The Shrike

Not a VOC, but during our first VRC, Romantic Danube. The first day was of course quite hectic with everyone getting settled, exploring the ship, etc. I went to the semi-crowded bar twice in the evening for a glass of Scotch and was served by the same bartender both times. The next evening I went down to the almost empty bar for a pre-dinner drink. The bartender looked at me for about 1.5 seconds and said "Hello, Mr. James, we've just brought up a couple of bottles of 15 year-old Scotch, would you like me to pour you one?"

OBC = Onboard Credit. This is money credited to your ship account to be spent while on the ship. An example: we went to the Latitudes desk on a sailing last month to ask about the behind-the-scenes tour. Due to Schmovid, they were not doing the tours. Instead, they gave us $50 OBC. FCC = Future Cruise Credit. Money credited to your NCL account for a future cruise. An example: we had a big, last minute (as in, we were already at the pier) change in itinerary for that sailing last month. As way of apology, NCL gave us a FCC of 30% of the cost of the cabin we'd booked, good for any sailing through 31 Dec 2023.

We were in a Suite on the Star last month. Breakfast was in Moderno's, lunch in Cagney's.

A few years back my PCC called me and told me the fare on a cruise we were booked on for a few months out had dropped by about 20%. He said he'd re-booked it for me and all the FAS stuff remained the same. He was calling to let me know so I wouldn't be surprised when I got the new invoice. Damn, he was a good PCC. He's since moved on.

The Wines Around the World is something I'm curious about, too. Our next cruise is in January and hopefully things are back to normal by then.

I disagree! 😜

When you want Scotch with breakfast you just stay up late...very late. Then it's socially acceptable. 😄 It makes me think of my first time in Vegas several decades ago when us young bucks were hungover and heading to the breakfast buffet at 0830 and passed several gaming tables where guys were drinking whiskey already. I couldn't imagine...

My Haven butler scoffed at brushing my teeth for me until I threatened him with a mulcting.

This. This x 100.

I'll do you one better: American Diner, How?

We're Sapphire and could care less about dining with the officers. We do like two free bags of laundry, excursion discounts, and occasionally will take advantage of the spa discount during port days.

Jet Blue/IcelandAir. heading to Reykjavik from Tampa.

We flew out of Tampa last month after staying the night at the airport Marriot. We had a 3:15pm departure. We wanted to check our bags after breakfast. We went to the ticket counter to see if we could and were told we had to wait until four hours before our flight. So I guess it depends on the airport, and quite possibly the airline, too.

Holy crap, I think I got diabetes just looking at that first photo!

We took advantage of the 3rd/4th guest deal and booked a seven-day Caribbean in a two-bedroom Haven villa for next December for $2200/person, including FAS (except 3rd/4th don't get the dining package...no biggie, as we'll eat in the Haven). I can't imaging anyone thinking that that's over-priced.

Still get them each night. I've never had to hunt one down. On our cruise last month they were delayed one night, but as soon as they were available the stewards brought them around.

We've used their transfers several times. Never out of LAX, though. And yes, they have different departure times. The earlier your flight, the earlier you leave the ship. You can wait until you're on board to get the transfers if you want. That way you can talk to the staff and ask them about what time you'd be disembarking based on your late flight. If it's earlier than you want to leave the ship, you can make your own arrangements.

I believe it depends on the head chef which meals will be selected from the rotation for each night.

Just FYI, she asked that nine months ago.

So about $20/day for a 21-day cruise? I would pay that in a heartbeat!

It depends, really. I liked to have the dailies on my phone like tcruisin77 said, and I also like to be able to access my account through it. Other than that there's not much I do with it.

I have a hilarious response that I'll post in Aug 2024.

Last month embarking on the Star in Reykjavik, no one cared about our chosen check-in time. I know they were keeping people to those pretty closely once cruising started back up. But I don't know how much they care now. For those who've sailed recently from different ports, did anyone hold you to your time? Or like our experience did no one care?

LOL! There are many times I start to type a response in a thread, think to myself "Just because I CAN respond doesn't mean I SHOULD respond", and close the window.

See post #86. The wait staff are not the ones doing this.