DMH15

16 minutes ago, CDR Benson said:

 

Moreover, even the most well-behaved children lack maturity of judgement and the ability to accurately assess "actions vs. consequences".  That's why you and the spouse don't go on a beach vacation for two weeks and leave your ten-year-old alone and unsupervised at home, no matter how well behaved he is.

 

And it's not just younger children.  I'm personally familiar with a case in which Mom and Dad went off on a week-end getaway, leaving their well-behaved sixteen-year-old daughter at home alone and in charge of the house.  Little Missy decided to invite twenty or thirty of her closest personal friends over for a party that Saturday night.  When the shebang got into full swing, the teens raided Dad's liquor cabinet and fueled further festivities. 

 

By the time the police arrived, called by neighbours irritated by the noise, they found Dad's gun locker broken into, two expensive Remington rifles broken, paint dumped all over the white living room rug, and the canopy over the front porch collapsed.  Roughly $10,000 in damages, total.  When the officers asked the well-behaved sixteen-year-old daughter why she invited so many young people over and allowed them to drink alcohol, she tearfully replied, "But I thought I could control them!"

 

(And, no, she wasn't my kid.  Otherwise, I'd be posting this from the prison computer while I was serving time for murder.)

 

But, you see, poor ability to gauge actions vs. consequences from a, yes, genuinely well-behaved teen.

 

This is why such rules concerning minors are put in place, by NCL and by other venues.  Not because the kid is necessarily a hellspawn, but because his judgement less developed.

 

 

OMG.  I just realized while reading your post you could have been talking about me 50 years ago.  
 

My parents had gone out and upon return commented on my rearranging the furniture in our living room.  It was months later they realized it was because of the huge hole in the wall behind the secretary, which one of my “friends” had left behind.  
 

I have three siblings but my mom always attributed her grey hair to me.   Ironically, I developed into a very responsible adult, by the grace of God.  
 

In all my cruises I have never been bothered enough by teens, tweens or kids to consider it a detriment to my enjoyment.  This encompasses 5 lines and Haven and YC to inside cabin.  

11 hours ago, amygutman said:

Ran it by British Kate for an "official British response". She told me I was daft. 😂

Love it.  I am hanging my head in shame.  LOL. 

10 hours ago, amygutman said:

@McGarrett5oh and @DMH15 I always have a travel mug glued to my hand but it's apparently very important how one boils the water vs the water itself for British tea.

 

To put the tea discussion into perspective, on my first shift in the Bermudian ED ("A&E"), at precisely 1500 in the midst of a crazily packed department 1/2 the nurses handed off their patients to go to the breakroom. Curious, I followed them and was stunned to see 5 separate kettles, tea cups WITH SAUCERS labelled with staff names, sugar cubes and condensed milk and Dunkley's milk (local Bermudian farm) all laid out on the counter with McVitie's Digestives. 

 

The nurses showed me the tea choices and when I said that I would just microwave tap-water for instant cafe bustelo I thought my first day of work would be my last. Thank goodness the matron came to my rescue telling everyone to excuse my behavior as I was American "and you know they don't know any better". 

 

So...as much as a carafe may suit us American heathens for our afternoon pick-me-up, I think that even the glory of the Haven will not be able to overcome the potential lack of a kettle for my dear friend Kate. 

Warmest Amy

I love this post!!!  So cute!!!   Yes, I admit I am a coffee drinker (no Kcups) but my sis and niece love a proper tea.  
 

see, Cruise Critic is informative AND educational. 

On 9/9/2023 at 11:49 PM, Zippeedee said:

Probably an unpopular opinion but I love the spa on the Epic. It all the way aft with an outdoor balcony area. Great views and fresh air.

It was a nice set up but very un-spa-like on my cruise.  Very loud and obnoxious. People treated it like a bar and camped out all day.  It was incredibly difficult to get a day bed or ceramic lounger. 

What about bringing a premium insulated carafe with lid to keep hot water in and keep it hot.  No heating element.  
 

This is not wxactly the answer to the question but I once won a cruise on the Jewel from a local radio station and Honda.  You did not have to be a Honda owner but I am.  
 

The local TA handling the res let me pay the difference to upgrade.  Yay. 

