you can bid on it later. An invitation to bid will be emailed to you if there are rooms available for you to upgrade to for your cruise. Not everyone will get an invitation to bid, and the email may not come until a few weeks prior to your cruise. You also must be at least 21 years old to bid.

Your bid must be on a room up to two categories higher-If you have an inside room booked you will not be able to book a Haven suite for a few more dollars. However, passengers with a balcony may be able to book a suite/and or Haven room if their bid is accepted.

Put your money where your bid is- Perhaps you bid on a balcony to mini suite upgrade and your bid is accepted and your credit card is charged. The new cabin assignment is then final-there are no refunds whatsoever.

Bids are for passengers 1 & 2 only- Your bid for the cabin and all passengers will cost you only for passengers #1 and 2-but the other passengers will be of course be moved to the new cabin assignment with you should your bid get accepted. One passenger will be charged double occupancy for the bid option.

Your initial cruise cost stays the same, as well as the perks-If you paid $2000, for example, for a balcony cabin for three passengers your cost remains the same, and you will add on the cost for passengers #1 & 2 for a bid. So if you bid $500 per person to upgrade to a mini suite and your bid is accepted you will pay $1000 more total for your cabin. Perks are not part of the upgrade program, with the exception of room category amenities. Simply put, if you were to upgrade from a balcony room to a suite category room you will get the convenience of a butler and concierge, as well as the ability to dine in the suite only guests venue for breakfast and lunch. You will not, however, get all four perks available to suite guests, such as the unlimited beverage package, dining package, wi-fi, etc. You will retain the perk(s) you originally booked with.

Travel Protection Packages need to be upgraded- Should your bid get accepted and you have already bought the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Travel Protection you will be automatically charged to cover the upgrade cost.

If you are a seasoned cruiser you are probably wondering what type of bids get accepted, and if this invitation is one you should try to take. In general passengers have reported paying anywhere from $25 per person to upgrade from an inside room to an oceanview cabin, and $750 per person to upgrade from a suite to a Haven room. If you have accepted the invitation to bid and had your bid accepted please share your experience! If you plan to bid on a cruise you have upcoming, if offered, what are you looking to bid for? 

 

 

Five Must Have Foods on MSC Cruises

The pizza on MSC ships is THE BEST! The photo above is of a breakfast pizza that I still think about every morning! Their homemade pizza is offered just about 24 hours a day and features different types throughout both the day and week. The crust is chewy, yet crispy, and the sauce has a slight sweetness to it's robust tomato base. I do believe I ate pizza several times a day on the MSC Divina!

MSC is known for it's authentic Italian fare and their pasta does not disappoint! The homemade Fettuccine Alfredo pictured above was amazing. The texture of the homemade pasta was a bit al dente, yet it soaked up the creamy sauce quite well.

Dessert lovers will adore the fresh and indulgent cannolis on MSC ships. The cream has just the right flavoring to create an addicting pastry you will want to finish! 

 Back to pasta-the Spaghetti Bolognese is another can't miss entree on your next MSC cruise. The sauce has a unique spice profile and the fresh pasta is both decadent and delicious.

The calamari on the MSC Divina was crispy and seasoned to perfection, while still offering a chewy texture which was satisfying. As this is another Italian classic I can definitely recommend going for the Italian cuisine on your next MSC cruise-you are sure to be happy!

Do you have a favorite non-Italian food on MSC cruises?  If so I'd love to hear from you! :)

Five Must Have Foods on Carnival Cruises

The picture above is of the famous Chocolate Melting Cake, which you can find as a dessert option on every Carnival cruise.This gooey, fudgy, warm and delicious cake is worth splurging on-with or without a side of vanilla ice cream! Even folks who don't like sweets (I cannot fathom the thought!) will love this delicate, yet indulgent treat. Here are four more must have foods to try on your next Carnival cruise:

Guys burgers are the best! The toppings bar offers a plethora of condiments, as well as cooked and fried onions, mushrooms and his famous Donkey Sauce. The fries are great too!

The non meat eaters will love the Indian plate Carnival offers-it is vegetarian and really good! The spices are not overwhelming and the serving is plentiful. 

Making fish and chips light and crispy is a hard thing to master-but Carnival ships have gotten this dish right! Whether you order this yummy favorite at the stand alone seafood concession or in the dining room you are sure to enjoy their take on this fabulous fish dish.

The cheese plate is offered as a dessert option on the Carnival ships in the main dining rooms. The selection of cheese is varied and rich. Served with a flavorful and fragrant fruit and nut bread, as well as fresh fruit, makes this a healthier dessert option for cruisers who prefer a savory course. 

All of this food talk has made me hungry! :) What is your favorite Carnival Cruise food?

