dnl_in_Illinois

We were on a 2bedroom penthouse suite on the NCL Jade. Squeezed 6 pax into this cabin!

 

Here is the video.

[YOUTUBE]POIy0VzgXGw[/YOUTUBE]

 

Suite perks were absolutely lovely!

Thank you very much!!! Excellent video of the suite. It is nicer than the new ones on the Epic and Breakaway 'tho' they are very nice as well. This is just a bit more elegant.

I have been in the SC 2 bedroom suite on the Dawn and the smaller inside room had a full size futon with a bunk on top. I asked that the futon be made permanently into a bed and that foam toppers be added for comfort. That room is great for kids.

Thank you very much.

You are mixing two different suites, original "2-Bedroom Family Suite with Balcony" which is category SC (on deck 11) and new "Family Suite with Balcony" which is category SD (on deck 12).

 

I assume that you meant to refer to the SC that does not have murphy bed like SD does, because SD doesn't have two bedrooms.

Excellent answer and it provides me with the exact information I wanted. And yes, we are in an SC suite. Thanks so much.

On the NCL Dawn - Family Suites with balcony, does anyone know:

*** Does the second BR, the smaller one, have a queen size bed? I read a reference to that, but none of the Family Suites we have used had a bed of that size (Epic and Breakaway). The bed on those ships was about 4 feet wide as was the bunk that folds down from the ceiling (or wall).

*** I also read a reference to a Murphy bed that pulls down from the wall in the living room area. That is also new from our past experience.

Will appreciate your thoughts if you have knowledge here.

Dave K.

I don't think anyone is saying that the service shouldn't be good or that the OP doesn't have a right to expect good service and complain when they don't get good service.

 

What I'm saying, and I think many others here are saying the same thing, is that no one can turn back time and make it so the problem didn't occur. The only thing NCL can do is make it up to the OP. From the OP's account of the situation it sounds like NCL did try to make it right but the OP declined the offers. That is certainly their prerogative to do so however knowing that you can't unring the bell, it makes sense to make the best of the situation.

 

In this case, the dinner was important to the OP so why not try to salvage the situation and allow the restaurant to recook the steak? If that had happened then the OP would have had exactly what they wanted along with an extra appetizer and whatever else the restaurant gave them. There is a good chance that they wouldn't have had to pay, and the only difference between that and what they originally wanted and expected was that it took longer than they thought and they had to send an entree back as it wasn't right. That really then changes the entire experience and makes it a meal with a service glitch and not a "NCL ruined my anniversary".

Nicely stated!

Just my 2 cents

 

If one comes to the boards to complain (whether it be legitimate or not), you have to expect one of two things.

 

A. You may get people that empathize with your situation

 

B. You may get people that think the situation you are complaining about is ridiculous.

 

You cannot come on here and expect everyone to agree with you. You are leaving yourself wide open for disappointment.

 

If you are not happy with the responses here because it is not what you wanted to hear, than don't post. Period.

 

Me? My opinion? I just thought to myself....did someone die?

I think EVERY single person on these boards have had at LEAST one terrible, inedible meal on a cruise ship. If everyone posted "my ____(fill in the blank) was RUINED. This post was so melodramatic to me. JMO

Does this advice apply to ship reviews as well? Are you suggesting we should avoid negative review comments out of concern we will be attacked?

No point writing anything negative here about NCL. So far after two trips with the line and a third one booked, I have been extremely happy, but the experience of the OP would really **** me off. Why so many people jump to the defense of the cruise line, when it seems obvious they have really messed up I don't get.

You have to listen to bad comments as well as the overwhelming amount of good ones. If it's not made public, those responsible are hardly likely to improve.

Given in this case it was only a two nighter, and their anniversary, I think it is a real shame.

Stop berating people for genuine complaints, it's to everyone's benefit that these are aired here.

I would add to this positive commentary that of all the cruise lines, NCL seems most obvious about wanting to make things right. They value criticism as it is a means to evaluate their people as well. I am sure all cruise lines value input good or bad, but NCL is among those who actually read these boards. Ask them.

