schmoopie17

Actually, when I say “live” people, I mean those of you who do live trip reports. (Everyone reading this is a live person…or so I assume). Anyway, NCL says access to CC is “free” while onboard. Well, that’s news to me. On our last three cruises (including the one we’re currently on) I have never been able to even access CC. The only reason I’m typing this here right now is because we’re in port in Taino Bay and our T-Mobile plan includes international access virtually everywhere (except on the ship). Even when I go to the internet “help” desk they are unable to access CC on my phone. You people doing live reports must have some sort of NCL supermojo. I salute you.

We’re on the Jade right now. Service has been outstanding (as usual). Food has been pretty good (as usual). Given the great results at the earnings call yesterday, (as well as the stock going up 13% yesterday), something tells me that cost-cutting has been a rousing success business-wise. There’s no reason for them to change going forward (unless they cut even more).

That’s always been my position. Hash browns should be shredded…not molded into triangles or circles.

Rats…I guess I can stop fantasizing about it then. Speaking of surprising someone, this is the cruise where we decided to surprise our long-time friends (and prompted a huge CC discussion about surprising people on cruises.) Actually, the wife was in on the plan to surprise her husband. He had no idea we’d be joining them on the cruise.The plan was we’d pick them up at the Tampa airport. The wife told him she ordered an Uber. We ended up being the “Uber” and the look on the husband’s face when he saw us was priceless. Let’s hope he’ll be as happy to see us 14 days from now at the end of the cruise.

So, we will be boarding the Jade in a couple of hours. This morning, our Tampa hotel decided to prank us by putting out hash browns (aka greasy hockey pucks…actually triangles…not sure how hockey players shoot triangular pucks). Not being an NCL hash brown fan, I was reluctant to try one. The grease sponges never seemed appetizing. But in the spirit of taking one for the team, as well as our impending boarding, I gave it a go. Surprisingly, not awful. I even took an extra one.

Does anyone? Yes. Does everyone? No. For us it depends on the length of cruise, did we actually see/meet the steward, how was the service, did we have extra requests, etc. Lots of variables. Speaking of variables, YMMV.

Yeah, it seemed like a goofy response. In any case, do you know if you have to be there at a specific “mobility boarding time” or do they let you board later with a wheelchair after the other mobility passengers have boarded? We probably won’t arrive until around 1:00pm.

Are you sure about passengers needing assistance getting priority boarding? We board the Jade on Sunday and months ago contacted NCL’s Access Department regarding getting a wheelchair for Mrs. Schmoopie for boarding. (She had a severe leg fracture a few months ago and is still mobility challenged). The response from NCL said they will provide a wheelchair for boarding, but they also said the following: “Please be advised we do not provide priority boarding for any guests. However, we can provide guests with wheelchair assistance at embarkation and debarkation. This has been requested, please seek assistance once inside the terminal.”

I don’t eat eggs, benny or otherwise. Eggs are nasty. But as much as I hate eggs, I love clever usernames…and yours is one of the best.

What constitutes “value” is entirely subjective. Value to me might be not a good deal to you. It’s like when people ask, “Is so-and-so worth it?” Worth it to me might be worthless to you…and vice versa.

Crispy with sauce on the side...from what others have reported. I'll find out in a couple weeks.

Since you were on a ship, were they Chips Ahoy?

We have T Mobile and they have service in most foreign countries, included at no extra charge. When we were in Italy, Spain, France and Portugal a year ago the service worked great. As soon as we docked we'd switch off airplane mode and we'd get a message "Welcome to _______". Can't use it at sea, though.

Well, they cut the size. I don't know if that qualifies as ruining it...but it sure doesn't improve it.

After reading this I figured you wouldn't be ready2cruzagain, but see you booked the Jewel. Here's hoping your culinary experience improves. Sounds like it couldn't get much worse.

NCL must have Latitudes numbers growing on trees. Every (and I mean every) time we book a new reservation, apparently for her "convenience", they assign her a new Latitudes number. Thus, she ends up being listed as a New Passenger". After a few minutes of hoop-jumping, it ends up getting fixed. But no need for all the extra stress and confusion, if you ask me.

Wait...they no longer have those small waffles that are shaped like daisies? First hash browns...now waffles? I don't eat eggs (eggs are nasty)...so it looks like my breakfast on our upcoming cruise will be crispy bacon and chocolate croissants.

If I ever go on a Virgin cruise, I plan to argue that all drinks are virgin drinks and shouldn't be subject to the alcohol package price.

I recall getting the exact same message popping up when trying to check in Mrs. Schmoopie a couple of years ago. It eventually went away and I was able to complete check in for both of us. But your post brought back not-so-good memories of NCL goofiness.

Veering off subject... How can there be 54 responses to this topic but zero views? Hmmm... Okay, back to bashing the OP...

Why are they called cookies? You don't cook them...you bake them. Bakies, anyone?

We're on the Jade in two weeks. We mainly cruise for food and drinks. Sounds like we'll be disappointed with the food, but more than fine with the drinks.

Sounds like NCL tossed their cookies. The good news is, you won't have to if the seas become rough.

I'm sure your parakeet missed you 😁

I warned @graphicguyand @RocketMan275you'd be stealthily surprising them. Nice try with the doppleganger thing...