zackarykeef

On 3/21/2024 at 7:37 AM, Normajean999 said:

Did you get it? How was it? 

I did not. I opted for the thermal suite pass, which was well worth it as always.

I always get Vibe in the Caribbean, but honestly, I didn’t miss it in Alaska. We had amazing weather in October, and with the Waterfront on Encore/Bliss, I didn’t miss it. You are so close to the water on the Waterfront, and there were so many places to sit. With the blankets they give and the overhead heaters. We parked it there all day in glacier bay and it was the best. I don’t think you need it 🤷🏼‍♂️

We're thinking of booking an EJ cruise for next year. We mostly have cruised on NCL and X, but we are looking to try our first smaller/luxury line after having sailed twice in MSC YC. Although we are young (early 30s), we do not need entertainment, parties, etc. We enjoy aesthetics, good food/drinks, and are looking for an overall more upscale/relaxed crowd, as some of the mainstream lines are becoming a little too rowdy for us.

The only thing is...there are so many to choose from! For those of you who sail these lines, what would you recommend? Viking Ocean? Oceania? Regent? EJ? I don't even know where to start. We cruised once on Princess and absolutely hated it. We tend to like newer and more modern ships (MSC Sea- class, X E-class, NCL Prima class). Any suggestions are welcome!

On 1/13/2024 at 12:53 PM, cb2367 said:

I'll be taking a cruise soon and vibe just opened up for booking (too early for everything else(. I've never booked vibe before because I usually forget to check in the app and reserve everything before it's too late. The cruise will be in a warm climate.

 

I'm thinning vibe could be worthwhile if I don't find an excursion I want to do in a port or if I come back early

Not sure what itinerary you’re on, but we just returned today from the 7-day RT San Juan on the Viva…no sea days.

We always get Vibe, and it was still worth it. Most excursions are early, and we’re typically back to the ship around 1-2pm. We don’t need to be in port until the last minute, so we like some more time on the ship to relax. Vibe is clutch then, when the other areas start getting crowded and crazy with everyone coming back on board.

Also…no sea day itineraries are exhausting. We picked 2 days to not get off and to just stay on board and enjoy Vibe. By day 4 of get up early and go go go…it’s tiring.

I don’t think you would regret it!

I’ve found that they let you take the dessert or will even have it delivered to your room. They do, however, always say no to taking leftovers.

Not that there are many leftovers I’d want to take, but the biggest one is the pizza from Onda. It’s way too much food, and pizza is easy to take to go for a snack later.

I’d wager the waste more food that way. I’d happily eat my leftover pizza later when I’m hungry, or a piece here and there. If I can’t take it, I’ll inevitably end up going to the Local and order something that I can’t finish, thus wasting the rest of the pizza they wouldn’t let me take AND the rest of whatever I ordered from the Local.

NCL doesn’t have a lot of “quick snacks,” ie popcorn, chips, etc, so we end up bringing our own for the room. Taking leftover pizza or fries shouldn’t be an issue.

Anyway, I did the polite thing and asked to take  the pizza to go this time at Onda, and again was told no. We took it anyway (sorry, not sorry) and we’re not tackled 🤷🏼‍♂️

*Recent experience update*
 

We just got off Viva today. Used the coupon with wine at Cagney’s. We both were able to get the standard 2 starters + main + 2 sides + dessert and weren’t treated like it was any different than the dining plan. They happily gave us our bottle of wine unopened, which we brought home. We used the other coupon at Food Republic, which got us 4 items each. This has always been my experience 🤷🏼‍♂️

On 1/4/2024 at 4:54 PM, ZsaZsa2019 said:

We are going for a balcony.........do I understand correctly that Deck 10 does not have a water view, but a pool view?  I'm not wanting that. 

To avoid this, get a balcony as far forward as possible. Ocean Boulevard doesn’t stick out as much there, and what does is covered. I would say deck 11 or higher. It was perfect for us, and the views were 💯.

