bmwman

Also, can someone tell me the actual disembarkation and embarkation times in Malaga? I'm thinking of taking a train from Malaga to Coroba. It takes about 1 hr. and it says it's in port from 9am-7pm. Just trying to figure out what that means in reality to see if that train would be a good idea... TIA

Disembark if on time is around 9:30 all aboard 6:00 I think

You are quite welcome! You'll love the Aft Penthouse on Deck 10 - my understanding is they're a little larger than those on 8 and 9. Plus, they're nice and quiet. Enjoy!!

 

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Interesting thread - with prices lke this is it any wonder that

(a) we europeans (brits) get rather jealous

(b) NCL have to make money elsewhere - it is simple economics!!!

Enjoy:)

Always nice to read a balanced review.............glad you had a great cruise:)

What an excellent balanced review of a great ship!

Yes, BUT only if the ship doesn't call outside EU tax area.

 

 

 

Most beers are around $5 and up, simple cocktails (liqour and mixer) are around $6 and up and more special drinks (martinis etc) around $8 and up.

THERE IS VAT ON GOODS FOOD AND DRINK (and SPA) at different rates chargeable if the ship leaves from an EU port and does not call outside the EU. This affets the EPIC. Spain has multiple rates. Italy only one at present

Whilst non EU passengers can get VAT back on goods there is a de minimus figure of I think $108.

The Spanish VAT rates are 21% and 10% and areapplied as appropriate across the ship. The Duty free shop however did absorb the VAT when it was 19% but I do not know the current position. What I do know is VAT law applies on the ship in the EU -

hi

This may be a bit bit of a pointless exercise as other than the bingo and Deal or No Deal the entertaiment appears to be changing changing on a weekly basis with different entertainers. The last day but one there is the Elements show (very good). In fact this is a lot of the entertainers we were told were atthe end of the contracts.

The restaurants are the same (where they have them) as other ships and prices identical. No menus in them and no details of the crew team! Just Bar Managers specials!!

No prt information in them and the flyers are just sales information

We are just off the Spirit and it is clear that there are many movements going on and a lot of the team did not know thier next postings due presumably to the Getaway. (if they do know they are not saying)

Seems that the usual faces are going/have gone to Getaway to open the ship but beyond that thier is going to be (so we are told but have no personal knowledge) a lot of movement next year. Even if people have personal contacts we here crew are moving mid contract between ships to cover for shortages.

What appears clear to us is thier are a lot of new hires at most levels

Spirit

Captain - Vanja (sorry fully escapes me)

HD Orazio Caci

F&B George Abadara (not sure of spelling)

Beveridge manager Manny

Restaurant Manager - Kaya Aydin

CD Gio - Not even sure he was on the ship - anonymous

Concierge - Yahida

GSM Humberto

I do not know about the F&B. I think that Perm is the HD- nice man.

Think you mean Prem and yes a true gent one of the best

Gary Glading (NCL Jade)

Yes Gary is good and a very interesting person as well outside of the ships.

I heard back from Klaus and Brian Walters is indeed our HD- Tariq is the F&B director. Will certainly let you know how the OS is (we are on the Starboard side tho).

My apologies for the confusion I somehow confused Sky and Sun!

Yes we have and yes we were. Disappointed that is. :(

Let's agree to totally disagree I do not know why you were disappointed but we have always found him nothing short of perfect in every respect with requests or his infectious smile. he is in our view up there with he best who are now HD's.

Yes, a very charming man. But, not really all that experienced (although still very good at it) as HD of a cruise ship but he did learn from one of the best in Denis Prguda.

OK agreed but everyone has to start somewhere and you are right about his training. We find him a smashing guy and by experienced I was referring to his years in waiting learning from some very competent people. mind you NCL crew are excellent professionals:):

We have met many F&B's and Ivo's the best (Yannis is a close second)! I hope he's promoted to AHD soon! :)

? Really.:confused:.. clearly you have not sailed with Mustafa Gulbahar from Turkey .. If you meet him you will not be disappointed.

Oh, if it's Calvin, I do love him... LOL, I have sailed with Calvin in the past... :) I guess I'll find out on Monday. I will e-mail Klaus before I go, so I'm sure he will let me know who the HD is for sure :) :)

 

There are so many changes going on anything is possible.

