Uniall

We are going mid-Dec and can grap a pic of the board and post.

From past experience, we've learned photos of the officer's bulletin board posted on the Cruise Critic are too small to read on computers, not to mention cell phones.

Instead, go to the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet where they hand out cards listing the officers and their On Board phone numbers. (this is great info to have if you need to resolve problems during your cruise.)

Then type a posting from the hand out card when you get home.

We board the SUN tomorrow.

(Hi John)

I know that Vesna is F & B - heard from her.

 

Mickie is Restaurant Mgr (heard from her) and we LOVE her!!!!

She told me that Hal Brooms is Exec Housekeeping - he's a favorite of ours.

 

I'm pretty sure Brian is still HD.

 

I'll report when I get Wifi.

We will not have it on the ship - wasn't available as a freebee when I bought this.

We got unlimited dining, beverages, and gratuities & some excursion credit.

It was an old plan not offered now.

 

We'll be onboard for 31 days, so I'll have plenty of time to report.

 

Oh, David Contreras told me that Carlos will be the concierge & he says Carlos is great.

 

Judy

Judy

Thanks for the posting.

Actually, I was fairly up to date from personal emails on the Sun as well as a recent full report from Mr. Happy.

I've been hoping that more members who ask for info just before they cruise, return the favor by posting info after they cruise.

John

I posted this a couple of days ago and no one answered, does any one know who the officers are the Sun? I am leaving in 10 days and would like to know, if anyone has this information.

 

Captain,

Hotel Director

Asst HD

Concierge

Assistant Concierge

Restaurant Manager

Beverage Manager

 

Any help with be appreciated.

 

Candie

Candie

 

The only one I know is Hotel Director Brian Walters.

I know this from personal email contact in the last 72 hours, not from having been aboard.

 

There seems to be a growing trend on this thread for folks to post requests for current information befor sailing.

Then, they fail to post actual information after sailing.

Please help us break this cycle by posting all the names when you return home around Oct 15.

 

Bon Voyage,

 

John

Candie (Firegal)

Did you ever post the Sun's officers after your return?

John

oops

Just booked a cabana for next year. Very excited! Can't wait to see a map of the cabanas and reviews to find out which one we want.

I've booked the only accessable cabana. Aside from it's utility for several guests who use mobility devices, I hoping it's closest to the ship and island activity areas.

We booked a beach cabana for our November Jade trip. We're disappointed that food and beverage are at an extra cost and that the UBP can't be used, if this is truly the case. What I find confusing is this, from NCL's website:

 

Luxurious beachside cabanas that accommodate up to 10 guests and feature concierge food and beverage service, dedicated cabana bar, lounge chairs, private bathrooms and air conditioning.

 

I supposed that means there will be an attendant who will fetch and carry, but you have to pay for it.

If you start the day with duking the butler $30 ($5pp) there will be smooth sand, calm water, and refreshing breezes.

You might even find the food & beverage prices drop.

Why does everything have to be on the cheap?

How about a 5 star first class splurge for a day.

I was refering to the crime posts...

 

Keep beating your fear drum. Zika exists all over the carribbean and is in the united states. Its all over every single island, to include puerto rico, as well as central america. The vast majority of people who get have no symptoms. The largest impact is on pregnant women.

 

So, whats the point of your post? Zika exists as much as the common cold yet millions of people travel to the Caribbean with no issue.

 

Go lock yourself in a panic room if you are so concerned

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I don't know where you get the idea that I'm "beating a fear drum" about Zika virus? I didn't post the reported case in Calker Caye. But, some folks refuse to believe the US Center for Disease Control publicized warnings and concerns for the virus. Those most at risk include pregnant women and those with a weakened auto immune system. That means many senior citizens who also make up a large per centage of cruisers. The CDC warnings do not say "Don't Go". They say "Be Careful" (e.g. use repellant, long sleeves, etc.) Being cautious is not the same thing as being in a panic. I well remember a 2 week small group (8 couples) trek of 5 cities in Morocoin 2006. Once, we met our fellow trekers, we were relieved to learn that 5 of the males came from military or law enforcment backgrounds. We went on auto pilot dividing up the daily rountine 4 watching foward, flanks and rear while the 5th watched the women in the center. That wasn't panic that was intelligent worst case scenario planning.

PS

I'm reminded of an old adage:

Youngsters and drunks have one thing in common. They both believe they are bullet proof. LOL

Google Chicago and post all the shootings... Or any major city. Besides its Belize city, not harvest caye.

 

Apples and oranges.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hmmm, let's try Aristotillian logic to your syllogism:

Chicago has more shootings than other cities.

Calker Caye, Belize has a reported case of Zika virus.

Therefore, there is no danger of Zicka virus in Harvest Caye, Belize.

Huh?

Thank you so much for confirming. He is my favorite Captain by far! Hoping when I sail Gem in April he will be there.:)

I'm more a Captain Bligh or Captain Queeg kinda guy ................. LOL

Here is a photo of all the officers onboard Escape 9/24.

