zamgwar

Hi Roger. I’m not here to ask a question. I just wanted to thank you for all the info I have gleaned from this thread and your many answers. I will be on the Celebrity edge coming in on Oct 9. We will take a cab to town. Just hoping for fine weather

all the best!

john

office of Bombay Martinis

the Zamgwar Institute 

On 10/7/2022 at 1:26 PM, princeton123211 said:

Everyone's experience with Turo will be different-- you aren't renting from a company, you are renting a private car from a private individual. Turo is merely facilitating that transaction like an automotive AirBnB. 

 

Our experience on Maui is that renting with one of the bigger companies usually works out better. More availability, better choice in car (Mustang convertibles and Jeep Wranglers are pervasive on the island), and more places where we can pick up and drop off. 

 

If you were tendering in Lahaina I could see if you wanted to find something closer but with POA docking about 7 minutes away from the main airport rental locations I can't imagine why you wouldn't just go with them for convenience's sake. 

Thanks! That helps a lot!

john

office of shaken not stirred 

On 9/6/2022 at 9:54 PM, sirenitas said:

From what I've read everyone parks at the Long's Drugs about a 10 min walk from the dock.

We are renting from Turo and our car will be waiting for us (and we will return it) at the Whole Foods next to Long's Drugs.

When you get back please let us know how was your experience with Turo’s. Has anyone else rented from Turo’s? I am looking into a two day rental in January off of POA and don’t know if I should go with an airport big company or an offsite smaller company.

john

office of days in the sun

51 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I don't think 2020-2021 qualifies for the Golden Age of anything.  Sorry.🙃

I absolutely understand 

John

Office of Put it back the way it was

the zamgwar institute 

Traveling at this time certainly not for everyone.  For us, however, the time on board the ship was the best of our 20 plus cruises. It was as good as it gets. Having private shore excursions was much more enjoyable (to us) than traveling in large groups on buses. 
 

Everyone we met at poolside or at the bars seem to feel the same way about the experience on this ship.

Was it a pain to have all the proper forms and tests to get aboard?  Yes . Was it riskier to travel? Yes. Was 2020 the worst year ever, yes.

 
Did celebrity do everything possible to keep passengers and crew safe? I believe so.

Do we wish everything would go back to like it was pre-pandemic? Who wouldn’t???

Would everyone in my group (all mid 60s-70) do it again for another experience like this? In a heartbeat. I was a bright spot in what has been some bleak years. We are already booked again.

One of the performers on the ship was actually a former student of mine and ate with us three times. The crew is allowed off everywhere but Mykonos. They all 100% vaxed and tested weekly.

The week we were on the ship, there was even crew private excursion to the beach on Rhodes and once a week spa night for different portions of crew, depending on ship capacity.

I have to again stress there are many who wouldn’t and shouldn’t cruise at this time. For those who do however, (in my opinion) the on board cruise experience will never be matched again.

 
John

office of Next Cruise Already Booked

The Zamgwar Institute 

On 9/14/2021 at 4:46 PM, CalTexCruiser said:

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Apex and Viator excursions.

 

We'll be sailing in 11 days on the Apex and also are doing Viator excursions. 

 

Can't wait.

You will love it!

john

office of complete contentment 

the zamgwar institute 

13 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

This is not correct. Just to clarify all of the suites have actual balconies as well. 

Thanks! I stand corrected then, lol.
 

I was judging by the visual appearance of the sides of the ship, which all appear to all be “infinite Verandas”.  These were not your traditional balcony, but rather large drop down windows which create a balcony out of your cabin. We did see a suite with an infinite veranda rather than a traditional balcony 

The only traditional balconies I saw (from ports or tendering) were aft and labeled “sunset verandas” These you could actually walk out on, and had chairs, a small table, and in the case of one of our party with an aft suite, two lounge chairs.

I am certain the upper most suites closest to the retreat must also have traditional balconies. As far a standard traditional balcony cabins however, the only ones seem to be extreme aft

john

office of always a wake facing balcony 

the zamgwar institute 

13 hours ago, AndyB said:

 

Could you share some details on your Viator excursions?  Which sights on which Islands?  Anything a newbie to Greece should know about them?  (planning for Edge Italy, Greece and Turkey next year) - thanks!!

Love to. Pre Cruise In Athens 8 of us booked a private tour thru viator, with a customized agenda. 
 

We were picked up at 7:30am, and driven to the Acropolis, where we met our private guide (for Acropolis only). We had the place to ourselves and spent about an hour and a half to two hours there. It was spectacular without crowds.
 

