paratrooper69

You got my Caol Ila and Laphroaig but you forgot my Lagavulin? For shame, paratrooper, for shame. :eek:

So sorry. It has been 20 yrs since my last visit and many of the named whiskeys are from the same distilleries. Having said that, lagavulin, 16 old is a good sip as is bunnahabbin, that is why the etc. My DS is the whiskey connisour, I am the gin guy. Sorry about the omission

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You lost me. What is called "The Botanist"?

Distilled on Islay. Best whiskey for peat taste in world. Home of Caol Ila, Laphroig, Bowmore, Bruchlaudich, Laphroig , etc. Good gin, but French and Dutch find are better. But Islay is great to visit in Oct/Nov. It is chilly, but quiet and less crowded except for the sheep.

Ut oh....work cut out for me! Will see what I can find out. Must say I've never heard of it....at all!! I've launched a search for "Botanica" which sounded interesting and different....not the run of the mill. But this one is a challange. I'll get Elizabeth and Bob on the quest. Since the Newport "sailing set" seems to know quite a bit about gin (turned us on to Hendrick;s), maybe they know something about Bluecoat! This is the kind of research I can get behind! Will report back!

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If you have a no foreign currency transaction fee debit card, use the atms upon arrival to get your currency. It will save you money and hassles. Get only as much as you need, since Arms are ubiquitous in tourist areas.

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IMO a gin based Martini has a much superior flavour to one made with vodka

 

We also drink gin, Campari & tonic; in this case the brand of tonic (or gin) matters less as the flavour of the Campari dominates

You might also like a Negroni. Gin, campari and sweet vermouth. Very Italian.

Best gin in world winner over past few years is Citadelle from France. Best tonic is Q. The gin has won tastings, the tonic is IMHO and 2x as expensive as fever tree. Will see if we can get the gin on our crossing from Rome to Miami in Nov.

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Tom,

 

If you were on the TA, please create a post to tell us how everything went. I have heard nothing from passengers on the Star after the second drydock.

All was as expected for a TA with a lot of new crew. They didn't have time

to shake out everything with passengers due to the azipod problem cancelling the canal trip. New carpet, new paint, new mattresses and everything looked good in the gym and spa. Crew was getting their feet under them, so there were some minor service glitches. O'Sheehan's was better in my mind than the old blue lagoon set up. Moderno is a little cramped upstairs but is ok. Had UDP so only ate in specialties and had a suite, so except for sea day sushi, lunch and breakfast in cagney's.

The ship appeared in better shape than in 2005 (although, I liked spinnaker better up front). All in all a good two weeks.

Tom

5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar is open and operational as of the TA from Miami to Copenhage. Old Red Lion and is just a margarita bar, no food. Margaritas are OK. Enjoy.

Tom

I have the Dining package and am trying to make reservations for 2 for Teppanyaki. All I get is a 9:30pm time for 2, if you put 4 people in you can get a better time. Is it possible to do this? or should I wait till I board and have Butler do, as we are staying for the first time in a SJ Suite? Any help and tips would be appreciated. Also should I do all nights in advance, to insure we will get in. We are on a 14 day TA.

on star there are only 12 spots in teppanyaki and only 2 seatings a night, one at 2000 and the other at 2130, therefore it will be more difficult to book. use the concierge early and you may have better luck, since they won't block out all seats prior to departure. will be on the same cruise. have a great voyage.

ncl website has updated deck plans for star to reflect o'sheehan's on deck 8,

where moderno and blue lagoon were. also, moderno and mojito bar on

deck 13 where star bar and cagney's overflow were.

tom

9 hrs difference to west pdt right now, so 1100 utc is 0200pdt

mea culpa. math not my best subject. adding vice subtacting leads to a two hour error. this is why my degree is in the soft sciences.

Just noticed that the 11 AM arrival is UTC - so that's early morning PT - 4 AM?

9 hrs difference to west pdt right now, so 1100 utc is 0200pdt

I read this in the FAQ of the ultimate dinning package

 

"Additional entrée charges also apply for dining at Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro"

 

Does that mean if you want a second entree you have to pay for it, or if you pay additional fees for entree. If you're charged for the entree how can they say Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro are included in the ultimate dining package.

this is from the terms and conditions of the udp.

