OceanBlueWaters

3 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

 

Yes we had a number of customer service people critize the OP’s effort (I personally though it was very good) yet none of them have come forward with a more “acceptable” complaint letter.

Don't hold your breath.  The same people will jump in with their 2 cents which offer no value to the convo.  I still think it is a race for the "post count".  I can do without that and try to skip over those people.  I come here for info and 90% is same people posting and piggy-backing off a question that was answered 10 pages ago.  Raising their Post count?  I don't have time for that...

JMO 🙂

8 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

 

As a customer service professional why don’t you write a form letter on the issue that everyone could copy and paste over their own signature and send to NCL.

I am still waiting for that generic letter to be posted by people smarter than the average bear!  Can someone FINALLY provide it?  Not too short, not too long.  Hit hot spots.  Be concise.  Refrain from dangling participles.  Watch punctuation.  I will have to review it, before sending to higher hierarchy.

It is easy to criticize others, everyone/anyone can do it.  It takes a smarter/stronger person to actually offer a solution and take action.

We solved the problem by talking it out!  Now we just need someone to post the "generic form letter" which satisfies everyone!  Good grief...

Super enjoyed your review!  Sorry you had to come back to nasty weather.  Yup, it has been sub-zero here the past few days. Yay!

Can you tell me where you can find a cab when exiting?  All the Yellow cabs dismissed me when they heard I was a mere fare to Port Authority.  "Black Cabs" were ferocious.

Welcome back and look forward to lurking on your next adventure.  LOL! 🙂

I have a CN to sell.  Anyone?

2 minutes ago, IrieBajan54 said:

 

Not "Everyone."  I have never used the "bell & whistles" on my 17 cruises in less than 5 years. Furthermore, as a social drinker, I have never had the UBP. The "sail away rate" is the only way I go. I do sympathize with the drinkers who agonize over price increases on their favorite pastime.

Relax.  I would never pay extra for anything (other than Choir of Man which I did 🙂). Furthermore, your comments are well received.  Perhaps you should refrain from this topic if it does not pertain to you about UBP and price increase.  Just saying...

Hmm...

How about boycotting the Race Track(s) which is an up charge.

How about boycotting Laser Tag (which is an up charge and condones weapons which is taboo to talk about...unless it is for profit).

How about boycotting bowling which is an up charge?

How about boycotting Arcades which is an up charge?

People boycotted Margaritaville a while ago.  Where are the Suits figuring that one out with the consistent dead space?  Another Hmm.  Oh wait... the new UBP will pay for lost real estate at Margaritaville!  Did I win?  Do I have a job at Corporate?  LOL!

Everyone has been paying these up charges with no looking back.  No wonder NCL is pushing it...

JMO 🙂

I am comparing GSC to Castaway Cay which may not be apples to apples.

Here goes with GSC:

The sun is behind you (in October anyway).  If you want sun, you have to turn your chair around.  Awkward.

There are many shady spots, so no need to pay extra $ for "Clamshell". Simply find a spot above the beach under the Palms and you will be fine.  It is a simple walk down to the beach should you want to refresh in the water and not have to pay for Clamshell $.  I did it...

I also got the first tender out,  because I signed up early when I boarded.  No extra $.

The fences are obtrusive.

The beach hurts the feet if you don't have water shoes.

People fight over a burger.

Lines are long for drinks.

Everyone wants to get to GSC at least once.  It is definitely one and done for me.  My opinion only.

I applaud NCL for the logistics involved in setting up GSC before pax arrive.  Other Cruise Lines do it, but it must be a logistical nightmare!.  My favorite bartenders were at GSC working their ass*s off and serving rude people.  I felt so bad for them. I am assuming they are the same rude people who also fought over a burger. Ahh...Private Island...

JMO 🙂

9 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

I was on Escape sailing in July, 2018 and I agree that RCCL does the production shows better. Other than that the 2 lines do everything else very similarly and I've booked the Encore for next January. Part of me wanted to book again with RCCL, as that's the line I've done most of my cruising with, but there was plenty of really fun entertainment outside of the Broadway style shows to bring me back to NCL.

