RunBikeCruiseDC

4 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

You only get the meals on 5 day or longer cruises.

Ah - good to know.  We are looking at a 5 day one but thought a shorter trip may be better for our timing.

We have just reached Platinum status.  I see some great deals on last minute short cruises, even enticing us with using CruiseNext deposits for 3-5 day cruises!  Would we still get the dinner at Cagneys/Le Bistro AND La Cucina/Moderno  on a 3 or 4 day cruise?

I mentioned a while back that my first cruise was on the Carnival Celebration in 1992.  Well, I just sailed on her again as the Grand Celebration with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Lines.  She's been well taken care of.  Brought back a lot of memories.

In Nassau, just west of the cruise ship docks, there is Junkanoo Beach. I do know that it does have some accessibility, but do not know if they have beach wheelchairs or not. Could not find the concession that services it. It is only .6 miles from the cruise terminal and the route is accessible.

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Great!  I'm on a knee scooter and have a cast so that might be a nice place for me to go spend a few hours,  I'll have to cover my cast as not to get sand in there and no water but at least I can get off the ship and enjoy a bit!

Beth - are you back from your cruise?  Just wondering how it went as I'm leaving on a cruise with a knee scooter in a few weeks.  I have an OasisSpace all terrain scooter.  I do avoid grass as much a possible as I feel unstable with divets and such but it's probably better than a standard knee scooter.

I recently had surgery and cannot put weight on one leg.  I am on a knee roller/crutches and have a cast.  From what I recall, Nassau had high curbs.   Water sports are out since I cannot get the cast wet, soft sand isn't going to work well with crutches or my scooter.  I seem to recall Junkanoo Beach has some hard packed sand closer to the road.

Anybody have any ideas of things to do if they have mobility issues?  Or should I just enjoy the ship? 😉

On 9/20/2019 at 5:25 PM, casofilia said:

I would not have paid the $30 the cost used to be never mind $46!!!    It is not worth the extra above the built into the cost of the MDR dinner in the cruise price.

We used to LOVE Moderno but like much dining on NCL it has lost its edge.  Will still use our free Latitudes voucher there.

Yea, I think it was about $20 the first time we tried it.  Then we had a few times with dining package.  It's been hit or miss.  I wouldn't pay $46 for it, we have Brazilian steakhouse in the DC area that aren't that much more ($50-75) and they are amazing.

Good review!  In a way, it was probably nice to be on a more laid back sailing!  Maybe we can try to sneak away before the crowds pick up again!

On 9/15/2019 at 10:59 AM, McFins said:

Just off the Escape and found the entertainment (which we really liked in the past) was the best it has ever been.  Choir of Man is a great show and Howl at the Moon is a really fun time.  

However also not to be missed is Golden Octaves (a group of 3 that played mostly in the Skyline Lounge) as they were  exceptional.   Ditto for the guitarist, Orly Penate who played mostly at Tobacco Road and one day at the District Brewhouse and the Supper Club. 

 

Orly is still around?  That's good to know - he's amazing!!! we stalked him on the Escape last year - LoL!!!  I thought Choir of Man ended? or maybe it was just the crew we had (we saw it the very first week on the Escape).

They have an app!  I'm sure it works on all ships by now (we've only been on the newer ships since the app came out). I believe the app is free for making reservations and checking out what's going on around the ship.  I think the $10 charge is only if you want to use it to communicate with other passengers.  They also have touch screens around the elevators where you can make reservations for dinner and shows.

On 9/15/2019 at 1:50 PM, gmbhardy said:

Maybe it’s just bad luck but our experiences at Cagney’s have been mediocre at best. We find the filets better at Le Bistro and La Cucina.

My husband loves the filet at Le Bistro!  He also thinks its better than Cagney's filet.  I assume you can get a similar peppercorn sauce at Cagneys?  I typically won't order beef at Le Bistro as I'm more of a duck or seafood type when I eat at French restaurants. Overall, we are happy with Cagney's so we always have at least one dinner there. 

Oh - East and West is new!  I like North and South!

Glad you enjoyed the Escape and Bermuda. That's our favorite ship!  O'Sheehans has great breakfast and okay for a snack, we've never done dinner there.  We've yet to try Margaritaville for breakfast - always forget about it.  One hint is the drinks from Margaritaville are included in the package so we always venture up there for a Havanas and Bananas or Margarita at some point. 

On 9/13/2019 at 4:58 PM, ColeThornton said:

 

The SHIP provides soap and shampoo.   If you aren't particular about brands what they provide is just fine.

I like the toiletries, and I'm picky!  I love the lemongrass body lotion!

15 hours ago, elwood_98034 said:

I wasn't having a shot at you. The upgrade paid itself back just on Starbucks and bottled water for two adults and two kids. Seriously.

 

So the upgrade let's you get coffee and bottle water now? We found out a "work around" by ordering espresso and baileys. 😉 or irish coffee.  also espresso/cappucinos were included in the casino if you are on a Casinos at Sea drink card...  

Ugh - we just earned Platinum. So much for our loyalty. What a disappointment, we were looking forward to priority boarding but now it looks like we have to compete with extra people...

3- We have 5 meals at specialty restaurants. What can we order there? More than one appetizer? How does this work?

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Usually an appetizer, entree and dessert but it depends on the restaurant.  I know I have gotten a salad and appetizer before.  At Cagney's it includes a few sides each (potatoes, asparagus, sauteed mushrooms). Moderno Churrascaria is all you want.  I  don't know how it works with Pintxos or Food Republic as we always paid for the small plates rather than use our package.   What ship are you on?

