Stealthdog

We are leaving tonight for an overnight flight to Venice.  We will start posting some live updates when we get to the ship on Sunday.  If anyone has any specific requests, let me know and we will see what info we can get for you.

9 hours ago, jbethel11 said:

If I may ask, why are you bringing up information that has NOTHING to do with Carnival Breeze? In fact, this article encompasses Carnival CORP, not just Carnival. Funny to think that both NCL and CCL were founded by the same person.

Sure it does.  The Breeze is part of Carnival, which is part of CCL.  I won't give money to a product (CCL), and contribute to the parent's bottom line and stock holding, that has engaged in shady cover-ups and intentional polluting.  I realize the actual polluter in this case was Princess, but CCL leadership was aware of it and even tried to hide it.  So for me, no Princess, Holland, or Carnival sailings until CCL cleans up their act. 

Normally I would say no difference between cruise lines.  But, Carnival was just criminally found to knowingly polluting water.  Who knows....maybe all cruise lines do it, but I probably won't sail a line that admits to criminal waste dumping into the ocean.  So, I would probably recommend another line.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/carnival-ordered-to-pay-dollar20-million-for-dumping-plastic-and-garbage-into-the-ocean-—-cruise-line-tried-to-drown-its-deceit/ar-AACqCVP?ocid=spartanntp

Royal, Celebrity, and Azamara have some kinds of status transfer because they are owned by the same parent.  Generally, cruise status won't transfer to other cruise lines owned by a different company.  The only exception is with MSC - they will match status when you first cruise with them.

I’m on the June 9 sailing.  Will post them in a thread for you.

29 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

I have had that question for a while.  I looked at both CC and RCL for their "Haven"-level cabins and did not find half the perks of the Haven mentioned on their sites.  Do any other lines have the completely separate area for suite-level guests like the BA and BA+ ships of NCL?  Separate restaurants, lounges, pool decks, sun decks, concierge, butlers?  I have seen many mentions to MSC's YC being similar to the Haven, but nothing about any of the other lines.  I know people mention some of the premium lines being all Haven-like, but we love having the mega-ship benefits of NCL's BA and BA+ ships, while still being able to escape to the Haven for that secluded feeling.  What do the CC and RCL suites offer?

Celebrity has separate dining for certain category classes (Concierge, Aqua, and Suite).  For example, they have an Aqua Class category for Balconies and that has exclusive access to a Blu Restaurant + additional perks.  They also have another separate restaurant + additional perks for Suite categories.  On Celebrity, I'll always book Aqua Class.  The Spa access is great, but its really about the Blu Restaurant for me - its comparable to the quality in the NCL Haven or Suite only restaurants. 

As for NCL vs Carnival.  There is no such thing as a bad cruise.  I've only sailed Carnival once (and it was over 10 years ago), but it is normally the cheapest cruise line, and for some that gives it a reputation.  I cruise based on itinerary, so I don't necessarily care what cruise line it is.  If everything was equal (price, itinerary, ship size, etc) I would choose NCL over Carnival, but that is just personal taste. 

25 minutes ago, skeeter195 said:

An f-bomb directed at someone or not is considered sexual harassment.  Other curse words may or may not be but an f-bomb can get you in serious trouble if pursued here in the states.  I do not know if the laws at sea are the same as here on land but even if they are not I am sure that a cruise line would not like to get caught up in a sexual harassment case.  

 

I am not offended by such words, but if there are children around or if someone else if being offended by it, you had better believe that will and have put a stop to it very quickly.

Using curse words in a sentence is not sexual harassment.  If that was the case, just about every rapper and many other singers would be in serious legal trouble right now.  Maybe a state or two may have some archaic law from the 1800s that bans the use of profane language in public (that probably isn't enforced anymore), but I am fairly confident that Cruise Ships sailing in International Waters are not enforcing US State laws....which state would they even enforce?  All 50?  1? 

Edit - unless you are talking about labor/workplace sexual harassment and it being done to create a hostile work environment, but that doesn't apply in this situation either.

I decorated the door on my last sailing (December) so it looked like Christmas present wrapping and handcrafted Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah on it.  It was a big hit with the staff and no one told me to take it down.

9 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

I think their code of conduct says if the language is directed at someone:

 

VERBALLY ABUSIVE OR OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
Verbally abusive or offensive language directed toward anyone, to include guests, crew members, governmental officials, or others is not permitted.

 

So, if she was just using it in conversation, I don't think this would apply.

Agreed - that reads to me as verbally assaulting someone.  And isn't about having a vocabulary that someone else finds offensive.

One persons definition of vulgar and offensive will differ from another's.  Without being there, I can't judge the OP or the woman.  My recommendation for anyone would be, if you are offended by someone, go somewhere else and avoid that individual.  Its a large ship with a ton to do.  I'm not sure the ship can or should do anything about someone's perception of offensive language.  With so many people from very diverse backgrounds and upbringings, I don't think it is a cruise line's place to police language - who gets to determine what is appropriate and what is not?

20 hours ago, chipmaster said:

After a long absence from cruising coming back and doing the Star: Venice, Kotor, Corfu, Thira/Santorini, Mykonos, Argostolion, Dubronvnik, Venice.

