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Hello,

After numerous cancellations of our Pride of America bookings throughout covid and life getting in the way after they started sailing again, we're considering them for this once-in-a-lifetime cruise. 

We are plant based and can usually maneuver our way around restaurant menus - with mixed results. Haven't sailed NCL in years so wondering if they have taken a step in the veggie direction at all, on this ship in particular. 

Is it the same old "talk to them on the first day to see what they can pull together routine"? I'm hoping given the price of this itinerary (plus flights!) that their chefs are competent and can deliver something besides pasta with red sauce every night. Not looking for any breakthroughs and would be happy with Asian/Indian options. But since this is an American crew I may be expecting too much!

Thanks for any insights you may have.

Thanks all - sounds like we will not be disappointed.

And since she'll be in drydock for a few weeks in early 2025, there's even more reason to book it!

8 hours ago, Mosaic said:

Nice dressing area and a very large balcony that is deeper.  You can get out of the sun and wind much easier! The main part of the Neptune Suite is the same size as the other ships---for all practicality. The Neptune Lounge is also very similar.....

Thank you - that's great that the balcony is even deeper especially with the Panama Canal itinerary - to get out of the sun OR rain like we had last trip. 

7 hours ago, kazu said:

If you check the beginning of my Live thread, you will see how very helpful the concierge was to the “Merry Widows” when catastrophe struck with my firend’s luggage handle and my walking stick.

Thanks for all the info regarding the room size, the TV, the food and the overall smaller ship advantages.

Concierge story - On our other trip through the canal, a guest forgot his belt and asked Hector in the Neptune Suite where he could get one - Hector took off his own and handed it to the guy without a thought! 

Maybe they'd get more traction if they used clear plexi on the top so people can see what they're putting their hands into. 🧐  On day three when the novelty wears off, add some disco lighting in there to keep the interest going. 

3 hours ago, KAKcruiser said:

The Neptune Suite on the Zaandam has a bigger cabin and balcony than the Nieuw Amsterdam.  However, the bathroom is smaller with only one sink and a combination tub/shower.

Oh, thank you for that info. 

We'd rather have more of the space in the main part of the cabin and balcony(!) than the bath area anyway - tho a separate shower is always a luxury. And that little dressing area with closets was great.

In my mind, the best bathroom at sea is on NCL's jewel class ships in the haven - really large with double sinks plus separate shower and tub with ocean views when at sea. But possibly seeing eye to eye with neighbors when in port!

28 minutes ago, Navybikermom said:

if I had my druthers, I’d sail on the Zaandam over the Nieuw Amsterdam any day. 

Thanks very much for all the useful information.

Sounds like it's a bit different (which will be fun to explore) with unique pluses of its own.

It's great to hear there are nice music options - we don't have much at home so we love to enjoy them on cruises. 

I didn't know about the taco bar or the current pop-ups. 

And I guess I need to refresh my memory on Exploration Cafe vs Explorer's Lounge!

My partner and I had a great time celebrating a "big" birthday on a 17-day Panama Canal cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam in October 2021 (San Diego to Ft Lauderdale). We're considering doing another (in the reverse direction) in Spring 2025 for another "big" bday on Zaandam 

We had SUCH an amazing time, I've been researching to be sure the things we enjoyed will be on this one as well.

(Yep, I know all cruises vary - I'm not trying to relive the last one - and a bad day at sea beats a good day on land, etc.!)

The first big question is the Neptune Suite. From the videos I've seen, the cabin setup looks similar. The couch/chair setup seem different (smaller?) but no big deal. The bathroom/dressing area doesn't seem as large overall but spacious enough. One thing - it looks like the TV is on a stand sitting on the cabinetry not mounted on the opposite wall. I know it seems minor, but every few nights, we liked to stay in and watch movies. Ridiculous with a whole ship to explore but we like it!

Is the Explorer's Lounge just as nice on both ships - with the great view, fantastic coffees and puzzles I can never finish?

Lincoln Center is gone so that's a major bummer. And doesn't look like BB Kings is on this ship. Any suitable venues you enjoy to fill in those blank spaces? 

It doesn't look like NY Pizza is on this ship, but I assume pizza is avail on the buffet or through room service - same quality? 

And looks like no Tamarind or sushi.

Hmm, maybe I'm starting to answer my own question. Or maybe, HOPEFULLY, there are some really great pluses to this ship that I'm missing!

