Sailing12Away

Headed up to the Haven bar for a nightcap and dessert in alcohol form. Others have said that the bartender Putu is great, he's not. Nice guy, don't get me wrong. Maybe because he's newer he's afraid to go off script, but then he shouldn't be in the Haven. Haven should have your best staff, not just be another regular assignment. I asked for an orange creamsicle. They had no idea what I was talking about. So I suggested a mudslide ice cream base but with grand Marnier and something orange. Grand Marnier was supposed to be a $2 upcharge, receipt said $2.75 plus more for the grats. And no orange taste at all, tasted like cough syrup. It's the plain vanilla looking one in the photo. He's constantly switching drinks and not telling us until confronted about it. The other night our friend asked for Kahlua and Coke. Well they ran out of Kahlua and literally gave her a cup of coffee mixed with coke. Last night she asked for Bailey's on the rocks, they swapped it with salted caramel instead because he ran out. I get it, you don't want to run downstairs at closing time for one drink, but tell us and let us pick something else instead. Don't surprise us with things we didn't ask for. She's got the PPlus plan and only drinks those two things, so we keep telling them they better keep it stocked. They don't, and it's a constant struggle each night. Lots of little issues this trip but we're still having fun because it was about being with our friends. I'm just really surprised at some of the things we're seeing.

With the luck we had at the crane game winning ducks someone said we should try the one in the casino with rolls of cash. Didn't know it was there, but found it and won on the third try. Whole casino was cheering and a worker sweeping the floor couldn't pick his chin up. I'm guessing no one ever wins. 20 on the outside and a wad of 1s inside. Counted it back in the room and in total was about $100. Yeah!

We ate at Osheehans last night. Used to be one of our favorite spots on the ships. Not because it's amazing, but because it was simple comfort food. Sadly I don't think we'll be back. For the wings they confirmed they now marinate them overnight in a brine to season them. Lando doesn't tolerate any spice so prefers them naked and has been able to get them that way on other ships. We asked, they said no. They sent over the manager who explained what we already knew and said we would need to pre order to have them defrosted and saved outside the brine. No thanks, skipping the mushy wings. I got the sausage sliders. I knew it was considered an app, but they took have changed and downsized since last time. One sausage link cut into 6 thin slices across 2 tiny buns. And I challenge you guys to count the number of fries with hubbies hot dog. The fact that we could count them and after I stole one it looked like he had none was just sad. With all the snacks in the room we weren't starving by any stretch, just disappointed in all the constant changes and cuts. Would have asked for a separate plate of fries for the group to share, but they never came back around.

Hubby was taking a nap while Lando & I were on the balcony for sail away. He came running to us and said we needed to call the Ghostbusters. I thought he had too much sun out too much drink. But he kept going on about Zuul coming to get us from the tub. I go back inside and the bathtub is making gurgling sounds and filling up with bubbles from the drain. We haven't used the tub once yet. I want to, we just haven't had time yet really for me to have a nice soak. Called the cabin steward just to see his thoughts and he said several rooms share the same drain. So the bubbles we were seeing were coming from another cabin that used too many. He said he would sanitize the tub when we went to dinner, but ick. Especially when I know the kids in the room next to us had stomach bugs the other day.

Some more photos as we pulled away from San Juan.

First world problem complaint - the TV. Not counting the NCL promo channels, there's 1 sports channel, 1 kids channel, 1 "prime TV" channel, and 4-5 news channels. In Haven we get the movies and such for free, but there used to be a channel for comedy movies, action movies, etc on the normal tellie. We're just lounging waiting to sail away and it's nice to have background noise. But without resorting to the on demand stuff the choices are really limited.

More room snacks.... Too much food.

Drunken cookies.... Yummy, but better to eat in the room. They're melting in this heat and getting messy.

Local food, then headed to a brewery and drunken cookies.

When in Puerto Rico, rum.

Carnival celebration just pulled up too, dwarfing the RCC ship.

Rain stayed away so we got lucky today. RCC grandiuer of the seas is next to us. They're so tiny! Especially compared to the Wonder that was near us on day one. Late breakfast in the room, hopping in the shower now (need to pull the curtain today), then going to walk and wander looking for mofongo, rum, and alcohol. I think Lando wants to walk to the fort, but we did that last trip here so we'll meet him for lunch at some point.

All the courtyard furniture was wrapped up as there was a bit of a storm we were sailing through last night. We caught a bit of a rock band as we came up to the pool deck but they had to stop from the rain. Headed to the Haven bar and we didn't leave until around 1am. The entire gang was up there last night and aside from a group of officers in the back, just a handful of other guests with us. We asked if we could do a shot for the group right before closing and at first they said no. "No shots allowed on the Epic". We asked well why do you have shot glasses right there then? Then it changed to them not having enough glasses. Not trying to be difficult, but ***** are the actual rules vs what you just don't feel like making? They ultimately did make 16 baby beers (we picked that thinking it would be easiest for them) but they certainly weren't happy about it. The officers were there till midnight, so as long as they were there the bar stayed open for us. But this trip has been weird in that the rules keep changing and lots of folks are making us feel as if we're asking for crazy things when it's simple requests other times.