 

This will be our first time on NCL, previously almost always Princess and a couple on Disney and Carnival

 

We are fit and will be with kids 18/22 and are okay with a mix of DIY  and Tours

 

Any obvious tips of must do/ watch out etc.   for both the ports, as well as newbies to NCL what to pack, what not, and of course tips about the ship and NCL experience coming as long-time Princess 

 

Thanks ahead of time to any tips as well as links and resources.

 

Cheers

 

Chip - when will you be sailing?  We are on the 9 June sailing, but will spend a week in Italy after.  I'll post our review when we get back the last week of June if that is not too  late.

On ‎5‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 6:22 PM, lidodeck03 said:

I really enjoyed Band On The Run for the entertainment, and the Acrobats were really good as well. Whatever you choose I think you will enjoy. As for the last night of your cruise, I would go to Ginza because it is more intimate, and the food presentation was wonderful. I hope this helps & enjoy your cruise!

This is great.  Thanks so much for the recommendations!

Thanks for the review!  I'm on the Star in 4 weeks and have a few questions: 

For entertainment, which of the shows do you think were the must sees?  We have a port intensive itinerary with no sea days and not sure we want to hit all the shows.

Thanks for the tips for the restaurants - I don't understand why they differ so much between ships.  In total we have 6 nights for specialty dining (2 for Platinum, 1 for AMEX, and 3 for UDP).  Will definitely avoid Cagneys this trip.  Would you recommend the Ginza restaurant over MDR for the 7th night? 

Sorry to hear about your embarkation/disembarkation issues. 

Also, I am pretty sure the $50 OBC credit you receive through the excursion credit perk is non-refundable OBC. 

A practice I use is call the Excursion number, pre-book the excursions but don't make payment.  You will still get your % discount for your latitudes level.  The excursions are then charged to your onboard account.  That way you won't run of the risk of wasting OBC.  I usually have $1k+ in OBC and need stuff to spend on so I don't waste the non-refundable OBC.

Selfish me says do the MSC cruise so you can give me insight for my October cruise.  Practical me says the Breakaway.  Seems like move bang for the buck and NCL is more of a known item to you.  Adventurous me says the MSC cruise because it is something different and new

I wouldn't cancel the MSC cruise because of the status match.  I've looked at the perks of status categories on MSC and I think theirs is among the weakest.   

Sounds like a win-win situation. Either way, you are going on a cruise! :)

No debris/cups/trash on the front end.  The view from the back is probably nicer though - in the front you will be looking down at the ship itself.  It was awesome for a Panama Canal sailing though!

We had a forward facing on the Sun, from Miami to Santiago, Chile.  Experienced both Caribbean and Pacific.  It was a little windy at times, but we had no issues using it.  Just make sure to lock the door when you are inside or you will have a nonstop whistling sound.  Enjoy the cruise!

On ‎2‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 7:18 PM, BirdTravels said:

Suite guests have breakfast and lunch available in Cagney’s every day of the cruise. You’re on your own for dinner. 

 

Breakfast similar to (note these are the cold side dishes which accompany the hot menu including filet steak, eggs (any style), etc). 

Which Specialty Dining Restaurant is used for Suite guests for Breakfast/Lunch depends on the ship.  On my December Sun sailing, the breakfast/lunch for suites was Le Bistro, not Cagneys. 

The only frozen drinks I normally have are pina coladas and daquiries.  I should try some of these on the next cruise!

If you are 12+ months, can't you just cancel and get your deposit back? 

Looks like you had a great time!  I do have a couple of specific ship questions because we have a 7 day sailing on the Star in 2 months (but out of Venice):

- of the specialty dinning restaurants you went for dinner, which did you think was best?  We need to figure out how to use all of dining packages (3 for the booking, 2 for platinum, and 1 for AMEX). 

- which restaurant does the breakfast/lunch Suite meals?

- did you check out the Thermal Spa at all?

- what was your favorite bar on the ship?

17 hours ago, ithaca gal said:

I realize the incident was on another line but please read the comments from other people replying to this. I’m judging that they sail on NCL if they were on this thread.  

People on this board likely sail multiple cruise lines.  Just like people that post on other boards probably do not sail exclusively with that line.  I personally read the boards of the cruise line I am next cruising because that is most relevant to me.

There is a good chance someone you find offensive will be on one of your future cruises regardless of what line you are on.  There is no escaping professional cruisers. :)

I have no personal issue with it.  It seems they are only on board for a couple of hours.  I assume they have all gone through the appropriate medical screening to ensure they aren't bringing illness on board and are properly supervised while on board.  Some have sarcastically blown it off, but older people are more susceptible to illness.

I also have no issue with others having a problem with it - they are paying for a vacation.  Its their right to have a problem with their vacation being disrupted (albeit slightly). 

I usually don't give anything extra.  They are doing their job and you are already paying for it.  If a guide has gone over and above what I expect, I'll give $5. 

I predict Free at Sea, pick from 5 depending on cabin category.  Book quick because there will be a timer!