7 hours ago, luv2kroooz said:

I find it interesting that your analysis  compares Viva to ships with higher capacity. A more equitable approach is to compare to both larger and smaller ships to Viva, especially given the concerns posed by the OP. By way of example,  if we compare the 3,100 passenger Viva to her 2,400 passenger Jewel class cousins, then this theory doesn't hold water and the venues are not right sized. 

 

Are the lounges on the Viva bigger than lounges on the Jewel class ships, say Bliss Lounge? What about the pool deck? The Lido buffet?  No, No, and No. But the Viva has 3100 passengers compared to the smaller Jewel class 2,500 passengers. So you would expect the Viva's venues to be the same size or slightly larger on a comparative basis to Jewel class. They aren't. Therefore, your right sized theory is suspect and only works when making a comparison to larger capacity ships.

 

I would argue your theory doesn’t hold water either, as I don’t really think you can compare this class up or down. Do the Jewel class ships have Indulge? Do the Jewel class ships have Ocean Boulevard? Do the Jewel class ships have as many specialty restaurants? No, no, and no. I could go on. They made more areas on this class to spread people out. Just because the ship is bigger doesn’t mean every area has to be bigger. You can either increase area size or add more areas, and NCL chose the latter. All the aside from the fact that the Belvedere and Metropolitan bars have some of the largest total bar/lounge areas, but people tend to overlook that.

Everyone complaining about the Prima class should just shift to RCCL’s Oasis class…it seems not only do they want one or the other, but both. Bigger AND more.

I haven't sailed in Haven, but I've been in with friends and from what I've gathered, MSC YC is a much better value. I haven't sailed Haven because I think the prices are ridiculous...I'd rather cruise more often than pay that. YC has some extremely good pricing. My last YC was a week on Seashore and was $4900 total for 2 people.

Not only does it cost less, but I think you get more with YC. The beverage and internet is top notch. The restaurant menu rotates daily. There is a pool bar and grill. Access to the thermal suite included. Butlers who literally push others out of the way and take you directly on and off the ship at each and every port. AND...your key card gives you private elevator access throughout the entire ship, not just in YC. If you tap your card, an elevator will come straight to you and go to whichever floor you press without stopping. Outside the YC, the rest of the staff treats you like royalty when they see your key card.

I can't say enough good things about YC, and I can also see why those who have sailed on MSC without YC complain. They definitely cater highly to YC guests, and I didn't hate it 😂 

Their ships are stunning, the Swarovski staircases are stunning, and the Meraviglia is stunning (that was our first YC cruise)...you will enjoy for sure!

Everyone sees the negative reviews and gets nervous and starts posting about cancelling, but no one sees the positive reviews and gets excited and starts posting about packing.

If you look on the posts here that may be a negative review, or the posts on another popular social media website that are negative reviews, there are hundreds of comments from people saying the opposite. People tend to read the main post but fail to read the comment.

Literally, on the other site, there will be one long, negative review, and all the comments underneath are "disagree," "we had the opposite experience," "it was awesome," etc.

People are more likely to post when they had a negative experience...we know this. People with positive experiences only tend to comment/post when they are opposing something negative.

Don't cancel or be nervous about something because of what people you have never met think. They function/like/need things that are completely different from you.

I sailed on Prima and loved it. Extremely upscale, modern ship design with good food, drinks, and service. That's all I need, and there was nothing to complain about. Viva is the same, and I can't wait to board un 3 days!

20 hours ago, UKstages said:

and we're all very glad that you haven't come across this on your cruises and that the staff of each restaurant has bestowed kindness upon you and ignored NCL's terms. but a cursory search on cruise critic will deliver many recent threads in which this is discussed and in which many people say that the restaurant staff held firm to the terms. so, this is very much a case in which "YMMV," and for many of us, it has.

 

even in this thread, there are reports that they are now more strict at food republic about sharing. if you haven't come across limitations when redeeming platinum vouchers, there is a good chance that you will at some point. 