Dinner at la cucina was interesting as well. We had wanted to use our FAS credit so I can get two items on the left menu (one of the few places I do) and Lando was using his voucher with the free wine. At first the waitress said we all were only allowed one app, 1 entree & 1 dessert. Then when we asked about the FAS credit being different she said no they're the same, then said it's fine and yes we could get more, then said 3 total items regardless. So we were very confused. I wanted to order the buratta, but it's no longer on the menu. Just "mozzarella" now. And they don't even drizzle balsamic on it. I picked two from the left side, the boys just wanted one and it was fine somehow but hubby would have got the calamari if he knew for sure he could have it as part of the package. For dinner I asked if it was possible to switch the shrimp for dinner chicken on the fra diavoli, she wasn't sure and said she would ask the chef. She came back and said no. No problem, let me see the menu again so I can pick something else. She said no, she'll ask again and disappeared. Didn't see her again until the apps came so I had no idea what I was getting for dinner. Ultimately they did let me have a simple chicken breast with the spicy linguini, but the way it was handled was very odd to us. If they couldn't do it no problem, but why come tell us they can't only to go back and ask again for it to now be yes they can? So 2 for 2 with oddness and be rules at the specialty restaurants so far. Canolis are about half the size I remember them being, but we were all stuffed anyway so it was fine.

Spent most of yesterday lounging in the Haven courtyard. Kids were over running the pool and hot tubs, then they finally condensed into one and I was able to get in the other with random folks to soak. Those are much harder to get in/out of than on other ships as the handrail is on the floor only and there's a large top step. I slipped a little climbing out and will have a decent bruise behind my knee tomorrow. We thought of doing a pub crawl but way too many people in the general area, 3-4 deep with loungers on the pool deck. Stopped in the arcade to win some ducks, and got the giant glitter one on the first try.

I have to laugh when I turn on the TV because they butchered my name somehow. Lots of typos in the dailies too that we keep finding, and on the paperwork in the room the space bar isn't working on their computer because all our names are mushed together. Yesterday's breakfast in the room. Still need to teach the ships how to maker a proper BEC.

Officers on board... When I get home I'll add then to the 2024 office thread unless someone else wants to do it. Just too hard on the phone to bother. Didn't catch the captains image as it scrolled by, but he's a Norwegian gent. Yesterday we had the captains VIP party in the Haven lounge and got to meet them all. We were chatting with the assistant general manager who was able to find the sommelier name for us, Diana. She just got on board when we did and had 2 days of safety drills and tests before she was allowed to start working. We had asked the concierge but they said they didn't know. Assistant GM said she didn't know, but picked up her phone and asked her F&B manager who it was. Made a note that we would be driving in la cucina later that night and poof she came to our table when we sat down. So yeah, great service by the AGM, but not much help from the concierge. Chatted with her briefly to just explain we like asking for recommendations for dinner at Cagney's based on what is there on the ship and to have it decanted before we arrive. She gave us a tastes of something to try and it was fine without being over the top ($59 for the bottle), then filled the glasses up for a free full size taste and said everything would be taken care of for Thursday. She also gave us a good recommendation for a free white to have with dinner that night. On this ship there's no wine bar, so we missed some of the wine tasting they had earlier in the day. I'm not good at reading the dailies.

Pulling into Old San Juan now and it looks like we may get lucky with the weather after all. Some photos from the other day at dinner and while we were at sea.

The full motley crew

Closed out the Haven bar again last night chatting with the group. The bar on Epic is much larger than Encore/Joy, but the lounge parts are not conducive to large groups. We keep having to take chairs from different pods in order to sit together with our big group. There’s a spot in the back that would work, but last night there was a family with 4+ kids sitting back there playing games. So figured there needed to be a buffer between our salty mouths and their fresh ears. Lots of kids on this trip in Haven, but some have started to come down with a stomach bug. So last night that kept a bunch of them in their cabins at least. We’re fine with kids – just not fine with loud ones that run up and down the halls. The ones from last night just kept going in/out of the lounge every 10 mins chasing each other up and down the hallway. There must be something wrong with the door because you have to hit a button to get out, and notoriously everyone struggles with the timing because the button is more off to the side. So they hit it, and by the time they go back to the door it’s locked on them again. Without fail nearly every person old or young has to try it 3x before they can get out. But with the kids, they just sit there banging on the door, pushing, pulling and making a scene trying to get out. Every. Ten. Minutes. If it happens again tonight we’ll have to speak up to mom and dad because 1) there’s another door that doesn’t have the odd lock right next to where they were sitting, and 2) learn how to use a door without creating a scene, and 3) it’s past 11pm – put the 7yr old to bed. (yes, non parent sitting here judging away, not fair, mind my own business, they’re on holiday, yadda yadda, I get it). Sea day today, so just going to walk and wander the ship. I got a bit crispy crittered yesterday in the sun, so if we lounge near the Haven pool I’ll be sure to put sun screen on today. Speed test comparison to back home hardwired, home wifi, and then ship wifi on the FAS minutes. So if Starlink is here, it’s still not great. Photos below load quick because they're small in size.