5 hours ago, hallux said:

Enough with the "someone's coughing, they must be sick".  I can get into a fit of coughing if I drink something carbonated, doesn't mean I'm sick but by your reasoning you're going to assume I'm deathly ill.  People cough for MANY reasons.

If someone coughs constantly during a 3 hour plane trip I would assume so.  Especially if paired with sniffles, a red nose and a box of tissues depleted.  If I were prone to something like carbonated drinks I think I would refrain while flying.  Like it or not, the phrase “Perception Trumps Reality” comes to mind. 
 

I have a friend with a handicapped tag who walks fine but has severe heart issues and people are often questioning her trying to cheat the system.  So, yes, there are exceptions.
 

I got sick with covid flying from Dallas to Charleston last year.  I was masked but lowered it to eat and there was a lady a few rows back doing all the things in the previous paragraph. 
 

Anyone prone to coughing fits who is in close quarters should wear a N-95 mask if they truly care about others.  

18 hours ago, AlexandNessa said:

The GV gets 6 from a list. Though in my experience you can sub bottles if the replacement price is equivalent and they have availability onboard (e.g. we sub Vanilla Vodka for vodka). DOS and OS get 3 bottles. 

 

Here is the latest list i have (this month) for the DOS

 

Depends on the butler how much leeway in the exchange.  
 

we were in DOS Epic. 

34 minutes ago, DrSea said:

Doctors are employed by NCL. Staff (like managers and captain etc) try recruiting me every time they find out I'm a doctor. 

This may have changed since my mother was rewated on thr Jewel.  Sorry if I was incorrect. 

1 hour ago, Travelling2Some said:

We did a trans-Atlantic on the Sun in November and, while I don't remember many specifics, we were very happy with the ship, particularly the crew on that one.  Buffet food was not as good as the Bliss (fewer choices, poor layout, Indian not as good) but there's always plenty of good stuff to eat on any cruise.  It was our first trans-Atlantic.  We had a lot of sea days and were not bored.  Inside cabin was roomier than most.  We have been on lots of the big ships and I would not hesitate to book the Sun again.

I think people are either TA people or not.  We love sea days.   Sometimes we are so overwhelmed on a port intensive cruise we don’t have time to relax and enjoy being “out in the ocean”.

8 hours ago, MammothMan said:

We did a 10 day Alaskan cruise in May. We had a penthouse on the aft of the ship and got to see some fantastic sunsets. The sun is an older ship and her layout is a little strange but it also has an intimacy that you don’t get on the big ships. We found the entrainment lacking with the shows being below the current standards. The crew was great. 
 

I probably won’t sail her again. Not because it was a bad trip (10 days of sunshine in May in Alaska will make any cruise ship fantastic) but because there’s so much more additional amenities for suite passengers on the newer ships. 
 

One other word of caution. The sun is less than 100,000 ton with at 25 year old stabilization system. In rough seas she will rock and roll. For me an ex submarine sailer I love the

motion, my wife on the other hand was not a happy camper for the first sea day out of Seattle. 

 

But…it’s still cruising and there’s nothing better than that. 
 

 

 

I also cruised on the Sun in an aft PH.  Twice.  A total of 25 days.  It is my favorite ship.  I loved it.   I loved breakfast and lunch in Il Adagio.  I think it is a La Cucina now.  
 

I loved our aft balcony.   So much.  The Sun has no Haven but only 20 suites on board.  I would cruise on the Sun again in a heartbeat. 
 

18 hours ago, spdwain said:

Can anyone tell me if the sofabeds on Sun are real fold out sofabeds?  We find the futon like sofa, like on Breakaway, where you simply remove the back is very hard and uncomfortable.  We sail as 3 adults and really need a comfortable bed for the 3rd person. 

We had a sofa bed in our living room and a bed in the bedroom.  My mom insisted on the sofa bed.   She was fine.  I found it uncomfortable.  

First, so sorry you got sick on your vacation.  Several years ago my sweet mother got sick on our Jewel Transatlantic.  We knew exactly when and how.  We were seated at dinner with “Nick” who was sick, he told us… and he sneezed all over his hands and handed the bread basket to mom.  It was all over…
 

She missed excursions in Italy and Greece, was stck in the outside cabin with room service and did not see Athens except our hotel room.  So, I know how disappointing it can be.  She saw ship doc and doc in Athens twice.  She had insurance but her asthma complicated the claim.  We were just happy she recovered.  That was pre-Covid.  Since my mom was in her late 60’s she bought insurance and as her roommate I did too.  
 

