smellywax

20 minutes ago, UKstages said:

well, technically, the hot tub’s posted rules limit capacity to six people. and I have only rarely seen more than six people in there. it’s usually only two or three. 
 

the packed hot tubs? you”ll find those in spice H2O. that is the adults only venue that you don’t have to pay for.  but you’ll also find cigarette smoke wafting through the place from the section where they allow it.the vibe is nonsmoking. it can also be hard to find a space in spice. and it’s a bit of a party atmosphere because while it is an adults only venue, most of the adults are very young. and many don’t act like adults.

 

for what it’s worth, i didn’t find anything “defensive” in the quoted post. it was just someone assessing your situation and drawing the same conclusion you have… that the vibe is not for you.

I did like the plush lounge chairs 😊

also for what it’s worth, I am not a big drinker myself. in the vibe, i had mainly sprite zero and mocktails. but I find  value in this quiet adults only venue, the attentive service and the guaranteed availability of plush loungers and 

On 11/8/2023 at 1:28 PM, PATRLR said:

The food and such is just at certain times.

Your post makes sense, Vibe isn't for you.  Live and learn.  The key I suggest is that you don't drink much so not likely to become part of the "community" that builds up there and you are OK sitting anywhere on the ship.  You didn't mention hot tubs, but, I'll bet you don't spend much time in them so the Vibe's don't mean much to you.  I'll bet you also don't care about kids. 

It's not for everyone and that's OK.  

I do like hot tubs but they were always packed in the vibe so I don’t find that relaxing…relaxation is the key I’m looking for so you are saying the vibe is only for those that drink and like to buddy up in the hot tub community style…assumptions like you are coming to …why can’t people have discussions and ask questions without others getting so defensive. It would be nice if they had an adult only area that you didn’t have to pay for which is what I am saying. Or at least pay $249 as I don’t mind fees but that is too high to justify for me personally. Enjoy your community hot tub time.

On 11/5/2023 at 7:01 PM, c-leg5 said:

 

OK, we have avoided those two in 20 years of visiting so can’t offer suggestions, although i know they are popular with some.

 

 We have been to La Mission (affiliated) downtown but found it too touristy.

 

it is a good that there are plenty of options in Cozumel.

 

Hopefully you make a better choice next time. 

 

Do you live there? I have been to Cozumel 20 plus times but never an AI so I thought I would try something different and I’m letting people know it isn’t worth bothering with in my opinion. I have done everything from the tourist restaurants to the taxi drivers favorite place to eat. So I am not sure what you are wanting. 

I like the live entertainment at the downtown Pancho’s Backyard but we also like Casa Mission.

Just sailed in the 2 bedroom family suite on the Joy and there were no extras. No priority boarding but they do give you priority disembarkation (probably because they want to clean those rooms first). It is a great room to have for roominess. I thought the shower should have been in the master and the bathtub/shower in the kids/smaller room as I feel it had such a big step up into, that made it a tripping hazard for adults. And it’s not like it’s a soaking tub 🤷‍♀️. I did enjoy that they had a nespresso maker and would get milk from upstairs and make iced lattes. I brought a small sugar free caramel liquid to make them. I would usually get the milk at night, put inside the fridge and make them in the morning. 

Even if it was all you can eat, our party ordered several different items and they were all gross except the ceviche. If they are going to serve weak drinks, at least make them taste good with other ingredients but ice and water seem to be their main ingredient. I usually do eat downtown in Cozumel but thought I would try something new as so many people seem to swear by these AI’s and it was a total bomb. The beach sand was full of rocks and dried up seaweed as well. Not my ideal of a beach.

I asked in the Joy dining room and they said they are no longer ordered so 🤷‍♀️

It was $20 each way to Nachi Cocom via taxi and when combined with the entry price, it was NOT worth it! I thought the frozen drinks had no flavor and had more ice than anything. It takes one drink usually to hit me as I am a light weight, so I don’t mind weak drinks but they were both weak and flavorless. We tried several frozen and switched to Blue Hawaiian and pineapple Malibu but they too were lacking. Asked for sprite with crown apple but they don’t carry that. The food was also less than desirable. The ceviche was good but the nachos were chips with nuked dried up cheese on top and the fish they said was grouper was NOT grouper. It tasted like frozen tilapia and it was mushy. I liked that there was shade but the chairs were super uncomfortable and we got a visitor…a lovely snake that they laughed at and said was only looking for rats…well if they are looking for rats that means they find them and your kitchen must not be clean 🤢. I would not recommend. I wish I had saved the money and stayed on the ship or gone to a nice restaurant for lunch.

