seemoreroyals

Any place we have ever dined that has a Prix Fixe menu also has a regular menu.  Would not be surpised if for the FAS they limit the choices quite a bit but offer anything you want for an additional fee or if you are paying for the upgraded FAS package.  Guess we will find out soon enough.

Great way to extract more money from cruisers and more revenues for the company and it's shareholders.

2 hours ago, Cajuntraveler said:

Last week I used FAMILYFUN24 for $10 off the express lot. (I think it works for all the port parking lots) It is only good till 8/31/24.  I received an email for $20 off the covered SMP garage parking which is across the street from terminal 25 - that code is SMPGARAGE24.  It expires on 8/30/24 and is only good for the covered parking garage.

Thank you.  I used FAMILYFUN24 for our upcoming cruise today.  Worked fine.  Offset the tax and small fee that is charged.

14 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006778953-Does-Oceania-Cruises-offer-a-loyalty-program

 

https://www.rssc.com/seven-seas-society#benefits

The link you posted really does not provide much.  Last updated in Summer of 2018.  

NCL has a large customer base to grow their smaller cruise lines if they put forth the right effort.  Maybe the two smaller cruise lines are constantly full and they do not need any more passengers for them.

We would be a prime candidate to give Oceania or Regent a try but they are going to have to put forth a better marketing effort in order to hook us.

29 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

If NCLH would match my Latitudes status with whatever loyalty programs they have on Oceania and Regent, I'd be more inclined to consider those cruise lines.

No latitudes matching?  We would look at Oceania and/or Regent as well if they would do that. Do they even have a latitudes program for these other two cruise divisions of NCL?

2 hours ago, vacation44 said:

For $60 I definitely would book the cabana.  However, $60 does sound rather low.  Are you sure it is $60?   When we were on the Encore last February, the cost was an additional $100 for the cabana.      Off all of the Vibes I have been in (Escape, Getaway, Joy, Encore), the Encore had the least comfortable lounge chairs in the Vibe.   They were not padded as the others, so we were very happy we had the Cabana as the double lounger was padded.   

In regards to the Escape Vibe, I watched a utube video that showed cookies and sandwiches as free treats.  Did they do that when you did the Escape Vibe?   When we were in Prima Vibe all we got was fruit skewers.

Also isn't there a hidden elevator somewhere to get to the 19th floor where the vibe is?  Otherwise it's a two floor stair climb to get there.  I remember a thread mentioning this but even using the searchn this website I have been unable to find this.

If I remember correctly CN desk is where you also go if you are interested in free Platinum wine tasting perk. 

Have done that once several years back, was underwhelmed, think we will give it one more shot on upcoming cruise.

On our last two cruises, Prima and Escape, we booked through CAS about 10 months out.  I was told in both cases that it was too early to book the vibe.  After completing booking I went immediately to website under entertainment and was able to book the vibe myself. 

Good luck securing your vibe passes. I guess each ship has a different procedure for securing vibe passes.  It's confusing and frustrating and  it would simplify things if NCL had a uniform process to navigate for those of us that want to get into the vibe.

Thanks for the helpful info on the Escape.  It was nice to hear good things about a ship we will be experiencing for the first time.  We will be boarding the Escape in December.

Looking at the website and reading reviews there is a lot of  things to do.  Going to definitely try to get in to see Choir of Man.  Howl at the moon sounds fun as well.  Also looking to set aside one night to do the Supper Club.   

We have four SD's and have decided on Cagneys, Bayamo, Moderno, and are leaning towards Food Republic for number four.  If they are open for lunch were planning on doing a split between two lunches there.  So much food seems we would waste if we used both on the same lunch or dinner there.

Glad to hear your rooms on the 14th deck provided a great base of operation.  As it turns out we will be in the same room but on the port side of ship (14242) as your friends.  We like to be closer to the back elevators.  They don't seem as  busy.

Thanks again for your review.   Congrats on your 40th wedding anniversary.

20 hours ago, seemoreroyals said:

We will be on the Encore for the first time in December and are also looking forward to your review of the ship.   Hope you have  great time.   

Sorry had a senior moment.  Actually going on Escape in December.  Waiting patiently for a good live trip report to come along featuring the Escape.  Still cheers to you to having a great trip.  

We will be on the Encore for the first time in December and are also looking forward to your review of the ship.   Hope you have  great time.   

17 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

We disembarked from Prima on Thursday. 
 

