SoCA6ft5

The best advice is that it never hurts to ask. The odds may be slim to none on getting a different cabin, but all they can say is, "sorry, no." I believe NCL gave up on keel-hauling passengers years ago."

Don't worry Clay, NCL won't file for divorce. Enjoy the new cruise line and don't forget to let us know how you liked it.

It all boils down to what you think they like. If they are foodies, I would lean towards the Escape, especially with Food Republic. Shows, in my book RCL tends to have a slight edge. Escape has great water slides and the ropes course - Freedom has the Flowrider and rock wall. I really don't think you'll go wrong with either choice.

We will be on our first NCL cruise in 39 days on the Escape! So used to Carnival and Disney, I'm curious how the shopping is on the Escape? Thank you!!!

 

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We didn't feel the shops on the Escape offered much special other than a few Guy Harvey (artist for the hull art) items. Typical watch & jewelry store, cosmetic and fragrance shop, daily "specials" in the hallway between the shops.

Do the breakfast & lunch menus in the MDR change daily, or are they fixed for the duration of the cruise? We're on a 7 day Eastern Caribbean sailing on the Escape if that makes a difference. Thank you.

The Escape cycles through three different breakfast menus. Although each has mostly the same items, each menu has three "daily specials" that change daily.

Sorry, nothing I can post here. Was reported on a FB page with the new menu which I don't feel comfortable posting without the photographer's permission (she is currently on BA).

 

The new menu has removed individual plate charges and the bottom of the menu states 14.99$ cover charge pp.

 

Other BA cruisers have confirmed this on FB. I'm assuming that right now it's only a trial on the BA, and hasn't carried over to GA or Escape at this time.

Thanks! I'll see if I can find it there.

This all seems odd to me. This appears to be a reversal of the trend of going from a single cover charge to a la carte pricing in the other specialty restaurants. Also the price point of $14.99, when sandwiches were $3.99-$8.99 (most $6.99), sides were $2.99. If you add dessert, OK another $3.99. Of course, I still remember when Le Bistro was $15 (or did I just dream that?). Anyway, does anyone have (non-Photoshopped) evidence of this new cover charge?

We were in a Haven forward on deck 9 and there is a crew bar outside on deck 8 so if I were you - go has high as you can. We complained a few times and they swore it was closed down but it woke us up again after that. I hated to shut down one of the few places the crew can let their hair down, but being awakened at 2 AM was a problem.

I would go for deck 11, but higher last 2 digits. (11726 & 11728, 11122 & 11124, 11722 & 11724). The higher the cabin number, the further back it is. The first 2 digits indicate the deck; 100s, 200s, & 300s are port; 700s, 800s, & 900s are starboard. Motion is less the closer you are to the pivot point (lower and somewhat mid-ship). Further back should get you well away from the crew bar area as well.

Keep watching the NCL website. Cabins that are booked today, may open up later. Many folks cancel just before final payment date and larger travel agencies book blocks of cabins and release cabins closer to the cruise dates. There's no guarantee, but some mid-ship balconies may open up.

Is this the webcam you looked at? http://www.portbermudawebcam.com/

Yes. Today, the NCL ferry seemed to have passengers returning from St George's.

It's frustrating, but try not to fret too much. Only about 25% of the reservations are set aside for online booking. They should have a variety of times available once you get on board.

We are not doing any dining packages. We are just doing what comes w the cruise, I believe. Which is buffet and main dining room correct?? We never do any of the premium dining on CCL either.

I am excited to try Howl at the Moon. We enjoy dualing pianos and other than Ben, we really haven't found anyone on CCL we like in the piano bar.

So booking shows right at 90 days is a must also??

You have a nice choice of "complimentary" dining rooms. Rather than one MDR, you have three to choose from. Taste and Savor are located opposite each other on deck 6, and the Tropicana Room aft on deck 7. They all share the same menu, Tropicana is more lively with live music during dinner.

Also "complimentary" are O'Sheehan's on deck 7 forward is open 24 hours and has pub/comfort food - burgers, fish & chips, hot dogs, salads, etc.; Shanghai Noodle Bar on deck 7 aft; and the Garden Court Buffet.

Throughout the ship look for video touchscreens. You can use them to display the approximate wait-time at each of the restaurants on-board. Make sure you download the Norwegian iConcierge app before you board. Once on-board you can use it to book reservations.

I would also add, be nice to your bartender - it may help with rule-bending.

Just from what I've read here on CC, it seems like a great deal of the passengers on the BA try to disembark ASAP, leading to long lines just to get off the ship. We're going to follow our usual routine of getting a leisurely breakfast and disembarking among the last group of passengers.

This may be good news. On a webcam sweep just before the scheduled 2:00 PM departure today, the ferry was tied up opposite the BA. On the sweep back at ~2:20 the ferry was not there. Hopefully it means it's back in service.

As an update. The Bohengy II (aka NCL Bermuda Ferry) returned about 4:20 and departed again for its 4:30 run. However, from what I could see on the webcam, it didn't appear to be carrying passengers. Testing, maybe?

