like2cruise33

So, I am not the only one who wears for dinner what I will wear for the next day- if of course the weather cooperates.

I have recently tried other cruise lines. Some you only had 2 breakfast and 2 lunches in a sit down restaurant - had to use -huge lines- at the buffet. Many actually had Lobster in the MDR and the buffet. Some did not have made to order omelets in the buffet but could get what you want in the MDR (ok language barrier - but it worked sometimes) Some service good/bad as in all lines Only NCL has the 24 hour sit down restaurant/bar. Some ships had - pay for food in little cafes off the main strip. On all ships some food great some not so great - but all edible. Glad to hear that there are crepes at lunch - usually only after dinner when I am stuffed. Not happy to hear that the ship looks tired. And of course I hate lines. Some ships the main theater is so small that you cannot get into the shows. (but I learned you could get into the later show - sometimes. Some ships allow standees, some do not. I just realized that since the planes from USA to Europe are at night I have to go another day earlier - just in case!. I am doing the Mediterranean from Rome to Israel. in Nov. Also now I will need to get absentee ballot. The nice thing about NCL is that they vary their itinerary. One of these days I will try Viking - never heard anything bad about them, but of course the price. Loved the time and energy that you spent on your travel logs. You did not mention eating Puffin. Also there delicious yogurt that can be used for breakfast (almost every day since I found out about it). or as dessert.

When I was in Iceland, some took the puffin cruise the rest went to a 'park' we had a better view. I hope you got to see the Puffins - they really are all around the coast. NO, I did not eat any, but I understand they tasted like liver. Hey people who cringed - we do eat chicken and turkey and hens, they are birds - so are Puffins. Most pictures of me in Iceland have me wearing my rain gear. But the rain was more pesky then a hinderance to what we did. Gosh you guys have a lot of energy. I am hoping for enough energy to enjoy Israel after my Mediterranean trip with Epic in a few months. Oh, I got an email from NCL saying that I can finance my final payment - no interest.

I hope they had more then 1 pound. But thank you so much for looking. Your posts were very entertaining, and the pictures showed beautiful weather. (yea I know it was not all beautiful weather.) Hopefully you are safely home by now, and planning your next trip. I know your posts must have taken quite a while to write, and I did appreciate reading about it - especially the ports I was in, and did not see what you saw.

wow, I guess I was lucky on my TA, we did not have to miss any ports. But I had heard from the guide that a few days earlier some ships had to skip because of the rough seas. Sounds like you had a great trip after all. Traveling when the ships were NOT full was great, any restaurant you wanted - no problem -plenty of seats available. In Moderno - I believe it was my table and maybe one other table on my Panama Canal trip. Did you ever check out the weights in the gym? I will be on the Epic in November for a Mediterranean cruise - Rome to Israel. Must book something sooner than that. On the MSC many many of us were from NCL. Well -obviously we prefer not to fly when we have NY. But my favorite is still NCL.

I am sorry to see that the solo's are meeting at 5:30, I liked it when it was at 6 so you have time to find people for platinum + shared meals. and mingle before rushing off to eat. Your itinerary is similar to my (2 1/2 year wait) TA from NY to Rome on the Gem. Anybody check out the lowest weights in the fitness center? Sat. when I returned to NY on the MSC -was the worst rain storm in history. I and my luggage got drenched. Luckily I live there, but flying people must have had disgusting wet clothes when they arrived home. Also flight delays BC of the weather. - way worse then when you left NY. Most did not bring warm clothes' since it was May!! Oh MSC said we were leaving from NY NY many went to Manhattan, I asked what they thought of the Epic. They said - weird that the front was much higher then the rest of the ship. Most days on my cruise the weather was not great. I even had a wading pool on my balcony. There were many 'pot holes' that the ship ran over our first night. You were in the same Atlantic that I was. I hope for smooth seas and warm weather for the rest of you trip.