So dinner in Moderno’s last night was a little odd. We were planning on using our latitudes vouchers, but forgot to bring that darn paper with us. So used to having the peel off coupons that I hang near the door on a magnet. When we got down there we asked if we needed to have it with us, the hostess said yes, and so hubby ran back to the room to grab both of them (our sapphire one, and our cabin mate’s platinum one). While waiting the hostess kept saying that we were using one dining credit and one voucher, and we kept correcting her to say no, we wanted to use 2 vouchers for the 3 people. She kept telling us no and that we couldn’t do that. It was one voucher per 24 hours. First I’m hearing of that rule. So we asked how that works with 3 people in the same room with different latitude accounts and status levels. What if hubby & I ate at Moderno, but Lando ate solo in Le Bistro – would that not be allowed? If it is, how is it any different from person #3 using their voucher in the same restaurant as us? Lots of back and forth, going to get the manager, etc etc. She was trying to convince us that it’s the same whether you use a voucher or a credit, but it wasn’t the last time we sailed. Main difference is with La Cucina that I can think of. With the FAS dining credit you can get an app, a pasta, a main, and a dessert. With the voucher, we have always only been able to get one item from the left side menu – so either an app OR a pasta, not both. Those little details are important to a picky eater like me because La Cucina is one of the few restaurants where I actually will eat more than one app, so with that rule we know to use our FAS credit and NOT the voucher there. But the Moderno host was telling us it’s the same thing and the number of selections are the same for both. I don’t believe her, but we’ll test it tonight and just use our OBC to get my burrata if needed. Ultimately the manager said we were fine and could both use a coupon tonight at Moderno. They seated Lando & I and were going to escort hubby to the table after he presented the papers. But talk about confusing, talk about back and forth and rules that don’t make sense. It certainly complicates things when you have more than 2 in the cabin with you who each have some status level. Hubby said the hostess had to sit there and cut the individual coupons out of everyone’s papers and then return the rest of the form back to all guests so they could use their 2nd coupon and laundry thing. For laundry though it says to just write something on the slip, so that’s fine. But you would need the paper back for that 2nd voucher – so are guests supposed to bring their own scrapbooking supplies? Not sure if this was just because the regular printing press thing not working or them trying something new, but not sure this new system is working well. After we were all seated the wait staff and head manager were extremely attentive, not sure if it was to make up for the 10 mins discussion at the podium to even get in. When they saw us slowing down or being more selective they would ask what we specifically were waiting for and bring that over. Meats were a bit salty, but they were still good and tasty. Some cuts were more well done than our preference, so if you’re particular just talk to them before they cut and they’ll pull from a less crispy side. Hubby found grilled provolone in the salad bar area – so that was a golden nugget find and worth a taste if anyone hasn’t had it before. We had it at our local churrascaria then bought a few blocks of grilling cheese for home to make it ourselves. So now we’re hooked. Photos to come when we’re on land tomorrow, not going to waste all my free minutes trying to upload them now. CC is still listed as a “free” internet browsing site, but it never loads unless you’re using a wifi package – so that’s a lie. Well it loads, but it's so painfully slow it's impossible to actual be useful.

Yes, it's true about the lobster tails. Haven’t tested this ourselves first hand to confirm, but some of our traveling mates last night said that the Haven is now limiting the lobster to 1/pp and charging for any additional tails that guests request. There were apparently too many cruisers coming in and ordering 3-4 tails per meal and abusing the system, so now they’re charging for additional tails. I don’t eat lobster (the one from night 1 went to hubby, I just wanted the filet), but that will be interesting how strictly that is enforced. I would imagine it’s to cut down on the excessive egregiousness, rather than the +1 here and there.

Haven wait was no doubt due to first day and everyone wanting to go. I'll see how the rest of the week goes. Lando's wife had the magnets made up. They're not staying enough to stand on these walls alone but it's cute. Tendering back was a doozy. We arranged for a golf cart pickup for the 11 of us (2 went back earlier) at 2:30. Last tender was 3. The line was several hundred deep, Lando pulled the Haven card and we skipped ahead of everyone. Sorry, not sorry. After getting to the ship it took another 30+ mins to get off the tender and onto the ship. Haven priority elevator right on up once through security. It's those little perks that make it "worth it". Finally back on the ship around 3:30. Tons of snacks in the cabin, just relaxing a bit before we shower up for dinner.

Oh, and at breakfast the butler said we can't get French press coffee. She made the press and poured it into a carafe, but you can only have personal French press in the restaurant. Odd....