We returned to the bus where our driver took us around to all the sites in Athens proper ( the Olympic Stadium, temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Gate, the changing of the guards). We then were taken 45 minutes down the coast to the temple of Poseidon and lunch by the ocean. It was about a 7-8 hour tour- the cost came to $168.00 PP (lunch was included) with an additional 25 Euros each for entrance and a private guide for the Acropolis. It was an excellent day.

Santorini was the same thing. We chose a private customized tour. We were picked up at the top of the cable car stop. Brought to a few scenic spots and then Driven across a spectacular cliff side road to Oia. There we had coffee while our driver parked the bus. He walked us around Oia for about two hours to all the hot picture spots. He was extremely patient as people were drawn to stores. We never felt rushed.

We were then driven to the black beach for a great lunch at beautiful ocean side restaurant where we drank way too much local wine (lunch was our expense)

After lunch he arranged for private cabanas for us to swim and sun for about an hour (it was included)

Following lunch he took us to the highest point on the Island for a scenic wow moment and brought us back to Fira for coffee and shopping, making sure we knew exactly how to get back to the cable car.

The tour was 7 hours and ran $110.00 pp.

 
We tipped each driver 50 Euro (total) which we were told was a good tip. 
 

Both tours were highlights of our trip and well worth it. Both buses were Late Model Mercedes Mini Buses. Moving as a small group, with an itinerary we choose, was worth its weight in Gold.

John

Office of Satisfied Customers

The Zamgwar Institute 

There is nothing that can compare to spending time with friends. Everything else is icing on the cake. We spent three days in Athens and seven nights on the Apex with longtime friends.

On this adventure, however, the icing on the cake was delicious. 

For us at least, The ship and service were unmatched compared to all previous cruises. Traveling with only 900 guests on a ship that normally carries 3000, meant empty poolside chairs on sea days, elegantly prepared dishes, seats at the martini bar and incomparable attention from the staff.

Having nearly 20 cruises under our belts, Apex is possibly the best designed ship we’ve ever been on, as well as one of the most beautiful. It’s public spaces are full of artistic eye candy. The cabins are not claustrophobic and have plenty of storage. We chose an aft sunset balcony cabin. These are the only ACTUAL balconies on the ship. The majority of balconies are similar to river cruise balconies, with full drop down windows.

We found the the food and service in the main dining rooms to be exceptionally good. The specialty restaurants were outstanding. While the steakhouse was great, Eden is possibly the best meal we have ever eaten in on a ship, and one of the best we’ve eaten anywhere.

The Celebrity Apex entertainment sets a high bar for the industry. Incredibly Creative production shows take place in an amazing theater. They perform mostly to a live orchestra rather than a backing track. The house band is amazing, and we particularly enjoyed them on Jazz Night and Motown night. Additionally there is live music everywhere, and I mean everywhere. 

In general things “Back in the Day” were back again on Apex

We booked private shore excursions with Viator which kept us ahead of any crowds and took us to places we might have missed. We have used them before and would not hesitate to use them again. The exception was Mykonos, where we were required to book a ship’s excursion, due to Covid restrictions. We chose the beach excursion, which while pricey exceeded our expectations. 

We did upgrade to a premium beverage package and found it well worth it. It came with a $300 shipboard credit which paid for our shore excursion. Topshelf liquor and a free shore excursion was a no brainer.

Finally, in all my life, I have never gotten in and out of JFK airport so effortlessly. 

I believe for all its complications, the pandemic has brought about the golden age of cruising. For the brave and the careful, who are not put off by needing to be vaccinated or wear a mask, it doesn’t get better than this.

John

office of perfect Martinis

the zamgwar institute 

Hiya Kids. Happy thanksgiving!

You were very helpful on my martini question so I have another question.

The the bow of the last NCL ship I was on is currently in front of the louvre (SS Norway/SS France) lol, so it's been awhile since sailing NCL.

Looking for some New Years insight from you NCL pros. "She who must be obeyed, myself, and a group of friends are sailing out of my homeport (NYC) on Dec 28th on Bliss for a New Years cruise. I'm wondering what to expect for New Year's Eve other than a hangover on New Year's Day. I've been on a Disney cruise and their New Years was quite a big deal. Unending champagne from about 11 until my wife passed out in her pizza, big deck party, lots of dancing, big time fun. Does NCL do big count down parties or do we make our own?

thanks

john

office of Bombay sapphire martinis

the zamgwar institute

16 hours ago, Christophene said:

Hi John,

My wife and I could be characterized as martini snobs as well. I don’t know when anything served in a conical glass became a martini. As far as I’m concerned a martini is gin and a dash of dry vermouth served up or on the rocks. We like olives but lately NCL has been stuffing them with pickles. Can’t have pickles in a martini! We will be newly minted platinum plus cruisers on the Jan 5 Bliss trip from NYC. Bombay Saphire is our favorite gin and we have never had a problem ordering while on the beverage package. The only negative, in fact, is sticking to our personal rule of not having more than 1 each (well maybe 1 1/2; but never 2). We usually try to find a bar on the ship that isn’t super busy and then go to the same one each night so the bartenders get to know us. It usually only takes a couple of nights. There is nothing more heartwarming than to walk in to “our bar” and see the bartender look up and immediately start icing up 2 glasses without having to say a word. 
Best,

Jay

 

One martini is not enough. Two's too many. Three's not enough.