Choir of Man was just about the best show I've seen on a cruise ship. I was lucky enough to see the original cast that created the show in the supper club and my group had the best time. It was my wifes bday and when I was getting a beer on stage before the show (anyone thats seen it will know what I mean), I told the guys about my wife and she was brought up on stage at the point in the show when someone gets serenaded. Just a fantastic show!

The other entertainment we loved was the dueling pianos. It was so much fun and I was a little sad to hear that it might not be on the Encore.

Anyway, it's a cruise and I"m always entertained.

I was chosen out of the audience for the "Pina Colada Song" so I know how you feel!  I wanted to die at first, but it was a hoot!  So much fun! I now know how those performers feel while on stage and a rocking ship!  I grabbed onto their piano at one point for fear I would fall off the stool I was told to sit on.  We all laughed and on went the show.  So cool! It was audience orientated and can be "unscripted" which is hilarious/cool.  JMO 🙂

Also in response, Dueling Pianos should NEVER go away for entertainment... another JMO.

🙂

Woo Hoo!  COM is amazing!

Sorry to all who are struggling with last minute reservations, but you will not be disappointed with replacement to COM (which was originally an upcharge).

Alvin caught me on the way out when I saw them (Guy Harvey cruise) and asked my opinion. I had nothing but APPLAUSE.  

Everything is subjective and based on personal preference.  I am sure there will be controversy to follow.  LOL!

JMHO

🙂

The Lounge is amazing (Escape).  Super awesome coffee and snacks 24/7.  Hardly anyone was there.  I rarely saw anyone in the halls other than my cabin steward (but then again, I was out by 6 a.m./ returned mid day (sometimes) /and returned in the evening at hours I can"t recall).  LOL!

Oh sure, everything differs by sailing and who is staying in Studio during your trip.  Have no worries.  You will be fine.  Enjoy 🙂

WOW!  If true...Amazing!  I was not a fan of Brat Pack (and yes, I did excuse myself early since I did not want to see anymore and I do hope I didn't trip over y'all while I left.  LOL!).

I still would pay to see Choir of Man!

Everyone has their own opinion about shows/ language/ times, etc.  Relentless.

I am not booking Brat Pack or After Midnight on next sailing (you can thank me for not taking one of your seats.), but I was planning to book Choir for upcharge when it opened.  Game changer now?

Following...

I do hope it's true...if not, oh well and will carry on.

🙂

I am not sure what the fascination is with GSC.  I was 1 for 2. 

Beach hurt my feet.

Food is sub-par. 

Yup, also annoying people here cutting/fighting to get a burger as if it was their last meal!  

Lines for drinks was not relaxing.

Fences and construction did not make for a "tropical paradise".

Tender was the best part!  I loved the ride!

It was not worth time & energy. I will stay on the ship next time if this port ever enters into my itinerary in the future.

JMO. 🙂

Chair Hogs are obnoxious and they will never go away.  Just like the same rude people who make us bleed at the buffet!

I have no desire to retain a chair near the pool, but I would like to see some reinforcement of "Policy/Rules".

On Deck 16 on the Escape, the Wave Pool had signs posted FOR ADULTS ONLY.  The deck plans (for what I could see) does not mention "Adults Only". There were kids everywhere...

However, the fine print by NCL states: "Yes. Some ships have pools that are adult-only. This means that all children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All regular pool rules also apply."

So that is why there was an incredible amount of tweens in "Adult Only" Pool!  LOL!

I do not want to derail...just FYI

:)

8 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

I have ONLY sailed on the Escape and the Gem so far, so they are the only ships I have to compare. I have been on the Escape twice now and the Gem once. I definitely prefer the Escape, but I know the Gem is the favorite for many people.

