KKB

https://crew-center.com/ncl-close-seven-production-shows-brace-yourselves-innovative-replacements?fbclid=IwAR1wPqEoEjiy92m2WBYWBnMXhxkZvq-0btNt0s_PGF8qhlJQa2oY1aWUFPE Seems a long time to go w/o them...

Sad to see another negative review...about Prima & NCL. We so enjoyed the Getaway every time we sailed--one pre-COVID (1st NCL) then I did 2 weeks last Aug. We were not terribly thrilled with Encore in Dec--definitely felt the lack of staff. Now with the announcement that most shows are being cancelled, just one more thing that I loved about NCL. Lots of rumors flying around about Syds...hoping it's still around on the Breakaway--I would sail NCL JUST for Syds, I love it that much! Have Breakaway to Med w/ DD in August--heck of a deal booked during COVID--plus the Joy in Nov. for the poker cruise I won on the Encore. Tried to sell but offers were so poor, we decided an OK "free" cruise was better than no cruise at all. Guess I'll have my chance to see how things are.

100% thrilled! Smoke drove me from the casino on Princess & MSC. PLENTY of people hanging out...JUST SMOKING. I remember this same BS argument when our bars/restaurants went 100% smoke free. They are doing fine. Love Celebrity since it is no smoking. They say casino revenues are "down"--but exactly how much? (guessing not much since they have remained smoke free) I'm going to bet MOST gamblers do not smoke--just as MOST people do not smoke.

Yeah, original plan was to upgrade to balcony. BUT ship is sold out...tho I made upgrade bids for less than $300 from INT to BALC. The credit is a much better idea--thx!

Yep. I almost bought at 35 also...ugh

I've gotten 500 in OBC in the last year, and currently 500 in profit. On a 1500 investment. I'm good.

Deleted post: ”The top thread on this forum, with more than 5000 posts, covers this topic thoroughly. You may want to check there for thoughts on how to maximize th...” Always gotta be someone. Luckily I go plenty of current responses

I got the NCL Bank of America credit card. I will be able to redeem $350 OBC. Am I able to use this OBC on gratuities or the casino? (I have cruise w/ DD booked & one w/ DH booked--DD & I would be more likely to use it on spa or coffees...DH & I on casino charges!) Thanks!

I bought a SMALL jewelry box from Amazon (tho coulda got it from Temu for a fraction of the price). But when I did carry on only to Europe last month, I bought some small baggies off Amazon. (about the size of 2-3 square coasters if stacked) I put 1 jewelry item in each baggie then shoved them all in small pouch. I loved how small & light it was & how nothing got tangled. I DO love the box better tho--I like to open it up & see everything easily. But when I have to consider size & weight of everything going in my bag, the baggie system is great. (I also used those baggies for my meds...used label maker to on each one. I also have a larger Amazon organized about the same size as my jewelry case)

I'm a sucker for new ships too. Urcomped gives us deals. We usually only take the comped ones but as expensive as this cruise is, I thought it might be worth it to pay a more reasonable price.

LOL the theming was unusual to be sure--luckily I had looked at ship tour videos prior to embarkation so I wasn't so shocked. Then I was able to not give it much mind.

I am going to add the extra 2 meals to our reservation. Since I just set the credit card on fire booking excursions, hotels & transfers I'll wait until closer for that. Is there a date when they "close" those bookings? (a week before? 3 days?) Thanks!

I was able to use it in the casino in 2019, but last cruise I wasn't able to. If I recall, I could use it at the spa, shops, dining...shore excursions? Coffee?

OK, this is the week after inaugural sailing. I know many like that as it is special, but often there are many kinks not worked out. We have been offered the 2nd week about half off what the online price is. 30 cruises under our belts, late 50s-early 60s couple. Like to be busy on a cruise. Celebrity is our fav but people told us we would hate Carnival & we loved our 14 day Miracle journey in Jan. We loved Allure & Anthem, tho admittedly has been 5 yrs since we sailed Anthem & longer since Allure. Thoughts?

Just read this TR: @dcipjr was very happy with the cruise but noted that the steward seemed to have too many rooms. Sadly appears to be a fleet-wide cost cutting measure.😐

You can order it from the kids menu every night w/o 24 hr. notice on Beyond.

OK...we have sailed Celebrity more than any other line in the last 10 years. We sailed Carnival Miracle to Hawaii (RT LA) in January--1st time on Carnival. Everyone said we would hate it. We loved it! Great service, food, music, activities, comedians. (productions shows were "meh") Bartender said the key to Carnival is to avoid 7 days or less in Caribbean or MX Riv. Give it a try!

Meh, we might be a last timer...will only do it again if a fantastic deal comes our way again. Definitely not worth much more than we paid to us. Would rather travel more frequently.

We did Retreat for the 1st time in April on Beyond. We really liked it but will only book if we can get a great deal again. My favorite part was the Retreat sun deck--never overly crowded. DH said his fav was the Lounge--easy to grab a quick bite for breakfast/lunch/snack, grab & go sodas & beer in fridges. Luminae was good but I don't know that it was particularly better than many dining rooms. Room is great, but we just aren't in it that much. We made requests regarding drinks/snacks in room...by & large ignored. Not a huge deal as we don't get those in regular rooms. I don't order AM coffee as Iike to wake when I wake...so I cannot put a time as to when I will want it! Rarely saw our butler. You will definitely enjoy it--just go with the flow!

Thanks for the report. We tried Retreat on Celebrity in April & note some similarities/differences. Butler was pointless--we also requested snacks to no avail (and potato chips are ALWAYS soggy on ships--I thought it was the Caribbean humidity but it was that way in Norway last month too! Retreat dining was very good as was service--but so are the MDRs on Celebrity. But I will say virtually ANY request was granted. Cabin great but, yes, more space than we need. Retreat lounge/pool areas were great, never too crowded, both had bars, if service was a bit slower than I would expect (but likely better than on the main pool deck). We were lucky in that other than one NASTY lady day 1 in the Lounge (who then posted about her horrid experience on another site...then several of us who were there called her out on that site), I'm thrilled to say I saw no other entitled behavior. We liked it. A lot. Once I factored in OBC/extra perks, it was very comparable in price to what we have paid for a balcony. (It was a terrific deal) We would do it again for that price, but probably not much more. We would just rather sail more often in "steerage"

Cruise is charging $90 each for transport to/from Zeebrugge to Bruges. Ride guru says a cab is about $75 each way. For 4 of us that would be much more cost effective. Will cabs be available?

Are you traveling solo? The savings wouldn't have been worth it if it was just me. But for the 2 of us, it was less than half price compared to if I booked separate.

ALL cruiselines are getting bad reviews. They always have--complainers always seem to be more interested in writing a review than happy campers. And since COVID, labor supply issues as well as cost-cutting make cruising not QUITE what it used to be. Admittedly, we felt those issues on Encore in Dec. Still a good cruise, but labor shortage was clear. Look for PATTERNS in complaints about a ship--do you see the same complaint popping up over & over? If so, that likely is an issue. But if all you see is different laundry lists of complaints, it's probably more issues of the complainer than actual problems.

Probably will need to wait for fall to hope they return.

Mostly Wool&; the L/S tees were Costco! I just discovered Costco for clothing last year--and as a recent retire-y who is traveling A LOT, MANY clothes there fit the bill for lounging or traveling. And I'm amazed at the quality for amazing prices. I've learned if they don't have my size to check online--and then check for items my store doesn't carry. (Travel Fashion Girl blog/You Tube videos/social media is what got tipped me off on both merino wool & Costco)