I was just there and did not care for it. I thought the frozen drinks had no flavor and had more ice than anything. It takes one drink usually to hit me as I am a light weight, so I don’t mind weak drinks but they were both weak and flavorless. We tried several frozen and switched to Blue Hawaiian and pineapple Malibu but they too were lacking. Asked for sprite with crown apple but they don’t carry that. The food was also less than desirable. The ceviche was good but the nachos were chips with nuked dried up cheese on top and the fish they said was grouper was NOT grouper. It tasted like frozen tilapia and it was mushy. I liked that there was shade but the chairs were super uncomfortable and we got a visitor…a lovely snake that they laughed at and said was only looking for rats…well if they are looking for rats that means they find them and your kitchen must not be clean 🤢. I would not recommend. 

10 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

 

interesting.

 

i'm currently on the joy and in the vibe. we've received chilled fruit skewers, canapés and finger sandwiches. the servers could not possibly be more attentive, checking on each guest relentlessly and bringing drinks to the hot tubs, as well as your lounge chair. those chairs are a cut above the average chair, with super plush cushions and a fabric cover that gets changed daily. i haven't seen any misters, but we've been given refrigerated wet washcloths at least once a day, there are four well maintained clean bathrooms. and, while not an official documented benefit, guests are often given whole cans of soda or beer "to go" as they leave.

 

 

 

well, yes indeed... having a drink package, while not required, is strongly recommended to maximize your vibe experience! i don't believe you mentioned that you would not have a drink package in your initial post. had you, i'm pretty sure you would have received some different recommendations. 

Is there a specific time they send out fruit, canapés and sandwiches? Is it only in the morning? I would usually go around 12:30 pm for 4 hours and never saw anything 🤷‍♀️.  Not having a drink package is why I’m posting back for those that are on the fence about the Vibe. I think it’s needed to appreciate the benefit of dedicated bar staff and for those like me that don’t drink enough to have a package, I didn’t see anything extra other than a comfortable chair.

I do want to add the one thing I prefer carnival has is the adult only sun deck that there is no charge for. NCL charges $249 for theirs and I did not think it was worth it unless you have the drink package and want faster bar service.

I was the original poster asking if it was worth it. I purchased it for my western Caribbean cruise and I Do NOT think it was worth it. Maybe if you have a drink package, it is faster for you to get your bar service but all the so called amenities of cold water misters, fruit and snacks…not once did I see. The only thing I saw at the bar was a plate with cookies. I can’t drink a lot so I never get the drink package so other than having nice chairs, I saw no benefit as there were always deck chairs available (not by the pool but they had them in various areas. This is on the Joy. 

As someone who worked for Carnival, I can say I am currently on my first NCL cruise and the food and service are a lot better than my most recent Carnival cruises. Carnival has cut back on staff so much that waiters run around like chickens with their head cut off and food sits waiting to be served and cold. I was pleasantly surprised at the choices of food options on board NCL. It’s nice to have something other than pizza available 24hrs. The specialty restaurants are better as well. Lots of kids on this sailing but I don’t see them running everywhere unsupervised. My favorite line to sail is Celebrity but I usually use them for transatlantics or non Caribbean itineraries. I like Princess in Alaska. Hope this helps.

I understand with the free shore excursion credit, it goes to the first listed passenger on the booking. What if I don’t want to use it and want a family member in my cabin to use it…do I just buy a ticket and give it to them? Do they look that closely or care?

Do they have frozen drinks?

On 10/17/2023 at 9:00 AM, Cruising to Retirement said:

We are booked for 11/8 on Radiance of the Seas-  emailed him and got immediate response-  Always a great time there, excellent service

What email did you use?

Do they have frozen drinks?

I have filled out the form on Victor Borden’s website twice and didn’t hear back. Do they have an actual email address?

I tried to make reservations for November 1st but it seems like they are closed and I emailed but got no response 

Another NCL newbie question. Is vibe worth $249 for a week? Is it that hard to get a lounger in the shade outside? Does Vibe guarantee you a lounger? Sorry for all the questions as I have cruised a lot but never on NCL.

Thanks…I thought maybe I was missing something 

2 minutes ago, UKstages said:

same menu each night in all three restaurants. the names of the restaurants may differ from ship to ship, by the way.

Were they different when the concept of freestyle started or have all 3 always been the same menu? It’s weird since it’s technically a 2 story dining room on the Joy with the same menu but there are 3 names and 3 decors. 

Do Taste, Savor and Manhattan offer the same menu in all three every night? Or do they offer different style cuisines? 

I was also wondering if the family suites on the Joy still get priority boarding/disembarking and 2 free room service 

9 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

Frenchy's 44 in Coxen Hole, if open.I think their only open 2 days a week now.

Coconut Tree in West End.

Bertie's Creole in Coxen Hole.

Lena Parrilla on West Bay, past Fosters but just before Gumbalinda Park.

End of the World Beach Bar, West End.

 

If you're docking in Mahogany Bay, Snappers on the road east toward French Harbor.

 

We are docking in Coxen I believe with NCL