 
 

Five Must Have Foods on Norwegian Cruises

Escargot is a delectable treat that is made outstandingly well at Le Bistro, the specialty French restaurant on Norwegian ships. The consistency is uniquely satisfying and the flavors are fresh and indulgent. If you are a fan of escargot be sure to order this appetizer at Le Bistro. 

The surf and turf at the specialty restaurant Cagney's is a must have entree for meat and seafood lovers. The steak is cooked to your liking and the lobster tail is meaty and decadent. 

Breakfast at the complimentary restaurant O'Sheehans is a treat for anyone who is a fan of corned beef hash and eggs. This hearty breakfast comes with crispy hash browns and any style eggs you'd like!

Another can't miss food for meat eating travelers are the wings at O'Sheehans. There are new flavors which are not only tender and tasty, but also really flavorful! Take some time to try some for a meal or even a snack at this 24 hour complimentary restaurant.

I still feel that the Raspberry Creme Brulee is the best dessert I have ever had! The sweet yet tangy raspberry flavor, combined with the perfectly carmelized top makes this dessert at Cagney's specialty steakhouse absolutely amazing!

Have you had any of these foods on your Norwegian cruises? What foods would you add to this list of must haves?  :)

Thanksgiving Cruise Prices and Tips for Cruising on a Holiday

I was fortunate to spend the Thanksgiving holiday on the Carnival Liberty with my immediate and extended family in 2014. While I have been on a ship for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, this was a first time cruising on a typical "stay at home" holiday for my entire family. A few tips for those of you looking to book a holiday cruise:

*Don't expect the usual- While a turkey dinner was offered in the main dining room, as well as pumpkin pie for dessert, there was no real mention of Thanksgiving. There were passengers from all around the world, many who don't celebrate this traditional American feast day, which led to the day feeling diluted in importance. Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday, so I was not really disappointed. I could see, however, that folks who are really into keeping the traditional aspects of their holiday experience may want to consider if cruising on a holiday is right for them. Only three of our party of seven ended up eating turkey- my sister enjoyed the Indian vegetarian dinner that Carnival expertly makes! My husband thought eating surf and turf on Thanksgiving was the best! 

 *Be prepared for crowds- We were fortunate that our ship was not completely full, but many cruise ships sail at capacity over the holidays. Pack your patience and plans for a quiet place to hang out if the crowds become overwhelming. This is when a balcony is a great room choice for some privacy and solace to relax.

*Realize that the normal cruise activities may be altered-Check with your personal cruise consultant if you are set on seeing a particular show or participating in a specific activity on your cruise. Sometimes over a holiday the cruise ships will offer special shows, amended activities and holiday themed parties in lieu of the typical cruise ship itinerary. Sometimes these extra events can add to the enjoyment of the holiday or holiday season, though. 

Although I am unable to cruise this Thanksgiving I still found myself researching the options-which I think us cruisers always love to do! :) Here are some cruises with prices for Thanksgiving week to get an idea in case you are looking to nab a last minute deal. For the sake of continuity I used Port Canaveral, FL as the sail away port, as well as financial information for a family of four seeking a standard balcony room, the week of 11/19/2016:

Norwegian Epic- 7 days, visiting Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and their private island of Great Stirrup Cay. The promotion I selected was the Unlimited Beverage Package for the first two adults, as well as free  daily gratuities for the first two travelers. A $100 on board credit is also offered for this Holiday cruise.
Cabin- 12059
Total Cost- $4,708.64

Carnival Sunshine- 7 days, visiting Grand Turk, Amber Cove, San Juan Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. There are no promotions offered with this cruise.
Cabin-8140
Total Cost-$3,941.60 

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas- (11/20-11/27)- 7 days, visiting Labadee Haiti, Cozumel Mexico and Falmouth Jamaica. There are no promotions offered with this cruise.
Cabin- Balcony Guarantee
Total Cost-$4,636.16 

Disney Fantasy- 7 days visiting Tortola, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. This is a cruise over Thanksgiving but will still be a "Very Merry" Holiday cruise featuring Christmas activities as well. 
Cabin-*at this time all balcony rooms are sold out for a family of four. The best available is a  guarantee port hole room.
Total cost-$6036.44

There are no other cruise lines leaving from this Orlando area port for a seven day voyage, but there are several other options if you are willing to sail away from Miami. If you end up booking a Thanksgiving cruise please let me know how it is! :)

Carnival Conquest Cruise Review

Having been on the Carnival Liberty, Triumph, Fascination and Conquest so far I can definitely say my favorite ship of these is the Conquest. Perhaps the amazing spa balcony room we had made for a better than normal fun cruise, or maybe the yummy Blue Iguana Cantina and Guy's Burgers made us extra happy on our week long voyage. All in all our cruise on the Carnival Conquest was both relaxing and exciting!