Thanks for any info you wish to share.  

My two cents having sailed Divina YC three times and Seascape YC once -

I don't mind the walk to and from Le Muse now that we figured out how to avoid the smoking bar just outside. The service seemed more personal too. But the downside is the cabins - they are dark and small - definitely not a step up from a standard balcony cabin. 

The Seascape restaurant and Lounge are bright and airy. Sometime too bright (sun in your eyes) if you're having dinner on the west side before sunset! But the servers seemed frazzled - not as relaxing an experience for us. The cabins are a big step up - bright, spacious, decorated well. 

I've had soy milk on the Divina and Seascape, so maybe it's a fleetwide thing.

FYI, they refer to it as soya so ask for that!

On Holland America last year, they also had almond milk and oatmilk. 

Definitely insist on a dairy alternative - taking lactaid seems like a ridiculous way to go for something as simple as milk for your coffee! Save that for a banana split or shake!

19 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

I have had Lyfts canceled by the driver when they were at the pier. The issue has been they accept the ride to pick me up at debarkation while dropping off a passenger who is embarking. If they go in the lanes for dropping off embarking passengers, they across several lanes of traffic and a median from where they would pick up disembarking passengers and there is no simple way to loop back around. Last time, I had my first ride canceled for this reason as they began driving away from where they dropped off the embarking passengers and realized they couldn't get back to where I was. The second time, I realized this was just going to happen all over again, so I literally chased my driver to where he was dropping off his previous fare and flagged him down.

Wow! You have it dialed in - that makes sense. But you'd think the drivers would have figured it out by now especially at the airports. Thanks for the info - and all your fantastic "live" posts!

4 hours ago, noshoobie said:

Thank you so much! On our Meraviglia cruise last May we had a heck of a time getting an Uber pick up. Just when we thought one was coming they would cancel. This happened several times. We ended up waiting about 30-35 minutes. 

That's happened to us every time we're in Miami and Ft Lauderdale - at the airport and the cruise terminal with both Uber and Lyft! Usually it's just "poof" they're gone and another car is ordered. This past trip, they were supposedly right there and "the meter is running" but we were in the exact spot they were but no car matching its description or plate number. Of course you can't review them when you don't actually ride with them. So their 5-star review remains untarnished!!

4 hours ago, TrinaLC said:

you do get one free bottle of liquor - if you don’t drink at all you could offer it up to folks you meet in YC. Or we posted in the fb group for our sailing asking if anyone wanted our Prosecco and we dropped it off at their cabin they were non YC and super appreciative!

We're leaving saturday on the Seascape in YC so this is timely.

When/where do we request the bottle of liquor - precruise or onboard?

Having been in Divina YC three times, it's never even been brought up - although I'm thinking there's been a bottle of sparkling in the fridge. Was THAT It?!

We'd prefer a good cabernet or even a bottle of mediocre tequila!

I've always wondered how big a spender you must be to get these offers, no matter the cruise line. It would certainly be fun to gamble away the money with a "free" cabin than just spend the money up front to book the cabin!

16 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

We had an excellent dinner in Le Muse tonight.  As promised Vimal had a nice Italian wine ready for us. 
 

Was the wine offered to you as a (complimentary) pour or did you buy the bottle?

I ask because we're about to go on Divina for the fourth time (all YC).

One year, the sommelier basically hounded me with the wine list ("30% off just for you") and we bought a few bottles that trip - wines I knew were good and definitely nicer than the standard wine list. 

But it would be nice to just have decent wines selected and poured throughout the meal and not have an extra few hundred dollars on my account!

On 2/7/2024 at 3:34 PM, Best Cat Mom said:

I believe Le Muse's maitre d' on Seascape right now is Mauricio. He was a sommelier in California earlier in his career and usually fills both positions, at least he did when we sailed with him on Divina twice last year. Strike up a conversation about wine with him and you're likely to get to get some really nice pours during your cruise. 😉

We'll be on Seascape in a few weeks, first time and looking forward to it!

During our three trips on Divina YC over the years, we've asked for wines by the glass of whatever's included. One year we bought a few bottles for the table over the course of the week (wines we knew well and that were a step or three above the wines by the glass, many of which were iffy).

Is there a "trick" to getting the "nice pours" and not spend $$ on by the bottle?! 

