schmoopie17

We always get luggage tags included with our E-Docs when checking in online 21 days before sailing.

By the time NCL gets around to notifying you of your flights, most good seats would already be taken. Waiting until the last minute to choose seats would practically guarantee middle seats...or maybe even standing room only.

I've watched enough LivePD (now On Patrol Live) where dogs can alert to even the slightest amount of drugs of all kinds. They say a dog's nose is WAY more sensitive...and it's definitely true.

Good to hear that Customs/Immigration wasn't a hang-up and you were able to essentially just walk off. You said you arrived at the airport in Rome at 9:20. What time did your flight depart and about how long would you say it took to get through security at the airport? Asking for a friend...(actually asking for myself, since we'll be disembarking in Rome in September and will have a tight window to get from the port to the airport to make our flight.)

Yes.

The hardest part of the muster when we were on the Jade was finding and getting to our muster station with a gimpy Mrs. Schmoopie following her broken leg. Other than that, no problem.

No, it wouldn't happen now. The only long pants I take on a cruise are jeans and I've never been turned away in any NCL restaurant. Taking extra "dress" clothes on a cruise nowadays with baggage fees the way they are makes no sense (well, at least to me).

We probably passed you as you were disembarking, as we embarked that same day for 14 great days on the Jade. Thanks for not leaving a mess. Mrs. Schmoopie and I agreed that this was the best cruise we have ever been on. We loved the size of the Jade (we had only been on larger/newer ships in the past) and the food and service were both top-notch. Without a doubt, the best service ever...from our cabin steward(ess) Genifer, to virtually every waiter and bartender (especially Shane in the Martini Bar) we encountered. We liked the Jade so much, we booked her sister ship, the Pearl, for a TA next year. Practically everything we ate was great...and this is coming from the fussiest of eaters. Kudos to O'Sheahans for serving the wings as I ordered them...extra crispy with the sauce on the side. Makes all the difference in the world. Jasmine was so good, we ate there four (or was it five?) times. MDR food and service was also outstanding, as were the French and Italian specialty restaurants. NCL excels at desserts (which we normally don't order on land) and every one we had was awesome...especially the tapioca pudding in Jasmine, which I had four (or was it five?) times. Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. It's remarkable that this was the first cruise we have ever been on where neither of us didn't catch something...not even a sniffle.

However, they may not end up keeping it. On our Jade cruise a few weeks ago, we had a favorite bartender, Shane in the Martini Bar. He took great care of us for 14 days and we tipped him every night. However, after thanking us, he promptly put the tips into the shared tip jar behind the bar. On the last night, we gave him an extra lump sum tip...again he graciously thanked us, but explained he needed to share this tip. as well. Into the tip jar it went. Our intention was to reward him for his outstanding service, attention and personality/showmanship. But if he had to spread the wealth, so to speak...so be it. All of the bartenders in that bar were great. Maybe not up to Shane standards, but pretty great.

All this fuss over something as insignificant as cookies. Now, if NCL did away with beer, wine and bourbon, (you know...really important stuff), that would be bad. Really bad. Disastrous, even. Cookies are a dime a dozen (well, maybe not anymore)...

I avoid the NCL chat like the plague. I can't count the number of times I've been given incorrect information using that thing. NCL should just due away with the chat, like other things they've gotten rid of that use the initials: C Cookies H Hashbrowns A Animals made from T Towels

No NCL ship "requires" dining reservations...at least not for the MDR. We have yet to make a reservation for any MDR and have never had a problem getting in either immediately, or a couple minute wait. Now, if you're talking Specialty restaurants, that's a different ballgame. Although, I know of people who have walked up to a Specialty restaurant and gotten in. So, in that case, reservations weren't "required".

Following @OrcaGirland her live trip report on the same cruise. She doesn't seem to be having the same issues. Wonder how she's managed to eat the "gross, inedible" food. Everyone has their own perspectives and not everyone has the same experiences, even on the same cruise. But the two experiences seem to be vastly different. Sorry yours seems to suck so much. Like they say when reading reviews...throw out the really good comments and the really bad comments...the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

I'm already exhausted just reading your itinerary. But will catch my breath and continue to follow along vicariously.

In other words...(where's the vomit emoji?)