debenson0723

I like candy but wow...that is a lot, LOL. My motto though is 'if it's not chocolate, the calories are not worth it'. Even though I have been on the Bliss 3 times, I am really looking forward to the review from you and @drwbrt. I already know it's going to be great!

We did this for our Bliss Panama Canal cruise back in 2018 (15 days!). And if you do a search on this site (or someone is smart enough to find the thread) there is drink list excel sheet that can be an invaluable companion to this bar list.

This is what I do also. You can earn the Starbucks 'stars' for doing this but cannot redeem them on the ship. I have been on the Bliss 3 times and never found the lines to be exceptionally long. But I usually show up around 8:30 or 9, get my drink and take it into the MDR with me for breakfast.

You can book the shuttle from the ship but on my cruise last February you had to do it by Thursday evening. I did not have OBC so don't know the answer to that...just charged my on board account.

I really enjoyed Patmos and Rhodes, and would love to visit Israel, so for me the 2nd one would be my choice.

I looked on the NCL website and saw $25 a day (or $29 if you purchase on board). I am looking at a sailaway price on a 5 day next month and don't need any of the FAS benefits, except wi-fi.

You can bring a beverage but it cannot be in a glass. They provide infused water and plastic cups and I have only once seen anyone with an adult beverage. There is a locker area with showers, lockers that lock, towels and robes. Some are bigger than others (the Prima was tiny) but the women's locker room on the Bliss was very nice so I am assuming the men's is also. Spa hours are as mentioned above but my favorite time late morning/early afternoon on a port day. I usually have the place to myself.

No. It is on the list of prohibited items. Your room steward will bring you an iron and board to use if requested. But I just use wrinkle release, if needed.

You don't need a reservation for the Taste MDR so I would cancel it and just get there after the show. By that time of night, it won't be busy. As far as LeBistro, that is another matter. Show reservations are released 10 minutes before it starts to the stand by line. In my experience a meal at LeBistro is not rushed. I would inform your server that you have the 9:30 show and they will try to speed it up but personally would either try to move up dinner or book the show on another night,

Enjoy your cruise!

I always take my dessert to go...the last couple of times they insisted on delivering it to my cabin. I was surprised to get a knock on the door and it was my server from the restaurant standing there with my dessert. It was great to see her again (she was awesome) but I thought someone else would be my delivery person. The only time I was denied 'takeout' of leftovers was in Food Republic last February on the Escape. I just couldn't finish the sushi rolls and was told because it was raw fish, it couldn't leave the restaurant due to the heat. It was a health concern and as tempted as I was to put them in my purse, it wasn't large enough. 🙂

Do a search in this forum for NCL Air and you will find many, many experiences. I personally would never use it except possibly for an international flight with a 2 day deviation.

You can also call their cabin from the phone in your cabin and speak to them directly or leave a voicemail.

Santorini Road Trips is who we used. We had a list of sites we wanted to see but also let our tour guide make suggestions while we were on the van, as he knows the area better than anyone. They were great to work with and our driver was awesome.

Not sure what this even means at all. Wi-fi is available all over the ship. Been on the Encore twice, pre and post pandemic and used the Wi-Fi in my room (as I have on every NCL ship).

Yes, this is what you will see. The deck 8 area is much wider on Prima than the other ships in certain spots. I was originally on deck 9 and was more concerned about people looking into my cabin from deck 8 than what I was seeing. So I moved up to 10 in an area that was not as wide on deck 8 (but due to the weather, there were only a few days when anyone was on deck 8 so for me, it didn't really matter).

I was on Prima in September/October and there were people with masks on, especially in elevators. You do what makes you comfortable.

BUT...if you look at @SeaSharkscreenshot, there are 4 options showing. Oceanview, balcony, club balcony suite and spa balcony. If you have a regular balcony booked, you can bid for a Club and Spa. I was in a studio on Escape...bid and won a Spa Balcony for the minimum bid (yes, times 2 but still way worth it). OP sorry to get off topic about bidding. As a previous poster mentioned, it might be a good idea to get a TA to help you with this, though I have sailed solo many times and did it all myself. Do what makes you feel comfortable. Enjoy your cruise!

Have you tried using the chat feature or calling NCL directly to change your dinner reservations? I have had success doing both, even for the Prima. If you can get the times you want for dinner before boarding, then I would either head for the kiosks as soon as I board to see if they are working and if so, book the production shows there...it just takes a few minutes. If it's the comedy shows you are looking for, then I would do that first, since the venue is so small in comparison to the theatre. Then go to guest services to check on the Vibe, since that could be the place without success, and book entertainment while in line there if the kiosks were not working I don't really stress about any of this stuff because once you are on board, things can be fluid. People don't show up for dinner or the production shows, so you can check back during the day for dinner and do the stand by line for the shows. Unless you have a large group, then this strategy won't work so well. But for 2-4 people, you should be fine. Enjoy your cruise!

We enjoyed Onda on the Encore, both pre and post Covid. Had a white pizza that was amazing. Ate on the Waterfront so didn't have the noise issue. But on the Prima, it was not so good. As someone mentioned, the decor seemed very cheap to me and the 4 of us didn't seem to have as much room at the table as on the Encore (4 people also). Loved the butterscotch budino on both ships.

The Joy does not have studio cabins or a thermal spa. There is an additional Starbucks in the Observation Lounge. Going on the Joy next month for the first time but have been on the Bliss 3 times. It is my favorite NCL ship.

NCL is now at the new Horizon port. Very close to several hotels but I personally would not walk it, especially in the rain with luggage.

Me too!

They can visit you in your room but cannot sit in the lounge. They can also eat in the Haven restaurant for a price of approximately $55 per person (this is what I paid on my recent Prima cruise...I tipped an additional amount).

Thank you for the wonderful review of the Joy. I am hoping to sail on her next month for the first time, as I really enjoy the Bliss and Encore. I like seeing the subtle differences in the Breakaway+ ships, Port of Los Angeles has always been a mess, 2nd only to New Orleans. Doesn't matter which line you sail from there...NCL, RCL or Princess...it has been a struggle. But the gift of the ship is waiting at the end. You are correct...no chocolates on the pillows for years and towel animals were starting to disappear just prior to the pandemic (but you can request one if you really want it...I have no need for them). After reading your review, I might have to add a Christmas cruise to my list,