The Ultimate Dining Package is available via pre-sell or onboard purchase on days 1-2 of the voyage only. On 3-day sailings, the package is only for sale on day 1. No refunds are available if fewer restaurants are visited. The Ultimate Dining Package is non transferable. A la carte priced restaurants and Ocean Blue are not included in the Ultimate Dining Package, but will be discounted 20% for those purchasing the package. Carlo’s Bakery items, Ice Cream Bar, Gelato, 24/7 Pizza Chef’s Table is not included in the Ultimate Dining Package. The UDP does not include beverages. No Kids pricing, package available for guest 13 and older. Excludes all 1- and 2-day sailings. Includes add-ons in Le Bistro such as Fruit de Mer, Lobster and Cote De Boeuf. The package does not apply to Special Occasion/Holiday menus (New Year’s, Christmas, etc). Latitudes Platinum Guests will receive a $20 discount on the Ultimate Dining Package (as they receive 1 complimentary dinner in Le Bistro). Additional main courses in Cagney’s and Le Bistro will be charged at $10.00.

I read that statement often, about better rates using an ATM. And I'm not saying it's false. But most people who spout that line really have no hard evidence, they are just passing along what they have heard. And it's hard to hit a moving target. If I check a few exchange rate websites then go to the bank, I may get that rate or a very close one, within thousandths of a dollar. But who knows what I would get if I wait until I am in the foreign country.

 

As I mentioned, I like going to Chase, at least a few weeks before the trip, so I know I have it. I do not get charged any fees. I really can't speak to the exchange rate they give me, because I do not research it online just prior to going to the bank. And then try to find out what it would be if I waited and used an ATM in the foreign country, etc. But I'd bet that the difference is negligible, and the convenience of already having the foreign currency, in hand, outweighs that. I can say that each time I did this, the amount of foreign currency I got for what it cost in US dollars seemed to be correct, what you would expect.

lived in Europe for 12 years earning us dollars and travel to Europe often and banks in the states charge a 2 to 3 percent conversion charge on top of the daily official exchange rate. when you withdraw from your account using an atm you get the official exchange rate with no foreign exchange conversion fee as long as previously stated you don't have the atm servicer convert to dollars. most credit cards (amex platinum, capital and some others excluded) charge a 1 to 3 percent foreign exchange conversion fee on top of credit card conversion fee. it will save between 2 and 3 percent using an atm and you don't run the risk by carrying large sums of multiple currencies in cash. another issue is return to the states. if you return with odd lots of foreign currency it is difficult to turn that back into dollars, because most banks won't exchange small amounts. if you convert only $100 into 80 euros and you end up needing 130 euros you still need to go to the atm, but if you return with 20 euros there is no bank that will convert that back to dollars. atms are easier and generally save you money, particularly if you are visiting countries with different currencies on the same trip. my over 40 years of foreign travel would have been easier if atms had been ubiquitous for the first 15 of those years. however, having said all that, just use your credit card and avoid carrying any cash, that may cost a little more but it is so much easier. don't take any of our words for this, do your research on line and make you own decision.

Does anyone know if you can exchange US dollars for Euros at the purser's desk on NCL? I'm on the Pearl going to Martinique where they take Euros only; anyone have a personal experience in Martinique to confirm Euros only? Thank you so much,

use an atm in Martinique to withdraw euros. exchange rate is better than any stateside bank. if you want to avoid cash advance fees on credit card, use a debit card to withdraw from your checking/savings account. you may pay a small atm fee and any foreign currency exchange charge that your card charges, but it will still be better than any bank and you can withdraw in 10 euro amounts, allowing you more flexibility. and the euro is weakening right now so you will probably be better off waiting until arrival for the best rate. i never carry foreign currency when traveling. all airports and seaports have atms readily available.

depends on the port. in the u.s. book yourself. overseas may be different, because ncl booked accomadations include transfers from airport to hotel, hotel to port, breakfast, all portage and gratuity, so in many cases because you are paying in dollars it may be cheaper, nonetheless do your research. have done it both ways in europe and was satisfied each time.

tom

Hello all. I just booked my first transatlantic cruise. I've never had to occupy myself for 6 whole days at sea. Two, yes... but 6? I assume that there are things to do, but I'd like a better idea of what NCL offers cruisers for that length of time. Thanks in advance.

Deb

get a spa pass for the entire trip. that way whether the weather is poor or great you still have a retreat to go to relax. take along good reading material. work out at the gym to start the day. there will be numerous activities each day in which you can participate. weather will be fine go start and by the time we hit ponta delgada it will start cooling off, so there should be six days of outdoor lounging weather, if it doesn't rain. after that we have two more ports to break up the sea days. my favorite days are sea day. sign up for the meet and greet, there will be plenty of ideas for you there. this will be our third ta in the last six years and looking forward to having a great time.

had same issue. talked to pcc about other things and he took care of the

payment for me:)