I don't care if people are glad or not. I was just stating my experience, and that up until this thread, I have never even heard of 3 vs 4 courses. Do you have an example? All the restaurants are typically app, entree + sides, dessert, sooooo. I mean, sure, I've gotten both the crab cake and the lobster bisque at Cagney's, so I guess that's maybe what you're referring to. Do they skip the miso soup or seaweed salad at Teppanyaki? I guess I'm just confused as to when someone would've not been able to get something with the voucher.

Also, the sharing at Food Republic comment was from me, which has nothing to do with the voucher or number of courses 🤷‍♂️

Pretty sure you can’t do that. Each ship has to have a passenger manifest, and they can’t have someone listed on there twice. I’ve never heard of anyone doing that to my knowledge.

4 hours ago, cruiser2015 said:

The T&C's specify 3 courses come with the Platinum dinners.

I think that all other flat-rate deals (FAS & other add-on packages) come with 4 courses.

Out of all the many times we’ve used them, it’s never been any different. No one anywhere has ever specified amount of courses you get with either the voucher or the package. It might say that in the T+C, but it’s not any different. It also says “4 items at Teppanyaki,” which is not the case. I don’t even think any specialty restaurants specify courses. They’re all the same, except Teppanyaki is standard (other than your entree choice) and FR is 4 items 🤷🏼‍♂️

On 12/29/2023 at 4:08 PM, cruisinmeme said:

For the most part you get slightly less with the platinum meal so if you have the dinning package I choose that for the restaurant I want more. We do use the platinum for hibachi. I always book that for first night (platinum meal)

You don’t get any less. They’re no different than any other meal with a dining package or if you pay to go to a specialty restaurant.

We usually get the P+ package, which includes bottles of wine. We also ask for our complimentary platinum bottle to be given unopened and usually take it home.

19 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

As you are likely aware, the standard practice for many of us "experts" (🤣) is to use a single FAS at food republic to stuff two people with four items. If you use a Platinum voucher, what the heck are you going to do with those eight items?  Maybe travel with a third cruiser (which DW and I do with DD)?

Wanted to mention that we just got off the Encore 3 weeks ago, and they wouldn’t let us do this anymore. They said they no longer allow you to share a meal. Annoying but I get it. What they did let us do was order 5 things…charged us for the least expensive, and allowed us to use a single meal credit for the other 4. That way, you’re not “sharing” the meal. One person uses their dining credit, and one person just pays for one thing. It was annoying, but allowed us to go there twice and only cost us like $16. (I’m referencing using dining package credits, not the platinum vouchers. We still use those at Cagney’s and Le Bistro).

You can get away with this the bigger the group you have though. I was also on Encore in October, and we went with a group of 12. I think only 8 or 9 had dining credits left, so we just said the others would pay. We didn’t order more than 8/9 x4 items, so they ended up not paying anything.

Anyone sailing on Viva this coming weekend from San Juan? We can't wait!

On 12/12/2023 at 7:42 PM, phillygwm said:

Nice.  I'm doing this itinerary August 25-Sept 1.  I chose that date because I have a "bucket list" excursion that isn't offered late in the season (Helicopter to Mendenhall Glacier and Dogsledding.)

 

If you haven't already, check out the NCL board for others' comments on cruising this late in the season.  It's a full month later than the other cruise lines.  Certainly don't want to dissuade you but go in with your eyes open 🙂

I went and it was incredible! The first time was the first week of June, and there was more snow I would say. It was extremely warm during the day and sunny without a single day of rain. I went last summer the first week of July, and it was overall pretty rainy but still beautiful. Our helicopter/glacier walk tour in Juneau was cancelled due to heavy fog that we had for 3 days. October was my favorite. The fall colors were incredible, it wasn't crowded, and the weather was beautiful! I highly recommend sailing in fall!