Seriously. My husband and I spend at least 3 hours in a restaurant for date night. We enjoy each other's company :cool:

Of course. Any upscale French restaurant would take that sort of time. The point here is that the restaurant failed to perform and that was acknowledged. Appears to me that IF the meal finally arrived and it was acceptable no issue would have existed. IT WASN'T. It was cold, tough and not eatable. Let's try and keep all the facts together.

I know everyone says lol. But I really loudly did! Plus I'm at work at getting strange looks from my coworkers. That was truly hysterical.

If Cruise Critic is not the place to register issues experienced while cruising, where does one go to register a complaint. To compare with the Ebola situation is disingenuous and likely a phony concern comparison. I think people have the right to complain - - albeit constructively.

Actually they did not wait an hour and 3/4 for their entree that would have been really bad. They had appetizers, they had a second round of appetizers and then their entree came out.

Of course they waited an hour plus for their entree (or so they say) and then it was unacceptable. The second appetizer was offered and delivered AFTER several apologies for the wait and to assuage their disappointment. They waited beyond that second appetizer as well. What is reasonable? Even in our best French restaurant in Chicago an hour and a half to get your food would be considered unacceptable. By that time one should be in their 2nd or 3rd course out of 5 or 6 and the food should be prepared as ordered and of good quality. Also recognize that their entree was cold and not eatable (tough). So where is the good service?

It's funny how different people react with different Concierges. You mean Virginia. We barely interacted with her, until mid-way through the cruise. Adrian on the other hand, I liked enough to become Facebook friends with.

 

On the Star recently, Omar was the concierge and he was excellent too. He allowed any suite to use the reserved area in the theatre.

.

For us, Adrian was excellent on our 2 sailings on the Epic.

Appreciate all the answers and comments.

Can anyone inform me WHERE the concierge is located on the Dawn?

That is correct. We were on the Dawn in a family suite and got full perks. Only "suite" that doesn't on all the NCL ships is the mini-suite.

THAT confirms it! Thanks.

Please provide a link to where you read that.

 

All real suites get the suite perks.

Mini suites do not.

I'd have to dig for it but it did date back to 2013. It was something like Garden Villas, Penthouse and Owner's Suites qualify. I have sailed the Epic twice and the Breakaway in Family Suites and always had the full perquisites. When I saw something that seemed to contradict that on the Dawn I raised the question.

I have done some reading that implied that on the NCL DAWN the Family Suites or SC level do not get the priority boarding, use of the concierge, butler, special seating at some f the shoes, et. al.

Can anyone inform me as to just what the Family Suite perks are (SC)? Sure will appreciate it.

Hi Dave

Did you find long lines for the new $16 shuttle?

Also, did you happen to notice if there were any $7 pp shuttles available?

Hope you and your family are enjoying Breakaway and Bermuda!

Safe Sailing!

 

 

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

Hi Robin, I have the cost incorrect on my previous post. The cost is double the bus fare or $8 pp each way or $16 round trip for the shuttle. A bus token is $4. There was very little wait for the shuttle but they do fill the vehicle prior to leaving. Not sure if that applies all day long.

The "new" information we experienced was the long wait and long line for the bus. We saw that the line was long and then people were saying it was at least an hour before our turn. It was then we abandoned the bus and took the shuttle. I do not recall reading anything in the past about a long wait for the bus.

For those looking for the shuttle "ticket agent" it is behind the small building on the dock (in the middle of the pier or middle of the T). One can not miss it.

I am thinking that rather than take the shuttle to Horseshoe Beach or Warwick Beach, I would take a taxi. There will be 3 of us. Would anyone know the cost of a taxi to these beaches?

In Bermuda now. I would agree with the $35 to $40 cost for a taxi. We used the shuttle for 4 people at a cost of $16 per person each direction.

I just sailed the Breakaway and my tips and review is here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2074156

 

 

 

Comedy Magician Michael Finney is not performing on the Breakaway for now. I don't know who they replaced him with.

