JIMESOPUS

Agree, things have gone downhill in many areas but they are having no problem in filling those ships. As with any tourism business that survived Covid they must ultimately answer to the stockholders. Will I continue to sail with them - yes, am I happy - no. https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-cruise-line-shows-growth-forecasts-strong-2024/124705

@idocdlw Welcome to the Norwegian boards, took us a while for TA's but we love them. Our last one was a B2B on the Viva starting in Rome and ending in Miami. While " Freestyle " has taken a hit in recent years we still enjoy NCL. Hopefully, the ship isn't full and you will find plenty of room in the Observation lounge. A must for us is Onda, they have a killer filet, dare I say better than Cagney's. Our next TA will be on the Aqua. Jim

@Red-Sol Next year for us, only 10 days but we are back in the Yacht Club, inside cabin this time. MSC also will match the tier level.

@Red-Sol Joe have you ever thought about Amtrak? We met a couple from Greensboro NC last year, they travel down to Miami or Tampa to get on a ship every year via Amtrak Jim

@Red-Sol Joe here is one reason, wouldn't be surprised if other lines drop NYC in the future. https://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/nyc-bill-aims-to-tackle-pollution-from-idling-cruise-ships/ Also in Manhattan, it's getting harder to resupply ships using tractor-trailers, https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/description/commercial-vehicle-restrictions MSC itineraries usually have Port Canaveral as the first stop to resupply Jim

We had the unfortunate experience of sailing with Noro on the Pearl TA ( 5/19 ), on the first sea day those little white gift bags made an appearance, the next day we noticed several cabin doors with red tags. It took several days later for the Captain to announce what was going on, he also gave a warning to those in quarantine found wandering around the ship - taken off the ship at the first port. To see housekeeping entering cabins fully dressed in PPE was unnerving. The WHO was the reporting agency and unlike the CDC we never really found out how bad it was. It still amazes me that after COVID folks still don't understand or even care about hygiene.

@david_sobe Guilty of booking too far out. On our last cruise ( B2B on the Viva ), we had a DSC of $20 and $15

Two weeks ago while on the Jade there were at least three large jackpots, $18K on a $12 bet on a Wonder 4 Collection, $8K on a $10 bet on a machine as you walked into the casino from the bar, and a $6K win on the $15 bet on a top dollar machine. There could have been more. None of these were ours, we tried to find a machine but it was packed almost all the time and very smokey. Also, they were in the process of updating some of the machines to newer titles

Thanks for doing this, sailed out of NOLA last year on the BA. If you are driving through Memphis TN. make a pit stop for Gibson's doughnuts. Just a reminder, sailing out of NOLA there is a tax on almost everything until you are in the Gulf, last year we racked up about $32 in taxes. Safe travels, Jim

@Sugar Magnolia I waved but you never looked up, lol. We are getting tired of Tiano Bay, turning into another Costa Maya, and wish we went to Puerto Rico instead. Jim

We came through unscathed, our driver said that it was reported that 70 PAX had covid, information came from the attendant at the garage, and advised her to put on a mask. Saw many PAX seasick those last two days, they ran out of bags on deck #8 several times. Get Well Soon Jim

@schmoopie17 Dang left when we did but everyone else will be still aboard. If you find Chad ask him for a Key Lime Pie. @mimi'sgirl Typical Hampton Inn on one half the other side was Home2 Suites also a Hilton Brand. Didn't have breakfast but it appeared to be the normal offering. Yes we would stay there again, they offered a shuttle to the pier but we walked.

