aenglish1609

Fantastic

Thanks aenglish1609

How was the food

Do you recall the Chef?

Hey Oznurse,

I don't recall the name of the Chef, but they introduced everybody after one of the shows, which was a cool feature.

We thought the food was very excellent. The buffet was fresh, and they were quick to refill all of the items. The MDR was good, but we were slightly disappointed in the selection, but that was mostly our taste. O'sheehans was very good. The speciality restaurants, we did Teppanyaki, Cagney's, and Moderno, were all VERY good.

I just got off the Star today and we docked in Roatan last week.

 

 

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Yep, no problems at all in Roatan for us last week.

Just got off yesterday, the cruise director was Mark, he was very good.

Oh boy....if you don't like hidden charges, you picked the wrong cruise line!

 

That so-called "free" ultimate beverage package is not free at all. If you accept the UBP, you will be charged about $100 gratuity. If they also advertised any sort of free specialty dining, they will also hit you with another gratuity. Don't order room service on board....each order will cost you $7.95.

It's really not a hidden charge. When you book it says it right there, and the price very clearly changes if you pick the UBP. Same thing with the SDP(which the charges there are very minor).

The only other "hidden" fee would be DSC, but that's on pretty much all major cruise lines.

Cruising should not be this hard.

It's really not, people just overthink it way too much. If you are going to drink at least a couple a day, the drink package works for you. If you want to try out ye restaurants, the dining package works. If you won't do either, save the gratuity charges and pick the Internet or shore excursions. Pretty simple.

If it is obviously an opinion does it really need to be labeled as such?;)

Since the statement was made more as fact, than opinion, yes it should be labeled as such.

DH just returned from the Orthopedic doctor, NO CAST!!! They put him in a walking boot.:):):D:D

 

They said the ankle bone (Lateral Malleolus) was just chipped and the only break was in the 5th metatarsal only had a small separation.

 

Thank you everyone for all the great help!:)

Woo, that's awesome news!

It could definitely be a lot worse. Back in November I had a horrible break, I broke BOTH my Tibia and Fibula, and has to be immediately taken in for surgery. I have a rod and several screws in my leg now. These last few months have been so slow, but every day gets a little easier. I am still limping a little, but thankfully no crutches, boot or cane anymore, and I can finally fit my foot into regular shoes.

We are leaving on the Star on Sunday, and even though I will still be slow, and avoiding the stairs at all cost, I am happy to actually be able to go and move around. I hope y'all have a great cruise too! :)

Celebrity still trumps NCL easily.

How can you possibly make such a bold claim?? If anything, at least preface it with "this is my opinion".

Unless you printed out what the terms and conditions were at the time of your booking, in theory, when you get on the ship, they could try and short you for the number of specialty dining options you have coming to you?

 

Awesome... what is the point of all these packages if NCL continues to erode them? It's time to return to lowering the base price and letting people pay for whatever perks they want. I'm tired of paying for perks I don't use (UBP) and for being exempt from them but still needing to pay a single supplement for nothing in return (interiors on the older ships). NCL needs to get something more creative for sales. This one needs to GO!

I'm sorry, but I don't understand why people complain about having the UBP as a perk. You don't HAVE to take it, you have the option to save the $183(or whatever it is now) and just pick a different perk.

Just saw it on John's FB. Sounds pretty awesome to me!

http://www.carnival.com/cruise-food/guys-pig-anchor-bbq

"When the cool ocean breeze hits your nose with the sweet smell of smoke, you know you better follow it to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse. At this onboard, open-air spot, Guy's doin’ his authentic, real-deal barbecue, his way. The Barbecue Hall of Famer is bringin’ some big time meats like Championship Pork Butt, Smoked Round of Beef, Smoked Andouille Sausage and his famous Blue Ribbon Chicken as well as rockin’ sides like Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad and Collard Greens. Throw in his signature line of barbecue sauces and you’ve got a rockin’ sea day on deck."

Edit: Sorry I meant Magic, not Glory

Thanks so much for doing this Crewsweeper! It has been a huge help.