Our room, 1102, was at the very front of the ship on the highest deck, coined the Spa Deck. The hallways smelled of oranges and the entire floor was impeccably clean. We were a stones throw from the spa, steam room and sauna. The gym, steam room and sauna are complimentary-but the spa facilities are not. Our balcony was unique in that we had a shortened roof above us, allowing for lots of sunshine during the day and breezier conditions at night. If you are sensitive to the sun or prefer more shade on your balcony you may not enjoy this room. We really liked the location and opportunity to try a different balcony style. The room itself was a standard balcony room and the movement we felt was nothing major, especially being that we were right in front of the ship. 

Our Conquest voyage was the first time we got to indulge in Guy's burgers and they were fantastic! I think we ate them every day! :) I especially loved Blue Iguana Cantina. They were open for breakfast and lunch daily and guests could choose a variety of delicious fixings for their burritos. I became quite attached to my morning egg burrito! My only wish was that these two unique food options were open longer as lines got long when they were open limited hours. The 24 hr ice cream/froyo machines were great as always. We also had a “tea time” on one afternoon of the cruise. You have to really scan your daily for the day/time of the tea experience. It was a sit down tea-time with carts of traditional scones, cakes, etc. brought around for guests to choose from with their tea. The main dining room was tasty and we had no problem finding options for dinner courses. Our server was a sweet lady who took great care of us at our own table. My son enjoyed trying the "Didja" frog legs and other interesting cuisine. As always, the entertainment during dinner was well received by everyone. The servers on Carnival do a great job for sure! :)

The entertainment on the ship included two main shows, as well as an enjoyable Hasbro Game Show which families could participate in. The comedians at Punchline Comedy Club were wonderful and there were plenty of shows for families and couples to enjoy. My son had a blast at Club O2 with the other teens participating in a few dance parties, group games and a ship wide scavenger hunt. Mini golf, poolside relaxing and shuffleboard rounded out our  four port 7 day cruise. Noonan, our cruise director was fabulous and kept all the passengers happy! Although the Conquest is an older ship she is still a super one! 

Themed Cruising Tips

Themed cruises are quite popular across both the larger and smaller cruise lines. While some cruisers purposely book a themed cruise to partake in a specialty experience, other travelers sometimes find themselves on a themed cruise unknowingly! Many theme cruises are chartered and completely reserved for these special passengers. However, some cruises may be partially full with travelers partaking in a themed cruise as well as other passengers who are either aware or unaware of the cruise specifics. So how can you ensure your successful and expected themed cruise? The first step is to contact your personal cruise consultant or travel agent- he or she can tell you if the cruise you are looking to book or are booked on is a themed cruise. Problems may come about when themed cruises don't sell out and the cruise line decides to sell reduced fares to other guests to fill up the ship. Because the typical cruise schedule is altered for a themed cruise, such as different shows and dining times, passengers who are unaware they are booked on a specialty cruise may be disappointed. There are a few other places you can look to find information out about themed cruises though. The first website is Theme Cruise Finder http://themecruisefinder.com/index.html This site allows you not only to browse the various cruise choices but it also lets you search for your cruise to see if it is a themed one. I just put in the month and year of my upcoming cruises in the  advanced search box and it pulls up any cruises scheduled with a theme. 
Cruise Critic also has a themed cruise finder-although it is a bit more cumbersome to find your exact cruise if you are checking post booking. Cruise Critic also offers a forum for themed cruise enthusiasts to share information and connect online-http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=349 
In addition to themed cruises that future passengers may encounter as an unplanned addition to their vacation, certain times of the year see extremely large groups of folks traveling together. Examples of these times are college students and families on Spring Break, which is typically in March; Yeshiva Week, which is common for cruises from the Northeast- such as the Norwegian Gem-and usually occurs the third or fourth week of January; and large family reunion cruises that normally occur in July. Of course there is no predicting who your fellow cruisers will be, but by researching your cruise ahead of time you can hopefully avert any surprises and book the cruise of your dreams! 