THAT explains why he is not listed among the entertainment options. Thanks for this.

I have read several comments about a magician who appears as entertainment on the Breakaway.

I have not read where or when he appears.

It does not appear among the entertainment choices on the NCL website.

Can anyone advise? TIA.

See my notes in the quote,

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnl_in_Illinois View Post

Your clarification on where to buy is perfect.

 

There are 5 of us who will take the ferry to Hamilton from the Dockyard - - and back. What is our most cost effective approach to buying tickets?

 

Do I understand correctly that there are day passes for ?? cost and/or $4 tokens that I presume are one way?

 

Day pass : 1 day 15$, 2 days : 25$, 3 days : 35$. Token 4$, cash 4,50$

 

 

It appears that we should use the $4 tokens over and back. Is that the most cost effective approach?

 

Yes, for only a couple of transport, tokens are better

 

 

I understand that the 15 ride book of tix for the ferry are NOT available at the Dockyard and therefore are not an option.

 

You are correct, not available at the Dockyard

I love clear, concise and I am sure accurate responses. Thank you so much! I appreciate the clarification and direction.

There is a booth outside the ship that looks like a souvenir shop. You walk up to one of the two windows and you can buy your pass right there. There also is a small building at the "T" portion of the pier. They sell the passes there also. There is also a Information booth near the dock for the ferry and I believe the passes are available there as well. You do not have to go into Hamilton.

Your clarification on where to buy is perfect.

There are 5 of us who will take the ferry to Hamilton from the Dockyard - - and back. What is our most cost effective approach to buying tickets?

Do I understand correctly that there are day passes for ?? cost and/or $4 tokens that I presume are one way?

It appears that we should use the $4 tokens over and back. Is that the most cost effective approach?

I understand that the 15 ride book of tix for the ferry are NOT available at the Dockyard and therefore are not an option.

there used to be a small liquor store in the clocktower building. There is a convenience store that has beer but I am not sure about wine.

There definitely is a couple of liquor stores on the main street in Hamilton that is a short Ferry ride away...things are expensive in Bermuda. they are either flown in or brought in by ship...

 

You know its cheaper to buy one of the less expensive wines at the restaurant on the ship and just take it off with you(they will allow you to take it back to your room) - they don't check stuff coming off the ship only back on-and finally you CAN take wine about the NCL ships they just charge a $15 corkage charge to do so(for a normal size bottle) so I would suggest the easiest least hassle way would be bring it from home and pay the fee...

Thanks for this. I'll look on the Internet and see if I can verify whether the store in the clocktower building as the wine. If all else fails, and we decide we want the wine for the charter your suggestion of buying it on the ship is the next way to go. We won't have time to get to Hamilton and back as the charter starts the day we dock in Bermuda at 10am. Totally appreciate your suggestions here!

We chartered a boat for a day sail and can bring wine aboard.

Can anyone advise where in the Dockyard we can buy wine?

We can not bring aboard our ship, so will have to purchase the morning of our charter presumably from a shop nearby.

Thanks to any who can help.

People on CC have said that you CAN apply OBC to pay for tips for the butler and/or concierge, if you have their names they can apply and will give you a voucher, not sure if that works with all OBC, though, since there are different types (TA OBC is treated differently than NCL OBC).

 

Also, allegedly you can take out OBC as cash in the casino for a 3% service charge.

Two EXCELLENT tips and knowledge! Now that I think back, we have used the vouchers for tips in the past. That is an excellent suggestion for us. And if all else fails as far as spending the $$ - - the casino is another way to go. Your post has gone into my cruise notes. Thanks so much.

Two weeks ago, the way ours came through was charges were booked until there was a sufficient amount to post the credits. Then we saw the credits.

Thanks for that. After I posted my comments about a negative balance showing for our account I remembered that may NOT have been NCL as we also have sailed on RCCL and HAL. We were on the Epic twice and I can not recall how it was handled. I don't even know if we had the ship credits. Right now, I will go with the expectation that the credit will not apply to the daily service charge.