We decided to give Barefoot Beach Club a try, and we will be there next Thursday on our cruise on the Star. It puts my mind to ease, that I now know exactly what to look for!

Now that I know where it is, should we do a cab to there, or take the public transportation??

Please, show me this cruisers bill of rights that lists what I can and can not do with towels abandoned on chairs.....

 

I am not talking about moving someones stuff, I am talking about towels. I mentioned I am referring to chairs that DONT have the flip flops, pool bags, books, and other items that signify someone IN THE POOL. Towels left on chairs as place holders for an extended period of time in the morning is what I am referring to. Chair hogging....

I agree with you if it is just towels. 9/10 those people won't be back for a VERY long time.

We are both super early birds( I'm at work a little after 5am every day) so I

m normally up, gone to the gym, and ready for the sun at 7am or so. We both love the sun, so we will be in our chairs pretty much the whole day. When we do leave(pool, hot tub, food, drink, etc.) we leave all of our stuff in the chairs to signify that we are coming right back. The longest we are ever both away would be lunch, and since we like the grill, and buffet, its never more than 30 minutes. I feel this is perfectly reasonable. If we ever did leave for longer than that, say to go somewhere different for lunch, or an afternoon show/activity, we would certainly take all of our stuff and leave the chairs.

Someone else said it best. It's the people that get up literally JUST to save chairs with a towel. They get up at 6am, throw 2-3 towels down, and then go eat, shower, have coffee on the balcony, etc and come back at 10am mad because someone moved their towels. That's just plain rude. I even talked to one person that said they set an alarm to get up at 6am, and then went back to sleep until 9 or 10! :eek: I just don't understand people sometimes.

Hi there. I could really use some advice. We are considering a cruise with our children (ages 10, 15) and other family members over Thanksgiving. As of today, Carnival Sunshine does not have any quads available so we would have to book two cabins. Initially with a quad the pricing on this ship was so much lower than any other that it was our top choice. Since the pricing is now comparable with other ships we are looking at our options. I have narrowed it down to the Sunshine and NCL Escape. Pricing is comparible but Carnival leaves out of Port Canaveral and NCL leaves out of Miami. We would be driving from Atlanta so it certainly adds time to our drive to go to Miami. Anyone have advice on one ship over the other? The ports of call are good on both, pricing is comparable and both look like good choices for kids. I am just having a hard time making a decision and would love any input you can provide. Thanks!

I haven't sailed the Escape yet, so i will let other comment on that.

We did the 8 night Southern Caribbean on the Sunshine about a year and a half ago. We really enjoyed it. With the updates it was a lot nice than before, and the Adults only area was awesome. The Guys burgers, and Blue iguana were fantastic additions. There were times where it felt a little cramped, mostly at the buffet between 12-1 and you had to show up early to get good seats for the comedy club. Overall it's a very nice ship, but we don't have kids, so they may would enjoy the Escape more.

We live in Athens, and the drive between Port Canaveral and Miami is quite a jump! That alone would be a big factor to me, but I'm not a fan of long drives, I would have to fly if we were going to Miami.

The other thing you didn't mention is the itinerary, that would play a big factor for me.

I like the spacious cabins (am looking at 9B category, Premium Balcony), water slides and lower price

Somehow I don't think you will be using these that much in Alaska ;)

It looks like they are similar itineraries, so I would go with which room you like the best, as many have mentioned you will be spending a lot of time out on your balcony with all those views.

Just got home from our 5 day on the Fascination out of JAX traveling to Nassau & Half Moon Cay. If anyone has any questions, will try and answer. I'm hoping to do a trip report/review this weekend. BTW - Trip was awesome. Weather was better than expected. Service was wonderful. Happy Campers :D

This was the cruise we did for my bachelor party in 2012, fantastic cruise! I'm sure y'all had a blast!

thanks so much for the quick answer!!! I can't imagine taking so many pics LOL

:eek:

Yeah, we have this for our sailing on the star next Sunday, and I have NO idea how we will get close to the 50 photos. :confused:

pyrat?