Epilogue We have been fortunate enough to have sailed on all six multi-ship classes this past year. By far for us the Jewel Class is the best fit for us, would have sailed on the Gem but we prefer Tampa over Miami because there are no large ships here in Tampa ( please don't raise that bridge ). We would prefer Manhattan but that's another story. Still, ensure why the food was off. Other PAX reported the same thing with taste and service. The ship was in great shape, and that broken pipe on deck #9 could occur anytime or any place. NCL is still lacking in communication, not only to those who were affected by the flood but in general terms. Carnival and RC sent out warnings days before embarkation about traffic around the port due to Gasperailla Day, NCl waited till embarkation day. We found money in our account and went to guest services to find out it was a refund of port fees. Couldn't they have posted that on the daily? We will sail again with NCL, we met a couple who said everything was terrible and will never sail with NCL again. The husband was even complaining about the cell service aboard the ship as he attempted to make a call three hundred miles off the coast of Florida while holding his phone to window up at Spinnaker. Almost caught that elusive green flash Be well and safe travels Jim

Itinerary - Key West, Tiano Bay, BVI, Aruba and Curacao. Grand Caymans was canceled due to the high seas and we were refunded that port fee. We have been to all these ports before, last year we visited Tiano Bay ( Dominican Republic ) four times. Here are some random photos. Key West, docked at Mallory Square which only had room for one gangway Taino Bay was a wet and rainy day. BVI - Pain killer at Pussers Aruba - the bridge is still broken and drunk butterflies Curacao - surprised how dirty everything was, garbage cans not emptied, trash everywhere, and broken benches and sidewalks throughout the capital.

Entertainment - We had three great groups aboard on this cruise which rotated between venues, Gravity Trio, Prelude Duo, and Diego. CD classic games show Not So Newlywed, Battle of the Sexes, and The Perfect Couple were held at the Spinnaker ( Viva didn't have these shows ) Guest entertainers at the main theater ( aerialist couple, singer, comedian, magician, and hypnotist ) plus the production show Blazing Boots. The final show Elements was cancelled due to sea conditions. Bingo was held at Spinnaker, Deal or No Deal in the main theater, and now Wheel of Fortune has been introduced. ( the intranet aboard the ship was great, and the internet to the outside world was bad )

Met him on the Escape last year and he was the assistant CD, he is supercharged all the time, a good fit for the smaller traditional ships

Cruise Critic meeting, we had about 40% attendance

The casino found on deck #6 has a great mix of machines and was in the process of replacing some of the older machines. The strong smoke smell kept us out most of the time but liked the bar. Another spot to keep hydrated, Deck #12 - Topsiders We didn't have an outdoor BBQ on deck #12 on this cruise, maybe they stopped that.

We like this orientation of the Bliss Lounge and the Tradwinds shops. Unlike the " maze that is found on the Gem and the Pearl the straight path going from the bow to the stern allows a better flow of PAX after the theater shows. Bliss Lounge - Deck #7 midship Tradewinds shops, Deck #7 Aft

We spent countless hours at the Great Outdoors, simply just love that spot on the ship. Sadly there were no chocolate chip cookies to go with our Toasted Almond drinks.

Several drinks helped us to survive. French Rasberry Key Lime Pie Lemon Drop

Hydration is very important while cruising, we were blessed with several great bartenders. Dang Chad Mohammad Honorable mention to Dr L at the Bliss lounge( Yeah Baby, thanks for the Love ) and Jamil ( Jammy Bear )

I didn't bother taking any other pictures relating to food. Most of the meals for us in the MDR were bland and almost cool. On other NCL ships, there was a waiter and runner, most of the time on Jade the waiter went back to the galley. Also observed the same waiter cleaning and setting up tables in their section. Most of the days we ate at O'Sheehans, sometimes all three meals.

Food, we didn't starve but it should have been much better. Our first meal in Cagneys set the tone for the remainder of the cruise. I order a medium filet, onion rings, and a baked potato. Do two rings count as a serving? I went back several days later and got three. The bread while warm didn't have that rosemary taste

I should mention now about the flood that occurred on 2/3/24 around 3 PM while in port at Curacao. A large hot water main broke on deck #9, port side between midship and aft. 29 cabins on deck #9 were affected along with several on deck #8 and #10, a total of around 35. Only 4 cabins were relocated to deck #4 (the ship was full ), while the other PAX had to stay in very damp cabins. The NCL crew worked tirelessly throughout the remainder of the cruise replacing carpets and getting the cabins cleaned and dry. A couple that we knew found an I Pad floating in the water inside their cabin and later returned to security. NCL compensation was $200 per person, 25% FCC ( based on cruise fare paid ), and a means to file a claim to NCL HQ.