mdvlprof

Had a carpet soaking wet from issue with the bathroom. Didn't let it ruin vacation. DS front wheelchair wheel broke [not cruise's fault]. Didn't let it ruin my vacation.

Ship staff fixed bathroom problem. Lent us wheelchair until we found a port that had a replacement for the wheel.

Stuff happens.....

Both the M&G I've organized had about 50% attend. Can be a real downer if you've done things like printing nametags.

But it beats the alternative of not knowing/meeting anyone, and feeling you're all alone on a big ship.

I think the Service Charge is the gratuity. I just re-booked this morning to change the May promotion I had to the June UBP and she told me that gratuity was not included. I was never told there was a service charge in addition to that.

 

For me, still a better deal than the $75 dining credit I had last month.

Exactly...UBP, even with 18% service charge [which everyone else call a tip] is much better than $75 dining credit. And more likely to be enjoyed :D

Blue Lagoon - did breakfast there several times on our NE cruise. Set menu, limited options. But nice to be able to look out windows, and not have to deal with crowds,

Moderno - Not a specialty restaurant person, but tried Moderno. A definite YES. I liked Moderno.

Been on 1004 on Glory. Never really had an issue with noise.

DH is addicted to his internet games. I'd have a much easier time convincing him to cruise more often, if he didn't have to give them up.

We're booked for Nov 19, 2015. I'm looking forward to it.

A cruise. Panama. What's not to love??

Mr C slipped in the buffet in the Epic when a waiter spilt some water and went off to get the mop/sign to indicate it was there. The staff were brilliant and fortunately he was only bruised. The medical team checked him out, we received a call that evening and the following day to check he was ok, and given $50 obc as a gesture of goodwill. Truth be told we were shocked at how much they did and didn't expect anything (other than giving Mr C a hand getting up off the floor!) because it was an accident and not done maliciously or due to severe neglect of duty on the part of the company.

 

Sorry you suffered an injury and weren't happy with how it was dealt with, but if it was over a year ago I don't see what you can do.

Yup.

I tripped [over my own two feet :D], spilled my specialty coffee. Someone from guest services happened to be passing by. Was very helpful. Made sure I was okay. Helped me to a sofa so I could sit down. Cleaned up spill. Got me another coffee [at no charge] .. and an éclair-type pastry, too.

The newer ships seem more crowded, and folks wanting to do all the bells and whistles.

I'll take the smaller ships. Don't do all the extra stuff, anyway.

I agree. He is one of the best. Very approachable and really get to know the passengers. We sailed with him for 19 days in April and was hoping he would be on our next April repo.

I liked Alain, too. Seemed to always be running into him.

Haven't been on Star, but have been on sister-ship Dawn.

We've never had problem cruising - at least with crew and design of ship.

Main issue is elevators. Sometimes have to wait to get elevator with room for a wheelchair. Often, to get empty elevator, we go on elevator going opposite direction, and just wait for it to go the other direction.

Christmas Cookie-

On the rocks or blended/frozen

Drizzle glass w/ choc syrup

Oz. Kahlua

Oz. Baileys

Oz. peppermint shnaps

Whole milk

Top with whipped cream and cookie crumbs

Disney Magic/Wonder are the most pleasant to the eye IMO.

I agree!!

Hull art ........ who cares? Can't see it from pool deck ;)

Please don't use the term handicap. How about person with a disability or accessible cabin.

What's wrong with using the term 'handicap'? We use it interchangeably with 'disabled', 'differently-abled'. The tag on our van is a handicapped parking tag.

Sounds to me that you could really use a HC cabin.

Can I ask why?

I agree. It's on a deck with more "life" to it, as opposed to being, essentially, in the belly of the beast. The only difference in the room seems to be the location, and the higher the deck, the better. At least for me..

And I like front of the ship, when I have the choice [but son HC, so have to go where HC rooms are] .

Personally, I'd much prefer 8006.

Dawn is a lovely ship.

Don't have input on organized teen activities, but if it's the kids first cruise, what would they compare it to? When my kids were teens, the all-you-can-eat, all day long, was a big bonus :)

If it's an hour away, go for it.

HC showers can leak out. So....

We roll up towels, just outside the bathroom. Treat it like a camp shower. Take quick showers, don't turn water on full blast, turn water off while lathering. Isn't a big issue anymore.

Other option - take showers at gym.

Shower heads can be hand-held, but they don't have to be.

Manual wheelchair, that collapses......Special needs at sea is a good company. Used them for 1st time this year.

OR HC room. Standard scooters don't fit thru regular stateroom door. And rooms are small, anyway. Scooter in room would make getting around in room very challenging.

Leaving scooter in hallway is a safety issue, and makes it nearly impossible for others in mobility chairs to get around it, given in the narrow hallways.

After reading these replies, the few that have not liked "freestyle" sound like they prefer a more "regimented style" of dining. Not speaking from experience, but it sounds like prison ! You !....... sit down here now.........Hey You ! ........ eat this ........ Yes You ! ........ Hurry up there's more waiting to sit there !

I know that's not the way it's done, just being sarcastic, but if you don't like Freestyle then why did you cruise with NCL in the first place ?

Just curious !

 

 

cheers...the Ump...:D

Price, schedule, itinerary. For us, it's mostly the itinerary.

We have to 'create' our own schedule for dining, etc. Due to medical issues with DS, we have to stick to a schedule, so his meds and feeding are at same time every day.. I suspect we're not the only ones who have to stick to a schedule for medical reasons.

We're not big fans of freestyle dining.

So.... Went to dinner in MDR at same time each night before it got crowded [like 1st seating]. Sat at same table. Half the time, even had same waiter or assistant.

Have you reached PIF date? If not, CSA Deluxe Plan covers pre-existing, and can be purchased up to PIF date.

A little more $$, but not much. I think for us, it was like $75 more than other plans....but in the grand scheme of things, that's nothing.

I take reviews with a grain of salt.

I didn't have problems with the Dawn. Yah, she's an older ship, so doesn't have all the bells and whistles. Ship was clean, well-maintained. Customer service was great. Buffet could be a little crowded, but that's par for the course.

Of course, there are the many dissertations on "Man the Hunter vs. Woman the Gatherer" that might begin to scratch the surface... but that's so clinical and boring. I like DirtyDawg's Raiders of the Lost Ark comparison so much better. :)

 

As a card-carrying woman, I can assure you gents that not all women pack this way. Yes, I have a 1-page checklist with stuff I want to bring, but it's a short enough list to pack in a couple of hours. What makes this possible - and it was not always so - was the mantra I acquired around age 50 that now makes travel much less stressful:

 

I will probably never see these people again.

 

This means:

I CAN wear the same dress pants 7 nights in a row.

I CAN wear the same formal outfit both formal nights.

I CAN bring only my worst undies and throw them away instead of bringing them back home (thus creating space for - yay! Shopping.)

 

Appearing neat and clean is important, but I can do that with a 22" roller bag. This rocks for many reasons.

 

In defence of over-packers, however, it may be that the process of gathering the vacation stuff together is an important part of the pleasure of vacationing. See? We're back to the Hunter-Gatherer thing after all. While she's searching for the magnets, Post-It notes and duct tape, go cook your woman a steak and everyone will be happy!

 

Cheers,

Kirsten

Yup, yup. 'pack heavy or pack happy. pick one.'

I have a packing list. Usually pack a month out, but it takes only a hour - max. I pack early, so I don't accidentally wear something, and then have to scramble to get it cleaned/pressed.

Everything coordinates. Bottoms are black or dark navy, and go with almost everything.

14-days, a carry-on suitcase and a tote bag.