I visited my brother in South Carolina last year in June for his birthday and was fully vaccinated but I, without question, caught covid on the plane.   Sure it was that lady coughing behind me.  After a few days, I was sick as a dog and shared it with my brother and his wife.  My 4 day trip became 11.  I was able to change my flight home because I included trip insurance… just in case.
 

Anyways, the ship did not give you COVID, most likely it was a pax. Our world has changed.   You said you packed your own COVID test since there was a possibility you would need it.  Once you tested positive it became NCL’s problem, inasmuch as to protect everyone onboard.  Unlike a land vacation they could not just pull over and “let you off” and of course their prime concern HAD TO BE minimizing the chance of your spreading covid.   It does make more sense for you to be in a taxi than on a bus.   The way people wear masks improperly alone is one way it spreads.  
 

COVID is here.  We can all stay locked in our homes remotely or live our lives, taking precautions where necessary.  The responsibility lies with each of us.  And if we get COVID once, twice, three or more times we take accountability and responsibility.  We are proactive with insurance and reactive with an emergency fund or alternative plans.  It is not the cruiselines job to help us or expedite on our behalf over the normal contract or provisions of the additional insurance purchased. 
 

The ship’s Doctors are not part of NCL by the way.   And yes, they are very expensive.  You did not mention if you had trip insurance.  Did you?  
 

Wishing you a speedy recovery.   Again, so sorry.  It is terrible to be sick on vacation.  And COVID even worse.  

5 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@DMH15 Funny you should say Keto Carrot Cake.  My son is 37 today.  My wife is making him a Gluten Free, keto Carrot Cake.  Small world. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment

I hope he has a very happy birthday.   Yummmy. 

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@DMH15 Funny story. In 2018, my wife and I went on the NCL Getaway.  We were in a Haven Spa Suite outside of Haven Proper.  My wife and I were 100% going to cruise on Keto.  It was obvious we could do that with no issue.  My wife made it two days and I made it desert the first night.  They had Chocolate Cake my neighbors was having and it was all she wrote. I respect your discipline however we have agreed, this 10 days, we do what every we want.  No cruise scheduled after our next though. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

I do not judge and could see myself doing the same.   Happy cruising. 
 

On another cruise, on MSC Seaside in YC I was very disciplined.  Ate a lot of beef and seafood.  On the last night I had had ENOUGH!  SInce I was on an Italian cruise line I ordered the spaghetti bolognese and it ended up being my favorite meal of the entire week.  It was indulgent but so rewarding. 
 

So now when I am craving it I make the sauce and eat it with homemade ricotta and some grilled or roasted veggies. 
 

I wish you two could taste my Keto Chocolate cake.  You would be shocked it is not the real thing.  Myself, I choose carrot cake.  LOL. 

22 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@RocketMan275 I started pre-covid.  I weighed 300 lbs.  Not good especially since I was 5' 10". My adult son got my wife and I on Keto.  I lost 70 lbs.  Then stayed there for a while.  My wife in an effort to be able to walk a lot on our upcoming ports of call in Europe started to walk every day.  Be both went on Keto again and I walk with her ever other day.  My hips and knees are great.  Hers are getting better with the walking. 

 

I am 5 lbs away from my goal of 199 lbs for the cruise which is 60 days from now.  I did have ice cream yesterday though.  A little cheat. Thank you for asking.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I also am Keto too and find cruising easy to accomodate.   Breakfast is my favorite meal.   I bring my own sugar free coffee syrup and some zero carb tortillas. Love protein, veggies and salad.  
 

Some sugar free ice cream, berries and such satisfy my sweet tooth. 
 

I allow myself one or two indulgences (I prefer that to cheat) during the cruise. 
 

And all the walking is a plus. 
 

On 8/30/2023 at 5:27 PM, Sthrngary said:

@Traveling Fools This issue with the inconsistent butlers has been a topic on CruiseCritic.com quite often. A few experience I have had with butlers will allow me to to make a point.  Others experiences might differ.  Kind of like food in restaurants, subjective. 

