gmbhardy

Last year, around this time, we had a front facing Haven suite booked on the Encore. We took advantage of the second guest free air promotion, but made the mistake of flying down the same day as the cruise. NCL booked us on an Air Transat fight out of Toronto that experienced mechanical problems and as a result we missed embarkation in Miami. As we were waiting in the terminal in Toronto for our plane to be fixed, I attempted to call NCL but when I called the NCL emergency air number, I was transferred to a sales agent who had no clue what to do. He eventually gave me another number to call, wait for it, that connected me to another sales agent. I was stressed, frustrated and extremely upset. I also called my (former) travel agent who wanted nothing to do with my problem. We were eventually transferred over to the air department and were booked on a next day flight from Toronto to San Juan the first port on the eastern Caribbean itinerary. We incurred the cost of an overnight and meals in Toronto and an overnight and meals in San Juan. We did not have insurance. We eventually got on the ship and ended up having a great, but abbreviated cruise. I contacted NCL after the cruise requesting some form of compensation but because we didn’t have insurance received nothing. I thought, at the very least, they would reimburse the DSC for the two days that we were not on the ship, but they refused. I was disappointed but fully understand that no insurance equals no compensation. I just feel that even a minor gesture of good will would have been nice, given the fact that we primarily cruise in the Haven and have achieved Diamond latitudes status.

Booze is an essential ingredient of life (cruise life). Please don’t minimize its ability to make or break the cruise experience.

I believe there’s an up charge for a chocolate martini.

It compares very favorably. It comes down to just what one is really looking for and which line provides it. We enjoy a dedicated restaurant open for 3 meals per day, not one that closes for lunch port days.(MSC) We enjoy Cafe Al Bacio (Celebrity) I enjoy a cushioned cabin balcony deck chair lounger (MSC) We enjoy reserved theater seating for every performance (MSC) We enjoy more evening entertainment venues rather than game shows (MSC) We enjoy a better Wifi that works(Celebrity) We enjoy a private 'out' island. (MSC) We love key card elevator over rides (MSC) We like a 'gated community' (MSC) It sounds like you prefer the YC. When you enter value into the equation, the YC appears to be the clear winner.

So how does it compare to the Yacht Club?

I will move to a different level after the first cruise of a B2B. Will I move up for the second cruise?

Yes, I’m responding to my own post with updated information. Apparently on the Breakaway there are three restaurants with dress codes - Le Bistro, Ocean Blue, and Savor (one of the MDRs).

B52

Looking forward to future posts. We normally book Haven or YC but are trying the Retreat in 2024.

It’s been my experience on the breakaway class ships that only the Manhattan room on the Epic requires men to wear pants. I know technically the Epic is not a breakaway class ship but have the rules changed on the others. Normally each ship has two restaurants with the pant dress code, those being Le Bistro and Ocean Blue.

You realize this thread is two years old. I started a similar thread a few weeks ago and all posters reported that MSC no longer offers any sort of compensation for price drops after final payment.

Bars typically don’t have fresh orange juice. I’m not sure about availability in the Observation Lounge bar. You shouldn’t have a problem getting two doubles with two cards. You should also be able to get bottled water to take back to your room.

Just to clarify then, your friends on the Encore have been able to get mixed shots. I’m not trying to be rude, just trying to figure out what’s going on.

Great review. Thanks for posting.

Thanks. I try.

On my next cruise I plan on asking some of the officers. Someone should know.

Please report back on the availability of premium booze on the Breakaway. My son is on the ship right now and tells me that getting some of the inclusions is like pulling teeth. He says that some of the bartenders have told him that there’s a daily quota for some of the stuff and when it’s gone, it’s gone. I hope you have a better experience, but please let us know. Thanks.

Yes.

I’m on the Bliss for a Panama Canal cruise in early January. I have the premium plus booze package and Vibe passes, so I’ll be reporting back on both the availability of mixed shots and premium liquor.

It’s not drinks or straight shots, it’s mixed shots. You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about.

When I read the original post I asked my son who is on the Breakaway right now to ask the Vibe bartender if the ban was in fact true. He confirmed that it was - a fleet wide ban on serving mixed shots. As you may or may not know, the Vibe bar is known for serving mixed shots, so if you are unable to get them there, it’s doubtful you’ll get them elsewhere.

Then tell me why cruisers (including my son) are reporting that bartenders are telling them there is a fleet wide ban on serving mixed shots.

Yea, something screwy happened. Sorry about that. By the way, I enjoyed your review of the Meraviglia YC. I really think it’s better value than the Haven.

Hey, give it a a shot. Just don’t be disappointed if they don’t have items listed on the promo advertising. That list is as fictitious as Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster and the Tooth Fairy all rolled into one.

Disagree with you. The ban is not hoopla over nothing at all. I’m sure I can speak for many cruisers who enjoyed having at times weird mixed shots at the Vibe or Haven bar. It was an experience that you really couldn’t replicate at home. It was fun and a real ice breaker. I will miss it.