 

Gem

Pros:

• Fantastic live music every day in various areas of the ship
• The "bar area" with Maltings/Shakers/Magnum's was a great place to get specialty drinks and hang out to listen to live music
• Spinnaker Lounge was a great place to check out the view, relax in peace and quite in off hours, and a good venue for entertainment
• The theater is beautiful

Cons:

• Smaller balcony rooms (sorry, can't provide info on other stateroom categories)
• Very "broken up" deck plan: some places you could only get to from forward elevators, some only from aft, no large central hallway on public decks
• Crowded dining: line formed every night outside Magenta... had to eat in shifts in the cafe to get/hold a table... specialty restaurants were all booked up by the end of the first day
• Small casino
• Times when it wasn't possible to get food: O'sheehan's closed down between breakfast and lunch and the Cafe was so small that it was also fully closed in the transitions between breakfast/lunch and lunch/dinner... so there were a few times that we had to scrounge for food outside at the Great Outdoors mini-buffet

 

Escape

Pros:

• Better traffic patterns through "public" decks
• District Brew House
• More dining options (LOVE Pinchos Tappas)
• Larger casino
• More bars open at more hours
• Much larger Garden Cafe means always finding a table

Cons:

• Live entertainment not as good, fewer places to hang out and just listen to music
• Shows seem to book up quickly
• No really great place to sit for sail-away
• Atrium is used for far too many activities that could benefit from a better venue (like Spinnaker on the Gem)

 

At the end of our sailing on the Gem, my SO an I agreed that we simple prefer the larger ships, but if itinerary dictates, we'd be willing sail a Jewel-class ship again.

Escape:  HUH?  I disagree.  HATM was not awesome? Did you go?  Did you see Choir of Man?

I had a perfect spot for Sail-Away.  I was at 5 O'clock Somewhere having a great time and saw everything!  There are so many spots for great sail-away...

On my cruise on Escape, Guy Harvey was there in Atrium and presented SUPER informative information over many days.  It was a pleasure/informative about his foundation and conservation. I guess you are an Architect now and want to reconfigure common spaces based on 3 cruises? 

It is all subjective.  I always get a laugh here...

🙂

On 1/5/2019 at 12:56 PM, sid_9169 said:

Thanks, OceanBlueWaters... I agree that the new site sucks, particularly when trying to post from a mobile device using a less than great WiFi connection (which is all that's available on board a ship) I have already found another job, though it's much more physically demanding than my last, and I'm not getting any younger... I will be coming back at you all with another review soon, although, the ship and port portion will have to wait until my return. I simply refuse to go through the frustration of attempting to upload from a less than ideal connection. In this regard, the "play by play" aspect will be lost, which is the part I enjoy the most. When I see something worthy, I go with it... I'm going to have to take a lot of written notes this time, in order to try and put up something cohesive and interesting... We'll see what happens... 

 

Thanks again for following and for your complements... See ya'll again about a month for the Breakaway review!...

Kudos (not really) to CC for "upgrading" the site.  Do they know they "downgraded" by "upgrading"?  Oh wait...they are "smarter" than us!

Anyway, I will miss your play-by-play due to CC overhaul.  In the meantime, hang in there. One day at a time...

🙂

Sid/Wilson:

A:  This new CC site sucks.  It has me replying to people I don't even know and need to "clear"  before responding. Huh?

B:  Sorry what happened with your employment.  You will be okay. Believe.

1:  I always LOVED your reviews.  You gave a perspective to cruising for the solo traveler.

C.  You took us off "the beaten path" in your journeys.  So cool!

2:  There were no pics of your spouse/girlfriend showing the "fashion of the day and accessories".  LOL! Instead, you hit hard to the facts about your journey(s).  Perfect.  I honestly don't care about what anyone is wearing, or when/where they got photographed. I just want "facts" about destination(s) and what was hit/miss on your endeavor(s).  You always did that.  Others took me on a "Family Vacation".  I skipped over those since I was not amused...

3: This is all JMO 🙂

4:  Bring on all who disagree.  Good grief...

Looking forward to your next review. Hang in there...

🙂

On 12/27/2018 at 1:04 PM, pcakes122 said:

Bermuda is my favorite island destination and one of the reasons is that it is NOT a Caribbean island and has a different culture.   I love the Caribbean, too - but for twenty years I have gone to Bermuda when I wanted a quiet, serene, refined experience with breathtaking vistas unencumbered by high-rise hotels or casinos.  One of the most disappointing things to me in recent years is that, seemingly in order to appease tourists who are expecting a traditional Caribbean "island vibe" and activities when they visit, Bermudians have started to incorporate more Caribbean features (e.g. hair braiding, generic souvenir shops (filled with trinkets made in China), Caribbean musical influences, opening a Diamonds International 😲, etc.)