 

After getting some duds for Butlers a few times, I was frustrated.  My goal when booking a cruise is to "control, the controllable".  I had gotten to be friends with a few butlers and asked what was going on to create such a discrepancy.  The word around the campfire (shameless movie line from Pulp Fiction) was NCL created a situation where a high percentage of time, the butlers never got tips.  It seems the guest was unaware the Butlers in the Haven were NOT on the pre-paid gratuity program and the guest thought they were paid.  This lead to discontentment over time because this was how they made their living. 

 

When I found this out, I created what is now know on this and other boards as the Butler letter which included the entire week gratuity for the butler provided on day one.  I learned this from doing business in Germany when my client would pay me on day one and say, "I want you to know I trust you to do a GREAT job for us."  I would always do a great job but this simple gesture really had me focused on my customer just a bit more.  

 

From that point two things happened.  All of my butlers whether on NCL, Celebrity and Crystal Cruises were outstanding.  The Butler on Crystal was so over the top great I am afraid not butler on any line will ever come close.  His name was Engin for those Crystal Cruise fans.  The second thing that happened was pointed comments from the members saying what I was doing was horrible.  YET, if it is our goal to, "Control the Controllable" and I got noticeable better butler service after I change my approach, I achieve my goal.  

 

My next cruise will be on Oceania for 10 days in the Mediterranean.  The butler letter has been written over a year ago and the cruise is in 60 days.  I will report back my results but I have a very good feeling about it. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

You have won me over.  
 

I have never been a tipper in advance.  But I do feel sorry for the poor butlers who work hard only to not receive a tip.  
 

I have always mentioned to my butler and concierge early that I look forward to rewarding them personally for them taking care of us.  
 

Only time I did not tip at the end is when my butler got off at one of the ports and kept going.  Even his girlfriend, a server, did not hear from him by disembarkation day. I do not think it was an accident or foul play, he was new and not very good.  We tipped our concierge extra as she was instrumental in making sure all of the suite guests were still taken care of. 
 

i can definately see why you do what you do and the positive results. 

On 8/30/2023 at 3:33 PM, Traveling Fools said:

 I don't remember being escorted from the Haven back to our suite.  But then I cheated.  Lunch for Have guests was available at one of the restaurants on the aft pool deck.  I can't remember the name of it.  Anyway, I was able to breech the fire door and get to my suite where I stored our carry-on.  Got caught doing it, was scolded, and escorted back out the common area.

 

Great question!  I don't know how many butlers NCL assigns to service Aft Haven suites.  Ours took care of aft suites on more than one deck.  He was not very responsive and was the worst butler we have ever had.  Our disembarkation was self delayed while we waited for him to walk the length of the ship to the Haven "proper" to give him his tip envelope.  He didn't even say Thank-you.  I never said anything to NCL because it was witnessed by Virginia, the Concierge, with whom we had sailed with before.  She was as stunned as we were.  

 

We were sailing with our two young grandchildren and asked him to deliver breakfast to the suite on all but the last morning.  We also asked to deliver warm milk for our GS every evening.  He always seemed put out.

 

The BEST butler we have ever had hands down or up was MR. MAXIE.  He is absolutely the best!👌

I agree about Maxie.  Just exceptional.  His personality is contageous and his professionalism and work ethic are second to none. 
 

I have only had one butler who did not measure up.  He was new and quit during our cruise so for the last few days one butler was tasked with 20 suites instead of ten.  Luckily it was Armando, who was fantastic!  I believe a senior steward or two assisted him.  
 

Even before our original butler left he was not good.  He celebrated his birthday during our cruise and got wasted so was hung over.  He told us!  Two guys we met on our cruise were in an fwd suite while we were in an aft suite (on the Sun) and around day 5 were surprised when we told them we enjoy the evening cookies.  They had no idea about that perk. 
 

sigh.   In spite of it all it remains my favorite cruise.  We roll with the punches and laugh it off. Having a great concierge Karen was a plus. 

On 9/1/2023 at 6:11 AM, ajtraveler66 said:

Thanks for that info.  I'm now thinking that since the Bliss is using the new locks that we'll be okay.  I'm excited about seeing the canal, but my main reason for choosing this cruise is to also set my foot in South America.

 

And what you say about rumors is so true.  That said, if you think I need to delete this post (since I'm the one who started it) I will do so...not sure how to do that, however.  Please advise if you think it's wise.