Here were our favorites:

 

1. Onda

2. Palomar

3. Los Lobos

 

We had excellent service at all specialty dining restaurants with the exception of an issue at Hasuki.
 

We expected to be disappointed at Palomar for food and service but were very happy with both. My husband wrote a vacation hero card for the server, Marc Phillip, as he really was excellent at communicating expectations for each course and made sure everything went as well as possible.  The Maitre D’ (Manager) also checked in with us at the beginning and end of the meal. 

When we dined there this past December we were underwhelmed with both the quality of service and our food choices.  Two of us got the Dover Sole and my wife got the Sea Bass.  Seafood was bland.  The only one of our group that enjoyed their meal ordered a steak.  Good to hear things are looking up there.

1 hour ago, stellarose33 said:

I am hoping to maybe score a day next summer. 

Vibe passes not available by the day.  Only for the duration of the cruise.

2 hours ago, PATRLR said:

I was just using the number @BirdTravels used.  I haven't been on Prima, but, I have been on Viva.  I have my doubts about the 80 number but I don't know for certain, nor do I really care so long as I am one of them.  I'll bet for a ship like Encore that has a huge Vibe, 300 is about right.

I asked the waitstaff there.  It was never crowded.  Most of the time less than 30 people there. As compared to the pool area and the infinity pool area on deck 8 both of which were packed like sardines on sea days.  How about it @BirdTravels? Where did you come up with the 300 vibe passes sold for the Prima vibe?  Inquiring minds want to know?  

9 hours ago, PATRLR said:

300 of the 3500 passengers get the privilege to pay and do so.  We'll never know how many more would pay if they had the opportunity.  

Only about 80 passes are available not 300.  How did you and the bird come up with 300?

4 hours ago, gerbng3 said:

It's currently available for our 5 day to Bermuda but I can't justify the cost, its currently $229pp, seems excessive.  Is it really worth that, or is the Prima just so poorly laid out that people pay it regardless because of the crowds?

 

Having Paid for the Vibe passes aboard Prima I can assure you it is worth every penny.  We actually paid more than that but ours was a 7 day cruise.  We used it every day. 

Private bar with outstanding service both at the bar and at the lounger or day bed of your choice.  Generally once we arrived one of the service personnel would assist us in getting set up.They returned shortly with our drinks and a carafe of icewater which we thought was a nice touch. 

The vibe is on deck 17 adjacent to the Surfside Grill portion of the buffet.  Around 12 we would take a break and grab something to eat from the nearby grill/buffet.  The vibe had a nice separate area with chairs and tables where we ate lunch each sea day.  

The Prima vibe has two infinity hot tubs.  One on each side of the ship.  It was never crowded the whole time we were there and we used it every day even on days where we had port stops. Bathrooms were clean.  Service was outstanding.  

I would get the vibe passes while you still can.  Contrary to what the bird says they only sell about 80 vibe passes not 300,  so they go fast.  If you wait too long you have to check every day hoping some will come available if someone cancels.  There are a lot of good utube videos up that go into a lot of details that we looked at before purchasing the vibe passes for the first time.

As long as the $229 does not put you into a bind financially I would say go for it.  It is a small price to pay for peace and quiet and a sanctuary to get away from a lot of the noise and traffic that you often run into on a cruise.

Last two cruises we booked about a year out.  Immediately went to cruise summary on website and booked vibe passes under entertainment section.  I don't think it is ever too early to book vibe passes.  But once they are sold out it will show not available and if you try to call and talk to someone they will tell you it is still too early to book.

If you can't get in on the initial allotment of vibe passes it is best to keep checking as others have suggested.  Some people will cancel and therein lies your chance to get a vibe pass.  Got to keep checking both before you get on ship and once aboard hoping that some come available.  That is how I think the system currently works.

6 hours ago, McFins said:

In my experience I have found the thermal suite to be loud about half of the time (unfortunately) but really did appreciate those times it was quiet.   On one sailing it was like an extension of the bar, with drinks and all (in glasses, not even plastic) with several folks just sitting on the edge of each of their heated loungers just chatting.  When the staff became aware of it they did tell them they couldn’t have glass in there but that only solved half of the issue.  
On another occasion someone screamed  “weeeeeeee” every time the bubbles started up in the thalassotherapy pool…kind of like you would hear in an amusement park. 
It really just depends on the passengers on any particular sailing.   I’ve been in the thermal suite when it was full but quiet and other times when it was just a handful of people but loud.   
It would be great if they would have a thermal suite monitor and/or a reminder when checking in at the front desk that is intended to be a quiet space but apparently the staff doesn’t want to be confrontational.  
I guess folks each have their own way of enjoying that space.  
 