Ten Tips to Consider When Budgeting for Your Cruise

Lately I have been reading a lot on the Cruise Critic forums and I noticed many cruisers, particularly new cruisers, don't realize the extra costs of cruising. It is fairly typical that once folks pay off their cruise they feel like they are done spending money-yet this is not true. There are quite a few things to budget for when you take your cruise, which will be additional fees on top of your total cruise fare. Here is a list to help you budget for your voyage on the seas:

1. Gratuities- These charges range from roughly $12-$17 per person, per day and are charged by every mainstream cruise ship. All passengers are charged-even children. This gratuity charge is dispersed by the cruise lines for your room steward, main dining room staff and many behind the scenes crew. While you technically can remove these gratuities and choose to tip those you personally valued on your cruise, it is highly discouraged by the cruise lines. Additionally, most cruise lines have you fill out a reimbursement form to receive a refund within several months time, so you will initially be charged the gratuities for the passengers in your cabin-which will be charged to your credit card. What this means is that for a 7 day cruise for a family of 4 you should expect to pay an additional estimated $400. This amount will vary a bit based on what your cruise line charges per person, per day, as well as the type of room you sail in. Suites on Norwegian, for example, are more costly for daily gratuities by a few more dollars.

2. Butler/Concierge Tips- Speaking of suites, if you are a suite passenger and have a butler and concierge you are expected to give each a tip at the end of the cruise. Your daily service charge/gratuities does not include these two specialty staff members. The common amount dispersed to the concierge seems to be between $25 and $50 for the week to the concierge, depending on how much he or she helped your family with planning and logistics. The typical tip for your butler, depending on how much he or she assisted your family and met your needs, is between $100 and $200 for a week long cruise. So if you have a suite booked plan to spend at least an additional $125 for your cruise, but prepare for twice that amount.

3. Parking/Transportation- Unless you are being dropped off and picked up at the cruise by a family member you will need to park your vehicle if you drive to the port. Most official parking lots, which are adjacent to the ports are about $20 per night, although a port in New York is quite a bit more per night. There are other independent parking lots in the vicinity of all major ports where you can park, with many of them being safe and reputable. Should you use these lots you will likely need to take a shuttle to and from the port, which most all external lots provide. These shuttles do usually run according to a certain schedule, or when they have enough passengers to make the trip worthwhile. If you are set on getting to the port at a specific time then parking right at the pier may be your best bet. In general parking costs can average anywhere from $50 to $200 for a week long trip. If you take a plane plan to get a cab, cruise sponsored van or an Uber to get to the cruise ship pier. These costs are highly variable based on your location and travel time to the pier. Research before you travel to have an idea of cab ride fares, etc.

4. Excursions- Unless you have chosen ship sponsored excursions and prepaid these, plan to have cash and a reliable credit card for port plans. A few hundred dollars in smaller denominations for cab rides, meals, activities and souvenirs is ideal. There are ATM machines on cruise ships, as well as at most ports, but there is usually a higher than normal fee to withdraw money. We use a credit card that does not have a big limit so if someone were to misuse the card they could only charge so much fraudulently before we could take care of the situation. Some port stops are very inexpensive and your family can enjoy a free beach or walking around the local area to take in the sights and culture. Do your research before your cruise to have an idea of what you plan to do and spend on your cruise port stops. 

5. On Board Expenses- These extra expenses range from drinks (if you don't have a beverage package or want bottled water, soda, etc.), souvenirs from the ship (tee shirts, bags, etc), merchandise (cruise ships sell lots of jewelry, clothing, cigars and liquor) and dining/shows not covered in your cruise fare. 

6. Cruise Insurance- Some passengers elect to buy cruise insurance in case of injury, illness, or an inability to take the intended trip. While the cruise lines do offer their own insurance plans, Insure My Trip is a reputable website that offers a variety of plans and insurance options to meet your needs. Check out https://www.insuremytrip.com/

7. Incidentals on the Cruise Ship- If you forget your toothbrush or need band aids you can buy them on the ship-but for a hefty fee! Check out these two posts on The Cheerful Cruiser for ideas on what not to forget when packing for your trip- http://thecheerfulcruiser.blogspot.com/2016/06/dont-forget-to-pack-these-five-items.html  and http://thecheerfulcruiser.blogspot.com/2016/05/five-things-to-bring-on-your-next-cruise.html 

8. Children's Program Activity Fees- Activities for your littlest sailors are abundant on most major cruise lines. That being said, some cruise ships have extra activities your kiddos can partake in for an additional fee. These might include a special craft or cupcake decorating. 

9. Arcades/Virtual Rides/Theaters and Games- The arcade is not free, and neither is the bowling or the 4-D theater experience many ships offer. Some cruise lines, like MSC offer a flat rate for the week for a family to enjoy the simulator ride and 4-D theater, while other ships charge your experiences to your sign and sail card as you go.

10. Additional Tips- You may have a favorite bartender or sever on the ship, or a crew member that goes out of his or her way to make your family feel special. These are examples of when you may wish to tip additional monies to crew and staff. Some folks suggest keeping a stack of singles handy for occasions like these. 

Whatever you choose to spend your hard earned money on during your next cruise, take time to budget any definite, plausible and possible expenses before you go! :)