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What is NCL More at Sea? (Formally Free a Sea)

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

The NCL More at Sea promotion debuted on October 1, 2024 after years of the popular Free at Sea promotion giving cruisers just one more reason to sail with Norwegian Cruise Line. The More at Sea promo has induced a lot of confusion and dissatisfaction with many cruisers. Change is hard and not necessarily a good thing for those of us that found significant value in the Free at Sea promo. I wanted to share details on the More at Sea promotion as well as some of the key differences between the More at Sea promo and the former Free at Sea promo.

What is the NCL More at Sea promotion? 

More at Sea is a promotion cruisers can choose during booking. It includes offers such as the new Unlimited Open Bar package, upgraded specialty dining package, free wifi, excursion credits for guest 1 and may include 3rd & 4th guests sail free and free airfare for the 2nd guest on certain sailings. Unlimited Open Bar and Specialty Dining requires guests to pay a fee on each package if selected. The former Free at Sea promotion offered similar benefits except the Ultimate Beverage Package was included instead of the new Unlimited Open Bar and guests were paying the cost of gratuities for each package instead of a set fee.

**You can opt out of the promotional packages if desired.

If you just want to see a comparison of More at Sea and Free at Sea, scroll down to a comparison chart. 

One of the biggest differences will be the guest cost for the packages. The Unlimited Open Bar and Specialty Dining packages are included free with the promo, but cruisers will have to pay a fee on the price of the package.

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The Perfect Watersport Vacation in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica, a Central American gem, is an adventurer’s dream. Full of lush rainforests and pristine beaches, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is a hotspot for watersport enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to surf the perfect wave, find tranquillity in paddleboarding or a thrill in white-water rafting, Costa Rica offers a playground for every kind of water lover. Here are the best activities to enjoy on a watersport vacation in Costa Rica.

Surfing in Costa Rica

With approximately 800 miles of coastline split between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica boasts a variety of surf breaks suitable for all levels. If you’re a seasoned surfer, head to the beach town of Tamarindo on the Pacific coast. Known for its consistent waves and vibrant surf culture, Tamarindo offers perfect conditions year-round. More advanced surfers can test their skills at breaks like Playa Grande and Avellanas.

On the Caribbean side, Puerto Viejo offers a different vibe. You’ll find Salsa Brava, suited for experienced surfers and one of Costa Rica’s most famous and powerful waves. After surfing, kick back in Puerto Viejo with reggae beats and Caribbean cuisine.

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Utopia of the Seas Tips & What’s New Onboard

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, set sail in July 2024.  The “world’s biggest weekend” mega ship boasts over 40 ways to dine and drink, 4 astounding new shows, and 5 pools to splash the day away. The design of the Utopia of the Seas includes some Oasis Class favorites as well as some new additions such as the Pesky Parrot and Royal Railway. Some of the design features were also taken from the first of her class, Icon of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas blends the best of fleet favorites with new ideas to keep your cruising experience fresh and exciting.

Keeping with the same layout of the Oasis Class ship’s, you’ll still find the 7 original neighborhoods including Central Park, The Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade plus the new Suite Neighborhood that’s only found on Wonder & Utopia of the Seas.

Utopia of the Seas Fun Facts

  • 6th Oasis Class ship
  • 236,860 GRT
  • 1187 ft in Size
  • 2,834 Staterooms
  • 5,668 Max Guest Capacity
  • 18 Decks
  • 5 Pools & 8 Whirlpools
  • 8 Distinct Neighborhoods
  • First Oasis Class Ship Powered by LNG (Cleaner Burning Liquefied Natural Gas)

Utopia of the Seas Port

Utopia of the Seas will sail 3 & 4-night Bahamas & Perfect Day at CocoCay from Port Canaveral, Florida. The 4-night cruise will include a sea day, so cruisers can take advantage of all the fun activities onboard. You may also get a 2nd Perfect Day at CocoCay instead of a sea day starting in 2025.

  • Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida
  • Nassau, Bahamas
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
  • Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

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Icon of the Seas Tips & What’s New Onboard

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Icon of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships and the first of her class. The ship boasts a ton of new features including some “first at sea” experiences such as the first swim-up bar in the fleet, the biggest waterpark at sea and the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Royal Caribbean has been busy reimagining new features while keeping some of the fan favorites. Royal Caribbean’s goal with its first Icon Class ship was “redefining adventure and setting a new bar for extraordinary.” I think they have definitely succeeded in setting that bar!

There are so many new features of the Icon of the Seas, I wanted to mention them in one article to show why you’ll want to sail this massive ship.

Icon of the Seas Fun Facts:

  • 250,800 GRT
  • 1197 ft
  • 20 Decks
  • 2,805 Staterooms
  • 7,600 Max Guest Capacity
  • Powered by LNG
  • 7 Pools and 9 Whirlpools
  • 6 All New Record-Breaking Slides
  • 1st of her class!

