cruiseagona

Am I spoiled, do I need to switch cruise lines or what? Just returned from 14 day BTB cruise on the Escape. We are about 70 yr. old, sedentary, and have been on 10 NCL cruises in the past 10 years (except missed the last 3 because of Covid) and are Platinum members. We do not drink. Everything was pretty good except for the fact that out of four room service breakfasts mistakes were made all four times. From lack of silverware, lack of salt, wrong juice, no juice, etc. But that's not really my problem. I am looking for more intellectual stimulation. I wish there were lectures onboard. I'm happy reading or doing my embroidery but doing BTB gets boring. Why can't they do two weeks worth of movies so we don't have to watch Top Gun every time. There has to be more to life than Bingo and Deal or No Deal. Trivia becomes boring when it's the same two weeks in a row. We are platinum and enjoy the perks. We absolutely love the freestyle way and the buffet. So many things we love about NCL but we've seen enough Caribbean churches to last a lifetime. Heard enough history too. I know that I may sound like a spoiled cruiser but I do need help. Any ideas? NCL is in our price range too and other cruises are often higher priced. What can we do? TIA.

Looking to take my sister on her first cruise. Thinking about going to Alaska in 2024 at the beginning of the season. The prices are much higher in 2024 than they are for this April/May 2023. Any idea why? Like $500-$600 more.

According to SpaceX website, there is a launch scheduled for tonight. Here is the information: "SpaceX is targeting Friday, February 17 for launch of the Inmarsat I-6 F2 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 89-minute launch window opens at 10:59 p.m. ET (03:59 UTC on February 18). If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, February 18 with the same window. The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Crew-5 and GPS III Space Vehicle 06. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean." So if you are awake starting at 10:59 PM ET, look northwest. I'll post more if I find out anything else. I wonder how far out in the ocean the droneship will be? Anyone else know anything? Could be very interesting.

Is the purpose of the plastic bag to out inside the paper laundry bag?

I agree. Your meds are the most important thing. I always take my meds, backup meds and back ups for the backups.

We are platinum members but opted for the first time to pay extra for the priority boarding on Escape. We have a boarding time of 12:30. 1.Anyone have an idea of what time that will get us on the ship? Want to make entertainment reservations as close to 1 pm as I can. 2. Do you think it's worth the extra money? We will get "free room service breakfast", canapes on day 2 and something else also I believe. 3. Is this a new thing? I've never seen or heard of it before.

Yes, we have a cabin assigned. They are not on the tag. I'll write them on. A few years ago, I bought plastic sleeves with the steel wire that the paper tag slips into. Love the much more than just having a paper tag on my suitcase. (I'm a cruising stickler for some things. Aren't we all 🙂

Printed out my luggage tags for my suitcases and noticed that there is no spot for the cabin number. Just the color mentioned and we fill in name, address and phone number. 1. In the past, didn't we fill in the cabin number too? 2. How do the porters know what room they go to? 3. Should I write my cabin number on the tag or is that giving away privy information? TIA.

If I understand correctly, I cannot book any entertainment reservations until I board the ship. Is that correct? 1. Is this something that I will want to do as soon as we board? 2. Can it be done on their app or does it need to be done in the stateroom? 3. How quick do entertainment bookings fill up? 4. I am a Platinum member. In the perks listing, it says we have "Early Pre-booking Access for Entertainment" 125 days out. Do you know if that is true? I was told need to book once on the ship.

The dollar store, now the dollar and 25 cents store used to sell those.

"I am going to bring an insulated cup to put ice in and leave in the fridge for my evening ice needs. This will keep some ice very well until evening. " That is an excellent idea. I don't need much but love ice with my drinks.

Which one? I live in Minnesota and am always looking for new ideas.Thanks.

We always travel (when by land but not by sea) with a roll of the small waste basket size trash bags. For some reason, the two of us make a lot of garbage. Off to add "waste basket bags" to my "What to take on a cruise" spreadsheet 🙂

I don't believe so. We are on Escape in a few weeks and I think it will still be 2x/day.

I will miss the fresh ice in the evening for my Coke. 😦 Will they have a styrofoam cooler out that we can all dip into for ice?

Sailing12Away ~ Thank you so much! Your directions are the first ones that worked!

Looking forward to watching the Super Bowl with 4,000 other people this February. Does anyone know if and what NCL does special for the day and during the game?

I was using Chat because nothing was showing up on my online reservations letting me book the dinner reservations. It came down to using chat or having to wait till after the holiday.

As a platinum member, supposedly I can make dinner reservations up to 125 days out. Went to make the reservations online and OMG, the confusion, the mixup, the lack of knowledge of the "chat experts". I was told everything from I need to do it on the ship, call this number to do it, go to this part of the website to do it and then back to I can't do it online but can do it on the app. Finally one "chat expert" told me she could help me with this". And then while she is helping me, she also said that I can do it when I get on the ship. I politely responded that I would rather do it now than wait till we're on the ship in February along with 4,000 other people. And after all of that, we could only get specialty dinner reservations for two nights. (We are doing BTB cruises so would be two each week). I just can't eat late so it's only two. Well. . . it was three but because all three were in the same week, I was being charged over $140 for the two of us for Moderno. No thanks, I'll just eat in the Main Dining Room that night. The steak will be ok there too. AHHHHH!!!!!

"... I have it on good authority that if if you have a bottle of Pepsi in your backpack when you board in most ports, they probably won't stop you." That is true. I have done it many times and they do not stop me. That said, one of my almost favorite things is to have a nice glass of Coke on ice back in my room after the show. It's very relaxing.

The bread is outstanding! And go to the back of The Garden Cafe to find the crepe station. Also outstanding!

Is there anyone on Escape or has been on recently that can verify to a Coke lover that this ship has switched over to Coke products?

I read this as "Are rolls always available". I'm thinking of course they are. They are delicious and they always have them. 🙂

When I was a teacher I took a workshop about fairness, incentives, right and wrong, etc. I learned that when someone (or a company) makes an error, two things need to happen. The first is that the wrong must be made right. NCL has done this by offering up another room. The second thing that has to happen (and this is most often not done) is that the person needs to be in some way compensated that the error happened in the first place. NCL also needs to offer some type of monetary compensation. It could be reduced fare, onboard credit, etc.