(we treat the crew well and tip nicely, usually at the end of the cruise)

One Sommelier kept hitting me up with the wine list and a "30% discount just for you" which got a little annoying in front of our tablemates!

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

Well, after a long diversion and a $20 tip to out very flustered Lyft driver, we did make it onboard. 

Do you think there was actually something going on at the port or just the usual?! 
Seems like that's the case whenever we've been through there - I think to myself this can't ALWAYS be how it is - an hour to get just a few miles! Wish there was a high speed rail option or express lane for a bus or something!

We always end up tipping our Lyft drivers too - seems like the right thing to do in that situation!

Happy cruising from here on out!

Thanks for all the details and pics - Carnival has never been on my radar but we'll definitely consider it now. 

We've had mixed results with vegan meals on NCL and Holland America after talking to the maitre D and servers. Lots of pasta, fake beef and cobbling together salads and sides - you know the story. 

What determines when Carnival offers the vegan menu - meal time, sea days vs port days or something else?

Thanks again! 

Yeah I wouldn't eat that either. 

Back off.

I drilled down to your two excursion options on the msc site.

https://www.msccruises.co.za/our-cruises/destinations/united-states-canada/united-states/new-york

Your original "Land and Sea" choice looks much more exciting than "NY Highlights" which focuses on the 9/11 Memorial. I know you'll have just been at sea for a week or more, but seeing the city from the water never gets old. 

I lived in Manhattan for years and go back to the city now and then. I know the ins and outs of the various public transit options. And (assuming they guarantee your airport arrival time) I'd jump at the chance to see the city and not worry about luggage. If nothing else, you'll get a sense of whether you'd like to spend a few days there before or after your cruise next time.

If you want to do it on your own, there are various spots you can store luggage for several hours - you can find them online (but check reviews, of course!). If you decide to go that route, research what part of the city you'd like to explore and head there. You probably won't have time to go to multiple spots dragging luggage. If you're flying out of JFK or La Guardia, you may want to just stay in Brooklyn to see the sights or hit lower Manhattan. Going to midtown or further uptown would eat up more transit time and add to the travel expense. If you're flying out of EWR, you'd still probably wouldn't want to venture more uptown than the Village. Just my opinion, of course!

A totally different option is pushing your flight back a day (or more) and head directly there when you disembark. Spend the day and night then head to the airport for your flight. The hotel bellman can hold your bag before check-in and after checkout!

3 hours ago, JAGR said:

I suspect that you were on Divina back in '19 or '20.  They still had the three airliner bottles in the fridge back then. The big bottle was introduced after COVID precautions were eased.  We got big bottles starting on our B2B in October of last year.  One bottle per week.

Yep, 2019, 2020 (end of feb right before shutdown) and March of this year.

I do remember the tiny bottles now that you mention it. Nothing this past March but we'll ask next time! 

22 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Should only be one bottle per cabin.

We've stayed in YC three times (Divina) and never had even one 750ml bottle of liquor beyond a cheap sparkling wine. Beer, nuts, toblerone - yes. Will be on Seascape this winter. Do we request ahead of time or onboard?!

Barring a walk to the terminal from a local hotel, is there any expedited way to get there instead of the usual cab/lyft/uber, etc? That is, does the coral trolley or perhaps a local bus have an express lane that's quicker? And is there any talk about extending the light rail to the port?! 

When were there in March, we spent 30 minutes from the time we crossed over to the port to the time we actually got out of the lyft at the terminal. Maybe that's the usual or maybe it was an extra busy day. Having lived in major cities, we're used to jumping on public transit or just walking. 

7 minutes ago, jules815 said:

On Seascape now and several times have seen people trying to get in on deck 19 entrance. The beige beach towels are a dead giveaway. 

I like the "trying" part of that statement!

Is it true that the other YC floors (16 + 18) can't be accessed without going through 19? As someone who takes the stairs more times than not, I don't look forward to extra flights only to go back down! 

6 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Oh no. We’re doing HAL for the first time in April in a Neptune Suite. A transatlantic to Rotterdam. We have a wedding to attend in Fort Lauderdale and this cruise works best with the dates. 

If it's anything like our 17 day Panama Canal, you'll have a great time! The Neptune Suites are like a double-wide trailer(!). You have a big window over a built-in deck from the bedroom area PLUS the usual glass windows and door from the sitting area. If you're not already exploring the ship on the HAL forums, be sure to - so much to get excited about!