After mid-September the HD on the Jewel will be Richard Janicki.

He is one of our favourites a charming man who is very experienced

The only info on the Sun I have been able to garner is the HD- Brian Walters. Not familiar with him....

Not sure this is correct I think it's Calvin Lodge absolutely amazing if you have got him

I am kidding they are both awesome

 

Suzanne

I should have put a smiley there I too was kidding they are genuine lovely people

Yes it is awesome they will be sailing together.

Very happy for him. It is hard being away from everyone so this is nice that they will work side by side . Hopefully they won't kill each other. Ha ha just kidding

 

Suzanne

Given how busy they are doubt they will have time to even argue.

I didn't take it as an offense . I am a bit biased as Sean is a good friend of mine and we adore him and he is awesome and he had a great teacher. Sean is a rare breed and truly cares about everyone of his crew members and know everyone by name and loves them and his guests. He truly loves his job and he breathes hospitality.

 

Suzanne

I know where you are coming from and I bet he is pleased to be sailing with his lovely lady.

But he is part of a dream era of Klaus Mirsard DEnis Prem and Calvin Lodge. But there is Kaj Turnen , Armando da Silva who are to our minds are equally brilliant with Richard getting promoted deservedly.

We must not forget the others from that team Mustafa, Jose and Errol who are not HD's. But bring so much to the party.

Problem is we biased love NCL:)

Thanks, youngestof9. We really don't use the concierge that much but it's good to know you think highly of Anoop. We were spoiled by our very first concierge, Alex Forbes, back in 2006 and 2007. He was the best and no one has even come close to being as good as he was.:)

Never met Alex Forbes but Ruth Hagger is a class act as is David Cotreras and Ryan Rabe.

Let's also have a shout for Adrian Bica a great concierge and like the others a thoughly polished act. They're all superb

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. That's what makes the world go round lol

 

Suzanne

I agree with you and I meant no offence. Sean comes from the Klaus school and maybe Richard did not. That said over the years I think we have met some great people and we include Richard in that.he is so articulate and has great wit.

But I do not like to criticise or compare as they are all good but in different ways. Above all they are thoroughly decent people who work so hard under difficult circumstances sometimes. We do not know what else is going on in their lives and sometimes they may be preoccupied. I know I can be a right grump in the office if something is bugging me!

Once again no offence meant Suzzanne

Another excellent concierge is David Contreras and Ryan Rabe as well

 

Suzanne

There we go we now agree - yes David Contreras is superb and so is Ryan Rabe. We have sailed with both and regard them both as excellent and David has a wicked sense of humour!!!

The HD on the Star is now Richard Janicki all I can say he is no Sean

Completely disagree!! Richard is a charming funny and throughly brilliant guy who we have saild with many times. He is one of the best. But so is Sean who we love as well.

Of course he is not Sean each is thier own person and Richard

The best ihave seen and heard was Luis Garimaldi on the Epic NCl you have a true talent on the ships he is Wonderful and if we could book him we would.

he is a guitarist but extraordinary if you go to Epic next summer find him you will not be disappointed promise:)

Thanks Shoreguy. I am talking about the AF's at the AFT. (as well as the AG) Sorry for the confusion I actually meant the Great Outdoors in respect of the AFT cabins.

We were offered 11154 for the 27/8 on 13/8 and I suppose we were worried Why is it free?

I of course accept that I have not been in them and therefore can not speak from personal experience. A future cruise I may give it a try. However a lot of the younger generation have been gatheing in the great outdoors late at night and I wonder if this causes noise below? Seems from other posts not.

I accept what you are saying and I can tell you with the vast numbers of kids running up and down the corridors on deck 11 I think all the cabins are getting a little noisey.

But as we spend so little time in the cabin we do not care fantastic cruise and fantastic staff I can not fault it in any way.

Thanks for your helpful comments:)

I do not want to be contradictory to Shoreguy who is so knowledgeable but the aft cabins were available for the 20 and 27 med on the Jewel well at least two on deck 11 because with the extension of mama to the outside and lunch and breakfast ther noise does exist.

We were advised NOT to move to it last week but stay forward and juding form what here on board made the right decision!!