I bet we both had a rough first night me heading to Orlando and you heading to Europe- bad storm in the Atlantic. btw has anyone checked the lowest hand weights in the fitness center. On the MSC many of us brought our own since we are a round trip and the lowest is over 8 pounds. On most NCL the lowest is 10 or 5. Joy has 1 to10.

The only food I do not like is the corn beef hash!!! I love their potato’s, hash browns, and fries. Currently on MSC meraviglia out/to Brooklyn. They are NOT doing made to order omelets since the ship has about 5000 passengers and they feel it would take way to long -bummer. Guess I have to wait for Epic. Later this year

I used to love the Gem - too many trips to count. However it came back from its' not' -over hall. Yes, maybe new drapes ands carpets. But rooms still do not have enough outlets and no USB ports .Also the A/C was not working correctly- way to HOT .I hear that the Jewel (maybe Jade) is fantastic and really got an over hall. Jewel, Jade., Gem same class. I was on the Prima - too many things not fixed - i was on the trip NY to Galveston, many things wrong could have been fixed. As you walked (no matter where) it was artic or Sahara within feet. So the Viva is scaring me. But good prices along with a good itinerary might make me reconsider. I am glad that most people like the Epic. On Prima - do not take a balcony on the first room floor - people on the deck can see you!!!! Yes room bigger then Gem. Also check where the room is vs the staircase. some rooms had a really long walk. Also - if you want to diet - do not go on Prima - the food was the best of any NCL.

As mentioned I will be on the MSC out of brklyn on. sat. I am not sure if what I got was because of when I booked or since they match latitude pts. I got free liquids - all types, booze, water, coffee, chocolate, tea up to $10. Per drink - gratitudes included. Also free unlimited WiFi for 2 devices. Some other stuff. They know that many of us love NCL. They are new to NY. I also found out it is HUGE- I do not like huge. lets Hope we all have a great smooth sailing.

I, and most people loved the 'empty' ships. great deals, and no lines. Now prices are going up,up and up, and ships are getting full and fuller. But then again, it was sad for the cruise companies, and all the precourtions they had to do regarding the virues.

Hi, I would love to know the lowest hand weights/barbells in the fitness center. JOY had the best - an A frame with all the lowest weights, most NCL ships start at 5 some start at 10!!!! Joy had 1-10 and of course the heavier ones. GEM did find some lower ones (hidden in the special room)- but usually 5 then 7 1/2 . I am tryng MSC Bklyn to Bklyn on Sat.- bringing my own weights since their lowest is 4KG which is over 8 pounds. I must do the excersizes. Yes the week goes fast, but MUST bring clothes. I will be on the EPIC for Mediteranium to Israel in Nov. and cannot bring my own weights. Thank you for asking. Have a fantastic trip. I hear that while the ship is weird everyone seems to like it

When I was on the Prima you could get all the lamb chops you wanted in the Indulge free restaurant. Lobster was always an upcharge. Somewhere I read that they NCL has to make up all the money they lost during shutdown. I love the 50% off all cruises - I checked with my PCC on a CN I have on a cruise in Nov. The prices just keep going up (as expected) many stores do the same thing, raise the prices and then claim that they are giving you a discount.

hi, glad you are finally sailing. I took the Xmas cruise last year .I have to admit that normally I would not take a winter cruise (will be on the Panama cruise in a few short weeks! ) but my PCC called and mentioned the NY to NY and my cruise withdrawal was high, so i booked. We stopped in Charleston SC - wore the same warm clothes I wore getting on in NY! Next stop Orlando - refused to wear winter clothes but it did warm up. Nobody mentioned this - but last year the entire ship was decked out for Xmas, and in the lobby they had a beautify Xmas village. Of course the ship was empty, as was the TA in April/May on the GEM. And both had many crew in isolation. From what I heard only a few passengers were in isolation. I truly hope that the rest of the trip will be uneventful, warm calm seas, and great shore experiences. I am glad to hear that the bars were open. In some cases the bars and casinos are closed while in NY waters.