This may be good news. On a webcam sweep just before the scheduled 2:00 PM departure today, the ferry was tied up opposite the BA. On the sweep back at ~2:20 the ferry was not there. Hopefully it means it's back in service.

Easy fix. I would like Ginger Beer with gin. Please put the gin on the side. (so I can throw it away later).

Wasteful, but I like it. How about a virgin Moscow Mule, hold the lime?

This would be a case where I would ask to speak to a Food & Beverage Manager. I would point out (nicely) that mixers are not among the listed exceptions to the UBP. Hopefully this is just a case of confusion. I believe mixers are not included in the soda packages and perhaps some staff have conflated that to apply to the UBP as well. Their one "out" may be that the UBP states that it is good for "unlimited fountain sodas."

You might want to contact customer service for a possible refund. You never know until you ask.

Thanks for the info. Sounds reasonable.

 

I'm not sure what kind of training Security receives, but can they physically remove someone at their discretion? I would think there has to be some sort of safety issue before going that far. They can certainly step in and try to calm the situation though, which apparently didn't happen in the situations you describe.

Looking at NCL's Guest Conduct Policy https://www.ncl.com/faq/guest-conduct-policy , which includes inappropriate, discourteous, abusive, & disruptive behavior (among other things):

FAILURE TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS POLICY MAY RESULT IN:

• Intervention by Security, other management personnel or law enforcement
  
• Removal of certain onboard privileges, which may include being detained, quarantined or confinement
  
• Confiscation of illegal/contraband/prohibited items (may be turned over to law enforcement authorities) and used for prosecution
  
• Denial of boarding on the current or any future Norwegian Cruise Line cruise vacation
  
• Reporting of incidents to government and law enforcement authorities for follow-on legal action
  
• Removal from ship at the next port-of-call. Guests removed from a Norwegian Cruise Line ship pursuant to this policy, are responsible. Documentation requirements for re-entry into the guest’s home country are also the responsibility of the guest.
  

The inability to book shows has been reported in several other threads. Let us know when you are able to book.

Thanks, I had noticed that too. I originally figured the online allocations had been booked. But now it looks like that may not be the case.

BTW: I found your recent review most helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post all the dailies, menus, show schedules, those great pictures, etc. They really help with planning. Of course, I blame you for making me upgrade (again) to a Haven Spa Suite. :D

For those who have already booked or have been unable to book these shows on upcoming Bermuda cruises - I received the following information from the pre-cruise concierge:

“Cirque Dreams” and “Rock of Ages” are not available to pre-book at this time. They are currently changing their schedules.

For reference, I'm on the 8/13/17 sailing. I don't know if this applies only to this sailing, but if you have an upcoming Bermuda cruise on the BA you might want to check your show reservations in the upcoming days.

I'll try to pass it on if I hear they have settled on new times and/or are open for new reservations.

My e docs are finally ready and printed..but I do not have luggage tags or see where i can find them on NCL website...Help!

The link to download your luggage tags is not overly obvious. Under "At the Pier" on your eDocs is a little suitcase. To the right of the suitcase it says, "Print luggage tags here." The word here is actually a hyperlink to your luggage tags. The print is very small and easy to miss.

Wow SoCa, if it doesn't matter why bring up the subject? To suggest someone is putting up a facade is not only being judge mental on their behavior but suggesting they are a phony. You might have a valid point, but to be honest I do not see justifying myself to a a perfect stranger. I cannot see any justification to ask or push someone to out themselves . The couples that have responded that they either don't get questioned or don't care is totally different from a single person in my opinion. If all questions are fair game, the privacy and respect are gone.

Please know I did not mean to offend. I can only speak from my own experience. (I'm the one who hid behind a facade for years. I'm the one who felt I had to hide the fact I was gay). The only point I was trying to make was we don't always know other folks motives. What seems to us as prying may be someone's clumsy way of reaching out. I know this isn't always (or maybe seldom is) the case, but just offering that there may be other reasons behind the question. Perhaps I just don't agree with those who suggest throwing back something snarky to the person who asked the question. "Why do you ask?" seems to me to be more the proper response. But as I said YMMV (your mileage may vary).

Just stumbled across this thread. Nice to see the question is being explored from various angles. I agree, and think it's sad, that there are still some rude/ignorant/phobic/etc. folks out there. However, rather than seeing the "are you gay?" question as prying, I see it as the other person trying (clumsily maybe) to say, "I want you to know you don't have to [hide behind a facade/you can speak openly to me"/etc.]. Determining a person's reason for asking such a question is not always easy, but I have found this paradigm (that of someone just reaching out) has served me well. YMMV

Might to be good for them to check with their bank regarding daily spending limits on their debit card. If needed, many banks will raise or make exceptions to these limits if requested.

The "dress up or not" night allows you to get all-gussied-up for photos, for which there will be several locations set up on board that night. But, as others have said, there is no night you will feel out of place w/o coat and tie.