Zippeedee

18 minutes ago, cloud_nine said:

Where do you get the scones from?

They put them out in the Garden Café (buffet) around 3pm. They do a whole "afternoon tea" thing. I usually eat breakfast late, skip lunch and go up there to relax with tea and a scone around 3. It is usually pretty quiet.

I was shocked at how much the desserts had improved on the Breakaway in the Garden Cafe last spring. I'm hoping the Getaway has the same changes this year.  I didn't find much to enjoy on the Epic or the Gem, and I'd eat nothing but dessert if it is good. Some of the cakes actually tasted like cake and not just some jello thing.  I love the afternoon tea scones they put out at 3pm, and the cookies. The crepes are good if you can find them at night, and the hard ice cream is fine. Stay away from the soft serve, it doesn't melt! I tried to put it in a cup of coffee to brighten up the awful buffet coffee but it just sits there.  Ick!  Can't beat the seven layer cake in Cagney's (good advice to avoid that raspberry brulee).  In Le Bistro, the crème brulee is very good.  If they have the chocolate fondue, ask for ice cream instead of the fruit and cake and just pour it on. SO good!  I actually like the green tea cake and ice cream at Teppanyaki. The color is off-putting but it tastes good, not too sweet.

I just saw a new menu for Le Bistro on the Escape. I guess I will no longer continue my tradition of toasting the first night with a glass of Veuve champagne. Not at $34.95 a glass! I usually don't mind an occasional small upcharge for something I enjoy, but this crazy. Disappointing.

I did an NCL excursion last year to Paris from Le Havre. We had time for a tour around the city and an excellent lunch cruise on the Seine. It was a great day and we didn't have to worry about getting back in time at the end of the day.

4 hours ago, richstowe said:

The two are more alike then the cheerleaders and haters would admit . I enjoyed t . You can't bring on a bottle of wine or beverages of any kind .If you have the UBP (drink package} this won't matter much. The Epic has many more places that are restricted to suites and upcharge locations then does any Carnival ship . The Haven and the for fee sun lounge areas are examples . The Cirque show is anther fee .

 

You can bring all the wine you want for a $15 a bottle fee.

3 hours ago, SilviB said:

I'm trying to learn as much as possible about our transatlantic for April on the Norwegian Epic.  I'm getting conflicting reports about specialty dining.  We have a 5 night specialty dining package included - it was a free offer - our personal rep intimated that all we would need to pay is tips to the wait staff .. yet I'm seeing posts about reduced a la carte prices, flat fees, etc.etc.  I'm attempting to work out our budget.  I've sent in an email but it takes 3 days to get a response apparently.  Thanks in advance.

You paid the tips with your cruise payment. The only extra costs are for the Cirque dinner show or if you want a second entree with your dinner. I don't think the Epic has an extra cost restaurant like Ocean Blue or Bayamo but those have a small surchage which you will see if you book a reservation.

I paid for 7 specialty dinners for my upcoming  12 night transatlantic. I enjoy the service and food in the specialties and as a solo, I don't have the patience for an overly slow MDR dinner. Some nights I like just a quick buffet dinner or O'Sheehan's. Even back in the UDP days, every night at a specialty was just too much.

If you have the NCL card (mine is Bank of America), for 60,000 points you can book an inside and get an equivalent level balcony. Depending on the cruise that is a much better use of points. I'm looking at a 21 day Panama Canal in 2020.

I did not receive a printed copy on my last two cruises - Epic 11/16 and Breakaway 4/18. I called when I got home and they emailed it to me. Thankfully no issues, but I do keep track on the app or on my tv just in case.

I usually eat breakfast late and skip lunch. I love the scones they put out for tea around 3pm. Cream, jam and a scone. Nice snack before a later dinner.

My cabin steward on the Breakaway did not leave the "soon you'll be leaving" information. I noticed the luggage tags when I went to get coffee in the Atrium. The only tags I could get were  way too late for my private tour and I had no other information. It was a mess.

On an RCCI cruise a few years ago I lost two delicious slabs of pie from a bakery in Portland Maine. They appeared on the scanner and security pulled them out of my bag. I had a choice to eat them there but they were huge and meant for sharing with friends. Live and learn.

Thanks for posting this. I tried multiple times and could not see the new deal. I just called and got it added to my Getaway TA. I had to give up the free wifi I got as a third perk when I booked, but I'd rather have the points and OBC.  I'll be Platinum after this cruise. 

I wish I had taken a picture. There are chairs outside one of the lounges on the Breakaway that are about four feet high in the back but the seat is only about a foot off the floor. Small children and those with really good knees only I guess.

On the TA last Spring they featured the NY Strip in all of the specialties except Cagney’s. I got a rib eye which was the worst steak I have had in years. It took multiple tries to find an angle just to cut into it. Service and everything else was excellent but I didn’t bother to send it back.

That's why I checked the schedule too. Not that my boss would approve, but good to have choices.

Probably in drydock like the Breakaway was for two weeks after the transatlantic last year.

6 hours ago, PelicanBill said:

We had a Deck 8 Balcony fairly far forward port side on our last sailing... never noticed any issue with sound from the theater.

 

The buffet is a long way in the morning.... if you don't want a walk use the room service continental breakfast (no service charge other than small tip) or you may find a mini-buffet set out close by in Maltings Bar. (Deck 8 near forward elevators.)

OSheehan’s on the Breakawy is quite good for breakfast, and much closer to the forward cabins. I had a spa ba,cony on 14 and was usually the last one served around 10:45 each morning. The oatmeal comes with a pitcher of warm milk that much improves the coffee.

If you book for two there may not be room for the third person. If you call you should be able to book for three.

I am apparently "search challenged". Can someone please point me to the place on the NCL site that offers flights? I cannot find it! Thanks!!

April 2018 NYC to Southampton on the Breakaway. The first two days were a little bumpy but the rest was smooth. The spa pool is great when the seas are rolling, just hang on to the railings! I had so much I wanted to do, 12 days wasn't long enough. The entertainment, port history lectures, loose slots(!) and other activities were all really good. Sitting outside between the garden cafe and the pool area with my kindle was almost as nice as the Great Outdoors on the smaller ships. After the Epic and Breakaway I prefer the bigger ships.

Analysis says that current configuration is unprofitable in US markets.

 

Get rid of vip casinos and put in bars.

 

Get rid of the tea room and install the District Brewhouse.

 

Get rid of the designer retail and put in tacky souvenir shops.

 

Take out the high end seafood and put in a Mexican restaurant.

Right, but they also said the Chinese market wants to travel the world, not just the coast of China. Why not give them a ship dedicated to their needs that goes to Australian, the US, South America, etc?

I don't understand why they don't leave it as designed and sell cruises to the Chinese travelers who want to see other places outside China.

I handed my most recent bottle over the balcony rail to the very young newlywed couple next door. They were thrilled.

The thermal spa is amazing. I don't care who sees big old me in a bathing suit in there, I enjoy every minute. There are always solos, women and men, in the sauna, in the massage pool, just enjoying life. Try it!