I loved South America.  My favorite cruise to date!  

20 hours ago, njkate said:

Please if your tushy is so special you need tushy wipes please DO NOT flush them even if they say flushable

Currently on Jewel with a toilet issue every day, per NCL the line keeps clogging due to someone flushing tushy wipes!!!  Real pain to have to keep going to a common toilet as the one on our cabin isn’t flushing 

Someone on my roll call said the other day she saw someone come back with a package of Northern that fluffy tp also a no no they should have confiscated until cruise end

LOL when I saw the title to this thread I thought it was a thread about entitled demanding cruisers

12 hours ago, gizfish said:

Maybe if the cruise lines would put some sort of liner in the bathroom trash bin, people would be more comfortable throwing nasty used wipes in them than flushing them.  

Or the person who feels the need to use them pack some snack size zip lock bags?

On 6/20/2023 at 7:02 AM, Branbay said:

Just for some laughs, my wife asked what stateroom we were in last night, she doesn't know we are staying in the Haven as it's a surprise. So I quickly blurted out it was on deck 15...she bought it...lol.  I also had some difficulty intercepting the Haven letter with the luggage tags, she's a school teacher and she's off for the summer.

I love it.  

My BIL did similar for my sis.  A land based trip to the Caribbean.   He totally surprised her inasmuch he packed for both of them, including passports, arranged a secret week off from her boss, etc.  The plan was to drive to the airport and let it play out.  
 

Only problem is he packed like 30 pairs of sox, no shoes, a beaded dress way too small, (it was vintage my grandmother made as a designer in hollywood) and really nothing appropriate.  My sis got to shop at the island store!

We all still talk about it!   You will too for years to come!!!  Good job. 

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

😉

 

Sometimes it feels that way.  Just like our kids, we cater to their food wants, take them out when they want, make sure they're warm and dry.  LOL!

 

But, they bring endless joy and love unconditionally.

 

I'm on my 3rd doggo...all rescues.  Each time the others passed, I swore I'd never get another.  Then, I'll see some sad scared eyes looking back at me at some SPCA or rescue event and, don't you know, I have a new family member.  Not complaining, however.

 

This girl is sitting next to me while I type this......

What sweet eyes.  Full of love.  What is her name?

I had a previous rescue.  A male black lab.  Jamie Joe.   My SIL was an apt mgr and he was loose with no tags.  No one answered the Lost notices.  He came at the right time of my life.  I had divorced and we had joint custody.  After that dog passed I needed one and Jamie appeared.  Timing is everything. 

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

They’re integral parts of our families.  And, just like any other being in our lives, we help them along when they are ill, infirm or in need.  Bless your soul for being there for your pup as s/he ages.  I know way too many who find their pets disposable.

Thank you.  I really appreciate your kind words.  
 

I tell people Lexie is the boss.  I just pay her bills. 

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@DMH15 My dog is one of my favorite beings.  His name is Otis Redding.  He is a 7 year old (tommorrow is his birthday) French Bulldog.  He has been a good friend to my wife and me.  It would be my honor to stay with him in his old age and show him the loyalty and respect he has shown us as you are doing for your kind dog.  

 

You can live vicariously through my postings, ask any questions you want, any time you want.  When you are ready, reach out to me and I will share what ever information you want on cruising at the time.  I am just a frequent guest that studies cruising every day.  

 

Tell your puppy, Otis says hello.

 

 

What a nice post.  My old sweet girl is Lexie.  She is a Shibu-Corgi mix.   I am joking that we are buying our vet a beach house.  As he says “she is a sweet and happy girl with ISSUES”.   A month or so ago she tore her ACL just walking.   So I pull her around in her buggy and all our neighbors say hi and love her.  She has an inoperable mass in her ear that keeps giving her ear infections.  And she has lypomas, after 2 surgeries, when she was young, we decided no more.  But, every day I assess her her life quality, which is good as we speak, so every day has been a blessing.  
 

Funny, I have always wished I could take her on a cruise.  She would behave admirably.  But in reality I really do not think dogs belong on a cruise, especially a larger ship.  But I can imagine it. 
 

Retirement is sooner rather than later so I know there will be more cruises.  I can wait.  
 

Otis!  Omg… “Dock of the Bay” is in my personal top 10 list.  Hopefully you and your wife have many more years with him.