On 9/9/2019 at 10:13 AM, skeeter195 said:

First off let me say that we had a great time on the Escape last week for the most part.  Even arriving 6 hours late on Sunday due to Dorian was not a big deal.  We were kept up to speed with what was happening with our late arrival back in NY.  There are some things though that NCL really needs to change to not look so shady to their passengers. One of the biggest things is with the dining package.

 

I have read and know about how the specialty dining plan works.  I know about the one entree rule, etc.  I will sometimes order an extra app or salad and have never been charged, or if I am I just mention "their rules" about only one entree not apps or salad.  On September 2nd, our 30th wedding anniversary we ate at Bayamo.  We both ordered a salad, app and an entree, no dessert.  The server informed us that their would be an extra charge.  I was in no way going to argue or even bring up that there should be no charge as it was a special day.  The bill comes and we are charged an extra $22, I sign, leave my usual $20 tip and we go on with our night and will deal with the charge later in the cruise.  On September 5th we return to Bayamo and we order an app and salad again.  The server tells us again that there will be an extra charge.  Here is where I almost lose it.  I then very politely tell her that there should only be an extra charge for an extra entree.  She then says "oh you know about that", smiles, says that she is sorry and that they are told to tell, and charge everyone the extra.  We have our meal(which is awesome as usual) get the bill with NO up charge and leave.  I go to guest services the next day to pay down my onboard account with cash and ask to have the first Bayamo up charge removed.  I was told that the charge was correct.  I then pull out my receipts from both nights and show them that one night I was charged and one was not for the same things.  She makes a call and then tells me that the manager is going to make an exception for me this time.  I tell her that I do not want an exception I just want what is fair and the manager comes and speaks to me himself.   

 

My point here is if I did not know about and bring up that I know the rules with the dining plan that I would have been charged.  How many passengers are charged each week because they do not know to bring this up.  In my eyes this is stealing by NCL.  If you want to charge more, fine put it in writing.  Do not put the servers in an awkward position hoping that the guest does not know the rules.  It is extremely unfair to charge one person and not the other for the same thing.  

Bayamo and Ocean Blue have been an upcharges for a while.  This is nothing new.  There are certain items on Cagney's and Le Bistro that are upcharges...

On 6/28/2019 at 6:01 PM, bellame said:

Wasn't going to post this question .... a little embarrassed ....but this seems to be the right place!!

Any bars open REALLY EARLY on Breakaway?  I've learned that Bailey's can turn a mediocre cup of coffee into quite yummy!  Or do I need to do like Amy JA and get it the night before?

O'Sheehans (or The Local on Bliss) is open for breakfast and I think they stay throughout most of the cruise.  We have gotten baileys and coffee there plenty of mornings...

46 minutes ago, expectthebest said:

If you like a twist on a pina colada you must order a ‘Miami vice’ 

it’s red white and blue and resembles a ‘bomb pop’

i guarantee when you are walking back to your deck chair 10 different people will stop you and ask what you are drinking!!!

its amazing

and when I'm in the mood for sweet, Miami Vice!

On 6/26/2019 at 12:22 PM, basicprincess24 said:

My favorites are the Rebellious Fish and the Painkiller! 

Rebellious Fish and Dark and Stormy!  Though I don't think either are very sweet.

23 minutes ago, Observer said:

Sorry to reply to my own post.  It was too late to edit.

 

It may be that the new regulations will be only forward looking and that visits/port stops already scheduled and booked by tourists will be protected and can move forward unimpeded.  This would surely be a welcome scenario by the cruise lines and other travel providers.  Perhaps we will have to wait and see the regs as published in the Federal Register.  I read somewhere that there was a surge in bookings to Cuba after Bolton predicted a crackdown in the spring.

I'm wondering if some of us can do a quick last minute cruise to cuba?  I can't go until after schools let out which is why I haven't booked yet.

On 11/27/2018 at 12:02 AM, Heidi13 said:

Memory is a little vague, but I believe on P&O it was called clay-pigeon shooting. It was similar to what "Cruising Cockroach" described as trap shooting, as I only recall a single target moving away from the ship.

They had trap shooting on the Carnival Celebration in 1992.    I was just talking about this with somebody the other day!  Of all the things in the ocean, I would assume clay would be benign...

On 3/31/2019 at 8:58 AM, time4u2go said:

Very true.

 

I just find it interesting how people are so vocal in opposition to this, but they continue to patronize the offending cruise line.

I have yet to sail on RCCL, the hubs and I were considering trying them next.  With all this talk about dogs on board, we probably will stay with NCL.  We love our dogs but they belong at home while we are on vacation.  

On 2/22/2019 at 8:05 AM, rabidstoat said:

By the way, you can actually cruise with your non-service dog if on Cunard's Queen Mary 2. They have a full-time kennel master and space for a couple dozen animals, dogs or cats.

 

The dogs are brought on early and they are not allowed outside of the large kennel area. There are deck areas and inside areas for them to run around and socialize with other dogs. There are also about 8-10 hours during the day designated as visiting hours for the owners to hang out with their dogs if they want. And I've heard that if you want to visit your dog whenever the kennel master will let you.

Now that's a great idea!   I would love to travel with my pets but also want to be free to come and go as I please on vacation.