Your experience is very similar to the one and only time we did the thermal spa a few years back on Breakaway.  We were wanting a quiet area to relax and read but instead it was like an echo chamber in there.  Also found it a little too humid and clammy.

Since then we have discovered the vibe and find it much more our cup of tea.  Plus they have a bar, fresh air,  and outstanding waitstaff.  

5 hours ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

 

 

 

Wow, four posters don’t recommend Palomar. I was thinking of trying it on my upcoming cruise. I wanted to try the sea bass, my favorite fish. Anyone care to comment more specifically as to why you were disappointed with Palomar? 

Our group of four ate at Palomar on Prima this past December.  My wife and our friends wife both had the sea bass.  I had red snapper or some other type of fish dish I cannot recall exactly.  All three of us were in agreement that there was no flavor.  It was really bland.  Our waitress seemed put upon when I asked for some salt.  

It's a seafood place.  They should have great seafood.  In our case it was not.  I hope they find a way to make it better.  On a related note the best seafood I may have ever had on a cruise ship was at Los Lobos on the same cruise a couple of days later.  It was full of flavor.  So, if you decide to give Palomar a whirl proceed with caution.

Another vote for Los Lobos on Prima.  One of the best meals we have ever had on any NCL ship and we have eaten at just about every specialty diner they have over the years.  The quac and queso we got as appetizers were outstanding.  Chips and hot sauce were abundant and tasty.  The service and the entire meal exceeded expectations from beginning to end.  

For a second specialty dinner I would go with either Cagneys, Onda, or the Japanese habachi place.  I agree with Bird on Palomar.  We ate there and were severely underwhelmed.

46 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

Drink service in the buffet, such as coffee?  We have taken dozens of NCL cruises over the years, but I can't recall ever being offered "drink service." Probably, we just eat and move on more quickly than the average person, but I've only noticed the tables being cleared and silverware being restocked.

Yep.  That is the only type of service we have ever received at the buffet.  Everything else AFAIK is self service.

1 minute ago, schmoopie17 said:

Carp? I think you misspelled another word...

Nope.  I can vouch that some people consider a carp sandwich a delicacy.  Eating a fish sandwich with bones in it is not my thing.  Give it a try if you ever make it to Omaha.  

59 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 

As I prefaced my comment, I consider Tilapia a trash fish and would normally never order it. Yet, it is a very popular item. Maybe not in Omaha, but around our parts. My local fishmonger sells tilapia fresh (i.e., out of a tank). Personally, I would prefer eating fish every night over meat. Does that mean that I will never order a steak, nope,,, enjoy a good steak once or twice a cruise. 

 

My point is that while Omaha people may not eat Tilapia, others do. And providing a variety of entrees is what others seek. If they served salmon every night, people would complain that the menu never changes. 

The worst fish I have eaten anywhere was of all places in Omaha.  We had a gambling buddy of ours talk us into driving over to a well known eatery in Omaha to try a carp sandwich.  To my wife's credit she would not even try it.  I did and I can tell you that it was very bony and IMO not much taste. My buddy chomped away on his,  bones and all,  finishing and still maintaining how great it was.

On 5/21/2024 at 9:00 AM, BirdTravels said:

 

The buffet will have a theme. The MDR do not. 

 

Probably about 85% of the buffet is not affected by the night's theme. The themes drive the featured items on the buffet and carving station.
 

So, you can always get a bowl of Asian noodle soup on BBQ Night. And you can always get Indian food on Seafood Night. And you can always get hot dogs, hamburgers, pizzas

Somewhat related, while MDR's do not have theme nights they do sometimes have specials.  I recall the MDR had prime rib special on the Bliss a couple of years ago.  In our case it took forever to get our food as seemingly everyone was ordering prime rib.  That is the closest thing I have seen to a theme whereas the buffet will have mexican food night one night and seafood night the next.  

Haven't been on Aqua but have been on Prima. On our cruise out of Galveston this past December it was sold out and then some.  Overly energetic kids running everywhere.   So thankful we had the vibe passes to escape this madness at least during the day.  Money well spent IMO.  

1 hour ago, JGmf said:

Hope to see both @UKstages and @vacation44 in the Vibe in about a month on 6/2!  (Not sure how we'd know who is who, but that's fine too).

Hope you all get a chance to meet up.