 

If only folks would research destinations before choosing a cruise, no one would be disappointed.  Not every island country has the same history, heritage, customs and culture. It's wonderful that there is such a variety - and IMO it's sad that any islanders may feel the need to become homogeneous in order to compete in the tourist industry.  The Caribbean is fabulous, loud and colorful and it feels like a party everyday - which is wonderful when that is what you need!   But Bermuda is something special and different, and I really hope it never changes.

 

 

Wait, What? This thread was/is about "Hair Braiding" in Bermuda.  Simple.  Give your opinion about HAIR BRAIDING.  Why the lecture about everything else?  Geeze.  People here are so dramatic...

Whether there is Hair Braiding in Bermuda (or not), here is my opinion...

I have said this before...I would NEVER get my hair braided by locals walking and soliciting (in any Port).  Oh sure they are "cheap", but they do not wash their hands in between "clients".  Who knows what is under their fingernails!  Nope.  No way.  I want no part of that stuff in my head/hair. JMO.

My solution:  I simply went to the on board Hair Salon (I was on Escape and Disney Wonder when I felt the need to get my hair braided.)  LOL!

Oh sure, it was a bit pricey (around $85.00, including tip on Escape and only a few braids) but it was amazing, worth it, and no worries about cleanliness/hygiene.  The view was amazing also while she did it.  Overlook Atlantis while getting my hair done?!  Win Win!  I am on vacation.  Ahhhh....

Anyway, be sure to tip your Stylist if you want that Service on board.  Apparently, they only get paid if they "work".  I asked her if my tip/money was going directly to her, and she said "Yes".  I smiled.  She was lovely. 

JMO on Hair Braiding 🙂

On 12/13/2018 at 3:07 PM, Laszlo said:

 

Jim's a good by but his voice puts me to sleep Lol.  I still can't wrap my head around his water slide video and 94 MILLON views! Mind boggling Lol

Agree!  The "Girls Screaming on The Free Fall Waterslide " seemed out of character for him and a bit weird.  JMO.  Don't wanna derail thread, but Jim Zim has his opinion on cruising, which does not match up to mine.  It's all personal preference. 

These "YouTubers" crack me up!

Zitsky:  Take a deep breath.  Everything will be fine.  Stop worrying so much.  Just ENJOY your cruise! 🙂

10 minutes ago, Nalagh said:

NCL

Super Awesome!

Thanks 🙂

3 minutes ago, timf2001 said:

Studios are not eligible for upgrades.

Why?  Who determined that?

🙂

Has anyone gotten an INVITATION to UPGRADE when initially booked in a Studio?  I have not.  Thoughts?

10 minutes ago, casofilia said:

If you want a gift exchange do it this way.

 

Have someone at a table where the gifts are collected to give out a numbered card.  At the end of the M&G have a draw with the same set of numbered cards.  To pick up a prize you have to give in your numbered card.   Only allow one person at the table at any time to collect.

10 minutes ago, casofilia said:

If you want a gift exchange do it this way.

 

Have someone at a table where the gifts are collected to give out a numbered card.  At the end of the M&G have a draw with the same set of numbered cards.  To pick up a prize you have to give in your numbered card.   Only allow one person at the table at any time to collect.

Super advice!  People here, tend to "fight" rather than offer useful info for people...

Good luck to you!  I did not host, but was at M&G and brought a gift for exchange.  There were no gift(s) left for me or other people.  Apparently, people who were there, decided to RUN for the gifts and took them even though they weren't signed up.  Be prepared for losers.  Aim low.  LOL! 

Oh sure, a minimal amount of $ spent on a gift is not gonna break me, or ruin my cruise, but just reiterates how rude people can be.  

Yeah...go to your Roll Call, and see what they want. JMO