John

Office of ice cold cocktails

The zamgwar institute

Ok

2 hours ago, sr71_1 said:

I'm a bit of a martini snob ... starting with ....there is only one martini and it does not contain vodka.   With that out of the way my favorite...Bombay Sapphire, a splash of fresh Noilly Pratt dry vermouth, shaken, poured into a chilled glass and finished with 2 anchovy stuffed olives (never touch the olives until the drink is done).   Yeah - I have Martini issues.    

 

Excellent question.. glad to see drink package includes - Cheers 

I like my olives with blue cheese. I'm also very surprised, as well as delighted to see Hendricks gin as well as Bombay sapphire on the list

John

Office of the perfect martini

The zamgwar institute 

26 minutes ago, travelgals said:

Oh Boy zamgwar- the key is finding the bartender who adds the right amount of ice and shakes, long and vigorously— then into the chilled glass. My husband loves his martinis but is very “high maintenance” about the temperature. Not sure if it was the bliss or breakaway that had an awesome martini bar. You should be in good hands and it should be a quick quest to find that special bartender. 

LOL- your husband and I must have separated at birth. I am *extremely* high maintenance about temperature. If it's not ice cold, you might as well just leave in the bottle, put the bottle in a brown bag, and let me go drink it in the corner, LOL. My normal  instruction on ordering is "shake the sh*t out of it". Send my best to your husband. I'm sure we would be drink mates.

Thanks to all. My liver salutes you and simultaneously Shakes it's fist at you, lol. I will have no problems. My martinis are classic. She who must be obeyed" will be happy to pay an up charge  for her espresso martini, and if my friend sully has to pay a charge for his appletinis, that's what he gets for drinking appletinis.

I will be back later with a "what types of Chardonnay" question from "She who must be obeyed"

john

office of shaken not stirred

the zamgwar institute .

44 minutes ago, stefmaia said:

Fear not intrepid cocktail fan, your Goose is not cooked, it is in fact included in your beverage package along with your Bombay.

 

So shake it up !!

 

Thanks you stefmania. I may now relax.

john

office of calmed concerns

the zamgwar institute 

Greetings all,

i am am heading out of NYC on a New Years sail on Bliss. Woo hoo. The bow of the last NCL ship we were on is currently at the Louvre (SS Norway) so it's been sometime since we've cruised on NCL, lol.

I have an IMPORTANT question that is way too specific to find in FAQ.  I enjoy a nice cold martini (one martini is not enough, two's too many, there's not enough). I have the beverage package. Will my martinis be included if I'm drinking either Bombay or Grey Goose, both of which liquors are in the package?

i was worried because I saw another poster write a martini was 25 dollars. That would seem correct  if I was sitting in the Algonquin room in Manhattan, rather than the Manhattan Diningroom on the Bliss.

Is is there some kindred cocktail companion out there who can calm my concerns? I will sleep better knowing there is a man with a shaker who will be shaking mine for free.

Thanks,

john

office of Bombay Sapphire Gin

the zamgwar institute 

Greetings all. It's has been many moons since I have posted on these knowledge filled boards. My trips of late have all been land based but I'm feeling the call of the cruise again. To cut to the chase, we have booked NCL Bliss on a December cruise for New Years out of Manhattan. The itinary calls for two days at port canaveral. "She who must be obeyed" and I own a Disney vacation club.

if I booked us a room at the mouse through our club, do you think I would be able to book an excursion shuttle to the mouse on one day, and ride another one back to the ship on the next?

John

Office of Overdue Sea Days

the zamgwar institute 

Duplicate

Wow- I was on deck 7 in February and didn't find ONE of the things you mentioned. We had a ton of Cabins, one complained their deck furniture was worn, and one had a shower curtain with mold spots which was quickly replaced.

Our waiters did bring the peppermill around and there absolutely was a dessert tray at each meal. EVERYONE called us by name

Sound like you either had a pretty bad luck of the draw or we had a pretty good one. Based on our trip, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the ship.

John

Office of Good Fortune

The Zamgwar Institute