 

Captain Gunnar

CD - Scott Mikelonis

HD - Sean

 

If you can't see the rest, please let me know and I'll post any more names.

I don't know about others but your photo is much to small for me to see the images, let alone read the names.

It would be a big help if you would type the names using the original format of this thread and its predecessors for 4+ years.

Thanks for your help.

Captain

Hotel Director

Cruise Director

Food & Beverage Director

Restaurant Manager

Executive Chef

Concierge

Group Events Coordinator

Butlers

I posted this a couple of days ago and no one answered, does any one know who the officers are the Sun? I am leaving in 10 days and would like to know, if anyone has this information.

 

Captain,

Hotel Director

Asst HD

Concierge

Assistant Concierge

Restaurant Manager

Beverage Manager

 

Any help with be appreciated.

 

Candie

Candie

The only one I know is Hotel Director Brian Walters.

I know this from personal email contact in the last 72 hours, not from having been aboard.

There seems to be a growing trend on this thread for folks to post requests for current information befor sailing.

Then, they fail to post actual information after sailing.

Please help us break this cycle by posting all the names when you return home around Oct 15.

Bon Voyage,

John

We were also on the Sept. 2013 Iceland cruise on the Star and our concierge was Armando. He was great. We haven't had a Patrick that I recall.

After I posted I realized Patrick was Panama Canal in 2011, but didn't bother correcting it!

 

I don't recall an Armando at all on the Star 2013...I thought it was Omar, LOL.

The only Armando that I've met is Hotel Director Armando DiSilva.

Are you 100% sure that Evans Hoyt is still with NCL? I've read that he's now Master at Carnival, please check here.

Callimero is correct. Captain Hoyt left Norwegian shortly after he brought The Escape to Miami last November.

Sharon Rae and I were sad to see Captain Hoyt's departure from NCL. The week before he bid Norwegian adieu, he honored us with a private reception on the bridge to celebrate our 500 points Latitudes milestone award.

The change from allowing officers and crew to play a role in their assignment and knowing ahead of time is another example of shift from the Sheehan to the Del Rio management style.

Previously, officers, crew and guests were treated as "family".

Now, officers and crew are treated as "employees" and guests are treated as "customers".

This has affected the former feeling of warmth and comraderie enjoyed by officers, crew and guests.

This mangement style shift was necessitated by NCL's growth from a medium sized cruise line to one the "big boys."

The fleet of 10 ships in 2010 has now grown to 15 (with 2 more to go) plus Oceania's 6 ships and Regent's 4 ships.

Only time will tell whether the resulting good outweighs the bad in terms of crew and customer satisfaction.

Thanks John for the Belize travel advisory update. My Getaway cruise stops there in Nov. We were supposed to go to Harvest Cay. Now I may just stay on the ship and call it a sea day. I never did care for Belize anyways and last time I was there, I only got off to buy an Xmas gift at the dock for my brother. Are you scheduled to go there for your New Year's Eve cruise on the Dawn?

Yes, we're scheduled to do Harvest Caye on Jan 2 as part of our New Years Eve cruise.

I have nothing new. Rather lengthy article on Belize crime you posted. I have been to Belize north several times. Nothing bad to report.

 

I did notice your future book and the Pearl will be in N.O. fall 2017. I had not noticed that before. I usually sail out of N.O.

 

Pearl out of Seattle is where I got sick. Bacteria and PARASITES, in my liver. Just started killing, and getting out the parasites in mid-March. So 13 months of getting well.

My lengthy post is NOT an "article". It's a "shortened" version of the US State Department's "warning advisory" on Belize City. Since the State Department normally down plays safety risks, the length and severity of their Belize City advisory is cause for serious concern.

"Safety and Security"

"Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world visit Belize safely every year, but Belize is rated high for crime. Domestic gang members and other criminals have used fragmentation grenades and firearms to settle disputes. Neither U.S. citizens nor other foreign nationals are known to have been the victims or targets of terrorist activity in Belize. No areas are closed to travel but visitors should exercise caution, particularly in southern Belize City and remote areas along Belize’s borders..."

"CRIME: Although the majority of reported criminal incidents occur in Belize City, particularly southern Belize City, crime may occur anywhere including tourist destinations such as San Pedro Town (Ambergris Caye), Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Dangriga, Corozal, and Placencia. Much of the violent crime in Belize occurs on the south side of Belize City, home to several street gangs. Law enforcement and security forces are allowed to conduct warrantless searches of personnel and property in “crime ridden” areas. A lack of capacity, resources,and training impedes the ability of the police to effectively investigate crime and apprehend serious offenders. As a result, the majority of crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted."

"Crime, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, home invasions, shootings, stabbings, murders, and sexual assaults, remains high. Tourists at resorts and on the roads and river ways, and in the Teakettle/Camalote/Roaring Creek corridor just outside of Belmopan, have been targeted. Incidents of crime (such as theft, burglary, home invasion, purse-snatching, and pick-pocketing) increase during the winter holidays and during spring break, but can occur anytime of year. Sexual harassment and/or assault of persons traveling alone or in small groups have been reported. There have been several sexual assaults on U.S. citizens leaving night clubs, and even during daylight hours."