Icon of the Seas Ports:

Icon of the Seas will begin sailing from Miami with a mix of 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day and 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day itineraries. Each itinerary will include a stop at Perfect Day, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy Royal Caribbean’s private island and all its incredible inclusions.

Eastern Caribbean sailings include 3 options:

  • Miami, Florida
  • Philipsburg, St. Maarten
  • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
  • Miami, Florida
  • Miami, Florida
  • Philipsburg, St. Maarten
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Labadee, Haiti
  • Miami, Florida
  • Miami, Florida
  • Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
  • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
  • Miami, Florida

Western Caribbean sailings include:

  • Miami, Florida
  • Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
  • Roatan, Honduras
  • Cozumel, Mexico
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
  • Miami, Florida

Icon of the seas will have 8 Neighborhoods to keep sailors soaking up the sun and partying the night away.

Icon of the Seas 8 Neighborhoods: 

Thrill Island – You won’t want to miss all the adventures at Thrill Island like Category 6 Waterpark which boasts six record-breaking slides, and the not for the faint of heart, Crown’s Edge. You’ll also find revamped favorites like the new rock climbing experience called Adrenaline Peak, a new mini golf course, the popular FlowRider, and more.

  • Category 6 waterpark is the largest waterpark at sea featuring the longest, tallest, and fastest slides. Frightening Bolt is the tallest drop waterslide at sea and the Pressure Drop is the first open free-fall slide at sea. There are height requirements with a range from 48 to 52 inches depending on the slide or ride, so make sure you’re aware before sailing. No one wants disappointed kids!
  • Lost Dunes is the new mini golf course with nine holes allowing cruisers to play through shipwrecks, plane crashes and fallen palms.
  • Crown’s Edge is a challenge that’s part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill-ride along the ship’s Crown & Anchor. There is a section where the floor collapses and you’re hanging over the open ocean!
  • Adrenaline Peak boasts the highest vantage point yet and 5 racing lanes allowing climbers to choose their difficulty level and challenge a friend to the top.

Surfside – This family-friendly neighborhood was built on the concept of allowing families to play, eat and drink together. Find Splashaway Bay Aquapark, Baby Bay, and the new Water’s Edge Pool to splash the day away. For parents who want to relax with the kids, the new Water’s Edge pool features in-water loungers and islands dotting the pool.

The area is also home to reimagined classics such as the arcade, carousel, and more. The arcade boasts retro and modern games including air hockey, skee-ball, claw machines, pinball and other fun games. Playscape offers sensory experiences for toddlers as well as physical play options for older kids. Plus the beach-themed carousel is fun for all ages and was inspired by pool floaties!

You’ll also find Adventure Ocean close by so little ones can roam whimsical rooms, find climbable creations to explore and enjoy the interactive tinker time at Workshop.  There is also dedicated programs for babies and younger kids at AO Babies and AO Juniors. However, it’s not all for little kids. Teens get their own exclusive space to hang out, Social020. Here they’ll find music, movies, the latest gaming consoles, and comfortable places to relax with new friends. My kids have always found new friends while cruising, so I highly encourage you to take advantage of these programs.

Looking to dine? Find fruit-forward drinks for kids and adults at The Lemon Post, plus a casual buffet and lunch options at Surfside Eatery and Surfside Bites.

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Virgin Voyages: 30 Things I Loved & Hated About Our Virgin Cruise

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Virgin Voyages has revolutionized the cruising industry in just a few short years.  It’s no wonder cruisers are raving about Virgin Voyages with their unique entertainment, incredible value, laid back approach to luxury, and distinctive heath and wellness opportunities. VV has a 95% satisfaction score and 40% onboard rebooking rate, so you are pretty much guaranteed to enjoy your next cruise. We found so many things to love about Virgin Voyages and some things that we didn’t necessarily like. However, that doesn’t mean we didn’t overall LOVE our Virgin cruise. I put together a love/hate list to share more information about cruising on Virgin Voyages.  We recently sailed on the Valiant Lady but many of these details will be similar on all the Ladies.

Here’s what we liked and didn’t like about sailing with Virgin Voyages:

Loved how much is included for FREE. All dining, entertainment, fitness classes, wifi and gratuities are included in the cruise price. There are some up charges you could make at the restaurants and paid activities such as the Grog Walk (Pub Crawl). However, you could get away without paying another dime while onboard (assuming you’re not drinking alcohol).

Hated lack of restrooms around the ship. This was the first cruise where I actually thought about restrooms. One example: the women’s restrooms are far away from Extra Virgin. This was a complaint we heard from 3 people that were sitting near us during dinner. Men’s restrooms are located by Extra Virgin while the women’s are located across the ship by Razzle Dazzle. It was inconvenient while dining or relaxing around the ship to have to hunt for a restroom.  There were some unisex that I know can put some sailors off, but I’d rather have more restrooms around the ship than worry about who I’m washing my hands next to.

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