I was just at Onda twice in the past 3 months (Encore both times, and have also dined there on Prima). I’ve never been told no to ordering any combination of things with those I’m with. They’re pretty accommodating, and there were never any extra charges. It’s way too much food, so I wouldn’t worry. I think the sides are unnecessary, since many of the entrees come with sides already, and you really don’t need a side with pasta or pizza. Along with the bread app/dips and dessert, you’ll be fine 😉

I just used this for the first time in October, and it was amazing. I also had a 9:30pm direct flight on Alaska back to Ft. Lauderdale (same, either too early or the red-eye). I registered online beforehand, the $30 bag fee was charged to my onboard account, and the day before disembarking had my boarding pass and luggage tag in my room. Put it out at 11pm, picked it up at baggage claim in FLL. Using my Apple air tag, I was able to see it was actually already at the airport before I was off the ship. I was impressed.

Allowed me to pick the 9:30am ship departure and not rush, explore for the day with just a backpack, and not worry about rushing to the airport since I didn’t have to drop my bag and had TSA precheck. I highly recommend!

On 12/9/2023 at 11:59 AM, Slythgal said:

Our NCL cruise is going to St. Thomas one day and St. John the next (early June).

You're going to St. John'S, Antigua, not St. John, the USVI. Just wanted to make sure you're aware so you don't take recs or accidentally book the wrong excursion! Make sure you ask for recs on the Antigua page.

You can get to St. John island from St. Thomas while you're in Charlotte Amalie, so that is an option.

On 12/16/2023 at 12:58 PM, TTEllis said:

Hey PORT ROYAL!!

The Calypso Girl, our CC group we sailed on her twice. Excellent experience all the way around. 

Fun crew Great food and drinks, snorkeling was excellent. 

Thanks!!

 

Just booked! So far, I think we are the only people who have booked. I might keep it a secret in hopes of a smaller group. Very much looking forward to it, so really appreciate the suggestion!

The question is confusing, and the other person who mentioned they were granted their status on the first day of the second B2B leg is not specific enough. To make things clear, since they are each booked individually...

For the OP, if it were just a B2B...would that put you at 150 or 149? If 150, you can get your Sapphire perks on the third leg. If 149, then you will not become sapphire until after the third leg.

For the person who stated they got their perks on the second leg, they likely hit the next level on the first leg, thus allowing their perks to be active on the second leg.

Thank you all! I have reached out to these suggestions in hopes that one will work!

Hi, all!

I've heard so many great things regarding both Silver Moon and Elegance, and was really looking forward to booking with either when we port in Barbados next month. I contacted both, and although they both have availability, neither work with our port time 😢 we don't arrive until 9:00am, so they both told me it wouldn't work. The afternoon tours also arrive after our departure, so those won't work either. Extremely disappointing, as we are the only ship in port that day, but oh well. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

On 9/28/2023 at 9:22 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

https://www.elegancebarbados.com
 

https://silvermoonbarbados.com

 

Book early, repeat early, as space is limited to a maximum of 12 pax per large Cat.

 

Check one’s ship’s arrival to correspond with sailing times of each operator.  Transport to/from is included.

There will be no disappointment, one will wish to repeat the experience.

You don't happen to know another company other than these two, do you? I contacted both, and although they both have availability, neither work with our port time 😢 we don't arrive until 9:00am, so they both told me it wouldn't work. Extremely disappointing, as we are the only ship in port that day, but oh well. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

On 12/14/2023 at 12:39 PM, evanskl4 said:

Unfortunately that wasn't the case on the Joy recently. Veuve was in Le Bistro only and they would only bring it by the glass (said we had to pay if we wanted a bottle). 3 of us had P+ and the other 3 didn't so we were trying to get enough glasses to share but they would only bring one glass at a time.

Well, yeah, of course that wasn't the case, because that's not allowed. When I dined, it was just two of us, and we both had P+. That's different than trying to order extra glasses to give to people who didn't pay for it...