"There has been a significant increase in homicides in other areas of Belize, most notably Cayo District and Ambergis Caye, in the past several years. Robberies, home invasions, sexual assaults and daytime assaults are committed across Belize. Victims, including U.S. citizens, have mainly been targets of opportunity. Violent crimes are not common in tourist areas, but U.S. citizens have been assaulted in Caye Caulker and San Pedro, including reports of sexual assault."

"We encourage U.S. citizens to exercise caution and good situational awareness in all their travel activities. Visitors should travel in groups and only during daylight hours. Avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuable or expensive items. Visitors to tourist attractions should travel in groups and remain at the main plazas at Maya ruins and the central areas. Although there are armed guards stationed at many of the archeological sites, armed criminals have been known to prey on persons walking alone or in small groups from one site to another. While many victims of theft are unharmed and only robbed of personal belongings and cash, victims who resist have suffered injury. U.S. citizens who become victims of a robbery should report it immediately to the nearest police station as well as notifying the Embassy."

"Do not leave valuables unattended in vehicles, hotel rooms, or on the beach. Consider leaving high value items, such as cameras and other electronics, at home. Women’s handbags should be zipped and held close to the body. Men should carry wallets in their front pants pocket. Cash transactions should always be handled discreetly; avoid openly displaying money in public."

"Theft of credit card information or funds committed against patrons of tourist destinations happens frequently in some areas of Belize. Belize is not “PCI Compliant” (PCI – Payment Card Industry) with the Point of Sale credit card swipe machines used at hotels. This means that when a receipt is printed out from a credit card machine, it does not delete the first 12 numbers of the credit card number, instead printing the numbers, making it easy for someone such as a server at a restaurant, a cashier at a store, or a front desk clerk at a hotel to record the numbers for making unauthorized charges against the card. It is believed that several credit card fraud rings are currently active in Belize, particularly in San Pedro."

“Confidence scams” also occur in Belize, especially in resort areas. While there is no indication U.S. citizens are specifically singled out because of their nationality, tourists in general are particularly vulnerable to these crimes, resulting in visitors being pick-pocketed or robbed. More serious crimes have included armed robbery, physical assault, and being swindled out of large sums of money from fraudulent real estate and land sales or other business deals."

"There have been reports of fraud committed against expatriates who have attempted to purchase land in Belize. Many expats have reported being the victim of scams in which land is purchased that either did not exist or was legally owned by other parties. It has been reported that Belizean authorities have not been proactive in investigating these crimes and enacting measures to ensure that they do not occur in the future..."

I checked a blog monitoring Harvest Caye in Belize and NCL should be ashamed of themselves for the destruction they're causing in the area. On the little island they bought is one thing but coral protects the country of Belize from rough seas caused by hurricanes. Dumping rocks haphazardly on the coral and pouring concrete to make a man-made beach for cruise guests isn't such a smart idea. :mad:

 

It seems like the government is finally starting to crack down on it all:

http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/497138/2.html

 

I wonder if anyone has aerials of what Great Stirrup Cay looked like before it was developed? I believe a lot of greenery was removed from the island the last time they did construction. :cool:

Yeah, I think the biggest difference between the private Bahamian cays and Belize is that changes to the "private" Bahamian cays usually only affect the cay itself, whereas in Belize it actually affects the coral and mainland as well. So, yes, I'm rather disappointed NCL is going full-blown ham-fisted on this.

It sounds like human progress to me. I wonder if there were complaints when the first caveman improved his cave by carving a hole in the ceiling to make a chimney, piled rocks in the front of the opening to provide security, and leveled off the entrance to create an outdoor terrace.

I can't wait to rent one of the air conditioned cabanas for a party of ten.

Harvest Caye, I love it.

Do they still have the kid's buffet and tables? Thank you.

Funny thing about the kid's buffet. I was up and about at 5 am on the Epic a few years ago and was very hungry. The put out the kids breakfast buffet first (French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, bacon, etc.) I filled my plate leaving sparse pickings just as a mom and three kids showed up. My only regret was the kids buffet didn't serve coffee ... LOL

Looks pretty darn good.

If you love Trans Atlantics so much, how come my begging you to join us goes unheeded ?? LOL

Is this unrequited love ? LOL

Luv Ya and Miss Ya

We just returned from a 26 day cruise, Tampa to Barcelona on RCCL Briliance of the Seas. We sailed past Giglio island en route beween ports of call of Livorno and Civitavechia, Italy. I asked the Captain if he could do a sail by salute to Giglio. He told me this was Royal Caribbean not Costa and I'd have to change cruise lines to do something that stupid. LOL

Here's a still photo of the next Costa Concordia location.

They're setting up the webcams now, so you guys can continue your vigil.

.

.

Amended

Thank you