That's what I was thinking too, although there may legitimately be a Pirate rum too, lol.

OP, it sounds like you had a good cruise, upgrading to a suite sounds great!.

I am sure NCL loves your way of thinking !!!!!

Most people do love logical thinking.:rolleyes:

2 drinks at retail but it only costs pennies a pour for ncl plus minimal fixed costs ...per drink

 

 

I can't imagine how many they pour per minute. Lol

 

Face it the drink package in reality only costs pennies to give away. The extra 18% is most,y profit to ncl. Because they pay the bartenders a salary!!! Regardless of the 18%. The only extra they are getting is the cash pax feel they must leave them because they get salary anyway

 

So do the stewards....and waiters....you can remove dsc if you want but crew is still getting salary

 

 

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Again, you can apply this same logic to ANY cruise line, bar or restaurant, it's not unique to NCL.

I think it's a great deal, even with the extra charge the total price of the cruise is similar to that of other lines that don't include the drinks. So it's still a good deal.

I don't drink even 2 drinks a day. Maybe 5 over the entire week

 

It's not for us. Others like it. Good for them

 

 

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So then for you, getting it as a perk and paying the service charge would be ridiculous. However there are a lot of us that enjoy the package and totally get

our monies worth.

Your logic is also ridiculous ---- You have bought in to NCL's idea that a drink should cost $15 when you could pour it yourself for pennies.

Not at all, YOUR logic is simply crazy. You couldn't pour a vast majority of drinks for pennies even at home. Also, it's not NCL's idea, it's every single Cruise line, Bar, and restaurant pretty much everywhere.

 

Drink package is a joke and would never in a million years drink that much....calories alone are disgusting

This is ridiculous, it would only take 2 drinks in a day to break even, and it would be a couple hundred calories depending on the drink.

She stated that she was asked to show what she had in her other hand. I.e. She was hiding something. Or at least thought that if she had a full drink she would not get another. Which she didn't.

 

And maybe when she grows up, she'll understand that the older gentleman that got more than one drink may have had an established rapport with the bartender (I.e. Tipped the bartender in the past) and the bartender was showing some latitude on the drink limits. Kinda works that way everywhere ( not only cruise ships).

Even if she didn't tip, there is ZERO excuse for a bartender yelling at you. I wouldn't take too kindly to that.

You know it's wrong if you have to hide it which is why the drink was behind her back. Let's face it: the bartenders have seen it all and know all the tricks guests attempt to get around the rules. "I'm holding it for a friend" is not even very original. That likely gets said 10 times a shift. No one likes to be assumed to be a fool, even bartenders. So if you wanted to be treated with respect, show some. No sympathy from here.

I'm pretty sure you are putting words in the OP's mouth. No where did it say that they were hiding it, or it was behind her back. They said the bartender asked to lift her hand, which I assumed meant she was just holding it in her lap, which is perfectly normally thing to do. I don't understand how you can't have any sympathy, if she was yelled at by a bartender, that's just plain rude.

Hey guys! As of today, I have lost 50 lbs in the last year thanks to weight watchers. I leave on April 24 and do not want to gain the 10-15 lbs I gained on my January cruise. What are some healthy eating hacks you would recommend on board?

Some good advice here OP.

The most important thing to remember is that you're on vacation, it's ok to relax and enjoy yourself. I lift weights 5-6 days a week, and am pretty dedicated when I am at home to a healthy lifestyle. However on a cruise or any vacation, I definitely indulge when I want to. I only take 2-4 vacations in a year, so those few weeks won't wreck your whole year.

Also, if you keep some high protien in your meals, drink lots of water, and try to hit the gym a few days you should gain no more than a couple of lbs. Our last cruise we had the Cheers package, and I definitely got our money's worth, and ate pretty much whatever I wanted. After 8 nights I came back exactly 1lb more than when I left.

The point is, a lot of that weight you gain will be burned off by simply being a little more active, and worst case scenario you will be back to your pre-cruise weight in a week or so afterwards.

Happy cruising!